B 968,294 INGAMMEN UNSUMNUNTAH HISTORY OF BUFFALO AND ERIE CO. WITH LUSTRATIONS 1620 1884 F 1 : ARTES 18371 SCIENTIA LIBRARY VERITAS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN E-PLURIBUS UNUM וואות TUEBOR SQUAERIS PENINSULAM AMOENAM CIRCUMSPICE F 127 Eb لدا 564 HISTORY OF THE CITY OF BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. EDITED BY H. PERRY SMITH. SYRACUSE, N. Y.: D. MASON & CO., PUBLISHERS, 1884. SYRACUSE, N, Y.: N. SMITH & BRUCE, Printers and Binders, 18 84. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I.—The Subject - Beginning of Erie County's History — When it was Named PAGE. 13 Its Boundaries — Its Area - The System Pursued.... CHAPTER II.-Erie County in 1620-- Topography - Level Land in the North- Rolling Land in the Center-Hills South of Center- Fertile Lands in Extreme South- River and Lake- Creeks Character of Forests - Old Prairies - The Animal Kingdom - The Buffalo - The Neuter Nation - The Eries - The Hurons - The Iroquois Former Occupants Fortifications Weapons Inferences - The French in Canada The Puritans in New England — The Dutch in New York……….. CHAPTER III.-From 1620 to 1655 — The French Traders - Dutch Progress The Jesuits 15 Capture and - De la Roche Daillon - The Company of a Hundred Partners Restoration of New France Chaumonot and Breboeuf - Hunting Buffalo Destruction of the Kahquahs and Eries Seneca Tradition - French Account Norman Hatchets Stoned-up Springs……………………. CHAPTER IV.-The Iroquois P Their System of Clans Its Importance - Its Probable Ori- gin- The Grand Council Sachems and War-Chiefs Method of Descent Choice of Sachems Religion - Natural Attributes - Family Relations...... CHAPTER V.-From 1655 to 1679- The Iroquois Triumphant - Obliteration of Dutch Power - French Progress - La Salle Visits the Senecas - Greenhalgh's Estimates La Salle on the Niagara Building of the Griffin It Enters Lake Erie Salle's Subsequent Career- The Prospect in 1670……………………………. CHAPTER VI.-French Dominion M 23 (ر) 27 La 33 A Slight Ascendency - De Nonville's Assault - Origin of Fort Niagara - La Hontan's Expedition The Peace of Ryswick - Queen Anne's War- The Iroquois Neutral The Tuscaroras Joncaire Fort Niagara Rebuilt - French Power Increasing - Successive Wars - The Line of Posts - The Final Struggle - The Expedition of D'Aubrey - The Result The Surrender of Canada.... CHAPTER VII.-English Dominion - Pontiac's League - The Senecas Hostile The Devil's Hole — Battle near Buffalo — Treaty at Niagara — Bradstreet's Expedition Israel Putnam Lake Commerce — Wreck of the Beaver - Tryon County — The Revolution Four Iroquois Tribes Hostile The Oswego Treaty Scalps- Brant Guienguahtoh — Wyoming - Cherry Valley - Sullivan's Expedition Sen- ecas Settle in Erie County - Gilbert Family- Peace...... M CHAPTER VIII.-From 1783 to 1788 — Treatment of the Six Nations The Treaty of Fort Stanwix The Western Boundary - Origin of the Name of Buffalo - Miss Powell's Visit Captain David ” - Claims of New York and Massachusetts How Set- tled — Sale to Phelps and Gorham — The Land Rings — A Council Called…...…………………. CHAPTER IX.-The Council - Brant - Butler — Kirkland — Phelps - Farmer's Brother - Red Jacket-Cornplanter - The Mill Seat The Bargain Butler's Pay. CHAPTER X.-From 1788 to 1797· Skendyoughwatti"- First White Resident 38 45 55 61 — of Africa The Holland Purchase Proctor's Visit British Influence Rights Final Failure - The Indians Insolent Wayne's Victory Middaugh and Lane -- The Forts Surrendered - Asa Ransom Asa Ransom - The Mother's Strategy First White Child The Indians Sell out Reservations..... A Son Woman's Johnston, 67 4 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. — PAGE. CHAPTER XI.--Survey and Settiement —The Holland Company - Three Sets of Proprietors Their System of Survey-- The State Reservation The West Transit - The Founder of Buffalo - The First Road- Indian Trails New Amsterdam - Hotel at Clarence- A Young Stranger Ellicott Made Agent -- First Wheat - The Office at Pine Grove A Hard Problem The first Purchase - Dubious Records — An Chapin's Project Aboriginal Engineer - A Venerable Mansion The First Mag- istrate. -- CHAPTER XII.—From 1802 to 1807 — Formation of Genesee County - First Murder - First Town Meeting — Primitive Balloting - The Big Tree Road — Buffalo Surveyed Dr. Chapin Erastus Granger - The Pioneer of the South Town - A Hard Trip - – Snow Shoes- Division of Batavia - Willink Erie Settlement of Boston An Ancient Fort - Settlement of East Hamburg - Of Evans — Of Aurora — Of Lancaster - Le Couteulx and Pratt - First Postoffice -- Organization of Willink Erie Town-Book A Primitive Mill-Warren and Williams - A Tavern in Evans A Grist-mill in Hamburg - A Four Days' Raising— First Meeting-house in the County A Mill in Aurora Settlement in Wales - First Methodist Society -- A Traveling Ballot Box - First Erie County Lawyer -- Chivalry at a Discount...... CHAPTER XIII.--Re-organization -- Division of Genesee County Necessary - Inconvenient Towns Captain Bemis' Strategy -- Erection of Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautau- Short Courts -- Town Changes Clarence -- Willink Destruction qua Counties - of the Town of Erie Actual Beginning of Erie County-First Officers Attorneys Court House... — — A M ... CHAPTER XIV.--Pioneers and Indians Poverty An Aristocratic Mansion - A Horse Bedstead Oxen The Rail A Raising Clearing Land -- The Logging Bee Fence The Barn -The Well --The Sweep-Browse - Sheep and Wolves Sugar Making Money Scarce Wheat and Tea - Potash Social Life -- Schools The Husking Bee - Buffalo Society - Indians - Describing a Tavern-Old King - Anecdotes of Red Jacket…..... and Young Smoke CHAPTER XV.-From 1808 to the War - Organization of Clarence - Settlement of Cheek- A Pioneer Fun- towaga - Settlement on Cayuga Creek - Progress in the Towns eral Glezen Fillmore Porter, Barton & Company-"The Horn Breeze" Census of 1810- Town of "Buffaloe - New Militia Regiments-Peter B. Porter -The Ogden Company - Settlement of Alden -- The Beaver's Cannon - Settle- Feminine ment of Colden- First Settler of Gowanda-The Buffalo Gazette- Names - Old-time Books — An Erudite Captain -- Advertisements for Workmen "A Delinquent and a Villain" Morals and Lotteries - The Medical Societies of Willink - Hamburg, Eden and Concord - An Indian Council Council — A Vessel Captured A Federal Committee -- Division Approach of War - Militia Officers The War Begun.. CHAPTER XVI.- The Campaign of 1812 —— Confusion 'Silver Greys"- The Queen Fear of Indians - Red Jacket's Logic 75 84 97 • 100 113 Charlotte The Charlotte Taken Iroquois Declaration of War -- Capture of two British Vessels - The First Victim of War Black Rock Bombarded - The Queenston Failure - Smyth's Proclama- tion A Gallant Vanguard — A Vacillating General — Invasion Relinquished — Au Erie County Duel A Riot Among the Soldiers - Political Matters - Quiet...... .. 125 CHAPTER XVII.-The Campaign of 1813 - The Young Commodore - Officers and Com- mitteemen - Hunters Caught Canada Invaded — Transition Period of Our Mili- tary System Surrender at Beaver Dams - Chapin's Exploit - Indians Enrolled Farmer's Brother and the Marauders A Raid and its Repulse — Skirmishing at Fort George Perry's Victory- More Skirmishing - Burning of Newark Runs Away Fort Niagara Captured — Danger Impending……………………… AwayFort McClure 136 • CONTENTS. in CHAPTER XVIII.-Sword and Fire mer ― - " PAGE. • 143 159 Number of Troops - The Enemy's Approach - Move- ments in Defense Chapin's Wrath - Attack and Repulse - Another with Same Result - Blakeslie's Advance — Battle of Black Rock - The Retreat - The Flight Universal Confusion "The Indians! the Indians !" Attempt at Defense Chapin's Negotiation — The Village in Flames Murder of Mrs. Lovejoy The Enemy Retire The Slain McClure to Blame - The Flight in the Country - The Buffalo Road The Big Tree Road Successive Vacancies Exaggerated Reports Return of the British More Burning - The Enemy at Hodge's and Cold Spring The Scene at Reese's- Ilarris Hill — Relief... CHAPTER XIX.—The Campaign of 1814— Mars and Hymen - Scott and Brown — Elections and Appointments - Discipline at Buffalo - The Death Penalty-The Advance Capture of Fort Erie-Approaching Chippewa — An Indian Battle — A Retreat A Dismounted Young Brave - Victory - Scalps Hard Times"- Advance to Fort George Return - Lundy's Lane - The Romance of War — Retreat to Fort Erie "Battle of Conjockety Creek " - Assault on Fort Erie- The Explosion Call for Volunteers - The Response The Track through the Forest — The Sortie Gallantry of the Volunteers General Porter- Quiet Peace....... CHAPTER XX.-From the War to the Division of the County — The Situation Red Jacket's Speech General Porter Tracy and Wilkeson Another Newspaper First Mur- der Trial The Old Court House Scarce Money - First Bank The Cold Sum- Marshal Grouchy and Red Jacket - Senecas in England - A President's Visit - Terrible Roads - Indian Sufferers Religious Improvement - Father Spencer - The Erie Canal - Political Factions - First Steamboat - First Framed Church Edifice — The Boundary Commission-Attempt to Buy the Reservations Red Jacket's Opposition The Second Execution The Grand Island War-Clin- tonians and Bucktails-Slavery in Erie County-Census of 1820-Division of Towns, 175 CHAPTER XXI.-From Formation of Erie County until 1830- The New County - Niagara Perpetuated — Change of Characteristics - Towns and Postoffices - Wolves and Hunters A Supine Cleopatra Pigeons Buffalo and Black Rock-So-on-ongise and Kauquatau - A Crime of Superstition A Remarkable Trial - Resignation of Ellicott Beginning the Canal - New Constitution - A Future President Alden and Erie — Paying for Land in Produce - The Three Thayers - LaFayette's Visit Noah and Ararat Completion of the Canal — Purchase of Part of the Res- ervations - The Morgan Excitement - Shooting Niagara Impeachment of Red Jacket An Erie County Cabinet Officer - Anti-Masonry-Census of 1830 — Post- offices General Appearance Death of Red Jacket........ CHAPTER XXII.-From 1831 to 1840-"The Year that Holt was Hung "- Erie and New- stead - German Immigrants — Mary Jemison Incorporation of Buffalo Politics -The Cholera -Commercial Prosperity-Inflation Speculative Collapse - Form- ation of Tonawanda - General Gloom - An "Agrarian Convention" - Opposition to the Holland Company - The Patriot War-Camp on Navy Island - Destruction of the Caroline Militia Called Out Scott on the Frontier - Dispersion of the Patriots - An Expedition to Erie - North and the Volunteers Patriotism on Ice Capturing Cannon Final Dispersion - Bargaining for the Reservations — Du- bious Proceedings Formation of Brant and Black Rock paign — Population in 1840……………. - The Harrison Cam- ... 190 208 CHAPTER XXIII.-From 18.41 to 1860-Slow Recovery-First Railroad-The Indian Treaty Confirmed A Compromise - Buffalo Creek Reservation Surrendered Cattaraugus and Allegany Reservations Retained -Tonawanda Reservation Bought and Given to Indians New Settlements-Mr. Fillmore a Candidate for Governor--General Pros- perity New Constitution - The Buffalo Convention Mr. Fillmore Elected Vice- President He Succeeds to the Presidency-Census of 1850 -The Ebenezer Society - German Immigrants Increased Prosperity - Formation of West Seneca - Ex- tension of Buffalo - Formation of Collins, Marilla and Grand Island Political Changes - The Census of 1857 - Formation of Elma -- Campaign of 1860...... 222 ... *6 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXIV.—During and Since the Union War - The Outbreak The First Com- pany - The Militia First Erie County Regiment - Other Organizations - Erie County in Congress — Origin of the Greenbacks" - Another Regiment in 1862 — Changes in the Board of Supervisors — Events of 1864 — Close of the War - Numer- ous Political Changes The Commercial Barometer Conclusion of Continuous History........ PAGE. CHAPTER XXV.—Twenty-first Infantry and Other Regiments — The First Company - Four Companies go to Elmira The Rest Follow — Organization of the Regiment — Roster of Officers — Dispute about Length of Term-Men Imprisoned — Off to Washington In Garrison at Fort Runyon - Bull's Run — In Wadsworth's Brigade At Upton Hill through the Winter - Fort Buffalo — Parting with Wadsworth Operations in the Spring- The Twenty-first at Fredericksburg — Its Farthest South- ern Point- Weary Marches Conflict of July 28th- Second Bull Run Hard Fighting — Attacking a Railroad Embankment - Men Falling Fast — The Attack Repulsed The Fight Continued — Pope's Army Defeated — Heavy Losses of the Twenty-first Sufferings of the Wounded-The Twenty-first at South Mountain At Antietam — Driving the Enemy - The Campaign of Fredericksburg — Provost Duty Return Home and Discharge — Changes Among Officers - Final Roster Thirty-third Infantry -- Richmond Guards — In Virginia -- Brigaded with the Forty- ninth- The Thirty-third at Yorktown-At Golden's Farm At Mary's Heights - Discharge Forty-fourth Infantry Battles of the Regiment Company A Changes Among Officers of Company A...... - GO M CHAPTER XXVI.—Forty-ninth Infantry and Other Regiments — Organization of the Forty- ninth Roster of Officers To New York and Washington - Preparation - Move- ment to the Peninsula -- Williamsburg -- Gallantry of the Forty-ninth Mechanics- ville The Retreat - Return to Alexandria -- Too Late for Second Bull Run- Antietam Fredericksburg — Chancellorsville -- Capture of Mary's Heights Re- crossing the Rappahannock Accession from the Thirty-third - Extraordinary March Gettysburg Winter Quarters The Great Campaign -- Wilderness Spottsylvania - Cold Harbor - Heavy Losses -- Fort Stevens -- On the Shenandoah - Opequan Creek Discharge of Non-Veterans -- Consolidation into a Battalion – Cedar Creek - Death of Bidwell- Back to Petersburg — Capture of the Last Strong- hold -- Return and Discharge- Roster of Officers at Muster-out-- List of Battles - Sixty-fourth Infantry-Company A, from Erie County - Its Battles - Various Officers -- Seventy-eighth Infantry —— One Company from Erie County- Its Battles, etc....... a CHAPTER XXVII.-One Hundredth Infantry A New Regiment Authorized Commissioners Camp Morgan Colonel Brown Roster of Officers - — — • Recruiting Homes of the Men - Off to Washington On the Peninsula - Williamsburg - Battle of Fair Oaks - Colonel Brown's Coolness "Charge the One Hundredth"-- Deadly Con- flict Death of Brown Other Losses Valor of Casey's Division -- Retreat of the Enemy - March to the James River -- Malvern Hills - The Regiment Adopted by the Board of Trade -- To Gloucester Point-Colonel Dandy - Removal to North Carolina To South Carolina -- Charleston Harbor-Folly Island -- Capture of Part of Morris Island-Assault on Fort Wagner-Second Assault -- Valor of the One Hundredth - Desperate Fighting -- Repulse - Heavy Losses - The Siege- Captain Payne's Services-Capture of Wagner-Through the Winter- Return North - In the 'Ware Bot- Army of the James "- Surprised and Driven Back- tom Church - North of the James - Capturing a Battery -- Before Petersburg - Across the James Again Winter Quarters -- Again Before Petersburg - Capture of Fort Gregg Final Victory - Official Changes Consolidation ― Discharge - "" Final Koster... .... 234 240 250 259 CONTENTS. 7 q CHAPTER XXVIII.—One Hundred and Sixteenth Infantry and Other Regiments — Commit- tee to Raise a New Regiment - Major Chapin Appointed Colonel Roster of Offi- cers To the Front At Sea - Ship Island Baton Rouge -- Demonstration against Port Hudson Camp Niagara "- Forward Again Battle of "Plain Store"-- Assault on Port Hudson - Death of Chapin - The Surrender - Down the River— At Fort Williams The Red River Expedition A g Siege of Port Hudson- To Sabine Pass and Back Battle of Pleasant Hill- Western Louisiana Return to Alexandria - To Morganza -- At Sea Again - At Washington -- In the Shenandoah Valley -- Victory at Opequan Creek At Fisher's Hill -- The Army Surprised at Cedar Creek Sheridan Restores the Battle The One Hundred and Sixteenth the Best Regiment in the Ninetieth Corps Mustered Out -- Reception at Buffalo - The Last Roster of Officers The One Hundred and Fifty- fifth Infantry Services in Virginia — One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Infantry --- Its Battles Its Losses One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Infantry — Roster of Officers Services Discharge..... - —— Map CHAPTER XXIX.— Cavalry and Artillery Volunteers — Tenth Cavalry — Four Erie County Companies Their Officers Hard Service - Battles - Consolidation Muster- outPromotion, etc. Eleventh Cavalry - Company M Its Services Twelfth Cavalry Companies K and M Services Muster-out- Fourteenth Cavalry - Metcalf's Company Its Services Consolidation, etc, - Sixteenth Cavalry — Four Erie County Companies - Services - Consolidation, etc. - Twenty-fourth Cavalry -Three Erie County Companies - Their Officers - Battles of the Regiment Muster-out Second Mounted Rifles - Three Erie County Companies - Officers Battles, etc. ond Bull Run A p - Wiedrich's Battery- Chancellorsville Campaign Final Grand March —— Officers Third Light Battery P M CHAPTER XXX.-The Citizen Soidiery. Its Organization - Battle of Cross-Keys — Sec- Gettysburgh -Lookout Mountain —The Atlanta Twenty-seventh Light Battery Services and The Early Militia- "General Trainings "- Early ". Organization — Changes in 1816-- Numerous Successive Changes - A Strange Looking Inspector -- A Court Martial- A Roster of 1828 - The Militia in the Patriot War- Prompt Turn-out -- Buffalo City Guard -The Two Hundred and Eighth Infantry -- Re-organization of the Militia -- The Uniformed Regiments The Sixty-seventh Regiment -- Its Services -- The Ninety-eighth Regiment - Its Services Sketch of the Sixty-fifth Regiment - Sketch of the Seventy-fourth Regi- ment - The Seventh Battery. — PAGE. 273 290 296 CHAPTER XXXI.--The Erie Canal-- Its First Advocate, Jesse Hawley -- Gouverneur Mor- ris -- Hawley's Essays - Western Inland Lock Navigation Company -- Judge For- man's Resolution -Survey Ordered -Commissioners Appointed -- The Inland Route Adopted -- Law Authorizing Canal --Law Repealed During Year of 1812- DeWitt Clinton Canal Law of 1817-Ground Broken- Contest between Black Rock and Buffalo - Decision in Favor of Buffalo- First Work in Erie County -- Breaking Ground at Buffalo - The Canal Completed --- Grand Celebration -- Tele- graphing by Cannon - The Wedding of Waters Description of the Canal - Im- mense Business -- Enlargement Authorized-Work on it Stopped - Political Conflict The Enlargement Carried Through — Description of the Enlarged Canal — Its Cost Preparation to Sell the Canals - The Canals Relieved of Tolls.... 306 CHAPTER XXXII.-Railroads Charter of Buffalo & Aurora Railroad Company - First Railroad Built The Lake Shore The Buffalo & Rochester-Formation of the New York Central - The Buffalo & Pittsburg — The Buffalo & Allegany Valley The Canada Southern --The Buffalo & Jamestown-New York, Chicago & St. Louis - Buffalo, Pittsburg & Western New York, Lackawanna & Western Rochester & Pittsburg - New York, West Shore & Buffalo — The Lehigh Valley- General View... .... – 314 8 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXXIII.- Erie County Agricultural Society - Niagara County Agricultural So- ciety-Officers and Town Managers - First Fair - Change of Name -Decease of the "Ham- cess - — Society Revival in 1841 - First Fair of the New Society - Second Fair burg Cheese". - Report for 1843 For 1845 The State Fair of 1848-Great Suc- Another County Fair at Buffalo - First County Fair in the Country Towns held at Aurora - First Charge for Admission - Horace Greeley's Address -Re- Organization in 1856 — Ground Leased Near the Indian Church - Officers for Suc- cessive Years Efforts to Change Location Purchase of Land - Value of the Property The Grounds..... ers .... Descrip- - ...... PAGE. CHAPTER XXXIV.-County Buildings - First Court House - A Circular Plot — First Jail - Destruction of the Court House Another Erected The Second Jail — Erie County Penitentiary - The Third Court House Erie County Alms House Move- ment for a County and City Hall Law Authorizing It — Commissioners Appointed Franklin Square Selected - Ground Broken-Laying the Corner Stone Changes of Material- The Work Completed - Celebration of the Event tion of the Building - The New Jail...... CHAPTER XXXV.-Civil List - President — Vice-President - Secretary of War — Post- master-General - Foreign Ministers United States Judge - United States District Attorney - Clerks of the District Court Superintendent of Public Printing Office— Members of the House of Representatives — Presidential Electors — Generals of the Regular Army - Governor of New York Lieutenant-Governor - Secretary of State Attorney-General Comptrollers - State Treasurers - Canal Commission- Inspector of State Prisons Superintendent of Public Instruction — Regent of the University — Canal Appraisers · Canal Appraisers - Judge of the Court of Claims - Circuit Judge - Judges of the Supreme Court Member of the Council of Appointment - State Senators Members of Assembly - Members of Constitutional Conventions — First Judges of the Common Pleas County Judges trict Attorneys - Surrogates-County Treasurers CHAPTER XXXVI.—Geology of Erie County....... CHAPTER XXXVII.-History of the Town of Newstead.. CHAPTER XXXVIII.-History of the Town of Clarence CHAPTER XXXIX.-History of the Town of Amherst... CHAPTER XL.-History of the Town of Tonawanda....... CHAPTER XLI.-History of the Town of Grand Island. CHAPTER XLII.-History of the Town of Alden........ CHAPTER XLIII.-History of the Town of Lancaster.. CHAPTER XLIV.-History of the Town of Cheektowaga CHAPTER XLV.-History of the Town of Marilla...... CHAPTER XLVI.-History of the Town of Elma..... CHAPTER XLVII.-History of the Town of West Seneca. CHAPTER XLVIII.-History of the Town of Hamburg.. CHAPTER XLIX.-History of the Town of East Hamburg CHAPTER L.-History of the Town of Aurora..... CHAPTER LI.-History of the Town of Wales. CHAPTER LII.-History of the Town of Evans... CHAPTER LIII.-History of the Town of Eden. CHAPTER LIV.-History of the Town of Boston... CHAPTER LV.-History of the Town of Colden…….. CHAPTER LVI.-History of the Town of Holland... CHAPTER LVII.-History of the Town of Sardinia…………. CHAPTER LVIII.-History of the Town of Brant.. CHAPTER LIX.-History of the Town of Concord..... CHAPTER LX.-History of the Town of Collins CHAPTER LXI.-History of the Town of North Collins. . CHAPTER LXII.-Personal Sketches........ .... Sheriffs -County Clerks School Commissioners. Dis- 321 334 • 339 350 • 359 • .... 379 396 412 426 438 452 466 476 489 501 511 524 535 ... 561 ... 1 571 583 • 592. 601 607 617 623 630 645 656 666 CONTENTS. 9 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE PAGE. Allen, Lewis F., portrait,.. Allen, Ellery S., Elma, portrait, . • .facing 492 ...facing 122 ..facing 392 Hopkins, T. A., Amherst, portrait,...facing 410 Hunt, Garret B., Clarence, portrait,... facing 380 Hurd, C. W., Elma, portrait,. Johnson, Dr. Ebenezer, portrait, Kraus, John, Clarence, portrait, Long, Isaac, Hamburg, portrait,........facing 518 McBeth Dr. John, Wales, portrait,....facing 570 Marvel, Alfred, Elma, portrait,………….....facing 498 Nice, John, Grand Island, (steel,)......facing 438 ...facing 426 facing 496 Allen, Dr. Jabez, Aurora, portrait,.....facing 548 Allen, Orlando, portrait,...... ..facing 322 Baker, Benjamin, East Hamburg,......facing 534 Bartholomew, Chauncey, Cheektowaga, portrait,... facing 470 Bowman, Palmer S., Lancaster, ..facing 452 Bigelow, H. F., Amherst, portrait,..... facing 406 Bird, Col. William A., portrait,.........facing 184 | Parker, Dr. Jared, Clarence, portrait... facing 386 Briggs, J. B., Elma, portrait, ...facing 490 | Penfield, Henry F., portrait,……………………………….facing 676 Campbell, John B., Cheektowaga,......facing 472 Potter, Samuel, M. D., Lancaster, Dodge, J. Wayne, Amherst, (steel,)... facing 402 portrait, (steel) ....facing 460 Driggs, Urial, Tonawanda, (steel,).....facing 420 | Randall, Rev. William H., Amherst,... facing 412 Dunn, A. M., Cheektowaga, portrait,..facing 468 Rich, Charles S., Holland, portrait,...facing 616 Ellicott, Joseph, portrait, facing 76 Robinson William, Alden,. ...facing 446 Eshleman, John, Clarence, portrait,.... facing 388 Riley, Gen. Aaron, Aurora, portrait,.. facing 558 Eshleman, Jacob, Clarence, portrait,...facing 390 Sanford, Anson, Lancaster, portrait,...facing 464 Farnsworth, Jerry, Alden, portrait,.....facing 450 | Smith, Elisha, M. D., East Hamburg,. facing 532 Flood, Joseph P., Marilla, portrait,.... facing 484 Simson, John, Tonawanda, (steel,)..... facing 424 Foster, H. T., Marilla, portrait,...... .facing 486 | Spaulding, E. G., portrait, (steel)......facing 236 Haven, Solomon G., portrait, ..facing 228 Stedman, Jonathan, Marilla, portrait,, facing 488 Hitchcock, Apollos, Cheektowaga,………….facing 466 | Vaughan, Jesse, Cheektowaga, portrait,.facing 476 Hitchcock, James, Cheektowaga, .facing 474 Walden, Ebenezer, portrait, (steel,)....facing 96 Hoag, Wilber N., Newstead, (steel,).. facing 378 Williams, Wesley, Clarence, portrait,.. facing 394 Hodge, William, portrait, (steel,)………..... facing 156 Wiltse, Livingston G., Clarence,. ....facing 396 Hopkins, T. S., Amherst, portrait,.....facing 398 | Wilkeson, Samuel, portrait, (steel)……...facing 176 • BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Allen, Ellery S., Elma, Allen, Lewis Falley,.. Allen, Dr. Jabez, Aurora, ..... PAGE. 496 Briggs, Joseph Benson, Elma,.... 701 Campbell, John B., Cheektowaga, 558 Dodge, J. Wayne, Amherst, Allen, Orlando,……….. 666 Driggs, Urial, Tonawanda, . Baker, Benjamin, East Hamburg, ......facing 534 Dunn, A. M. Cheektowaga, Bartholomew, Chauncey, Cheektowaga,. 471 Eshleman, John, Clarence,.. Bowman Palmer S., Lancaster,. 465 Eshleman, Jacob, Clarence, Bigelow, Harry Forest, Amherst,. • Bird, Colonel William A.,.…………. 406 Farnsworth, Jerry, Alden,.... 699 Fillmore, Millard, .... • PAGE. 499 472 ... 409 424 473 395 391 450 ... 689 ΙΟ HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Flood, Joseph P., Marilla, Foster, Harrison T., Marilla, Haven, Solomon G.,. Hitchcock, Apollos, Cheektowaga, Hitchcock, James, Cheektowaga, Hoag, Wilber N., Newstead,….. Hopkins, General Timothy S., Amherst,. Hopkins, Hon. Timothy A., Amherst,. Hunt, Garret B., Clarence, Hurd, Clark W., Elma, Johnson, Dr. Ebenezer, Kraus, John, Clarence, Long, Isaac, Hamburg, McBeth, Dr. John, Wales, .. Marvel, Alfred, Elma,.... Nice, John, Grand Island,……….. PAGE. 484 Parker, Dr. Jared, Clarence, 485 Penfield, Henry F.,... 670 Potter, Samuel, M. D., Lancaster, 473 Randall, Rev. Wm. H., Amherst, 474 Rich, Charles S., Holland,. 378 Riley, Gen. Aaron, Aurora, 410 Robinson, William, Alden, 411 Sanford, Anson, Lancaster, .. • • 393 Simson, John, Tonawanda, .... PAGE. 393 676 ... .... 466 412 616 558 451 464 425 497 Smith, Dr. Elisha, East Hamburg,....facing 534 674 Spaulding, Elbridge Gerry,...... 391 Stedman, Jonathan, Marilla,, 523 Vaughan, Jesse, Cheektowaga,. ... 570 Williams, Wesley, Clarence, 498 Wilkeson, Samuel,..... • 438 Wiltse, Livingston G., Clarence,. 677 488 475 394 682 • • 395 INTRODUCTION. In attempting the production of a History of Buffalo and Erie County, the publishers did not underestimate the difficulties and the magnitude of their task. Although the county is not a very old one, as the years are counted since its first permanent settlement by white peo- ple, it has, nevertheless, seen more than three-fourths of a century of civ- ilized occupation; and in this new world, as it is called, the settlement and growth of towns, villages and cities and the occurrence of import- ant events in their progress, have advanced with almost marvelous ra- pidity, while the materials for history have accumulated in a correspond- ing ratio. Especially is this true of localities as favorable for the upbuild- ing of great commercial centres as that contiguous to the foot of the great system of American lakes. Moreover, the fact that the Niagara frontier, which was the theatre of desperate conflict, devastation and conflagration in the war of 1812, embraced the territory considered in this work, gives it a historic importance which is lacking in many localities. With these facts in view, and fully appreciating the im portance of their object, the task of making a History of Buffalo and Erie County was undertaken by the publishers with a determination to leave nothing undone, to spare no labor or expense that could in any manner contribute to the successful and creditable accomplishment of the work. Whether or not they have succeeded in the task, and what measure of congratulation they are entitled to, are questions that are left with confidence to the future critical judgment of readers. The extent and comprehensiveness of this work were such as to necessitate its division into two volumes, the history of the county and towns being placed in the first, and that of the city in the second volume. This arrangement of the work rendered necessary some minor repeti- tions in the narration of events that each volume might be made in a rea- sonable degree complete in itself. For the same reason much of the Indian and pioneer history of the site of Buffalo, of the village itself and of the war during which the village was destroyed, is necessarily incorporated in the early general history of the county in the first volume. Much valuable early history of the city will also be found in the later chapters of the second volume treating upon special topics, where it is embodied for the purpose of making the record of those chapters complete; thus rendering it unnecessary that the same facts should be given prominence in the earlier chapters. The same may also be said in relation to the bio- graphic portion of the work, which will be found unusually comprehensive and complete, embracing much that is valuable in a purely historic sense. The history in detail of Buffalo, previous to the war of 1812, must always remain somewhat restricted, owing to the entire destruction of the village with nearly all of the possessions of its inhabitants, by the British and Indians in 1813–14. These facts will be duly considered by readers when referring to the early history of the village and city as recorded in the second volume. 12 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. It is believed that the history of the county at large, and of the towns as presented in the first volume, will give entire satisfaction to all who peruse it. The utmost efforts of the publishers and their corps of writers who had that portion of the work in hand, were devoted to making it complete, comprehensive and correct. Every hamlet in the county was visited, records were searched, old residents interviewed and everything possible done that could in any manner add to the publication. It was a part of the plans of the publishers that a large portion of this work should either emanate directly from the pens of able writers upon the different local historical subjects, whose lives have been largely passed in Buffalo and other parts of the county, or else be submitted to them for inspection, criticism and revision. This plan has been faith- fully carried out, to the manifest great improvement of the work; and the thanks of readers, publishers and editor alike are due for generous co-operation in this respect on the part of Hon. James Sheldon, First Judge of the Superior Court of Buffalo, for the preparation of the ex- haustive chapter on the Bench and Bar of the county; to M. Pinner, Esq., and Gen. John C. Graves for what is, perhaps, the most complete county record of the Masonic Order that has ever been published; to Dr. James B. Samo for the very able and judicious history of the Medical Profession and Institutions of the county, as related to the Allopathic school; to members of the Homeopathic Medical Society for similar work relative to the Homeopathic School; to Dr. S. B. Freeman for a compre- hensive account of the progress of dentistry in the county; to Hon. Philip Becker, Dr. Daniel Devening, Dr. F. Dellenbaugh and other prominent German citizens, for their revision and final approval of the chapter devoted to the German interests; and for similar inspection and approval of the respective chapters connected with their names, to Pascal P. Pratt, chap- ter on the Park system of the city; to William H. Abell, President of the Western Elevating Company, P. G. Cook, Secretary_of the same, and Robert Dunbar, chapter on the Elevator Interest of Buffalo; to Henry Martin, President of the Manufacturers' and Traders' Bank, Hon. E. G. Spaulding, President of the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank, and James H. Madison, Cashier of the Manufacturers' and Traders' Bank. chapter on the financial institutions of the city; to William Hodge and Lewis F. Allen, for chapter on Cemeteries; to Edward B. Smith and other prominent insurance men, for chapter on that interest; to Ephraim F. Cook, former superintendent of schools, and oth- ers, chapter on the educational institutions of Buffalo; to E. O. Van Brock- lin, Secretary of the Board of Fire Commissioners, and others connected with the department, chapter on the Fire Department; to Thomas Curtin, superintendent of police, and other police officials, for records of that department; to the pastors of the numerous city churches, for valua- ble aid in preparing the exhaustive church history of the city; to the editors and proprietors of the various newspapers, for assistance in mak- ing a creditable history of local journalism; to Crisfield Johnson, of East Aurora, for valuable aid in the preparation of the county and town history, nearly all of which has passed under his critical revision; to Hon. Lewis F. Allen for the history of Grand Island and other valuable assistance. In addition to the above names mentioned, there is recorded a list so long as to absolutely preclude its publication here, of prominent persons, official, professional and private citizens, who have in various ways kindly aided in making this publication what it is, and who share equally in our grateful acknowledgments. HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER I. THE SUBJECT. — Beginning of Erie County's History-When it was Named Its Boundaries - Its Area The System Pursued. T HE history of the county of Erie begins about the year 1620, when the first Europeans visited its vicinity. In that year three French Catholic missionaries came to instruct the Indians living in Canada, northwestward of this locality. It does not appear that they visited the shores of the Niagara, but they obtained some information regarding the dwellers there, and that knowledge was eked out by the hardy French hunters and trappers who explored the shores of the great lakes in search of furs. Before that time all is either tradition or inference. Afterwards, although the historic trace is often extremely faint, yet it is still to be seen, growing gradually plainer for a hundred and eighty years, until in the beginning of the present century it swells into a broad and beaten pathway, trodden by the feet of scores of surveyors, of hun- dreds of pioneers, of thousands of farmers, of tens of thousands of all classes, conditions and nationalities. But Erie county was not organized with its present name and boundaries until 1821. The larger and the more interesting part of its history had at that time already taken place. It is necessary, there- fore, to point out that the subject of this work is the territory com- prised within the present bounds of the county of Erie, together with the inhabitants of that territory, no matter whether the events re- corded occurred before or after the beginning of the independent ex- istence of the county. 2 14 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The county of Erie, in the State of New York, is situated between 42° 25′ and 43° 6' of north latitude, and between 1° 30' and 2° 20' of longitude west from Washington. It is bounded on the north by the center of Tonawanda creek and by the center of the east branch of Niagara river (between Grand Island and Niagara county) from the mouth of the Tona- wanda to the junction with the west branch on the west by the line between the United States and Canada, from the junction up along the center of the west branch and of the whole river to Lake Erie, and thence southwesterly along the middle of the lake to a point where the international boundary makes a right angle with a line to the mouth of Cattaraugus creek; on the south by a line from such point of intersection to the mouth of the Cattaraugus, and thence up along the center of that creek to the crossing of the line between the fourth and fifth ranges of the Holland Company's survey; and on the east by the line between those ranges, from Cattaraugus creek to the Tonawanda creek, except that for six miles opposite the town of Marilla the county line is a mile and a quarter west of the range line. The range line is twenty-three miles east of the center of Niagara river at the foot of Lake Erie, and thirty-four and a half miles east of the mouth of Cattaraugus creek. The extreme length of the county north and south is forty-three and one-half miles, and its greatest width, includ- ing the lake portion, is about thirty-nine miles. The land surface contains one thousand and seventy-one square miles. Besides this it embraces, as we have seen, a considerable portion of Lake Erie, amounting as near as we can compute it to about a hundred and sixty square miles. This is not generally included in the county, but legally is as much a part of it as Tonawanda or Sardinia. The whole amounts to about twelve hun- dred and thirty square miles. We have been thus particular in designating the limits of the county in the beginning, in order to place the subject of this history clearly be- fore the reader. Whatever has existed or occurred within those limits, or has been done by the residents of that territory, comes within the pur- view of this work, and if of sufficient consequence will be duly noticed. It will be necessary, also, to refer occasionally to outside matters, in order to elucidate the history of the county and show the succession of events. Such extraneous references, however, will be very brief, and will be confined chiefly to a few of the earlier chapters. When "Erie county" is spoken of previous to the organization and naming of that county, it will be understood that the words are used to avoid circumlocution, and mean the territory now included within its boundaries. So, too, for convenience, the territory now comprised in a town will sometimes be mentioned by its present name, before any such town was in existence. TOPOGRAPHY. 15 CHAPTER II. ERIE COUNTY IN 1620. Topography-Level Land in the North - Rolling Land in the Center Hills South of Center - Fertile Lands in Extreme South River and Lake Creeks Character of Forests - Old Prairies The Animal Kingdom -- The Buffalo The Neuter Nation The Eries - The Hurons The Iroquois Former Occupants Fortifications - Weapons Inferences B The French in Canada - The Puritans in New England - The Dutch in New York. EFORE beginning the record of events, we will give a brief descrip- tion of Erie County together with its occupants, its neighbors, and its relations with the rest of the world, as these existed two hundred and sixty-three years ago when the first white men came into this vicinity. The topography or configuration of the surface of the county is the same now as then and may be described in the present tense. North of the limestone tedge the land is almost perfectly level, and near the Tona- wanda was originally swampy. The soil is a deep alluvial loam, and the appearance of the country at the present time reminds the traveler of the broad, rich bottom of western rivers. South of the ledge for ten or twelve miles, the land though more un- even than north of it, is not so much so as is usual east of the Alleghanies and in its cleared state bears a considerable resemblance to the upland prairies of the West. The soil is a clayey loam interspersed with gravel. A little further south the surface becomes moderately broken and the soil gravelly. These are the characteristics of the central parts of the county. Still further south the ground except near the lake shore, begins to rise in hills, which at length attain a height of from seven to nine hun- dred feet above the lake. Between these hills run deep valleys, bearing northwestward toward the lake and varying from a few rods to nearly a mile in width. The tops of the hills generally form level table-lands, covered with a stiff clayey soil, while a fertile alluvial loam is found in the valleys. Along the lake shore, however, and for several miles back the land is as level as in the northern portions of the county. As any one passes from the table-lands just mentioned toward the southern boundary of the county, the surface descends and a fertile, rolling country again spreads out before him. Just before reaching Cattaraugus creek there is a range of steep declivities and rugged bluffs now known as the "Cattaraugus breakers," which extend the whole width. of the county. Below these is only a narrow flat, portions of which are often overflowed by the turbulent waters of the Cattaraugus. 16 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. West of the northern part of the territory we have described, the Niagara river runs in a very rapid current for a mile after it leaves Lake Erie, then subsides to a velocity of two and a half miles per hour, and divides into two streams about five miles below the lake, enclosing Grand Island, ten miles long and nearly as wide. Buckhorn Island, lying off the farthest point of Grand Island, continues the county's jurisdiction about a mile farther down, bringing it within three miles of the world- renowned cataract of Niagara. South of the head of the river, for six or seven miles, the lower end of the lake crowds still father eastward upon the land; thence the shore trends away to the south west, far beyond the limits of Erie county. Across the county run numerous creeks, the general course of all of them being westward or northwestward, and all finally mingling their waters with Lake Erie or the Niagara river. Tonawanda creek, as has been said, is the northern boundary of the county. Its length, according to the general course of its valley and aside from its lesser windings, is near sixty miles, thirty of which it has run in Genesee county when it strikes the northwestern corner of Erie. On its way to the Niagara, which it reaches opposite the middle of Grand Island, the Tonawanda is joined in Erie county by Murder creek, a stream about ten miles long, some four miles from the Genesee county-line; by Ransom's creek, about fifteen miles long, which empties some twelve miles farther down; and just above its mouth the Tonawanda is joined by Ellicott or Eleven-Mile creek, which is not less than twenty-five miles in length. All, including the Tonawanda, head south of the limestone terrace, Murder creek break- ing through it at the village of Akron, Ransom's creek at Clarence Hol- low, and Ellicott creek at Williamsville. Scajaquada creek enters the Niagara two miles below its exit from the lake, having flowed about fifteen miles in a westerly direction. About a mile and a half above the head of the river the principal stream of the county flows into Lake Erie. This is Buffalo creek, or Buffalo river as it is now sometimes called. It is composed of three principal branches. The central one, commonly called the Big Buffalo, heads in Wyoming county, crosses into the present town of Wales in Erie county, after a course of a few miles, then runs northwestward about fifteen miles, and then westward fifteen or eighteen miles more to its mouth. Six miles from the lake it receives Cayuga creek from the northeast, that stream having followed a general westward course of about twenty miles. Two or three miles lower down it is joined on the other side by Cazenove* creek, which heads in the extreme southeast corner of the county, and flows thirty miles northwest, receiving, about Not "Cazenovia," as it is frequently printed. It was named by Joseph Ellicott after The- ophilus Cazenove, the first general agent of the Holland Company, and this is not a case where the termination of the original name can properly be modified. EARLY FOREST GROWTH. 17 half way down, the waters of the west branch which have run in a gen- erally northern direction for fifteen miles. All these distances are merely approximate, and relate to the general course of the respective streams, and not to their minor curves. Five miles south from the mouth of the Buffalo, Smoke's creek, a twelve-mile stream, enters the lake, and a mile or two further up is Rush creek, which is still smaller. The north branch of Eighteen-Mile creek heads near the south bounds of the county, not far from the head of the west branch of the Cazenove, runs northwesterly twelve miles, then nearly west about five miles, where it is joined by the south branch, a stream about twelve miles long, and then the whole flows five miles westerly, and enters the lake about eighteen miles from the mouth of the Buffalo. Eight miles above its mouth is that of the Big Sister, a stream some fifteen miles long. The Cattaraugus forms the southern boundary of the county for thirty miles, and it heads some ten miles east of the county line. Though it makes a considerable bend to the southward, its mouth is nearly due west of its head. Its tributaries in this county are all small, the largest being Clear creek, a twelve-mile stream entering the Cattaraugus eight miles from its mouth. There are of course innumerable small brooks which cannot be mentioned in a cursory topographical sketch. Thus far the natural characteristics of Erie county are the same now that they were in 1620, and had been for unknown ages before, save that less water flows along the streams, than when their banks were shaded by the primeval forests. Some new names have been applied by the white man, but in many cases even the names remain unchanged. The outward dress, however, of these hills and valleys is widely dif ferent from what it was two centuries and a half ago. In the southern part of the county the valleys were covered with beech and maple, the hills with oak and elm and occasional bodies of pine, and a little farther north with large quantities of hemlock. In the center the pine increased in quantity, the land on both sides of Buffalo creek and its branches being largely occupied by towering pines of the finest quality. In the northern section hardwood trees again predominated, the low grounds north of the limestone ledge being thickly covered. Birch appeared in large quantities on the Tonawanda. Throughout the county the various species named were more or less intermingled, and numerous other kinds were found in smaller quantities. But the tract running east and west through the county for some ten miles south of the limestone ledge, was the most peculiar. Here the timber was principally oak, but a considerable part of the territory con- sisted of openings, or prairies, entirely bare of trees. It is difficult to as- certain their original extent, but there is no doubt that when the country 18 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. was first settled eighty-three years ago, there were numerous prairies of from fifty acres each down to five. Taking this fact in connection with the accounts of early travelers, it is almost certain that their extent had been gradually decreasing, and that a hundred and fifty years earlier nearly the whole of the tract in question was an open prairie. The animal kingdom was amply represented. The deer strayed in great numbers through the forest and darted across the prairies. In the thickest retreats the gray wolf made his lair. The black bear often rolled. his unwieldly form beneath the nut-bearing trees, and occasionally the wild scream of the panther, fiercest of American beasts, startled the Indian hunter into even more than his usual vigilance. The hedge-hog and the raccoon were common, and squirrels of various kinds leaped gaily on the trees. Here the wild turkey and the partridge oft furnished food for the family of the red hunter, pigeons in enormous quantities yearly made their summer home, numerous smaller birds fluttered among the trees, the eagle occasionally swept overhead from his eyrie by the great cataract, and besides some harmless varieties of reptiles, thousands of deadly rattlesnakes hissed and writhed among the rocks in the northern portion of the county. Of all these there is no question. But there has been much dispute. as to whether the lordliest of American beasts ever honored with his presence the localities which bear his name; whether the buffalo ever drank from the waters of Buffalo creek, or rested on the site of Buffalo city. The question will be discussed some chapters further on; at pres- ent we will only say that judging from the prairie-like nature of a portion of the ground, from the fact that the animal in question certainly roamed over territory but a little way west of us, from the accounts of early travelers, from relics which have been discovered, and from the name which we believe the Indians bestowed on the principal stream of this vicinity, we have little doubt that the county of Erie was, in 1620, at least occasionally visited by the pride of the western plains, the unwieldly but majestic buffalo. For buffalo, not "bison," we consider to be now his true name, and by it he will invariably be called in this volume. If his name was ever bison, it has been changed by the sovereign people of America, (all names may be changed by the law-making power,) and it is but hopeless pedantry to attempt to revive that appellation. In 1620, the county of Erie was in the possession of a tribe of Indians whom the French called the Neuter Nation. Their Indian name is given by some early travelers as Kahquah, and by some as Attiwondaronk. The former is the one by which they are generally known, and which we have adopted. The French called them the Neuter Nation because they lived at peace with the fierce tribes which dwelt on either side of them. They THE ABORIGINAL OCCUPANTS. 19 were reported by their first European visitors to number twelve thousand souls. This, however, was doubtless a very great exaggeration, as that number was greater than was to be found among all the six nations of the Iroquois in the day of their greatest glory. It is a universal habit to ex- aggerate the number of barbarians, who cover much ground and make a large show in comparison with their real strength. powerful nation, as Their villages lay There was also a They were undoubtedly, however, a large and size and power were estimated among Indian tribes. on both sides of the Niagara, chiefly the western. Kahquah village near the mouth of Eighteen-Mile creek, and perhaps one or two others on the south shore of Lake Erie. The greater part of that shore, however, was occupied by the tribe from which the lake derives its name, the Eries. This name is always mentioned by the early French writers as meaning "Cat." On Sauson's map, published in 1651, Lake Erie is called "Lac du Chat," Lake of the Cat. There were certainly no domestic cats among the Indians until in- troduced by the whites, and the name must be attributed to the wild-cat or panther. It may have been assumed by this tribe because its warriors thought themselves as ferocious as these animals, or may have been assigned to them by their neighbors because of the abundance of wild- cats and panthers in the territory occupied by the Eries. Northwest of the Neuter Nation dwelt the Algonquins or Hurons, reaching to the shores of the great lake which bears their name, while to the eastward was the home of those powerful confederates whose fame has extended throughout the world, whose civil polity has been the won- der of sages, whose warlike achievements have compelled the admiration of soldiers, whose eloquence has thrilled the hearts of the most cultivated hearers, the brave, sagacious and far-dreaded Iroquois. They then con- sisted of but five nations, and their "Long House," as they termed their confederacy, extended from east to west, through all the rich central por- tion of the present State of New York. The Mohawks were in the fertile valley of the Mohawk river; the Oneidas, the most peaceful of the con- federates, were beside the lake, the name of which still keeps their memory green; then as now the territory of the Onondagas was the gathering place of leaders, though State conventions have taken the place of the council fires which once blazed near the site of Syracuse; the Cayugas kept guard over the beautiful lake which now bears their name, while west- ward from Seneca lake ranged the fierce, untamable Sonnonthouans, better known as Senecas, the warriors par excellence of the confederacy. Their villages reached westward to within thirty or forty miles of the Niagara, or to the vicinity of the present village of Batavia. Deadly war prevailed between the Iroquois and the Hurons, and the hostility between the former and the Eries was scarcely less fervent. Betwixt these contending foemen the peaceful Kahquahs long maintained 20 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. their neutrality, and the warriors of the East, of the Northwest and of the Southwest suppressed their hatred for the time, as they met by the council fires of these aboriginal peace-makers. When first discov- ered, Erie county was the land of quiet, while tempests raged around. Like other Indian tribes, the Kahquahs guarded against surprise by placing their villages a short distance back from any navigable water; in this case, from the Niagara river and Lake Erie. One of those vil- lages was named Onguiaahra, after the mighty torrent which they desig- nated by that name—a name which has since been shortened into Niagara. In dress, food and customs, the Kahquahs do not appear to have differed much from the other savages around them; wearing the same scanty covering of skins, living principally on meat killed in the chase, but raising patches of Indian corn, beans and gourds. Such were the inhabitants of Erie county, and such their surround- ings, at the beginning of its history. As for the still earlier occupants of the county, we shall dilate very little upon them, for there is really very little from which one can draw a reasonable inference. The Iroquois and the Hurons had been in New York and Canada for at least twenty years before the opening of this history, and probably for a hundred years more. Their earliest Euro- pean visitors heard no story of their having recently migrated from other lands, and they certainly would have heard it had any such fact existed. There were some vague traditions among the Iroquois tending to show that they originally came from Canada, but at a period long before their discovery by the whites. The Kahquahs must also have been for a goodly time in this locality, or they could not have acquired the influence necessary to maintain their neutrality between such fierce neighbors. All or any of these tribes might have been on the ground they occu- pied in 1620 any time from a hundred to a thousand years, for all that can be learned from any reliable source. Much has been written of mounds, fortifications, bones, relics, etc., usually supposed to have belonged to some half-civilized people of gigantic size, who lived here before the In- dians, but there is very little evidence to justify the supposition. It is true that numerous earthworks, evidently intended for fortifica- tions, have been found in Erie county, as in other parts of Western New York, enclosing from two to ten acres each, and covered with forest trees, the concentric circles of which indicate an age of from two hundred to five hundred years, with other evidences of a still earlier growth. These prove with reasonable certainty that there were human inhabitants here several hundred years ago, and that they found it necessary thus to de- fend themselves against their enemies, but not that those inhabitants were of an essentially different race from the Indians who were discovered here by the earliest Europeans. 1 INDIAN OCCUPATION. 21 It has been suggested that the Indians never built breast-works, and that these fortifications were beyond their patience and skill. But they certainly did build palisades, frequently requiring much labor and inge- nuity. When the French first came to Montreal, they discovered an in- dian town of fifty huts, which was encompassed by three lines of palisades some thirty feet high, with one well-secured entrance. On the inside was a rampart of timber, ascended by ladders, and supplied with heaps of stones ready to cast at an enemy. When Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Canada, at the head of a large body of Hurons and accompanied by ten Frenchmen, attacked the principal village of the Onondagas, near Onondaga lake, in October, 1615, he found it defended by four rows of interlaced palisades, so strong that notwithstanding the number of his followers, the firearms of his Frenchmen and his own gallant leadership, he was unable to overcome the resistance of the Onondagas, and was compelled to retreat across Lake Ontario. Certainly, those who had the necessary patience, skill and industry- to build such works as those were quite capable of building entrench- ments of earth. In fact, one of the largest fortresses of Western New York, known as Fort Hill, in the town of Le Roy, Genesee county, con- tained, when first discovered, great piles of round stones, evidently in- tended for use against assailants, and showing about the same progress in the art of war as was evinced by the palisade-builders. True, the Iroquois, when first discovered, did not build forts of earth, but it is much more likely that they had abandoned them in the course of improvement for the more convenient palisade, than that a whole race of half-civilized men had disappeared from the country, leaving no other trace than these earthworks. Considering the light weapons then in vogue, the palisade was an improvement on the earthwork, offering equal resistance to missiles and much greater resistance to escalade. Men are not apt to display a superfluity of wisdom in dealing with such problems, and to reject simple explanations merely because they are simple. The Indians were here when the country was discovered, and so were the earthworks, and what evidence there is goes to show that the former constructed the latter. It has been claimed that human bones of gigantic size have been discovered, but when the evidence is sifted, and the constant tendency to exaggerate is taken into account, there will be found no reason to be- lieve that they were relics of any other race than the American Indians. The numerous small axes or hatchets which have been found through- out Western New York were unquestionably of French origin, and so, too, doubtless, were the few other utensils of metal which have been dis- covered in this vicinity. On the whole, we may safely conclude that, while it is by no means impossible that some race altogether different from the Indians existed 22 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. here before them, there is no good evidence that such was the case, and the strong probabilities are that if there was any such race it was inferior rather than superior to the people discovered here by the Europeans. The relations of this region to the European powers in 1620 were of a very indefinite description. James I. was on the throne of England, and Louis XIII. was on that of France, with the great Richelieu as his prime minister. In 1534, nearly a century before the opening of this history, and only forty-two years after the discovery of America, the French explorer, Jacques Cartier, had sailed up the St. Lawrence to Mon- treal, and taken possession of all the country round about on behalf of Francis I, by the name of New France. He made some attempts at col- onization, but in 1543 they were all abandoned, and for more than half a century the disturbed condition of France prevented further progress in America. In 1603, Champlain had led an expedition to Quebec, had made a per- manent settlement there, and in fact had founded the colony of Canada. From Quebec and Montreal, which was soon after founded, communica- tion was comparatively easy along the course of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, and even up Lake Erie after a portage around the Falls. Thus it was that the French fur-traders and missionaries reached the borders of Erie county far in advance of any other explorers. In 1606, King James had granted to an association of Englishmen called the Plymouth Company the territory of New England, but no permanent settlement was made until the 9th day of November, 1620, when from the historic Mayflower the Pilgrim Fathers landed on Plymouth Rock. The English settlements were expected to stretch westward to the Pacific or Great South Sea, and patents were granted to accommo- date this liberal expansion. In 1609, the English navigator, Henry Hudson, while in the employ of the Dutch East India Company, had discovered the river which bears his name, and since then the Dutch (or Hollanders) had established forti- fied trading posts at its mouth and at Albany, and had opened a com- merce in furs. They, too, made an indefinite claim of territory westward. All European nations at that time recognized the right of discovery as constituting a valid title to lands occupied only by scattered barbarians, but there were numerous disputes as to application, and especially as to the amount of surrounding country which each discoverer could claim on behalf of his sovereign. Thus at the end of 1620 there were three distinct streams of emigra- tion with three attendant claims of sovereignty, converging toward the county of Erie. Let but the French at Montreal, the English in Massa- Dutch on the Hudson all continue the work of coloni- chusetts, and the EARLY FRENCH MISSIONARIES. 23 zation, following the great natural channels, and all would ultimately meet at the foot of Lake Erie. For the time being the French had the best opportunity and the Dutch the next, while the English were apparently third in the race. CHAPTER III. FROM 1620 TO 1655, The French Traders - Dutch Progress — The Jesuits De la Roche Daillon The Company of a Hundred Partners - Capture and Restoration of New France - Chaumonot and Breboeuf Hunting Buffalo - Destruction of the Kahquahs and Eries Seneca Tradition - French Account-Norman Hatchets - Stoned-up Springs. D URING the first twenty years little occurred directly affecting the history of Erie county, though events were constantly happen- ing which aided in shaping its destinies. We learn from casual remarks of Catholic writers that the French traders traversed all this region in their search for furs, and even urged their light bateaux still farther up the lakes. In 1623 permanent Duch emigration, as distinguished from mere fur-trading expeditions, first began upon the Hudson. The colony was named New Netherlands, and the first governor was sent thither by the Batavian Republic. In 1625 a few Jesuits arrived on the banks of the St. Lawrence, the advance guard of a host of representatives of that remarkable order, which was in time to crowd out almost all other Catholic missionaries from Canada and the whole lake region, and substantially monopolize the ground themselves. In 1626 Father De la Roche Daillon, a Recollect missionary, visited the Neuter Nation, and passed the winter preaching the gospel among them. In 1627 Cardinal Richelieu organized the company of New France, otherwise known as the Company of a Hundred Partners. The three chief objects of this association were to extend the fur trade, to convert the Indians to Christianity, and to discover a new route to China by way of the great lakes of North America. The company actually succeeded in extending the fur trade, but not in going to China by way of Lake Erie, and not to any great extent in converting the Indians. By the terms of their charter they were to transport six thousand emigrants to Canada and to furnish them with an ample supply of both 24 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. priests and artisans. Champlain was made governor. His first two years' experience was bitter in the extreme. The British men-of-war captured his supplies by sea, the Iroquois warriors tomahawked his hun- ters by land, and in 1629 an English fleet sailed up the St. Lawrence and captured Quebec. Soon afterward however, peace was concluded, New France was restored to King Louis and Champlain resumed his guber- natorial powers. In 1628, Charles I., of England, granted a charter for the govern- ment of the province of Massachusetts Bay. It included the territory between latitude 40° 2′ and 44° 15′ north, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, making a colony a hundred and fifty-four miles wide and four thousand miles long. The county of Erie was included within its limits, as was the rest of Western New York. The Jesuit missionaries, fired with unbounded zeal and unsurpassed valor, traversed the wilderness, holding up the cross before the bewildered pagans. They naturally had much better success with the Hurons than with the Iroquois, whom Champlain had wantonly and foolishly attacked in order to please the Hurons and who afterwards remained the almost unvarying enemies of the French. The Jesuits soon had flourishing stations as far west as Lake Huron. One of these was Ste. Marie, near the eastern extremity of that lake, and it was from Ste. Marie that Fathers Bréboeuf and Chaumonot set forth in November 1840, to visit the Neuter Nation. They returned the next spring, having visited eighteen Kahquah villages, but having met with very little encouragement among them. They reported the Neuter In- dians to be stronger and finer-looking than other savages with whom they were acquainted. In 1641, Father L'Allemant wrote to the Jesuit provincial in France, describing the expedition of Bréboeuf and Chaumonot, and one of his expressions goes far to settle the question whether the buffalo ever in- habited this part of the country. He says of the Neuter Nation, repeat- ing the information just obtained from the two missionaries: “They are much employed in hunting deer, buffalo, wild-cats, wolves, beaver and other animals." There is no mention of the missionaries crossing the Niagara, and perhaps they did not, but the presence of buffalo in the Cana- dian peninsula increases the likelihood of their sometimes visiting the banks of Buffalo creek. Down to this time the Kahquahs had succeeded in maintaining their neutrality between the fierce beligerents on either side, though the Jesuit missionaries reported them as being more friendly to the Iroquois than to the Hurons. What cause of quarrel, if any, arose between the peace- ful possessors of Erie county and their whilom friends, the powerful con- federates to the eastward, is entirely unknown, but sometime during the next fifteen years the Iroquois fell upon both the Kahquahs and the Eries and exterminated them as a nation, from the face of the earth. DESTRUCTION OF THE ERIES. 25 The precise years in which these events occurred are uncertain, nor is it known whether the Kahquahs or the Eries first felt the deadly anger of the Five Nations. French accounts favor the view that the Neuter Nation were first destroyed, while according to Seneca tradition the Kahquahs still dwelt here when the Iroquois annihilated the Eries. That tradition runs somewhat as follows:- The Eries had been jealous of the Iroquois from the time the latter formed their confederacy. About the time under consideration the Eries challenged their rivals to a grand game of ball, a hundred men on a side, for a heavy stake of furs and wampum. For two successive years the challenge was declined, but when it was again repeated it was accepted by the confederates, and their chosen hundred met their opponents near the site of the city of Buffalo. They defeated the Eries in ball playing, and then the latter proposed a foot-race between ten of the fleetest young men on each side. Again the Iroquois were victorious. Then the Kahquahs, who resided near Eighteen-Mile creek, invited the contestants to their home. While there the chief of the Eries proposed a wrestling match between ten champions on each side, the victor in each match to have the privilege of knocking out his adversary's brains with his tomahawk. This challenge, too, was accepted, though, as the veracious Iroquois historians assert, with no in- tention of claiming the forfeit if successful. In the first bout the Iroquois wrestler threw his antagonist, but de- clined to play the part of executioner. The chief of the Eries, infuriated by his champion's defeat, himself struck the unfortunate wrestler dead, as he lay supine where the victor had flung him. Another and another of the Eries was in the same way conquered by the Iroquois, and in the same way dispatched by his wrathful chief. By this time the Eries were in a state of terrific excitement, and the leader of the confederates, fearing an outbreak, ordered his followers to take up their march toward home, which they did with no further collision. But the jealousy and hatred of the Eries was still more inflamed by defeat, and they soon laid a plan to surprise, and if possible destroy, the Iroquois. A Seneca woman, who had married among the Eries but was then a widow, fled to her own people and gave notice of the attack. Runners were at once sent out, and all the Iroquois were assembled and led forth to meet the invaders. The two bodies met near Honeoye Lake, half-way between Canan- daigua and the Genesee. After a terrible conflict the Eries were totally defeated, the flying remnants pursued to their homes by the victorious con- federates, and the whole nation almost completely destroyed. It was five months before the Iroquois warriors returned from the deadly pursuit. Afterwards a powerful party of the descendants of the Eries came from the far west to attack the Iroquois, but were utterly defeated and 26 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. slain to a man, near the site of Buffalo, their bodies burned, and the ashes buried in a mound, lately visible, near the old Indian church on the Buf- falo Creek reservation. Such is the tradition. It is a very nice story-for the Iroquois. According to their account their opponents were the aggressors through- out, the young men of the Five Nations were invariably victorious in the athletic games, and nothing but self-preservation induced them to destroy their enemies. Nothing, of course, can be learned from such a story regarding the merits of the war. It does, however, tend to show that the two great battles between the combatants were fought near the territory of the Senecas, and that some at least of the Kahquahs were still living at the mouth of Eighteen-Mile creek at the time of the destruction of the Eries, but it is not very reliable even on these points. On the other hand, scattered French accounts go to show that the Kahquahs were destroyed first; that they joined the Iroquois in warfare against the Hurons, but were unable to avert their own fate; that col- lisions occurred between them and their allies of the Five Nations in 1647 and that open war broke out in 1650, resulting in the speedy de- struction of the Kahquahs. Also that the Iroquois then swooped down upon the Eries and exterminated them about the year 1653. Some ac- counts make the destruction of the Neuter Nation as early as 1642. Amid these conflicting statements it is only certain that between 1640 and 1655 the fierce contederates of Central New York "put out the fires" of the Kahquahs and the Eries. It is said that a few of the former tribe were absorbed into the community of their conquerors, and it is quite likely that some of both nations escaped to the westward, and, wan- dering there, inspired the tribes of that region with their own fear and hatred of the terrible Iroquois. It is highly probable that the numerous iron hatchets which have been picked up in various parts of the county belonged to the unfortu- nate Kahquahs. They are undoubtedly of French manufacture, and sim- ilar instruments are used in Normandy to this day. Hundreds of them have been found in the valley of Cazenove creek and on the adjacent hills, a mile or two south of East Aurora village. Many more have been found in Hamburg, Boston and other parts of the county. They are all made on substantially the same pattern, the blade being three or four inches wide on the edge, running back and narrowing slightly for about six inches, when the eye is formed by beating the bit out thin, rolling it over and welding it. Each is marked with the same. device, namely, three small circles something less than an inch in diam- eter, each divided into compartments like a wheel with four spokes. The Kahquahs were the only Indians who resided in Erie county while the French controlled the trade of this region, as the Senecas did THE IROQUOIS. 27 not make their residence here until after Sullivan destroyed their towns on the Genesee during the American Revolution. These hatchets would be convenient articles to trade for furs, and were doubtless used for that purpose. It is extremely improbable that any Indians would have thrown away such valuable instruments in the numbers which have since been found, except from compulsion, and the disaster which befell the Kah- quahs at the hands of the Iroquois readily accounts for the abandonment of these weapons. Some copper instruments have also been found, doubtless of similar origin. CHAPTER IV. THE IROQUOIS. Their System of Clans Its Importance - Its Probable Origin - The Grand Council + and War-chiefs Method of Descent — -Family Relations. Sachems - Choice of Sachems — Religion — Natural Attributes F ROM the destruction of the unfortunate Kahquahs down to the last great sale of land by the Iroquois to the Holland Land Company, those confederates were the actual possessors of the territory of Erie county, and a few years before making that sale the largest nation of the confederacy made their principal residence within the county. Within its borders, too, are still to be seen the largest united body of their descendants. For all these two hundred and thirty years the Iroquois have been closely identified with the history of Erie county, and the beginning of this community of record forms a proper point at which to introduce an account of the interior structure of that remarkable confederacy, at which we have before taken but an outside glance. It should be said here that the name "Iroquois" was never applied by the confederates to themselves. It was first used by the French, and its meaning is veiled in obscurity.* The men of the Five Nations (after- wards the Six Nations) called themselves "Hedonosaunee," which means literally, "They form a cabin;" describing in this expressive manner the close union existing among them. The Indian name just quoted is more liberally and more commonly rendered "The People of the Long House; *The writer has seen an old map which showed a tribe of Indians called “Couis," living near the site of Kingston, in the province of Ontario, while another ancient map designated the territory then occupied by the Iroquois as belonging to the "Hiro Couis.” This is very plainly the deriva- tion of “Iroquois," but what is the meaning of "Hiro" or "Couis," the writer saith not. 28 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. which is more fully descriptive of the confederacy, though not quite so accurate a translation. The central and unique characteristic of the Iroquois league was not the mere fact of five separate tribes being confederate together; for such unions have been frequent among civilized and half-civilized peoples, though little known among the savages of America. The feature that dis- tinguished the people of the Long House from all other confederacies, and which at the same time bound together all these ferocious warriors. as with a living chain, was the system of clans extending through all the different tribes. Although this clan-system has been treated of in many works, there are doubtless, thousands of readers who have often heard of the warlike success and outward greatness of the Iroquois confederacy, but are un- acquainted with the inner league which was its distinguishing character- istic, and without which it would in all probability have met, at an early day, with the fate of numerous similar alliances. The word "clan" has been adopted as the most convenient one to designate the peculiar artificial families about to be described, but the Iroquois clan was widely different from the Scottish one, all the mem- bers of which owed undivided allegiance to a single chief, for whom they were ready to fight against all the world. Yet "clan" is a much better word than "tribe," which is sometimes used, since that is the designation ordinarily applied to a separate Indian nation. The people of the Iroquois confederacy were divided into eight clans, the names of which were as follows: Wolf, Bear, Beaver, Turtle, Deer Snipe, Heron and Hawk. Accounts differ, some declaring that every clan extended through all the tribes, and others that only the Wolf, Bear and Turtle clans did so, the rest being restricted to a lesser number of tribes. It is certain, however, that each tribe, Mohawks, Oneidas, Onon- dagas, Cayugas or Senecas, contained parts of the three clans named and of several of the others. Each clan formed a large artificial family, modeled on the natural family. All the members of the clan, no matter how widely separated among the tribes, were considered as brothers and sisters to each other, and were forbidden to intermarry. This prohibition, too, was strictly enforced by public opinion. All the clan being thus taught from earliest infancy that they belonged to the same family, a bond of the strongest kind was created throughout the confederacy. The Oneida of the Wolf clan had no sooner appeared among the Cayugas, than those of the same clan claimed him as their special guest, and admitted him to the most confidential intimacy. The Senecas of the Turtle clan might wander to the country of the Mohawks, at the farthest extremity of the Long House, and he had a claim upon his brother Turtle which they would not dream of repudiating. THE IROQUOIS. 29 Thus the whole confederacy was linked together. If at any time there appeared a tendency toward conflict between the different tribes, it was instantly checked by the thought that, if persisted in, the hand of the Heron must be lifted against his brother Heron; the hatchet of the Bear might be buried in the brain of his kinsman Bear. And so potent was the feeling that for at least two hundred years, and until the power of the league was broken by overwhelming outside force, there was no serious dissension between the tribes of the Iroquois. Other Indian tribes had similar clans, but these were confined each to its own nation, and had therefore very little political value. The Scotch, as has been said, had their clans, but though all the members of each clan were supposed to be more or less related, yet, instead of marriage being forbidden within their own limits, they rarely married outside of them. All the loyalty of the clansmen was concentrated on their chief, and, instead of being a bond of union, so far as the nation at large was con- cerned, the clans were nurseries of faction. The Romans had their gens, which were supposed to have been origi- nally natural families though largely increased by adoption, but these like the Scottish clans, instead of binding together dissevered sections, served under the control of aspiring leaders as seed-plots of dissension and even of civil war. If one can imagine the Roman gens extending through all the nations of the Grecian confederacy, he will have an idea of the Iroquois system, and had such been the fact it is more than proba- ble that the confederacy would have long survived the era of its actual downfall.* Iroquois tradition ascribes the founding of the league to an Onon- daga chieftain named Tadodahoh. Such traditions, however, are of very little value. A person of that name may or may not have founded the confederacy. It is extremely probable that the league began with the union of two or three tribes, being subsequently increased by the addi- tion of others. That such additions might be made may be seen by the case of the Tuscaroras, whose union with the confederacy long after the advent of the Europeans changed the Five Nations into the Six Nations. Whether the Hedonosaunee were originally superior in valor and elo- quence to their neighbors cannot now be ascertained. Probably not. But their talent for practical statesmanship gave them the advantage in war, and success made them self-confident and fearless. The business of the league was necessarily transacted in a congress of sachems, and this fostered oratorical powers, until at length the Iroquois were famous among a hundred rival nations for wisdom, courage and eloquence, and were justly denominated by Volney, "The Romans of the New World.” * At the time of writing the foregoing remarks concerning the Iroquois clan-system, the author had not seen the valuable work of L. H. Morgan, entitled "The League of the Iroquois," but on examining it is pleased to find his own opinion regarding the effect and importance of that system confirmed by the previously expressed views of that careful investigator and sagacious writer. 3 30 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Aside from the clan-system just described, which was entirely unique, the Iroquois league had some resemblance to the great American Union which succeeded and overwhelmed it. The central authority was su- preme on questions of peace and war, and on all others relating to the general welfare of the confederacy, while the tribes, like the States, reserved to themselves the management of their ordinary affairs. In peace all power was confided to "sachems;" in war, to "chiefs." The sachems of each tribe acted as its rulers in the few matters which required the exercise of civil authority. The same rulers also met in congress to direct the affairs of the confederacy. There were fifty in all, of whom the Mohawks had nine, the Oneidas nine, the Onondagas four- teen, the Cayugas ten, and the Senecas eight. These numbers, however, did not give proportionate power in the congress of the league, for all the nations were equal there. There was in each tribe the same number of war-chiefs as sachems, and these had absolute authority in time of war. When a council as- sembled, each sachem had a war-chief standing behind him to execute his orders. But in a war party the war-chief commanded and the sachem took his place in the ranks. This was the system in its simplicity. Some time after the arrival of the Europeans they seem to have fallen into the habit of electing chiefs-not war-chiefs-as counselors to the sachems, who in time acquired equality of power with them, and were considered as their equals by the whites in the making of treaties. It is difficult to learn the truth regarding a political and social sys- tem which was not preserved by any written record. As near, however, as can be ascertained, the Onondagas had a certain pre-eminence in the councils of the league, at least to the extent of always furnishing a grand- sachem, whose authority, however, was of a very shadowy description. It is not certain that he even presided in the congress of sachems. That congress, however, always met at the council-fire of the Onondagas. This was the natural result of their central position, the Mohawks and Oneidas being to the east of them, the Cayugas and Senecas to the west. The Senecas were unquestionably the most powerful of all the tribes, and as they were located at the western extremity of the confederacy, they had to bear the brunt of war when it was assailed by its most formid- able foes who dwelt in that quarter. It would naturally follow that the principal war-chief of the league should be of the Seneca Nation, and such is said to have been the case, though over this too, hangs a shade of doubt. As among many other savage tribes, the right of heirship was in the female line. A man's heirs were his brother (that is to say, his mother's son) and his sister's son: never his own son, nor his brother's son. The few articles which constituted an Indian's personal property, even his bow and tomahawk, never descended to the son of him who had wielded THE IROQUOIS. 31 them. Titles, so far as they were hereditary at all, followed the same law of descent. The child also followed the clan and tribe of the mother. The object was evidently to secure greater certainty that the heir would be of the blood of his deceased kinsman. The result of the application of this rule to the Iroquois system of clans was that if a particular sachemship or chieftaincy was once estab- lished in a certain clan of a certain tribe, in that clan and tribe it was ex- pected to remain forever. Exactly how it was filled when it became vacant is a matter of some doubt, but as near as can be learned the new official was elected by the warriors of the clan, and was then "raised up" -i. e. inaugurated by the congress of sachems. If, for instance, a sachemship belonging to the Wolf clan of the Sen- eca tribe became vacant, it could only be filled by some one of the Wolf clan of the Seneca tribe. A clan-council was called, and as a general rule the heir of the deceased was chosen to his place; to wit, one of his brothers, reckoning only on the mother's side, or one of his sister's sons, or even some more distant male relative in the female line. But there was no positive law, and the warriors might discard all these and elect some one entirely unconnected with the deceased. A grand council of the confederacy was then called, at which the new sachem was formally "raised up,” or as we should say "inaugurated," in his office. While there was no unchangeable custom compelling the clan-council to select one of the heirs of the deceased as his successor, yet the ten- dency was so strong in that direction that an infant was frequently chosen, a guardian being appointed to perform the functions of the office till the youth should reach the proper age to do so. All offices were held for life unless the incumbent was solemnly deposed by a council, an event which very seldom occurred. Notwithstanding the modified system of hereditary power in vogue, the constitution of every tribe was essentially republican. Warriors, old men, and even women, attended the various councils and made their in- fluence felt. Neither in the government of the confederacy nor of the tribes was there any such thing as tyranny over the people, though there was a great deal of tyranny by the league over conquered nations. In fact there was very little government of any kind, and very little need of any. There were substantially, no property interests to guard, all land being in common, and each man's personal property being lim- ited to a bow, a tomahawk and a few deer skins. Liquor had not yet lent its disturbing influence, and few quarrels were to be traced to the in- fluence of woman, for the American Indian is singularly free from the warmer passions. His principal vice is an easily-aroused and unlimited hatred, but the tribes were so small and enemies so convenient, that there was no difficulty in gratifying this feeling outside his own nation. The consequence was that although the war-parties of the Iroquois were con- 32 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. tinually shedding the blood of their foes, there was very little quarreling at home. They do not appear to have had any class especially set apart for religious services, and their religious creed was limited to a somewhat vague belief in the existence of a "Great Spirit," and several inferior but very potent evil spirits. They had a few simple ceremonies, consisting largely of dances, one called the "green corn dance," performed at the time indicated by its name, and others at other seasons of the year. From a very early date their most important religious ceremony has been the "burning of the white dog," when an unfortunate canine of the requisite color is sacrificed by one of the chiefs. To this day the pagans among them still perform this rite. In common with their fellow-savages on this continent the Iroquois have been termed "fast friends and bitter enemies." They were a great deal stronger enemies than friends. Revenge was the ruling passion of their nature, and cruelty was their abiding characteristic. Revenge and cruelty are the worst attributes of human nature, and it is idle to talk of the goodness of men who roasted their captives at the stake. All Indians were faithful to their own tribes, and the Iroquois were faithful to their confederacy, but outside these limits their friendship could not be counted on, and treachery was always to be apprehended in dealing with them. In their family relations they were not harsh to their children, and not wantonly so to their wives, but the men were invariably indolent, and all labor was contemptuously abandoned to the weaker sex. They were not an amorous race, but could hardly be called a moral one. They were in that respect merely apathetic. Their passions rarely led them into adultery, and mercenary prostitution was entirely unknown, but they were not sensitive on the question of purity, and readily permitted their maidens to form the most fleeting alliances with distinguished visitors. Polygamy, too, was practiced, though in what might be called modera- tion. Chiefs and eminent warriors usually had two or three wives; rarely more. They could be divorced at will by their lords, but the latter seldom availed themselves of their privilege. These latter characteristics the Iroquois had in common with the other Indians of North America, but their wonderful politico-social league and their extraordinary success in war were the especial attri- butes of the people of the Long House, for a hundred and thirty years the masters, and for more than two centuries the occupants of the county of Erie. L SUCCESS OF THE IROQUOIS. 33 CHAPTER V. FROM 1655 TO 167 S. The Iroquois Triumphant - Obliteration of Dutch Power - French Progress La Salle visits the Senecas Greenhalgh's Estimates- La Salle on the Niagara - Building of the Griffin - It Enters Lake Erie - La Salle's Subsequent Career The Prospect in 1670. A FTER the overthrow of the Kahquahs and Eries the Iroquois lords of Erie county went forth conquering and to conquer. This was probably the day of their greatest glory. Stimulated but not yet crushed by contact with the white man, they stayed the progress of the French into their territories, they negotiated on equal terms with the Dutch and English, and, having supplied themselves with the terrible arms of the pale-faces, they smote with direst vengeance whomsoever of their own race were so unfortunate as to provoke their wrath. On the Susquehanna, on the Alleghany, on the Ohio, even to the Mis- sissippi in the west and the Savannah in the south, the Iroquois bore their conquering arms, filling with terror the dwellers alike on the plains of Illinois and in the glades of Carolina. They strode over the bones of the slaughtered Kahquahs to new conquests on the great lakes beyond, even to the foaming cascades of Michillimacinac, and the shores of the mighty Superior. They inflicted such terrible defeat upon the Hurons, despite the alliance of the latter with the French, that many of the conquered nation sought safety on the frozen borders of Hudson's Bay. In short, they triumphed on every side, save only where the white man came, and even the white man was for a time held at bay by these fierce confederates. Of the three rival bands of colonists already mentioned, the French and Dutch opened a great fur trade with the Indians, while the New Eng- landers devoted themselves principally to agriculture. In 1664, the En- glish conquered New Amsterdam, and in 1670 their conquest was made permanent. Thus the too Dutch Lepidus of the continental triumvirate was gotten rid of and thenceforth the contest was to be between the Anglo-Saxon Octavius and the Gallic Antony. Charles II., then King of England, granted the conquered province to his brother James, Duke of York, from whom it was called New York. This grant comprised all the lands along the Hudson, with an indefinite amount westward, thus overlapping the previous grant of James I. to the Plymouth Company, and the boundaries of Massachusetts under the charter of Charles I., and laying the foundation for a conflict of jurisdic- tion which was afterwards to have an important effect on the destinies of Western New York. 34 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The French, if poor farmers, were indefatigable fur-traders and mis- sionaries; but their priests and fur-buyers mostly pursued a route north of this locality, for here the fierce Senecas guarded the shores of the Niagara, and they like all the rest of the Iroquois were ever unfriendly, if not actively hostile to the French. By 1665, trading-posts had been established at Michillimacinac, Green Bay, Chicago and St. Joseph, but the route past the falls of Niagara was seldom traversed, and then only by the most adventurous of the French traders, the most devoted of the Catholic missionaries. But a new era was approaching. Louis XIV. was king of France, and his great minister, Colbert, was anxious to extend the power of his royal master over the unknown regions of North America. In 1669, La Salle, whose name was soon to be indissolubly united to the annals of Erie county, visited the Senecas with only two companions, finding their four principal villages from ten to twenty miles southerly from Rochester, scattered over portions of the present counties of Monroe, Livingston and Ontario. In 1673 the missionaries Marquette and Joliet pushed on beyond the farthest French posts, and erected the emblem of Christian salvation on the shore of the Father of Waters. In 1677 Wentworth Greenhalgh, an Englishman, visited all the Five Nations, finding the same four towns of the Senecas described by the companions of La Salle. Greenhalgh made very minute observations, counting the houses of the Indians, and reported the Mohawks as having three hundred warriors, the Oneidas two hundred, the Onondagas three hundred and fifty, the Cayugas three hundred, and the Senecas a thou- sand. It will be seen that the Senecas, the guardians of the western door of the Long House, numbered, according to Greenhalgh's computation, nearly as many as all the other tribes of the confederacy combined, and other accounts show that he was not far from correct. In the month of January, 1679, there arrived at the mouth of the Niagara, Robert Cavelier de La Salle, a Frenchman of good family, thirty- five years of age, and one of the most gallant, devoted and adventurous of all the bold explorers who under many different banners opened the new world to the knowledge of the old. Leaving his native Rouen at the age of twenty-two, he had ever since been leading a life of adventure in America, having in 1669, as already mentioned, penetrated almost alone to the strongholds of the Senecas. In 1678 he had received from King Louis a commission to discover the western part of New France. He was authorized to build such forts as might be necessary, but at his own expense, being granted certain privileges in return, the principal of which appears to have been the right to trade in buffalo skins. The same year he had made some preparations, and in the fall had sent the Sieur de La Motte and Father Hennepin (the priest and historian of his expedition) in advance to the mouth of the Niagara. La Motte soon returned. BUILDING OF THE GRIFFIN. 35 As soon as La Salle arrived, he went two leagues above the Falls, built a rude dock, and laid the keel of a vessel with which to navigate the upper lakes. Strangely enough Hennepin does not state on which bank of the Niagara this dock was situated, but the question has been care- fully investigated, especially by Francis Parkman, the historian of French power in Canada, and by O. H. Marshall, Esq., of Buffalo, the best authority on early local history in Western New York, who have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that it was on the east side, at the mouth of Cayuga creek, in Niagara county, and in accordance with that view the little village which has been laid out there has received the appellation of "La Salle." Hennepin distinctly mentions a small village of Senecas situated at the mouth of the Niagara, and it is plain from his whole narrative that the Iroquois were in possession of the entire country along the river, though few of them resided there, and watched the movement with unceasing jealousy. The work was carried on through the winter, two Indians of the Wolf clan of the Senecas being employed to hunt deer for the French party, and in the spring the vessel was launched, “after having,” in the words of Father Hennepin, "been blessed according to the rites of our Church of Rome." The new ship was named "Le Griffon," (The Grif- fin) in compliment to the Count de Frontenac, minister of the French colonies, whose coat of arms was ornamented with representations of that mythical beast. For several months the Griffin remained in the Niagara, between the place where it was built and the rapids at the head of the river. Mean- while Father Hennepin returned to Fort Frontenac (now Kingston) and obtained two priestly assistants, and La Salle superintended the removal of the armament and stores from below the Falls. When all was ready the attempt was made, and several times repeated, to ascend the rapids above Black Rock, but without success. At length, on the seventh day of August, 1679, a favorable wind sprung up from the northeast, all the Griffin's sails were set, and again it approached the troublesome rapids. It was a diminutive vessel compared with the leviathans of the deep which now navigate these inland seas, but was a marvel in view of the difficulties under which it had been built. It was of sixty tons burthen, completely furnished with anchors and other equipments, and armed with seven small cannon, all of which had been transported by hand around the cataract. There were thirty-four men on board the Griffin, all Frenchmen with a single exception. There was the intrepid La Salle, a blue-eyed, fair-faced, ringleted cavalier; a man fitted to grace the salons of Paris, yet now eagerly press- 36 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ing forward to dare the hardships of unknown seas and savage, lands. A born leader of men, a heroic subduer of nature, the gallant Frenchman for a brief time passes along the border of our county, and then disappears in the western wilds where he was eventually to find a grave. There was Tonti, the solitary alien amid that Gallic band, exiled by revolution from his native Italy, who had been chosen by La Salle as second in command, and who justified the choice by his unswerving courage and devoted loyalty. There, too, was Father Hennepin, the earliest historian of these regions, one of the most zealous of all the zealous band of Catholic priests who, at that period, undauntedly bore the cross amid the fiercest pagans in America. Attired in priestly robes, having with him his movable chapel, and attended by his two coadjutors, Father Hennepin was ready at any time to perform the rites of his Church, or to share the severest hardships of his comrades. As the little vessel approached the rapids, a dozen stalwart sailors were sent ashore with a tow-line, and aided with all their strength the breeze which blew from the north. Meanwhile a crowd of Iroquois warriors had assembled on the shore, together with many captives whom they had brought from the distant prairies of the West. These watched eagerly the efforts of the pale-faces, with half-admiring and half-jealous eyes. Those efforts were soon successful. By the aid of sails and tow-line the Griffin surmounted the rapids, all the crew went on board, and the pioneer vessel of these waters swept out on to the bosom of Lake Erie. As it did so the priests led in singing a joyous Te Deum, all the cannon and arquebuses were fired in a grand salute, and even the stoical sons of the forest, watching from the shore, gave evidence of their admiration by repeated cries of "Gannoron! Gannoron!" Wonderful! Wonder- ful! This was the beginning of the commerce of the upper lakes, and like many another first venture it resulted only in disaster to its projectors, though the harbinger of unbounded success by others. The Griffin went to Green Bay, where La Salle and Hennepin left it, started on its return with a cargo of furs, and was never heard of more. It is supposed that it sank in a storm and that all on board perished. La Salle was not afterwards identified with the history of Erie county, but his chivalric achievements and tragic fate have still such power to stir the pulse and enlist the feelings that one can hardly refrain from a brief mention of his subsequent career. After the Griffin had sailed, La Salle and Hennepin went in canoes to the head of Lake Michigan. Thence, after building a trading-post and waiting many weary months for the return of his vessel, he went with thirty followers to Lake Peoria on the Illinois river where he built a fort and gave it the expressive name of "Creve Coeur"- Broken Heart. But notwithstanding this expres- LA SALLE. 37 sion of despair his courage was far from exhausted, and, after sending Hennepin to explore the Mississippi, he with three comrades performed the remarkable feat of returning to Fort Frontenac on foot, depending on their guns for support. From Fort Frontenac he returned to Crevecœur, the garrison of which had in the meantime been driven away by the Indians. Again the indomitable La Salle gathered his followers, and in the fore part of 1682 descended the Mississippi to the sea, being the first European to explore any considerable portion of that mighty stream. He took pos- session of the country in the name of King Louis XIV., and called it Louisiana. Returning to France he astonished and gratified the court with the stories of his discoveries, and in 1684 was furnished with a fleet and sev- eral hundred men to colonize the new domain. Then every thing went wrong. The fleet, through the blunders of its naval commander, went to Matagorda bay, in Texas. The store-ship was wrecked, the fleet returned, La Salle failed in an attempt to find the mouth of the Missis- sippi, his colony dwindled away through desertion and death to forty men, and at length he started with sixteen of these, on foot, to return to Canada for assistance. Even in this little band there were those that hated him, (he was undoubtedly a man of somewhat imperious nature,) and ere he had reached the Sabine he was murdered by two of his follow- ers, and left unburied upon the prairie. A lofty, if somewhat haughty spirit, France knows him as the man who added Louisiana and Texas to her empire, the Mississippi Valley reveres him as the first explorer of its great river, but by the citizens of this county he will best be remembered as the pioneer navigator of Lake Erie. The adventurous Frenchman doubtless supposed, when he steered the Griffin into that vast inland sea, that he was opening it solely to French commerce, and was preparing its shores for French occupancy. He had ample reason for the supposition. Communication with the French in Lower Canada was much easier than with the Anglo-Dutch province on the Hudson, and thus far the opportunities of the former had been diligently improved. Had La Salle then climbed the bluff which overlooks the transfor- mation of the mighty Erie into the rushing Niagara and attempted to foretell the destiny of lake and land for the next two centuries, he would without doubt, and with good reason, have mentally given the dominion of both land and lake to the sovereigns of France. He would have seen in his mind's eye the plains that extended eastward dotted with the cot- tages of French peasants, while here and there among them towered the proud mansions of their baronial masters. He would have imagined the lake white with the sails of hundreds of vessels flying the flag of Gallic 38 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. kings, and bearing the products of their subjects from still remoter regions, and he would perchance have pictured at his feet a splendid city, reproducing the tall gables of Rouen and the elegant facades of Paris, its streets gay with the vivacious language of France, its cross-capped. churches sheltering only the stately ceremonies of Rome. But a far different destiny was in store for our county, due partly to the chances of war, and partly to the subtle characteristics of race, which make of the Gaul a good explorer but a bad colonizer, while the Anglo- Saxon is ever ready to identify himself with the land to which he may roam. CHAPTER VI. FRENCH DOMINION, A Slight Ascendency -- De Nonville's Assault ·Origin of Fort Niagara — La Hontan's Expedition The Peace of Ryswick — Queen Anne's War- The Iroquois Neutral· The Tuscaroras Joncaire - Fort Niagara Rebuilt — French Power Increasing — Successive Wars - The Line of Posts The Final Struggle — The Expedition of D'Aubrey — The Result — The Surren- der of Canada. F 'OR the next forty-five years after the adventures of La Salle, the French maintained a general but not very substantial ascendency in this region. Their voyagers traded and their missionaries labored here, and their soldiers sometimes made incursions, but they had no per- manent fortress this side of Fort Frontenac (Kingston) and they were constantly in danger from their enemies, the Hedonosaunee. Yet the French sovereigns and ministers considered the whole lake region, includ- ing the territory of Erie county, as being unquestionably a part of "New France" (or Canada.) Their maps so described it, and they looked for- ward with entire assurance to the time when French troops and French colonists should hold undisputed possession of all that vast domain. In 1687, the Marquis de Nonville, governor of New France, arrived at Irondequoit bay, a few miles east of Rochester, with nearly two thou- sand Frenchmen and some five hundred Indian allies, and marched at once against the Seneca villages, situated as has been stated in the vicin- ity of Victor and Avon. The Senecas attacked him on his way, and were defeated, as well they might be, considering that the largest estimate gives them but eight hundred warriors, the rest of the confederates not having arrived. DE NONVILLE'S INVASION. 39 The Senecas burned their villages and fled to the Cayugas. De Non- ville destroyed their stores of corn and retired, after going through the form of taking possession of the country. The supplies thus destroyed were immediately replenished by the other confederates, and the French accomplished little except still further to enrage the Iroquois. The Sene- cas, however, determined to seek a home less accessible from the waters of Lake Ontario, and accordingly located their principal village at Geneva, and on the Genesee above Avon. De Nonville then sailed to the mouth of the Niagara, where he erected a small fort on the east side of the river. This was the origin of Fort Niagara, one of the most celebrated strongholds in America, which, though for a time abandoned, was afterwards during more than half a century considered the key of Western New York, and of the whole upper-lake country. From the new fortress De Nonville sent the Baron La Hontan, with a small detachment of French, to escort the Indian allies to their western homes. They made the necessary portage around the Falls, rowed up the Niagara to Buffalo, and thence coasted along the northern shore of the lake in their canoes. All along the river they were closely watched by the enraged Iroquois, but were too strong and too vigilant to be attacked. Ere long the governor returned to Montreal, leaving a small garrison. at Fort Niagara. These suffered so severely from sickness that the fort was soon abandoned, and it does not appear to have been again occupied for nearly forty years. In fact, at this period the fortunes of France in North America were brought very low. The Iroquois ravaged a part of the island of Mon- treal, compelled the abandonment of Forts Frontenac and Niagara, and alone proved almost sufficient to overthrow the French dominion in Canada. The English revolution of 1688, by which James II., was driven from the throne, was speedily followed by open war with France. In 1689, the Count de Frontenac, the same energetic old peer who had encouraged La Salle in his brilliant discoveries, and whose name was for a while borne by Lake Ontario, was sent out as governor of New France. This vigorous but cruel leader partially retrieved the desperate condition of the French colony. He, too, invaded the Iroquois, but accomplished no more than DeNonville. The war continued with varying fortunes until 1697, the Five Nations being all that while the friends of the English, and most of the time engaged in active hostilities against the French. Their authority over the whole west bank of the Niagara, and far up the south side of Lake Erie, was unbroken, save when a detachment of French troops was actually marching along the shore. 40 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. At the treaty of Ryswick in 1697, while the ownership of other lands was definitely conceded to France and England respectively, that of Western New York was left undecided. The English claimed sovereignty over all the lands of the Five Nations, the French with equal energy asserted the authority of King Louis, while the Hedonosaunee themselves, whenever they heard of the controversy, repudiated alike the pretensions of Yonnondio and Corlear, as they denominated the governors respec- tively of Canada and New York. So far as Erie county was concerned, they could base their claim on the good old plea that they had killed all its previous occupants; and as neither the English nor French had succeeded in killing the Iroquois, the title of the latter still held good. In legal language they were “in pos- session," and "adverse possession" at that. Scarcely had the echoes of battle died away after the peace of Rys- wick, when, in 1702, the rival nations plunged into the long conflict known as "Queen Anne's War." But by this time the Iroquois had grown wiser, and prudently maintained their neutrality, commanding the respect of both French and English. The former were wary of again provoking the powerful confederates, and the government of the colony of New York was very willing that the Five Nations should remain neutral, as they thus furnished a shield against French and Indian attacks for the whole frontier of the colony. But, meanwhile, through all the western country the French extended their influence. Detroit was founded in 1701. Other posts were estab- lished far and wide. Notwithstanding their alliance with the Hurons and other foes of the Iroquois, and notwithstanding the enmity aroused by the invasions of Champlain, DeNonville and Frontenac, such was the subtle skill of the French that they rapidly acquired a strong influence among the western tribes of the confederacy, especially the Senecas. Even the powerful socio-political system of the Hedonosaunee weakened under the influence of European intrigue, and while the Eastern Iroquois, though preserving their neutrality, were friendly to the English, the Senecas, and perhaps the Cayugas, were almost ready to take up arms. for the French. About 1712, an important event occurred in the history of the Hedonosaunee. The Five Nations became the Six Nations. The Tus- caroras, a powerful tribe of North Carolina, had become involved in a war with the whites, originating as usual in a dispute about land. The colonists being aided by several other tribes, the Tuscaroras were soon defeated, many of them were killed, and many others were captured and sold as slaves. The greater part of the remainder fled northward to the Iroquois, who immediately adopted them as one of the tribes of the con- federacy, assigning them a seat near the Oneidas. The readiness of those haughty warriors to extend the valuable shelter of the Long House over FRENCH INFLUENCE AMONG THE Senecas. 4I a band of fleeing exiles is probably due to the fact that the latter had been the allies of the Iroquois against other Southern Indians, which would also account for the eagerness of the latter to join the whites in the overthrow of the Tuscaroras. Not long after this, one Chabert Joncaire, a Frenchman who had been captured in youth by the Senecas, who had been adopted into their tribe and had married a Seneca wife, but who had been released at the treaty of peace, was employed by the French authorities to promote their influence among the Iroquois. Pleading his claims as an adopted child of the nation, he was allowed by the Seneca chiefs to build a cabin on the site of Lewiston, which soon became a center of French influence. All the efforts of the English were impotent either to dislodge him or to obtain a similar privilege for any of their own people. “Joncaire is a child of the nation," was the sole reply vouchsafed to every com- plaint. Though Fort Niagara was for the time abandoned, and no regu- lar fort was built at Lewiston, yet Joncaire's trading-post embraced a considerable group of cabins, and at least a part of the time a detach- ment of French soldiers was stationed there. Thus the active Gauls kept up communications with their posts in the West, and maintained at least a slight ascendency over the territory which is the subject of this history. About 1725, they began rebuilding Fort Niagara, on the site where De Nonville had erected his fortress. They did so without opposition, though it seems strange that they could so easily have allayed the jeal ousy of the Six Nations. It may be presumed, however, that the very fact of the French being such poor colonizers worked to their advantage in establishing a certain kind of influence among the Indians. Few of the Gallic adventurers being desirous of engaging in agricul- ture, they made little effort to obtain land, while the English were con- stantly arousing the jealousy of the natives by obtaining enormous grants from some of the chiefs, often doubtless by very dubious methods. Moreover, the French have always possessed a peculiar facility for assim- ilating with savage and half-civilized races, and thus gaining an influence over them. Whatever the cause, the power of the French constantly increased among the Senecas. Fort Niagara was their stronghold, and Erie county with the rest of Western New York was, for over thirty years, to a very great extent under their control. The influence of Joncaire was main- tained and increased by his sons, Chabert and Clauzonne Joncaire, all through the second quarter of the eighteenth century. In the war between England and France, begun in 1744 and closed by the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, the Six Nations generally main- tained their neutrality, though the Mohawks gave some aid to the English. During the eight years of nominal peace which succeeded that 42 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. treaty, both the French and English made numerous efforts to extend their dominion beyond their frontier settlements, the former with more suc- cess. To Niagara, Detroit and other posts they added Presque Isle, (now Erie,) Venango, and finally Fort Duquesne on the site of Pittsburg; designing to establish a line of forts from the lakes to the Ohio, and thence down that river to the Mississippi. Frequent detachments of troops passed through along this line. Their course was up the Niagara to Buffalo, thence either by bateaux up the lake, or on foot along the shore, to Erie, and thence to Venango and Duquesne. Gaily dressed French officers sped backward and forward, attended by the fierce warriors of their allied tribes, and not unfrequently by the Senecas. Dark-gowned Jesuits hastened to and fro, everywhere receiving the respect of the red men, even when their creed was rejected, and using all their art to magnify the power of both Rome and France. It is possible that the whole Iroquois confederacy would have been induced to become active partisans of the French, had it not been for one man, the skillful English superintendent of Indian affairs, soon to be known as Sir William Johnson. He, having in 1734 been sent to America as the agent of his uncle, a great landholder in the valley of the Mohawk, had gained almost unbounded influence over the Mohawks by integrity in dealing and native shrewdness, combined with a certain coarseness of nature which readily affiliated with them. He had made his power felt throughout the whole confederacy, and had been intrusted by the British government with the management of its relations with the Six Nations. In 1756, after two years of open hostilities in America, and several important conflicts, war was again declared between England and France, being their last great struggle for supremacy in the New World. The fer- ment in the wilderness grew more earnest. More frequently sped the gay officers and soldiers of King Louis from Quebec, and Frontenac, and Niagara, now in bateaux, now on foot, along the western border of our county; staying perchance to hold a council with the Seneca sachems, then hurrying forward to strengthen the feeble line of posts on which so much depended. In this war the Mohawks were persuaded by Sir Will iam Johnson to take the field in favor of the English. But the Senecas were friendly to the French, and were only restrained from taking up arms for them by unwillingness to fight against their Iroquois brethren, farther east. At first the French were everywhere victorious. Braddock, almost at the gates of Fort Duquesne, was slain, and his army cut in pieces, by Montcalm a force utterly contemptible in comparison with his own. captured Oswego. The French lines up the lakes and across to the Ohio were stronger than ever. But in 1758, William Pitt entered the councils of George II. as actual though not nominal chief of the ministry, and then England flung herself CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND ENGLISH. 43 in deadly earnest into the contest. That year Fort Duquesne was cap- tured by an English and Provincial army, its garrison having retreated. Northward, Fort Frontenac was seized by Colonel Bradstreet, and other victories prepared the way for the grand success in 1759. The cordon was broken, but Fort Niagara still held out for France; still the messen- gers ran backward and forward, to and from Presque Isle and Venango; still the Senecas strongly declared their friendship for Yonnondio and Yonnondio's royal master. In 1759 yet heavier blows were struck. Wolfe assailed Quebec, the strongest of all the French strongholds. Almost at the same time Gen- eral Prideaux, with two thousand British and Provincials, accompanied by Sir William Johnson with one thousand of his faithful Iroquois, sailed up Lake Ontario and laid siege to Fort Niagara. Defended by only six hundred men, its capture was certain unless relief could be obtained. Its commander was not idle. Once again along the Niagara, and up Lake Erie, and away through the forest, sped his lithe, red-skinned messengers to summon the sons and the allies of France. D'Aubrey, at Venango, heard the call and responded with his most zealous endeavors. Gathering all the troops he could from far and near, stripping bare with desperate energy the little French posts of the West, and mustering every red man he could persuade to follow his banners, he set forth to relieve Niagara. Thus it was that about the 20th of July, 1759, while the English army was still camped around the walls of Quebec, while Wolfe and Montcalm were approaching that common grave to which the path of glory was so soon to lead them, a stirring scene took place on the west- ern borders of our county. The largest European force which had yet been seen in this region at any one time came coasting down the lake from Presque Isle, past the mouth of the Cattaraugus, and along the shores of Brant and Evans and Hamburg, to the mouth of the limpid Buffalo. Fifty or sixty bateaux bore near a thousand Frenchmen on their mission of relief, while a long line of canoes were freighted with four hundred of the dusky warriors of the West. A motley yet gallant band it was which then hastened along our shores, on the desperate service of sustaining the failing fortunes of France. Gay young officers from the court of the Grand Monarque sat side by side with sunburned trappers, whose feet had trodden every mountain and prairie from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi. Veterans who had won laurels under the marshals of France were comrades of those who knew no other foe than the Iroquois and the Delawares. One boat was filled with soldiers trained to obey with unquestioning fidelity every word of their leaders; another contained only wild savages, who scarce acknowledged any other law than their own fierce will. Here flashed swords and bayonets and brave attire, there appeared the dark 44 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. rifles and buckskin garments of the hardy hunters, while, still further on, the tomahawks and scalping-knives and naked bodies of Ottawa and Hu- ron braves glistened in the July sun. There were some, too, among the younger men, who might fairly have taken their places in either bateau or canoe; whose features bore unmistakable evidence of the commingling of diverse races; who might perchance have justly claimed kindred with barons and chevaliers then resplendent in the salons of Paris, but who had drawn their infant nour- ishment from the breasts of dusky mothers, as they rested from hoeing corn on the banks of the Ohio. History has preserved but a slight record of this last struggle of the French for dominion in these regions, but it has rescued from oblivion the names of D'Aubrey, the commander, and DeLignery, his second; of Marin, the leader of the Indians; and of the captains DeVilliers, Repen- tini, Martini and Basonc. They were by no means despondent. The command contained many of the same men, both white and red, who had slaughtered the unlucky battalions of Braddock only two years before, and they might well hope that some similar turn of fortune would yet give them another victory over the foes of France. The Seneca warriors, snuffing the battle from their homes on the Genesee and beyond, were roaming restlessly through Erie and Niagara counties, and along the shores of the river, uncertain how to act, more friendly to the French than the English, and yet unwilling to engage in conflict with their brethren of the Six Nations. Hardly pausing to communicate with these doubtful friends, D'Au- brey led his flotilla past the pleasant groves whose place is now occupied by a great commercial emporium, hurried by the tall bluff now crowned by the battlements of Fort Porter, dashed down the rapids, swept on in his eager course untroubled by the piers of any International bridge, startled the deer from their lairs on the banks of Grand Island, and only halted on reaching the shores of Navy Island. He being then beyond the borders of Erie county, we can give the remainder of his expedition but the briefest mention. After staying at Navy Island a day or two to communicate with the fort, he passed over to the mainland and confidently marched forward to battle. But Sir William Johnson, who had succeeded to the command on the death of Prideaux, was not the kind of man likely to meet the fate of Braddock. Apprised of the approach of the French, he retained men enough before the fort to prevent an outbreak of the garrison, and stationed the rest in an advantageous position on the east side of the Niagara, just below the whirlpool. After a battle an hour long the French were utterly routed, several hundred being slain on the field, and a large part of the remainder being captured, including the wounded D'Aubrey. BRITISH SUCCESSES. 45 On the receipt of these disastrous news the garrison at once sur- rendered. The control of the Niagara, river, which had been in the hands of the French for over a hundred years, passed into those of the English. For a little while the French held possession of their fort at Schlosser, and even repulsed an English force sent against it. Becoming satisfied, however, that they could not withstand their powerful foe, they determined to destroy their two armed vessels, laden with military stores. They accordingly took them into an arm of the river, separating Buckhorn from Grand Island, at the very north westernmost limit of Erie county, burned them to the water's edge, and sunk the hulls. The re- mains of these hulls, nearly covered with mud and sand, are still, or were lately, to be seen in the shallow water where they sank, and the name of "Burnt Ship Bay" perpetuates the naval sacrifice of the defeated Gauls. Soon the life-bought victory of Wolfe gave Quebec to the triumphant Britons. Still the French clung to their colonies with desperate but failing grasp, and it was not until September, 1760, that the Marquis de Vaudreuil, the Governor-General of Canada, surrendered Montreal, and with it Detroit, Venango, and all the other posts within his jurisdiction. This surrender was ratified by the treaty of peace between England and France in February, 1763, which ceded Canada to the former power. The struggle was over. The English Octavius had defeated the Gallic Antony. Forever destroyed was the prospect of a French peas- antry inhabiting the plains of Erie county; of baronial castles crowning its vine-clad heights; of a gay French city overlooking the mighty lake and the renowned river. CHAPTER VII. ENGLISH DOMINION. Pontiac's League - The Senecas Hostile - The Devil's Hole Battle near Buffalo - Treaty at Niagara Bradstreet's Expedition - Israel Putnam-Lake Commerce - Wreck of the Beaver Tryon County- The Revolution — Four Iroquois Tribes Hostile - The Oswego Treaty —— Scalps — Brant — Guienguahtoh — Wyoming -- Cherry Valley — Sullivan's Expedi- tion Senecas Settle in Erie County- Gilbert Family — Peace. N OTWITHSTANDING the disappearance of the French soldiers, the western tribes still remembered them with affection, and were still disposed to wage war upon the English. The celebrated Pontiac united nearly all these tribes in a league against the red-coats, immediately after the advent of the latter, and as no such confederation had been formed against the French, during all their long years of pos- session, his action must be assigned to some cause other than mere hatred of all civilized intruders. 4 46 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. + In May, 1763, the league surprised nine out of twelve English posts, and massacred their garrisons. Detroit, Pittsburg and Niagara alone. escaped surprise, and each successfully resisted a siege, in which branch. of war, indeed, the Indians were almost certain to fail. There is no posi- tive evidence, but there is little doubt that the Senecas were involved in Pontiac's league, and were active in the attack on Fort Niagara. They had been unwilling to fight their brethren of the Long House, under Sir William Johnson, but had no scruples about killing the English when left alone, as was soon made terribly manifest. In the September following occurred the awful tragedy of the Devil's Hole, when a band of Senecas, of whom Honayewus, afterwards cele- brated as Farmer's Brother, was one and Cornplanter probably another, ambushed a train of English army-wagons with an escort of soldiers, the whole numbering ninety-six men, three and a half miles below the Falls, and massacred every man with four exceptions. A few weeks later, on the 19th of October, 1763, there occurred the first recorded conflict of arms in Erie county in which white men took part. It is said to have been at the "east end of Lake Erie,” but was probably on the river just below the lake, as there would be no chance for ambushing boats on the lake shore. Six hundred British soldiers, under one Major Wilkins, were on their way in boats to reinforce their comrades in Detroit. As they approached the lake, a hundred and sixty of them who were half a mile astern of the others, were suddenly fired on by a band of Senecas, ensconced in a thicket on the river shore probably on the site of Black Rock. Though even the British estimated the enemy at only sixty, yet so close was their aim that thirteen men were killed and wounded at the first fire. The captain in command of the nearest boats immediately ordered fifty men ashore and attacked the Indians. The latter fell back a short distance, but rallied, and when the British pursued them they maintained their ground so well that three more men were killed on the spot, and twelve others badly wounded, including two commissioned officers. Meanwhile, under the protection of other soldiers, who formed on the beach, the boats made their way into the lake, and the men who had taken part in the fight were enabled to re-embark. It does not appear that the Indians suffered near as heavily as the soldiers. This was the last serious attack by the Senecas upon the English. Becoming at length convinced that the French had really yielded, and that Pontiac's scheme had failed as to its main purpose, they sullenly agreed to abandon their Gallic friends and be at peace with the tri- umphant Britons. In April, 1764, Sir William Johnson concluded peace with eight chiefs of the Senecas, at Johnson's Hall. At that time, among other agreements, they formally conveyed to the King of England a tract four- BRADSTREET'S EXPEDITION. 47 teen miles by four, for a carrying place around Niagara Falls, lying on both sides of the river from Schlosser to Lake Ontario. This was the origin of the policy of reserving a strip of land along the river, which was afterwards carried out by the United States and the State of New York. This treaty was to be more fully ratified at a council to be held at Fort Niagara in the summer of 1764. Events in the West, where Pontiac still maintained active but unavailing hostility to the British, as well as the massacres previously perpetrated by the Senecas, determined the English commander-in-chief to send a force up the lakes able to overcome all opposition. Accordingly, in the summer of 1764, General Bradstreet, an able officer, with twelve hundred British and Americans, came by water to Fort Niagara, accompanied by the indefatigable Sir William Johnson and a body of his Iroquois warriors. A grand council of friendly Indians was held at the fort, among whom Sir William exercised his customary skill, and satisfactory treaties were made with them. But the Senecas, though repeatedly promising attendance in answer to the baronet's messages, still held aloof, and were said to be meditating a renewal of the war. At length General Bradstreet ordered their imme- diate attendance, under penalty of the destruction of their settlements. They came, ratified the treaty, and thenceforward adhered to it pretty faithfully, notwithstanding the peremptory manner in which it was obtained. In the meantime a fort had been erected on the site of Fort Erie, the first ever built there. In August, Bradstreet's army increased to nearly three thousand men, among whom were three hundred Senecas, (who seem to have been taken along partly as hostages,) came up the river to the site of Buffalo. Thence they proceeded up the south side of the lake, for the purpose of bringing the Western Indians to terms, a task which was successfully accomplished without bloodshed. From the somewhat indefinite accounts which have come down to us, it is evident that the journey was made in open boats, rigged with sails, in which when the wind was favorable, excellent speed was made. Bradstreet's force, like D'Aubrey's, was a somewhat motley one. There were stalwart, red-coated regulars, who, when they marched, did so as one man; hardy New England militia, whose dress and discipline and military manoeuvres were but a poor imitation of the British, yet who had faced the legions of France on many a well-fought field; rude hunters of the border, to whom all discipline was irksome; faithful Indian allies from the Mohawk valley, trained to admiration of the English by Sir Walter Johnson; and finally the three hundred scowling Senecas, their hands red from the massacre of the Devil's Hole, and almost ready to stain them again with English blood. 48 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Of the British and Americans, who then in closest friendship and under the same banners passed along the western border of Erie county, there were not a few who in twelve years more were destined to seek each other's lives on the blood-stained battle-fields of the Revolution. Among them was one whose name was a tower of strength to the patri- ots of America, whose voice rallied the faltering soldiers of Bunker Hill, and whose fame has come down to us surrounded by a peculiar halo of adventurous valor. This was Israel Putnam, then a loyal soldier of King George, and lieutenant-colonel commanding the Connecticut battalion. For a while, however, there was peace, not only between England and France but between the Indians and the colonists. The Iroquois, though the seeds of dissension had been sown among them, were still a powerful confederacy, and their war parties occasionally made incursions among the Western Indians, striding over the plains of Erie county as they went and returning by the same route with their scalps and prisoners. Hither, too, came detachments of red-coated Britons, rowing up the Niagara, usually landing at Fort Erie, where a post was all the while maintained, and going thence in open boats to Detroit, Mackinaw and other western forts. Some also came by this route on their way to Pitts- burg, though that post was usually supplied and re-enforced by way of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Along the borders of Erie county, too, went all the commerce of the upper lakes, consisting of supplies for the military posts, goods to trade with the Indians, and the furs received in return. The trade was carried on almost entirely in open boats, propelled by oars, with the occasional aid of a temporary sail. In good weather tolerable progress could be made, but woe to any of these frail craft which might be overtaken by a storm. The New York Gazette, in February, 1770, informed its readers that several boats had been lost in crossing Lake Erie, and that the distress of the crews was so great that they were obliged to keep two human bodies found on the north shore, so as to kill for food the ravens and eagles which came to feed on the corpses. Other boats were mentioned at the same time as frozen up or lost, but nothing is said as to sail-vessels. There were, however, at least two or three English trading-vessels on Lake Erie before the Revolution, and probably one or two armed vessels belonging to the British government. One of the former, called the Beaver, is known to have been lost in a storm, and is believed by the best authorities to have been wrecked near the mouth of Eighteen-Mile creek, and to have furnished the relics found in that vicinity by early set- tlers, which by some have been attributed to the ill-fated Griffin. The Senecas made frequent complaints of depredations committed by whites on some of their number, who had villages on the head waters THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 49 of the Susquehanna and Ohio. "Cressap's war," in which the celebrated Logan was an actor, contributed to render them uneasy, but they did not break out in open hostilities. They, like the rest of the Six Nations, had by this time learned to place implicit confidence in Sir William Johnson and made all their complaints through him. He did his best to redress their grievances, and also sought to have them withdraw their villages from those isolated localities to their chief seats in New York, so that they would be more completely under his jurisdiction and protection. Ere this could be accomplished, however, all men's attention was drawn to certain mutterings in the political sky, low at first, but growing more and more angry, until at length there burst upon the country that long and desolating storm known as the Revolu- tionary war. Before speaking of that it may be proper to remark that, munici- pally considered, all the western part of the colony of New York was nominally a part of Albany county down to 1772, though really all authority was divided between the Seneca chiefs and the officers of the nearest British garisons. In that year a new county was formed, embrac- ing all that part of the colony west of the Delaware river, and of a line running northeastward from the head of that stream through the present county of Schoharie, then northward along the east line of Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton counties, and continuing in a straight line to Canada. It was named Tryon, in honor of William Tryon, then the royal governor of New York. Guy Johnson, Sir William's nephew and son-in-law, was the earliest "first judge" of the common pleas, with the afterward celebrated John Butler as one of his associates. As the danger of hostilities increased, the Johnsons showed them- selves more and more clearly on the side of the King. Sir William said little and seemed greatly disturbed by the gathering troubles. There is little doubt, however, that had he lived, he would have used his power in behalf of his royal master. But in 1774 he suddenly died. Much of his influence over the Six Nations descended to his son, Sir John John- son, and his nephew, Colonel Guy Johnson. The latter became his suc- cessor in the office of superintendent of Indian affairs. In 1775 the Revolution began. The new superintendent persuaded the Mohawks to remove westward with him, and made good his influence over all of the Six Nations except the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, though it was near two years from the breaking out of the war before they committed any serious hostilities. John Butler, however, estab- lished himself at Fort Niagara, and organized a regiment of Tories known as Butler's Rangers, and he and the Johnsons used all their influence to induce the Indians to attack the Americans. The Senecas held off for a while, but the prospect of both blood and pay was too much for them to withstand, and in 1777 they, in common 50 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. with the Cayugas, Onondagas and Mohawks, made a treaty with the British at Oswego, agreeing to serve the king throughout the war. Mary Jemison, the celebrated "White Woman," then living among the Sene- cas on the Genesee, declares that at that treaty the British agents, after giving the Indians numerous presents, "promised a bounty on every scalp that should be brought in.” The question whether a price was actually paid or promised for scalps has been widely debated. There is not sufficient evidence to prove that it was done, and the probabilities are that it was not. Mary Jemison was usually considered truthful, and had good means of know- ing what the Indians understood on the subject, but the latter were very ready to understand that they would be paid for taking scalps. An inci- dent on the American side, which will be narrated in the account of the War of 1812, will illustrate this propensity of the savages. As formerly the Senecas, though favorable to the French, hesitated about attacking their brethren of the Long House, so now the Oneidas who were friendly to the Americans, did not go out to battle against the other Iroquois, but remained neutral throughout the contest. The league of the Hedonosaunee was weakened but not destroyed. From the autumn of 1777 forward, the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas and Mohawks were active in the British interest. Fort Niagara again became, as it had been during the French war, the key of all this region, and to it the Iroquois constantly looked for support and guidance. Their raids kept the whole frontier for hundreds of miles in a state of terror, and were attended by the usual horrors of savage warfare. Whether a bounty was paid for scalps or not, the Indians were cer- tainly employed to assail the inhabitants with constant marauding parties, notwithstanding their well-known and inveterate habit of slaughtering men, women and children whenever opportunity offered, or at least when- ever the freak happened to take them. In fact they were good for very little else, their desultory method of warfare making them almost entirely useless in assisting the regular operations of an army. The most active and most celebrated of the Iroquois chiefs in the Revolution was Joseph Brant, or Thayendenegea, a Mohawk who had received a moderate English education under the patronage of Sir William Johnson. He was most frequently intrusted with the command of detached parties by the British officers, but it does not appear that he had authority over all the tribes, and it is almost certain that the haughty Senecas, the most powerful tribe of the confederacy, to whom by ancient custom belonged both the principal war-chiefs of the league, would not have submitted and did not submit to the control of a Mohawk. Three of the chiefs of the Senecas during the Revolution are well known "Farmer's Brother," "Cornplanter," and "Governor Black- snake;" but who was their chief-in-chief, if one may coin the expression, SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION. 51 is not certain. It is very probable that there was none, but that the leader of each expedition received his orders directly from the English officers. W. L. Stone, author of the "Life of Brant," says that at the battle of Wyoming in 1778, the leader of the Senecas, who formed the main part of the Indian force on that occasion, was Guiengwahtoh, supposed to be same as Guiyahgwahdoh, "the smoke-bearer." That was the official title of the Seneca afterwards known as "Young King," he being a kind of hereditary embassador, the bearer of the smoking brand from the great council-fire of the confederacy to light that of the Senecas. He was too young to have been at Wyoming, but his predecessor in office, (probably his maternal uncle,) might have been there. Brant was certainly not present. We have called that affair the "battle instead of the "massacre" of Wyoming, as it is usually termed. The facts seem to be that no quarter was given during the conflict and that after the Americans were routed, the Tories and Senecas pursued and killed all they could, but that those who reached the fort and afterwards surrendered were not harmed, nor were any of the non-combatants. The whole valley, how- ever, was devastated, and the houses burned. At Cherry Valley, the same year, the Senecas were present in force, together with a body of Mohawks under Brant, and of Tories under Captain Walter Butler, son of Colonel John Butler, and there then was an undoubted massacre. Nearly thirty women and children were killed, besides many men surprised helpless in their homes. These events, and other similar ones on a smaller scale, induced Congress and General Washington to set on foot an expedition in the spring of 1779 which, though carried on outside the bounds of Erie county, had a very strong influence on that county's subsequent history. We refer to the celebrated expedition of General Sullivan against the Six Nations. Having marched up the Susquehanna to Tioga Point, where he was joined by a brigade under General James Clinton, (father of De Witt Clinton,) Sullivan, with a total force of some four thousand men, moved up the Chemung to the site of Elmira. There Colonel Butler, with a small body of Indians and Tories, variously estimated at from six hun- dred to fifteen hundred men, had thrown up intrenchments, and a battle. was fought. Butler was speedily defeated, retired with considerable loss, and made no further opposition. Sullivan advanced and destroyed all the Seneca villages on the Gen- esee and about Geneva, burning wigwams and cabins, cutting down orchards, cutting up growing corn, and utterly devastating the country. The Senecas fled in great dismay to Fort Niagara. The Onondaga vil- lages had in the meantime been destroyed by another force, but it is 52 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. 1 plain that the Senecas were the ones who were chiefly feared, and against whom the vengeance of the Americans was chiefly directed. After thoroughly laying waste their country, the Americans returned to the East. Sullivan's expedition substantially destroyed the league which bound the Six Nations together. Its form remained, but it had lost its binding power. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras were encouraged to increase their separation from the other confederates. Those tribes whose possessions had been destroyed were thrown into more complete subservience to the British power, thereby weakening their inter-tribal relations, and the spirits of the Senecas, the most powerful and warlike of them all, were much broken by this disaster. It was a more serious matter than had been the destruction of their villages in earlier times, as they had adopted a more permanent mode of existence. They had learned to depend more on agriculture and less on the chase and possessed not only corn-fields, but gardens, orchards, and sometimes comfortable houses. In fact they had adopted many of the customs of civilized life, though without relinquishing their primitive pleasures, such as tomahawking prisoners and scalping the dead. They fled en masse to Fort Niagara, and during the winter of 1779-'80, which was of extraordinary severity, were scantily sustained by rations. which the British authorities with difficulty procured. As spring ap- proached, the English made earnest efforts to reduce the expense, by persuading the Indians to make new settlements and plant crops. The red men were naturally anxious to keep as far as practicable from the dreaded foes who had inflicted such heavy punishments the year before, and were unwilling to risk their families again at their ancient seats., At this time a considerable body of the Senecas, with a few Cayugas and Onondagas, came up from Niagara and established themselves near Buffalo creek, about four miles above its mouth. This was, so far as known, the first permanent settlement of the Senecas in Erie county. They probably had huts here to use while hunting and fishing, but no regular villages. In fact this settlement in the spring of 1780, was proba- bly the first permanent occupation of the county since the destruction of the Neuter Nation, a hundred and thirty-five years before. The same spring another band located themselves at the mouth of the Cattaraugus. The Senecas who settled on Buffalo creek, were under the leadership of Siangarochti, or Sayengaraghta, an aged but influential chief, some- times called Old King, and said to be the head sachem of that tribe. They brought with them two or more members of the Gilbert family, *The Senecas chose a location south of the creek near the site of "Martin's Corners," the Onondagas made their home near where the southern village of Ebenezer is now situated, while the Cayugas erected their wigwams a little further north, near the banks of Cayuga creek. SETTLEMENT OF SENECAS IN ERIE COUNTY. 53 quakers who had been captured on the borders of Pennsylvania, a month or two previous. After the war the family published a narrative of their captivity, which gives much valuable information regarding the period of our history. Immediately on their arrival, the squaws began to clear the ground and prepare it for corn, while the men built some log huts and then went out hunting. That summer the family of Siangarochti alone raised seventy-five bushels of corn. In the beginning of the winter of 1780-'81, two British officers, Cap- tain Powell and Lieutenant Johnson, or Johnston, came to the settle- ment on Buffalo creek, and remained until toward spring. They were probably sent by the British authorities at Fort Niagara, to aid in put- ting the new settlement on a solid foundation. Possibly they were also doing some fur-trading on their own account. They made strenuous efforts to obtain the release of Rebecca and Benjamin, two of the younger members of the Gilbert family, but the Indians were unwilling to give them up. Captain Powell had married Jane Moore, a girl who, with her mother and others of the family, had been captured at Cherry Valley. The "Lieutenant Johnson" who accompanied him to Buffalo creek was most likely his half-brother, who afterwards located at Buffalo, and was known to the early settlers as Captain William Johnston. There seems to have been no ground whatever for the supposition which has been entertained by some that he was the half-breed son of Sir William Johnson. All the circumstances show that he was not. Lieutenant Johnston, who was probably an officer in Butler's Rangers, was said by Mrs. Jemison, (the "white woman,") to have robbed Jane Moore of a ring at Cherry Valley, which he afterwards used to marry the lady he had despoiled. As Jane Moore married Captain Powell instead of Lieutenant Johnston, this romantic story has been entirely dis- credited; but since it has been ascertained that Johnston was a half- brother of Powell, it is easy to see how Mrs. Jemison might have con- founded the two, and that Johnston might really have furnished the "confiscated" ring for his brother's wedding instead of his own. Cap- tain (afterwards Colonel) Powell is frequently and honorably mentioned, in several accounts, as doing everything in his power to ameliorate the condition of the captives among the Indians. It must have been about this time that Johnston took unto himself a Seneca wife; for his son, John Johnston, was a young man when Buf- falo was laid out in 1803. Elizabeth Peart, wife of Thomas Peart, son of the elder Mrs. Gilbert by a former husband, was another of the captives who was brought to Buffalo creek. She had been adopted by a Seneca family, but that did not cause much kindness on their part, for they allowed her child, less 54 HISTORY OF ERIE County. 1 than a year old, to be taken from her and adopted by another family, living near Fort Niagara. She was permitted to keep it awhile after its "adoption," but when they went to the fort for provisions, they took her and her infant along and compelled her to give it up. Near the close of the winter of 1780-'81, they were again compelled to go to Fort Niagara for provisions, and there she found her child, which had been bought by a white family from the Indians who had adopted it. By many artifices, and by the connivance of Captain Powell, she finally escaped to Montreal with her husband and children. Others of the Gilbert family still remained in captivity. Thomas Peart, a brother of Benjamin, obtained his liberty in the spring of 1781, and was allowed to go to Buffalo creek with Captain Powell, who was sent to distribute provisions, hoes and other implements among the In- dians. At the distribution, the chiefs of every band came for shares, each having as many sticks as there were persons in his band, in order to insure a fair division. That spring still another body of Indians came to Buffalo creek, having with them Abner and Elizabeth Gilbert, the two youngest chil- dren of the family. But this band settled some distance from the main body, and the children were not allowed to visit each other. In July of that year, the family in which Abner Gilbert was, went to "Butlersburg," a little village opposite Fort Niagara, named after Colonel Butler. The Colonel negotiated with the woman who was the head of the family for Abner, and on receiving some presents she agreed to give him up at the end of twenty days. She took him back to Buffalo creek, but returned with him before the stipulated day, and he and Elizabeth were sent to Montreal by the first ship. Meanwhile, the war had gone forward with varying fortunes. Guy Johnson and Colonel Butler kept the Indians as busy as possible, maraud- ing upon the frontier, but they had been so thoroughly broken up that they were unable to produce such devastation as at Wyoming and Cherry Valley, In October, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered, and thenceforth there. were no more active hostilities. Rebecca Gilbert and Benjamin Gilbert, Jr., were released the next year. This appears to have been managed by Colonel Butler, who, to give him his due, always seemed willing to befriend the captives, though constantly sending out his savages to make new ones. Not until the arrangements were all made did the Indians inform Rebecca of her approaching freedom. With joyful heart she prepared for her journey, making bread and doing other needful work for her captors. Then, by canoe and on foot, she and her brother were taken to Niagara, and after a conference, the last two of the ill-fated family were released from cap- tivity in June, 1782. TERMINATION OF BRITISH RULE. 55 In the fall of 1783, peace was formally declared between Great Britain and the revolted colonies, henceforth to be acknowledged by all men as the United States of America. By the treaty, the boundary line was established along the center of Lake Ontario, Niagara river and Lake Erie. Although the forts held by the British on the American side of the line were not given up for many years afterwards, and although they thus retained a strong influence over the Indians located on this side, yet the legal title was admitted to be in the United States. Thus the unques- tioned English authority over the territory of Erie county lasted only from the treaty with France in 1763 to that with the United States in 1783, a little over twenty years. CHAPTER VIII. FROM 1783 TO 17 88. My d Treatment of the Six Nations — The Treaty of Fort Stanwix - The Western Boundary - Origin of the name of Buffalo Miss Powell's Visit — “ Captain David' Claims of New York and Massachusetts — How Settled — Sale to Phelps and Gorham - The Land Rings — A Council Called. N° O provision whatever was made in the treaty of peace for the Indian allies of Great Britain. The English authorities, however, offered them land in Canada, but all except the Mohawks preferred to remain in New York. The United States treated them with great moderation. Although the Iroquois had twice violated their pledges, and without provocation had plunged into the war against the colonies, they were readily admit- ted to the benefits of peace, and were even recognized as the owners of all the land in New York over which they had ranged before the Revo- lution. The property line, as it was called, previously drawn between the whites and Indians, ran along the eastern border of Broome and Chenango counties, and thence northwestward to a point seven miles west of Rome. In October, 1784, a treaty was made at Fort Stanwix (Rome) between three commissioners of the United States and the sachems of the Six Nations. The Marquis de LaFayette was present and made a speech, though not one of the commissioners. It is almost certain, however, that Red Jacket, then a young man, who afterwards claimed to have been there, did not really take any part in the council. Brant was not pres- ent, though he had been active in a council with Governor Clinton, only 56 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. a short time before. Cornplanter spoke on behalf of the Senecas, but Sayengeraghta or "Old King," was recognized as the principal Seneca sachem. The eastern boundary of the Indian lands does not seem to have been in dispute, but the United States wanted to extinguish whatever claim the Six Nations might have to Ohio and other western territory, and also to keep open the right of way around the Falls, which Sir William. Johnson had obtained for the British. It was accordingly agreed that the western line of their lands should begin on Lake Ontario, four miles east of the Niagara, running thence southerly, in a direction always four miles east of the carrying path, to the mouth of Tehoseroron (or Buffalo) creek, on Lake Erie; thence south to the north boundary of the State of Pennsylvania; "thence west to the end of said north boundary; thence south along the west boundary of the State to the river Ohio.” This agreement (if it is correctly given above, and we think it is,) would have left the whole of Chatauqua county and a large part of Erie and Cattaraugus west of the line. It could hardly be called a treaty, as the Indians only agreed to it because they thought they were obliged to, and afterwards made so much complaint that its provisions were some- what modified. The treaty of Fort Stanwix was the first public document containing the name of Buffalo creek, as applied to the stream which empties at the foot of Lake Erie. The narrative of the Gilbert family published just after the war was the first appearance of the name in writing or printing. This is a proper time, therefore, to consider a question which has been often debated, viz., whether the original Indian name was "Buffalo" creek. This almost of necessity involves the further question whether the buffalo ever ranged on its banks; for it is not to be presumed that the Indians would, in the first place, have adopted that name unless such had been the case. It is conceded that the Seneca name for the locality at the mouth of the creek was "To-se-o-way," otherwise rendered De-dyo-syo-oh, mean- ing "the place of basswoods." Te-ho-se-ro-ron is supposed to be the same word in the Mohawk dialect. It is therefore believed by some that the interpreter made a mistake in calling the stream "Buffalo creek" in the treaty of Fort Stanwix, and that the Senecas afterwards adopted the name, calling the creek "Tick-e-ack-gou" or Buffalo. In the second chapter the writer briefly indicated his reasons for believing that the buffalo once visited, at. least occasionally, the shores of Buffalo creek. The first fact to be considered is the unquestioned exist- ence in Erie county of open plains of considerable extent, only seventy- five years ago. As they were then growing up with small timber, the presumption is that they were much larger previously, and old accounts coincide with the presumption. EVIDENCES OF THE BUFFALO IN ERIE COUNTY. 57 Numerous early travelers and later hunters mention the existence of the buffalo in this vicinity or not far away. The strongest instance is the account of Chaumonot and Brebœuf, referred to in the sixth chapter, which declares that the Neuter Nation, who occupied this very county of Erie, as well as a portion of Canada, across the Niagara, were in the habit of hunting the buffalo, together with other animals. Mr. Ketchum, in his history of "Buffalo and the Senecas," says that all the oldest Senecas in 1820, declared that buffalo bones had been found within their recollection at the salt licks near Sulphur Springs. The same author produces evidence that white men had killed buffaloes within the last hundred and twenty years, not only in Ohio but in Western Pennsylvania. Albert Gallatin, who was a surveyor in Western Virginia in 1784, declared, in a paper published by the American Ethnological Society, that they were at that time abundant in the Kanawha valley, and that he had for eight months lived principally on their flesh. This is positive proof, and the Kanawha valley is only three hundred miles from here, and only one hundred miles further west, and in as well wooded a country as this. Mr. Gallatin adds authentic evidence of their having previously penetrated west of the Alleghanies. The narrative of the Gilbert family is very strong evidence that from the first the Senecas applied the name of Buffalo to the stream in question. Although the book was not published until after the war, yet the knowledge then given to the public was acquired in 1780, '81 and '82. At least six of the Gilberts and Pearts were among the Senecas on Buf- falo creek. Some of them were captives for over two years, and must have acquired considerable knowledge of the language. of the question that they could all have been mistaken as to the name of the stream on which they lived, which must have been constantly referred to by all the Senecas in talking about their people domiciled there, as well as by the scores of British officers and soldiers with whom the Gilberts came in contact. It is utterly out If, then, the Neuter Nation hunted buffaloes on either side of the Niagara in 1640, if they were killed by the whites in Ohio and Pennsyl- vania within the last century and a quarter, if Albert Gallatin found them abundant on the Kanawha in 1784, if the old Senecas of 1820 declared they had found his bones at the salt lick, and if the Indians called the stream on which they settled in 1780 " Buffalo" creek, there can be no reasonable doubt that the latter knew what they were about, and did so because that name came down from former times, when the monarch of the western prairie strayed over the plains of the county of Erie. F In the year of the Fort Stanwix treaty (1784) the name of Tryon county, of which Erie was nominally a part, was changed to Mont- gomery, in honor of the slain hero of Quebec. 58 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In May, 1785, Miss Powell, probably a sister of the Captain Powell before mentioned, visited an Indian council on Buffalo creek, and has left an interesting description which is given in Mr. Ketchum's valuable repertory. After admiring the Falls, of which she writes in glowing terms, she and her party went in boats to Fort Erie, whence they crossed to this side. She was accompanied by Mrs. Powell (Jane Moore), and by several British officers. One of her companions, (who had also been an officer, though perhaps he was not then one,) was a young Irish noble- man whose name was soon to be raised to a mournful prominence, and whose fruitless valor and tragic fate are still the theme of ballad and story among the people of his native land. This was Lord Edward Fitzgerald, who manifested a great fondness for visiting among the Indians, and who found an especial charm in the society of Brant. Before the council assembled, Miss Powell noticed several chiefs, gravely seated on the ground, preparing for it by painting their faces before small looking-glasses, which they held in their left hands. She declares there were two hundred chiefs present as delegates of the Six Nations, which, as there were not over two thousand warriors in all, was a very liberal allowance of officers. The chiefs of each tribe formed a circle in the shade of a tree, while their appointed speaker stood with his back against it. Then the old women came, one by one, with great solemnity and seated themselves behind the men. Miss Powell noted, with evident approval, that “on the banks of Lake Erie a woman becomes respectable as she grows old;" and added that, though the ladies kept silent, nothing was decided with- out their approbation. Their fair visitor was wonderfully impressed by the manly appear- ance of the Iroquois warriors, and declared that "our beaux look quite insignificant beside them." She was especially pleased with one who was called "Captain David," of whom she gave a very full account. Indians. wearing the old clothes of white men are common enough now, but a full-fledged Iroquois beau of the last century was an altogether different personage, and we will therefore transcribe the substance of the lady's glowing description. She declared that the Prince of Wales did not bow with more grace than "Captain David." He spoke English with propriety. His person was as tall and fine as it was possible to imagine; his features handsome and regular, with a countenance of much softness; his complexion not disagreeably dark, and, said Miss Powell, "I really believe he washes his face;" the proof being that she saw no signs of paint forward of his ears. His hair was shaved off, except a little on top of his head, which, with his ears, was painted a glowing red. Around his head was a fillet of silver, from which two strips of black velvet, covered with silver beads and brooches, hung over the left temple. A "fox-tail feather" in his CONFLICTING CLAIMS OF MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW YORK. 59 scalp lock, and a black one behind each ear, waved and nodded as he walked, while a pair of immense silver ear-rings hung down to his shoulders. He wore a calico shirt, the neck and shoulders thickly covered with silver brooches, the sleeves confined above the elbows with broad silver bracelets, engraved with the arms of England, while four smaller ones adorned his wrists. Around his waist was a dark scarf lined with scarlet which hung to his feet, while his costume was completed by neatly fitting blue cloth leggins, fastened with an ornamental garter below the knee. Such was the most conspicuous gentleman of Erie county ninety- eight years ago, and Miss Powell enthusiastically declared that "Captain David made the finest appearance I ever saw in my life." Now and then some fair English maiden has been so smitten with. the appearance of a native American warrior as to become his bride, and make her residence within his wigwam. Miss Powell, however, was not quite so much charmed by Captain David as that, since she returned to Fort Erie that evening on her way to Detroit, leaving Lord Edward Fitz- gerald and others to be entertained that night by the dancing of their dusky friends. As we stated in Chapter VIII, the colonies of Massachusetts and New York had charters under which they could both claim not only all Central and Western New York, but a strip of land running through to the Pacific ocean, or at least to the Mississippi. About the close of the Revolution, however, both Massachusetts and New York ceded to the United States all claim to the territory west of a line drawn south from the western extremity of Lake Ontario, being the present western boundary of Chatauqua county. After divers negotiations regarding the rest of the disputed territory, commissioners from the two States interested and from the general gov- ernment met at Hartford, in December, 1786, to endeavor to harmonize their claims. It was then and there agreed that Massachusetts should. yield all claim to the land east of the present east line of Ontario and Steuben counties. Also that west of that line, New York should have the political jurisdiction and sovereignty, while Massachusetts should have the title, or fee-simple, of the land, subject to the Indian right of Occupancy. That is to say, the Indians could hold the land as long as they pleased, but were only allowed to sell to the State of Massachusetts or her assigns. This title, thus encumbered, was called the pre-emption right, literally the right of first purchasing. New York, however, reserved a tract a mile wide, along the eastern shore of the Niagara, from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. As, by the treaty of Fort Stanwix, the lands of the Six Nations only came within four miles of the river, and did not extend west of a line running due south from the mouth of Buf- бо HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. falo creek, it is probable that the United States had since released the tract in New York west of that line, to the Indians, in response to their numerous complaints. While these events were transpiring a combination (a "ring" it would now be called) was formed by prominent men in New York and Canada, to get control of the Indian lands in this State. Two companies were organized: "The New York and Genesee Land Company," of which one John Livingston was the manager, and the “Niagara Genesee Company," composed principally of Canadians, with Colonel John Butler at the head. With him were associated Samuel Street, of Chippewa, Captain Powell, the friend of the captives, William Johnston, afterwards. of Buffalo, and Benjamin Barton, of New Jersey. As the State constitution forbade the sale of Indian lands to indi- viduals, these companies, working together, sought to evade it by a lease. So great was the influence of Butler and his friends that in 1787, the Six Nations, or some chiefs claiming to act for them, gave the New York and Genesee Company a lease of all their lands (except some small reservations) for nine hundred and ninety-nine years. The considera- tion was to be twenty thousand dollars, and an annual rental of two thousand. The next winter the lessees applied to the legislature for a recogni- tion of their lease, but the intent to evade the law was too plain; the petition was promptly rejected and the lease declared void. Many of the chiefs, whether truly or not, declared this lease to have been made without authority. We may note, as confirming what has been said of the influence of the female sex among these savages, that in a letter sent by several chiefs from Buffalo creek, in the spring of 1788, they say the lease is void, "since not one sachem nor principal woman had given their consent.” The lease having been declared void, the lessees next proposed to procure a conveyance by the Indians of all their lands to the State, pro- vided the State would re-imburse Livingston and his associates for all their expenses, and convey to them half the land. This specimen of "cheek" can hardly be exceeded even in these progessive days, consider- ering that, by this proposition, Livingston, Butler and company would have got some four or five million acres of the finest land in America as a free gift. However, the proposition was promptly rejected. In 1788, Massachusetts sold all her land in New York, about six million acres, to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham acting on behalf of themselves and others, for one million dollars, in three equal annual installments, the purchasers being at liberty to pay in certain stocks of that State, then worth about twenty cents on the dollar. The purchase was subject of course to the Indian right of occu- pancy. Phelps, the active man of the firm, made an arrangement with THE COUNCIL AT BUFFALO CREEK — Brant. 61 Livingston, who agreed, doubtless for a consideration, to help him nego- tiate a treaty with the Indians. But meanwhile there was a dis- agreement between Livingston's and Butler's companies, and when Phelps arrived at Geneva, where a council was to have been held, he learned that Butler and Brant had assembled the Indians at Buffalo creek, and had persuaded them not to meet with either Livingston or Phelps. Finding that Butler and his friends had more influence over the savages than Livingston, Phelps went to Niagara, came to a satis- factory arrangement with them, and then procured the calling of a council at Buffalo creek. It assembled on the fifth of July. The proceedings were very quiet and harmonious, for Butler and Brant made everything move smoothly. There was little dispute, little excitement, and none of those impassioned bursts of eloquence for which Indian orators have become famous; yet the noted men present at that council make it one of the most remarka- ble assemblages ever convened in the county of Erie. A separate chap- ter will therefore be devoted to it and them. CHAPTER IX. THE COUNCIL. Butler - Kirkland- Phelps - Brant seat S D Farmer's Brother · Red Jacket — Cornplanter — The Mill The Bargain Butler's Pay. Y far the most celebrated personage present in the council on Buf- falo creek in July, 1788, was the Mohawk chieftain, called in his native tongue Thayendenegea, but denominated Joseph when he was taken under the patronage of Sir William Johnson, and known to fame throughout England and America by the name of Brant. A tall, spare, sinewy man of forty-five, with an intelligent but sinister countenance, in a gaudy apparel combining the garments of savage and civilized life, the vain but keen-witted Mohawk doubtless enjoyed himself as the observed of all observers, but at the same time kept a sharp lookout for the main chance; having acquired a decidedly civilized relish for land and money.* * The Narrative of Captain Snyder by C. H. Dewitt," quoted by Ketchum, thus describes Brant as he appeared at Fort Niagara about five years before the council at Buffalo creek: ( 'He was a likely fellow of a fierce aspect, tall and rather spare, well spoken, and apparently about thirty [nearly about forty] years of age. He wore moccasins elegantly trimmed with beads, leggins and breech cloth of superfine blue, short, green coat with two epauletts, and a small laced round hat. By his side hung an elegant silver mounted cutlass, and his blanket of blue cloth, purposely dropped on the chair on which he sat to display his epauletts, was gorgeously decorated with a border of red." Miss Powell, whose visit to Buffalo creek in 1785 is described in the last chapter, saw Brant at Fort Niagara, and said of him: "I was by no I was by no means pleased with his looks.” As the lady's letter shows that she was extremely well pleased with most of the Indians, I have ventured to de- scribe Brant as having a sinister countenance. 5 62 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Brant has acquired a terrible reputation as a bold and blood-thirsty leader of savages, but it would appear as if both his vices and his virtues were of the civilized-or semi-civilized- stamp. He had a mind which took easily to the instruction of the white man-though his education was only mediocre-and before the Revolution he had become a kind of private secretary to Colonel Guy Johnson; a position that to a thorough- going Indian would have been irksome in the extreme. Even the Mo- hawks did not then look up to him as a great warrior, and on the out- break of hostilities chose as their chief his nephew, Peter Johnson, son of Sir William by Brant's sister Molly. But the British found Brant the most intelligent of the Indians, and by using him they could most easily insure co-operation in their own plans. They therefore intrusted him with numerous expeditions, and the Mohawks readily yielded to his authority. So, too, perhaps, did some of the Cayugas and Onondagas, but the evidence is strong that the Senecas never obeyed him. After the war, however, he was looked up to by all the Indians, on account of his influence with the British officials. In the matter of cruelty, too, though perhaps not a very humane man according to our standard, he was much less savage than most of his countrymen, and there is abundant evidence of his having many times saved unfortunate prisoners from torture or death. Albeit there is also evidence of his having taken some lives needlessly, but never of his in- flicting torture. As he grew older he affected more and more the style of an English country gentleman at his hospitable residences at Brantford and Bur- lington Bay, and finally died, in 1807, in the odor of sanctity, a member of the Episcopal church and a translator of the scriptures in the Mohawk dialect. Another active participant in the council, with a reputation scarcely less extensive or less sinister, was Colonel John Butler, the leader of "But- ler's Rangers," the commander at the far-famed "Massacre of Wyoming," the terror of ten thousand families, the loyal gentleman of British records, the “infamous Butler" of border history. In this case, as in many others, probably the subject of partisan hatred was not as black as he has been painted, but his record was still a very dark one. The "Massacre of Wyoming," is perhaps hardly entitled to that name. But Colonel Butler was the most active agent in sending and leading the savages against the frontier, knowing that it was impos- sible at times to restrain them from the most horrible outrages. Again and again they murdered individuals and families in cold blood; again and again they dragged women and children from their homes hundreds of miles through the snows of winter, often slaughtering those too feeble to travel; and again and again John Butler, the great military authority of all this region, sent or led them to a repetition of similar scenes and COLONEL JOHN BUTLER-REV. SAMUEL KIRKLAND. 63 they were good for little else easily satisfying his conscience by some- times procuring the release of a prisoner. A native of Connecticut, a man of education and intelligence, in his youth an officer in the "French and Indian" war, afterwards a judge of the county of Tryon, then a bold, active and relentless partisan com- mander, cheering on his rangers and Senecas at Wyoming, sword in hand, without his uniform and with a red 'kerchief tied around his head. Butler was in 1788, an agreeable appearing gentlemen of fifty-five or sixty, stout and red-faced, in cocked hat and laced coat, with unbounded influence over the Indians, and determined to use it so as to make a good thing for himself out of the lands of Western New York. There, too, was the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the agent of Massachu- setts, a man of noble character and varied experience. Twenty-three years before, then a young man just graduated from college, he had devoted himself to the missionary cause among the Indians, going at first among these same Senecas, and making many friends, though meeting with some very disheartening adventures. Then he had taken up his home with the Oneidas and labored among them with some intermissions. nearly forty years, ever receiving their most earnest affection and respect. It had been largely owing to his influence that that tribe had remained neutral during the Revolution. Congress had employed him in various patriotic services throughout that struggle, and during Sullivan's cam- paign he had served as brigade chaplain. Fourteen years after the events we are now relating, he gained a new title to public gratitude by becom- ing the founder of Hamilton College, (though it then received only the modest title of Hamilton Oneida Academy,) giving it a liberal endow- ment out of lands granted him by the State for his services. On this occasion he acted not only as agent for Massachusetts but as one of the interpreters, there being three others, one of whom was William Johnston. This is the first positive appearance of one who was afterwards to exercise a powerful influence over the future of Buffalo- who in fact was almost able to decide whether there should be any city of Buffalo or not. There is, however, little doubt that he was identical with the "Lieutenant Johnson," heretofore mentioned, who visited the Senecas in 1780, and also with the Lieutenant Johnson whom Mrs. Jemi- son mentions as taking part in the Cherry Valley raid. Shrewd, persistent, enterprising, a typical business man of the day, was Oliver Phelps, a Connecticut Yankee by birth, a son of the Bay State by adoption, a New Yorker by subsequent residence. He had been an active and influential participant in the Revolution, and was now, as the agent of an association of Massachusetts speculators, negotiating for the purchase of a principality. Removing soon after to Canandaigua and superintending there the sale of the vast domain which he and his associates had purchased, he was to the day of his death looked up to 64 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. with profound respect by the residents of "Phelps and Gorham's Pur- chase." But his keenness in a bargain is well illustrated by a transaction at this very council, narrated a little further on. Among the Indian owners of the land the most eminent was Hona- yewus, who had for several years been recognized as principal war-chief of the Senecas, and who had lately received the name of "Farmer's Brother" from the lips of Washington. The latter, anxious to make agri- culture respectable among the Indians, declared himself a farmer in con- versation with Honayewus, and also saluted him as his brother. The chieftain, proud of the attention paid him by the great hero of the pale- faces, readily accepted the title of "Farmer's Brother," and ere long was universally known by that name among the whites. A strong, stalwart warrior, of gigantic frame and magnificent pro- portions, straight as an arrow, though nearly sixty years old, plainly attired in full Indian costume, with eagle eye, frank, open countenance, commanding port and dignified demeanor, Honayewus was, more than Brant, or Red Jacket, or Cornplanter, the beau ideal of an Iroquois chief. Though an eloquent orator, second only to Red Jacket in all the Six Nations, he was pre-eminently a warrior, and as such had been followed by the Senecas through many a carnival of blood. It is to be presumed, too, that he had had his share in scenes of cruelty, for, though a peacea- ble man in peace, he was a savage like his brethren, and, like a savage, he waged war to the knife. Thirty years before he had been one of the leaders in the terrible. tragedy of the Devil's Hole, when nearly a hundred English soldiers were ambushed and slain, and flung down into the darksome gorge. He had borne his part in many a border foray throughout the Revolution, had led the fierce charge of the Senecas when they turned the scale of battle at Wyoming, and had perhaps been an actor in the more dreadful scenes of Cherry Valley. Now he had become the friend of peace, the foe of intemperance, the conservator of order; and wherever a Seneca village was found, on the banks of the Buffalo or the Cattaraugus, of the Genesee or the Alleghany, the presence of Farmer's Brother was greeted, the name of Honayewus was heard, with the respect due to valor, wisdom and integrity. There, too, was the more celebrated but less respected leader, who had lately been made a chief by the honorable name of Sagoyewatha, "The Keeper Awake," (literally, "he keeps them awake”—a tribute to his oratorical powers which many a Congressman might envy,) but who was generally known among the whites by the ridiculous appellation which he transmitted to his descendants, the far-famed Red Jacket. He, too, had been an actor in the border wars, but had gained no laurels in them. Brant and Cornplanter both hated him, declaring him to be both a coward and a traitor. They were accustomed to tell of the RED JACKET. 65 time when he made a glowing speech, urging the Senecas to battle, but, while the conflict was going on, was discovered cutting up the cow of another Indian, which he had killed. He was at that time frequently called "The Cow-Killer," and that name was inserted in two or three public documents, being afterwards crossed out and "Red Jacket substituted. The treason with which he was charged seems to have consisted in making various efforts for peace, during Sullivan's campaign, without the sanction of the war-chiefs. At one time he is said to have clandes- tinely sent a runner to the American camp, inviting a flag of truce. Brant heard of the proceeding, and had the unlucky messenger inter- cepted and killed. Probably some of the stories regarding his timidity and treachery are false, but there are a good many of them, and they all point the same way. Notwithstanding all this, such was the charm of his eloquence, of which the Iroquois were always great admirers, and such the clearness of his intellect, that he was rapidly gaining in influence, and had been made a chief; that is, as we understand it, a civil chief, or counselor of the sachems. At the beginning of the Revolution he was a youth of about twenty. The British officers had been attracted by his intelligence, and had fre- quently employed him as a messenger, for which he was as well qualified by his fleetness of foot as by his shrewdness of mind. They had com- pensated him by a succession of red jackets, in which he took great pride, and from which he derived his name. Slender of form and subtle of face, clad in the most gorgeous of In- dian raiment, Sagoyewatha doubtless attracted the attention of the whites, but he had little opportunity to display his powers, for Brant and the omnipotent Butler had got everything arranged in the most satisfactory manner. There, too, was Captain John O'Bail, or Abeel, more widely known as Cornplanter. Half white by blood, but thoroughly Indian by nature, he had been one of the bravest and most successful chiefs of the Senecas during the war, but was now under a cloud among his people, because of his assent to the treaty of Fort Stanwix. He is said by Mrs. Jemison to have captured his own father, the old white trader, John Abeel, in one of his raids, but to have released him after taking him a few miles. Farmer's Brother and Red Jacket both lived on Buffalo creek, but Cornplanter's residence was on the Allegany in Pennsylvania, where a band of Senecas looked up to him as their leader. Sayengeraghta, "Old King," or "Old Smoke," as he was variously termed, was, if living, still the principal civil sachem of the Senecas, but his mildness and modesty prevented his taking a prominent part among so many great warriors and orators. 66 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Besides all these there was a host of inferior chiefs, whose rank gave them a right to take part in the council, while close by were the other warriors of the tribes, painted and plumed, who had no vote in the pro- ceedings, but who, in the democratic system of the Six Nations, might have a potent influence if they chose to exercise it. A number of British officers from Forts Niagara and Erie added splendor to the scene, and last, not least, was a row of old squaws, mothers in Israel, seated in modest silence behind the chiefs, but prepared if need be to express an authoritative opinion on the merits of the case-a right which would have been recognized by all. Such was the varied scene, and such the actors in it, on the banks of Buffalo creek, a little over eighty-seven years ago. The council, as we have said, was very harmonious. The Indians were willing to sell a part of their land, and apparently were not very particular about the price. The only dispute was whether the west line of the territory sold should be along the Genesee river or, as Phelps desired, some distance this side. The Indians insisted that the Great Spirit had fixed on that stream as the boundary between them and the whites. After several days' discussion, Phelps suggested that he wanted to build some mills at the falls of the Genesee, (now Rochester,) which would be very convenient for Indians as well as whites. Would his red brethren let him have a mill-seat, and land enough for convenience around it? Oh, yes, certainly, mills would be a fine thing, and the white brother should have a mill-seat. How much land did he want for that purpose? After due deliberation Phelps replied that he thought a strip about twelves miles wide, extending from Avon to the mouth of the river, twenty-eight miles, would be about right. The Indians thought that would be a pretty large mill-seat, but as they supposed the Yankees knew best what was necessary for the purpose, they let him have the land. As it contained something over 200,000 acres it was probably the largest mill-seat ever known. From Avon south, the west line of the purchase was to run along the Genesee to the mouth of the Canaseraga, and thence due south to the Pennsylvania line. This was "Phelps and Gorham's Purchase." It included about 2,600,000 acres, and the price was left by the complaisant aborigines to Colonel Butler, Joseph Brant and Elisha Lee, Mr. Kirk- land's assistant. They fixed the price at five thousand dollars in hand, and five hundred dollars annually, forever. This was about equal to twelve thousand dollars in cash, or half a cent an acre. Two weeks later we find Colonel Butler calling on Mr. Phelps by letter for a conveyance of twenty thousand acres of the land, in accord- ance with a previous arrangement. Phelps duly transferred the land to THE FIRST WHITE SETTLER. 67 the persons designated by Butler. Considering that the Colonel had been one of the referees to fix the price, this transfer looks as if some of the Indian operations of that era would not bear investigating any better than those of later date. CHAPTER X. FROM 17 88 TO 17 97. Skendyoughwatti” — First White Resident A Son of Africa The Holland Purchase Proc- tor's Visit British Influence Woman's Rights - Final Failure - The Indians Insolent— Wayne's Victory — Johnston, Middaugh and Lane — The Forts Surrendered — Asa Ransom - - The Mother's Strategy - First White Child — The Indians Sell Out - Reservations. M² R. KIRKLAND made another journey to Buffalo creek the next fall, seeking to pacify those Indians who were discontented regarding the sale just made by the Senecas, and also those made by other tribes to the State, of lands farther east. He mentions seeking the aid of the second man of influence among the Senecas on Buffalo creek, "Skendyoughwatti." This fearful-looking name we understand to be the same as that called "Conjockety" by the early settlers, and which their descendants have transmuted into Scajaquada. In returning, Kirkland says he lodged at "the Governor's village,” on the Genesee, and adds: "The Governess had set out for Niagara near a week before. I had not her aid in the council." This "Governess" is mentioned in other accounts, and seems to have been a very important personage, but whether she was the wife of some head chief, (or “Gov- ernor,") or was invested with power in her own right, is one of the mysteries of local history. In 1789 the county of Ontario was erected from Montgomery, (to which name that of Tryon county has been changed,) including the whole of the Massachusetts land, or substantially all west of Seneca lake; a territory now comprising thirteen counties and two parts of counties. About this time, certainly before 1791, and probably in 1789, the first white man took up his permanent residence in Erie county. This was Cornelius Winne, or Winney, a Hudson river Dutchman, who estab- lished a little log store for trading with the Indians on the site of Buffalo, at the foot of the hill which old residents still remember as existing at the Mansion House. This was four miles from the main Seneca village, but there were scattered huts all the way down the creek from that 68 HISTORY Of Erie CouNTY. 3 village to Farmer's Point, where Farmer's Brother lived. Captain Powell had an interest in Winney's store. We call Winney the first white resident, for though William Johnston had spent much time among the Senecas as a kind of British agent, and had taken a Seneca wife, there is no evidence that he had then made his permanent abode among them. Almost as soon as the earliest white man-possibly preceding him— the irrepressible African made his advent in our county; for in 1792 we find "Black Joe," alias Joseph Hodge, established as an Indian trader on Cattaraugus creek, and from the way in which he is mentioned we infer that he had already been there a considerable time. Meanwhile the adoption of the Federal Constitution had caused a great rise in Massachusetts stocks, so that Phelps and Gorham were unable to make the payments they had agreed on. After much negotia- tion Massachusetts released them from their contract as to all the land except that to which they had extinguished the Indian title, to wit, Phelps and Gorham's Purchase." Of that the State gave them a deed in full. Massachusetts at once sold the released land in five tracts to Robert Morris, the merchant prince of Philadelphia, and the celebrated financier of the Revolution. The easternmost of these tracts Mr. Morris sold out in small parcels. The remaining four constituted the "Holland Pur- chase." Mr. Morris sold it by four conveyances (not corresponding, however, to the four given by Massachusetts) made in 1792 and '93, to several Americans who held it in trust for a number of Hollanders, who being aliens could not hold it in their own name. As they did not begin the settlement of the county until several years later, it is unnecessary to say more of them here. In 1791 there was great uneasiness among the Indians, even in this vicinity, and in the West they were constantly committing depredations. The British still held all the forts on the American side of the boundary line, in open violation of the treaty of peace, alleging that the Amer- icans had also failed to comply with its provisions. To what extent they encouraged the Indians to hostilities is not known, but in view of the protectorate which they openly assumed over the savages, and which the latter acknowledged, it cannot well be doubted that the English influence was hostile to the United States. In April, 1791, Colonel Thomas Proctor, a commissioner appointed by the War Department, came from Philadelphia to Cornplanter's vil- lages on the Allegany, thence, accompanied by that chief and many of his warriors, to the Cattaraugus settlement, and then down the beach of the lake to Buffalo creek. Horatio Jones, the celebrated captive and interpreter, was also of the party. Proctor's object was to persuade the Senecas to use their influence to stop the hostilities of the Western Indi- VISIT OF COLONEL THOMAS PROCTOR. 69 ans, (against whom General St. Clair was then preparing to move,) and to that end to send a delegation of chiefs along with him on a mission to the Miamis. His journal is published by Ketchum, and gives much information regarding the condition of affairs in Erie county in 1791. He found the English influence very strong, the Indians obtaining supplies not only of clothing but of provisions from Forts Erie and Niagara. On the commissioner's arrival, "Young King," who could not have been over twenty-two or three years old, met him, apparelled in the full uniform of a British colonel, red, with blue facings and gold epaulets. The Senecas were also in possession of a two-pound swivel, which they fired in honor of the occasion, the gunner wisely standing inside the council house while he touched it off with a long pole passed between the logs. The charge was so heavy that it upset the gun and its carriage. At this time Red Jacket had risen to a high position, being men- tioned by Proctor as "the great speaker, and a prince of the Turtle tribe." In fact, however, he belonged to the Wolf clan. On Proctor's stating his object in the council, Red Jacket questioned his authority. This, as the colonel was informed by a French trader, was the result of the insinuations of Butler and Brant, who had been there a week before and had advised the Indians not to send a delegation to the Miamis. Proctor offered to present his credentials to any one in whom they had confidence, and they at once sent for the commandant at Fort Erie. The latter sent back Capt. Powell, who seems to have acted as a kind of guardian to the Indians during the proceedings. These were very deliberate, and were adjourned from day to day. Red Jacket was the spokesman of the Indians, and declared their determination to move the council to Niagara, insisting on the commis- sioners accompanying them the next day as far as Capt. Powell's house below Fort Erie. Proctor peremptorily declined. Then Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother addressed the council by turns, the result being that a runner was at once sent to Niagara to summon Col. Butler to the coun- cil. After two or three days' delay Butler came to Winney's store-house, and requested the sachems and head men to meet him there, but said nothing about Proctor. While waiting, the commissioner dined with" Big Sky," head chief of the Onondagas, whose "castle" he describes as being three miles east from "Buffalo," meaning from the Seneca village. There were twenty-eight good cabins near it, and the inhabitants were well clothed, especially the women, some of whom, according to Colonel Powell, were richly dressed, "with silken stroud" and silver trappings worth not less thirty pounds ($150) per suit. It seems, too, that they had advanced so far in civilization that the ladies were invited to the feast of the warriors, which consisted principally of young pigeons boiled and stewed. These were served up in 70 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. hanks of six, tied around the neck with deer's sinews, and were orna- mented with pin feathers. However, the colonel made a good meal. On the 4th of May the Indians repaired to the store-house to hold council with Butler. The latter invited Proctor to dine with him and his officers, including Captains Powell and Johnston. They spoke the Seneca language fluently, and advised the chiefs not to go with the com- missioner then, but to wait for Brant, who had gone west. Red Jacket and Young King appear to have been working for Proctor. The latter at length resented the interference of the British and insisted on a speedy answer from the Indians. Every paper delivered to the chiefs was handed over to Butler, who went back to Fort Erie next day. On the 6th of May, embassador Red Jacket announced that there would be no council, as the honorable councilors were going out to hunt pigeons. Proctor makes special mention of the immense number of pigeons found-over a hundred nests on a tree with a pair of pigeons in each. On the 7th a private council was held, at which land was granted to Indians of other tribes who had fled from the Shawnees and Miamis. "Captain Smoke" and the Delawares under his charge were assigned to the Cattaraugus settlement, where their descendants dwell at the present day. Several Missisauga families had planting-grounds given them near the village of Buffalo creek. On the 11th, Proctor declares that there was a universal drunk; "Cornplanter and some of the elder women excepted," from which the natural inference is that the young women indulged with the rest. Finally, on the 15th of May, the elders of the women repaired to the commissioner's hut, and declared that they had taken the matter into con- sideration, and that they should be listened to, for, said they: "We are the owners of this land, and it is ours;" adding, as an excellent reason for the claim, "for it is we that plant it." They then requested Colonel Proctor to listen to a formal address from "the women's speaker," they having appointed Red Jacket for that purpose. The alarm-gun was fired, and the chiefs came together, the elder florid women being seated near them. Red Jacket arose, and after many preliminaries announced that the women had decided that the sachems and warriors must help the commissioner, and that a number of them would accompany him to the West. Colonel Proctor was overjoyed at this happy exemplification of woman's rights, and seems to have thought there would be no further difficulty. He forthwith dispatched a letter by the trusty hand of Horatio Jones to Colonel Gordon, the commandant at Niagara-who was located opposite the fort of that name-asking that himself and the Indians might take passage on some British merchant-vessel running up Lake Erie, since the chiefs refused to go in an open boat. (It is worth FAILURE OF COLONEL PROCTOR'S MISSION. 71 noticing that even so late as 1791, Proctor spoke of Jones' crossing the "St. Lawrence," instead of the Niagara.) Gordon, in the usual spirit of English officials on the frontier at that time, refused the permission, and so the whole scheme fell through. It was just what was to have been expected, though Proctor does not seem to have expected it, and it is very likely the whole thing was well under- stood between the British and Indians. While it was supposed that Red Jacket and others would go with Proctor, that worthy had several requests to make. Firstly, the colonel ‚was informed that his friends expected something to drink, as they were going to have a dance before leaving their women. This the commis- sioner responded to with a present of “eight gallons of the best spirits." Then Red Jacket remarked that his house needed a floor, and Proctor offered to have one made. Then he preferred a claim for a special allow- ance of rum for his wife and mother, and in fact-well-he wanted a little rum himself. So the colonel provided a gallon for the great orator and his wife and mother. Young King was not less importunate, but Corn- planter was modest and dignified, as became a veteran warrior. But the worthy commissioner made due provision for them all. The projected expedition having thus fallen through, Young King made a farewell speech, being aided by “Fish Carrier," a Cayuga chief, whose "keen gravity" put Proctor in mind of a Roman Senator, and who seems to have been a man of great importance, though never put- ting himself forward as a speech-maker. The Indians must have had a pretty good time during Proctor's stay, as his liquor bill at Cornelius Winney's was over a hundred and thirty dollars. A very curious item in the commissioner's diary is this: "Gave a white prisoner that lived with said Winney nine pounds four and a half pence. Who he was or to whom he could have been prisoner is a mystery, since the Indians certainly held no prisoners at that time, and Cornelius, the Dutch trader, could hardly have captured a white man, though the law would have allowed him to own a black one. All this counciling having come to naught, Colonel Proctor set out for Pittsburg on the 21st of May, having spent nearly a month in the very highest society of Erie county. A little later the successive defeats of Harmer and St. Clair by the Western Indians aroused all the worst passions of the Iroquois. Their manners toward the Americans became insolent in the extreme, and it is positively asserted that some of their warriors united with the hostile bands. There is little doubt that another severe disaster would have disposed a large part of them to rise in arms, and take revenge for the unforgotten though well-merited punishment inflicted by Sullivan. Yet they kept up negotiations with the United States; in fact nothing 72 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. delighted the chiefs more than holding councils, making treaties and performing diplomatic pilgrimages. They felt that at such times they were indeed "big Indians." In 1792, Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother were two of fifty chiefs who visited the seat of government, then at Philadelphia. The former then claimed to be in favor of civilization, and it was at this time that Washington gave him the celebrated medal which he afterwards wore on all great occasions. It was of silver, oval in form, about seven inches long by five wide, and represented a white man in a general's uniform, presenting the pipe of peace to an Indian scantily attired in palm leaves. The latter has flung down his tomahawk, which lies at his feet. Behind them is shown a house, a field, and a man plough- ing. A characteristic anecdote is told of Red Jacket, by his biographer, regarding one of these visits. On his arrival at the seat of government, General Knox, then Secretary of War, presented the distinguished Seneca with the full uniform of a military officer, with cocked hat and all equipments complete. Red Jacket requested the bearer to tell Knox that he could not well wear military clothes, he being a civil sachem, not a war chief. If any such present was to be made him, he would prefer a suit of civilian's clothes, but would keep the first gift till the other was sent. In due time a handsome suit of citizen's clothes was brought to his lodging. The unsophisticated savage accepted it, and then remarked to the bearer that in time of war the sachems went out on the war-path with the rest, and he would keep the military suit for such an occasion. And keep it he did. In 1794 Mad Anthony Wayne went out to Ohio. He did not allow himself to be surprised, as his predecessors had been, and when he met the hordes of the Northwest, he struck them down with canister and bayonet, until they thought the angel of death himself was on their track. Said Joshua Fairbanks, of Lewiston, to a Miami Indian, who had fled from that terrible onslaught - "What made you run away?" With gestures corresponding to his words, and endeavoring to represent the effect of the cannon, he replied: "Pop, pop, pop-boo, woo, woo-whish, whish-boo, woo-kill twenty Indians one time-no good, by damn." The Senecas had runners stationed near the scene of conflict, and when they brought back the news of the tremendous punishment inflicted on their western friends, all the Iroquois in Western New York resolved to be "good Indians;" and from that time forth they transgressed only by occasional ebullitions of passion or drunkenness. In September of that year (1794), another treaty was made at Canan- daigua, by which the United States contracted to give the New York Iroquois $10,000 worth of goods, and an annuity of $4,000 annually in COMMENCEMENT OF SETTLEMENT IN ERIE COUNTY. 73 clothing, domestic animals, etc. It was also fully agreed that the Sene- cas should have all the land in New York west of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, except the reservation a mile wide along the Niagara. This council at Canandaigua was the last one at which the United States treated with the Iroquois as a confederacy. William Johnston, so often mentioned before, came there, and was discovered haranguing some of the chiefs. It was believed that he was acting in behalf of the British, to prevent a treaty, and Colonel Pickering, the United States commissioner, compelled him to leave. About this time, or a little earlier, Johnston took up his permanent. residence in a block-house which he built near Winney's store, at the mouth of Buffalo creek. His Indian friends gave him two square miles of land in the heart of the present city of Buffalo. His title would doubtless have been considered void in the courts of the pale-faces, but so long as the Senecas should retain their land Johnson would be allowed to use his magnificent domain at will. About the same time as Johnston, perhaps a little later, one Martin Middaugh, a Hudson river Dutchman, though recently from Canada, and his son-in-law, Ezekiel Lane, were allowed by Johnston to build a log house on his land, near his own residence. Middaugh was a cooper, and perhaps made some barrels for the Indians, but both he and Lane seem to have been dependents of Johnston. There had begun to be considerable travel through Erie county. There was emigration to Canada, which was rapidly settling up, and also to Ohio, a part of which was open for purchase. There were no roads. but Indian trails, but some way or other people managed to flounder through. In 1794 or '95 the first tavern was opened in the county. In the latter year there came hither a French duke, bearing the ancient and stately name of De La Rochefoucauld Liaincourt, probably driven from France by the revolution, who was desirous of seeing the red man in his native wilds. On his way to the Seneca village he and his companions passed the night at "Lake Erie," the name applied to the cluster of log houses on Johnston's land. When men spoke of "Buffalo," they referred to the village of the Senecas. There was then something in the shape of an inn, but if the land- lord "kept tavern" he kept nothing else, "for," says the duke in his travels, "there was literally nothing in the house, neither furniture, rum, candles, nor milk." The absence of rum was certainly astonishing. Milk was at length procured "from the neighbors," and rum and candles from across the river. The name of this frugal pioneer landlord was supposed to have been Skinner, as a man of that name certainly kept there only a little later. On the 4th of July, 1796, Fort Niagara was surrendered by the British to the United States; Fort Ontario, at Oswego, being given up 74 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ten days later. This strengthened the impression made on the Indians by Wayne's victory, and confirmed them in the disposition to cultivate friendly relations with the Americans. In that year, too, the little settlement of "Lake Erie" was increased by the arrival from Geneva of Mr. Asa Ransom, a resolute and intelligent young man, a silversmith by trade, who built a log house, established himself there with his delicate young wife and infant daughter, and went to work making silver brooches, ear-rings, and other ornaments in which the soul of the red man and the red man's wife so greatly delighted. This was the first family that brought into Erie county the habits and refinements of civilized life. At this time and for several years afterward, the few settlers who wanted to get corn ground were obliged to take it over the river and down to Niagara, forty miles distant. In the autumn of 1797, the settlement received another addition by the arrival of a daughter in the Ransom family, being, so far as is known, the first white child born in Erie county, and the first in New York west of the Genesee river, outside of Fort Niagara. Some twenty-two years later this little stranger became Mrs. Frederick B. Merrill. We mentioned some pages back, the sale by Robert Morris to certain Holland gentlemen, (through their American friends,) of nearly all the land west of the Genesee; the seller agreeing to extinguish the Indian title. It was not until 1797 that this could be accomplished. In Sep- tember of that year a council was held at Geneseo, at which Morris bought the whole of the remaining Seneca lands in New York, except eleven reservations of various sizes, comprising in all about three hundred and thirty-eight square miles. Of these the Buffalo creek reservation, the largest of all, lay wholly in Erie county. By the terms of the treaty it was to contain a hundred and thirty square miles, lying on both sides of Buffalo creek, about seven miles wide from north to south, and extending eastward from Lake Erie. The Cattaraugus reservation was to contain forty-two square miles, on both sides of Cattaraugus creek near its mouth, being in the present counties of Erie, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua. As finally surveyed about thirty-four square miles were in Erie county. The Tonawanda reservation was to contain seventy square miles, lying on both sides of Tonawanda creek, beginning "about twenty-five miles" from its mouth, and running east "about seven miles wide." Of this, as surveyed, some fifteen square miles were in Erie county. The other reservations, which were all small, were entirely outside of the county. As will have been seen, the amounts reserved were all definite, but the precise lines were left to be located afterwards, in order not to crowd any of the Indian villages. The tract bought, aside from the reserva- tions, contained about three millions three hundred thousand acres, for SURVEY AND SETTLEMENT. 75 which Morris paid ten thousand dollars, or less than a third of a cent per acre. Considering the complaints which Indians are all the time making about the loss of their lands, it certainly seems strange that they should throw them away by the million acres for a merely nominal price, as they have usually done. The sale to Phelps and Gorham was not so exces- sively strange because it involved no change in their mode of life. They still had vast hunting grounds west of the Genesee. But that to Morris at once destroyed all hope of living by the chase, and necessitated their adopting to a considerable extent the habits of the white man. They appear to have forgotten all about the Great Spirit's fixing the Genesee as their eastern boundary. Yet they showed no inclination to demand white men's prices for their land. Certainly such men as Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother, who had visited the eastern cities and had seen the wealth of the whites, must have known that a third of a cent per acre was a very poor price to pay for land. True, we may suppose they were bought, (which would accord with Red Jacket's character,) but one would imagine that, in the demo- cratic Iroquois system, the warriors of the tribe could easily have pre- vented a sale, and in view of their reiterated complaints over the Fort Stanwix treaty and the sale to Phelps and Gorham, it is strange they did not do so. They must have wanted whisky very badly. CHAPTER XI. SURVEY AND SETTLEMENT. The Holland Company — Three Sets of Proprietors - Their System of Surveys - The State Reser- vation - The West Transit -- The Founder of Buffalo - The First Road Indian Trails New Amsterdam - Hotel at Clarence - A Young Stranger Ellicott Made Agent― First Wheat The Office at Pine Grove A Hard Problem The First Purchase - Dubious M M Records Magistrate. An Aboriginal Engineer - A Venerable Mansion - Chapin's Project The First UCH has been written, and more has been said, about the "Hol- land Company." When people wished to be especially precise, they called it the "Holland Land Company." It has been praised and denounced, blessed and cursed, besought for favors and assailed for refusal, almost as much as any institution in America. Not only in com- mon speech, in newspapers and in books, but in formal legal documents it has been again and again described as the "Holland Company," or the Holland Land Company," according to the fancy of the writer. 46 76 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Yet, legally, there never was any such thing as the Holland Com- pany, or the Holland Land Company. Certain merchants and others of the city of Amsterdam, placed funds in the hands of friends who were citizens of America, to purchase several tracts of land in the United States, which, being aliens, the Hol- landers could not hold in their own name at that time. One of these tracts, comprising what was afterwards known as the Holland Purchase, was bought from Robert Morris, as before stated. From their names we infer that most of those who made the purchase for the Hollanders, were themselves of Holland birth, but had been naturalized in the United States. In the fore part of 1798, the Legislature of New York authorized those aliens to hold land within the State, and in the latter part of that year, the American trustees conveyed the Holland Purchase to the real owners. It was transferred, however, to two sets of proprietors, and one of these sets was soon divided into two, making three in all. Each set held its tract as "joint tenants," that is, the survivors took the whole; the shares could not be the subject of will nor sale, and did not pass by inheritance, except in case of the last survivor. But there was no incorporation and no legal company. All deeds were made in the name of the individual proprietors. The three sets of owners appointed the same general and local agents, who, in their behalf, carried out one system in dealing with settlers, though apportioning the expenses among the three sets according to their respective interests, and paying to each the avails of their own lands. At the first transfer by the trustees, the whole tract, except 300,000 acres, was conveyed to Wilhem Willink, Nicholas Van Staphorst, Pieter Van Eeghen, Hendrick Vollenhoven, and Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck. The 300,000 acres were conveyed to Wilhem Willink, Jan Willink, Wil- hem Willink, Jr., and Jan Willink, Jr. Two years later, the five proprie- tors of the main tract transferred the title of about a million acres, so that it was vested in the original five, and also in Wilhem Willink, Jr., Jan Willink, Jr., Jan Gabriel Van Staphorst, Roelif Van Staphorst, Jr., Cornelius Vollenhoven, and Hendrick Seye. Pieter Stadnitzki was also made a partner, though in some unknown manner. In the hands of these three sets of owners, the titles remained during the most active period of settlement, only, as men died, their shares passed to the survivors, and their names were dropped out of the deeds. Some twenty years later, new proprietors were brought in, but the three sets remained as before. It will be observed that Wilhem Willink was the head of each of the three sets, and as he outlived nearly all the rest, his name was the first in every deed. The same proprietors, or a portion of them, also held large bodies of land in Central New York and in Pennsylvania, all managed by the same general agent at Philadelphia. THE HOLLAND LAND COMPANY. 77 + For convenience, however, all these owners will be described throughout this work, by the name to which every one in Erie county is accustomed, that of the "Holland Company," and their tract in Western New York will be considered as distinctively the "Holland Purchase," though there were other bodies of land equally well entitled to the name. The first general agent of the Company was Theophilus Cazenove, a Hollander sent out from Europe for the purpose. Previous to the extinguishment of the Indian title to the Company's lands in New York, Cazenove had employed Joseph Ellicott to survey their tract in Penn- sylvania. He was a younger brother of Andrew A. Ellicott, then Sur- veyor-General of the United States, and had assisted him in laying out the city of Washington. As soon as the treaty was made with the Indians in the fall of 1797, Mr. Cazenove employed the same efficient person to survey the new tract. That same autumn he and Augustus Porter, the surveyor employed by Robert Morris, in order to ascertain the number of acres in the Purchase, took the necessary assistance, began at the northeast corner, traversed the northern bounds along Lake Ontario to the Niagara, thence up the river to Lake Erie, and thence along the lake shore to the western boundary of the State. No sooner had the keen eye of Joseph Ellicott rested on the loca- tion at the mouth of Buffalo creek than he made up his mind that that was a most important position, and he ever after showed his belief by his acts. The next spring, (1798,) the grand surveying campaign began, with Ellicott as general-in-chief. He himself ran the east line of the Purchase, usually called the East Transit. Eleven other surveyors, each with his corps of axemen, chainmen, etc., went to work at different points, run- ning the lines of ranges, townships and reservations. All through the Purchase the deer were startled from their hiding-places, the wolves were driven growling from their lairs, by bands of men with compasses and theodolites, chains and flags, while the red occupants looked sullenly on at the rapid parceling out of their broad and fair domain. The survey system adopted by the Holland Company was substan- tially the same as that previously followed on Phelps and Gorham's Pur- chase, and was not greatly different from that now in use by the United States all over the West. The tract was first divided into ranges six miles wide, running from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, and numbered from east to west. These were subdivided into townships six miles. square, numbered from south to north. The original intention was to divide every complete township into sixteen sections, each a mile and a half square; subdividing these into lots, each three-quarters of a mile long and one-quarter wide, every one. 6 78 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. containing just a hundred and twenty acres. This plan, however, was soon abandoned as inconvenient and complicated, and the townships were divided into lots three-fourths of a mile square, containing three hundred and sixty acres each. These were sold in parcels to suit pur- chasers. It was a common but not invariable rule to divide them into . "thirds" of a hundred and twenty acres each. Twenty-four townships had already been surveyed when the first plan was abandoned, three of which were in Erie county, being the pres- ent town of Lancaster and the southern part of Newstead and Clarence. Both systems differ from that of the United States, in that by the latter each township is divided into sections a mile square, and these into quarter-sections of a hundred and sixty acres each. It will be understood that various causes, such as the existence of lakes and rivers, the use of large streams as boundaries, the great fickle- ness of the magnetic needle, the interposition of reservation lines, etc., frequently produced a variation from the normal number of square miles in a township, or of acres in a lot. The surveys went briskly forward. Ellicott, after running the east line of the Purchase, stayed at "Buffalo Creek" the greater part of the season, directing operations. By this name we now refer to the cluster of cabins near the mouth of the creek, previously called "Lake Erie;" for on the opening of surveys that appellation was dropped, and the name "Buffalo Creek" was speedily transferred thither from the Seneca village to which it had before pertained. In the fall Seth Pease ran the line of the State reservation along the Niagara river, or the "streights of Niagara," as that stream was then frequently termed. There was some difficulty in determining its bound- aries at the southern end, as the lake gradually narrowed so it was hard to tell where it ended and the river began. It was at length agreed between the State authorities and the company that the river should be considered to commence where the water was a mile wide. From the point on the eastern bank opposite this mile width of water, a boundary was drawn, consisting of numerous short lines, amounting substantially to the arc of a circle with a mile radius, giving to the State all the land within a mile of the river, whether east from its eastern bank or south from its head. Besides the East Transit, another standard meridian was run as a base of operations in the western part of the Purchase, and called the West Transit. It was the line between the sixth and seventh ranges, and is now the boundary between Clarence, Lancaster, Elma, Aurora and Colden on the east, and Amherst, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, East Hamburg and Boston on the west. A portion of the 300,000 acres conveyed to the four Willinks, as before mentioned, lay in a strip nearly a mile and a half wide, (113 chains, 68 THE FOUNDER OF BUFFALO. 79 links,) just west of the West Transit, extending from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario. The rest of the land belonging to that set of proprietors was in the southeast corner of the Purchase. All that part of Erie county west of the West Transit (except the pre-emption right to the reservations,) was included in the conveyance of a million acres to the larger set of proprietors, while that part east of the Transit was retained by the five original owners. The Transit, however, was not the line between the two sets throughout the whole Purchase. The city of Buffalo was founded by Joseph Ellicott. He not only selected the site and laid out the town, but it was only through his good judgment and special exertions that there was any town there. All through the summer and fall of 1788, though only the super- intendent of surveys and in no way responsible for the future prosperity of the Purchase, he labored zealously to get room for a city at the foot of Lake Erie. He saw that the State reservation would come down to within a short distance of the cluster of cabins which he meant should be the nucleus of a great commercial emporium. He saw, too, that if the Buffalo Creek reservation, (which by the treaty with Morris was to be seven miles wide, lying on both sides of the creek), should be surveyed with straight lines, it would run square against the State reservation, and cut off the Holland Company entirely from the foot of the lake. The Indians were not particular about having the land at the mouth of the creek for themselves, but they had granted two square miles to their friend Johnston, and, though they could give no title, they could insist on the whole being included in their reserve, unless an arrangement should be made with him. They had also given him, substantially, a life lease of a mill seat and certain timbered lands on Scajaquada creek, six miles from the mouth of the Buffalo. Ellicott, after considerable bargaining, succeeded in making an agreement with Johnston, the latter persuaded the Indians to leave the town site out of the reservation, and the company deeded him a mile square, including his mill-seat and forty-five and one-half acres in the city. So, instead of the north boundary of the Buffalo Creek reservation run- ning due west to the State reservation, it was made to turn just east of what is now called East Buffalo, whence it ran southwest to the creek and down the center of the creek to the lake. The previous winter the legislature had authorized the laying out of a State road from Conewagus (Avon) to Buffalo creek, and another to Lewiston. The Company subscribed five thousand dollars for cutting them out. The first wagon track opened in Erie county was made under the direction of Mr. Ellicott, who, in the spring of 1798, employed men to improve the Indian trail from the East Transit to Buffalo. 80 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. This trail ran from the east, even from the valley of the Hudson, crossing the Genesee at Avon, running through Batavia, and down the north side of Tonawanda creek, crossing into Erie county at the Tona- wanda Indian village. Thence it ran over the site of Akron, through Clarence Hollow and Williamsville to Cold Spring, and thence follow- ing nearly the line of Main street to the creek. A branch turned off to Black Rock, where both Indians and whites were in the habit of crossing to Canada. Another branch diverged at Clarence, struck Cayuga creek near Lancaster, and ran down it to the Seneca village. Another principal trail ran from Little Beard's town, on the Genesee, entered Erie county near the southeast corner of the present town of Alden, struck the reservation at the southwest corner of that town, and ran thence westerly to the Seneca village. Besides, there were trails up the Cazenove and Eighteen-Mile creeks, and between the Buffalo and Cattaraugus villages. In 1799, little was done except to push forward the surveys. It was determined that the city to be built on the ground secured by Mr. Ellicott should be called "New Amsterdam,” and he began to date his letters to that address. In that year, the Company offered several lots, about ten miles apart, on the road from the East Transit to Buffalo, to any proper men who would build and keep open taverns upon them. The lots were not donated, but were to be sold at the Company's lowest price, on long time and without interest. This offer was accepted by Asa Ransom, the Buffalo silversmith, who located himself at what is now Clarence Hollow. This was the first settlement in Erie county made white-man fashion, that is, with a white man's view of obtaining legal title to the land. All previous settlement had been merely on sufferance of the Indians. One of the first strangers who applied for entertainment at the new hotel, was a young gentleman afterwards known as Colonel Harry B. Ransom. He arrived in November, 1799, and was in all probability the first white male child born in Erie county. In this year, a contract was granted, evidently by special favor, to Benjamin Ellicott (brother of Joseph) and John Thompson, two of the surveyors, for three hundred acres in township 12, range 7, (Amherst,) which was not yet subdivided into lots. There is some discrepancy in the description as recorded, but we are satisfied that the contract covered the site of Williamsville and the water-power there. The price was two dollars per acre. The same year, Timothy S. Hopkins, afterwards well-known as General Hopkins, came into the county and took charge of Johnston's saw-mill, the only one in the county, where he worked during the sea- son. Notwithstanding the absence of regular settlers, the numerous FIRST WHEAT RAISED IN ERIE COUNTY. 81 camps of surveyors made "brisk times," and any one who was willing to work could get good wages and prompt pay. Theophilus Cazenove, the general agent of the Company, returned to Europe in 1799. His name, given by Mr. Ellicott to one of the largest streams in Erie county, remains as a perpetual reminiscence of his con- nection with the Holland Purchase. His place as agent was supplied by Paul Busti, a native of Italy, who, until his death, twenty-four years later, faithfully discharged the duties of that position. In the year 1800, the laying off of the Purchase into townships was completed, and a number of townships were sub-divided into lots. Mr. Ellicott was appointed local agent for the sale of the land. While in the East, this season, he issued handbills, headed "Holland Company West Geneseo land," apprising the public that they would soon be for sale, and stating that they were situated adjacent to "Lakes Erie and Onta- rio, and the straits of Niagara." Mr. Ransom raised some crops this year, and T. S. Hopkins and Otis Ingalls cleared a piece of land two miles east of Clarence Hollow, (in the edge of Newstead,) and raised wheat upon it, said to be the first raised. on the Holland Purchase, and certainly the first in Erie county. When it was ready for grinding, Mr. Hopkins was obliged to take it to Street's mill at Chippewa, forty miles. He went with three yoke of cattle, by way of Black Rock, the whole population of which then consisted of an Irishman, named O'Niel, who kept the ferry. The ferriage each way was two dollars and a half, and the trip must have taken at least four days. In January, 1801, Mr. Ellicott returned from the East, stayed a few days at "New Amsterdam," and then located his office at " Ransom ville," or "Pine Grove." Sometimes he used one appellation in dating his letters, sometimes the other, apparently in doubt as to which was the more euphonious. He could hardly have anticipated that both these well-rounded names would finally be exchanged for "Clarence Hollow." Several townships were ready for sale on the Purchase, at least one of which was in Erie county. This was township 12, range 6, compris ing the south part of the present town of Clarence. Though town- ship 12, range 5, (Newstead,) lay directly east, no sales are recorded as made in it till the latter part of the year. Very slowly at first, the settlement went forward. The land was offered at $2.75 per acre, ten per cent. down. But precisely there-on the ten per cent. was the sticking-point. Men with even a small amount of money were unwilling to undertake the task of clearing up the forests of Holland Purchase. Those who wished to buy had no money. In a letter to Mr. Busti, dated February 17, 1801, Mr. Ellicott says: "If some mode could be devised to grant land to actual settlers, who cannot pay in advance, and at the same time not destroy that part of the plan which requires some advance, I am convinced the most salutary 82 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. results would follow." follow." A rather difficult task, to dispense with the advance and yet retain the plan which required an advance. Mr. Elli- cott does not solve the problem, but he seems to have been authorized to set aside the plan, for the time, for we soon find him selling without receiv- ing the ten per cent. in advance. It may be doubted whether it would not have been better, both for the company and the settlers, if the general agent had insisted on the original system. Settlement would have been slower at first, but it must have come ere long and it would have had a firmer foundation. If a man cannot raise thirty or forty dollars to make a first payment on a farm, it is very doubtful whether he will make the whole amount off from the land. Many did, but many failed. There was, however, competition in every direction. There were large tracts yet unsold in the eastern and central parts of the State. "New Connecticut," now known as the Western Reserve, in Ohio, was in market at low rates, the same was the case with the territory around Presque Isle, (Erie, Pa.,) and in Canada the British government was granting lands at sixpence per acre. On the 26th of February, Mr. Ellicott notes in his diary that over forty people-men, women and chil- dren--lodged at Ransom's the night before, moving principally to New Connecticut and Presque Isle. Still some sales were made, especially in the present county of Gene- see, next to the older settlements on Phelps and Gorham's Purchase. Some immigrants had previously come to this section for the purpose of settling on the Holland Purchase, but finding the land not in market had temporarily located in Canada, while awaiting the completion of the surveys. Some of these now returned and others came in from the East. The first record of any person's purchasing a piece of land in Erie county in the regular course of settlement, and aside from the special grants before mentioned, is that of Christopher Saddler, who took a contract, or "article," on the 12th of March, 1801, for 234 acres on lots. 1 and 2, section 6, town 12, range 6; being about a mile east of Clarence Hollow. And here we may say that there is no certain record of the coming of the first settlers to the various towns. The books of the Holland Company only show when men agreed to purchase land, not when they actually settled. After a short time an arrangement was made by which land was “booked " to men who appeared to be reliable, for a dollar payment on each piece, when it would be kept for them a year before they were required to make their first payment and take an article. It soon became common for speculative persons to invest a little money in that way, in the hope of selling at a profit. Sometimes, too, men came from the East, looked up land and purchased in good faith, but did not occupy it for a THE OLDEST BUILDING IN ERIE COUNTY. 83 year or two later. Once in a while, too, though this was more rare, a man located in the county without buying land. Consequently the records of the Holland Company do not show with any certainty when individuals actually located themselves on their respective lands, but they do give a fair idea of the general progress of settlement. The road along the old Indian trail, from Batavia to Buffalo, was not satisfactory to Mr. Ellicott. So in March he made an arrangement with an Indian whom he called "White Seneca," but whom that Indian's son called “ White Chief," to lay out and mark with his hatchet a new one on dryer land. He agreed to give ten dollars, and eight dollars for locat- ing a road in a similar manner from Eleven-Mile creek, (Williamsville,) via. the "mouth of the Tonnawanta" to "Old Fort Slosher." White Chief began on the 21st day of March, and on the 26th reported the completion of the survey of the first road. On the 28th Mr. Ellicott inspected a part of it, and appears to have been well pleased with the way in which the aboriginal engineer had followed the ridges and avoided the wet land. In the summer of 1801, the surveyor, John Thompson, put up a saw- mill at what is now Williamsville. He does not, however, seem to have done much with it, and perhaps did not get it into operation. If he did, it was soon abandoned. The same year he built a block-house for a dwelling. It was afterwards clapboarded, and a larger frame structure. erected beside it, of which it formed the wing. The whole is still stand- ing, a venerable brown edifice, known as the “Evans house," and the wing is unquestionably the oldest building in Erie county. Only eighty- two years since it was built, and yet in this county of nearly a quarter of a million inhabitants it seems a very marvel of antiquity. By November, 1801, township 12, range 5, (Newstead,) was ready for sale, and on the third of that month Asa Chapman made the first con- tract for land in that town, covering lot 10, in section 8, at $2.75 per acre. If he settled there he remained but a short time, as not long after he was living near Buffalo. The same month, Peter Vandeventer took four lots in sections. Eight and Nine, on which he settled almost immediately afterwards, and which was long known as the "Old Vandeventer Place.”* The last month of 1801 witnessed the first appointment of a white official of any description, resident within the present county of Erie. In that month the pioneer silversmith, tavern-keeper and father, Asa Ransom, was commissioned a justice of the peace by Governor George Clinton, the necessary document being transmitted by De Witt Clinton, nephew and private secretary of the Governor. *Two or three other purchases were made in Newstead in 1801 by men who settled there either that year or the next. 84 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XII. FROM 1802 TO 1807. K Formation of Genesee County - First Murder - First Town Meeting - Primitive Balloting - The Big Tree Road - Buffalo Surveyed - Dr. Chapin Erastus Granger - The Pioneer of the South Town-A A Hard Trip - Snow Shoes- Division of Batavia-Willink- Erie- Settlement of Boston An Ancient Fort-Settlement of East Hamburg-Of Evans — Of Aurora Of Lancaster Le Couteulx and Pratt First Post Office Organization of Willink Erie Town-Book- A Primitive Mill Warren and Williams A Tavern in Evans A Grist Mill in Hamburg-A Four Days' Raising - First Meeting-house in the County A Mill in Aurora - Settlement in Wales - First Methodist Society - A Traveling Ballot Box First Erie County Lawyer - Chivalry at a Discount. D OWN to this time Ontario county had retained its original boun- daries, including all that part of the State west of Seneca Lake, except that Steuben county had been taken off. The Holland Purchase was a part of the town of Northampton. In the spring of 1802, Mr. Ellicott, by earnest personal solicitation at Albany, procured the passage of an act creating the county of Gen- esee, comprising the whole of the State west of the river of that name and of a line running south from the "Great Forks." By the same act, Northampton was divided into four towns, one of which, Batavia, con- sisted of the whole Holland Purchase and the State reservation along the Niagara. The county-seat was established at Batavia, where Mr. Ellicott had already laid out a village site, and whither he transferred his head-quar- ters that same spring. The new county was not to be organized by the appointment of officers until the next year. In July, 1802, the first recorded murder of a white man in Erie county, took place at Buffalo, where a man named John Hewitt was stabbed to death by an infuriated Indian, called by the whites "Stiff- armed George," under circumstances more fully narrated in the history of the city. It is worthy of notice, as showing the weakness of the whites in Western New York, that, although the criminal was duly tried at Canandaigua, and convicted of murder, he was pardoned by Governor George Clinton on condition of his leaving the State and remaining out of it during life, a condition which was faithfully complied with. The Governor evidently thought it would be prudent to wait until the frontier was more thickly populated before beginning to hang Indians, if the task could possibly be postponed. During 1802, immigrants came more freely than before. The list of land-owners in what is now Clarence was increased by ten names, most FIRST TOWN MEETING. 85 of whose bearers located permanently in that town, while several more established themselves in township 12, range 5, (now Newstead.) All the new comers thus far had settled either on or close to the old "Buffalo road," laid out by "White Chief," which was the only line of communica- tion with the outside world. Peter Vandeventer this year built him a log cabin, cleared up half an acre of land, (“just enough" as another old settler said “to keep the trees from falling on his house,") and opened a tavern, the first in New- stead. At that little log tavern, on the first day of March, 1803, occurred the first town-meeting on the Holland Purchase. Although it was a hundred miles to the farthest corner of the town of Batavia, yet the settlements were almost all on or near the "Buffalo road," the farthest being at New Amsterdam, twenty-two miles west, and at the East Transit, twenty-four miles east. Vandeventer's was evidently selected as a central location. A very interesting account of this, the first political transaction in Erie county, was furnished to the Buffalo Historical Society by the late Amzi Wright, of Attica, who was present. There was a general turn-out of voters, apparently stimulated by rivalry between the eastern and western parts of the town. The little tavern was soon overrun, and the polls were opened out of doors by Enos Kellogg, one of the commissioners to organize the town. He announced that Peter Vandeventer, the landlord, and Jotham Bemis, of Batavia village, were candidates for supervisor. The worthy commissioner then proceeded to take the vote by a method which, though it amounted to a "division of the house," was in some of its details rather peculiar. He placed the two candidates side by side in the middle of the road, facing southward, Vandeventer on the right and Bemis on the left. "Now," said he, "all you that are in favor of Peter Vandeventer for supervisor of the town of Batavia take your places in line on his right, and you that are in favor of Jotham Bemis take your places on his left." The voters obeyed Mr. Kellogg's directions, Bemis' line stretching out along the road to Batavia, and Vandeventer's toward Buffalo. The commissioner then counted them, finding seventy-four on Vandeventer's right, and seventy on Bemis' left. Peter Vandeventer was then declared duly elected. A primitive method truly, but there was a poor chance for fraudulent voting. The men from east of Vandeventer's, who were considered as Bata- vians, then gathered in one cluster, and those from the west, who passed as Buffalonians, in another, and counted up the absentees. As in those times everybody knew everybody else within ten miles of him, this was not difficult. • 86 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. It was found that but four were absent, Batavia way, and but five from the Buffalo crowd.' So the whole number of voters on the Holland Purchase on the 1st day of March, 1803, was one hundred and fifty-three, of whom a hundred and forty-four were present at town meeting. Cer- tainly a most creditable exhibition of attention to political duty. There were perhaps two or three voters in the vicinity of Fort Niagara who did not attend and were not counted, but these, although in the town of Batavia, were not on the Holland Purchase. The other officers were afterwards elected by uplifted hands. The following is the complete list :- Supervisor, Peter Vandeventer; Town Clerk, David Cully; Asses- sors, Enos Kellogg, Asa Ransom, Alexander Rea, Isaac Sutherland, and Suffrenus (or Sylvanus) Maybee; Overseers of the Poor, David Cully and Benjamin Porter; Collector, Abel Rowe; Constables, John Mudge, Levi Felton, Rufus Hart, Abel Rowe, Seymour Kellogg, and Hugh Howell; Overseers of Highways, (pathmasters,) Martin Middaugh, Tim- othy S. Hopkins, Orlando Hopkins, Benjamin Morgan, Rufus Hart, Lovell Churchill, Jabez Warren, William Blackman, Samuel Clark, Gid- eon Dunham, Jonathan Willard, Thomas Layton, Hugh Howell, Benja- min Porter, and William Walsworth. Of these, Vandeventer, Cully, Ransom, Maybee, Felton, Timothy and Orlando Hopkins, and Middaugh, and perhaps others, were resi- dents of Erie county. At this town meeting, as at most others in Western New York at that time, one of the most important subjects which claimed the atten- tion of the sovereigns was the wolf question. An ordinance was passed offering a bounty of five dollars for wolf-scalps, "whelps half price," while half a dollar each was the reward for slaughtered foxes and wild- cats. The first State election on the Holland Purchase was also held at Vandeventer's, in April following, (in which month elections were then held,) and in that short time the increase of population had been such that a hundred and eighty-nine votes were cast for Member of Assembly. In June, 1803, Jabez Warren, by contract with Ellicott, surveyed the “Middle road" from near Geneseo to Lake Erie. Afterwards, during the same summer, he cut it out. It ran nearly due west, over hill and dale, keeping a mile south of the south line of the reservation, occasion- ally diverging a little in case of some extraordinary obstacle. It was called the "Middle road" by the Company, but as it started from the Big Tree reservation—that is, the one belonging to the band of Indians of which "Big Tree" was chief-it was almost universally called the "Big Tree road" by the inhabitants. Mr. Warren received $2.50 per mile for surveying it, and $10.00 for cutting it out. The latter seems astonishingly cheap, but "cutting BUFFALO Surveyed —DR. CHAPIN. 87 out" a road on the Holland Purchase meant merely cutting away the underbrush and small trees from a space a rod wide, leaving the large trees standing, making a track barely passable for a wagon. In this year the village of New Amsterdam was surveyed, (though not completed ready for sale,) by William Peacock. This year, too, the first ship was built in the county by Americans. It was the schooner "Contractor," built by a company having the con- tracts for supplying the western military posts, under the superintend- ence of Captain William Lee, who sailed the schooner for six years. The first physician who practiced in Erie county arrived at New Amsterdam with his family, but being unable to obtain a house, located himself temporarily on the west side of the Niagara, where he remained two years; practicing meanwhile on both sides of the river. This was Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, a robust, broad-shouldered man of thirty, who throughout the pioneer period was probably its best known and influen- tial citizen. His practice extended to every part of the county, and far beyond its borders. We shall have occasion to mention him again and again, in connection with the history of Buffalo, of the War of 1812, and of the Medical Society, in relation to all of which he occupied a very conspicuous position. Another very important arrival of that year was Erastus Granger, a cousin of Gideon Granger, then Postmaster-General under President Jefferson. He was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs, and soon afterwards postmaster of Buffalo, and appears to have been intrusted with the management of the politics of this section on behalf of the administration. He became the leader of the Republican* party on the Niagara frontier as Dr. Chapin was of the Federal party, and until the arrival of Peter B. Porter, several years later, there was no one to dis- pute the supremacy of either. Though New Amsterdam was not yet ready for sale, the adjoining land in that township was, and several purchases were made. The prices ranged from $3.50 to $5.00 per acre. Several sales were made in the autumn of 1803, in each of the present towns of Amherst, Clarence and Newstead, all being townships through which the "Buffalo road" ran. But the hardy pioneers soon bore farther south in their search for land. In November, 1803, Alanson Eggleston became the first purchaser in township II, range 6 (now Lancaster.) There the land was put down to $2 per acre, while in Amherst it was rated at from $3.26 to $3.50 per acre. Amos Woodward and William Sheldon also bought in Lancaster that month. All these purchases and settlements we have named were north of the Buffalo Creek reservation, which cut the present county of Erie com- * It will be remembered that the political organization which was then called "Republican " party afterwards named itself the "Democratic" party, which appellation it still bears. 88 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. pletely in twain. Several townships, however, were surveyed south of the reservation that year, and in the fall adventurous land-hunters found their way into the valley of Eighteen-Mile creek. On the 3d of October, Didymus C. Kinney purchased part of lot 33, township 9, range 7, being now the southwest corner lot of the town of East Hamburg. He immediately built him a cabin, and lived there with his family during the winter, being unquestionably the earliest pioneer of all Erie county south of the reservation. Records and recollections agree on this point. Cotton Fletcher, who had surveyed the southern townships, pur- chased land in the same township as Kinney, but did not locate there till later; neither did John Cummings, who purchased the mill-site a mile and a half below Water Valley. In November, 1803, too, Charles and Oliver Johnson, two brothers, made a purchase in the present town of Boston, near the village of Boston Center. Samuel Eaton bought farther down the creek. The price was $2.25 per acre. Charles, with his family, lived with Kinney through the winter, and moved on to his own place the next spring. The Indians were frequently a resource of the early settlers who ran short of food. Charles Johnson, while at Kinney's, went to the Seneca He had snow-shoes for locomo- village and bought six bushels of corn. tion and a hand-sled for transportation. As a load of three hundred and forty pounds sank the sled too far into the deep snow, he slung part of it on his back, and thus weighted and freighted he trudged through the forest to his home. It consisted The snow-shoe was an important institution of that era. of a light, wooden frame, about two and a half feet long and fifteen inches wide, with bars across it, the intervening spaces being filled with tightly stretched green hide. With a pair of such articles strapped to his feet, the hunter or traveler strode defiantly over the deepest drifts, into which, without their support, he would have sunk to his waist at every step. Strange as it may seem, too, old hunters declare that these forest gun-boats did not seriously impede locomotion, and that the accustomed wearer could travel from three to four miles an hour with- out difficulty. Kinney and Johnson with their families, in that solitary cabin in the valley of the Eighteen-Mile, were the only residents of Erie county south of the reservation in the winter of 1803-'04, and their nearest white neigh- bors were at "New Amsterdam," fourteen miles distant. The year 1804 was marked by a more decided advance than any pre- vious one. Turning first to municipal matters, we find that the town-meeting for Batavia was again held at Peter Vandeventer's, and that popular landlord was again chosen supervisor. DIVISION OF BATAVIA-AN ANCIENT FORT. 89 But at that session of the legislature a law was passed, (to take effect the next February,) dividing Batavia into four towns. The easternmost was Batavia, consisting of the first, second and third ranges of the Hol- land Purchase. Next came Willink, containing the ſourth, fifth and sixth ranges. Then Erie, comprising the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth ranges, the State reservation and the adjacent waters. The rest of the Purchase constituted the town of Chautauqua. It will be seen that Willink, as thus organized, was eighteen miles wide and just about a hundred miles long, extending from Lake Ontario to Pennsylvania. It contained one range of townships east of Erie county, the eastern parts of Niagara and Cattaraugus counties, and the present towns of Clarence, Newstead, Lancaster, Alden, Elma, Marilla, Aurora, Wales, Colden, Holland, Sardinia and part of Concord. The West Transit was the line between Willink and "Erie," which last town also stretched the whole width of the State. At its southern end it was twenty-four miles wide, but it was narrowed by the lake and the Canadian boundary, so that its northern half was only from eight to twenty miles wide. It comprised one short range of townships in Chau- tauqua county, the western part of Niagara and Cattaraugus, and in Erie county the city of Buffalo and the towns of Grand Island, Tonawanda, Amherst, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, Hamburg, East Hamburg, Evans, Eden, Boston, Brant, North Collins, Collins, and the west part of Concord. This town of Erie has had a somewhat curious history, having been completely obliterated not only from the list of political organizations, but from the memories of its own oldest inhabitants. The story of its early annihilation will be told in another chapter. Next to East Hamburg, Boston was the first town settled south of the reservation. In March, 1804, Charles Johnson having erected a cabin, left his friend Kinney's and moved four miles farther into the wilder- His brother Oliver, Samuel Eaton and Samuel Beebe followed a little later. ness. The Johnsons and some of their neighbors had less trouble clearing their land than most settlers in the south towns. Where they located, close to Boston Center, there was a prairie of fifty acres. Close by there was another which occupied thirty acres except a few trees, and there were some smaller ones. In the thirty-acre one there was an old fort, enclosing a space of about two and a half acres. It consisted of an embank- ment which even then was two feet high, with a ditch on the outside nearly two feet deep. There were a few trees growing on the embank- ment, one of them being a chestnut from two to two and a half feet in diameter. From this fort there was a narrow artificial road running southwest nearly to Hamburg village. On dry ground little work had been done, but on wet land the evidences that a road had been made were plain for a 90 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. long time. From Hamburg village to the lake there is a narrow natural ridge, suitable for a road, and on which one is actually laid out, called the "Ridge road.” It looks as if some band of Indians, (or of some other race,) had pre- ferred to reside on the lake shore for pleasure and convenience, but had constructed this fortress between the hills, with a road leading to it, as a place of safety from their foes. In this vicinity, as elsewhere throughout the county, were found large numbers of sharpened flint-stones, with which it was supposed the Indians skinned deer. The largest were six or seven inches long and two inches broad, the sides being oval and the edges sharpened. If the Indians had ever used them, as seems probable, they had thrown them aside as soon as knives were brought among them by the Europeans. We believe that John Cummings located himself this spring on his land below Water Valley, becoming the first settler in the present town of Hamburg. That same spring Deacon Ezekiel Smith came from Vermont with his two sons, Richard and Daniel, and bought a tract of land two miles southeast of Kinney's, in what has since been known as the Newton neighborhood. A young man named David Eddy came with him and selected land near Potter's Corners. Smith returned for his family, leav- ing his sons to clear land. In September he came back, with his wife, several daughters, and two or three others, and five more sons, Amasa, Ezekiel, Zenas, Amiah and Almon. Such a family of itself was enough to start a pretty good settlement. Four of the seven sons were married. With them came another big Vermont family, headed by Amos Colvin, with his sons Jacob, George, Luther, Amos and Isaac. In June, 1804, Joel Harvey located at the mouth of the Eighteen- Mile creek, on the west side, being the first settler in the present town of Evans, and the farthest one up the lake in the county of Erie. Meanwhile another settlement had been commenced farther east. Jabez Warren, when cutting out the Big Tree road, must have been extremely well pleased with the land about Aurora, for on the 17th of April, 1804, he took a contract for four entire lots, comprising the greater part of the site of the village of East Aurora, and a large territory adjoin- ing it on the north and west. The tract contained 1,743 acres, being the largest amount purchased in the county by one person at any one time. The price was $2 per acre. The same day Nathaniel Emerson, Henry Godfrey, (a son-in-law of Warren,) Nathaniel Walker, John Adams and Joel Adams took contracts covering the whole creek valley, for three miles above East Aurora, at $1.50 per acre. This was the cheapest that any land was sold in the county, though it included some of the best. In May, Rufus and Taber Earl located in the southeast corner of East Aurora village. FIRST POSTOFFICE - ORGANIZATION OF WILLINK. 91 Four or five other persons made purchases during the summer, but out of the whole list, though most of them became permanent residents, only one, Joel Adams, remained with his family through the winter. Taber Earl, however, built him a house and moved into it immediately after buying his land. His wife was the pioneer woman of the county south of the reservation and east of the West Transit. But Earl with his family wintered in Buffalo. In connection with the first settlement of Aurora, it may be noted that there, as in so many other places, were found indications of ancient occupancy. A little north of the village of East Aurora, and close to the north line of the town, are several abrupt hills, almost surrounded by muddy ponds and by low grounds once undoubtedly covered with water. Two of these hills, thus conveniently situated for defense, were found fortified by circular breastworks, resembling those in Boston. There is also a tradition of bones of "giant size" being dug up there at an early day, but I am somewhat skeptical, not as to the bones, but the size. Exaggeration is extremely easy where there is no exact, scien- tific measurement. Numerous settlements were made north of the reservation, in 1804, and the woodman's axe resounded in every direction. Mr. James Clark, of Lancaster, informed the writer that he had ascertained that James and Amos Woodward were the first settlers in Lancaster, locating at Bow- man's Mills, and it was probably in 1804 that they came. Several new settlers also located themselves in the embryo metropolis at the mouth of Buffalo creek, the most prominent of whom were Louis Stephen Le Couteulx, a French gentleman who established the first drug store in the county, and Captain Samuel Pratt, who engaged largely in trade with both whites and Indians, and who brought his family to Buffalo in the first coach ever seen in all the region round about. The only other event it is necessary to notice in this year is the estab- lishment of a post-route and post-office. A law was passed in the spring, establishing a route from Canandaigua to Fort Niagara, by way of Buf- falo creek. In September following it was put in operation, and Erastus Granger was appointed the first postmaster in Erie county, his office being denominated "Buffalo Creek." Even Congress would not recog- nize the unfortunate name of New Amsterdam. The new postmaster's duties were not onerous. Once a week a solitary horseman came from Canandaigua, with a pair of saddle-bags and the trifling mail, and once a week he returned from Fort Niagara. During 1805, there is no record of any new townships being occu- pied, but the work of improvement progressed rapidly in and around the settlements already made. In accordance with the law of the previous year, the towns of Wil- link and Erie were organized in the spring of 1805. The first town 92 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. meeting in Willink was held at Vandeventer's, all the voters being north of the reservation, except Joel Adams in Aurora and Roswell Turner in Sheldon, Wyoming county. The following officers were elected :— Supervisor, Peter Vandeventer; Town Clerk, Zerah Ensign; As- sessors, Asa Ransom, Aaron Beard, John J. Brown; Collector, Levi Felton; Commissioners of Highways, Gad Warner, Charles Wilber, Samuel Hill, Jr.; Constables, John Dunn, Julius Keyes; Overseers of the Poor, Henry Ellsworth and Otis Ingalls. The first town meeting in the town of Erie was held at Crow's tav- ern, but the record of it was destroyed, with nearly all others pertaining to that town, in 1813. In fact, notwithstanding the law, it would be dif- ficult to establish the actual, organized existence of such a town, were it not for a rough little memorandum book, preserved among the treas- ures of the Buffalo Historical Society. It is marked "Erie Town Book,' but it does not show any of the usual town records except receipts from licenses to sell liquor. Five of these were recorded in 1805, three being to persons in the present county of Erie and two at Lewiston. There were two in Buffalo, two in Gillett, and one given to Nathaniel Titus on the lake shore in the present town of Hamburg. There must, however, have been others. The price of licenses was five dollars each. Orlando Hopkins was collector of the town that year, and the whole general tax was a hundred and fifty dollars. The first resident of Erie county who had a right to the appellation of "Judge," was Samuel Tupper, a gentleman then in charge of what was known as the “Contractors' Store," in Buffalo, who was appointed an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Genesee county in the autumn of 1805. The position of Associate Judge of the Common Pleas at that time corresponded closely to that of Justice of Sessions in later years, and the possession of the office, though with the title of judge, did not necessarily indicate any great amount of legal knowl edge. Asa Ransom erected a grist-mill at Clarence Hollow in either 1804 or 1805. The accounts differ in that respect, but it was certainly the first mill for grinding wheat in the county, and was for several years the only one north of the reservation. In 1805, Daniel Smith put up a rude mill, for grinding corn only, on a little stream since called Hoag's brook, two miles south west of Potter's Corners, in the present town of East Hamburg. It was a log building about eighteen feet square, with wood gearing, and would grind five or six bushels a day. This was the first grist-mill (if it can be called by that name) in that part of the county south of the reservation. David Eddy, also of East Hamburg, built a saw-mill for the Indians the same year, by contract with Superintendent Granger, on Cazenove FIRST GRIST-MILL IN HAMBURG. 93 It furnished the first creek, near what is now "Lower Ebenezer.” boards for the inhabitants of the south towns. The cranks, saws, etc., had to be transported from Albany. Among numerous settlers of 1805, we can notice but two in this part of our history, leaving the others to be mentioned in the city or township records. One was Jonas Williams, a clerk in the law office at Batavia, who had purchased the water power and an abandoned mill on Ellicott's creek, and in the spring of 1805 began to rebuild the mill; The becoming the founder of the village which still bears his name. other was William Warren, afterwards better known as General Warren, then a youth of less than twenty-one years, though already married, who located himself the same year at the east end of the present village of East Aurora. The future general had an early predeliction for military affairs, had been an "ensign" of militia at his former home, and immediately after his arrival in Erie county was commissioned as captain. His district embraced all the south part of Erie and Wyoming counties. With his commission came an order to call his company together for organiza- tion. He did so, and nine men responded. In the year 1806, Joel Harvey, the first settler of Evans, began keep- ing tavern at his residence, at the mouth of Eighteen-Mile creek. There were some purchases made in that year near East Evans, and tempo- rary settlements, but according to Peter Barker, who furnished an interesting sketch of Evans to the Buffalo Historical Society, the dis- couraged pioneers left, and no permanent settlements were made till several years later. Mr. Harvey's was the frontier house, yet it was a good location for a tavern, on account of the heavy travel that went up the beach of the lake to Chautauqua county and Ohio. It was in 1806, too, as near as can be ascertained, that the first reg- ular grist-mill was erected in the southwest part of the county, probably the first south of the reservation. It was built by John Cummings, on the Eighteen-Mile creek, at a place now called McClure's Mills, a mile or so below Water Valley, in the town of Hamburg. The raising of it was a grand affair. Old men still relate how from all the south part of the county the scattered settlers came with their teams, elated at the idea of having a grist-mill, and willing to make a week's journey if necessary to give it a start. Yet so few were they that their united strength was insufficient to put some of the great tim- bers in their places. The proprietor sent to the reservation and obtained a crowd of Indians to help in the work. One does not expect very hard lifting from an Indian, but he can lift, when there is a prospect of plenty of whiskey as a reward. It was only, however, after four days' work by white men and red men, that the raising of the big grist-mill was com- pleted. 7 94 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Some of the society of "Friends," or "Quakers," had been the earliest pioneers around what has since been known as "Potter's Corners," in East Hamburg, and in 1806 had become numerous enough to organize a "Friends Meeting," which was undoubtedly the first religious organi- zation in the county. The next year they built a log meeting-house in the same locality. This was not only the first church-building of any description in the county, but for more than ten years it was the only one. The Quakers were equally zealous in the cause of education, and as early as 1806 built a log school-house-certainly the first one south of the reservation, and perhaps in the county. Henry Hibbard taught the first school. In 1806 or '07 the "Friends Yearly Meeting" of Philadelphia sent a mission to instruct the Indians of the Cattaraugus reserve, having bought three hundred acres adjoining the reservation. The mission was composed of several single gentlemen and ladies, who called themselves a family. The whole was under the management of Jacob Taylor. His nephew, Caleb Taylor, gave the names of Stephen Twining and Hannah Jackson as members of the family. They located at the place since known as Taylor's Hollow, a few rods from the reservation line, where they gave instruction in farming to all the Indians who would receive it, in housework to the squaws, and in reading, writing, etc., to the youth. Whatever the improvement. made, the Quakers generally produced a favorable impression on the red men. Even the bitter Red Jacket spoke of them as friends—the only white friends the Indians had. L With this exception the valley of the Cattaraugus, including all its tributaries in Erie county, remained an unbroken wilderness till the fall of 1807. At that time two hardy pioneers, Christopher Stone and John Albro, crossed the ridge, made their own roads through the forest, and finally located on a pleasant little stream running into the Cattaraugus from the north; in fact on the site of Springville. There they and their families remained during the winter, their nearest neighbors being at least ten miles distant, in the valley of Eighteen-Mile creek. In 1807 (possibly 1806) Phineas Stephens built the first grist-mill in the southeastern part of the county, the material being hewn logs. In 1806 or early in 1807, he does not remember which, young Will- iam Warren hung out a sign before his log house, and became the first tavern-keeper in the southeast part of the county. In the summer of the latter year the little cabin he had first lived in was converted into a school-house, where the first school in all that section was taught by Mary Eddy, of East Hamburg. The next winter Warren himself kept school in the same house. That enterprising young pioneer was thus His second "com- school-teacher, tavern-keeper and captain all at once. 1 FIRST SETTLEMENT IN WALES. 95 pany training" was held at Turner's Corners, in Sheldon, in 1806, when there were about sixty men present, instead of the nine of the year before. Asa Ransom had then been appointed Major-Commandant. In 1806 William Allen made the first settlement in Wales, locating where the Big Tree road then crossed Buffalo creek, about half a mile. south of Wales Center. The road then made a half-mile curve to the south to avoid the long and steep hill east of Wales Center. The same fall Amos Clark and William Hoyt located a little east of Holmes' Hill. This locality received its name from two brothers, Ebenezer and John M. Holmes, whose arrival occurred in February, 1808, just before the formation of Niagara county, when they located themselves on the top of the hill, close to the present west line of Wales. As both had large families-Ebenezer eight and John M. nine children-most of whom grew up and settled in that vicinity, it was natural that the name of “Holmes' Hill" should soon be adopted, and become permanent. It may be observed, in passing, that vegetation was at that time almost as luxuriant on the hill-tops as in the valleys, and frequently deceived the keenest of the pioneers as to the value of the soil. In 1807 the first settlement was made in the present town of Holland. Arthur Humphrey, (father of the Hon. James M. Humphrey,) Abner Cur- rier and Jared Scott began clearing farms on the creek flats, between South Wales and Holland village. Humprey settled that year on the farm where he lived till his death, fifty years later. Currier and Scott brought their families a year or so afterwards. In 1806 the first purchase was made in the present town of Alden, in the northwest corner, by Jonas Vanwey. According to all accounts, however, there was no settlement till some years later. Among other new comers to what is now the town of Newstead in 1807 was Lemuel Osborn, whose widow stated in 1875 that a Methodist society was organized soon after their arrival, with twelve members; her father, Charles Knight, being the first class-leader. It was the first Methodist organization on the Holland Purchase, and probably the sec- ond religious society in Erie county, the Friends' Meeting in East Ham- burg being the first. It was organized by the Rev. Peter Van Ness, one of the two first Methodist missionaries who came upon the Purchase, the Rev. Amos Jenks being the other. Both were sent out in 1807, under the auspices of the Philadelphia conference. In 1806 or '07, too, Archibald S. Clarke started a store on his farm near Vandeventer's. This was the first store in the county, outside of Buffalo, and was hailed by all the people round about as marking a deci- sive epoch in the advance of civilization. Down to and including 1806, the elections and town meetings for the town of Willink were every year held at Peter Vandeventer's, and every year the worthy landlord was chosen supervisor. In 1807, however, the 96 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. town meeting was held at Clarence Hollow, and then Asa Ransom was elected supervisor. This time the scattering voters in Willink, south of the reservation, had to cross it to exercise the elective franchise. General elections, how- ever, in those times were held three days, and in April, 1807, the south- ern settlers got sight of a ballot-box. The election was held a day and a half north of the reservation, and on the afternoon of the second day the "board" crossed the wilderness. The next forenoon they held open the polls at Warren's tavern in Aurora, and in the afternoon in Wales, at the house of Jacob Turner. The Commissioners of Excise of Willink for 1807 certified to the qualifications of no less than ten persons to keep hotels in that town. Doubtless all these, and perhaps more, actually kept tavern, but there was only a single store in town. In September, 1806, the earliest lawyer made his advent in Erie county. If any of the frontiersmen were disposed to look askance on a representative of the legal profession, as a probable provoker of disputes and disturber of society, they must soon have been disabused of their prej- udices, for Ebenezer Walden, the new comer, was of all men one of the most upright and most modest. He immediately commenced practice in Buffalo, and for a year or two was the only attorney west of Batavia. We will close this chapter with the description of an amusing scene which occurred in Buffalo in the fall of 1807, as related by General War- ren. Militia regiments in those days had no colonels, but were each organized with a lieutenant-colonel commanding, and two majors. In 1807, the militia of the western part of Genesee county had been formed into a regiment, with Asa Ransom as Lieutenant-Colonel commanding, and T. S. Hopkins and Sylvanus Maybee as Majors. There had been several "company trainings," but as yet no "general training.” At the first "officer meeting" after the new appointments were made, a dispute arose between Colonel Ransom and Major Maybee, as to who should be recommended to the governor for the vacant captaincy of the Buffalo Company, in place of Maybee, promoted. The war of words grew more and more furious, until at length the doughty Major challenged his superior officer to fight a duel. For this infraction of military discipline Colonel Ransom put the Major under arrest, and reported his case to the higher authorities. In due time a court-martial was convened, Captain Warren being one of the witnesses, and Maybee was tried and cashiered. He must have taken his military misfortune very much to heart, for, though he had been a prominent man in Buffalo, he immediately disap- peared from its records, and undoubtedly left the village, apparently preferring the discomfort of making a new home to remaining where he could not enjoy the glory of a duel, nor the honors of a militia major. Thus sadly ended the first display of chivalry in Erie county. RE-ARRANGement of TOWN AND COUNTY BOUNDARIES. 97 CHAPTER XIII. RE-ORGANIZATION. Division of Genesee County Necessary - - Inconvenient Towns - Captain Bemis' Strategy Erec- tion of Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties Short Courts - Town Changes Clarence Willink - Destruction of the Town of Erie- Actual Beginning of Erie County — First Officers — Attorneys — Court House. -- N the beginning of 1808, there was a re-organization of the counties and towns of the Holland Purchase, so thorough, and in some respects so peculiar, as to merit a brief chapter by itself. Hitherto the boundaries of Genesee county had remained as at first defined, except that Allegany had been taken off in 1806, but by 1808, the inhabitants felt that they were sufficiently numerous to justify a subdi- vision, and what was more important, Mr. Ellicott became satisfied that the interests of the Holland Company would be promoted by such a change, even though they should have to erect the new county buildings. The towns, too, eighteen miles wide and a hundred miles long, which had done well enough when nearly all the settlers were scattered along the Buffalo road, were now found to be inconvenient in the extreme. Going from Fort Niagara to Buffalo, nearly forty miles, to town meeting, was a little too much, even for the ardent patriotism of the American voter. Scarcely less troublesome was it to cross the res- ervation for that purpose. Besides, there was already a settlement at Olean in the town of Willink, the inhabitants of which, if they ever went to election, which is doubtful, must have traversed a distance of sixty miles, and twenty miles further to town meeting, which was always held north of the reservation. A story was told the writer in Hamburg, which was quite in har- mony with the circumstances, to the effect that the Buffalonians were converted to the project of dividing the town of Erie by a piece of strat- egy on the part of Captain Jotham Bemis, then resident near Abbott's Corners. They had opposed a division, as all the town business was done at their village, bringing them more or less trade, and making unnecessary, so far as they were concerned, the expense of new towns. So, in the spring of 1807, Captain Bemis made arrangements for all the south part of the town of Erie to be fully represented at Buffalo, by men prepared to stay over night. It was then customary to fix the place. of the next town-meeting in the afternoon, just before closing the polls. Accordingly, all the south-country people duly appeared at Buffalo, and every man of them remained. Most of those from north of the res- ervation started for home early, and the villagers alone were in the 98 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. minority. When the time came for appointing the next place of meeting, the gallant Captain rallied his men, and it was fixed at John Green's tav- ern, in the present town of East Hamburg. Then the Buffalo people were willing the town should be divided, and used their influence also in favor of a division of the county. Whether this story be true or not, certain it is that on the 11th day of March, 1808, there was a complete municipal re-organization of the Holland Purchase. On that day a law was enacted by which all that part of the county of Genesee lying north of Cattaraugus creek, and west of the line between the fourth and fifth ranges of townships, should form the county of Niagara. The counties of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua were erected at the same time, with substantially the same limits as now, but it was provided that neither of them should be organized until it should have five hundred voters, and meanwhile both, for all county pur- poses, were attached to Niagara. It was also enacted that the county seat of the latter county should be at "Buffaloe or New Amsterdam," provided the Holland Company should in three years erect a suitable court house and jail, and should deed to the county at least half an acre of ground, on which they should stand. Three terms annually of the Court of Common Pleas and two of the Court of General Sessions were provided for, and in order to give time for the Court of Sessions it was enacted that two terms of the Com- mon Pleas, all of which were to be held on Tuesday, might be extended till the Saturday following. The first court was directed to be held at the tavern of Joseph Landon,`in Buffalo. By the same act the town-lines of the Purchase were changed to a very remarkable extent. A tier of townships off from the east side of Willink had been left in Genesee county. This, together with old Batavia, was cut up into the three towns of Batavia, Warsaw and Sheldon. All that part of Niagara county north of the center of Tonawanda creek, being a part of the former towns of Willink and Erie, and cover- ing the same ground as the present county of Niagara, was formed into a town by the name of Cambria. All that part between Tonawanda creek and the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation, also comprising parts of both Willink and Erie, was formed into a town by the name of Clarence, which as will be seen included the village of Buffalo. The first town-meeting was directed to be held at the house of Elias Ransom, (near Eggertsville.) All that part of Niagara county south of the center of the reservation, being also a part of Willink and Erie, was formed into a town which retained the name of Willink. In the new county of Cattaraugus a single town was erected named Olean, while Chautauqua county was divided into two towns, Chautauqua and Pomfret. OBLITERATION OF THE TOWN OF ERIE. 99 It will be seen that by this act the town of Erie was completely obliterated from the map, while Willink, which had previously been eighteen miles wide and a hundred miles long, extending from Pennsyl- vania to Lake Ontario, was changed into a town bounded by the Buffalo reservation, Lake Erie, Cattaraugus creek, and the east line of the county, having an extreme width north and south of twenty-five miles, and an extreme length east and west of thirty-five. So great was the complica- tion caused by the destruction of the old town-lines, while retaining one of the town names, (as well as by the subsequent revival of "Erie" as a town name, as will be hereafter related,) that all the local historians and statisticians have got lost in trying to describe the early municipal organ- ization of this county. Even French's State Gazetteer, a book of much merit and very great labor, is entirely at fault in regard to nearly all the earlier town formations of Erie county. Although "Erie" was plainly laid down on a map of the Purchase made by Ellicott in 1804, the writer was half disposed for a while to regard it as a myth, and mentally designated it as "The Lost Town." The old town-book before referred to, however, gave him considerable faith in it, and at length an examination of the laws of 1804 and 1808, proved its existence and showed how completely the previous organiza- tion was broken up by the statute creating Niagara county. It will have been seen that, by that law, there were but three towns in Niagara county, two of which were in the present county of Erie. As, however, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua were temporarily united with Niagara, the new board of supervisors which met in Buffalo must have been composed of six members, representing a territory a hundred miles long and from twenty to seventy-five miles wide. This was substantially the beginning of the present Erie county organization, although the name of Niagara was afterwards given to that part north of the Tonawanda. Erie county formed the principal part of old Niagara, both in territory and population; the county seat of old Niagara was the same as that of Erie, and such of the old Niagara county records as are not destroyed are retained in Erie county. The governor appointed Augustus Porter, living near Niagara Falls, as "first judge" of the new Court of Common Pleas, having jurisdiction over Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chatauqua counties. His four associates were probably * Samuel Tupper and Erastus Granger of Buffalo, James Brooks of Cattaraugus county, and Zattu Cushing of Chautauqua county. Asa Ransom was appointed sheriff, Louis Le Couteulx county clerk, and Archibald S. Clarke surrogate. The latter gentleman was also elected the same year as member of assembly from the district com- posed of the three new counties. *Tupper and Granger we are very certain were two of the new judges, but are not quite so sure about Brooks and Cushing. The last named was certainly a judge within a short time afterwards. dor M 100 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In July, 1808, there were but four attorneys in Niagara county, as we learn from a letter of Juba Storrs, a young man bred to the law, who was preparing to go into practice at Buffalo, but soon abandoned the intention. Of these Walden was one, and the others were probably Bates Cooke of Lewiston, and John Root and Jonas Harrison of Buffalo. Immediately after the formation of the new counties, the Holland Company began the erection of a frame court-house in the middle of Onondaga (now Washington) street Buffalo, directly in front of the site of what this generation has known as the "Old Court House," which was built five or six years later. The company gave half an acre of land, lying in a circle around the new structure, to the county. It was finished in 1809. The first court was held in Landon's tavern in June, 1808. No record of the proceedings remains, but at the session in November, 1808, an indictment was presented which survived all the accidents of war and time, and was still on file in Erie county clerk's office, just previous to the latest removal of the records. It charged five men, described as "labor- ers of the town of Erie," with stealing a cow in 1806. As the "town of Erie" had ceased to exist when the indictment was found, the descrip- tion must have referred to the time when the crime was committed. The document was commendably brief, containing only a hundred and one words. Peter Vandeventer was foreman of the grand jury. The district attorney was William Stewart, of one of the eastern counties, for the territory in charge of a single district attorney then extended more than half way to Albany. CHAPTER XIV. PIONEERS AND INDIANS. Poverty — An Aristocratic Mansion A Horse Bedstead — Oxen A Raising-Clearing Land The Logging Bee- The Rail Fence - The Barn - The Well-The Sweep - Browse Potash Social Sheep and Wolves Sugar-Making - Money Scarce - Wheat and Tea Schools - The Husking Bee Buffalo Society - Indians - Describing a Tavern Old King and Young Smoke Anecdotes of Red Jacket. W Life — E have now shown the general course of events, as accurately as we could, down to a time when settlement had got pretty well started in Erie county. Still everything was in the rudest form, and the daily lives of the settlers was of the very hardest description. We have not gone into details to any great extent because the experiences of the various pioneers very closely resembled each other. PIONEER LIFE. ΙΟΙ The object of this chapter is to consolidate those experiences and give a general idea of what pioneering was in Erie county in its earliest stages. In the first place, it may be said roundly that all the early settlers of this county, as of the whole Holland Purchase, were extremely poor. The exceptions were of the rarest. Over and over again Mr. Ellicott mentions, in his letters to the general agent, the absolute necessity of making sales with little or no advance payment. Over and over again we find men buying from one to two hundred acres of land, the amount paid down being twenty dollars, ten dollars, five dollars, and even a still smaller sum. The structures under which the earliest settlers sheltered them- selves and their families often hardly rose even to the dignity of log houses. They were frequently mere cabins of small logs, (there not being help enough to handle large ones,) covered with bark. Some- times there was a floor of split logs, or "puncheons," sometimes none. A log house sixteen feet square, with a shingle roof, a board floor, and a window containing six lights of glass, was a decidedly stylish residence, and its owner was in some danger of being disliked as a bloated aristo- crat. The furniture was as primitive as the houses. Sometimes a feather- bed was brought on an ox-cart to the new home, sometimes not. Bed- steads were still rarer, and chairs pertained only to the higher classes. Substitutes for the latter were made by splitting a slab out of a log, boring four holes in the corners, and inserting four legs hewn out of the same tree. A bedstead was almost as easily constructed. Two poles were cut, one about six feet long and the other three. One end of each was inserted in an auger-hole, bored in a log at the proper distance from the corner of the house; the other ends were fastened to a post which formed the corner of the structure. Other poles were fastened along the logs, and the frame was complete. Then, if the family was well off and owned a bed cord, it was strung upon the poles; if not, its place was supplied by strips of bark from the nearest trees. This was called by some a "horse bedstead," and by some a "Holland Purchase bedstead." Usually the emigrant brought a small stock of provisions with him, for food he knew he must have. These, however, were frequently exhaused before he could raise a supply. Then he had to depend on the precarious resource of wild game, or on what his labor could obtain from his scarcely more fortunate neighbors. Even after a crop of corn had been raised, there still remained the extreme difficulty of getting it ground. But in this case, as in so many others, necessity was the mother of invention. A fire being built in the top of a stump, a hollow of the size of a half-bushel basket would be 102 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. burned out and then scraped clean. Then the pioneer would hew out a rude wooden pestle, fasten it to a "spring-pole,” and secure the latter to a neighboring tree. With this primeval grist-mill, corn could be reduced to a coarse meal. When there were several families in a neighborhood, one such machine would serve them all. It was sometimes called a plumping mill.” (6 Another way was to flatten a beech log, hollow it out, fit a block into the hollow and turn the block with a lever. The clothes of both men and women for the first few years were such as they brought from their former homes. If these were plentiful, the owners were comfortable; if scanty, they were patched till their original material was lost beneath the overlying amendments. When the emigrant was unmarried, he frequently came on foot and alone, with only an ax on his shoulder, selected a location miles away from the nearest settler, put him up the rudest kind of a cabin, and for awhile kept bachelor's hall, occasionally visiting some friendly matron to have his bread baked or his clothes repaired. When a family came it was almost invariably behind a yoke of oxen. These patient animals were the universal resource of the first pioneers of Western New York. Cheap, hardy, and far better adapted than horses to the terrible roads of those days, they possessed the further advantage of being always transmissible into beef, in case of accident to them or scarcity in the family. During the first few years of its settle- ment, probably not one family in ten came into Erie county with a span of horses. New comers were always warmly welcomed by their predecessors, partly doubtless from native kindness, and partly because each new arri- val helped to redeem the forest from its forbidding loneliness, and added to the improvements already made. If there were only two or three settlers in the locality, the emigrant's family was sheltered by one of them until a bark-covered cabin could be erected; if there were eight or ten, preparations were made for a more substantial mansion, and ere long a notice was sent to all around of a house-raising on a specified day. On that day, perhaps only a dozen men would be collected from as many square miles, but all of them able to handle their axes as easily as the deftest clerk flourishes his pen. Suitable trees had already been felled, and logs cut, from twelve to sixteen feet long, according to the wealth and pretensions of the builder. These were drawn by oxen to the desired point, and four of the largest selected as a foundation. Four of the most active and expert men were designated to build the corners. They began by cutting a kind of saddle at the ends of two of the logs; a space about a foot long being shaped like the roof of a house. Notches to fit these saddles were cut in the other logs and then RAISINGS-CLEARING Land. 103 they were laid upon the first ones. The operation was repeated again and again, the four axemen rising with the building, and shaping the logs handed up to them by their comrades. Arrived at a height of six or eight feet, rafters made of poles from the forest were placed in position, and if a supply of ash "shakes," (rough shingles three feet long,) had been provided, the roof was at once con- structed, the gable-ends being formed of logs, successively shortened to the pinnacle. Then a place for a door was sawed out and another for a window, (if the proprietor aspired to such a convenience,) and the prin- cipal work of the architects was done. They were usually cheered in their labors and rewarded at the close of them by the contents of a whisky jug; for it must have been a very poor neighborhood indeed in which a few quarts of that article could not be obtained on great occasions. Sometimes the proprietor obtained rough boards and made a door, but often a blanket served that purpose during the first summer. There being no brick, he built a fire-place of stone, finishing it with a chimney composed of sticks, laid up cob-house fashion, and well plastered with mud. The finishing touches were given by the owner himself; then, if the family had brought a few pots and kettles with them they were ready to commence house-keeping. The next task was to clear a piece of land. If the pioneer had arrived very early in the season, he might possibly get half an acre of woods out of the way so as to plant a little corn the same spring. Usually, however, his ambition was limited to getting three or four acres ready for winter wheat by the first of September. To do this he worked early and late, fortunate if he was not interrupted by the ague or some other sickness. The first thing of course was to fell the trees, but even this was a work of science. It was the part of the expert woodsman to make them all lie in one direction, so they could be easily rolled together. Then they were cut into logs from fourteen to eighteen feet long, and the brush was cut up and piled. When the latter had become dry it was fired, and the land quickly burned over, leaving the blackened ground and charred logs. Next came the logging. When the piece was small the pioneer would probably take his oxen, change works so as to obtain a couple of helpers, and the three would log an acre a day, one driving a team and two using handspikes, and thus dragging and rolling the logs into piles convenient for burning. The first dry weather these, too, were fired, the brands watched and heaped together, and when all were consumed the land was ready for the plough. Even an ordinary day in the logging field was a sufficiently sooty and disagreeable experience, but was as nothing compared with a "log- 104 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY, ging bee." When a large tract was to be logged, the neighbors were invited from far and near to a bee. Those who had oxen brought them, the others provided themselves with cant-hooks and hand-spikes. The officer of the day, otherwise the "boss," who was usually the owner of the land, gave the necessary directions, designating the location of the different heaps, and the work began. The charred and blackened logs were rapidly drawn, (or "snaked," as the term was,) alongside the heap, and then the hand-spike brigade quickly rolled them on top of it. Another and another was dragged up in rapid succession, the handspike- men being always ready to put it right if it caught against an obstacle. As it tore along the ground, the black dust flew up in every direction, and when a collision occurred, the sooty zephyrs arose in treble volume. Soon every man was covered with a thick coat of black, involving clothes, hands and face in darkness which no mourning garb ever equalled. But the work went on with increasing speed. The different gangs caught the spirit of rivalry, and each trio or quartette strove to make the quickest trips and the highest pile. It is even said by old loggers that the oxen would get as excited as the men, and would "snake their loads into place with ever-increasing energy. Teams that understood their business would stand quiet while the chain was being hitched, then spring with all their might, taking a bee- line to the log-heap, and halt as soon as they came abreast of it. They had not the benefit, either, of the stimulus applied to the men, for the whisky jug was in frequent circulation. Faster and faster sped the men and teams to and fro, harder strained the handspike heroes to increase the pile, higher flew the clouds of dust and soot. Reckless of danger, men sprang in front of rolling logs, or bounded over them as they went whirling among the stumps. Acci- dents sometimes happened, but those who have been on the scene ex- press wonder that half the necks present were not broken. As the day draws to a close a thick cloud covers the field, through which are seen a host of sooty forms, four-legged ones with horns and two-legged ones with handspikes, pulling, running, lifting, shouting, screaming, giving the most vivid idea of pandemonium that a farmer's life ever offers, until night descends, and the tired yet still excited labor- ers return to their homes, clothed in blackness, and the terror of even the most careless of housewives. But the work is done. To sow the land with winter wheat was, in most cases, the next A patch might be reserved for corn and potatoes, but spring wheat was a very rare crop. move. The next absolute necessity was a fence. The modern system of dispensing with that protection was unknown and undreamed of. Prob- ably the records of every town organized in the Holland Purchase, down. to 1850, would show that at its first town meeting an ordinance was THE RAIL FENCE THE BARN. 105 passed, providing that horses and horned cattle should be free common- ers. Hogs, it was usually voted, should not be free commoners, while sheep held an intermediate position, being sometimes allowed the liberty of the road, and sometimes doomed to the seclusion of the pasture. Occasionally, a temporary fence was constructed by piling large brush along the outside of the clearing, but this was a poor defense against a steer that was really in earnest, and was held in general disfavor as a sign of "shiftlessness," that first of sins to the Yankee mind. The universal reliance, and the pride of the pioneer's heart, was the old-fashioned "Virginia rail fence." Not long ago it would have been an absurdity for an Erie county writer to say anything in the way of description about an institution so well known as that. It might per- haps do to omit any mention of it now. But if any copies of this book should last for thirty years, the readers of that day will all want to know why the author failed to describe that curious crooked fence, made of split logs, which they will have heard of but never seen. Even now it is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, under the combined influences of cattle-restraining laws and the high price of timber. One of the most important things which the emigrant looked out for in selecting a farm was an ample supply of oak, elm, ash, or walnut, for rail-making purposes. Then, when winter had put an end to other work, laden with axe, and beetle, and iron wedge, and wooden wedge, he tramped through the snow to the big trees, and perhaps for months did little else than convert them into great, three-cornered rails, twelve feet long, and facing six or eight inches on each side. In the spring these were laid in fence, the biggest at the bottom, one end of each rail below and the other above, and each "length" of fence forming an obtuse angle with that on either side. Four and a half feet was the usual height prescribed by the town ordinances, but the farmer's standard of efficiency was an "eight-rail fence, staked and rid- ered." The last two adjectives denoted that two stout stakes were driven into the ground and crossed above the eighth rail, at each corner, while on the crotch thus formed was laid the biggest kind of a rail, serv- ing at once to add to the height and to keep the others in place. Such a fence would often reach the height of seven feet, and prove an invinci- ble obstacle to the hungry horse, the breachy ox, and even to the wild and wandering bull. After the pioneer had got his log house, his piece of clearing and his fence, the next thing was a barn. An open shed was generally made to suffice for the cattle, which were expected to stand cold as well as a sala- mander is said to endure fire. But with the gathering of harvests came the necessity for barns, and, though log ones were sometimes erected, it was so difficult to make them large enough that frame barns were built as soon as circumstances would possibly permit, and long before frame houses were aught but distant possibilities. 106 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. All were of substantially the same pattern, differing only in size. The frame of the convenient forest timber, scored and hewed by the ready hands of the pioneer himself, and roughly fitted by some frontier carpenter, the sides enclosed with pine boards without battening, the top covered with shingles, a threshing floor and drive-way in the center, with a bay for hay on one side, and a little stable room on the other, sur- mounted by a scaffold for grain-such was the Erie county barn in 1808, and it has changed less than any other adjunct of the farm, though bat- tened and painted sides, and basement stables, are becoming more com- mon every year. Generally preceding the barn if there was no spring convenient, but otherwise slightly succeeding it, was the well. The digging of this, like almost everything else, was done by the proprietor himself, with the aid of his boys, if he had any large enough, or of a neighbor to haul up the dirt. Its depth of course depended on the location of water, but that was generally to be found in abundant quantity and of good quality at from ten to twenty feet. Excellent round stone was also abundant, and the settlers were never reduced to the condition of those western pioneers who are obliged, (to use their own expression,) to stone up their wells with cotton-wood plank. The well being dug and stoned up, it was completed for use by a superstructure which was then universal, but is now almost utterly a thing of the past. A post ten or twelve inches in diameter and some ten feet high, with a crotched top, was set in the ground a few feet from the well. On a stout pin, running through both arms of the crotch, was hung a heavy pole or "sweep," often twenty feet long, the larger end resting on the ground, the smaller one rising in air directly over the well. To this was attached a smaller pole, reaching to the top of the well. At the lower end of this pole hung the bucket, the veritable “old oaken bucket, that hung in the well," and the process of drawing water consisted in pulling down the small end of the sweep till the bucket was filled, and then letting the butt end pull it out, with some help. If the pioneer had several small children, as he generally had, a board curb, about three feet square and two and a half high, usually ensured their safety. The whole formed, for a long time, a picturesque and far-seen addi- tion to nearly every door-yard in Erie county. Once in a great while some wealthy citizen would have a windlass for raising water, but for over a quarter of a century after the first settlements a farmer no more thought of having a pump than of buying a steam engine. It took longer for the pioneer to get a meadow started than to raise a crop of grain. Until this was done, the chief support of his cattle in winter was "browse," and for a long time after it was their partial dependence. Day after day he went into the woods, felled trees—beech, FOOD EARLY PRODUCTS OF THE FARM. 107 maple, birch, etc.—and drove his cattle thither to feed on the tender twigs. Cattle have been kept through the whole winter with no other food. Even in a much more advanced state of settlement, "browse" was a frequent resource to eke out slender stores, or supply an unex- pected deficiency. In the house the food consisted of corn-bread or wheat-bread, accord- ing to the circumstances of the householder, with pork as the meat of all classes. Beef was an occasional luxury. Wild animals were not so abundant near the reservations as else- where. They were most numerous in the southern part of the county. The Indians kept them pretty well hunted down in their neighborhood, though they had a rule among themselves forbidding the young men from hunting within several miles of their village, in order to give the old men a chance. Venison was frequently obtained in winter, but the settlers of Erie county were generally too earnestly engaged in opening farms to be very good hunters. Sometimes, too, a good fat bear was knocked over, but pork was the universal stand by. Nobody talked about trichina spiralis then. Nearly everybody above the very poorest grade brought with him a few sheep and a cow. The latter was an invaluable resource, furnish- ing the only cheap luxuries the family enjoyed, while the sheep were destined to supply their clothing. But the keeping of these was up-hill work. Enemies lurked in every hillside, and often after bringing a little flock for hundreds of miles, and protecting them through the storms of winter, the pioneer would learn from their mangled remains that the wolves had taken advantage of one incautious night to destroy them all. Wolves were the foes of sheep, and bears of hogs. The latter enemies, however, could generally be defeated by keeping their prey in a good, stout pen, near the house. But sheep must be let out to feed, and would sometimes stray so far as to be left out over night; and then woe to the captured. Occasional panthers, too, roamed through the forest, but they seldom did any damage to the stock, and only served to render traveling at night a little dangerous. Despite of wolves, however, the pioneers managed to keep sheep, and as soon as one obtained a few pounds of wool his wife and daughters went to carding it into rolls with hand-cards, then to spinning it, and then they either wove it or took it to a neighbor's to be woven, paying for its manufacture with a share of the cloth or with some farm products. Everything was done at home and almost everything by hand. There was not at this period, (the beginning of 1808,) even a carding-mill or cloth dressing establishment on the whole Holland Purchase, though one was built the succeeding summer at Bushville, Genesee county. As soon as flax could be raised, too, the "little wheels" of the house- wives were set in motion, and coarse linen or tow-cloth was manufac- 108 HISTORY OF Erie County. tured, which served for dresses for the girls and summer clothing for the boys. Tea and coffee were scarce, but one article, which in many coun- tries is considered a luxury--sugar-was reasonably abundant. All over the county grew the sugar maple, and there was hardly a lot large enough for a farm on which there was not a "sugar bush." One of the earliest moves of the pioneer was to provide himself with a few buckets and a big kettle. Then, when the sap began to stir in early spring, trees were tapped-more or less in number according to the facilities at command-sap was gathered and boiled, and in due time made into sugar. New beginners, or poor people who were scant of buckets and kettles, would content themselves with making a small amount, to be carefully hoarded through the year. But the glory of sugar-making was in the great bush where hun- dreds of trees were tapped, where a shanty was erected in which the sugar-makers lodged, where the sap was gathered in barrels on ox-sleds and brought to the central fire, where cauldron kettles boiled and bubbled day and night, where boys and girls, young men and maidens, watched and tasted, and tasted and watched, and where, when the cautious hours. of manufacture were over, the great cakes of solidified sweetness were turned out by the hundred weight. Money was scarce beyond the imagination of this age. Even after produce was raised, there was almost no market for it except during the war, and if it could be sold at all, after dragging it over the terrific roads to Batavia or some point farther east, the mere cost of traveling to and fro would nearly eat up the price. Wheat at one time was but twenty-five cents a bushel, and it is reported of a family in the north part of the coun- ty, in which the good woman felt that she must have her tea, that eight bushels of wheat were sold to buy a pound of tea; the price of wheat being twenty-five cents a bushel and that of tea two dollars a pound. A little relief was obtained by the sale of "black salts." At a very early period asheries were established in various parts of the county, where black salts were bought and converted into potash. These salts were the residuum from boiling down the lye of common wood-ashes. As there was an immense quantity of wood which needed to be burned in order to work the land, it was but little extra trouble to leach the ashes and boil the lye. These salts were brought to the asheries and sold. There they were again boiled and converted into potash. As that could be sent East without costing more than it was worth for transportation, a little money was brought into the country in exchange for it. In 1808 there were a few asheries, and they afterwards became numerous. Social life was of course of the rudest kind. Still, there were visit- ings to and fro, and sleighing parties on ox-sleds, and other similar F EARLY SCHOOLS-HUSKING BEES. 109 recreations. As yet there were hardly any but long taverns, and hardly a room that even by courtesy could be called a ball-room. Yet dances were not infrequently improvised on the rough floor of a contracted room, to the sound of a solitary fiddle in the hands of some backwoods devotee of Apollo. There was not, as has been seen, a church-building in the county, except the log meeting-house of the Quakers, at East Hamburg, and not an organized church, excepting the "Friends' Meeting," if they called it a church, at that place, and the little Methodist society in Newstead. Even Buffalo had no church in 1808. Meetings were, however, held at rare intervals in school-houses, or in the houses of citizens, and fre- quently, when no minister was to be had, some layman would read a sermon and conduct the services. Nearly every neighborhood managed to have a school as soon as there were children enough to form one-which was not long after the first settlement. The universal testimony is that log houses are favora- ble to the increase of population; at least that in the log-house era chil- dren multiplied and flourished to an extent unheard of in these degener- ate days. It may be taken for granted, even when there is no evidence on the subject, that a school was kept within a very few years after the first pioneer located himself in any given neighborhood, and generally a log school-house was soon erected by the people. There was, at the time of the organization of Niagara county, only the single store of A. S. Clarke, outside of Buffalo, in what is now Erie county. Taverns, however, were abundant. Along every road men with their families were pushing forward to new homes, others were going back after their families, others were wending their way to distant localities with grain to be ground, with wool to be carded, sometimes even with crops to be sold. Consequently, on every road those who could provide beds, food and liquor for the travelers were apt to put up signs to announce their willingness to do so. One of the principal occasions for a jollification in the country was the husking-bee. Corn was abundant, and it had to be husked. So, instead of each man's gloomily sitting down by himself and doing his own work, the farmers, one after the other, invited the young people of the neighborhood to husking-bees; the "neighborhood" frequently extending over several square miles. They came in the early evening, young men and women, all with ox teams, save where some scion of one of the first families brought his fair friends on a lumber wagon or sleigh, behind a pair of horses, the envy and admiration of less fortunate swains. After disposing of their teams as well as circumstances permitted, and after a brief warming at the house, all adjourned to the barn, where the great pile of ears of corn awaited their arrival. 8 IIO HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. It was cold, but they were expected to keep warm by work. So at work they went, stripping the husks from the big ears and flinging them into piles, each husker and huskress striving to make the largest pile, and the warm blood that coursed rapidly through their veins under the spur of exercise, bid defiance to the state of the temperature. This warmth of blood was also occasionally increased by a “red ear" episode. It was the law of all well-regulated husking-bees, dating from time immemorial, that the young man to whose lot fell a red ear should have the privilege of kissing every young woman present. Some laws fail because they were not enforced, but this was not one of that kind. It has even been suspected, so eager were the youth of that period to support the law, that the same red ear would be found more than once during the same evening, and the statute duly enforced on each occasion. A vast pile of unhusked ears was soon by many hands, transferred into shining heaps of husked ones, and then the company adjourned to the house, where a huge supply of doughnuts and other simple luxuries. rewarded their labors. Possibly a bushel of apples might have been imported from lands beyond the Genesee, and if the host had also obtained a few gallons of cider to grace the occasion he was looked on as an Amphitryon of the highest order. Perchance some frontier fiddler was present with his instrument, when, if the rude floor afforded a space of ten feet by fifteen, clear of fire- place and table, a dance was arranged in which there was an abundance of enjoyment and energy, if not of grace, and in which the young men were only prevented from bounding eight feet from the floor by the fact that the ceiling was but six and a half feet high. In Buffalo there was a little closer resemblance to the society of older localities, but only a little. Down to the beginning of the War of 1812, the greater part of the society enjoyed by the Buffalonians was furnished by Canada. The west side of the Niagara had been settled much earlier than the east, and naturally a much larger proportion of the people had attained a reasonable degree of comfort. The Indians of course had their permanent homes on the various reservations, but they were free commoners throughout the county, often appearing at some lonely cabin with a suddenness which terribly tried the nerves of the inmates, especially if the head of the house was absent. Occasionally, too, when excited with liquor, they were disposed to be quarrelsome, and sometimes they sought to frighten children with brand- ished tomahawk and gleaming knife. Still more rarely they were guilty of petty thefts. Generally, however, the Indians were peaceable and well behaved. Farmer's Brother resided at Farmer's Point, on Buffalo creek, in the first cabin outside the line of New Amsterdam, on the reservation. A mile or more above was the old council house, a block building where the THE SENECA CHIEFS. III chiefs were very fond of meeting in legislative session. Near it lived "White Seneca," his son "Seneca White" and others. Still farther out was the main Indian village, where Red Jacket resided, and which was scat- tered over a considerable space on both sides of the Aurora road, west of the present village of Ebenezer, and on the flats south of that village. At this time the usual Indian residences were log cabins, of various dimensions and pretensions, but not differing greatly from those of the pioneers. Apropos of Indians and log-cabins, a story is told of Farmer's Brother in Stone's Life of Red Jacket, which illustrates the difficulty of express- ing a new idea in the Indian dialects, except by the most elaborate descrip- tion. At a very early day, he with other chiefs went from Buffalo creek to Elmira, to meet some white commissioners. On their way they stopped one night at a log-tavern, newly erected in the wilderness. In describing their journey to the whites, he said they stayed at "a house put together with parts of trees piled on each other, to which a pole was attached, to which a board was tied, on which was written 'rum is sold here.'” In 1808, Farmer's Brother was recognized as the principal man among the Indians, all things considered, though Red Jacket was put forward whenever they wanted to make a display in the eyes of the whites. He seems, too, to have been accorded by general consent the rank, so far as there was any such rank, of principal sachem, or civil chief, of the Senecas. Farmer's Brother was a war-chief. Many of the whites attributed a supremacy of some kind to Guien- guatoh, commonly called "Young King," and sometimes "Young Smoke." He was said to be the son of Sayengeraghta, otherwise "Old King," otherwise "Old Smoke," who was undoubtedly up to the time of his death principal civil sachem of the Senecas. Rev. Asher Wright, of the Cattaraugus mission, explained while liv- ing that Guienguatoh meant in substance "the Smoke Bearer," that is, the hereditary bearer of the smoking brand from the central council-fire of the Iroquois confederacy to that of the Seneca nation. As near as we can make out, the whites got the two names intermingled, by thinking that father and son must both have the same name or title; whereas the only thing certain about Indian nomenclature was that they would not have the same name or title. We presume that the true designations were "Old King" and "Young Smoke." That is to say, Sayengeraghta, being an aged head-sachem, might fairly be called "Old King," while his son, who inherited from his maternal uncle the position of brand-bearer, could properly be termed Young Smoke." But the whites, thinking that the son of "Old King" must certainly be "Young King," applied that title to the younger man, which he was not unwilling to wear. They also gave the son's appella- tion to the father, sometimes calling him "Old Smoke," and I understand that it was from the old man that Smoke's creek derived its name. 112 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. If Red Jacket was sincere when he professed to Washington his desire for improvement, he soon changed his mind, and from early in this century to the time of his death was the inveterate enemy of civiliza- tion, Christianity and education. Although he understood English when he heard it, he generally pretended to the contrary, and would pay no attention to what was said to him in that language. He could only speak a few words of English, and would not learn it, though he could easily have done so. He was never weary of holding councils with the whites, and rarely failed to repeat the story of the wrongs their countrymen had done to the Indians. Numerous are the anecdotes told of his opposition to his people's learning anything from the whites. More than once he said to the mis- sionaries who sought to convert him :— 66 Go, preach to the people of Buffalo; if you can make them decent and sober, and learn them not to cheat the Indians and each other, we will believe in your religion.” He declared that the educated Indians learned useless art and arti- ficial wants. Said he:- 'They become discouraged and dissipated; despised by the Indians, neglected by the whites, and without value to either; less honest than the former and perhaps more knavish than the latter." Again he said to some missionaries, in sarcastic rejection of their offers: "We pity you, and wish you to bear to our good friends in the East our best wishes. Inform them that, in compassion toward them, we are willing to send them missionaries to teach them our religion, habits and customs." He was sarcastic, too, on another point:- (( Before the whites came," said he, "the papooses were all black- eyed and dark-skinned; now their eyes are turning blue and their skins are fading out.' Professor Ellicott Evans, grand-nephew of Joseph Ellicott, relates an anecdote which he says he had from the lips of his grand-uncle, con- cerning himself and Red Jacket. It is substantially as follows:- "The two having met in Tonawanda swamp, they sat down on a log which happened to be convenient, both being near the middle. Presently Red Jacket said, in his almost unintelligible English: "Move along, Jo.' Ellicott did so and the sachem moved up to him. In a few minutes came another request: 66 ( Move along, Jo;' and again the agent complied, and the chieftain followed. Scarcely had this been done when Red Jacket again said: Move along, Jo!' Much annoyed, but willing to humor him, and not seeing what he was driving at, Ellicott complied, this time reaching the end of the log. But that was not sufficient, and presently the request was repeated for the third time: ""Move along, Jo!' "Why, man,' angrily replied the agent, ‘I can't move any farther without getting off from the log into the mud.' ANECDOTES OF RED JACKET. 113 (66 'Ugh! Just so white man. Want Indian move along-move along. Can't go no farther, but he say-move along!"" The sachem had become extremely dissipated, and his Washington medal was frequently pawned in Buffalo for whisky. He always managed to recover it, however, for, though he opposed all white teachings, his vanity led him to cherish this memento of the great white chieftain's favor. He was disposed to stand much on his dignity, and sometimes to be very captious. He once went, attended by his interpreter, Major Jack Berry, and requested David Reese, the blacksmith for the Indians, to make him a tomahawk, at the same time giving directions as to the kind of weapon he wanted. Reese made it, as near as he could, according to order, but when Red Jacket returned he was much dissatisfied. Again he gave his orders, and again Reese strove to fulfill them, but the sachem was more dissatisfied than before. So he went to work and with much labor whittled out a wooden pattern of a tomahawk, declaring that if the blacksmith would make one exactly like that he would be satisfied. "All right," said Reese, who had by this time got out of patience with what he considered the chieftain's whims. In due time Red Jacket came to get his tomahawk. It was ready, and was precisely like the model. But, after looking at it and then at the model for a moment, he flung it down with an angry "Ugh," and left the shop. It was exactly like the model, but the model had no hole in it for a handle. CHAPTER XV. FROM 1808 TO THE WAR. Organization of Clarence WⓇ Progress Settlement of Cheektowaga - Settlement on Cayuga Creek in the Towns - A Pioneer Funeral - Glezen Fillmore - Porter, Barton & Co. "The Horn Breeze " Census of 1810- Town of "Buffaloe " New Militia Regiments Peter B. Porter "" - The Beaver's Cannon Settle- The Ogden Company — Settlement of Alden ment of Colden First Settler of Gowanda - The Buffalo Gazette - Feminine Names Old-time Books - An Erudite Captain Advertisements for Workmen "A Delinquent "" and a Villain' Morals and Lotteries- The Medical Societies - A Federal Committee - Division of Willink- Hamburg, Eden and Concord - Approach of War - Militia Officers An Indian Council - A Vessel Captured - The War Begun. E now return to our record of current events, beginning immedi- ately after the organization of Niagara county, in the spring of 1808. The selection of Buffalo as the county seat of Niagara county, of course increased the immigration to that village and the im- mediate vicinity, and there were more lots bought there in 1808 than in any previous year. In the same year, Henry Anguish made the first. settlement in the beginning of Tonawanda village. 114 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The first town meeting in Clarence, which it will be remembered in- cluded the whole north part of the present county of Erie, was held in the spring of 1808, at Elias Ransom's tavern, two miles west of Williams- ville, in the present town of Amherst. The town book has been pre- served from that time to this, and is now in the town clerk's office at Clarence Center, being the oldest record in the county pertaining to any town now in existence. The officers then elected (aside from postmas- ters) were the following:- Jonas Williams, Supervisor; Samuel Hill, Jr., Town Clerk; Timo- thy S. Hopkins, Aaron Beard and Levi Felton, Assessors; Otis R. Hop- kins, Collector; Otis R. Hopkins, Francis B. Drake and Henry B. Anna- bill, Constables; Samuel Hill, Jr., Asa Harris and Asa Chapman, Com- missioners of Highways; and James Cronk, Poormaster. There must have been a combination against the Buffalonians, for not one of those above named resided in the new county seat, except, possibly, Constable Annabill. One of the town ordinances of that year offered a bounty of five dollars for wolves, and another declared that fences should be five feet high, and not more than two inches between the rails. They must have made very small rails in Clarence. Licenses to sell liquor were granted to Joseph Landon, Zenas Bar- ker, Frederick Miller, Elias Ransom, Samuel McConnell, Asa Harris, Levi Felton, Peter Vandeventer and Asa Chapman. According to Gen- eral Warren's recollection, Joseph Yaw was elected Supervisor of Wil- link in both 1808 and 1809. The Willink records were burned with those of Aurora in 1831, so it is not certain. In this year, (1808) the first permanent settlement was made in what is now Cheektowaga (except possibly on the northern edge) by Apollos Hitchcock, on the land still or lately occupied by his descendants. The first grain they raised was carried on horseback across the reservation to Stephens' mill. Ransom's was a little nearer, but was sometimes scant of water. Settlements were also made in the eastern part of the present town of Lancaster, that year, and we have been informed by an old resident that there were then just twelve houses between Buffalo and the east line of the county, on the road which ran through the center of Lancaster. The pioneers of Lancaster found on the north side of Little Buffalo creek, in that township, an ancient fortification enclosing an acre of ground, and said by Turner, in his history of the Holland Purchase, to have been, when first discovered, as high as a man's breast. There were five gateways, in one of which grew a pine tree, believed by lumbermen to be five hundred years old. There is ample evidence that a long time ago, men who built breast-works dwelt in Erie county, but very little evidence that they were radically different from the American Indians. FIRST SETTLEMENT IN EDEN AND EVANS. 115 The Quakers had increased so that, in 1808, they held "monthly meetings" at their meeting-house at East Hamburg. New comers located themselves that year in all the townships in the county which were already settled, but there were still two or three townships in which the woodman's axe had not been heard. When the wife of Mr. Albro, one of the only two residents in the present town of Concord, died, during the summer of 1808, word was sent to "neighbors" twelve miles distant, in the present town of Boston, to come and attend the funeral. The only route to Springville from the East, then, was first to Buffalo, then up the beach to the "Titus stand," then up the Eighteen-Mile to the farthest settlements in its valley, and then across the ridge. Two or three new families settled in Concord the latter part of that year. Jacob Taylor, as chief of the Quaker mission, built a saw-mill at Taylor's Hollow, in Collins, and also a grist-mill about 1809. Perhaps it was this that induced Abraham Tucker and others, with their families, to settle near there in that year. Tucker located in the edge of North Collins, where he built him a cabin, covered it with bark and remained with his family. In that year, too, George Richmond, with his sons, George and Fred- erick, located himself three miles east of Springville, near the southeast corner of the present town of Sardinia, where he soon opened a tavern. The same summer, Ezra Nott, afterwards well-known as General Nott, settled between what is now called Rice's Corners and Colegrove's Cor- ners. Richmond and Nott were the pioneers of Sardinia. The first settlement in the present town of Eden was also made this year. Elisha Welch and Deacon Samuel Tubbs located at what is now known as Eden Valley, but which for a long time bore the less romantic appellation of Tubbs' Hollow. In this year, too, Aaron Salisbury and William Cash made the first permanent settlement in the present town of Evans, west of Harvey's tavern at the mouth of the Eighteen-Mile. Several others came not long after, and all settled near the lake shore, where the only road ran. One of the new comers into Clarence was destined to wield a strong influence throughout not only Erie county but Western New York. We refer to the Rev. Glezen Fillmore, a cousin of the Hon. Millard Fill- more. He was then a bright, pleasant, yet earnest youth of nineteen, with the well-known, strong Fillmore features, and stalwart Fillmore frame. Having been licensed in March, 1809, as a Methodist exhorter, the youthful champion of the cross immediately set forth from his home in Oneida county, on foot, with knapsack on his back, traveling two hun- dred miles through the snow and mud of early spring, to begin his labors in the wilderness of the Holland Purchase. 116 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Arriving in the neighborhood where his uncle Calvin resided, he at once went to work. His first preaching was at the house of David Ham- lin. A man named Maltby and his wife were the only listeners except Hamlin's family, but the young exhorter bravely went through with the entire services, including class-meeting. It is to be presumed that he felt rewarded when, in after years, he learned that four of Maltby's sons had become Methodist ministers. Young Fillmore procured land, and throughout his life made his home at Clarence Hollow, though spending many years at a distance, on whatever service might be allotted to him. Shortly before this period Augustus Porter, the new First Judge of Niagara county, his brother, Peter B. Porter, then of Canandaigua, and recently elected to Congress from the vast district of Western New York, and Mr. Benjamin Barton, Jr., had formed a partnership under the name of Porter, Barton & Co., and were the principal forwarders of Eastern goods to the West. Their route was by way of Oneida lake, Oswego and Ontario, to Lewiston; thence by land-carriage around the Falls and by vessel up Lake Erie. Of the few sail-vessels then running on Lake Erie, owned on the American side, probably more than half were owned by Porter, Barton & Co. Their ships had the same difficulty in ascending the rapids that had beset the Griffin a hundred and thirty years before. To overcome it they provided a number of yoke of oxen to drag vessels up the rapids. The sailors dubbed these auxiliaries the "Horn Breeze." As to Buffalo creek, all agreed that it was worthless for a harbor, on account of the bar at the mouth. All sail vessels stopped at Black Rock, and only a few open boats came into the creek. In the year 1810 a United States census was taken, and the popula- tion of Niagara county was found to be 6,132. Of these just two-thirds were in the present county of Erie. (( In that year, too, the name of " Buffalo," or Buffaloe," was first legally applied to a definite tract of territory. On the 10th day of Feb- ruary, a law was passed erecting the town of "Buffaloe," comprising all that part of Clarence west of the West Transit. In other words, it com- prised the present city of Buffalo, the towns of Grand Island, Tonawanda, Amherst and Cheektowaga, and the north part of West Seneca; being about eighteen miles long north and south, and from eight to sixteen miles wide east and west. Another event considered of much importance in those days was the formation of new militia regiments. The appointment of Asa Ransom as sheriff in 1808 had compelled him to resign his lieutenant-colonelcy, and Timothy S. Hopkins was appointed in his place. This, with the cashiering of Maybee previously mentioned, left both majors' positions vacant. Captain William Warren, SALE OF THE PRE-EMTION RIGHTS OF THE HOLLAND COMPANY. 117 not then twenty-four, was made First Major, and Asa Chapman Second Major. The men subject to military duty in Buffalo and Clarence were constituted a regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Asa Chapman, then living near Buffalo. Samuel Hill, Jr., of Newstead, was one of his majors. The men of Willink formed another regiment, and young Major Warren was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding. His majors were William C. Dudley, of Evans, and Benjamin Whaley, who was or had been a resident of Boston. There was also a regiment in Cambria, and one in Chautauqua county, and the whole was under the command of Brigadier-General Timothy S. Hopkins. The most influential new-comer in the county during the period. under consideration in this chapter was Peter B. Porter, who, after being re-elected to Congress in the spring of 1810, removed from Canandaigua to Black Rock. He was then thirty-seven years old, unmarried, a hand- some, portly gentleman of the old school, of smooth address, fluent speech, and dignified demeanor. At Canandaigua he had practiced at the Bar, but after his removal he devoted himself to his commercial for- tunes as a member of the firm of Porter, Barton & Co., save when attend- ing to his political duties. Mr. Porter was the first citizen of Erie county who exercised a wide political influence. The same year the Holland Company (that is, the group of Holland- ers commonly so-called) sold their pre-emption right in all the Indian reservations on the Holland Purchase to David A. Ogden. He was act- ing in behalf of other parties, joined with himself, in the speculation, and the owners were generally called the Ogden Company. The whole amount of territory was about 196,000 acres, and the purchase price $98,000. That is to say, Ogden and his friends gave fifty cents an acre for the sole right of buying out the Indians whenever they should wish to sell. Moses Fenno, who moved into the present town of Alden in the spring of 1810, is usually considered there as the first settler of that town, though Zophar Beach, Samuel Huntington and James C. Rowan had previously purchased land on its western edge, and it is quite likely some of them had settled there. It is certain, however, that Fenno was the beginner of improvement. in the vicinity of Alden village, and raised the first crops there, in the year mentioned. The same year came Joseph Freeman, afterwards known as Judge Freeman, William Snow and Arunah Hibbard. About this time, perhaps earlier, the Messrs. Ingersoll located on the lake shore, in Hamburg, just below the mouth of Eighteen-Mile creek. Shortly after their arrival they discovered on the summit of the high bank seven or eight hundred pounds of wrought iron, apparently taken off from a vessel. It was much eaten with rust, and there were trees growing from it ten to twelve inches in diameter. 118 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. A few years before, as related by David Eddy, of East Hamburg, a fine anchor had been found imbedded in sand on the Hamburg lake shore. Ten or twelve years later two cannon were discovered on the beach near where the iron was found. The late James W. Peters, of East Evans, in a communication to the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser reproduced in Turner's "Holland Purchase," stated that he saw them immediately after their discovery, and cleaned away enough of the rust to lay bare a number of words on the breech of one of them, which were found to be French; he did not say by whom or what they were. From these data, Turner and others have inferred that the Griffin was wrecked at the mouth of Eighteen-Mile creek; that such of the crew as escaped intrenched themselves there to resist the Indians, but were finally overpowered and slain. Mr. O. H. Marshall has, however, very clearly shown in a paper read before the Buffalo Historical Society, that the evidences of shipwreck found on the lake shore were due to the loss of the Beaver, (a British vessel loaded with supplies for the upper lake garrisons,) which occurred near that locality about 1765. The French words on the cannon (if they were French) are of little consequence, since many English mottoes (such as "Dieu et mon droit," "Honi soit qui mal y pense,") are of French origin.* Down to this time no settlement had been made in the present town of Colden, but in 1810 Richard Buffum became its pioneer. He was a Rhode Islander of some property, and being desirous of emigrating westward he was requested by a number of his neighbors to go into an entirely new district and purchase a place where he could build mills, when they would settle around him. Accordingly he came to the Holland Purchase, and located on the site of Colden village. His son, Thomas Buffum, then seven years old, informed the writer that his father cut his own road six or eight miles, and then built him a log house forty feet long. This is the largest log dwelling of which we have heard in all our researches, and is entitled to special mention. The same fall he put up a saw-mill. Various causes prevented the coming of the neighbors he had calculated on, and for a good while Mr. Buffum was very much isolated. The first year no one came except men whom he had hired. As, however, he had eleven chil- dren, he was probably not very lonesome. In the spring or summer of 1810, Turner Aldrich and his family came up the Cattaraugus creek from the lake beach, and let their wagons down the "breakers" into the Gowanda flats by means of ropes hitched to the hind axle and payed out from around trees. They located on the site of Gowanda, and were the first family in Collins, except those near Taylor's Hollow. *There was another Beaver wrecked in early times on Lake Erie. This was a schooner belonging to the Northwestern Fur Company, which went ashore late in the autumn of 1786, on the site of Cleveland, where the crew remained through the winter. THE FIRST NEWSPAPER. 119 From this until the beginning of the war with Great Britain the history of the county consisted chiefly of a constant flow of emigration into all the townships outside the reservations, the details of which may properly be left to the various town histories. In the forepart of this year the President, being authorized by Con- gress, located the port of entry for the district of Buffalo Creek at Black Rock, from the first of April to the first of December in each year, and at "Buffaloe" the rest of the time. It is difficult to see why the office should have been moved twice a year merely to make "Buffaloe” a port of entry during the four months when there were no entries. The year 1811 was also marked by the establishment of Mr. Jabez B. Hyde as the first school-teacher among the Senecas. He was sent by the New York Missionary Society. A minister of the gospel was sent at the same time, but was rejected by the chiefs, while the teacher was invited to remain. But the most important event in the eye of the historian was the establishment of the first newspaper in Erie county, the Buffalo Gazette; the initial number of which was issued on the third day of October, 1811, by Messrs. Smith H. and Hezekiah A. Salisbury. The former was the editor. For the time previous to its appearance the student of local history must depend on the memory of a few aged persons, eked out by a very small number of scattering records. But, fortunately, a tolerably com- plete file of the Gazette has been. preserved through all the vicissitudes of sixty-five years, and is now in the possession of the Young Men's Association of Buffalo. By carefully studying its columns, especially the advertisements, one can form a very fair idea of the progress of the county. The first number has been stolen from the files; the second, dated October 10, 1811, remains, the earliest specimen of Erie county journalism. A rough-looking little sheet was this pioneer newspaper of Erie county, printed on coarse, brownish paper, each of the four pages being about twelve inches by twenty. Its price was $2.50 per year if left weekly at doors; $2.00 if taken at the office or sent by mail. The price seems large for a sheet of those dimensions, but the advertising rates were certainly low enough. A "square was inserted three weeks for $1.00, and twenty-five cents was charged for each subsequent insertion. The Gazette will be duly described in the chapter on the Press, in this work, but we reproduce here some items from its pages as throwing a light on the situation of the county before the War of 1812. There must have been a large mail business done in this region or a very slow delivery; as the first number of the Gazette contained an advertisement of a hundred and fifty-seven letters remaining in the post- office at Buffalo Creek. Five of them were directed to women, whose I 20 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. names we give as specimens of the feminine nomenclature of that day: Susan Davenport, Sarah Goosbeck, Susannah McConnel, Nancy Tuck, Lucinda Olmsted. Not one ending in "ie." With their printing office the Salisburys carried on the first book- store in the county, and kept a catalogue of their books constantly dis- played in their paper. It may give an idea of the literary taste of that era to observe that one of those lists contained the names of seventeen books on law, fourteen on medicine, fifty-four on religious subjects, fifty- four on history, poetry and philosophy, and only eleven novels! One of the first numbers chronicles the arrival of the schooner Salina, Daniel Robbins master, with a cargo of “Furr" estimated at a hundred and fifty thousand dollars—an estimate which we fear did not hold out. Another contained an advertisement stating that the new sloop "Friends' Goodwill, of Black Rock," would carry passengers to Detroit for twelve dollars each, and goods for a dollar and a half a barrel. Militia affairs evidently received considerable attention, as the only advertisement of blanks was one of Sergeants' Warrants, Captains' Or- ders to Sergeants, Notices to Warn Men to Parade," &c., &c. Captains were numerous, and were not always blessed with high scholastic acquire- ments, as is shown by the following communication from one gallant. chieftain to another, which somehow found its way into the Gazette, minus the names:— WILLINK, November the 10, 1811. inform mee that he was not - "Capt. -, Sir this day Mr. able to do militerry duty, and wish you not to flect a fine on him ef I had a non his sittuation i shod not returned him this is from yr frend. (6 -, Capt." Willink," gives but a slight idea of the locality, as the whole south part of the county was still called by that name. Municipal towns were so large that survey townships were fre- quently used for description. Thus Daniel Wood advertised a watch left at his house "in the 6th Town, 8th Range;" that is in the present town of Collins. Failures in business seem to have been rather common in propor- tion to the amount done; as one paper contains three, and another four notices for insolvent debtors to show cause why they should not be declared bankrupts. Yet it is plain that business was generally flourish- ing. There were no advertisements for work, but many for workmen. In the course of a few weeks in the fall of 1811, there were advertise- ments published calling for journeymen tailors, a journeyman shoemaker, a tailor's apprentice, journeymen hatters, and two or three journeymen blacksmiths. The Patent Medicine Man was already an established institution, and M. Daley advertised several unfailing panaceas, their value being attested by certificates as ample, (and as truthful,) as those of the present day. DIVISION Of Willink. 121 (( Even in those good old times, officials were sometimes guilty of irregularities," and one of the few local items in the Gazette, under the head, "A delinquent and a villain," gave notice that Joseph Alward, who wore the double honors of constable of Willink and carrier of news, had "cleared out for Canada," taking two horses, eight or ten watches and other property. A news-carrier was an important functionary; he was the sole reliance of most of the inhabitants for papers and letters—there being but one post-office in the county out of Buffalo, and none south of the reservation. The next week after the disappearance of the “delin- quent and villain," David Leroy gave notice that he had taken Alward's route, but he soon gave it up for lack of business. Another notice informed the people that a carrier named Paul Drinkwater had judiciously selected one route down the river and another another up the lake. A. S. Clarke, postmaster at Clarence, (his store it will be remem- bered was in the present town of Newstead,) advertised seven letters detained at his office for Clarence, and fifty for Willink. These latter had to be sent from fifteen to fifty miles by private conveyance. There was still no regular preaching of the gospel in the county. Some steps were taken to that end, but nothing was accomplished until after the war. Some schemes were publicly tolerated, which would now be looked on with general disfavor. A memorial was presented to the legislature, signed by many of the principal citizens of Niagara county asking for $15,000 to build a road from the Genesee river to Buffalo, the State to be reimbursed by a lottery. The project was warmly endorsed by the Gazette. At the present day we should at least have morality enough to call the proposed proceeding a gift-enterprise. The memorial does not appear to have been adopted. There were already two medical societies, each calling itself “The Medical Society of Niagara County." A description of these and their bitter war will be found in the chapter devoted to the Erie County Medical Society. On the 20th day of March, 1812, the gigantic town of Willink was seriously reduced by a law erecting the towns of Hamburg, Eden and Concord. Hamburg contained the present towns of Hamburg and East Hamburg. Eden was composed of what is now Boston, Eden, Evans, and part of Brant, and Concord comprised the whole tract afterwards divided into Sardinia, Concord, Collins and North Collins-leaving Wil- link only twelves mile square, embracing Aurora, Wales, Holland and Colden. Besides, Willink and Hamburg nominally extended to the mid- dle of the Buffalo reservation, and Collins covered that part of the Cat- taraugus reservation situated in Niagara county. During all this time there was a constant and increasing ferment regarding war and politics. The growing dissatisfaction of the govern- 122 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ment and a majority of the people of the United States with the govern- ment of Great Britain, on account of her disregard of neutral rights in the contest with Napoleon, had at length reached the verge of war, and the denunciations of that power in Congress, in State Legislatures, in the press and the public meetings, were constantly becoming more bitter. While this was the sentiment of the ruling party (that is, the Democratic or Republican, for it went by both names), the Federalists, who consti- tuted a large and influential minority, opposed a war with England, asked for further negotiations, and met the Democratic denunciations of that country with still more bitter attacks on Napoleon, whom they accused the Republicans of favoring. In February, 1812, Congress passed a law to organize an army of twenty-five thousand men. Shortly after, Daniel D. Tompkins, the Republican governor of New York, made a speech to the Legislature, advising that the State prepare for the coming contest. This county down to that time had been decidedly Federal. Ebe- nezer Walden was the Federal member of assembly for the counties of Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautuaqua. In April, Abel M. Grosvenor was nominated for the assembly by a meeting of the Federalists, or as they termed themselves, "Federal Republicans." At the same meeting, a large committee was appointed, and, as it is to be presumed that the men selected were somewhat influential members of their party in that day, we transcribe a list of those residing in the present county of Erie :— Town of Buffalo.-Nathaniel Sill, Joshua Gillett, Benjamin Caryl, James Beard, Gilman Folsom, William B. Grant, John Russell, Daniel Lewis, Rowland Cotton, David Reese, Elisha Ensign, S. H. Salisbury, Ransom Harmon, Frederick House, Guy J. Atkins, Samuel Lasuer, John Duer, John Watkins, R. Grosvenor Wheeler, Fred Buck, Henry Anguish, Nehemiah Seeley, Henry Doney, Solomon Eldridge, Holden Allen. Clarence. Henry Johnson, Asa Fields, James Powers, James S. Youngs, William Baker, Archibald Black, John Stranahan, Josiah Wheeler, G. Stranahan, Benjamin O. Bivins, John Peck, Jonathan Barrett. Willink.-Abel Fuller, Ebenezer Holmes, John McKeen, Sanford G. Colvin, Levi Blake, Ephraim Woodruff, Daniel Haskell, Samuel Mer- riam, Dr. John Watson, John Gaylord, Jr. Hamburg-Seth Abbott, Joseph Browning, William Coltrin, Ebene- zer Goodrich, Cotton Fletcher, John Green, Samuel Abbott, Benjamin Enos, Pardon Pierce. Eden.-Charles Johnson, Luther Hibbard, Dorastus Hatch, Dr. John March, Job Palmer, Samuel Tubbs. Concord.-Joseph Hanchett, Solomon Fields, Samuel Cooper, Stephen Lapham, Gideon Lapham, Gideon Parsons, William S. Sweet. As a companion to the Federal Committee, we insert here the names of the members of a similar one, composed of Democratic Republicans, though not appointed till a year or so later. They were as follows:- Buffalo.-Nathaniel Henshaw, Ebenezer Johnson, Pliny A. Field, William Best, Louis Le Couteulx, John Sample. PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. 123 Clarence.-Otis R. Hopkins, Samuel Hill, Jr., Daniel Rawson, James Baldwin, Daniel McCleary, Oliver Standard, Moses Fenno. Hamburg.-David Eddy, Richard Smith, Samuel Hawkins, Giles Sage, William Warriner, Joseph Albert, Zenas Smith. Willink.-Elias Osborn, İsrael Phelps, Jr., Daniel Thurston, Jr., William Warren, James M. Stevens, John Carpenter, Joshua Henshaw. Eden.-Christopher Stone, Benjamin Tubbs, Gideon Dudley, Amos Smith, Joseph Thorn. Concord.-Rufus Eaton, Frederick Richmond, Allen King, Benjamin Gardner, Isaac Knox. Jonas Williams, the founder of Williamsville, was the Republican candidate for the Assembly. Already there were fears of Indian assault. It was reported that a body of British and Indians were assembled at Newark, to make a descent on the people on this side. A public meeting was held at Cook's tavern, in Buffalo, at which the statement was declared untrue. Early in May a Lieutenant of the United States army advertised for recruits at Buffalo, offering those who enlisted for five years a hundred and sixty acres of land, three months' extra pay, and a bounty of sixteen dollars. The amount of bounty will not seem extravagant to modern readers. An election was held on the 12th of May, and the approach of war had evidently caused a great change in the strength of the two parties. The votes for Member of Assembly show at once the ascendency sud- denly gained by the Democrats, and the comparative population of the several towns. For Grosvenor, Federal, Willink gave 71 votes, Ham- burg 47, Eden 41, Concord 33, Clarence 72, Buffalo 123; total, 387. For Williams, Republican, Willink gave 114, Hamburg 110, Eden 46, Con- cord 50, Clarence 177, Buffalo 112; total, 609. Archibald S. Clarke was elected State Senator, being the first citizen of Erie county to hold that office, as he had been the first Assemblyman and first Surrogate. The Congressmen chosen for this district were both outside of Niagara county. The militia were being prepared for war, at least to the extent of being amply provided with officers. In Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman's regiment, Dr. Ebenezer Johnson was appointed "surgeon's mate," (assist- ant surgeon he would now be called ;) Abiel Gardner and Ezekiel Shel- don, Lieutenants; Oziel Smith, Paymaster; John Hersey and Samuel Edsall, Ensigns. In Lieutenant-Colonel Warren's regiment, Adoniram Eldridge, Charles Johnson, John Coon, Daniel Haskill, Benjamin Gardner and John Russell were appointed Captains; Innis B. Palmer, Isaac Phelps, Timo- thy Fuller, Benjamin I. Clough, Gideon Person, Jr., Frederick Richmond and Varnum Kenyon, Lieutenants; William Warriner, Surgeon; Stephen Kinney, Paymaster; Elihu Rice, Samuel Cochrane, Benjamin Douglass, Lyman Blackmar and Oliver Blezeo, Ensigns. 124 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Scarely a day passed that rumors of Indian outrages did not startle the inhabitants of Niagara county, who looked with anxious eyes on the half-tamed Iroquois in their midst, many of whom had once bathed their hands in American blood. The rumors were all false, but the terror they inspired was none the less real. Congress passed an act calling out a hundred thousand militia, (thir- teen thousand five hundred of whom were from New York,) and the news was followed quickly by an order detailing two hundred and forty men from Hopkins' brigade, for immediate service. On the 17th of May, Colonel Swift, of Ontario county, arrived at Buffalo to assume command on the frontier. On the 18th, the first detachment of militia marched through that village on their way to Lewiston. They were from the south towns, and were commanded by Major Benjamin Whaley. On the 26th, Superintendent Granger, with the interpreters Jones and Parrish, held a council with the chiefs of the Six Nations in the United States. Mr. Granger did not seek to enlist their services, such not being the policy of the government, but urged them to remain neutral. To this they agreed, but said they would send a delegation to consult their brethren in Canada. Meanwhile, the declaration of war was under earnest discussion in Congress. On the 23d of June, Colonel Swift, whose headquarters were at Black Rock, was in command of six hundred militia, besides which there was a small garrison of regulars at Fort Niagara. There was no artillery, except at the fort. The preparations for war on the other side were somewhat better, there being six or seven hundred British regulars along the Niagara, and a hundred pieces of artillery. The excitement grew more intense every hour. Reckless men on either shore fired across the river "for fun," their shots were returned, and the seething materials almost sprang into flame by spontaneous combustion. The morning of the 26th of June came. A small vessel, loaded with salt, which had just left Black Rock, was noticed entering Lake Erie by some of the citizens of Buffalo, and presently a British armed vessel from Fort Erie was seen making its way toward the American ship. The lat- ter was soon overtaken and boarded, and then both vessels turned their prows toward the British stronghold. There could be but one explanation of this-the vessel was captured -and the news of war spread with lightning-like rapidity among the inhabitants of the little frontier village. All doubt was dispelled a few hours later by an express rider from the East, bearing the President's proclamation of war. The Canadians had received the earliest news by reason of John Jacob Astor's sending a fast express to Queenston, twelve hours ahead of the government riders, to warn his agents there. The War of 1812 had begun. DECLARATION OF WAR. 125 CHAPTER XVI. Confusion T "" THE CAMPAIGN OF 1812. "" "Silver Greys -The " Queen Charlotte" "The Charlotte Taken' - Fear of Indians Red Jacket's Logic - Iroquois Declaration of War-Capture of Two British Vessels - The First Victim of War Black Rock Bombarded — The Queenston Failure Smyth's Proclamation A Gallant Vanguard — A Vacillating General Invasion Relin- quished An Erie County Duel A Riot Among the Soldiers Political Matters - Quiet. HE news of the declaration of war was disseminated with almost telegraphic rapidity, flying off from the main roads pursued by the express-riders, and speeding from one scattered settlement to another throughout Western New York. Dire was the confusion created. In almost every locality divers counsels prevailed. Some were organizing as militia or volunteers; others, alarmed by the reports of instant invasion and by the ever horri- ble tale of Indian massacre, made a hasty retreat with their families toward the Genesee. Sometimes the fleeing citizens were met by emi- grants who were pressing forward to make new homes in the wilder- ness, unchecked by the dangers of the day. So great was the dismay that Mr. Ellicott issued an address to the settlers on the Holland Purchase, assuring them that the lines were well guarded and the country safe from invasion. The alarm is said to have been equally great on the other side, and the flight from the lines per- haps greater, as there were more people there to flee. By the fourth of July three thousand American militia were assem- bled on the Niagara frontier, General William Wadsworth being in command. This looked like efficient action, and ere long the men who remained at home were working as steadily as usual, many families who had fled returned, and affairs resumed their ordinary course, save where along the Niagara, the raw recruits marched, and countermarched, and panted for the chance to distinguish themselves which came to them all too soon. Besides the ordinary militia, several companies were organized, composed of men too old to be called on for military duty. They were commonly called "Silver Greys." One such company was formed in Willink, of which Phineas Stephens was Captain, Ephraim Woodruff, Lieutenant, and Oliver Pattengill, Ensign. Another was organized in Hamburg under Captain Jotham Bemis. Immediately on learning of the declaration of war, General Isaac Brock, a commander-in-chief of the British forces in Upper Canada, and Acting Governor, took personal command on the Niagara frontier, and 9 126 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. gave his attention to its defenses. Fort Erie was strengthened and a redoubt several rods long was erected opposite the residence of Con- gressman Porter, now the foot of Breckenridge street. Earthworks were also thrown up at Chippewa, Queenston and other points. The American side was similarly strengthened. There was constant watchfulness for spies on both sides of the line, and many arrests were made. The superiority of the British on the lake was a source of constant annoyance to the people on this side. At the beginning of the war there was not a single armed American vessel afloat, while the British had three-the Queen Charlotte, of twenty-two guns, the Hunter, of twelve guns, and a small schooner lately built. The Queen Charlotte, in particular, kept the people of Hamburg and Evans in constant alarm. Riding off the shore, her boats would be sent to land to seize on whatever could be found, especially in the way of eatables and live stock. The men of the scattered settlements, too, were often taken on board as prisoners, kept a few days and then liberated. When the men were absent in the militia, some of the women did not take off their clothes for weeks together; keeping themselves always ready for instant flight. It must have been, then, with feelings of decided gratification that Erie county people read the head-line in large capitals, of a notice in the Gazette, entitled, "The Charlotte Taken." But the ensuing lines, though pleasant enough, only announced the marriage in Hamburg, by “Hon. D. Eddy, Esq.," of Mr. Jared Canfield, "a sergeant in Captain McClure's volunteer company," to Miss Charlotte King, daughter of Mr. N. King, of Concord. - As has been said, the most intense anxiety was felt by the Ameri- cans regarding the Indians on both sides of the line. The British, in accordance with their ancient policy, made immediate arrangements on the outbreak of war to enlist the Mohawks, and other Canadian Indians, in their service. These sent emissaries to the Six Nations in New York, to persuade them to engage on the same side. The settlers on the Hol- land Purchase, and especially in the county of Niagara, were not only alarmed at the prospect of invasion by savage enemies, but also lest the Senecas and others on this side should allow their ancient animosities to be rekindled, and break out into open rebellion. It must be confessed the danger was not slight, for there was good ground for believing that some at least of the Seneca warriors had been engaged against the United States at the battle of Tippecanoe, only the year before. Mr. Granger was active in adverting the danger, and on the 6th of July he convened a council of the Six Nations in the United States, on the Buffalo reservation. It was opened, as a matter of course, by Red Jacket, and Mr. Granger, in a long speech, set forth the cause of the war COUNCIL WITH THE SENECAS. 127 from the American point of view, urging the Indians to have nothing to do with the quarrels of the whites, but to remain quietly at home during the war. He said, however, that he was aware that many of their young braves were anxious to engage in the fight, and if they must do so, he preferred it should be on the side of the United States. If, therefore, they were determined to see something of the war, perhaps a hundred. and fifty or two hundred of their warriors would be accepted by the government. At the next meeting of the council Red Jacket replied, declaring in favor of neutrality, saying that he hoped no warriors would be accepted by the government without permission of the great council, and asking leave to make another effort to persuade the Mohawks to abandon the war-path. This was granted, and a deputation of five chiefs, with con- siderable difficulty, obtained permission from General Brock to visit their Mohawk brethren. The effort, however, was useless, as the Can- adian Indians were fully determined to "dig up the hatchet.” The neutrality of the Senecas, Cayugas, etc., continued for only a brief time. In fact, the excitement of war was so infectious, not only to the "young braves," but to many of those who considered themselves the cautious guardians of their people, that they were quite willing to seize the first excuse for numbering themselves among the combatants. In this same month of July a rumor got afloat that the British had taken possession of Grand Island, which was under the jurisdiction of the United States, but the title of which was in the Senecas. It seems, according to a statement made in 1875 by Mr. John Simpson, of Tona- wanda, that several hundred British Indians appeared on the shores of Grand Island, opposite that village. There were then sixteen soldiers in the guard-house there. They had been notified of the approach of the Indians, and all the citizens around had been called in. These were fur- nished with the extra uniforms of the soldiers, to increase the apparent number. They were also, after being paraded, marched into view with all their coats turned wrong side out, giving at that distance the appear- ance of a new corps with different uniforms. The enemy made no attempt to cross. Red Jacket convoked a council, and asked permission of Superintendent Granger to drive away the intruders, using the fol- lowing shrewd logic in support of his request. Said he:- "Our property is taken possession of by the British and their Indian friends. It is necessary now for us to take up the business, defend our property and drive the enemy from it. If we sit still upon our seats and take no means of redress, the British, according to the custom of you white people, will hold it by conquest. And should you conquer the Canadas you will hold it on the same principles; because you will have taken it from the British." 128 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Permission being granted, another council was held shortly after, at which a formal declaration of war was adopted, and reduced to writing by the interpreter. As this was probably the first-perhaps the only- declaration of war ever published by an Indian nation or confederacy in writing, and as its language was commendably brief, it is transcribed entire, as follows:- "We, the chiefs and counselors of the Six Nations of Indians, resid- ing in the State of New York, do hereby proclaim to all the war-chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations that war is declared on our part against the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. Therefore, we command and advise all the war-chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations to call forth immediately the warriors under them, and put them in motion to protect their rights and liberties." Notwithstanding this declaration, however, no Indians, (at least no considerable number of them,) took the field on our side that year. It was soon ascertained that the occupation of Grand Island was not per- manent, and there were many of the older chiefs, with Red Jacket at their head, who were really desirous that their people should remain neutral. But more potent, probably, than the restraining voice of their sachems, were the quick-coming disasters to the American arms. The militia kept marching to the frontier. There was no lack of numbers, nor of apparent enthusiasm. They were all anxious to capture Canada the next day after their arrival. But they were utterly ignorant of actual war, and the first touch of reality chilled them to the marrow. They were not called out en masse, nor were specified regiments. ordered to the field. Details were made of the number required from each brigade, and these were collected by details from the different regiments and companies. Temporary companies and regiments were thus formed, to endure only through a few weeks of active service. Of course officers and men were unused to each other, the organization was unfamiliar to both, and the efficiency of the command was in the very lowest state. Lieutenant-Colonel Chapman, commander of the Buffalo and Clar- ence regiment, moved away about the beginning of the war, and no one was appointed in his place until after its close. Major Samuel Hill, Jr., was the senior officer. Most of the Buffalonians seem to have formed themselves into independent companies, and Hill's command was left so small that whenever the militia was called out en masse it was joined with Lieutenant-Colonel Warren's regiment. General Amos Hall, of Ontario county, Major-General of this divi- sion of the State militia, was in command on the frontier for a short time, succeeding General Wadsworth. On the 11th of July he was superseded by Major-General Stephen Van Rensselaer, also of the mili- tia, but who established his headquarters and assembled his principal force at Lewiston. CAPTURE OF THE ADAMS" AND "CALEDONIA. 129 On the 27th of that month an extra Gazette announced the surrender by General Hull of Detroit and his whole army, to an inferior force of British and Indians. Terrible was the disappointment of the people, as well it might be, over that disgraceful affair, and dire were the fulmina- tions of the press. But denunciation was all too late, and public atten- tion in this vicinity was soon turned toward events nearer home. The fires of faction burned as fiercely then as in any later days. There was bitter opposition to the war among the Federals of many States, opposition which hardly confined itself to legitimate discussion— while on the Democratic side mob violence, reaching even to murder, was sometimes resorted to to silence their opponents. In September, a convention was held at Albany, which denounced the war, and shortly afterwards a meeting of the friends of "Peace, Lib- erty and Commerce" was called at "Pomeroy's Long Hall," in Buffalo, for the same purpose. Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, however, had entered with great zeal into all measures looking toward vigorous work on this fron- tier, and as he was the most prominent and most ardent Federalist of Niagara county, his example was generally followed by his partisan friends. On the 8th of October, a detachment of sailors arrived on the frontier from New York, and were placed under the command of Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliott, stationed at Black Rock. Their march had been has- tened by a dispatch from Lieutenant Elliott, who had conceived a bold plan for cutting out two British armed vessels which had just come down the lake, and were lying at anchor near Fort Erie. One was the brig Detroit, of six guns, lately captured from the United States, and generally called by its former name, the Adams; the other was the schooner Caledonia, of two guns. The succeeding enterprise was the first hostile movement which took place in, or started from, Erie county, during the War of 1812. The seamen on their arrival were found almost without weapons, but Generals Smyth and Hall, of the regulars and militia, furnished some arms, and the former detailed fifty men under Captain Towson, to accompany the expedition. Dr. Chapin and a few other Buffalo volun- teers also entered into the scheme. About one o'clock on the morning of the 9th of October, three boats put out from the American shore, with their prows directed toward Fort Erie. The first contained fifty men under Lieutenant Elliott in person, the second forty-seven under Sailing-Master Watts, while the third was manned by six Buffalonians under Dr. Chapin. The boats moved stealthily across the river and the darkness of the night favored the project. Arriving at the side of their prey, the three crews boarded both vessels almost at the same time. The men on board the latter made a vigorous resistance, and a sharp but brief conflict 130 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ensued, in which two of the assailants were killed and five wounded. In ten minutes, however, the enemy was overpowered, the cables cut, and the vessels on their way down the river. The Caledonia was brought to anchor near Black Rock, but the Adams was carried by the current on the west side of Squaw Island, and ran aground. The prisoners taken by the Americans in this gallant achievement numbered seventy-one officers and men, part of whom, however, were Canadian voyageurs. Besides these the captors released about forty American prisoners, captured at the River Raisin and on their way to Quebec. As the two vessels passed Black Rock a heavy cannonade was opened from the Canadian shore, and returned from the ships. After the Adams ran aground the fire was so heavy that the vessel was abandoned, the men safely reaching the shore. Shortly afterwards the enemy took pos- session of it, but were in turn soon driven away by the firing from the island and mainland. Believing it would be impracticable to keep pos- session of it, the Americans set it on fire and burned it to the water's edge. The first shot from the British batteries instantly killed Major Will- iam Howe Cuyler, of Palmyra, principal aide-de-camp of General Hall, as he was galloping with orders along the river road, between four and five o'clock in the morning. His death was the first one caused by the war within the present county of Erie, and as he was a highly connected and highly esteemed young officer, his sudden taking off caused a pro- found sensation. It was felt that war had really come. Some three hundred shots were fired from the British batteries, sev- eral of which passed through buildings at Black Rock. In fact, Black Rock must have been a very unpleasant place of residence throughout the war. Inmates of its houses were often startled by a cannon ball crashing through the roof, and not infrequently a breakfast or dinner was sud- denly interrupted by one of these unwelcome messengers. If the people of this vicinity were slightly cheered by the achieve- ment of Lieutenant Elliott and his command, they were at once cast down again by the news of the defeat of General Van Rensselaer at Queenston, where a few hundred gallant men, who had crossed the Niagara, were left to be slaughtered and captured through the cowardice of an ample force which stood on the American shore, unheeding all ap- peals to aid their comrades. The news reached Buffalo on the 13th of October, accompanied with notice of a week's armistice. The Americans were engaged in getting the guns out of the hulk of the Adams. The commander at Fort Erie required them to desist on account of the armistice, but the Americans insisted that, as the Adams had already been brought on their side of the line, they had a right to move her guns wherever they pleased, so long PREPARATIONS FOR THE INVASION OF Canada. 131 as they made no attack on the British. The latter opened fire on the troops aboard the hulk, but did no damage, and at night the ever-enter- prising Chapin went on board with a party and brought away a twelve pounder, as did also Lieutenant Watts afterwards. General Van Rensselaer being relieved from duty, Brigadier-Gen- eral Alexander Smyth, of the regular army, who had been on the lines a short time as Inspector-General, was assigned to the command of the Niagara frontier immediately after the conclusion of the armistice. Gen- eral Smyth was a Virginian, who, in 1808, had abandoned his profession and resigned a seat in the Legislature of his State to accept a colonelcy in the army, and who had lately been promoted to a brigadiership. Im- mediately on taking command he began concentrating troops at Buffalo and Black Rock, preparatory to an invasion of Canada. Thus far he certainly showed better judgment than his predecessors, as it was a much more feasible project to land an army on the gentle slopes below Fort Erie, than to scale the precipitous heights of Queenston. He also had scows constructed to transport the artillery, and collected boats for the infantry. Eight or nine hundred regulars were got together under Colonel Moses Porter, Colonel Winder, Lieutenant- Colonel Boerstler, and other officers. On the 12th of November, General Smyth issued a flaming address from his "Camp near Buffalo" to the men of New York, calling for their services, and declaring that in a few days the troops under his command would plant the American standard in Canada. Said he: "They will conquer or they will die." On the 17th, he sent forth a still more bombastic proclamation, clos- ing with the pompous call, "Come on, my heroes!” A considerable force came to Buffalo. A brigade of militia, nearly two thousand strong, arrived from Pennsylvania. Three or four hun- dred New York volunteers reported themselves, including the two companies of "Silver Greys" before mentioned. Peter B. Porter, who then, or shortly after, was appointed Quartermaster-General of the State militia, was assigned to the command of these New York volunteers, and was ever after known as General Porter. Under him was Colonel Swift, of Ontario county. Smyth deemed that the time had come to conquer or die." (( On the 27th of November, the General commanding issued orders to cross the river the next day. There were then over four thousand men at and near Black Rock, but as a large portion of them were militia, it is not exactly certain how many he could have counted on for a move- ment into the enemy's country. He, however, admitted that there were seventeen hundred, including the regulars and the twelve-months' vol- unteers, who were ready, and General Porter claimed that nearly the whole force was available. There were boats sufficient to carry at least three thousand men. 132 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. A little after midnight the next morning detachments were sent across the river, one under Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler, and the other under Captain King, with whom was Lieutenant Angus of the navy and fifty or sixty seamen. The first named force was intended to capture a guard and destroy a bridge about five miles below Fort Erie, while King and Angus were to take and spike the enemy's cannon opposite Black Rock. Boerstler returned without accomplishing anything of conse- quence, but the force under King and Angus behaved with great gal- lantry, and matérially smoothed the way for those who should have fol- lowed. They landed at three o'clock in the morning. Angus, with his sail- ors and a few soldiers, attacked and dispersed a force of the enemy sta- tioned at what was called "the red house," spiking two field pieces and throwing them into the river. Nine out of the twelve naval officers engaged, and twenty-two of the men, were killed or wounded in this brilliant little feat. The sailors and some of the soldiers then returned, bringing a number of prisoners, but through some blunder no boats were left to bring over Captain King, who with sixty men remained behind. King and his men then attacked and captured two batteries, spiked their guns, and took thirty-four prisoners. Having found two boats capable of holding about sixty men, the gallant captain sent over his prisoners, half his men and all his officers, remaining behind himself with thirty men. He doubtless expected Smyth's whole army in an hour or two, and thought he could take care of himself until that time. Soon after the return of these detachments, Colonel Winder, mis- takenly supposing that Boerstler was cut off, crossed the river with two hundred and fifty men to rescue him. He reached the opposite shore a considerable distance down the river, where he was attacked at the water's edge by a body of infantry and a piece of artillery, and com- pelled to return with the loss of six men killed and nineteen wounded. Boerstler's command returned without loss. The general embarkation then commenced, but went on very slowly. About one o'clock in the afternoon the regulars, the twelve-months' volunteers and a body of militia, the whole making a force variously estimated at from fourteen hundred to two thousand men, were in boats at the navy yard, at the mouth of Scajaquada creek. "Then," says Smyth in his account of the affair, with ludicrous sol- emnity, "the troops moved up the stream to Black Rock without loss." This tremendous feat having been accomplished, the General, (still fol- lowing his own account,) ordered them to disembark and dine. And then he called a council of war to see whether he had better cross the river. It is not surprising that, with such a commander, several of the officers consulted were opposed to making the attempt. It was at length COWARDICE OF GENERAL SMYTH. 133 decided to postpone the invasion a day or two, until more boats could be made ready. Late in the afternoon the troops were ordered to their quarters. Of course they were disgusted with such a ridiculous failure, and demoralization spread rapidly on all sides. General Smyth at the time did not pretend that the most vigilant observation could discover more than five hundred men on the opposite shore. They were drawn up in line about half a mile from the water's edge. Meanwhile the gallant Captain King was left to his fate, and was taken prisoner with all his men. The next day was spent in preparation. On Sunday, the 30th, the troops were ordered to be ready to embark at nine o'clock the following morning. By this time the enemy had remounted his guns, so that it would have been very difficult to cross above Squaw Island. On the shore below it were stationed his infantry and some artillery, every man having been obtained that possibly could be from the surrounding country. The current there was rapid and the banks abrupt. General Porter objected to attempting a landing there, and made another proposition. He advocated postponing the expedition till Mon- day night, when the troops should embark in the darkness, and should put off an hour and a half before daylight. They could then pass the enemy in the dark, and land about five miles below the navy yard, where the stream and the banks were favorable. These views were seconded by Colonel Winder and adopted by General Smyth, his intention being to assault Chippewa, and if successful march through Queenston to Fort George. Then it was found that the Quartermaster had not rations enough for two thousand five hundred men for four days. Nevertheless the embarkation commenced at three o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, the first of December. Again some fifteen hun- dred men were placed in boats. It was arranged that General Porter was to lead the van and direct the landing, on account of his knowledge of the river and the farther shore. He was attended in the leading boat by Majors Chapin and McComb, Captain Mills, Adjutant Chase, Quar- termaster Chaplin, and some twenty-five volunteers from Buffalo, under Lieutenant Haynes. But the embarkation of the regulars was greatly delayed, and day- light appeared before the flotilla was under way. Then the redoubtable Smyth called another council of war, composed of four regular officers, to decide whether Canada should be invaded that season. They unani- mously decided it should not. So the troops were again ordered ashore, the militia and most of the volunteers sent home, and the regulars put into winter quarters. The breaking up of the command was attended by scenes of the wildest confusion-four thousand men firing off their guns, cursing 134 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. General Smyth, their officers, the service and everything connected with their military experience. The disgust of the public was equally great. Smyth became the object of universal derision. His bombastic addresses were republished in doggerel rhyme, and the press teemed with denunciation and ridicule of the pompous Virginian. Men unacquainted with military matters frequently cast blame on unsuccessful generals, which the facts if fully known would not justify; but in this case General Smyth's own statement, published a few days after his failure, proves beyond doubt that he was either demoralized by sheer cowardice, or else that his mind was vacillating to a degree which utterly unfitted him for military command. The mere fact of his twice. waiting till his men were in boats for the purpose of invading Canada, before calling a council of war to decide whether Canada should be invaded, showed him to be entirely deficient in the qualifications of a General. There can be little doubt that if the forces had promptly crossed and been resolutely led, on the morning of the 28th of November, they would have effected a landing, and for the time at least could have held the opposite shore. The enterprise of Captain King and Lieutenant Angus had been well planned and gallantly executed, giving substantially a clear field to the American army. Whether if they had crossed they could have effected any lasting results at that season, is a matter of more doubt. General Porter published a card in the Buffalo Gazette of December 8th, in which he plumply charged General Smith with cowardice, declar- ing that the regular officers decided against crossing because of the demoralized condition of their commander. According to the opinions then in vogue it was impossible under such circumstances for Smyth to avoid sending a challenge, and he did so immediately. General Porter accepted, and selected Lieutenant Angus as his second, while Colonel Winder acted on behalf of General Smyth. It seems curious to think of a duel having been fought within the borders of law-abiding Erie, but such was nevertheless the fact. On the afternoon of the 14th, the two Generals, with their friends and surgeons, met at "Dayton's tavern," below Black Rock, and crossed to the head of Grand Island, in accordance with previous arrangements. Arriving at the ground selected, one shot was fired by each of the principals, according to the official statement of the seconds "in as intrepid and firm a manner as possible," but without effect. Colonel Winder then represented that General Porter must now be satisfied that the charge of cowardice was unfounded, and after divers explanations that charge was retracted. Then General Smyth withdrew sundry uncomplimentary expressions which he had used regarding Porter, and then "the hand of THE ELECTIONS OF 1812-'13. 135 reconciliation was extended and received," and all the gentlemen returned to Buffalo. It does not appear that there was any great desire for blood on either side. Soon afterwards General Porter published a statement of the facts concerning the embarkation which came within his knowledge, but with- out indulging in any animadversions. Doctor (or Major) Chapin was more furious than Porter, and also came out in a statement, bitterly denunciatory of Smyth. In January, after Smyth had left the frontier, he published still another statement, but he could not alter the ugly facts of the case. The account hereto- fore given is deduced from a careful comparison of the various publica- tions just mentioned, and of the official reports of subordinate officers. Many even of the soldiers who remained were under very poor dis- cipline, and soon after the Smyth failure some of them inaugurated serious riot at Buffalo which threatened the demolition of that village, but which was fortunately suppressed. A more full account of it is given in the History of the city. An epidemic, the nature of which was unknown, prevailed that winter on the frontier, carrying off many, both soldiers and citizens. Doctor Chapin and a Doctor Wilson called a meeting of physicians to endeavor to counteract it. It did not much abate till the last of January, 1813. In the middle of December an election was held for members of Congress. The Republicans (Democrats) renominated General Porter, but he declined, and Messrs. Bates and Loomis were voted for by them in this congressional district. The Federalists supported Messrs. Howell and Hopkins, who were elected. The latter received sixty-one votes in the town of Buffalo, thirty-six in Hamburg, forty-one in Clarence, and thirty-seven in "Edon." The Republican candidates received thirty-four in Buffalo, eighty-one in Hamburg, ninety-two in Clarence, and fourteen in Eden. It was a light vote, but it will be seen that Buffalo and Eden were decidedly Federal, while Hamburg and Clarence were as decidedly Republican. Says the next Gazette: "We understand" that no election was held in Willink and Concord. Their understanding was correct, but it is remarkable not only that no election was held, but also that a newspaper at the county-seat should not have been fully informed as to whether there was one or not. Tompkins, who was personally popular, was elected governor by the Democrats, but the disasters of the summer, under a Democratic admin- istration, had so aided the Federalists that nineteen out of the twenty- seven congressmen chosen in this State, and the majority of the assembly, belonged to the latter party. The State senate, however, was largely Democratic. In the nation at large, Madison was re-elected President by a decided majority over DeWitt Clinton, who had been a Democrat, 136 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. but was an independent opposition candidate. He received the Federal vote, but declared himself in favor of a more vigorous prosecution of the war. There can be little doubt but that if that energetic leader had become President instead of the plausible but inefficient Madison, the war would not have been the wretched, milk-and-water affair that it was. One side or the other would have been soundly whipped. On the 22d of December the immortal Smyth resigned his command to Colonel Moses Porter, and retired to Virginia on leave of absence. Before his leave expired Congress legislated him out of office, and the country received no further benefit from his military genius. For several months after the election, there was a general quiet on this part of the frontier, relieved only by occasional "statements" on the part of some of the heroes of the latest and most remarkable invasion of Canada. CHAPTER XVII. THE CAMPAIGN OF 1813. —— The Young Commodore - Officers and Committeemen Hunters Caught — Canada Invaded Transition Period of Our Military System Surrender at Beaver Dams Chapin's Exploit — Indians Enrolled — Farmer's Brother and the Marauders - A Raid and its Repulse- Skirmishing at Fort George-Perry's Victory - More Skirmishing— Burning of Newark - McClure Runs Away- Fort Niagara Captured - Danger Impending. E ARLY in March, while all was still quiet among the land forces, a young man of twenty-six, with curling locks, bold, handsome fea- tures and gallant bearing, wearing the uniform of a captain in the United States navy, arrived at Buffalo from the East, and after a brief stay went forward to Erie. His brilliant yet manly appearance was well calculated to make a favorable impression, yet to many thought- ful men he seemed too young, and possibly too gay, for the arduous and responsible position to which he had been appointed. But a few months were to demonstrate that for once the government had made an admira- ble selection, for the youthful stranger was Oliver Hazard Perry, then on his way to superintend the fitting out of a naval armament at Erie. During the winter the government had purchased a number of mer- chant vessels, for the purpose of converting them into men-of-war, and the construction of several new ones had been begun. Erie, from its comparatively secure harbor, had been wisely selected as the naval head- quarters. Five vessels, however, were fitted out in Scajaquada creek, THE CAMPAIGN OF 1813. 137 and for several months Perry flitted back and forth between the two places, urging on the work with all the energy of his nature. Until April, the war was apparently frozen up. Early in that month the Buffalonians were sharply reminded that they must be careful where they strayed. Lieutenant Dudley of the navy, Dr. Trowbridge, Mr. Frederick B. Merrill, and three seamen, while hunting on Strawberry Island, were discovered from the Canadian shore, a squad of men was sent across, and all were captured. The two civilians were released, but the lieutenant and his men were of course retained. The ever-active Dr. Chapin was about this time appointed by the governor a “ Lieutenant- Colonel by brevet," under which commission he subsequently acted in his operations on the frontier, but in much the same independent fashion as before. Ere long, soldiers began to arrive on the frontier, besides those who had remained during the winter. On the 17th of April, Major-General Lewis and Brigadier-General Boyd arrived in Buffalo, to assume com- mand according to their respective ranks. General Dearborn took com- mand on the whole northern frontier. The British force on the other side of the Niagara was very weak. The campaign in the North was commenced by an expedition from Sackett's Harbor, under General Dearborn and Commodore Chauncey, by which York (now Toronto) was captured by a dashing attack, the gallant General Pike being killed by the explosion of the enemy's maga- zine. This triumph prevented the sending of re-enforcements to the British forts on the Niagara, and when our fleet appeared off Fort George, about the 25th of May, it was immediately evacuated. The Americans under General Lewis crossed and occupied it. Gen- eral Porter acted as volunteer aide-de-camp to General Lewis, and the Buffalo Gazette took pains to state that "Dr. C. Chapin, of this village, was in the vanguard." The British retreated toward the head of Lake Ontario. The same day, the commandant at Fort Erie, who held that post with a body of militia, received orders under which he kept up a heavy cannonade on Black Rock until the following morning, when he bursted his guns, blew up his magazines, destroyed his stores and dismissed his men. All the other public stores, barracks and magazines, from Chip- pewa to Point Abino, were likewise destroyed. Lieutenant-Colonel Preston, the commandant at Black Rock, immediately crossed and took possession. So, at length, the Americans had obtained possession of the Cana- dian side of the Niagara, and it would seem that it need not have been difficult to retain it. But the blundering of the government, the weak- ness of commanders, and the general apathy of the people during a great part of that war were alike astonishing. 138 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The greatest difficulty was that of obtaining a permanent force. The whole military system of the country was in a transition state. During the Revolution, the reliance of the nation was on the regular "Continental" army with occasional assistance from the militia. But thirty years of free government had made Americans extremely unwill- ing to subject themselves to the supposed despotic discipline of the reg- ular service. On the other hand, the system of organizing volunteers, which has since been found so effective, was then in its infancy. Frequent attempts were made in that direction, but they were gen- erally managed by the State authorities, the discipline was of the most lax description, and the terms of service were excessively short. In Smyth's command, as we have seen, were a few "Federal volunteers," enlisted for twelve months, but they were composed of six independent companies, from different States, temporarily aggregated in a battalion. There was not a single organization corresponding to the present definition of a volunteer regiment-a body of intelligent freemen, enlisted for a long term of service, officered by the State authorities, but otherwise. controlled entirely by those of the nation, and subject to the same rules as the regulars, and necessarily modified in their application by the char- acter of the force. As a general rule, if a volunteer of 1812 stayed on the line three months, he thought he had done something wonderful. Moreover, there were at first almost no officers. Those who had fought in the Revolution were generally too old for active service, and West Point had not yet furnished a body of men whose thorough instruc- tion supplies to a great extent the lack of experience. A little knowledge of the history of the War of 1812 ought to satisfy the most frantic reformer of the overwhelming necessity of maintaining the National Mil- itary Academy in the most efficient condition. Add to these causes of weakness a timid, vacillating President and a possible unwillingness of the then dominant South to strengthen the North by the acquisition of Canada, and there are sufficient reasons for the feebleness characterizing the prosecution of the War of 1812. Yet many rude efforts were made to provide against possible disas- ter, and several stockades and block-houses were erected in various parts of the county, deemed to be sufficiently strong to resist the attack of Indians, or even of white men unprovided with artillery. Decidedly the most active partisan commander on the Niagara front- ier was Colonel Chapin, though there may be some doubts as to the use- fulness of his efforts, so irregular and desultory were they. In June he organized a company of mounted riflemen, for the purpose of clearing the country along the other side of the river, of scattered bands of foes. They proceeded to Fort George, and on the 23d of June a force started up the river from that point. It consisted of four or five hundred SURRENDER AT BEAVER DAMS. 139 regular infantry, twenty regular dragoons, and Chapin's company of forty-four mounted riflemen, the whole under Lieutenant-Colonel Boerst- ler. On the 24th, when nine miles west of Queenston, at a place called Beaver Dams, it was attacked by a force of British and Indians. After some skirmishing and marching, accompanied with slight loss, the assail- ants sent a flag to Colonel Boerstler, and on the mere statement of the bearer that the British regular force was double the Americans, besides seven hundred Indians, that officer surrendered his whole command. Chapin and his Erie county volunteers were sent to the head of Lake Ontario, (now Hamilton,) whence the Colonel, two officers and twenty- six privates were ordered to Kingston, by water, under guard of a Lieu- tenant and fifteen men. They were all in two boats; one containing the British Lieutenant and thirteen men and the three American officers- the second filled with the other twenty-six prisoners, a British Sergeant and one soldier. Before starting, the Colonel managed to arrange with his men a signal for changing the programme. When about twenty miles out on Lake Ontario, Chapin gave the signal and his men ran their boat alongside of the one he was in. The British Lieutenant ordered them to drop back, and Chapin ordered them on board. The former attempted to draw his sword, when the Colonel, a large, powerful man, seized him by the neck and flung him on his back. Two of the soldiers. drew their bayonets, but he seized one in each hand, and at the same time his men swarmed into the boat and wrested their arms from the guard, who were unable, in their contracted quarters, to fire a shot or use a bayonet. The victors then headed for Fort George, where, after rowing nearly all night, they arrived a little before daylight and turned over their late guard to the commandant as prisoners. It was a gallant little exploit, and effectually refuted the charge of cowardice which some had brought against Colonel Chapin. The British men-of-war still commanded the lake, though Perry's fleet was fast preparing to dispute their supremacy. About the 15th of June, the five vessels which had been fitted up in Scajaquada creek stole out of Black Rock and joined Perry at Erie. The Queen Charlotte and other British vessels this year, as last, hov- ered along the lake shore and occasionally sent a boat's crew ashore to depredate on the inhabitants of Hamburg and Evans. One day we read of their chasing a boat into the mouth of the Cattaraugus; at another time. a boat's crew landed and plundered Ingersoll's tavern at the mouth of Eighteen-Mile creek. Down to the present period, no Indians had been taken into the ser- vice of the United States. In the spring General Lewis invited the war- riors of the Six Nations to come to his camp, and three or four hundred of them did come, under the lead of the veteran Farmer's Brother. On 140 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. their arrival they were requested to take no part for the time, but to send a deputation to the Mohawks to induce them to withdraw from the British service, in which case the Senecas and their associates were also to return. Many appeared disappointed on finding they were not to fight, but were merely to be used to keep others from fighting, though this was the policy that Red Jacket favored throughout. But the Mohawks and other British Indians showed no disposition to withdraw from the field, and as we have seen took a prominent part in the capture of Colonels Boerstler and Chapin. In the early part of July, too, a skirmish took place near Fort George, in which an American Lieutenant and ten men were captured, who were never heard of more, and were supposed to have been slain by the savages. Then, at length, General Boyd accepted the services of the warriors of the Six Nations. Those then enrolled numbered four hundred, and there were never over five hundred and fifty in the service. It is difficult to say who was their leader. One account says it was Farmer's Brother, and another designates Henry O'Bail (the Young Cornplanter) as holding that position. Still another will have it that Young King was their principal war-chief, while Captain Pollard undoubt- edly acted as such the next year, at the battle of Chippewa. The truth seems to have been that the designation of general issimo, like most Indian arrangements, was decidedly indefinite. There was a considerable number of undoubted war-chiefs, but no one who was unquestionably entitled to the principal command. Farmer's Brother was generally recognized, both by Indians and whites, as the greatest of the war-chiefs, and was allowed a kind of primacy among them, but he was very old, and we cannot gather that he held any definite rank above the rest. Leaders for active service seem to have been chosen from time to time, either by actual election or by general consent. After their enrollment by General Boyd, the Indians remained in service but a short time, and then returned home. Meanwhile General Dearborn had withdrawn all the regular soldiers from Buffalo and Black Rock, leaving a large amount of public stores entirely undefended. Being advised, however, of the danger of a raid, he ordered ten artillerists to be stationed at the block-house at Black Rock, and called for five hundred militia from the neighboring counties. Between a hundred and fifty and two hundred of these arrived at the threatened point early in July, and were stationed at the warehouses at Black Rock, being under the command of Major Parmenio Adams, of Genesee county. They had three pieces of field artillery, and near by was a battery of four heavy guns. Nearly a hundred recruits for the regular infantry and dragoons, on their way to Dearborn's headquarters, ! RAID OF THE BRITISH. 141 under the command of Captain Cummings, were ordered to stop at Buffalo; Judge Granger was directed to engage as many Seneca war- riors as he could, and General Porter, who was then staying at his resi- dence at Black Rock, was requested to take command of the whole. The episode about to be narrated is one of the most exciting in the annals of this county. Except the burning of Buffalo, no other affair of so much importance took place within the limits of the county during the War of 1812; and it was, on the whole, decidedly creditable to the American arms; yet it is almost utterly unknown to the citizens of Erie county, and is rarely mentioned in the annals of that era. Other events of greater magnitude distracted public attention at the time, and the burn- ning of Buffalo, a few months later, obliterated from the minds of men all memory of less terrible transactions. There is a brief mention of it in Ketchum's "Buffalo and the Sene- cas," but the only extended account we have seen is in Stone's "Life of Red Jacket." The following narrative is derived from a careful exami- nation of that account (which was furnished by General Porter,) of the original description in the Buffalo Gazette, of a letter from Judge Gran- ger, published by Ketchum, and of personal reminiscences furnished to the Historical Society by Benjamin Hodge, Daniel Brayman, James Aigin and Mrs. Jane Bidwell. By the 10th of July, Judge Granger had received such positive infor- mation of an immediate attack, accompanied by special threats against himself, that he invited some Indians to come to his house, north of the Scajaquada. Thirty-seven of them arrived at eleven o'clock that (Satur- day) night, under the lead of Farmer's Brother. As they were not all armed, and as the Judge was confident that the enemy would be over the next day, he sent to the village and got a full supply of arms and ammu- nition for his braves that same night. The British headquarters were at Lundy's Lane, close by the Falls, where their expedition was fitted out. The commander was Lieutenant- Colonel Bishop, a brave and enterprising officer, the same to whom Colonels Boerstler and Chapin had surrendered at Beaver Dams. He had under him a part of the 41st Regiment of the British army, and a detachment of Canadian militia commanded by Colonel Clark. They took boat at Chippewa on the night of the 10th, and, after row- ing against the current in the darkness several hours, landed just after daylight a mile below the mouth of the Scajaquada. Forming his men, Colonel Bishop led them rapidly up the river bank. There was a single sentinel at the Scajaquada bridge, but on the sudden appearance of the red-coats, he flung away his musket, dodged into the woods and took a bee-line, as near as he could calculate, for Williamsville. A few men were asleep in the block-house, but the British column swept silently by with- out disturbing them, and quickly approached the encampment of Major 10 142 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Adams. His men must have been aroused a little before the enemy reached them, for they all made their escape, but they attempted no re- sistance and fled without even spiking the cannon in their charge. A detachment of the invaders went to the house of General Porter, who had barely time to escape, fleeing without his arms, and some say with only a single garment. At first he attempted to reach Major Adam's encampment, but finding this impossible, he turned toward Buffalo. Thus far the affair had been after the usual pattern of operations in the early part of that war, and highly discreditable to the Americans. The victors supposed all resistance at an end. Some of them were set to work burning the block-house and barracks, others spiked the heavy guns in the battery and took away the field-pieces, and others went through the village capturing and taking across the river four or five principal citizens, while the officers, so secure did they feel, ordered breakfast at General Porter's. At the same time considerable re-inforce- ments of provincial militia crossed the river in boats, to share the fruits of the easy victory. But a storm was gathering. When the militia first began its retreat, a messenger was sent to Buffalo, on whose arrival Captain Cummings mustered his recruits and marched toward the scene of action. On his way he met General Porter, who ordered him to proceed to a piece of open ground not far from where the reservoir of the Buffalo water-works is now situated, on Niagara street, and await re-inforcements. Taking a horse, sword and other equipments from one of Cummings' dragoons, the general galloped down to the village, where he found everything in confusion, the women and children in a state of terror, and the men in the streets with arms in their hands, but doubtful whether to fight or flee. Being assured that there was a chance of success, forty or fifty of them formed ranks under Captain Bull, the commander of a Buffalo volunteer company, and marched to join Cummings. Of the retreating militia some had fled into the woods and never stopped till they reached home; but about a hundred had been kept together by Lieutenant Phineas Staunton, the adjutant of the battalion, a resolute young officer, who was allowed to assume entire command by his major. The supineness of the latter is excused by General Porter on the ground of ill health. Staunton and his men, who had retreated up the beach of the river, left it and took post near the Buffalo road. Meanwhile Major King of the regular army, who was accidentally at Black Rock, on seeing the sudden retreat of the militia, hurried through the woods to Judge Granger's, whence the alarm was speedily carried to the scattered inhabitants of "Buffalo Plains." Farmer's Brother at once gathered his warriors and made them a little speech telling them that they must now go and fight the red-coats; that their country was THEIR REPULSE BY THE AMERICANS. 143 invaded; that they had a common interest with the people of the United States, and that they must show their friendship for their American brethren by deeds, not words. The octogenarian chieftain then led his little band to join his friend Conashustah, (the Indian name of General Porter.) Volunteers, too, came hurrying to the village from the Plains and Cold Spring, until about thirty were gathered, who were placed under the command of Captain William Hull, of the militia. General Porter now felt able to cope with the enemy. Bringing together his forces, numbering but about three hundred all told, at the open ground before mentioned, he made his dispositions for an attack. As the foe held a strong position at Major Adams' encampment, Porter determined to attack him on three sides at once, to prevent the destructive use of artillery on a column massed in front. The regulars and Captain Bull's Buffalo volunteers formed the center. The Genesee militia, under Staunton, were on the left, nearest the river, while Captain Hull's men were directed to co-operate with the Indians, who had gathered in the woods on the right front. Farmer's Brother prepared for action, and his braves followed; each dusky warrior strip- ping to the skin, all save his breech clout and a plaited cord around the waist, (called a maturnip,) which sustained his powder horn, tomahawk and knife, and which could be used to bind prisoners if any were taken. Then grasping their rifles, the stalwart Senecas quickly ranged them- selves in line, with their chiefs a few rods in front. At eight o'clock the signal for attack was given. Just as the three detachments moved forward, however, Major King arrived on the ground and claimed the command of the regulars from Captain Cummings. A slight delay ensued ere the command was transferred, and then the Major did not fully understand the General's orders. Consequently the central detachment was detained a few moments, and meanwhile the militia, gallantly led on by Staunton and ashamed of their recent flight, dashed forward against the enemy. A fight of some fifteen or twenty minutes ensued, in which the militia stood up against the British regulars without flinching, though three of their men were killed and five wounded, no slight loss out of a hundred in so short a time. The right flank of the Americans came up, the Indians raised the war-whoop and opened fire, and it has often been found that the capacity of these painted warriors for inspiring fear is much greater than the actual injury they inflict. Colonel Bishop, who had obtained a mount on this side, was severely though not fatally wounded, and fell from his horse. His men became demoralized, and when the regulars appeared in front, the enemy fled toward the water's edge with great precipitation, before Major King's command had time to take part in the fight. 144 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The whole American force then pressed forward together, the Indians making the forest resound with savage yells. The chief, Young King, and another warrior were wounded. Part of the British wounded were carried off, but part were left on the field. A sergeant, shot in the leg, lay under the bank, near the present residence of L. F. Allen, on Niagara street. A Seneca warrior jumped down and stopped to load his rifle a short distance from him. The sergeant sat up and snapped his musket at him, but it missed fire. Without waiting to finish loading, the Indian sprang upon his enemy, snatched away his gun, and at one blow knocked out his brains, at the same time breaking the musket short off at the breech. At the Black Rock landing the British rallied, but on the approach of the Americans, hastily retreated into some boats which they found there, leaving fifteen prisoners in the hands of their pursuers. Many were killed and wounded after entering the boats, but the chief loss fell on the last one. It contained sixty men and most of the officers, includ- ing Colonel Bishop, who, notwithstanding his wound, had insisted on remaining to the last. The whole American force came up to the bank and opened fire on this boat, inflicting terrible injury. Two or three Indians even sprang into the water, seized the boat by the gunwale and endeavored to direct it ashore, but were compelled to desist by the fire of their friends in the rear. Captain Saunders, of the British 41st, was severely wounded at the water's edge and left a prisoner. Colonel Bishop was pierced with several bullets, receiving wounds of which he soon died, and several other officers were killed or wounded. Presently the men dropped their oars and made signals of surrender. The firing ceased and the boat dropped down the river, followed along the bank by some of the Amer- icans, who ordered the occupants to come ashore, which they declared themselves willing to do, but so disabled they could not. Meanwhile, however, our Indians had begun stripping the dead and prisoners. They seized on Captain Saunder's sword, belt and epaulets, and perhaps some of his garments. The men in the boat thought, or claimed they thought, that the warriors were tomahawking and scalping him. Either actually believing this or using it as an excuse, they would not come ashore in accordance with their surrender, but after dropping down to the head of Squaw Island, suddenly seized their oars and by desperate exertions got under its shelter, though not without again suf- fering severely from the bullets of the Americans. In fact, however, Captain Saunders, though badly wounded by balls, bore no mark of tom- ahawk or knife, and, after being carefully tended for several weeks at General Porter's residence, finally recovered and was for more than thirty years a British pensioner. The enemy left eight killed and seven wounded on the field, besides a number carried into the boats and a still larger number hit after the BRITISH LOSS IN KILLED, WOUNDED AND PRISONERS. 145 . embarkation. They were said at the time to have acknowledged a total loss in killed, wounded and prisoners of nearly a hundred. The Ameri- cans lost only the three killed and seven wounded already mentioned, who all, except the two Indians, belonged to that same body of militia that had fled so ingloriously in the early morning. They were in the front of the fray throughout, and gallantly retrieved their tarnished rep- utation. Their good conduct was doubtless due largely to the example of Adjutant Staunton, whom major and captains allowed to take full command, who also distinguished himself on several other occasions in the War of 1812, and whose soldierly qualities were transmitted to his son, Phineas Staunton, the gallant First Lieutenant-Colonel of the 100th New York Volunteers in the War for the Union. All the accounts speak in high terms of the conduct of the Seneca warriors. They fought well and were not especially savage. They stripped their dead enemies, however, of all their clothing, and a young man named Algin, who went upon the field after the fight, relates having seen the whole eight bodies lying together, thus stark and white, in the forest. Although the numbers engaged in this affair were not large, it was a very exciting conflict for Erie county, and is of importance as showing the value of one or two resolute officers in rallying and inspirating a body of raw troops, utterly demoralized by less efficient leadership. General Dearborn had resigned the command of the northern fron- tier just before this event, and a little after it General Wilkinson added another to the long list of occupants of that unfortunate position. Colonel Chapin having returned, General Porter and he gathered up another body of volunteers, and went down to Fort George, taking a hundred or so Indians with them. "Being," according to General Boyd's report, “very impatient to engage the enemy," that officer kindly got up an expedition to accommodate them. A plan was concerted to cut off one of the enemy's pickets on the morning of the 17th of August. say so. Chapin was sent out west from Fort George for the purpose, with about three hundred volunteers and Indians, supported by two hundred regulars under Major Cummings. Porter volunteered in the affair and probably commanded the whole, though the report does not definitely A heavy rain retarded their progress, so the picket was not captured, but a fight ensued in which the volunteers and Indians cap- tured sixteen prisoners, and killed a considerable number of the enemy who were left on the field; one account says seventy-five, but this is doubtful. The principal chiefs who took part in this affair were Farmer's Brother, Red Jacket, Little Billy, Captain Pollard, Black Snake, Hank Johnson (the white man), Silver Heels, Captain Halftown, Major Henry O'Bail (Young Cornplanter), and Captain Cold (an Onondaga chief), who was wounded. 146 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Chapin and his volunteers and most of the Indians, continued to operate in the vicinity of Fort George until the 7th of September, when they returned to Buffalo. A few days later came news of a battle which, though fought a hun- dred and fifty miles away, has always been contemplated with feelings. of especial interest and sympathy by the people of Erie county, since it decided the supremacy of the great lake from which that county is named, whose waters wash its shores and whose commerce passes along its borders. We refer of course to "Perry's Victory." Glad were the hearts of our people and great were their rejoicings, when they learned that after a desperate contest the gallant Perry, with a force inferior both in men and guns, had captured or destroyed the whole British fleet. Immediately succeeding Perry's victory came that of Harrison over Proctor, and the death of Tecumseh. It being supposed that the Upper Peninsula was pretty well cleared of foes, General Wilkinson's forces were nearly all withdrawn to the lower end of Lake Ontario. Just before he left, a correspondence took place, which shows how little comprehension even the most public-spirited men had of the needs of the military service. Porter, Chapin and Colonel Joseph McClure wrote to Wilkinson from Black Rock, stating that in expectation of a decisive movement they had repaired to Fort George, with five hundred men-- militia, volunteers and Indians. "Most of us," said the writers, "re- mained there twelve or fourteen days, but our hopes not being realized, the men continually dispersed and went home.” The three gentlemen then offered to raise a thousand or twelve hun- dred men, either to aid Wilkinson in a sally from Fort George, or, on being furnished with a battery of artillery, "to invade the enemy's country," with a view to dispersing his forces before Wilkinson should withdraw. The most disastrous experience had not yet convinced our ablest men of the impossibility of making an effective aggressive movement with a crowd of undisciplined, ungoverned men, who would leave camp if they could not have a fight in fourteen days. Wilkinson forwarded the proposition to the Secretary of War, who did not accept it. The force left behind by Wilkinson was under the command of Gen- eral George McClure, of Steuben county, a brigadier-general of the New York militia, who made his headquarters at Fort George, and immedi- ately issued several flaming proclamations. On the 6th of October, Colonel Chapin, with one of those hetero- geneous collections of men so common at that time, had an all-day skirm- ish with some British outposts, near Fort George. He claimed to have killed eighteen of the enemy, while but three of his own men were slain. Doubtful. He had with him "Crosby's and Sackrider's companies of militia, a few other men and some Indians. INEFFICIENCY OF GENERAL MCCLURE. 147 On the 24th of October, Harrison and Perry, with their victorious. army and fleet, came down the lake to Buffalo. The next day, the Gen- eral and his army crossed the river and went down to Fort George, and thence in a short time to Sackett's Harbor, while the Commodore, with his fleet, soon returned up the lake. General McClure was thus left with about a thousand militia, two hundred and fifty Indians, and sixty regulars. The terms of the militia were fast expiring, and they would not stay a day beyond them. An- other draft was accordingly ordered, about the middle of November, of six hundred men from Hopkins' brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Warren. These marched to Fort George and remained nearly a month. On the 7th of December, General McClure sent out an expedition along the south shore of Lake Ontario. Lieutenant-Colonel Chapin was in command of the advance. He afterwards declared that McClure had not only left him unsupported, but had expressed his desire that Chapin should be captured. A very bitter feeling had certainly grown up between them, and it is evident that Chapin had a peculiar faculty of getting into trouble. He issued as many statements as any of the Gen- erals, and denounced without stint those whom he did not admire. When the term of Colonel Warren's regiment of militia was about to expire, McClure determined to abandon Fort George. In this he was unquestionably justifiable, as his remaining force would have been entirely inadequate to defend it. But he at the same time took a step cruel in itself, and fraught with woe to the American frontier. He ordered the burning of the flourishing village of Newark, situated close to the fort, and contain- ing about a hundred and fifty houses. The inhabitants were turned out into the snow, and the torch applied to every building in the place. McClure claimed that he acted under orders from the Secretary of War, but he produced no such orders, and it appears that there were none, except that the General was authorized to burn Newark if necessary to defend the fort. As he had already decided to abandon the fort, of course those orders could not apply. Chapin and the General had another bit- ter quarrel, the former roundly denouncing the destruction of the village. Soon after, Chapin resigned his command. McClure moved the remnant of his force across the river, closely pressed by the enraged British. Leaving Fort Niagara defended by a hundred and fifty regulars, he called two hundred others from Canan- daigua to Buffalo. On the morning of December 19th, Fort Niagara was surprised and captured by a small British force, through the criminal negligence of its commander, who was at his residence four miles away. McClure was not to blame for the transaction, but nevertheless he, more than any other one man, was responsible for the burning of Buffalo, and the devastation of the whole frontier. He needlessly destroyed Newark, which of course 148 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. provoked retaliation, and then ran away. As soon as Niagara was cap- tured he took his two hundred regulars and retreated to Batavia, against the earnest protest of the citizens of Buffalo. Had they remained as a nucleus for the gathering militia, the result might have been entirely different. Affidavits were afterwards published, showing that McClure said in his anger that he hoped Buffalo would be burned; that he would remain and defend it provided the citizens would catch "that damned rascal, Chapin," and deliver him bound into his (McClure's) hands. Several of his staff officers, also, were proven to have indulged in similar disgraceful language in his presence, unrebuked; expressing their entire willingness. that the village should be burned. In a properly disciplined army Gen- eral McClure would have been shot. Before leaving Buffalo McClure called out the men of Genesee, Niagara and Chautauqua counties en masse, and on arriving at Batavia, on the 22d of December, he turned over the command to Major-General Hall, the commander of this division of militia. That officer, who mani- fested no lack of zeal, sent forward all the troops he could raise, and pro- ceeded to Buffalo himself on the 25th, leaving McClure to organize and forward re-inforcements. Hall, however, assumed no command over the regulars, and there seems to have been a bitterness of feeling on the part of their officers which would, perhaps, in the demoralized state of affairs, have made it impracticable for him to do so. The events of the following week form so important a portion of the history of Erie county that they will be made the subject of a separate chapter. CHAPTER XVIII. SWORD AND FIRE. Number of Troops — The Enemy's Approach— Movements in Defense — Chapin's Wrath — Attack and Repulse - Another with same Result - Blakeslie's Advance - Battle of Black Rock The Retreat - The Flight - Universal Confusion-"The Indians! the Indians !" Attempt at Defense Chapin's Negotiation - The Village in Flames - Murder of Mrs. Lovejoy- The Enemy Retire The Slain McClure to Blame - The Flight in the Coun- try The Buffalo Road- The Big Tree Road 0 ports - Return of the British Successive Vacancies Exaggerated Re- More Burning The Enemy at Hodge's and Cold Spring — The Scene at Shop Reese's - Harris Hill — Relief. N the 27th of December General Hall reviewed the forces at Buffalo and Black Rock, which were thus described in his report: At Buf- falo there were a hundred and twenty-nine mounted volunteers under Lieutenant-Colonel Seymour Boughton, of Ontario county; four hundred and thirty-three Ontario county volunteers under Lieu- PREPARATIONS FOR THE Defense oF BUFFALO. 149 (6 tenant-Colonel Blakeslie; a hundred and thirty-six Buffalo militia under Lieutenant-Colonel Chapin; ninety-seven Canadian volunteers under Lieutenant-Colonel Mallory,* and three hundred and eighty-two Genesee county militia under Major Adams. At Black Rock, under Brigadier-General Hopkins, were three hun- dred and eighty-two effective men in the corps of Lieutenant-Colonels Warren and Churchill; thirty-seven mounted men under Captain Ran- som; eighty-three Indians under "Lieutenant-Colonel Granger," and one piece of field artillery, with twenty-five men, under Lieutenant Seeley. The aggregate force at both places on the 27th, according to the report, was seventeen hundred and eleven. Colonel Churchill, above mentioned, commanded a detachment from Genesee county. The remainder of the main body at Black Rock, under Colonel Warren, was composed of men of his own regiment from the south towns of Erie county, and Major Hill's detachment from Clarence, still temporarily consolidated with it. The Buffalo militia, which properly belonged in Hill's regiment, seem to have acted independently under Chapin. About this time a body of the enemy came up the river from Fort Niagara as far as Tonawanda, or farther, burning everything along the river shore. At Tonawanda they burned the guard-house, and what few dwellings there were in the vicinity with one exception. On the 27th, General Hall received information which made him cer- tain that the enemy intended to cross. The 28th passed quietly away. On the 29th there arrived a regiment of Chautauqua county militia, under Lieutenant-Colonel McMahan, numbering about three hundred men, bringing the aggregate force to a trifle over two thousand. Besides Seeley's field-piece there were seven other cannon at the two villages, but none of them mounted on carriages. Several of them were in a battery at the top of the hill overlooking Black Rock, and with them was Major Dudley, with a part of Warren's regiment. The rest, with Churchill's detachment, were in the village of Black Rock. As near as can be estimated, from the official report and General War- ren's statement, Dudley then had about a hundred men, Warren a hun- dred and fifty, and Churchill also a hundred and fifty. Captain John G. Camp was Quartermaster-General of the whole force. Patrols were constantly kept out. The excitement among the people was of course intense, yet few believed that an attack would be success- ful, looking on the two thousand defenders now assembled, and remem- bering that three hundred men had driven back a considerable body of assailants the summer before. * There were many Canadians who looked on themselves only as citizens of Canada, not as subjects of Great Britain, and who in the pending contest between the United States and England, sympathized with the former country. A considerable number of these had joined our army, either as individuals or as members of Canadian corps. 150 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Near midnight of the 29th, a detachment of the enemy landed a little below Scajaquada creek. Immediately afterwards a horse-patrol discov- ered them, was fired on, and retreated. The news was at once carried to Colonels Warren and Churchill, at Black Rock, and then to General Hall, at Buffalo. The latter ordered out his men, but, fearing that the enemy's movement was a feint, and that he would land in force above Buffalo and march down, he did not at first send any considerable force down the river. Meanwhile, General Hopkins being absent in Clarence, on business, the two Colonels at Black Rock turned out their men and consulted as to what should be done. Though Warren was the senior in rank, he seems not to have been formally invested with the command at Black Rock, another evidence of the loose way in which everything was done. However, the two officers agreed that they would endeavor to reach Scajaquada creek before the invaders, and hold it against them. Warren's command being ready first, he set out in advance. After marching about half-way, he sent two scouts ahead. In a short time he heard firing at the creek, and as they did not return he naturally conclud- ed they were killed or taken. In fact, both were taken. Presently Cap- tain Millard (afterward General Millard, of Lockport,) aid to General Hall, galloped past, also in search of information. He, too, was saluted with a shower of bullets at the bridge, and captured. Warren halted till Churchill came up, when they agreed that, as the enemy had evidently got possession of the Scajaquada bridge, and of what was called the "Sailors' Battery," situated there, it would be impracticable to dislodge him in the darkness. They determined to take a position at a small run, a little way below the village of Black Rock, and there oppose the further advance of the British. Thither they accord- ingly returned, placed their single piece of artillery in the road, with one of their skeleton regiments on each side, and awaited developments. The enemy did not advance, but in the course of an hour or so, Colonel Chapin arrived with a body of mounted men. His force is not described as mounted in Hall's report, but he must have obtained horses for at least a part of Captain Bull's company. General Warren is posi- tive that the force with which Chapin came to Black Rock was mounted, and Bull was certainly present in the reconnoissance which followed. The irascible doctor furiously damned the two Colonels and their men for not having driven away the British, and delivered General Hall's order that they should immediately make an attack. They replied with equal anger, and declared themselves as ready as he to meet the British. Chapin then led the way with his mounted men, in "column of twos; Warren followed with his battalion, and then Churchill with his. The men under Chapin and Bull advanced nearly to Scajaquada creek, without receiving any warning of the whereabouts of the enemy. FLIGHT OF BUFFALO'S DEFENDERS. 151 All was silent as death. Suddenly from the darkness flashed a volley of musketry, almost in the faces of the head of the column. Undisciplined cavalry are notoriously the poorest of all troops, and Chapin's men prob- ably acted precisely as any other mounted militia would have done, if led in column, in the darkness, against an unknown force of hostile infantry. They instantly broke and fled, rushing back through the ranks of Warren's footmen, who became utterly demoralized by the onslaught without receiving a shot. As the horsemen stampeded through them, they broke up, some scattering into the woods and some retreating toward Buffalo. Finding himself almost without men, Warren retired to the main battery, to endeavor to rally some of the fugitives. Churchill, with at least a part of his men, remained below the village. When General Hall received news of this failure, he ordered Major Adams with his Genesee militia, and Chapin with such force as he could rally, to march against the enemy. This movement was equally futile; in fact it is doubtful if the force got within reach of the enemy's guns. The General then ordered Colonel Blakeslie, with his Ontario county militia, to advance to the attack. This sending of successive small detachments to assail an unknown force in the darkness, instead of con- centrating his forces in some good defensive position, shows clearly enough that General Hall had little idea of the proper course to be taken, but he seems to have labored zealously according to the best light he had. On the departure of Blakeslie, Hall gathered his remaining forces, of which McMahan's Chautauqua regiment constituted the main part, and took the hill road (Niagara street) for Black Rock. As he approached that village the day began to dawn, and he discovered the enemy's boats crossing the river in the direction of General Porter's house. A smaller number were crossing further south, opposite the main battery. Blakeslie's command was ordered to meet the approaching force at the water's edge. That force consisted of the Royal Scots under Colonel Gordon, and was estimated at four hundred men. The invasion was under the general superintendence of Lieutenant-General Drummond, but the troops were under the immediate command of Major-General Riall. The artillery in the battery fired on them as they advanced, and Blakeslie's men opened fire when they landed. They returned it, and a battery on the other side sent shells and balls over their heads among the Americans. For half an hour the forest and riverside re-echoed with the thunder of artillery and ceaseless rattle of small arms. All accounts agree that Blakeslie's men did the most of the fighting, and sustained the attack of the Royal Scots with considerable firmness. Had all the regiments been kept together and met the enemy at his landing, the result might have been far different. A portion of the Chautauqua county regiment took part in the fight, and Colonel Warren, having rallied part of his men at the battery, moved } 13 152 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. them down to the left of Blakeslie's command. Major Dudley was killed during the combat, and probably at this point. Besides the regiments just named, there were squads and single individuals in the fight from all the different organizations. Regiments and companies had to a great extent dissolved, and the men who had not run away fought "on their own hook." Meanwhile the hostile force at Scajaquada creek, consisting of regu- lars and Indians, moved up the river, easily dispersing Churchill's meagre force, and marched against Blakeslie's right. It is not believed there were then over six hundred men in our ranks, and these, thus assailed on two sides, were entirely unable to maintain their ground. Large numbers were already scattering through the woods toward home, when General Hall ordered a retreat, hoping to make another stand at the edge of Buffalo. This, as might be supposed, was utterly hopeless; once the men got to running, there were few that thought of anything else. In a few moments all were in utter rout. A part hurried toward Buffalo, others rushed along the "Guide-board road" (now North street) to Main street, and then made all possible speed toward the Williamsville road, while many fled through the woods without regard to roads of any kind. If the officers made any attempt to rally their men, they were entirely unsuccessful, and there was nothing for them to do but join in the general retreat. Meanwhile, in Buffalo the women and children remained in a feeling of comparative security; believing that the foe would surely be beaten back, as he had been before. Many, however, had packed up their scanty stores in preparation for a flight if necessary, and all had been anxiously listening to the fateful sounds of battle. All the while scattering fugitives were constantly rushing through the village, and striking out for Will- iamsville, Willink or Hamburg. Then the noise of battle ceased, and the scattering runaways in- creased to a crowd. The Buffalonians of Hull's and Bull's companies came hurrying up to take care of their families. They declared that the Americans were whipped, that the British were marching on the town, and most terrible of all that the Indians, the Indians, the INDIANS were coming. Then all was confusion and dismay. Teams were at a premium. Horses, oxen, sleighs, sleds, wagons, carts—nearly everything that had feet, wheels or runners-were pressed into service. Some loaded up furniture, some contented themselves with saving their scanty store of silverware and similar valuables; most took care to secure some provi- sions and bedding, threw them promiscuously into whatever vehicles they could obtain, and started. Children were half-smothered with feather beds, babies alternated with loaves of bread. Many, who neither INCIDENTS OF THE FLIGHT. 153 had nor could obtain teams, set forth on foot. Men, women and children by the score were seen hastening through the light snow and half-frozen mud, in the bitter morning air, up Main street or out Seneca, or toward "Pratt's Ferry." Numerous incidents, tragic, pathetic and comic, oc- curred, some of which are narrated in the History of Buffalo, forming the second volume of this work. "" Confusion was every moment worse confounded. The Indians, the Indians!" was on every tongue. A crowd of teams and footmen- and footwomen too-were hurrying up Main street, when suddenly the head of the column stopped and surged back on the rear. "The Indians!" was the cry from the front; "they are coming up the Guide-board road; they are out at Hodge's." Back down Main street rolled the tide. Horses were urged to their utmost speed; peo- ple on foot did their best to keep up, and even the oxen, under the per- sistent application of the lash, broke into an unwilling gallop, stumbling along, shaking their horns and wondering what strange frenzy had seized upon the people. Turning up Seneca street the crowd sped onward, some going straight to the Indian village, and thence across the reservation to Wil link, others making for Pratt's ferry, and thence up the beach to Ham- burg. There was good reason for the sudden retreat of the Main street fugitives. While the main body of the enemy marched down Niagara street, the Indians on the left flank pressed up the "Guide-board road," occasionally annoyed by scattering shots from some of the more resolute militiamen and citizens. The savages, however, soon fell back and closed in on the main body. For, meanwhile, events had come crowding thick and fast in the lower part of the town. As the enemy approached, some twenty or thirty men, apparently without any organization, manned an old twelve- pounder mounted on a pair of truck-wheels, at the junction of Main and Niagara streets. Soon the foe was seen emerging from the forest, on the latter street, less than a quarter of a mile away—a long column of disciplined soldiers, marching shoulder to shoulder, the rising sun bath- ing them in its golden light and tipping their bayonets with fire. Colonel Chapin by general consent exercised whatever authority any one could exercise, which was very little. Two or three shots were fired from the old twelve-pounder, and then it was dismounted. Chapin then went forward with a white handkerchief tied to his cane as a flag of truce, asked a halt, which was granted, and began a parley. It was probably about this time that the Indians were called in from the Guide- board road. One account has it that Chapin succeeded in arranging some kind of a capitulation; but this must be rejected, for, in a state- ment published by himself shortly after, he only speaks of "attempting 154 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. a negotiation," claiming that while this was going on the people had a chance to escape; which was probably true. Just about the time the cannon was dismounted some of our retreat- ing soldiers had reached Pomeroy's tavern, at the corner of Main and Seneca streets. Half famished after the fatigues of the night, they besought the landlord for something to eat. He told them there was plenty of bread in the kitchen and they rushed in, provided themselves, and pursued their retreat, each with a piece of bread in one hand and his musket in the other. Presently they heard a cry from those ahead, “Run, boys, run.”. Looking northward they saw a long line of Indians, with red bands on their heads, coming in single file at a rapid “jog-trot" down Washington street. It is needless to say that the injunction, "Run boys," was strictly obeyed. The warriors, however, never swerved to the right nor the left, but kept on down to the Little Buffalo. Doubtless they had orders to surround the town. The Indians came to Main street first, a considerable time before the troops, which were drawn up near the corner of Morgan, Mohawk and Niagara streets. The savages had apparently full license to do what they pleased in the way of plundering, though some British officers went ahead and had the casks of liquor stove in, to prevent their red allies from getting beyond control. There were some squaws with the Indians, and these were delighted beyond measure with the gay dresses, the shawls, and most of all with the looking-glasses, still to be found in some of the houses. Ere long, detachments moved forward from the main body, and squads of men were sent through the village to apply the torch to nearly every building. About ten o'clock, Lieutenant Riddle, of the United States regular army, with some forty convalescents from the Williamsville hospital, and a six-pounder gun, came marching down. Main street to drive out the enemy. Mr. Walden went to meet him, convinced him of the hopelessness of such a course, and pursuaded him to retire rather than needlessly exasperate the foe and his savage allies. Meanwhile the burning went rapidly forward; the flames quickly devouring the frail wooden tenements of which the embryo city was almost entirely composed. One woman, Mrs. Joshua Lovejoy, was murdered by the Indians while endeavoring to prevent them from plun- dering her house. Her corpse was left lying in the yard, and when the squad of burners saw it they left her house standing. Two houses were also spared which belonged to Mrs. Gamaliel St. John, a widow lady, who applied to the officer commanding the Indians. A few other buildings were also left standing on that day. Dr. Chapin and several other citizens were captured and taken to Canada. THE BURNING OF BUFFALO. 155 By three o'clock in the afternoon all of the lately flourishing village of Buffalo, save some six or eight structures, was smouldering in ashes. What few houses there were at Black Rock were likewise destroyed, and the enemy then retired across the river. After they left, Mr. Wal- den and the St. John girls carried Mrs. Lovejoy's corpse back into her house, and laid it on the bed. The foe took with them about ninety prisoners, of whom eleven were wounded. Forty of the ninety were from Blakeslie's regiment. Besides these, a considerable number of American wounded were able to escape-probably fifty or sixty. Forty or fifty were killed. Most of these lay on the field of battle, but some were scattered through the upper part of the village. They were stripped of their clothing, and lay all ghastly and white on the snow. On most of them the tomahawk and scalping-knife had supple. mented the work of the bullet. Among the slain the officer of highest rank was Lieutenant-Colonel Boughton, of Avon. In Erie county, reckoning according to the present division of towns, the killed were Job Hoysington, John Roop, Samuel Holmes, John Trisket, James Nesbit, Robert Franklin, (colored), Mr. Myers, Robert Hilland, and Adam Lawfer, of Buffalo; Jacob Vantine, Jr., of Clarence; Moses Fenno, of Alden; Israel Reed, of Aurora; Newman Baker, Parley Moffat and William Cheeseman, of Hamburg and East Hamburg; Major William C. Dudley, and probably Peter Hoffman, of Evans; and Calvin Cary, of Boston. All the heavy guns of course fell into the hands of the enemy, as well as a considerable quantity of public stores. A few small vessels lying near Black Rock, were also captured. The force by which all this injury was accomplished, according to the British official report, consisted of about a thousand men, detached from the Royal Scots regiment, the Eighth (or King's) regiment, the Forty- first, the Eighty-ninth, and the One Hundredth, besides from one to two hundred Indians. The enemy suffered a loss of about thirty men killed and sixty wounded. Only two of his officers were wounded and none killed. That a thousand veteran soldiers should whip two thousand raw militia is not really very strange, yet there have been times when militia, acting on the defensive, have done much better than that. The repulse of three or four hundred invaders the previous summer, by a force of militia and recruits hardly their equal in number, shows what may be done under favorable circumstances and resolute leadership. General Hall, on reaching Williamsville, rallied two or three hun- dred of the fugitives, and collected reinforcements as rapidly as possible. There was, however, no further conflict with the enemy. Throughout this dismal epoch, the General seems to have acted with all possible 156 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. devotion and energy, and to have failed only through the defection of his men and his own ignorance of the military art. He did the best that in him lay. General McClure, on the other hand, did the worst that in him lay, and when he retired to his home was justly followed by the hatred and contempt of thousands. The destruction of the Niagara frontier, is chargeable chiefly to the cruelty and cowardice of George McClure. The news of the disaster fled fast and far. The chief avenue of escape was up the Main street road to Williamsville and Batavia. Next to that was the road up the beach to Hamburg. This was still the usual route, for teams, to all that part of the county south of the Buffalo reservation. On this occasion, however, many went on foot or horseback to the Indian village, and thence through the woods to the Big Tree road. During all that day (the 30th) the road through Williamsville and Clarence was crowded with a hurrying and heterogeneous multitude- bands of militiamen, families in sleighs, women driving ox-sleds, men in wagons, cavalrymen on horseback, women on foot, bearing infants in their arms and attended by crying children-all animated by a single thought, to escape from the foe, and especially from the dreaded Indians. On the Big Tree road the scene was still more diversified, for in addition to a similar multitude of white citizens, there was the whole tribe of Senecas from the Buffalo reservation. The author of the history of the Holland Purchase, then a youth residing in Sheldon, Wyoming county, gives a vivid picture of the scene from personal recollection :- "An ox-sled would come along bearing wounded soldiers, whose companions had perhaps pressed the slow team into their service; another with the family of a settler, a few household goods that had been hustled upon it, and one, two or three wearied families from Buffalo, who had begged the privilege of a ride and the rest that it afforded; then a rem- nant of some dispersed corps of militia, hugging as booty, as spoils of the vanquished, the arms they had neglected to use; then squads and families of Indians, on foot and on ponies, the squaw with her papoose upon her back, and a bevy of juvenile Senecas in her train; and all this is but a stinted programme of the scene that was presented. Bread, meats and drinks soon vanished from the log taverns on the routes, and fleeing set- tlers divided their scanty stores with the almost famished that came from the frontiers." The news flew, apparently on the wings of the wind and as it flew people hitched up their horse or ox teams and started eastward. Again and again it happened that a party of tired travelers from Buffalo or vicinity would at nightfall find a deserted house, with plenty of furniture and provisions, somewhere in Aurora, or Wales, or Newstead, and would go to keeping house in it. The owners had perhaps gone on, another day's journey, and had found near Batavia or Warsaw another abandoned residence, whose late occupants had determined to put the Genesee SECOND APPEARANCE OF THE BRITISH. 157 river between them and the foe. Everybody wanted to get one stage farther east. Sometimes a horseman would take up two or three children; some- times a gallant cavalier would be seen with some weary woman seated behind him, and a child on the pommel of his saddle. The fleeing Senecas added to the dreadful rumors. During the war they kept runners going almost constantly between the Buffalo reserva- tion and those of Cattaraugus and Allegany. These when they could talk a little English, frequently enlivened the minds of the inhabitants along the route by terrible tales of the "British Indians." British Indians." But after the burning of Buffalo they let loose all their powers of description. Whoop!" cried the dusky runner, as he paused for an instant before the door of some log cabin, where stood a trembling matron surrounded by tow-headed children; Whoop! Buffalo all burned up! British Indians coming! Kill white squaw! Kill papoose! Scalp 'em all! Burn up everything! Whoop!" and away he bounded through the forest, leav- ing dismay and wailing in his track. (6 (6 Still, when it was found that the enemy had retired, curiosity induced many men from the nearest towns to visit the ruins. Others went to ren- der what assistance they could, and still others, alas, to take advantage of the universal confusion and purloin whatever might have been left by the invader. A few went on the 31st of December, more on the 1st of January. On the former day everything was quiet. On the latter, as the few remaining citizens and some from the country were staring at the ghastly ruins, a detachment of the enemy suddenly appeared, making prisoners of most of them. They then fired all the remaining buildings, except the jail, which would not burn, Reese's blacksmith shop, and the cottage in which Mrs. St. John lived. A large hotel belonging to her was destroyed with the rest. As the detachment was about to depart, the commandant was in- formed that there were public stores at Hodge's tavern, on Main street, and on the hill south of Cold Spring. There were no public stores there but the building was burned, a citizen named Keep was killed; also Adjutant Tottman, in command of a squad of mounted Canadian volun- teers, who attempted to pursue the destroyers when they retreated. At this same time, a squad of Indians went to Major Miller's tavern, at Cold Spring, but fled to the woods on the appearance of the horse- men just mentioned. This was the farthest that any of the enemy pene- trated into the country. A day or two after the second raid the people assembled and picked up the dead bodies, and brought them to Reese's blacksmith shop. The number is variously stated, but the most careful account makes it forty- 11 158 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. two killed, besides some who were not found till later, and some prom- inent persons like Colonel Boughton, who were taken care of earlier. At the shop they were laid in rows, a ghastly display, all being frozen stiff, and most of them stripped, tomahawked and scalped. After those belonging in the vicinity had been taken away by their friends, the rest were deposited in a single large grave, in the old burying ground on Franklin Square, covered only with boards, so they could be easily ex- amined and removed. Then quiet settled down on the destroyed village and almost desert- ed county. Even Mrs. St. John left, and when a few days after the burn- ing, Samuel Wilkeson and another gentleman, came down the lake shore, the only living thing which they saw between Pratt's Ferry and Cold Spring, was a solitary cat wandering amid the blackened ruins. But the pioneers had plenty of energy and resolution, even if they were not very good soldiers. Within a week some of them were back, beginning the erection of new houses. Soldiers were stationed in the village-a detachment of regulars, we believe—and as time wore on people began to feel more safe. But the winter was one of intense excitement and distress. Scarce a night passed without a rumor of an attack. Many times some of the inhabitants packed up their goods, ready to flee. Twice during the winter small squads of the enemy crossed the river, but were driven back by the soldiers and citizens without much fighting. Most of the people who came back had nothing to live on, save what was issued to them by the commissary department of the army. The rest of the county was hardly less disturbed. There were houses to live in, and generally plenty to eat, but every blast that whistled mourn- fully through the forest reminded the excited people of the death-yell of the savage, and fast succeeding rumors of invasion kept the whole pop- ulation in a state of spasmodic terror. The Salisbury's evidently made good their escape with their type as soon as they heard of the capture of Fort Niagara. On the 18th of Jan- uary, they issued their paper at Harris' Hill. That point became a kind of rendezvous for business men. Root & Boardman opened a law office there, locating, according to their adver- tisement, "next door east of Harris' tavern and fourteen miles from Buf- falo ruins." LeCouteulx went east after the destruction of his property, and Zenas Barker was appointed county clerk, establishing his office at Harris' Hill. The nearest postoffice, however, was at Williamsville. The suffering would have been even greater than it was, had not prompt measures of relief been taken by the public authorities and the citizens of more fortunate localities. The Legislature voted $40,000 in aid of the devastated district, besides $5,000 to the Tuscarora Indians, and $5,000 to residents of Canada driven out on account of their friendship THE CAMPAIGN OF 1814. 159 for the United States. The city of Albany voted a thousand dollars, and the city of New York three thousand. The citizens of Canandaigua appointed a committee of relief, who raised a considerable amount there, and sent communications soliciting aid to all the country eastward. They were promptly responded to, and liberal contributions raised throughout the State. With this aid, and that of the commissary department, and the assistance of personal friends, those who remained on the frontier managed to live through that woeful winter. CHAPTER XIX. THE CAMPAIGN OF 1814. The Mars and Hymen Scott and Brown - Elections and Appointments — Discipline at Buffalo Death Penalty - The Advance - Capture of Fort Erie-Approaching Chippewa — An Indian Battle-A Retreat A Dismounted Young Brave - Victory - Scalps — “Hard Times” — Advance to Fort George - Return - Lundy's Lane - The Romance of War - Retreat to Fort Erie "Battle of Conjockety Creek" Assault on Fort Erie- The Explo- sion Call for Volunteers The Response — The Track through the Forest The Sortie Gallantry of the Volunteers - General Porter- Quiet Peace. A >>> — S spring approached, the frontier began to revive. More troops appeared, and their presence caused the paying out of considerable sums of money among the inhabitants. There was a ready market for produce at large prices. By March the people had sufficiently recovered from their fright to go to getting married. One number of the Gazette contained notices of two weddings at Williamsville, one at Harris' Hill, one in Clarence, one in Willink, and one in Concord-the longest list which had yet appeared in that paper. Williamsville was the rendezvous for the troops. There was a long row of barracks, parallel with the main street of that village and a short distance north of it, and others used as a hospital, a mile or so up the Eleven-Mile creek. Buffalo began to rise from its ashes and by the first of April there were thirty or forty houses erected or under contract. On the 10th of April there arrived on the frontier a stately young war- rior, whose presence was already considered a harbinger of victory, and whose shoulders had lately been adorned by the epaulets of a Brigadier- General. This was Winfield Scott, then thirty years old, and the beau- ideal of a gallant soldier. Immediately afterwards came his superior officer Major-General Brown, who had been rapidly advanced to the 160 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. · highest rank, on the strength of the vigor and skill he had shown as a commander at the foot of Lake Ontario. An election was held in this month, at which General Porter was again chosen to Congress on the Democratic ticket. Clarence cast two hundred and twenty-three votes, while the whole town of Buffalo only furnished a hundred and forty-seven. It had only been a year and four months since the last Congressional election, which was doubtless owing to some change in the law regarding the time of holding. Many changes were taking place among the military men of the county. A new commission, announcing promotions and appointments in Lieutenant-Colonel Warren's regiment, (the 48th New York Infantry,) designated Ezekiel Cook as First Major, and Ezra Nott as Second; Lyman Blackmar, Peter Lewis, Frederick Richmond, Luther Colvin, Benjamin I. Clough, Timothy Fuller and James M. Stevens as Captains; Thomas Holmes, Aaron Salisbury, Dennis Riley, Moses Baker, William Austin, Oliver Alger, Micah B. Crook and Elihu Rice as Lieutenants; and John M. Holmes, Otis Wheelock, Lathrop Francis, Sumner Warren, George Hamilton, Calvin Doolittle, Giles Briggs and Asa Warren as Ensigns. Bodies of regular troops and some volunteers continued to concen- trate at Williamsville and Buffalo. Scott removed his headquarters to the latter place toward the last of May, where the troops were encamped amid the ruins. Great efforts were made to introduce rigid discipline. The men were under constant drill, and desertion was mercilessly punished. The work of preparation went forward, though not very rapidly. On the 28th of June a statement appeared in the Gazette that the rumors of an immediate advance which had been in circulation were not true, and that the transportation of the army was not ready. This was no doubt inserted by order, for on the 3d of July the advance began. Brown's force consisted of two brigades of regulars under Generals Scott and Ripley, and one of volunteers under General Porter. This was composed of five hundred Pennsylvanians, six hundred New York volunteers, all of whom had not arrived when the movement began, and nearly six hundred Indians. Six hundred was almost the entire strength of the Six Nations, and these had been gathered from all the reservations in Western New York. We find no mention of Farmer's Brother among them, and probably his great age prevented him from crossing. Acting as a private in the ranks was Red Jacket, the principal civil leader of the Six Nations, who, not- withstanding the timidity usually attributed to him, was unwilling to stay behind while his countrymen were winning glory on the field of carnage. Colonel Robert Fleming was Quartermaster of this peculiar battalion. CAPTURE OF FORT ERIE. 161 Fort Erie was garrisoned by a hundred and seventy British soldiers. The main body of the enemy was at Chippewa, two miles above the Falls, and eighteen miles below the fort. On the 2d of July, Brown, Scott and Porter reconnoitred Fort Erie and concerted the plan of attack. Ripley, with part of his brigade, was to embark in boats at Buffalo in the night, and land a mile up the lake from the fort. Scott's brigade was to cross from Black Rock, and land a mile below Fort Erie, which, in the morning, both brigades were to invest and capture. Scott and Ripley both started at the time appointed, but as in most military operations depending on concert of action between separate corps, there was a difficulty not foreseen. Ripley's pilot was misled by a fog on the lake, and his command did not land until several hours past the designated hour. Scott, however, crossed promptly, and was able to invest the fort with his brigade alone. At sunrise the artillery and Indians crossed at the ferry, and after some parleying the fort surren- dered, without awaiting an attack. The campaign along the Niagara, which followed, was outside the bounds of Erie county. I shall, however, give a sketch of it for sev- eral reasons. It was participated in by many soldiers of Erie county, in the ranks of the New York volunteers, though we cannot ascertain whether they had any separate organization. Most of the Indians who took part in it on our side certainly belonged to the "oldest families" of Erie county. One of Brown's three brigades was commanded by the Erie County General, Peter B. Porter. And besides, our readers must be dis- gusted by the poor fighting done by the Americans on the Niagara during the previous years, and we want to take the taste out of their mouths. The afternoon of the 3d, Scott marched several miles down the Niagara, and on the morning of the 4th, drove in the enemy's advanced posts. He was followed by Brown and Ripley, and both brigades estab- lished themselves on the south side of Street's creek, two miles south of Chippewa. On their left, three-fourths of a mile from the Niagara, was a dense and somewhat swampy forest on both sides of Street's creek, extending to within three-fourths of a mile of Chippewa creek, which was bordered for that distance by a level, cleared plain. On the north side of that creek the British army lay intrenched. The two armies were concealed from each other's sight by a narrow strip of woodland, reaching from the main forest to within a hundred yards of the river bank. During the night of the 4th, the Americans were much annoyed by Indians and Canadians lurking in the forest, who drove in their pickets and threatened their flanks. Late that night General Porter crossed the river with his Indians. and Pennsylvanians, and in the morning marched toward Chippewa. 162 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. He was met on the road by General Brown, who spoke of the manner in which he had been annoyed by lurkers in the forest, and proposed that Porter should drive them out, declaring confidently that there would be no British regulars south of the Chippewa that day. Still, he said he would order Scott to occupy the open ground beyond Street's creek, in support of Porter. The latter accepted the proposition of his chief, and at three o'clock started to put it in execution. The Indians assumed their usual full battle-dress—of maturnip-line, breech-clout, moccasins, feathers and paint-and the war-chiefs then pro- ceeded to elect a leader. Their choice fell on Captain Pollard, a veteran of Wyoming and many other fights. Porter left two hundred of his Pennsylvanians in camp, thinking their presence needless, and formed the other three hundred in one rank, on the open ground, half a mile south of Street's creek, their left resting on the forest. The whole five or six hundred Indians were also formed in one rank in the woods, their right reaching to the left of the whites. General Porter stationed himself between the two wings of his command, with Captain Pollard on his left. He was also attended by two or three staff officers, by Hank Johnson, the interpreter, and by several regular officers, who had. volunteered to see the fun. Red Jacket was on the extreme left of the Indian line. A company of regular infantry followed as a reserve. The war-chiefs took their places twenty yards in front of their braves, and a few scouts were sent still farther in advance. Then, at a given signal, the whole line moved forward, the whites marching steadily with shouldered arms on the plain, the naked Indians gliding through the forest with cat-like tread, their bodies bent forward, their rifles held ready for instant use, their feathers nodding at every step, their fierce eyes flashing in every direction. Suddenly one of the chiefs made a signal, and the whole line of painted warriors sank to the ground, as quickly and as noiselessly as the sons of Clan Alpine at the command of Roderick Dhu. This maneuver was a part of their primi- tive tactics, and the chiefs rapidly assembled to consult over some report brought back by a scout. At another signal the warriors sprang up, and the feather-crested line again moved through the forest. The maneuver was repeated when the scouts brought word that the enemy was awaiting them on the north bank of Street's creek. General Porter was informed of this fact, and made some slight changes in his arrangements, and again the line advanced with increased speed. As the Indians approached the creek, they received the fire of a force of British Indians and Canadians stationed there. They instantly raised a war-whoop that resounded far over the Niagara, and charged at the top of their speed. The foe at once fled. The Iroquois dashed through the little stream and bounded after them, whooping, yelling, THE BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA. 163 shooting, cleaving skulls and tearing off scalps like so many demons. Many were overtaken, but few captured. Occasionally, however, a Seneca or Cayuga would seize an enemy, unwind his maturnip-line, bind him with surprising quickness, and then go trotting back to the rear, hold- ing one end of the maturnip, as a man might lead a horse by the halter. Such speed and bottom were displayed by the Indians that neither the regulars nor volunteers were able to keep up with them. For more than a mile the pursuit was maintained, in the words of General Porter, "through scenes of frightful havoc." At length the Indians, who had got considerably in advance, emerged upon the open ground three- quarters of a mile from Chippewa creek, when they were received with. a tremendous fire from the greater part of the British regular army, drawn in line of battle on the plain. It appears as if General Riall had determined to attack the Ameri- cans, and had sent forward his light troops to bring on a battle, expect- ing probably that the whole American force would get exhausted in pursuit, and become an easy prey to his fresh battalions. The fact that the pursuit was carried on by the American light troops and Indians alone, broke up, and in fact reversed this programme. The warriors quickly fled from the destructive fire in front. Gen- eral Porter supposing that it came from the force they had been pursu- ing, rallied the greater part of them, formed them again on the left of his volunteers and moved forward to the edge of the wood. Again the long, red-coated battalions opened fire. The volunteers stood and exchanged two or three volleys with them, but when the enemy dashed forward with the bayonet, Porter, seeing nothing of Scott with the sup- ports, gave the order to retreat. Both whites and Indians fled in the greatest confusion. On came the red-coats at their utmost speed, supposing they had gained another easy victory, and that all that was necessary was to catch the runaways. The Indians, being the best runners and unencumbered with clothing, got ahead in the retreat as they had in the advance, but the whites did their best to keep up with them. The flight continued for a mile, pursuers as well as pursued becoming greatly disorganized, and the speed of the fugitives being accelerated by the constant bursting of shells from the enemy's artillery. Approaching Street's creek, Scott's brigade was found just crossing the bridge and forming line. They took up their position with the greatest coolness under the fire of the British artillery, but Porter claimed that, through the fault of either Scott or Brown, they were very much behind time. The former General was always celebrated for his promptness, and the fault, if there was one, could hardly have been his. Perhaps neither he nor Brown expected Porter's men to run so fast, either going or coming. 164 HISTORY Of Erie CouNTY. The result, however, was as satisfactory as if this precipitate retreat had been planned to draw forward the foe. Ripley's brigade was at once sent off to the left, through the woods, to flank the enemy. The fugitives, as they ran, also bore to the westward, and Scott's fresh battalions came into line in perfect order, making somewhat merry over the haste of their red and white comrades. Some of the Indians had taken their sons, from 12 to 16 years old, into battle to initiate them in the business of war. One of these care- ful fathers was now seen running at his best speed, with his son on his shoulders. Just as he passed the left flank of Scott's brigade, near where the general and his staff sat on their horses, superintending the forma- tion of the line, a shell burst directly over the head of the panting war- rior. “Ugh,” he exclaimed in a voice of terror, bounding half his height from the ground. As he came down he fell to the earth, and the lad tumbled off. Springing up, the older Indian ran on at still greater speed than before, leaving the youngster to pick himself up and scamper away as best he might. The scene was greeted with a roar of laughter by the young officers around Scott, who rebuked them sharply for their levity. In a few moments they had plenty of serious work to occupy their attention. The Americans reserved their fire till the enemy was within fifty yards, when they poured in so deadly a volley that the British instantly fell back. They were quickly rallied and led to the attack, but were again met with a terrific fire, under which they retreated in hopeless disorder. Scott pursued them beyond the strip of woods before mentioned, when they fled across the Chippewa into their intrenchments, and tore up the bridge. Scott's Brigade then lay down on the open plain north of the woods. The battle, so far as the regulars were concerned, lasted only a few moments, but was one of the most decisive of the whole war. By order of General Brown, who was in the midst of the fight, Por- ter took his two hundred reserve Pennsylvanians to the left of Scott's Brigade, where they, too, lay down under the fire of the British artillery. After awhile Ripley's Brigade came out of the woods covered with mud, having had their march for nothing, as the enemy they had attempted to flank had run away before their flank could be reached. It not being deemed best to attack the foe in his intrenchments, directly in front, the Americans returned at nightfall to their encampment. The battle of Chippewa was the first, during the War of 1812, in which a large body of British regulars were defeated in the open field, and the Americans were immensely encouraged by it. Enlistment was thereafter much more rapid than before. The total British loss,as officially reported, was five hundred and four- teen, of whom between one and two hundred were found dead on the field by the victors. About two hundred and fifty were taken prisoners, THE INDIANS AT CHIPPEWA. 165 mostly wounded. The Americans had about fifty killed, a hundred and forty wounded, and a few taken prisoners. The number of American regulars engaged was thirteen hundred. General Porter estimated the British regulars in the fight at seventeen hundred, but we know not on what grounds, nor how correctly. It will be noticed that we frequently refer to General Porter as authority. In fact it is from his statement, in Stone's "Life of Red Jacket," that this description of the battle of Chippewa is principally derived. There was a somewhat amusing dispute as to whether the American or British Indians ran the fastest and farthest. It was asserted that our braves never stopped till they reached the Buffalo reservation. This Porter declared to be a slander, insisting that the only reason why the Indians reached the rear before the Pennsylvanians was because they could run faster. It is certain that the main body of them remained with the army some two weeks after the battle. The Canadian Indians were so roughly handled that they fled at once to the head of Lake Ontario, and never after took any part in the war. The next morning General Porter was horrified by the appearance at his tent of some twenty chiefs, each attended by a warrior of his band, bearing the bloody scalps they had stripped from their fallen foes. They had been informed that a bounty would be paid them for every scalp they produced. The startled General told them that nothing of the kind would be done, whereupon the ghastly trophies were burned or flung into the Niagara. The story that they were to be paid for scalps was in direct contravention of the agreement under which they had entered the American service, yet it found ready credence among the Indians. This tends to show that the stories of the British paying a bounty for scalps in the Revolution may have been without foundation, even though believed by the savages themselves. After this grim episode, the chiefs obtained permission to visit the field and bring off their own dead. They brought in fifteen warriors, who were buried with the honors of war. They also found three of their enemies mortally wounded but not yet dead. They cut the throats of two of these, but, recognizing the third as an old acquaintance, they furnished him with a canteen of water and left him to die in peace. On their relating what they had done, an officer angrily reproached Cattaraugus Hank for this brutality. "Well, Colonel," said Hank, casting down his eyes, and speaking with appearance of contrition, "it does seem rather hard to kill men in that way, but then you must remember these are very hard times." Red Jacket is said to have played his part at Chippewa as well as any of his brethren. Yet even his admirers used to rally him about his timidity. One of them was heard chaffing him, declaring that he had 166 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. given the sachem a scalp in order that he, too, might have a trophy to show, but that the latter was afraid to carry it. On the 7th of July, the six hundred volunteers from Western New York joined Porter's Brigade. We have found no account of how they were organized, nor of the localities from which they came. On the 8th, Ripley's Brigade and these New York volunteers forced a passage of the Chippewa, three miles up, quickly driving back the force stationed there. General Riall, finding himself flanked, destroyed his works and retreated rapidly to Queenston, and then to Fort George. Brown pursued and took up his quarters at Queenston, but did not deem his force sufficient either to assault or besiege the fortress. On the 16th, Porter's Brigade skirmished around the fort, to give the engineers a chance to reconnoitre, but nothing came of it. At this time Red Jacket, who had all along opposed his country- men's taking part in the war, proposed that messengers should be sent to the Mohawks, to concert a withdrawal of the Indians on both sides. General Brown consented, and two young chiefs were dispatched on a secret mission for that purpose. They were favorably received by some of the chiefs, but no formal arrangement was made. Meanwhile the British received re-inforcements, and Brown deter- mined to return to Fort Erie. Riall followed. Before arriving at the Falls most of the Indians, through the management of Red Jacket, obtained permission to retire to their homes, agreeing to return if the British Indians should again take the field. But the latter were perfectly satisfied with that terrible drubbing in the Chippewa woods, and never again appeared in arms against the Americans. Nevertheless, some forty or fifty of our Indians remained with the army throughout the campaign. On the 25th of July, Brown's army encamped near Chippewa creek. Riall was pressing so closely on the American rear that Brown sent back Scott's brigade to check him. Scott met the enemy near Bridgewater, below the Falls. Sending back word to his superior, the impetuous Vir- ginian led his columns to the attack. For an hour a desperate battle raged between Scott's single brigade and Riall's army, neither gaining any decided advantage, though the British were slowly pressed backward. At the end of that time, and but a little before night, Brown arrived with the Brigades of Ripley and Porter. Determining to interpose a new line and disengage Scott's exhausted men, he ordered forward the two fresh brigades. The enemy's line was then near "Lundy's Lane," a road running at right angles with the river. His artillery was on a piece of rising ground, which was the key of the position. Colonel Miller, com- manding a regiment of infantry, was ordered by Brown to capture it. "I will try, sir," was the memorable response of the gallant officer.* * It has been disputed whether Brown or Scott gave the order in question. But Miller himself in a letter to his wife (according to the historian Lossing) stated that he received the order directly from Brown. BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE. 167 Though the regiment which should have supported Miller's gave way, yet the latter moved steadily up the hill. Increasing its pace it swept forward, while its ranks were depleted at every step, and after a brief but desperate struggle carried the heights, and captured the hostile cannon at the point of the bayonet. At the same time Major Jessup's regiment drove back a part of the enemy's infantry, capturing Major- General Riall, their commander, and when General Ripley led forward his reserve regiment the British fell back and disappeared from the field. It was now eight o'clock and entirely dark. In a short time the enemy rallied and attempted to regain his lost artillery. Seldom in all the annals of war has a conflict been fought under more strange and roman- tic circumstances. The darkness of night was over all the combatants. A little way to the northeastward rolled and roared the greatest cataract in the world, the wonderful Niagara. Its thunders, subdued yet distinct, could be heard whenever the cannon were silent. And there, in the dark- ness, upon that solitary hillside, within sound of that mighty avalanche of waters, the soldiers of the young republic, flushed with the triumph which had given them their enemy's battle-ground, and cannon, and com- mander, calmly awaited the onslaught of England's defeated but not dis- heartened veterans. At half-past eight the Americans saw the darkness turning red far down the slope, and soon in the gloom were dimly outlined the advancing battalions of the foe. The red line came swiftly, silently, and gallantly up the hill, beneath the swaying banners of St. George, and all the while the subdued roar of Niagara was rolling gently over the field. Suddenly the American cannon and small-arms lighted up the scene with their angry glare, their voices drowning the noise of the cataract. The red battalions were torn asunder, and the hillside strewed with dead and dying men, but the line closed up and advanced still more rapidly, their fire rivaling that of the Americans, and both turning the night into deadly day. Presently the assailants ceased firing, and then with thundering cheers and leveled bayonets rushed forward to the charge. But the American grape and canister made terrible havoc in their ranks, the mus- ketry of Scott and Ripley mowed them down by the score, and the sharp- cracking rifles of Porter's volunteers did their work with deadly discrim- ination. More and more the assailants wavered, and when the Americans in turn charged bayonets the whole British line fled at their utmost speed. The regulars followed but a short distance, being held in hand by their officers, who had no idea of plunging through the darkness against a possible reserve. But the volunteers chased the enemy down the slope, and captured a considerable number of prisoners. Then the Americans reformed their lines, and again the murmur of the cataract held sway over the field. 168 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Twice within the next hour the British attempted to retake their cannon, and both times the result was the same as that of the first effort. For two hours afterwards the Americans remained in line, awaiting another onslaught of the foe, but the latter made no further attempt. Having no extra teams, the victors were unable to take away the captured guns, with one exception. Accordingly, with this single trophy, with their own wounded, and with a hundred and sixty-nine prisoners, including General Riall, the Americans at midnight returned to their encampment on the Chippewa. Their loss was a hundred and seventy- one killed, four hundred and forty-nine wounded, and a hundred and seventeen missing. Both Brown and Scott were wounded, the latter severely, and both were removed to Buffalo. One or two British writers have claimed a technical victory at Lun- dy's Lane, because the Americans finally left the field at midnight, but they do not dispute the facts above set forth, which were vouched for by Generals Brown, Porter and Ripley, in a public declaration, viz., the capture of the English cannon, the attempt to recapture them, the utter failure, and the two hours' peaceable possession of the field by the Americans, before leaving it. The real condition of the two armies was plainly shown by the fact that the next day the enemy allowed Ripley to burn the mills, barracks and bridge at Bridgewater, without molestation. The Americans then pur- sued their untroubled march to Fort Erie. On their arrival, the most of the volunteers went home, having served the remarkably long time of three or four months. Nevertheless they had done good service, and were entitled to a rest according to the views of volunteering then in vogue. The regulars had been reduced by various casualties to some fifteen hundred men. The British on the other hand had received re-inforcements, and felt themselves strong enough to besiege the fort, if fort it may be called, which was rather a partially intrenched encampment. General Drummond's army for two weeks steadily worked their way toward the American defenses. These consisted principally of two stone mess-houses, and a bastion, known as "Old Fort Erie," a short distance east of the river bank, and a natural mound, half a mile farther south and near the lake, which was surmounted with breast works and cannon and called "Towson's Battery." Between the old fort and the battery ran a parapet, and another from the old fort eastward to the river. On both the north and west a dense forest came within sixty rods of the American works. The British erected batteries in the woods on the north, each one farther south than its predecessor, and then in the night chopped out openings through which their cannon could play on our works. At this time the commander at Fort Erie was in the habit of sending across a battalion of regular riflemen every night, to guard the bridge BATTLE OF CONJOCKETY CREEK. 169 over Scajaquada creek, who returned each morning to the fort. About the 10th of August a heavy British force crossed the river at night, at some point below the Scajaquada, and just before daylight they attempted to force their way across the latter stream. Their objective point was doubtless the public stores at Black Rock and Buffalo. Being opposed by the riflemen above mentioned, under Major Lodo- wick Morgan, there ensued a fight of some importance, known as the "Battle of Conjockety Creek." Strangely enough there was no account of it in the Buffalo Gazette, though it afterwards alluded to Major Mor- gan as the "hero of Conjockety." The planks of the bridge had been taken up, and the riflemen lay in wait on the south side. When the enemy's column came up, Morgan's men opened a destructive fire. The English pressed forward so boldly that some of them, when shot, fell into the creek and were swept down the Niagara. They were compelled to fall back, but again and again they repeated the attempt, and every time they were repulsed with loss. A body of militia, under Colonels Swift and Warren, were placed on the right of the regulars, and prevented the enemy from crossing farther up the creek. Several deserters came over to our forces, having thrown away their weapons and taken off their red coats, which they carried rolled up under their arms. They reported the enemy's force at seven- teen hundred, but that was probably an exaggeration. After a conflict lasting several hours the enemy retreated, having suffered severely in the fight. The Americans had eight men wounded. Early in the morning of the 15th of August, 1814, the English at- tempted to carry Fort Erie by storm, under cover of the darkness. At half-past two o'clock, a column of a thousand to fifteen hundred men moved from the woods on the west against Towson's battery. Though received with a terrific fire they pressed forward, but were at length stopped within a few yards of the American lines. They retreated in confusion, and no further attempt was made at that point. Notwithstanding the strength of this attack, it was perhaps partly in the nature of a feint, for immediately afterwards two other columns issued from the forest on the north. One sought to force its way up along the river bank, but was easily repulsed. The other, led by Lieu- tenant-Colonel Drummond, advanced against the main bastion. It was defended by several heavy guns and field-pieces, by the Ninth United States infantry, and by one company each of New York and Pennsyl- vania volunteers. Received with a withering discharge of cannon and musketry, Drummond's right and left were driven back. His center, however, ascended the parapet, but were finally repulsed with dreadful carnage. Again Drummond led his men to the charge and again they were repulsed. 170 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. A third time the undaunted Englishmen advanced over ground strewn thick with the bodies of their brethren, in the face of a sheet of flame from the walls of the bastion, and a third time they were driven back with terrible loss. This would have satisfied most men of any nation, and one cannot refrain from a tribute to English valor of the most desperate kind, when he learns that Drummond again rallied his men, led them a fourth time over that pathway of death, mounted the parapet in spite of the volleying flames which enveloped it, and actually captured the bastion at the point of the bayonet. (( Many American officers were killed in this terrible struggle. Drum- mond was as fierce as he was brave, and was frequently heard crying to his men, Give the damned Yankees no quarters." But even in the moment of apparent victory he met his fate-a shot from one of the last of the retreating Americans laying him dead upon the ground. Re-inforcements were promptly sent to the endangered locality by Generals Ripley and Porter. A detachment of riflemen attacked the British in the bastion, but were repulsed. Another and larger force repeated the attack, but also failed. The Americans prepared for a third charge, and two batteries of artillery were playing upon the heroic band of Britons. Suddenly the whole scene was lighted up by a vast column of flame, the earth shook to the water's edge, the ear was deafened by a fearful sound which re-echoed far over the river. A large amount of cartridges, stored in one of the mess-houses adjoining the bastion, had been reached by a can- non-ball and exploded. One instant the fortress, the forest, the river, the dead, the dying and the maddened living, were revealed by that fearful glare-the next all was enveloped in darkness, while the shrieks of hun- dreds of Britons, in more terrible agony than even the soldier often suf- fers, pierced the murky and sulphurous air. The Americans saw their opportunity and redoubled the fire of their artillery. For a few moments the conquerors of the bastion main- tained their position, but half their number, including most of their officers, were killed or wounded, their commander was slain, and they were dazed and overwhelmed by the calamity that had so unexpectedly befallen them. After a few volleys they fled in utter confusion to the friendly forest. As they went out of the bastion the Americans dashed in, snatching a hundred and eighty-six prisoners from the rear of the flying foe. Besides these there remained on the ground they had so valiantly con- tested two hundred and twenty-one English dead, and a hundred and seventy-four wounded, nearly all in and around that single bastion. Besides, there were the wounded who were carried away by their com- The rades, including nearly all who fell in the other two columns. Americans had twenty-six killed and ninety-two wounded. Seldom has there been a more gallant attack, and seldom a more disastrous repulse. ATTACK ON FORT ERIE. 171 During the fight the most intense anxiety prevailed on this side. The tremendous cannonade a little after midnight told plainly enough that an attack was being made. Nearly every human being who resided among the ruins of Buffalo and Black Rock, and many of the country around, were up and watching. Ali expected that if the fort should be captured the enemy would immediately cross, and the horrors of the previous winter. would be repeated. Many packed up and prepared for instant flight. When the explosion came, the shock startled even the war-seasoned inhabitants of Buffalo. Some thought the British had captured the fort and blown it up, others imagined that the Americans had penetrated to the British camp and blown that up; and all awaited the coming of morn with nerves strung to their utmost tension. It was soon daylight, when boats crossed the river from the fort, and the news of another American victory was soon scattered far and wide through the country. A day or two afterwards the wounded prisoners were sent to the hospital at Williamsville, and the unwounded to the depot of prisoners near Albany. Many of the prisoners were Highlanders, of the Glen- garry Regiment. Having failed to carry the fort by assault, the British settled down to a regular siege. Closer and closer their lines were drawn and their batteries erected, the dense forest affording every facility for uninter- rupted approach. Re-inforcements constantly arrived at the English camp, while not a solitary regular soldier was added to the constantly diminishing force of the Americans. By the latter part of August their case had become so desperate that Governor Tompkins called out all the militia west of the Genesee, en masse, and ordered them to Buffalo. They are said by Turner to have responded with great alacrity. Arriving at Buffalo, the officers were first assembled, and General Porter called on them to volunteer to cross the river. There was con- siderable hanging back, but the General made another speech, and under his stinging words most of the officers volunteered. The men were then called on to follow their example, and a force of about fifteen hundred was raised. The 48th Regiment furnished one company. Colonel War- ren volunteered and crossed the river, but was sent back with other supernumerary officers, and was placed in command of the militia remaining at Buffalo. The volunteers were conveyed across the river at night, about the 10th of September, and encamped on the lake shore above Towson's battery, behind a sod breast-work hastily erected by themselves. They were commanded by General Porter, who bivouaced in their midst, under whom was General Daniel Davis, of Le Roy. General Brown had resumed command of the whole American force. At this time the enemy was divided into three brigades of fourteen. or fifteen hundred men each, one of which was kept on duty in their 172 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. batteries every three days, while the other two remained at the main camp, on a farm a mile and a half west of the fort. Immediately after the arrival of the volunteers, a plan was concerted to break in on the enemy's operations by a sortie. The British had opened two batteries, and were nearly ready to unmask another, still nearer and in a more dangerous position. This was called "Battery No. Three," the one next north "No. Two," and the farthest one "No. One." It was determined to make an attack on the 17th of September, before Battery No. Three could be completed. On the 16th, Majors Fraser and Riddle, both officers of the regular army acting as aids to General Porter, each followed by a hundred men, fifty of each party being armed and fifty provided with axes, proceeded from the camp of the volunteers, by a circuitous route through the woods, to within a short distance of Battery No. Three. Thence each detachment cut out the underbrush so as to make a track back to camp over the swampy ground, curving where necessary to avoid the most miry places. The work was accomplished without the British having the slightest suspicion of what was going on. This was the most diffi- cult part of the whole enterprise, and its being accomplished without the enemy's hearing it must be partly attributed to good fortune. In the forenoon of the 17th the whole of the volunteers were paraded, the enterprise was revealed to them, and a hand-bill was read, announcing glorious victories won on Lake Champlain and at Plattsburgh a few days before. The news was joyfully received and the sortie enthusiastically welcomed. The volunteers not being uniformed, every one was required to lay aside his hat or cap and wear on his head a red handkerchief or a piece of red cloth which was furnished. Not an officer nor man wore any other head-gear, except General Porter. At noon that commander led forth the principal attacking body from the volunteer camp. The advance consisted of two hundred volunteers under Colonel Gibson. Behind them came the column designed for storming the batteries, composed of four hundred regulars followed by five hundred volunteers, all commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Wood. These took the right hand track cut out the day before. Another column, of nearly the same strength, mostly volunteers, under General Davis, intended to hold the enemy's re-inforcements in check and co-operate in the attack, took the left-hand road. At the same time a body of regulars, under General Miller, was con- cealed in a ravine near the northwest corner of the intrenchments, pre- pared to attack in front at the proper time. The rest of the troops were held in reserve under General Ripley. Just after the main column started it began to rain, and continued to do so throughout the afternoon. The march was necessarily slow along the swampy, winding pathway, and had it not been for the underbrushed THE RELIEF OF FORT ERIE. 173 tracks the columns would probably have lost their way or been delayed till nightfall. At nearly three o'clock Porter's command arrived at the end of the track, within a few rods of Battery No. Three, entirely unsuspected by its occupants. The final arrangements being made, they moved on, and in a few moments emerged upon the astonished workers and their guard. With a tremendous cheer, which was distinctly heard across the river, the men rushed forward, and the whole force in the battery, thoroughly surprised and overwhelmed by numbers, at once surrendered, without hardly firing a shot. • This attack was the signal for the advance of Miller's regulars, who sprang out of their ravine and hurried forward, directing their steps toward Battery No. Two. Leaving a detachment to spike and dismount the captured cannon, both of Porter's columns dashed forward toward the same object, General Davis leading his volunteers and co-operating closely with Wood. They arrived at the same time as Miller. They were received with a heavy fire, but the three commands combined and carried the battery at the point of the bayonet. Leaving another party to spike and dismount cannon, the united force pressed forward toward Battery No. One. But by this time the whole British army was alarmed, and re-inforcements were rapidly arriving. Nevertheless the Americans attacked and captured Battery No. One, after a severe conflict. How gallantly they were led is shown by the fact that all of Porter's principal commanders were shot down-Gibson at Battery No. Two, Wood while approaching No. One, and Davis while gallantly mounting a parapet between the two batteries at the head of his men. In the last struggle, too, General Porter himself was slightly wounded by a sword- cut on the hand, and temporarily taken prisoner, but was immediately rescued by his own men. Of course, in a sortie the assailants are not expected to hold the conquered ground. The work in this case had been as completely done as in any sortie ever made, and after Battery No. One had been captured a retreat was ordered to the fort, where the victorious troops arrived just before sunset. The loss of the Americans was seventy-nine killed and two hundred and fourteen wounded; very few, if any, captured. Four hundred British were taken prisoners, a large number killed and wounded, and what was far more important all the results of nearly two months' labor were entirely destroyed. So completely were his plans frustrated by this brilliant assault that only four days afterwards General Drummond raised the siege, and retired down the Niagara. After the enemy retreated the volunteers were dismissed with the thanks of their commanders, having saved the American army from losing its last hold on the western side of the Niagara. 12 174 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The relief of Fort Erie was one of the most skillfully planned and gallantly executed sorties ever made. General Napier, the celebrated British soldier and military historian, mentioned it as one of the very few cases in which a single sortie had compelled the raising of a siege. Very high credit was given to General Porter, both for his eloquence in engaging the volunteers and his skill and valor in leading them. The press sounded his praises, the citizens of Batavia tendered him a dinner, the Governor breveted him a Major-General, and Congress voted him a gold medal. These guerdons were justly his due on account of the dis- tinguished services then known to the public. In addition, there is little doubt that he is entitled to the credit of originating and planning the sortie of Fort Erie. For several days previous he had been holding fre- quent interviews with General Brown, and also with two officers of engi- neers, the object of which was concealed from his staff. He afterwards informed Colonel William A. Bird that the secret interviews with Gen- eral Brown and the engineer officers were for the purpose of planning the sortie, and that Brown hesitated and requested Porter to draw a plan in writing, which he did, leaving the paper with Brown. It is certain that it was Porter's aids who superintended the cutting out of the roads over which the main columns of attack passed, and it was Porter who was chosen to command that force, though composed of both regulars and volunteers, and though there were two or more regu- lar generals under Brown at the fort. There was no probable reason why he should have been charged with the execution of the attack, except because he had planned it. Of course it was sanctioned by Brown, and the latter is fairly entitled to the credit belonging to every commander under whose orders a successful movement is carried out, but there is also especial credit due to the originator of a good plan, and we have little doubt that in this case that honor belongs to Peter B. Porter. The raising of the siege of Fort Erie was substantially the close of the war on the Niagara frontier. A few unimportant skirmishes took place, but nothing that need be recorded here. All the troops except a small guard were withdrawn from Fort Erie to Buffalo. It was known during the winter that commissioners were trying to negotiate a peace at Ghent, In this vicinity, at and there was a universal desire for their success. least, the people had had enough of the glories of war. On the 15th of January, 1815, the news of the victory of New Orleans was announced in an extra of the Buffalo Gazette, but although it occa- sioned general rejoicing, yet the delight was by no means so great as when, a week later, the people of the ravaged frontier were informed of the signing of the treaty of Ghent. Post-riders as they delivered letters, doctors as they visited their patients, ministers as they journeyed to meet their backwoods congregations, spread everywhere the welcome news of peace. ANNOUNCEMENT OF PEACE. 175 A * General Nott, in his reminiscences, relates that the first sermon in Sardinia was preached at his house by "Father Spencer," early in 1815. There was a large gathering. The people had heard that the good mis- sionary had a newspaper announcing the conclusion of peace, and they were most of them, probably more anxious to have their hopes in that respect confirmed than for aught else. Father Spencer was not disposed to tantalize them, and immediately on rising to begin the services he took the paper from his pocket, saying, "I bring you news of peace." He then read the official announcement, and it may be presumed that the gratified congregation afterwards listened all the more earnestly to the news of divine peace which it was the minister's especial province to deliver. In a very brief time the glad tidings penetrated to the most secluded cabins in the county, and all the people turned with joyful anticipations to the half-suspended pursuits of peaceful life. CHAPTER XX. FROM THE WAR TO THE DIVISION OF THE COUNTY. The Situation paper General Porter Red Jacket's Speech First Murder Trial The Old Court House Tracy and Wilkeson -Another News- — Scarce Money - First Bank The Cold Summer Marshal Grouchy and Red Jacket Senecas in England — A President's Visit Terrible Roads Indian Sufferers - Religious Improvement - Father Spencer The Erie Canal Political Factions First Steamboat First Framed Church-Edifice The Boundary Commission Attempt to Buy the Reservations Red Jacket's Opposition- Slavery in The Second Execution The Grand Island War Clintonians and Bucktails G Erie County Census of 1820 Division of Towns. T is needless to give a description of the condition of Erie county at the close of the War of 1812. It was just where it was at the begin- ning of that contest, except that Buffalo and Black Rock had been burned, and that here and there a pioneer had abandoned his little clear- ing. No new business had been developed anywhere, hardly a solitary new settler had taken up his abode in the county, and those already there had been so harrassed by Indian alarms and militia drafts that they had extended but very little the clearings which existed at the beginning of the war. Immediately after the conclusion of peace, however, the long restrained tide again flowed westward, and for awhile immigrants poured on to the Holland Purchase more rapidly than ever. 176 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Williamsville and Clarence Hollow were the only places, outside of Buffalo and its afterward-absorbed rival, Black Rock, which had advanced far enough to have a grist-mill, saw-mill, tavern, and store all at once. The acquisition of the last-named institution, in addition to the other three, might fairly be considered as marking the beginning of a village. Taverns could be started anywhere. A man bought a few gallons of whisky, put up a sign in front of his log house, and forthwith became a hotel-keeper. Saw-mills were not very expensive, and were soon scattered along the numerous streams wherever there was the necessary fall. Grist- mills were more costly, and he was a heavy capitalist, who could build one; still they were so absolutely necessary that they were frequently erected very early in the course of settlement, and while residences were still widely scattered. But a store, a place where a real merchant dispensed calico, tea, nails, molasses, ribbons and salt, marked a decided advance in civilization, and almost always was the nucleus of a hamlet which has since developed into a thriving village. A little before the close of the war, a mail-route had been established through Willink and Hamburgh, from east to west, running near the center of the present towns of Wales, Aurora, and East Hamburg. There was a post-office called Willink, at Blakely's Corners, two miles south of Aurora village, and we believe one called Hamburg, at “John Green's tavern." A considerable body of troops remained at Buffalo during the win- ter, but all were sent away in the spring. With one of the officers, Colonel Snelling, Red Jacket had formed a special intimacy. On his being ordered to Governor's Island, in the harbor of New York, the sachem made him the following little speech, as published by a relative of the Colonel:- "Brother-I hear you are going to a place called Governor's Island. I hope you will be a Governor yourself. I understand that you white people think children a blessing. I hope you may have a thousand. And above all, wherever you go, I hope you may never find whisky above two shillings a quart.” In March, General Porter was appointed Secretary of State of New York, by Governor Tompkins, and resigned his seat in Congress. His new position, and the one which he subsequently accepted, of United States Commissioner to settle the northern boundary, seem to have had an ob- scuring effect on his fame; for whereas, not only during but before the war, he had been one of the foremost men of the State, and almost of the Nation, yet immediately afterwards he nearly disappeared from public sight. Nor did he ever regain the pre-eminent position he occupied at the close of the war, though he afterward for a brief period,held a cabinet office. FIRST MURDER TRIAL. 177 A young man, destined in a very brief time to acquire a large part of the influence previously wielded by Porter, opened a law office in Buf falo, in the spring of 1815. This was Albert H. Tracy, then twenty-two years old, a tall, erect, vigorous young man, of brilliant intellect and thorough culture, a clear-headed lawyer, and a skillful manager of the political chariot. Samuel Wilkeson, who located in Buffalo, was a man of perhaps equal power, but his exertions were chiefly confined to the city, in the history of which he will be duly mentioned. In April, 1815, another newspaper, called the Niagara Journal, was established in Buffalo. The Gazette had leaned toward Federalism; the Journal was Democratic. The Assembly district composed of Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chau- tauqua counties was now awarded two members, the first ones chosen being Daniel McCleary, of Buffalo, and Elias Osborn, of Clarence. In June, 1815, there occurred the first murder trial in the present county of Erie, when Charles Thompson and James Peters were con- victed of the murder of James Burba. They had both been soldiers in the regular army, and during the war had been sent on a scout with a companion, another soldier, a mile and a half below Scajaquada creek. They had gone three miles below the creek to Burba's residence, com- mitted some depredations, got into a quarrel with the owner, and finally killed him. Their comrade escaped. In August the two men were executed in public, as was the rule in that day. The prisoners and scaffold were guarded by several compa- nies of militia, under General Warren. Glezen Fillmore, the young Methodist minister of Clarence, preached the funeral sermon, and was assisted in the last rites to the condemned by Rev. Miles P. Squier, who had just settled in Buffalo as the pastor of the Presbyterian church. In the spring of 1816 a new court house was begun in Buffalo, and the walls erected during the summer. Instead of being placed in the middle of Onondaga (Washington) street, with a circular plat around it, as before, it was built on the east side of that street, and a small park laid out in front of it. The building then erected was the only court house in the county until 1850, and was torn down in 1876. There was a severe financial crisis soon after the war, and money became more scarce than ever. Mr. D. S. Warner, of South Wales, in speaking of that period, says he does not believe there was five dollars of current money between Aurora and Holland. Shinplasters," issued by private firms, were in use in many parts of the country, which, as Mr. Warner says, "were good from one turnpike gate to another." In July, 1816, an effort was made to remedy this evil and the first bank in Erie county was organized, under the name of the Bank of Niag- ara. The whole capital was the immense sum (for those times) of five hundred thousand dollars, but the amount required to be paid down was 178 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. modest enough, being only six dollars and twenty-five cents on each share of a hundred dollars. Although located in Buffalo, the new bank drew on the resources of a wide region, the directors being Augustus Porter, of Niagara Falls; James Brisbane, of Batavia; A. S. Clarke, of Clarence; Jonas Williams and Benjamin Caryl, of Williamsville; Isaac Kibbe, of Hamburg; Martin Prendergast, of Chautauqua county; Samuel Russell and Chauncey Loomis (exact residence unknown,) and Ebenezer F. Norton, Jonas Harrison, Ebenezer Walden and John G. Camp, of Buffalo. Isaac Kibbe was the first president, and Isaac Q. Leake the first cashier. Among the farmers, the peculiar characteristics of 1816 was that it was the year of the "cold summer." Though nearly seventy years have passed away, the memory of the "cold summer" is still vividly impressed on the minds of the surviving pioneers. Snow fell late in May, there was a heavy frost on the 9th of June, and all through the summer the weather was terribly unpropitious to the crops of the struggling settlers. There had been a large emigration in the spring, just about time enough having elapsed since the war for people to make up their minds to go West. Forty families came into the present town of Holland alone, and elsewhere the tide was nearly as great. An overflowing population and an extremely short crop, with no reserves in the granaries to fall back on, soon made provisions of all kinds extremely high and dear. The fact that there is little or no grain in store always makes a failure of the crop fall with terrible severity on a new country, as has been seen in the case of drouth in Kansas and grass- hoppers in Nebraska. How closely the reserve was worked up in this section may be seen by the fact that on the 17th of August, 1816, just before the new crop was ground, flour sold in Buffalo for $15.00 a barrel, and on the 19th there was not a barrel on sale in the village. The new crop relieved the pressure for a while, but this was very small and ran low early in the winter, and then came scenes of great suf- fering for the poorer class of settlers. In many cases the hunter's skill furnished his family with meat, but in a large part of the county there had been just enough settlement to scare away the game. There is no proof that any of the people actually starved to death, but there can be no doubt that the weakening from long privation caused many a prema- ture death. At one time during the summer the Indians tried to produce a change in the weather by pagan sacrifices. Major Jack Berry, Red Jacket's interpreter, a fat chief who usually went about in summer with a bunch of flowers in his hat, said that to avert the cold weather his countrymen burnt a white dog and a deer, and held a grand pow-wow under the direction of the medicine men-but the next morning there was a harder frost than ever before. VISIT OF MARSHAL GROUCHY. 179 Probably the event had not much effect on the fortunes of Erie county, yet it seems worth mentioning that in November, 1816, Marshal Grouchy and suite, returning from Niagara Falls, came to Buffalo and then visited the Seneca Indian village. It is interesting to pause a moment from chronicling the erection of towns and the laying out of post-roads to contemplate the war-worn French marshal, (the hero of a score of battles, yet half-believed a traitor because he failed to intercept the march of Blucher to support Wellington at Waterloo,) soothing his vexed spirit with a visit to the greatest of natural wonders, and then coming to seek wisdom at aboriginal sources, and exchange compliments with Red Jacket and Little Billy. Doubtless the renowned Seneca orator arrayed himself in his most becoming apparel, and assumed his stateliest demeanor to welcome the great war-chief from over the sea, and doubtless he felt that it was he, Sagoyewatha, who was confering honor by the interview. An anecdote related by Stone shows how proudly the sachem was accustomed to maintain his dignity. A young French count came to Buffalo, and hearing that Red Jacket. was one of the lions of the Western world, sent a messenger inviting the sachem to visit him at his hotel. Sagoyewatha sent back word that if the young stranger wished to see the old chief, he would be welcome at his cabin. The count again sent a message, saying that he was much fatigued with his long journey of four thousand miles; that he had come all that distance to see the celebrated orator, Red Jacket, and he thought it strange that the latter would not come five miles to meet him. But the chief, as wily as he was proud, returned answer that it was still more strange that, after the count had traveled all that immense distance for such a purpose, he should halt only a few miles from the home of the man he had come so far to see. Finally the young nobleman gave up, visited the sachem at his home, and was delighted with the eloquence, wisdom and dignity of the savage. Then the claims of etiquette having been satisfied, the punctilious chieftain accepted an invitation to dine with his titled visitor at his hotel. The same year, several Senecas were taken to Europe to be shown, by a speculator called Captain Hale. The principal ones were the Chief So-onongise, commonly called by the whites Tommy Jemmy, his son, Little Bear, and a handsome Indian called "I Like You." The specula- tion seems not to have been a success, and Hale ran away. An English lady, said to have been of good family and refined manners, fell des- perately in love with "I Like You," and was with difficulty prevented from linking her fortunes to his. After his return the enamored lady sent her portrait across the ocean to her dusky lover. There have been many such cases, and sometimes the woman has actually wedded her copper- colored Othello, and taken up her residence in his wigwam or cabin. 180 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The town of Boston, with its present boundaries, was formed from Eden on the 5th day of April, 1817. It comprised the whole of Town- ship 8, Range 7, except the western tier of lots, which was left attached to Eden. It was organized the next year. Cattaraugus county was separately organized in the summer of 1817. A notable event for this frontier county was the first visit of a President of the United States. President Monroe, having spent a day at the Falls, came up the river on the 9th of August, accompanied by General Jacob Brown, Commander-in-Chief of the Army. He was met below Black Rock by a committee of eminent citizens, and escorted to Lan- don's hotel. There was an address by the committee, a brief extempo- raneous reply by the illustrious guest, the usual hand-shake accorded to our patient statesmen, and then the President embarked the same even- ing for Detroit. It was noticed by the press that the President had then “already been more than two months away from Washington,” and his western trip and return must have consumed nearly a month more. Even at this period there was only a tri-weekly mail from and to the East, the stage leaving Buffalo Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 o'clock a. m. These were the days of terrible roads, in both spring and fall. In summer the big coaches bowled along easily enough over hill and dale, the closely-packed passengers beguiling the time with many a pleasant tale, until "stage-coach stories" have become famous for their wit and jollity. But woe to the unlucky traveler, doomed to a stage- coach experience in spring or fall. That he should be required to go on foot half the time was the least of his troubles. His services were fre- quently demanded to pry the coach from some fearful mud-hole, in which it had sunk to the axle, with a rail abstracted from a neighboring fence, and through pieces of wood it was often thought best to take a rail along. To go on foot and carry a rail," and pay for the privilege besides, was a method of stage-riding as celebrated as it was unpleasant. Erie county had something more than its full share of such highways, as the reservations in it had no roads that were even tolerable. Frequent were the complaints of the Cayuga Creek road, the Buffalo road, the Big Tree road, etc., but the climax of despair was only reached at the "Four- Mile Woods," on the lake shore, a little this side of Cattaraugus creek. Old settlers tell wonderful stories of the Plutonian depths to which the mud reached in that dreadful locality. The historian of Evans insists that it was there and nowhere else that the story originated of the trav- eler who, while passing over a horrible road, descried a good-looking hat just at the top of the mud. Picking it up, he was surprised at being denounced by some one underneath, for taking a gentleman's hat off his head without leave. On offering to help the submerged individual out, he was still more astonished when the latter declined on the ground that he couldn't leave the horse he was riding, which was traveling on hard SUFFERING CAUSED BY THE COLD SUMMER. 181 ground. All agree that this event ought to have happened in the "Four- Mile Woods," whether it did or not. The Indians on the various reservations had suffered quite as severely as any one from the effects of the "cold summer." Their game had been largely driven away by settlement around them, their own small crops had been destroyed by frost, and even their annuities were reduced in actual value by the high price of provisions. The schoolmaster, Mr. Hyde, made a public appeal for help, declaring that there was great actual want. At this time the few Onondagas received about six dollars each, while the Senecas, numbering seven hundred, received about two dollars and a half to each individual. Part of this came from an annuity of five hun- dred dollars a year, being the principal consideration for Grand Island, their claim to which they had sold to the State a short time previous. Some of the Indians cut wood for the Buffalo market, receiving a trifling pay in flour and pork. Some of them obtained credit for pro- visions, and Mr. Hyde declared that they were honest and punctual in paying their debts. He said that after doing so they would have just about enough left of their annuities to buy their seed. He got little help from the people, who had slight patience with Indian peculiarities. The Presbyterian synod of Geneva, however, furnished some aid, and some way or other the Indians worried through. At this time the Presbyterians, including the Congregationalists, with whom they were united for church work, were the leading denom- ination of the county, so far as any could be said to lead, though the Methodists, led by that enthusiastic young preacher, Glezen Fillmore, were rapidly gaining upon them. We have before spoken of “Father Spencer," who was a Congregational minister acting under the Pres- byterian synod. We find his traces everywhere, especially south of the Buffalo reservation. Almost every old settler, whatever his religious proclivities, has a story to tell of Father Spencer, a short, sturdy man, on a big, bob-tailed horse, riding from one scattered neighborhood to another, summer and winter, preaching, praying, organizing churches, burying the dead and marrying the living; a man full of zeal in his Master's cause, but full also of life and mirth, ready to answer every jest with another, and a universal favorite among the hardy pioneers. He himself would not admit being thoroughly beaten in jest, save in a single instance. His big horse was almost as noted as himself. One day, when the roads were terrible, he was resting the animal by going on foot ahead, leading him by the bridle. The little man trudged sturdily along, but the horse, being old and stiff, hung back the full length of the reins. Passing through a little village, a pert young man suddenly called out, "See here, old gentleman, you ought to trade that horse off for a hand-sled; you could draw it a great deal easier." 182 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Father Spencer thought so too, and made no reply, but he kept the big horse, and used to tell the story on himself with great zest. This proves that there were some saucy young men in those days, and also that people could get a great deal of enjoyment out of a very moderate joke. In 1817, we find the first account of anything resembling a revival of religion. On one Sunday eight members were admitted into the Presbyterian church in Buffalo, and a writer congratulates the public, that "through this section of this lately heathen country the spirit of the Lord and the spirit of the Gospel are extending far and wide." The same writer is delighted with similar results attained in "the towns of Willink, Hamburg and Edon, where lately the spirits of the evil one enchained the hearts of many." The year 1817 was notable in the history of the State for a measure deeply affecting the interests of Erie county, viz.: the passage of a law actually directing the construction of a canal from the Hudson to Lake Erie. Previously, all had been uncertain; now the work was made as sure as Legislative enactment could make it. The first ground was broken near Rome, on the 4th of July of that year. Like almost everything in this county, the canal question found its way into politics. Candidates were interrogated as to their position, and in this part of the State a charge of infidelity to the "Grand Canal” was the most damaging that could be brought. A full account of the numerous movements, legislative, financial, scientific and Hibernian, which have been necessary in order to produce the Erie Canal of to-day, will be given in a subsequent chapter. At present, we need only note that the passage of the law just mentioned caused strong hopes of financial prosperity to spring up in the hearts of the depressed people of Erie county, and also caused a very lively con- test between the rival villages of Buffalo and Black Rock as to which should be the western terminus of the canal. The year 1818 was distinguished by the creation of four new towns, and the annihilation of the oldest one in the county. On the 10th day of April, an act was passed forming the town of Amherst out of Buffalo. It comprised the present towns of Amherst and Cheektowaga, and nom- inally extended to the center of the reservation. Five days later the town of Willink, the organization of which dated back to 1804, was stricken from existence. From its former magnificent proportions, rivaling those of a German principality, comprising at one time a strip eighteen miles wide by a hundred long, at another a space twenty-seven miles by thirty-five, it had been reduced to a block twelve miles square, and was now about to suffer annihilation. Whether the settlers had some special grudge against the worthy Amsterdam burgher, who was the recognized head of the so-called Hol- THE TOWN OF WILLINK ABOLISHED. 183 land Land Company, or whether they thought his name lacking in euphony, we know not, but they determined, as far as they could, to get rid of "Willink." Petitions were sent to the Legislature, and on the 15th of April, the necessary law was passed. Township 8, in Range 5, and Township 8, in Range 6, were formed into a new town named Holland, comprising the present towns of Holland and Colden. It could hardly have been dislike of the Holland Com- pany that led to the casting off of the name of "Willink," for Holland must have received its appellation purely out of compliment to that Com- pany. Nothing could have been well more unlike the half-submerged plains at the mouth of the Rhine, than the narrow valley, precipitous hill- sides, and lofty table-lands of the new town. There was more propriety in the name of "Wales," which was given to another new town, composed of Township 9, Range 5, with the nominal addition of half the reservation-land opposite. Its hills, though not lofty, were numerous enough to give it a strong resemblance to the little prin- cipality which overlooks the Irish channel. Finally, by the same act, the remainder of Willink (viz., the 9th Township in the 9th Range, and the adjoining reservation-land,) was formed into a town by the name of Aurora. As it contained a larger population than either of the others, it has usually been considered as the lineal successor of Willink, but the law simply annihilated the latter town and created three new ones. * This was during what has been termed the "era of good feeling," when the Federal party had almost entirely disappeared, and no new one had taken its place. The Republican, or Democratic party, was in full possession of the National field, but in local matters it frequently split into factions, which waged war with a fury indicating but little of the "good feeling" commonly supposed to have prevailed. In this Congressional District, in 1818, the regular Republican Con- vention nominated Nathaniel Allen, from an eastern part of the county, and Albert H. Tracy, the young lawyer of Buffalo. Isaac Phelps, Jr., of Aurora, was re-nominated to the Assembly, along with Philo Orton, of Chautauqua county. Forth with a large portion of the party declared war against the nominees. The cause is hard to discover, but there was a vast amount of denunciation of the "Kremlin Junta." By this it is evident that the original "Kremlin block" was already in existence, having doubtless been thus named because built among the ruins of Buffalo, as the Kremlin was re-built over the ashes of Moscow. It was there that the "Junta," consisting of Mr. Tracy, Dr. Marshall, James Sheldon and a few others, were supposed to meet and concoct the most direful plans. • By that time the party in question was usually called Democratic," in conversation, but its official proclamations generally retained the older name of " Republican." A little later it was officially designated as "Democratic Republican." 184 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Ex-Congressman Clarke was the leader of the opposing faction. Ere long an independent convention nominated Judge Elias Osborne, of Clarence, for the Assembly, against Phelps, but seems to have been unable to find candidates for Congress. The old members, John C. Spencer and Benjamin Ellicott, declined a re-nomination, but were voted for by many members of the anti-Kremlin party. The Buffalo Patriot, to which name that of the old Gazette had lately been changed, was the organ of the Clarke-Osborne faction, while a new paper, called the Buf falo Journal, fought for Tracy and Phelps. Dire were the epithets hurled on either side. No political conflict, over the most important issues of the present day, has been more bitter than this little unpleasant- ness during the "era of good feeling." At the election in April, Tracy was chosen by a large majority, and Phelps by twenty-three. The for- mer was then but twenty-five years of age, barely old enough to be legally eligible to Congress, and considerably the youngest member who has ever been elected in this county. A law was passed that year abolishing the office of assistant-justice, restricting the number of Associate Judges to four, and requiring a Dis- trict Attorney in every county. Under this statute Charles G.Olmsted was the first District Attorney of Niagara county. A hundred and thirty-nine years after LaSalle entered Lake Erie with the pioneer sail-vessel, the first steamboat plowed these waters on the 23d day of August, 1818. This was the celebrated "Walk- in-the-water," which had been constructed at Black Rock during the previous nine months. There was still but little commerce on the lakes, what there was being carried on by thirty or forty schooners, and one- fourth as many sloops, with a few open boats. The greater part of the freight was westward bound, consisting of supplies for garrisons, trad- ing posts, and emigrants up the lakes. Half the returning vessels came in ballast. If loaded, their most valuable cargoes were composed of furs. The great trade in breadstuffs from the West, was almost unknown; the first mention made of it in the newspapers being in 1817, when an open boat brought down a little flour from Cleveland. Notwithstanding the large and growing population of the county, there was not a solitary church-building within its limits in 1818, except- ing the log meeting-house of the Quakers at East Hamburg. In that year, however, that energetic young servant of Christ, Glezen Fillmore, after serving nine years as a local preacher, was regularly ordained as a Methodist minister, at the age of twenty-eight, and appointed to a cir- cuit comprising Buffalo and Black Rock, and a wide region northward from those villages. On arriving at Buffalo he found just four Methodist brethren. The court house and school house being occupied by other denominations, the Methodists began the erection at Buffalo of a frame building, thirty-five THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION. 185 feet by twenty-five, on the 8th day of December, 1818, and dedicated it forty-seven days afterwards. At the same time improvements were taking place in every direc- tion. The forest was being constantly swept away, and every little while a new grist-mill or store marked another step toward the condition of older communities. Yet the fierce denizens of the forest still prowled in large numbers around the frontier cabins. Numerous combats took place between them and their human antag- onists, the most celebrated of which was one which occurred in 1818, in the present town of North Collins, when John Turkey, an Indian of the Cattaraugus reservation, slew three panthers in a single combat. In the forepart of 1819 the boundary commission, coming from the East, established the line between the United States and Canada along the Niagara, and in July passed on to the west end of Lake Erie. Gen- eral Porter was the American, and Colonel Ogilvie the English commis- sioner. The principal surveyor on the part of the Americans was Will- iam A. Bird, (the well-known Colonel Bird, of Black Rock,) who had just succeeded to that post, having previously been an assistant. The sovereignty of Grand Island was first decisively settled by this commission, though previously claimed by the United States. It was found by actual measurement of depth, width and velocity that the main channel of the river was on the Canadian side. There passed on that side 12,802,750 cubic feet of water per minute; on the American side 8,540,080 cubic feet rolled by in the same time. To prove the accuracy of these measurements, the quantity passing Black Rock per minute was calculated by the same method, and found to be 21,549,590 cubic feet, or substantially the same as the sum of the amounts at Grand Island. As, however, the determination of the "main channel" was held by some to involve other considerations than the amount of water, it is pos- sible that Grand Island would not have fallen to the Americans had not a large island in the St. Lawrence just been awarded to Canada. All the small islands in the Niagara were also, on account of their location, assigned to the Americans, except Navy island, which fell to Canada. In the summer of 1819 a strong effort was made by the pre-emption owners to induce the Indians to sell a part or the whole of their lands. A council was held on the Buffalo reserve, at which were present a com- missioner on the part of the United States, one on the part of Massachu- setts, Colonel Ogden and some of his associates, and all the principal chiefs of the Senecas, Cayugas and Onondagas. After the United States commissioner had explained the object of the council, and had submitted two propositions, both looking to the sale of the Buffalo Creek reservation, Red Jacket, on the 9th of July, "rekin- dled the council fire" and made a long speech. As usual he went over the whole ground of the intercourse between the white men and the red 186 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. men, and declared most emphatically as the voice of his people that they would not sell their lands, no not one foot of them. Warming with his subject, the indignant orator declared that they would not have a single white man on their reservations-neither workman, school-master or preacher. Those Indians who wished could send their children to schools outside, and those who desired to attend church could go outside the reservation to do so. He added bitterly that if Colonel Ogden had come down from heaven clothed in flesh and blood, and had proved that the Great Spirit had said he should have their lands, then, and then only, they would have yielded. Afterwards Captain Pollard and thirteen other chiefs apologized to the commissioner for the language of Red Jacket. Captain Pollard declared that he saw nothing to admire in the old ways of his people, and wished for civilization and Christianity. But all were united in opposing the sale of any of their lands, and nothing was effected to that end. By this time two distinct parties had been developed among the Indians. One favored Christianity and improvement, among whom Cap- tain Pollard was the most prominent. Captain Strong, a distinguished chief on the Cattaraugus reservation, also announced himself a Christian. The other faction was devoted to paganism, and resisted every attempt at change, of whom Red Jacket was the unquestioned leader. The great orator had become more and more bitter against every- thing in anywise pertaining to the white race-except whisky. He was doubtless sincere in the belief that the adoption of white customs would work the destruction of his people, and he fought them at every step. He could see the evil wrought through the excessive use of liquor, of which he was himself a most conspicuous example; he could see that since the arrival of the whites the once mighty Iroquois had dwindled to a few feeble bands dependent on the forbearance of their conquerors, and he could not, or would not, see anything else. Even in minor matters he detested the laws of the whites, and derided their justice. Not far from the time of which I am speaking, an Indian was indicted at Batavia for burglary, in entering Joseph Elli- cott's house and stealing some trifling article. Red Jacket and other Indians attended the trial, and the latter obtained permission to address the jury on behalf of the prisoner (of course through an interpreter.) He boldly questioned the jurisdiction of the court, declared that the Senecas were allies, not subjects, of the United States, and said that Indians who committed offences should be tried by their own laws; asserting that if accused persons should be delivered to them they would be so tried and, if guilty, duly punished. The culprit was, however, convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for life, which was then the penalty for burglary. At the same time a SECOND EXECUTION IN ERIE COUNTY. 187 white man who had stolen a larger amount than the Indian, but without the accompaniment of burglary, was sentenced to only a few years impris- onment. This was a new cause of disgust to the chieftain, who in his youth had lived in a wigwam, to whom a house had none of the sacred- ness that it has to a white man, and in whose mind, consequently, the crime of theft was not enhanced by that of burglary. Going from the court-house to the tavern, after the session, in company with some lawyers, the old sachem observed the State coat- of-arms painted over the door of a newspaper office. Pointing to the representation of Liberty, he mustered his little stock of broken English and inquired:—– "What-him-call?" Liberty," replied one of the legal gentlemen. "Ugh!" exclaimed the chieftain, in a tone of derision. Then he pointed to the other figure on the coat-of-arms and again asked : "What-him-call?" (( 'Justice," was the reply. Red Jacket's eye flashed and his lip curled, as he slowly asked, in a tone of mingled inquiry and sarcasm : Where-him-live-now?" Very likely the sachem knew as well as his companions what the figures represented, and asked the questions merely to make a point. In December, 1819, the second execution for murder took place in the present county of Erie, The crime, however, was committed out- side its limits, having been the murder of a soldier of the garrison of Fort Niagara, by Corporal John Godfrey, who was impatient at his dilatory movements. Again the people assembled in throngs, again the militia companies guarded the prisoner, and again the sonorous tones of Glezen Fillmore rolled out deep and strong, as he preached the funeral sermon of the doomed man. But probably the most important event of the year occurred on Grand Island. The stave-cutting squatters, heretofore mentioned, had been so little disturbed by the civil authorities, (partly because of the difficulty of reaching them, and partly because it had not been quite determined whether the island belonged to the United States or Canada,) that they had grown to consider themselves a kind of inde- pendent nation. They set up a sort of government of their own, under which they settled whatever difficulties may have arisen among themselves, but bade defiance to the authorities on both sides of the river. A Mr. Pendleton Clark, one of the squatters, was recognized as "governor" by his fellows, justices of the peace were elected, and precepts were actually issued "in the name of the people of Grand Island." 188 HISTORY Of Erie CouNTY. On one occasion a constable crossed to the island to arrest one of these squatter-sovereigns, when several friends of the culprit assembled, put the officer back in his boat, took away his oars and set him adrift on the river. He might very likely have been carried over the Falls, had he not been rescued by a more humane outlaw, living farther down the stream, and taken to the American side. Then the authorities of the State, to which all the land belonged, thought it was time to clear out this nest of offenders. In April, 1819, an act was passed requiring them to leave the island, and in case they did not the Governor was authorized to remove them by force. To this they paid no attention. In the fall the Governor sent orders to remove the intruders; to Sheriff Cronk. That official transmitted the orders to the transgressors, with directions to leave by a specified day. Some obeyed, but over many cabins the smoke continued to curl as saucily as before. The sheriff then called out a detachment of thirty militia, under Lieutenant (afterwards Colonel) Benjamin Hodge, and on the 9th of December the little command marched down the river from Buffalo to a point opposite the head of the island, to which they crossed by boats, landing about 5 o'clock P. M. The First Sergeant of the company was Nathaniel Wilgus, who wrote an account of the expedition for the Buffalo Historical Society. Rumors of resistance having been rife, muskets were loaded with ball-cartridges, and guards and pickets duly stationed ere the men encamped for the night. No resistance was actually made, however, and no less than five days were occupied in removing the squatters by boat to Canada, (where all but one of them preferred to be taken,) and in destroying their buildings. One hundred and fifty-five men, women and children were thus removed. This brief and bloodless campaign comprises the only civil war ever known in Erie county. By the beginning of 1820, the Clintonian and Bucktail parties were in full blast all over the State. Clinton was of course the leader and candidate of the former, which claimed, and generally received, the benefit of the strong canal feeling which prevailed. The latter had to some extent the benefit of the regular Republican organization, and nominated Vice-President Tompkins for Governor. Clinton was elected by a large majority, though his opponent had a few years before been the most popular man in the State. In the present county of Erie, Clinton received seven hundred and thirty-seven votes, to three hundred and ten for Tompkins. Boston gave thirty-five votes for Clinton, to one for Tompkins; Aurora a hundred and sixty- four for Clinton, to twenty for Tompkins; Wales a hundred and twenty- six for Clinton, to twenty-seven for Tompkins; and Concord a hundred and twenty-eight for Clinton, to twenty for Tompkins. SLAVERY IN ERIE COUNTY. 189 The Patriot was the organ of the Bucktails, the Journal of the Clin- tonians. It should be remembered that there was still a property quali- fication, which accounts for the small vote. It seems, too, that fraudu- lent voting was not an unheard of offense in those days, for the Patriot charged that neither Aurora nor Wales had a hundred legal voters, although the former polled a hundred and eighty-four votes, and the latter a hundred and forty-seven. One hardly ever thinks of slavery as having existed in Erie county, and in fact slaves were extremely rare there, even when the institution was tolerated by law. Yet we think there had been two or three colored people permanently held in bondage, besides those brought here by offi- cers during the war. The law of 1818 decreed the gradual abolition of slavery, providing that males under twenty-eight and females under twenty-five should remain slaves until those ages, and allowing none but young slaves to be brought from other States; in which case the owner was obliged to file an affidavit that they were only to be kept till those ages, respectively. The only case in this county under the law, of which we are aware, occurred in 1820. General Porter married a Mrs. Gray- son, of Kentucky, daughter of Hon. John Breckenridge, Attorney-Gen- eral of the United States under Jefferson, and aunt of the late John C. Breckenridge. She brought five young slaves to Black Rock, and a certified copy of the affidavit of herself and husband, under the above mentioned law, is now on file in the old town-book of Buffalo. It is sur- rounded on all sides by records of town elections, stray heifers and sheep's ear-marks, among which this solitary memento of a powerful but fallen institution has a curious and almost startling appearance. In the spring of 1820, a new mail route was established, running from Buffalo to Olean, with three new offices in this county-one at "Smithville," more commonly called Smith's Mills (now Hamburg), one at " Boston," generally known as Torrey's Corners, and one at "Spring ville," in common parlance called Fiddler's Green. The same year the first daily mail was established between Buffalo and Albany. The year was also noteworthy for the holding of the first agricul tural fair, an important event in those days. It was under the manage- ment of the Niagara County Agricultural Society, which had been organized the fall before, with Dr. Cyrenius Chapin as its first president. A more full account of the event will be given in the chapter devoted to that society. By the census of 1820, the population of the whole of Niagara county was 23,313, of which 15,668 were in the present county of Erie. These numbers were considered sufficient to justify a division, and the north- ern part of the county was anxious to have its business transacted nearer home than Buffalo; a desire which was gratified by the Legislature of 1821. 13 190 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Just before the division of the county, three new towns were created. By a law of the 16th of March, 1821, all that part of Eden comprised in Township 8, Range 9, was formed into a new town named Evans. This was a little larger than an ordinary township, being nearly nine miles east and west on its southern boundary, and thence narrowed by the lake to about four miles and a half on its northern boundary. By the same law the excessively long town of Concord was sub- divided into three towns. That part comprised in Townships 6 and 7, Range 8, and in three tiers of lots on the west side of Townships 6 and 7, Range 7, was formed into a new town named Collins. That part comprised in Township 7, Range 5, and three tiers of lots on the east side of Township 7, Range 6, and in the portion of Township 6, Range 6, north of Cattaraugus creek, was formed into a new town named Sardinia. CHAPTER XXI. FROM FORMATION OF ERIE COUNTY UNTIL 1830. — — The New County — Niagara Perpetuated Change of Characteristics Towns and Post Offices- Wolves and Hunters A Supine Cleopatra ongise and Kauquatau A Crime of Superstition Ellicott Beginning the Canal Erie Paying for Land in Produce Ararat Completion of the Canal 0 M So-on- Pigeons — Buffalo and Black Rock A Remarkable Trial — Resignation of New Constitution A Future President - Alden and The Three Thayers - LaFayette's Visit Noah and The Morgan Purchase of Part of the Reservations — Excitement Shooting Niagara — Impeachment of Red Jacket An Erie County Cabinet Officer Anti-Masonry Census of 1830 Post Offices General Appearance of Red Jacket. — Death N the second day of April, 1821, a law was passed, enacting that all that part of the county of Niagara north of the center of Tona- wanda creek should be a separate county, by the name of Niagara, while the remainder should thenceforth be known as Erie. Thus at length was formed and named the great county, the annals of which we have the honor to record. It had the boundaries specified in the first chapter, and those boundaries it has ever since retained. As stated in Chapter XIII, the old county of Niagara was per- petuated in most respects in the county of Erie rather than in the one that bore the ancient name, since Erie retained more than half the area, two-thirds of the population, the county seat, the county records and most of the county officers. In every respect except the name, Erie is a continuation of old Niagara, organized in 1808, while the present Niagara is a new county, organized in 1821. FORMATION OF ERIE COUNTY. 191 Doubtless the reason for giving the old name for the smaller and less important county was because the great cataract, which makes Niagara's name renowned, was on its borders, and it was felt that there would be an incongruity in conferring the name on a county which, at its nearest point, was three miles distant from the famous Falls. (Even this is prob- ably nearer than most people suppose, but it is a trifle less than three miles from the cataract to the lower end of Buckhorn island.) The reader and the author have now arrived at a turning point in the history of the county. Not only was its name changed, but it so happens that that change is very closely identical in time with an important change in its general character. Hitherto it had been a pio- neer county. Henceforth it might fairly be called a farming county. There was no particular year that could be selected as the epoch of change, but 1821 comes very close to the time. Previously the principal business had been to clear up land. As a general rule, there was little money with which to build comfortable houses, little time even to raise large crops, except in a few localities. After a time not far from 1821, although there was still a great deal of land-clearing done, yet it could not be called the principal business of the county. The raising of cattle and grain for market assumed greater impor- tance, and in fact, from that time forward, the county taken as a whole, though still a newish country, would hardly be called a new country. Yet there were a few townships almost entirely covered with forest, and everywhere the characteristics of the pioneer era were closely inter- mingled with those of a more advanced period. Probably the most conspicuous manner in which the change was manifested to the eye was by the material of the houses. Hitherto, log houses had been the dwelling-places of nearly all the people outside of the village of Buffalo. Even the little villages, which had sprung up in almost every township, were largely composed of those specimens of primeval architecture. But with improved circumstances came improved buildings. After the time in question, a majority of the new houses erected in the county were frames, and every year saw a rapid increase in the proportion of that class of buildings over the log edifices of earlier days. When Erie county was named it contained thirteen towns. At that time there were but ten post-offices in it, but there were several others established a little later. The ten were situated at Buffalo, Black Rock, Williamsville, Clarence, Willink, Smithville, Barkersville, Boston, Spring- ville, and Eden. The Eden post-office, as has been said, was in Evans, on the lake shore. That of "Barkersville," was at the old Barker stand in Hamburg, at the "head of the turnpike." Willink was at Aurora village. Besides these there had been one, and probably there was still one, called "Hamburg," at John Green's tavern. (6 192 HISTORY OF Erie County. There was also the nuclei of villages, but without post-offices, at Cayuga Creek" (Lancaster), Alden, Hall's Mills (or Hall's Hollow), Holland, Griffin's Mills, East Hamburg and Gowanda. Notwithstanding these signs of improvement, and the general trans- formation of the county from a land-clearing to a land-tilling district, the farmers met with incessant discouragement. Keeping sheep was their especial difficulty, yet sheep must be kept, for there was no money to buy clothes. The wolves were almost as troublesome in peace as the Indians in war. Besides the gray-backed prowlers, an occasional bold, black wolf was seen, though very rarely. The bounty varied in the different towns; ranging from ten dollars to ninety dollars per wolf—whelps half price. An Indian is reported to have made $360 in one forenoon, catch- ing young wolves. It was generally supposed that many hunters, both Indians and whites, were in the habit of letting old she-wolves escape- in fact of guarding against their discovery by others-in order to get an annual revenue from the whelps. In this case it was the wolf that laid the golden eggs. On several occasions the citizens in different parts of the county got up grand wolf-hunts, forming long lines and beating the woods for miles, or trying to enclose them in circles, but few or none that were successful. The "Anaconda System" did not work any better then than in later years. The wily marauders almost always found a loop- hole for escape. The most remarkable of these primitive raiders was an old she-wolf which ranged chiefly through the territory of Collins and North Collins, and whose exploits gave her a reputation which still endures through- out all the southwestern part of the county. She seduced into complic- ity with her evil deeds half of the large dogs of that section, whipped the rest, evaded all attempts to shoot or entrap her, destroyed her victims by the hundred, and reigned the female Napoleon of farm and forest. When she was at last entrapped, men assembled from far and near to witness and rejoice over her death. Besides the four-footed wild game, pigeons were a frequent resource in their season, especially for the Indians. Not merely the few that can be shot as they fly, but the vast numbers that can be obtained from their nests. The banks of the Cattaraugus were celebrated as their resorts, and a little west of Springville, on both sides of the creek, there were millions of nests. The whole tribe used to go out from Buffalo creek to get a supply. The pigeons were obtained by cutting down the trees, and of this, as of all other work, the squaws at that time did the greater part. Sometimes they would cut down trees from two to three feet through, getting fifty or sixty nests from one tree. Each nest contained a single “squab,” that is a fat young pigeon, big enough to eat, but not SO-ONONGISE AND KAUQUATAU. 193 big enough to fly. Occasionally, but very rarely, there were two in a nest. These were scalded, salted and dried by the thousand, furnishing food most acceptable to the Indians, and not despised by the whites. While the country was thus divided between raising crops, starting villages and hunting game, the embryo city at the head of the Niagara was beginning to make rapid progress. At the time of the formation of Erie county it had nearly two thousand inhabitants. Black Rock, too, which had long remained an insignificant hamlet, was now rapidly advancing, and was making desperate efforts to secure the termination of the grand canal. General Porter had returned home from his work of locating the international boundary, had resumed a portion of his former influence, and was the leader of the Black Rock forces in their contest with Buffalo. As that village still had the only harbor in the vicinity, as not a ship was built at, nor sailed from, any other American port within a hundred miles, its chances of success appeared good, and it grew even faster than Buffalo. Scarcely had the county of Erie entered on its separate career, when there occurred within its limits a series of events of startling and dramatic character, which show as vividly as anything in American his- tory how closely civilization treads upon the footsteps of barbarism— how narrow in our country is the space which separates the bloody rites of the savage council from the stately deliberations of the Anglo- Saxon tribunal. The facts in the case are derived from Stone's Life of Red Jacket, the papers of the period, and the reminiscences of Mr. James Aigin. In the spring of 1821, a Seneca Indian died of some lingering dis- ease, the nature of which was incomprehensible by the medicine-men. They accordingly attributed it to sorcery, and designated as the culprit a squaw named Kauquatau, who had nursed the deceased during his sickness. A council was assembled, and, after such evidence as the case admitted of, Kauquatau was solemnly pronounced guilty, and sentenced to death. The frightened woman fled to Canada. The Indians were shrewd enough not to attempt her execution there, nor even in the United States, off from their own reservation. Some of them followed her to Canada, and by some means, doubtless by false promises of security, persuaded her to re-cross the Niagara. Among her betrayers was the chief, So-onongise, commonly called by the whites Tommy Jimmy, who had been secretly appointed her exe- cutioner. On the second day of May, Mr. Aigin states that he saw Tommy Jimmy treating Kauquatau from a bottle of whiskey, in the streets of Buffalo. The blandishments of the chieftain and the quality of his liquor were too much for poor Kauquatau, and toward night she accom- panied her pretended friend across the reservation line, which ran close to the village. 194 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. No sooner had she done so than the friend disappeared and the exe- cutioner showed himself. Drawing his knife, Tommy Jimmy seized the wretched woman and cut her throat, killing her on the instant. Then, leaving her on the ground where he had slain her, making no attempt to conceal the body, he strode off to the Indian village, doubtless feeling that he had done his country good service. The next morning she was found by the whites, lying near Buffalo creek, only a short distance above Pratt's ferry. A coroner's inquest was held, and as the Indians made no concealment, it was easily ascertained that Tommy Jimmy was the murderer. It appears to have been the first event of the kind which had become known in Erie county, though Mary Jemison says there was scarcely a year passed, while the tribe lived on the Genesee, that one or more persons (generally women) were not killed as witches. The claim of sovereignty over the reservation, set up by the Indians, did not reconcile the whites to the shocking occurrence, and it was determined to bring the slayer to trial. Stephen G. Austin, then a young lawyer and justice of the peace in Buffalo, issued a warrant. The constable to whom it was first given objected to going out among a tribe of savages to arrest one of their most popular chiefs, and Pascal P. Pratt, uncle of the gentleman who now bears that name, was deputized for the purpose. He was well acquainted with Tommy Jimmy and was a particular friend of Red Jacket. Pratt found the culprit at the house of the orator. Making known his mission, he advised them to yield peacefully, and make whatever defense they might have, before the courts. Red Jacket pledged himself that Tommy Jimmy should appear before Austin the next day, and Pratt departed, perfectly satisfied that he would come. Punctually at the hour appointed, Sagoyewatha and So-onongise came before the young justice of the peace, accompanied by a crowd of other Indians. The whites also gathered in numbers, and as Austin's office was small, he held his court on a pile of timber across the road from it. The slaying was admitted, the jurisdiction of the whites denied, and the victim declared to be a witch, executed in accordance with Indian law. Austin, however, committed the slayer to jail, to take his trial in a higher court. So-onongise, alias Tommy Jimmy, was duly indicted for murder. The Indians obtained the assistance of able counsel, who put in a plea to the jurisdiction of the court, claiming that Kauquatau was executed in accordance with Indian law, on Indian land. This was denied by the District Attorney, and the question was sent to a jury for trial. Thus it was that at the Erie county Oyer and Terminer, in June, 1821, there occurred one of the most singular trials recorded in legal annals. The court-house was crowded by a motley throng of red men and A REMARKABLE TRIAL. 195 white men, the latter drawn by curiosity, the former by intense interest in the fate of their brother, and intense anxiety regarding their own priv- ileges. All the lights of the Buffalo Bar were there, eager to know how this curious legal complication would result. Tommy Jimmy, a middle-aged and fairly intelligent Indian, though the center of observation, sat perfectly unmoved, and doubtless consid- ered himself a martyr. By his side was Red Jacket, acting as amateur counsel, and wearing his stateliest demeanor. He still had sufficient self- control to force himself into a few days' sobriety on great occasions, and was in full possession of his faculties. When the jurors were called he scanned every man with his piercing eye, formed his opinion as to his bias, and communicated to the regular counsel his decision in favor of acceptance or rejection. After several other witnesses had been sworn, Red Jacket was put on the stand by the counsel for the accused. The prosecuting attorney sought to exclude him by inquiring if he believed in a God. (6 'More truly than one who could ask me such a question," was his haughty reply. When asked what rank he held in his nation, he answered con- temptuously— Look at the papers which the white people keep the most carefully; they will tell you what I am." He referred to the treaties which ceded the Indian lands to the whites. Like the other Indians he testified that the woman had been con- demned by a regular council, in accordance with immemorial law, and that So-onongise had been duly authorized to execute the decree. Seeing, or imagining, that some of the lawyers were disposed to ridicule his views of witchcraft, he broke out in a fierce philippic, which, as inter- preted, was thus published in the Albany Argus, one of whose editors was present:— "What! Do you denounce us fools and bigots because we still believe what you yourselves believed two centuries ago? Your black- coats thundered this doctrine from the pulpit, your judges pronounced it from the bench, and sanctioned it with the formalities of law; and would you now punish our unfortunate brother for adhering to the faith of his fathers and of yours? Go to Salem! Look at the records of your own government, and you will find that thousands have been executed for the very crime which has called forth the sentence of condemnation against this woman, and drawn down upon her the arm of vengeance. What have our brothers done more than the rulers of your people? And what crime has this man committed, by executing in a summary way the laws of his country and the command of the Great Spirit?" As Red Jacket had certainly not read the story of Salem witchcraft he must have informed himself by conversation before the trial, doubtless for the express purpose of making a well-studied point against the pale- faces. His appearance as he delivered his philippic, his tall form drawn 196 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. up to its utmost height, his head erect and his black eye flashing with ire, is said to have been impressive in the extreme. On the question of fact submitted to them, the jury found that Kau- quatau was really executed in accordance with Indian law. The legal question still remained as to whether this would exempt him from pun- ishment. The case was removed by certiorari to the Supreme Court, where it was argued the ensuing August. The result was a most lame and impotent conclusion of so dramatic a trial. No judgment was ren- dered. The court, being unable to deny that the Indians had from the beginning been recognized to a certain extent as independent peoples, and yet unwilling to decide that they had absolute authority to commit murder, permitted the discharge of the prisoner by the consent of the Attorney-General. Laws were afterwards passed, subjecting the Indians even when on their reservations, to the same penalties for crimes as were inflicted on the whites. Tommy Jimmy was afterwards in the habit of recounting his great exploit to the whites, especially to children, imitating at the same time the gurgling sound made by his victim's blood when it rushed forth beneath his murderous knife. In the autumn of 1821 Joseph Ellicott, the founder of Buffalo, resigned the local agency of the Holland Company, which he had held for twenty-one years. There had been considerable dissatisfaction on the part of the settlers, during the latter years of his administration, but it principally originated in the difficulty of keeping up the payments on their lands, in the hard times succeeding the war. Probably the chief fault of the company and its agents was in permitting men to buy large tracts without any substantial payment in advance, and in letting the occupants get so far in arrears as they did during the first ten or fifteen years. There is nothing like a steady, gentle pressure to stimulate indus- try and compel frugality. Mr. Ellicott's mind was still clear, but he had already developed that tendency toward hypochondria which, after five years of inaction, led to the insanity and final suicide of one who had been for two decades the most influential man in Western New York. Jacob S. Otto, of Philadelphia, took his place as local agent. In the fore part of 1822, Buffalo at last succeeded in providing her- self with a passable harbor, and in 1823, the long contest between Buffalo and Black Rock for the western terminus of the "Grand Canal" was decided in favor of the former village. The first work on the canal in Erie county was performed in Buffalo, accompanied by an enthusiastic celebration, on the 23d of August, 1823. During the summer of 1822, a new State constitution was formed, and adopted by the people. By its provisions, sheriffs and county clerks were to be elected by the people instead of appointed--each holding for MILLARD FILLMORE. 197 three years. Justices of the Peace and District Attorneys were ap- pointed by the Judges of the Common Pleas and the Board of Super- visors, acting conjointly. All other judicial officers were appointed by the Governor and Senate. Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties became the Thirtieth Congressional District, entitled to one member. At this time, too, the date of holding elections was changed from April to November. In the autumn of 1821, a tall young man, of stalwart form, open countenance and pleasing demeanor, came from Cayuga county to the little village of Aurora, where he taught the district school during the succeeding winter. The next spring he entered a law office in Buffalo. This was Millard Fillmore, the future President of the United States. Born in Cayuga county, at the very beginning of the century, he had passed his boyhood amid the privations of a backwoods farm, and had in early youth learned the trade of a clothier. Approaching man's estate, his aspiring mind had sought more congenial employment in the study of the law. A lawyer who appreciated his abilities gave him some assistance, and the young man supported himself partly by working at his trade, and partly by teaching a country school. Meanwhile his father, Nathaniel Fillmore, had emigrated to Aurora, in this county, whither Millard followed him. In the spring of 1823, the latter was ad- mitted to practice in the county court, and immediately opened an office at Aurora, where he remained seven years. All the elder Fillmores were men of powerful frame, and all had considerable local prominence, such as is often gained in country towns, by sensible though not highly educated men. Nathaniel's brother, Simeon, was Supervisor of Clarence several years. His brother Calvin was a prominent local politician, a Colonel of militia, and at one time a Member of Assembly. Millard's father, Nathaniel, was less noted, but was for several years a Justice of the Peace, and was generally recog- nized as a man of unblemished integrity and sound judgment. Early in that year, the Legislature erected two new towns from Clarence Alden and Erie. The former occupied the same territory as now, with the nominal addition of part of the reservation opposite. The name of the latter was afterwards changed to Newstead, and the exist ence of the previous town of Erie, which was formed in 1804 and obliter- ated in 1808, has caused remarkable confusion among the statisticians. All the gazetteers, civil-lists, etc., state that the town of Newstead was "formed as Erie, in 1804," whereas the town of Erie, which was formed. in 1804, had ceased to exist for fifteen years when the town of Erie, which afterwards became Newstead, was erected, and the two "Eries" 'Eries" were six miles apart at the nearest point. Clarence, after the division, still included the present Lancaster, making a town six miles wide and nearly twenty long. 198 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The year 1824 was not an eventful one in Erie county. The canal was nearly finished within the county limits, and only awaited the com- pletion of the great cut through the mountain ridge at Lockport, and some work of less importance on either side. While it was thus in prog- ress, its great advocate, DeWitt Clinton, who, after being Governor many years was then serving as Canal Commissioner, was removed from that humble but important office through partisan hostility. This ungrateful act roused the intense resentment of a large portion of the people, and in the fall he received an independent nomination for Gov- ernor, and was triumphantly elected. Erie county remembered her benefactor and gave him a handsome majority. Not far from the time under consideration, certainly, during the administration of Mr. Otto as local agent, the Holland Company adopted a system of receiving from the settlers the products of their farms, in payment for land. Agents yearly received cattle at certain advertised points, and endorsed the value thereof on the contracts. Turner states that, while the measure was highly beneficial to the settlers, the company, by reason of the expense of agencies, etc., lost largely by the new system. The quiet of 1824 was more than compensated by the excitements of 1825. Since the close of the war no such eventful twelvemonth had passed over the county of Erie. Early in the year the public first learned of a tragedy which became celebrated throughout the country, and to which old residents of West- ern New York still look back as the event most deeply branded on their memories. This was the celebrated tragedy of the "Three Thayers." An account of the crime, (the murder of John Love), committed by them will be found in the history of the town of Boston. Suffice it to say here that the body of Love was found and the Thayers were arrested in the latter part of February, 1825. They were tried at the Erie county Oyer and Terminer, on the 19th and 20th of April. Reuben H. Walworth, Judge of the Fourth District and afterwards Chancellor of the State, presided, while on the bench with him sat Ebenezer Walden, First Judge of the Common Pleas, and Associate-Judges Russell, Douglass and Camp. District Attorney Potter appeared for the people, assisted by Sheldon Smith and Henry B. White, both young lawyers, lately admitted. The prisoners were defended by Thomas C. Love, Ebenezer Griffin and Ethan B. Allen. The evidence was too plain for serious contest, and all three were found guilty and sentenced to death. On the 7th of June, 1825, was seen the remarkable spectacle of three brothers led to execution for murder. It was this circumstance which made the crime famous, and which drew an enormous crowd to the scene of doom. When executions were public every one attracted a throng—but three executions at once had a fascination which hardly EXECUTION OF THE THREE THAYERS. 199 any one could resist. Even the day before the last tragedy, many bent their way toward Buffalo, and on the morning of the execution, every road was crowded with people-men, women and children—hurrying forward in every kind of vehicle, on horseback and on foot. Never had there been seen such thronging numbers since that dismal day in Decem- ber, 1813, when all the people fled, not to, but from, the execution which they feared at the hands of savage invaders. There was, however, one notable exception. As Judge Walden was entering the village from his farm in Hamburg, he met the veteran Red Jacket, striding alone toward his home at the Seneca village. 66 Why, how is this," said the Judge, "why do you not go to see the execution, like the rest?" “Ugh," growled the old chieftain contemptuously, "fools enough there now-battle is the place to see men die;" and with this aphorism he haughtily pursued his way. A mass of people, estimated at from twenty to thirty thousand, but probably not half so large, was gathered about Niagara Square, near the west side of which the gallows was situated. Again, as twice before, Elder Glezen Fillmore was chosen to preach the customary sermon, and the survivors of the scene still remember the solemn impression which he made, as his mighty voice rolled out over the heads of the hushed throng. Between the trial and the execution of the three Thayers, General LaFayette, then the guest of the Nation, visited Buffalo on his return trip from a western tour, and passed onward to the Falls; an event of a transient nature, but causing the deepest interest throughout the county. A very amusing incident, which will be described elsewhere, occurred on the 15th of September, 1825, when Major Mordecai M. Noah, a prom- inent editor and politician of the city of New York, of Hebrew blood and faith, "laid the corner stone" (on the communion table of the Epis- copal church of Buffalo,) of a city called Ararat, which was to be erected on Grand Island as a refuge for the Hebrews of the whole world. But the great event of the year, so far as the prosperity of Erie county was concerned, was the completion of the Erie canal, or the "Grand Canal" as it was generally termed at that time. It was finished on the 24th of October, 1825, and on the 26th, in accordance with previous arrangements, a grand celebration was held all along the line, in which Buffalo took a leading part. It will be more fully men- tioned in the Chapter on the Erie canal. The State census was taken in June of this year, and showed the population of Erie county to be twenty-four thousand three hundred and sixteen. Buffalo numbered two thousand four hundred and twelve inhabitants—only one-tenth of the whole population of the county. By this census Erie county became entitled to two members of the Assembly. 200 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The construction of the canal was not, at first, rewarded by the immense business which its sanguine supporters expected. But little grain, as yet, found its way down the lake, and for several years loads were light. A large part of the business of the canal was the carrying of passengers in packet boats, a business which became quite extensive, yet did not prevent an immense amount of travel by stage-coach. During the succeeding year the efforts of the pre-emption owners to purchase Indian lands were at length rewarded with a partial success. A council was held the last of August, 1826, and, notwithstanding the remonstrances of Red Jacket and his supporters, a treaty was made by which the Indians ceded to the Ogden Company 33,637 acres of the Buffalo reservation, 33,409 of the Tonawanda reservation, and 5,120 of the Cattaraugus reservation, besides some 1,500 acres in the Genesee valley. All of the Tonawanda reservation in Erie county was thus ceded, except a strip about a mile and a half wide, and two miles and a half long, in the northeast corner of the town of Erie or Newstead. The thriving village of Akron is on the land then purchased, near its south- west corner. From the Buffalo Creek reservation a strip a mile and a half wide was sold off on the south side, running from a point in the present town of Cheektowaga, a mile and a half east of Cayuga creek to the east end of the reservation. Also a strip about three miles wide from the east end, (including all east of the “two-rod road" in Marilla), and finally a tract a mile wide, commonly called the "mile-strip," extending along the whole south side of the reservation. Of the Cattaraugus reservation, besides a mile square in Chautauqua county, there was ceded in Erie county a strip a mile wide along the north side of the reservation, for six miles from the northeast corner, also called in that section the "mile-strip," and a tract a mile square, known as the "mile-block," south of the east end of that strip. Both are in the present town of Brant, the north edge of that "mile-strip" being about half a mile south of Brant Center. Red Jacket's influence was evidently waning, but he still clung to the semblance of his former greatness. After the treaty was agreed to by the greater part of the chiefs, the agent of the Ogden Company told the veteran orator that as he had opposed its adoption he need not sign it. But no, the name of Sagoyewatha had been affixed to every treaty made by his people for nearly forty years, and must not now be omitted. His opposition to Christianity and civilization was yearly growing more bitter, and the breach between his pagan adherents and that large part of the Indians who favored progressive doctrines, was all the while becoming wider. Although his vanity prompted him to have his name in its usual prominent position, yet he afterwards tried to have the treaty THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT. 201 set aside as fraudulent. On examination, however, the negotiations appeared to have been conducted with entire fairness. As soon as practicable, the land thus purchased was divided among several individuals who were collectively called the Ogden Company, and most of it was put in market. In the winter of 1826-27, intense excitement manifested itself in Erie county, in common with the whole of western New York, over the abduction and supposed murder, in the previous September, of the cele- brated William Morgan, of Batavia, when he was on the eve of publish- ing an expose of the secrets of Masonry. As time passed, and Morgan could not be found, the people became still more angry. Meetings were held, and committees of investigation appointed, and bitter language toward all Masons became common. At length it was discovered that the unfortunate man had been taken from Canandaigua to Fort Niagara, thence across the river to Canada, and thence back to the fort, in the magazine of which he was kept until about the 29th of September, when all traces of him disappeared forever. Plentiful inferences have been drawn, but his precise fate is still unknown. Some of his first abductors were discovered and indicted, but they • pleaded guilty of the abduction in January, 1827, leaving the main ques- tion undecided. The feeling grew stronger and spread wider, and nowhere was it stronger than in Erie county, except perhaps in Genesee. Many Masons abandoned the connection. As the town election approached, in the spring of 1827, the preva- lent excitement showed itself in politics. In many towns meetings were held, at which resolutions were adopted that no adhering Mason should be supported for any office. During the year many Masonic lodges in Western New York gave up their charters, and distrust of the institution extended to other parts of the country. Parties were in a chaotic state, nearly all men claiming to be Democrats. The most definite division was into supporters of the Adams-Clay administration, on the one hand, and of Jackson's aspirations to the succession on the other. Neither of these parties would consent to the exclusion of Masons from office, so the ardent Anti-Masons advo- cated the policy of separate nominations. Some of the counties were. carried by an Anti-Masonic ticket in the fall of 1827. In Erie, however, that question was complicated with that of opposi- tion to the Holland Land Company. Notwithstanding the reception of produce by the company, there was still a large indebtedness, with poor prospects of payment. When, added to this, came rumors that the com- pany was about to raise the price of land on which the time of payment had passed, there was a general desire for legislative relief. Doubts were started as to the title of the company, and the proposition that in some way its property should be subjected to very heavy taxation was 202 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. received with favor. David E. Evans had succeeded Mr. Otto as agent, and during his administration the contracts were somewhat modified in favor of the settlers. At this time the veteran soldier and statesman, Peter B. Porter, again came to the surface of political affairs. He was almost unanimously elected to the Assembly, representing a mingled feeling of opposition to Masonry and to the Holland Company. In the fall, the Masons charged with the murder of Morgan were brought to trial in Niagara county, the trials resulting in disagreement of the juries, which only increased the popular excitement. The principles of the Anti-Masons were vigorously supported by the Buffalo Patriot, while the Journal defended Masonry. It defended it very moderately, however, for the feeling in opposition was too strong to be rudely dealt with. Church buildings were extremely rare anywhere in the county. We cannot learn of one, out of Buffalo, in the beginning of 1827, except the Friends' meeting house at East Hamburg. In that year the Baptist and Presbyterian churches in Aurora combined, and built a good-sized frame church. The Methodists there erected one about the same time, and thenceforth white spires began to rise in all parts of the county. There were already several steamers on the lake, and a large fleet of sail vessels. Two or three small steamers had also been built to run on the Niagara. A curious exhibition was seen on that river in Septem- ber, 1827. The schooner Michigan, which was found to be too large to enter the lake harbors, and had besides become partially unseaworthy, was purchased by several hotel owners and others, and public notice given that on a certain day it would be sent over the Falls. The novel exhibition drew immensely. Strangers came for days beforehand, and at the time appointed the number of people on Goat Island and the neigh- boring shores was estimated all the way from ten to thirty thousand. Five steamers, all there were on both lake and river except the Superior, went down from Buffalo loaded with passengers, besides thousands who took land conveyance. The Michigan was towed by one of the steamers to Yale's landing, three miles above the Falls, on the Canadian side. In the afternoon it was taken in charge by Captain Rough, the oldest captain on the lake, who with a yawl and five oarsmen undertook to pilot the doomed vessel as near the rapids as was possible. The Michigan had been provided with a crew, for that voyage only, consisting of a buffalo, three bears, two foxes, a raccoon, a dog, a cat and four geese. It had also been officered with effigies of General Jackson and other prominent men of the day. Captain Rough took the schooner to a point within a quarter of a mile of the first rapids, and but little over half a mile from the Horse-shoe IMPEACHMENT OF RED JACKET. 203 Fall. Then it was cut adrift, and the oarsmen had to pull for their lives, but succeeded in insuring their safety. Both shores were lined with immense crowds, eagerly watching this curious proceeding. With the American ensign flying from her bowsprit, and the British jack at her stern, the Michigan went straight down the center of the stream, keeping the course the best pilot would have pursued, and was soon dashing over the first rapids. Then there was trouble among the amateur crew. One of the bears was seen climbing a mast. The foxes, the coon, the dog and the cat were scampering up and down, apparently snuffing mischief in the air, but not knowing how to avoid it. Two of the bears plunged into the seething rapids and swam to the Canadian shore. The poor buffalo was inclosed in a pen, and could do nothing but meet his fate in dignified silence. Passing the first rapids uninjured, the schooner shipped a sea, but came up and entered the second, still “head on." There its masts both went by the board. Then it swung around, entered the third rapid stern foremost, and the next instant plunged over the Horse-shoe Fall. Of course it was shivered into ten thousand pieces, many of the largest tim- bers being broken into atoms. Two of the geese survived the tremen- dous plunge and swam ashore, being the only animals, except fish, ever known to have descended alive over that fearful precipice. Their com- pagnons de voyage all disappeared; even the buffalo was never heard of more. Of the effigies, General Jackson's alone passed uninjured over the cataract, and was seen with head, arms and legs complete, riding tri- umphantly around one of the eddies-which was doubtless considered by the friends of the real General as an omen of success at the next Presi- dential election. About the same time that this singular pageant was attracting a mul- titude of spectators, the old orator of the Senecas was being metaphori- cally sent over the Falls, as an unseaworthy hulk, by his countrymen. The school at the Seneca village was then in a forward condition, and many of the most prominent Indians began to profess their belief in Christianity. Red Jacket's opposition became more bitter than ever, while his personal habits were those of a perfect sot. His wife had lately joined the Christians, whereupon the angry old pagan abandoned her, and lived for several months with another woman on the Tonawanda reservation. At the end of that time, however, he returned to his wife, and afterwards manifested no opposition to her attending church. Twenty-five of the chiefs determined to depose him from his sachem- ship. They accordingly had a written deposition drawn up, which they all signed. The list was headed by "Gayanquiaton," or Young King, followed by the veteran Captain Pollard, White Seneca, Seneca White, Captain Strong and the rest. 204 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. This singular document was directly addressed to him, saying, “You, Sagoyowatha," have committed such and such offences; accusing him of sending false stories to the President, of opposing improvement, of dis- couraging children from attending school, of leaving his wife, of betray- ing the United States in the War of 1812, of appropriating annuity goods to his own use, and of hiding a deer he had killed, while his people were starving. His accusers closed by renouncing him as chief, and forbidding him to act as such. These charges extended over a long time, and as to many of them there are no means of ascertaining their correctness. Those relating to his opposition to "improvement," etc., were doubtless true, but were hardly proper subjects of impeachment. As to the accusation of betray- ing the United States in the war, it was generally repudiated by Ameri- can officers, who doubted Red Jacket's courage, but not his fidelity. He sought, indeed, to keep his people out of the fight entirely, but his right to do this can hardly be questioned. It will be observed that his accus- ers say nothing about the gross drunkenness which really unfitted him for performing any duties which may have attached to his rank. Proba- bly a good many of them thought it not best, on their own account, to meddle with that subject. Chiefs were so numerous among the Indians that twenty-five was a minority of those who could claim that dignity; and the action of that number could not be considered the voice of the Nation. Red Jacket, however, was deeply cut by it. He made a visit to Washington in 1827 or '28, and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs advised him to return and offer his opponents to bury the hatchet. He came back and called a council. Much indignation was unquestionably felt among the Indians. that their greatest man should have been treated with such indignity. He exerted his waning powers to the utmost, and made a most eloquent speech. The council agreed to restore him to his rank, and it is reported that it was done by a unanimous vote, his opponents being awed into silence by the popular feeling. But this was the last effort of that brilliant mind. He sank rapidly into comparative imbecility and utter sottishness. In 1828, a vacancy having occurred in the office of Secretary of War, President Adams selected General Peter B. Porter for that position. He was the first cabinet officer from Western New York. General Porter discharged with credit the duties of his office during the remainder of Mr. Adams' term, and then retired permanently from public life. Still later he removed to Niagara Falls, where he died in 1844. His only son was the late Colonel Peter A. Porter, (a native of Erie county, though long a resident of Niagara,) who inherited the valor of the early volun- teer, and fell at the head of his regiment in the war for the Union." Although the feeling against Masonry was very strong in this section, and constantly growing more so, yet the lodges at Buffalo and Black POLITICAL EVENTS OF 1828-'30. 205 Rock continued to meet throughout 1828. As the fall elections ap- proached, the combat grew more intense. Charges of murder and of abetting murder were freely used on the one hand, and were met by accusations that the leading Anti-Masons were merely stirring up strife for the purpose of obtaining office. This was also the autumn of the first election of Jackson, and the contest was exceedingly bitter throughout the country, between his sup- porters (who by this time were generally recognized as the actual Dem- ocratic party) and those of the Adams-Clay administration. In Western New York, the lines were pretty closely drawn between the Jackson Democrats on the one hand, and the Anti-Masons on the other, the latter having a large majority. It was at this time that Millard Fillmore, then twenty-six years old and a practicing lawyer at Aurora, first entered public life; being then elected by the Anti-Masons as a member of the State Assembly. The Anti-Masons continued to hold sway throughout 1829, and the adhering Masons gradually decreased in numbers. Then, or not long afterwards, the Erie county lodges gave up their charters. In the fall of 1829, Albert H. Tracy again entered political life, being elected State Senator by the Anti-Masons, by a majority of over seven thousand in the Eighth Senatorial District. At the same time Mr. Fillmore was re-elected to the Assembly, in which he had taken high rank by his industry and talents. By 1830, the opponents of Jackson's administration throughout the country had generally assumed the name of National Republicans, but in Western New York the Anti-Masons still absorbed nearly all the elements of opposition. Most of the present town of Marilla was included in the tract bought of the Indians. Its excellent soil caused it to be quickly settled as soon as the land was for sale. Jeremiah and G. W. Carpenter opened farms near the site of Marilla village in 1829 and '30. Jesse Bartoo had settled still earlier, near what is now Porterville, but was long called Bartoo's Mills. The large tract purchased in Erie (Newstead) was also rapidly filling up. The Erie postoffice was on the old Buffalo road but business had already begun to be drawn toward what is now the village of Akron, and in 1828 or '29, Jonathan Russell opened a store there. By the census of 1830, the population of the county was 35,719; showing an increase of 11,413, or forty-seven per cent., in five years. The population of Buffalo was 8,668. From a register of that year, we learn that there were then twenty- seven postoffices in the county. We have been able to give the exact year of establishing many of them; the others had all been established between 1825 and 1830. Nine of the sixteen towns had one office each, viz.: Alden, Amherst, Boston, Eden, Erie, Colden, Concord, Holland, 14 206 HISTORY Of Erie County. and Sardinia. Each bore the same name as the town, except those in Amherst and Concord, which were named respectively Williamsville and Springville. Four towns had two offices each: Aurora having Willink and Griffin's Mills; Clarence having Clarence and Cayuga Creek; Evans having Evans and East Evans; and Wales having Wales and South Wales. Two towns had three offices each: Buffalo, with Buffalo, Black Rock and Tonawanda; and Hamburg, with Hamburg, East Hamburg and Hamburg-on-the-Lake. Finally, the fertile fields of Collins must have attracted a very large emigration, or else its people were especially given to letters, as that town had four postoffices in 1830-Collins, Angola, Collins Center and Zoar. The country towns had then begun to assume something of their present appearance. Nearly all the villages now existing were then in being, and many of them were nearly as large as now. The buildings in them, however, were by no means as large or expensive as at the present day. There was probably not a three-story building in the county except in Buffalo. Log houses were frequently seen, even on the main roads, and on the back roads were still in the majority. Few new ones, how- ever, were built. Of the frame houses the common ones retained their original wood-color, but the aristocracy covered theirs with a coat of glow- ing red. The old well-sweep still held its own, or was replaced by a wind- lass; the pump was still an institution seldom affected by the farmer. The animals of the forest were still often seen, though in decreasing numbers every year. Along the Cattaraugus the bears lasted longer than the wolves, and were still frequent in 1830. On the 20th of January, 1830, the renowned orator, Red Jacket, died at his log cabin near the Mission church, on the Buffalo reservation. He had sunk very low since the time of his great struggle over the ques- tion of his rank, even hiring himself to keepers of museums to be exhib- ited for money. Having returned home, and being satisfied that death was approaching, he rallied his waning powers to give counsel to his people. He visited his friends at their cabins, conversed with them on the wrongs of the Indians, and urged them when he was gone to heed his counsels, to retain their lands, and to resist all efforts to convert them. to the habits of the white man. According to McKenney's "Indian Biography," he was anxious that his funeral should be celebrated in the Indian manner. (( Bury me," he said "by the side of my former wife; and let my funeral be according to the custom of our nation. Let me be dressed and equipped as my fathers were, that their spirits may rejoice at my coming. Be sure that my grave be not made by a white man; let them not pursue me there." Nevertheless, while thus earnest, he was not so bitter as he had formerly been. Almost at the last he convened a council of his people, DEATH OF RED JACKET. 207 both Christians and pagans, and advised them to live in harmony, leaving every one to choose his religion without interference. He was taken mortally sick (with cholera morbus) during the council, but a resolution was adopted in accordance with his wishes, at which he was much pleased. He said he knew the attack was fatal, and refused all medical aid. One of his last requests was that, when she saw him nearing his end, his wife should place in his hand a certain vial of water, to keep the devil from taking his soul. Thus, enveloped in the superstitions of his race, passed away the last of the Iroquois orators, the renowned Red Jacket. His precise age was unknown, but he was probably about seventy-five. His sons had all died before him, and but one or two daughters remained of a large family, who mostly fell victims to consumption. Notwithstanding his wishes, as the members of the Wolf clan, to which he belonged, were largely Christian, as well as his wife and her family, he was buried according to the rites of the Christian Church. The remains of Red Jacket had a strange fate, though one not incon- sistent with his own hapless career. For many years his grave remained unmarked. In 1839, however, a subscription was set on foot under the auspices of the actor, Henry Placide, and a marble slab with a suitable inscription placed over his grave. Long after the Senecas had removed to the Cattaraugus reservation, some admirers of the orator, perhaps fearing that his grave would be ploughed up, took up his bones and put them in a lead coffin, intending to remove them to Forest Lawn. His Indian friends, however, heard of the project with strong dislike, and immediately came from Cattaraugus, and demanded and obtained the precious relics. The monument was afterwards transferred to the rooms of the Buffalo Historical Society, where it still remains. The most singular part of the matter is that the bones have never as yet been re-buried. When visiting the Cattaraugus reservation some time since, the writer was informed that the mortal remains of the most celebrated orator produced by the aborigines of America were pre- served in a bag, under the bed of an old Indian woman who had consti- tuted herself their custodian. Since then the bones have come into the possession of William C. Bryant, Esq., and will be buried at Forest Lawn as soon as some necessary arrangements can be made by him and his associates regarding a lot to be used as a resting place for Red Jacket and other Indians. 208* HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXII. FROM 1831 TO 1840. >> The Year that Holt was Hung Erie and Newstead German Immigrants - Mary Jemison Incorporation of Buffalo - Politics The Cholera - Commercial Prosperity Inflation - Speculative Collapse - Formation of Tonawanda - General Gloom T An "Agrarian Conven- tion" Opposition to the Holland Company The Patriot War-Camp on Navy Island- Destruction of the Caroline - Militia Called Out - Scott on the Frontier - Dispersion of the Patriots An Expedition to Erie North and the Volunteers - Patriotism on Ice- Captur- ing Cannon - Final Dispersion - Bargaining for the Reservations - Dubious Proceedings - Formation of Brant and Black Rock - The Harrison Campaign - Population in 1840. HE first year of the new decade passed almost eventless away. The circumstance which most strongly marks it on the memories of old settlers is that it was "the year that Holt was hung." Murders had not yet become so common in the county as to be flung aside with the morning paper. Nearly seven years had passed since the last one, and a still longer time was to elapse before there should be another; so, although the execution of the wretch who slew his wife with a hammer, in Buffalo, obtained no such celebrity as the awful doom of the three brothers in 1825, still it formed an era to which local events are often referred by the men of that day. The crime was quickly punished; it was committed in October, Holt pleaded guilty the same month, and he was executed on the 22d of November. In April, 1831, the name of the town of Erie was changed to “New- stead," on account of the confusion and difficulty caused by the letters, etc., of the inhabitants going to Erie, Pa. Ever since 1823, when the first person of German birth arrived in Buffalo, there had been occasional accessions of Germans to the popula- tion of that village, until in 1831 there were perhaps a hundred families there. About 1831 or 1832, the first settlements by men of that nation- ality were made in Erie county outside of Buffalo. The new comers located themselves in and about the village of White's Corners, now Hamburg, and some found their way into Eden. Since then there has been a constant and constantly increasing tide of German immigration into both city and country, until the Germans and their children now number fully one-third of the population of the county. In the year 1831, there came to make her home in the county of Erie one whose life had been of the most strange and romantic character- albeit the romance was of such a kind that few would wish to undergo her experience. Born on the Atlantic in 1743, while her parents were migrating from the Old World to the New, the restless billows of Mary MARY JEMISON. 209 Jemison's birthplace well typified the ever-changing vicissitudes of her long career. At the age of twelve she saw her home on the frontier of Pennsyl- vania destroyed by a band of savages, and all its inmates save herself— father, mother, brothers and sisters-all slain by the same ruthless foes. But the caprice so often manifested by the Indians toward their captives induced them to spare her alone, and to take her to Fort Du Quesne. There she was adopted by two Indian sisters, who treated her with the greatest kindness and gave her the name of Dehhewamis. Ere she had hardly attained to womanhood she was required to wed a young Delaware brave, and, though she became the bride of an Indian with great reluctance, yet, as she always declared, his unvarying kind- ness was such as to gain her affection. "Strange as it may seem," she said, “I loved him." For some unknown reason she went (on foot, with her children on her back) several hundred miles from her home on the Ohio, to take up her residence among the Senecas on the Genesee, where her husband was to join her. He died, however, before doing so. This is the most curious part of her story, and it looks as if there was some- thing hidden about that portion of her life. She soon married a Seneca, a monster of cruelty toward his enemies, but kind to her. By this time she had become so fully reconciled to her savage surroundings that she declined the opportunity to return to the whites afforded by the peace between England and France, and when an old chief sought to take her to Fort Niagara by force, to obtain the reward offered for prisoners thus delivered up, she used every means to baffle his efforts, and finally succeeded in doing so. She remained among the Senecas during the Revolution, her cabin being the habitual stopping place for Butler, Brant and other leaders, while going on or returning from their raids against the wretched inhab- itants of the frontier. When Sullivan came on his mission of vengeance, her cabin and crops were destroyed with the others. We say "her," for she seems to have been the principal personage in the household, as well of her second as of her first husband. With her two youngest children on her back and three others following after, she hunted up a couple of runaway negroes living with the Senecas, whose crop had escaped destruction, and by husking their corn on shares obtained enough to feed herself and children through the winter. She remained near her old haunts when most of the Senecas came West, and when they sold to Phelps and Gorham, she managed to pro- cure for herself a reservation of near thirty square miles. This might have afforded her an ample fortune, and she did draw considerable revenue from it. But she showed little desire for the comforts of civilized life, and retained to a great extent the dress, appearance and habits of a squaw. She was commonly called "The White Woman "The White Woman" by the Indians, and even those of her own race generally adopted this curious appellation. 210 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In time her second husband died, leaving his savage characteristics to his eldest son, who developed a nature of the deepest malignity, inflamed by drunkenness, who in different quarrels slew his only two brothers, and who was finally murdered himself in a drunken brawl. Sad indeed were the latter days of the old "White Woman," and they were made still more so by the progress of settlement, which shut her off from the wild companions of so many years. At length she determined to spend her remaining days with her old friends, and in 1831, at the age of eighty-eight, she disposed of her remain- ing interest on the Genesee and came to make her last home on the Buf- falo Creek reservation. There, among the barbaric customs which had so strangely fascinated her, she survived for two more years; and then Mary Jemison, Dehhewamis, "The White Woman," found rest in the grave, after nine decades of a tempest-tossed life. In 1832 Buffalo was incorporated as a city, with five wards, and a population of about ten thousand. In the fall (which, as will be remembered, was the time of Jackson's second election) Millard Fillmore was chosen to represent the thirtieth district of New York in Congress. To achieve such a success at the age of thirty-two is most creditable to the abilities of any man; and was all the more so in this case, the young Congressman having had absolutely no aid from extraneous sources, and having achieved his entrance into the National Legislature only nine years after commencing life in a country village, as an attorney in the Common Pleas. It will be understood that the only difficulty was in regard to the nomination; the Anti-Masonic National Republican opposition to Jack- son's administration, had an overwhelming majority in the county, and the election of their candidate was a foregone conclusion. The strength of the feeling is shown by the fact that in this courty William L. Marcy, the Democratic candidate for Governor, received but 1,743 votes, while 4,356 votes were cast for Francis Granger, the opposition nominee. It was in 1832 that the cholera made its first visit to the shores of Amer- ica. Passing along the main thoroughfares, it inflicted a heavy blow upon Buffalo, but it did not spread into the country. Yet none knew what track the destroyer might take, and for many weeks every village waited with fear and trembling the appearance of this hitherto unknown scourge. There had been no new towns formed since the creation of Colden, in 1827. Though Clarence was about 17 miles long, (besides the part included in the reservation,) the steady-going Pennsylvania Germans who formed a large part of its population were in no haste to create a new set of officers, at length, however, the numbers in the southern part of the town became so large that a division was almost imperative, and on the 20th of March, 1833, a new town was formed, comprising Township 11, FORMATION OF LANCASTER. 211 Range 6, of the Holland Company's survey, and that part of the mile- and-a-half-strip, sold in 1826, which lay opposite that township—besides a nominal jurisdiction over the unsold Indian land, to the center of the reservation. As Clarence had been named after one English dukedom, that of another was selected for the new town, which received the appell- ation of Lancaster. We have now reached the time when the tide of commerce began to roll steadily through the county of Erie. The fertile lands of Michi- gan, Northern Indiana, Northern Illinois, and other parts of the West were opened to settlement, and their products found their way into the Erie canal. Its boats went loaded to the sea coast, and brought back crowds of German and Irish immigrants, most of whom went farther west, but many of whom sought the companionship of their countrymen in and around Buffalo. Almost at the same time, the closing of the United States Bank, caused the chartering of a large number of State banks, which issued an immense amount of paper money. Frequently the guarantees required by the States were wretchedly inadequate, especially in the West and South, so that the new money had no better foundation than the faith of the people. From these two causes, the increase of Western production and the increase of money, the former real and the latter fictitious, there followed a general inflation of business and advance of prices. This inflation extended throughout the United States, but nowhere else was it quite so balloon-like in its growth and collapse as along the line of the great lakes, where both the causes above mentioned were in their fullest vigor. A slight advance of prices began to be observed in 1833. They increased through 1834, and in 1835 the great speculation was under full headway. It of course ran highest in Buffalo, but was strongly felt throughout the county. All up the lakes, too, wherever there was a possibility of a harbor, and sometimes where there was not even a possibility, a city was laid out, a magnificent name was given it, and its proprietors became Rothschilds and Astors-on paper. That there was some ground for the advance in this county, is shown by the fact that the population had increased from 8,653 in 1830, to 15,661 in 1835, or more than eighty-one per cent. A more remarkable fact is that the population of the whole county in 1835, was 57,594, to 35,719 in 1830, an increase of over sixty-one per cent. Never did the fever of speculation rage more fiercely anywhere than it did in Erie county, and especially in Buffalo, in 1835 and 1836. Some incidents of the infatuation of the people will be mentioned in the history of that city in the second volume. The financial catastrophy impending over the whole county, was hastened, so far as this and the adjoining counties were concerned, by the exposure, in August, 1836, of the for- 212 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. geries of Benjamin Rathbun, then the leading business man of Buffalo. Consternation seized upon the public, prices went rapidly down, and many a man who had supposed himself a millionaire, soon found himself reduced to absolute poverty. Amid the general dismay, the Presidential election probably drew less attention than any other that ever occurred in the county. While Van Burenwas elected President, and Marcy, Governor, Erie county as usual went heavily for the opposition, which had now assumed the name of the Whig party throughout the country. Anti-Masonry had ceased to exist as a political organization, or as a source of present excitement, but its results were seen in the large Whig majorities which Western New York gave throughout the existence of that party. Masonry, too, was utterly extinct in this section, and any attempt to revive it at that time would undoubtedly have caused a renewal of the old excitement. Mill- ard Fillmore, after two years' retirement, was again elected to Congress. The increase of population shown by the census of 1835, entitled Erie county to three Members of Assembly. The town of Tonawanda was formed from Buffalo April 16, 1836, comprising the present towns of Tonawanda and Grand Island. The year closed in gloom and anxiety, though the depression had not yet reached its lowest point. Nevertheless, it was during this year that the first railroad was completed in Erie county, that from Buffalo to Niagara Falls. Steadily prices went down, down, down, all through 1837. Through- out the country failure, bankruptcy and disaster were the order of the day. Banks failed everywhere, and the wretched paper money of the country became more worthless than before. As speculation had proba bly reached its climax in Buffalo, so there the universal reaction was most strongly felt. Fortunes disappeared almost in a night. Mortgages were foreclosed on every hand, and property which but yesterday had been sold for thirty, forty, fifty dollars per foot would now hardly bring as many per acre. Even in the country towns the re-action, though of course less than in the city, produced great distress, and some who had deemed themselves rich suffered for the necessaries of life. In the course of 1837, matters probably got about as bad as they could be, so that after that they did not grow any worse; but it was sev eral years before there was any sensible recovery from the "Hard Times," as that era was universally called. Unquestionably the designation was a correct one; for never has the country, and especially this part of it, known so disastrous a financial crisis. The "hard times" inaugurated in the fall of 1873 were mere child's play in comparison. Even before the crash there had been a steadily growing opposition to the Holland Company, throughout the Holland Purchase, and an THE "AGRARIAN" CONVENTION. 213 increasing desire, on the part of the possessors of lands not paid for, to lighten what they felt to be an intolerable burden, the long arrears of interest then due. When to these was added the weight of general finan- cial distress, the discontent rose to still greater heights. Meetings were held in many towns, denouncing the company, de- manding a modification of terms, requesting the Legislature to interfere, and asking the Attorney-General to contest the company's title. In Feb- ruary, 1837, there assembled at Aurora a meeting at which the counties. of Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Chautauqua were represented, and which boldly assumed the name of an "Agrarian Convention." Dyer Tilling- hast, of Buffalo, was president; Charles Richardson, of Java, Genesee county, (now Wyoming,) and Hawxhurst Addington, of Aurora, were vice-presidents; and A. M. Clapp, of Aurora, and H. N. A. Holmes, of Wales, were secretaries. Resolutions were passed denouncing the "Judases" who sided with the company, and requesting the Attorney- General to contest its title. In some localities the people did not confine themselves to resolu- tions. Without any very decided acts of violence, they made every agent of the company who came among them feel that there was danger in the air. Whenever an attempt was made to take possession of a place of which its holder was in arrears, armed men gathered on the hillsides, threatening notices were sent, and a state of terror was kept up until the company's representatives became demoralized and abandoned the field. There was no chance for contesting the company's original title, and the Legislature refused to interfere. In most of the towns the settlers, in the course of many weary years, paid up and took deeds of their lands. In a few localities, however, they made so stubborn a resistance, and the company was so long in enforcing its claims, that many of the occupants acquired a title by "adverse possession," which the courts sustained. In 1837, a company was chartered to build a macadam road from Buffalo to Williamsville, and actually did build it within a year or two afterwards. This was nearly, or quite, the first successful attempt to re- place one of our time-honored mud roads by a track passable at all seasons. In the fall of that year William A. Mosely, of Buffalo, was elected State Senator in place of Albert H. Tracy, who then finally retired from public life, at the early age of forty-four, after a twenty-years' career of remarkable brilliancy. As the winter of 1837-'38 approached, the people of Erie county, with those of the rest of the Northern frontier, were at least furnished with something else than their own misfortunes to talk about. For several years there had been a growing discontent in the Cana- dian provinces with the government of Great Britain. Among the French population of Lower Canada it was quite strong, and at length it broke out in armed rebellion, which was only suppressed at consider- able cost of blood and treasure. 214 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. After the outbreak there was put down, there were some small uprisings in Upper Canada. But whatever political opposition there might have been in that section to the home government, there was little disposition to seek the arbitrament of battle, and very few appeared in arms. Those who did so sought a position close to the American line in order that they might receive all possible aid from their sympathizers on this side. For it was impossible that anything in the shape of a revolt against British power, whatever the cause, or whatever its strength, should not awaken interest and sympathy on the part of Americans. The two contests in which we had been engaged with that country, and the fact that we owed our National existence to a successful revolt against monarchial government, combined to produce such a result. Secret lodges of "hunters," as they were called, were formed along the frontier for the purpose of affording aid to the "patriots," which was the desig- nation generally given to the insurgents, and some armed men crossed the line. William Lyon Mackenzie, an ex-member of the Provincial Parlia- ment, and the leader of the rebellion in Upper Canada, after a slight and unsuccessful outbreak north of Toronto, fled to Buffalo in the fore part. of December, 1837. Meetings were held, and addresses made by Mac- kenzie, by one T. J. Sutherland, who was called General, and by several Buffalonians. About the middle of the month, there was still greater excitement along the Niagara frontier, for it was learned that the main force of the "patriots" had established themselves on Navy Island. This was closer to American territory than any other British soil in this vicinity. Between it and Grand Island, the channel is less than a quarter of a mile wide, and it was, besides, convenient of access from the old landing-place at Schlosser. There were perhaps three or four hundred men on the island. Of these a considerable proportion were Americans, and their commander was General Rensselaer Van Rensselaer, a son of the gallant Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer, who was wounded on Queenston Heights. Days passed on. Most of the people were in a fever to do something for the "patriots." The United States Marshal appointed thirty deputies from among the most prominent citizens of Buffalo, to prevent violations of neutrality. The winter was one of unexampled mildness, and vessels still continued to run on both lake and river. On the 29th of December, the little steamer Caroline, belonging to William Wells, Esq., of Buffalo, went down to Navy Island, the intention being that she should run back and forth between the camp of the insurgents and Schlosser, carrying men and supplies. After discharging freight at the island, she made two trips to and from Schlosser that afternoon, and then tied to the wharf at the latter place. THE PATRIOT WAR-DESTRUCTION OF THE CAROLINE. 215 Early the next morning, hurrying messengers reached Buffalo with the news that a British force had crossed the river, cut out the Caroline, killed fifteen or twenty men, and then set her on fire and sent her over the Falls. • As may be imagined, the excitement was intense. Rumors of every kind flew about the streets. The British had invaded Grand Island. They had threatened to attack Buffalo. They had killed everybody on board the Caroline and some on shore-etc., etc. Further news, while The it refuted some of these stories, confirmed the main statement. Caroline had certainly been cut loose from the Schlosser wharf by a British force, set on fire, and sent over the Falls. A man named Durfee was found dead on the wharf the morning after the attack, shot through the brain. His body was brought to Buffalo and buried, the funeral being attended by a vast and excited crowd, after which a speech of extraordinary eloquence and power was made in the park by that fiery young advocate, Henry K. Smith. For a long time it was asserted that from ten to twenty men had been slaughtered on board the Caroline, and even the English official report stated that five or six had been killed. But after thorough investigation, it was found that no one was slain except Durfee, though two or three others were wounded. It soon transpired that the assailing expedition was sent over by Sir Allan McNab, commanding the British forces on the frontier, under an officer of the Royal Navy, whose proceedings were fully endorsed by Sir Allan, and by the Governor-General of Canada. It was as clear a viola- tion of American sovereignty as it would have been of English sovereignty if a successful blockade-runner, during the Rebellion, had been attacked and burned in an English port by an American man-of-war. But there was some palliation in the fact that so many of the insurgents were Ameri- cans, and Mr. Van Buren, who was then President, was a very pacific personage. So, notwithstanding a long diplomatic contest, no redress was ever obtained. Sir Allan McNab claimed that the Caroline had been bought by the Navy-Islanders. This, however, was denied under oath by Mr. Wells, and the denial was undoubtedly true; for the whole treasury of the patriots" would have been hardly sufficient to buy a canoe. (( The officers and crew of the Caroline numbered ten men, and twenty- five more went on board at Schlosser, on account, as was alleged, of the lack of hotel accommodations at that place, but probably for the purpose of crossing to Navy island the next morning. It was stoutly asserted that none of the crew or passengers were armed, but as three of the attacking party were 'wounded, this looks improbable. It was claimed by some that they wounded each other in the darkness. Over these, and a hundred other controverted points, the Buffalo Daily Star, and the Daily Commercial long kept up a heated controversy, 216 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. the former accusing the latter of being in the interest of the British, and opposed to the patriots who were striving to throw off the yoke of a foreign tyranny, etc., while the Commercial retaliated by charging the Star with abetting unlawful operations, fomenting war, etc. Meanwhile the American authorities were taking vigorous measures both to prevent armed expeditions from going from this side, and to repel further invasion from the other. A company was organized in Buffalo, called the City Guard, under Captain James McKay. By order of Gov- ernor Marcy, General David Burt called out the 47th Brigade of Militia, (infantry,) the larger part of whom responded, and rendezvoused at Buf falo. Randall's Brigade of artillery was also called out, and all of its companies marched to the same point. The 47th Brigade of infantry was entirely from Erie county, and every town furnished its quota. Among the officers were Colonel Orange T. Brown, of Aurora, and Colonel Harry B. Ransom, of Clarence. Randall's Brigade of artillery covered a much larger district. On the 5th of January, 1838, the President issued a proclamation, and sent General Scott to the frontier. He was accompanied by Colonel William J. Worth, as aid and chief of staff. Scarcely had he arrived, when rumors came that the British were about to cross and attack Schlosser. The troops, regulars and militia, were ordered out and marched to that point. No attack took place and they returned. A day or two afterward it was reported that three English armed schooners, lying opposite Lower Black Rock, were about to fire on the steamer Barcelona, which was plying between Buffalo and Navy island. To Lower Black Rock the troops were accordingly marched, and there, sure enough, were seen the three British schooners, lying nearly in line, awaiting the Barcelona, one of them being in American waters and not far from the shore. Scott formed his infantry along the bank, and posted his artillery on the high ground in the rear. Then the veteran General rode down to the water's edge, hailed the nearest schooner, and ordered her to draw out of American waters, and not to molest the Barcelona, which could then be seen steaming up the river, close along the Ameri- can shore. After some hesitation, the schooner lifted her anchor and drew off across the line, and the Barcelona passed safely by. But the "revolution" could not be kept up much longer. The Brit- ish regulars and Canadian militia concentrated opposite Navy island, fiercely cannonaded the forest which covered it and prepared to cross the channel. Rensselaer Van Rensselaer was brave enough, but his exchequer was low, his followers were few, and the hope of re-inforcements was cut off by the vigilance of Scott. So, on the 15th of January, his army fled to the American mainland and dispersed in every direction. Their stolen cannon they abandoned to the State authorities. Soon after, however, another attempt was made to furnish the disorganized EXPEDITION TO ERIE. 217 "patriot" army with artillery. Five of these same cannon were in charge of a body of militia, at Tonawanda, under Colonel Harry B. Ransom. To him came a squad of men, whose acting commandant presented an order for the delivery of the five guns, signed by Winfield Scott, Major-General commanding. Ransom hesitated, but a prominent citizen came forward, declared that he knew Scott's handwriting, and that the signature was genuine. So the cannon were delivered-on a forged order. But the "patriots" were obliged to scatter for fear of the United States Marshal, and the guns were again recovered by the State. Meanwhile Brigadier-General Thomas Jefferson Sutherland had gone to the other end of Lake Erie, gathered a few men, and begun issuing proclamations preparatory to an invasion of Canada across the Detroit river. A body of United States regulars was forthwith sent to put a stop to unlawful proceedings in that quarter. It was desired to send with them a small detachment of militia as far as Erie, Pa., to watch movements there. Twenty volunteers were called for, and twenty men responded from the Aurora company, commanded by Captain Almon M. Clapp, then editor of the Aurora Standard. The regulars and Captain Clapp's detachment went up the lake under the command of Colonel Worth, on the steamboat Robert Fulton. An incident which occurred on the steamer illustrates the character of that gallant officer. Soon after leaving Buffalo, the regular commissary brought the rations for both regulars and volunteers, and flung them down on the lower deck. The volunteers demurred. They said they were not used to taking their victuals off from the floor, and did not pro- pose to begin then. The commissary roughly told them they might go without. They made known their dissatisfaction to Captain Clapp, who was in the cabin with the regular officers. He at once appealed to Colonel Worth, declaring that his men were accustomed to as decent treatment as himself, and did not relish such conduct. "Certainly not, certainly not," said Worth; "bring your men into the cabin here and let them have their breakfast." So the cooks were set at work, and in a short time the squad of vol- unteers sat down to an excellent breakfast, and did not have to take it off from the deck, either. Stopping at Dunkirk, the troops went to Fredonia, took two or three hundred stand of arms stored there by the "patriots," and proceeded by steamer to Erie. A vessel on Lake Erie in January is a sight seldom seen, and the presence of one in the first month of 1838, marks the mildest winter of which there is any record as visiting this county since its. settlement. But when the Fulton reached Erie the ice was rapidly form- ing, so that it was difficult to enter the harbor, and the planking of the boat was badly injured by it. The volunteers remained there eleven days and returned by land. 218 HISTORY OF Erie County. By this time it was thought the danger of trouble in this vicinity was nearly over, and Burt's infantry and Randall's artillery were both discharged. The ice rapidly closed over the whole lake, and this circumstance was taken advantage of by bands of sympathizers to project another inva- sion of Canada. A company of the Buffalo City Guard and Clapp's vol- unteers were sent, one cold winter night, in sleighs, to the "head of the turnpike," in Hamburg, and thence three or four miles on the ice, toward the middle of the lake. There they found a most remarkable scene. Thirty or forty men had established themselves there on the ice, built shanties, procured a plentiful allowance of hemlock boughs to sleep on, and were awaiting re-inforcements to liberate Canada. They readily surrendered on the appearance of the troops. Only a part of them had fire-arms, but there were a large number of rude pikes, each consisting of a strong pole with a spear several inches long, and a hook of proportionate size. The shanties were torn down, the arms seized and the would-be heroes dispersed. One part of their preparations was peculiar enough to deserve especial mention. Extending from their camp, in a straight line, nearly to the Canada shore, was a row of hemlock bushes, waving over the vast field of ice. It was intended that the liberating army should march over in the night. But if they did so there was danger that in the middle of the lake, with an unbroken plain of ice extending in every direction, they might lose their way and perhaps perish with the cold, for the part of the shore where they intended to land was uninhabited, and there would be no lights to steer by. So they put up that line of hemlock boughs to guide them on their conquering way, making holes in the ice with their pikes, planting the bushes, and pouring on water, which soon froze solid around them. While some of the people, organized in militia companies, were faith- fully at work to prevent the violation of the neutrality laws, their friends and neighbors were willing to run a good deal of risk to aid the insur- gents. One of the companies of Randall's artillery-brigade, belonging in Allegany county, had returned home by way of Aurora and Holland, but, owing to the badness of the roads, had been obliged to leave one of their pieces at the latter place. It was stored in a barn to await better travel- ing. Some of the sympathizers at Aurora determined to secure it for the use of a body of liberators, who were expected to make another effort to cross the lake on the ice. Accordingly, the first sleighing that came, two good teams were hitched to sleighs, which with several men in each, started just after nightfall for Holland. Passing rapidly over the inter- vening ten miles, they arrived at that village, drove to the barn where the cannon was kept, loaded it into one of the sleighs, put the caisson into the other, and had the horses going down the creek-road at full BARGAINING FOR THE RESERVATION. 219 speed ere any one else knew what was going on. It is not likely, how- ever, that any one would have interfered, even if they had known, for the feeling of friendship for the insurgents was so general that few cared to oppose it, save when compelled by official duty. The stolen gun was for- warded through Hamburg to the lake shore. Getting possession of another piece of artillery, the "patriots" assembled to the number of three or four hundred near Comstock's tavern, in Hamburg. But on the 24th of February a detachment of regulars and volunteers, and the crew of a revenue cutter, all under the command of Colonel Worth, who had returned from the West, marched out from Buf- falo, surprised the camp of the four hundred "patriots," dispersed them, and captured their cannon. This was the last attempt to invade Canada from within the borders of Erie county, until the Fenian effort of 1867. For this, as is not unfrequently the case, they blamed the administration and the party in power, and already murmurs, deep and far extending, fore- boded that party's temporary overthrow. There was no need of such aid to the Whigs of Erie county, as they already had an overwhelming majority, but even that majority was doubtless increased by the prevail- ing discontent. In 1837 and 1838 a most strenuous attempt was made (which was kept up for several years,) to obtain possession of all the Indian lands in this and the adjoining counties. A treaty was sanctioned by the execu- tive department of the government by which the government agreed to give the New York Indians, mostly Senecas, 1,820,000 acres of land in Kansas, and build mills, shops, churches, schools, etc. A council of chiefs was called at the council house on the Buffalo Creek reservation, in January, 1838. The treaty was laid before them, and also a deed by which they agreed to cede to the Ogden Company all their reservations, for two hundred and two thousand dollars; a hundred thousand for the land, and a hundred and two thousand for the improvements. Both documents received forty-five signatures of chiefs, either actual or pretended, for it was always difficult to tell who were and who were not chiefs. The treaty was sent to the Senate, who declared it so defective in many respects that it could not be sanctioned, and who also amended it by striking out the various appropriations for mills, schools, etc., and inserting the sum of four hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Gillett, United States Commissioner, again called the chiefs together on the Buffalo reservation to ratify the treaty. By this time there was an intense feel- ing aroused in the tribe against both treaty and deed. The Commis- sioner directed a council-house to be built on purpose for the coming council, which assembled there on the 7th of August, 1838. Many chiefs being absent the council was adjourned three days. During the interval the council-house was burned to the ground, doubtless by some of the 220 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. opponents of the treaty. The Commissioner had a new one built, and the council again met. Mr. Gillett declared that the deed to Ogden & Company was good even if the treaty was not ratified, but General Dearborn, the Commissioner for Massachusetts, insisted that it was not.* In the council the amended treaty was signed by only sixteen chiefs, while sixty-three, the rank of forty-eight of which was undisputed, signed a remonstrance against it. The agents of the Ogden Company, however, declared that this result was obtained by intimidation on the part of the Indians hostile to the treaty, and this was probably, to some extent, true. The Commis- sioner accordingly announced that those chiefs who desired might sign the treaty at his rooms at a hotel in Buffalo. Twenty-six more did so sign; their signatures being witnessed by General Dearborn. Of the forty-two names thus obtained, only twenty-nine were those of undis- puted chiefs, while there were in the Seneca tribe seventy-five chiefs whose title was not disputed. The list of all those claimed to be chiefs on both sides numbered ninety-seven. Yet by counting only those present at the council, while allowing them to sign out of the council and off from the reservation, the Commissioner managed to figure out a majority. It afterwards transpired that written contracts had been entered into by which the agents of the Ogden Company agreed to pay certain. chiefs considerable sums of money, besides giving them life-leases of their improvements, on condition of their not only doing their best to help forward the treaty and sale, but of their voting in favor of them. These payments were to be in addition to the pay for improvements. which those chiefs would receive in common with their brethren, and were simply bribes. Notwithstanding the defective number of signa- tures, and the means used to obtain them, the treaty was ratified by the Senate. Yet the facts brought to light caused so much popular feeling, and the determination of the Indians was so strong not to go West, that the company were unwilling to proceed to extremities. The manner in which the difficulty was finally settled will be described in the next chapter. In March, 1839, three new towns were created. On the 22d of that month the south part of Amherst was cut off and called Cheektowaga. Amherst was the last of the very large towns of Erie county. Before * By the agreement between Massachusetts and New York regarding the title to the western part of the latter State, Massachusetts reserved the right to protect the Indians by sending a Commissioner to every council held with them. + The Quakers, who were the steadfast friends of the Indians throughout the series of transac- tions under consideration, procured and published several of these contracts, by which eight chiefs were to receive over $20,000, besides pay for their improvements. These payments were not like the allowances previously made to Cornplanter, Farmer's Brother, because the former were secret, while the latter were public, and were acquiesced in by the tribes. FORMATION OF BRANT. 221 its division it was eighteen miles long, besides the part on the reserva- tion. Afterwards, there was no town over eleven miles in length. On the 25th of that month, too, the town of Brant was formed by the Legislature out of the south part of Evans, and a part of the Catta- raugus reservation, nominally belonging to Collins. It included the "mile-strip" and "mile-block" sold off from that reservation in 1826. It was doubtless expected when the town was formed, that the sale of the whole reservation would soon be consummated, in accordance with the "treaty" of 1838, and that Brant would thereby become a town of the ordinary size. This expectation, however, was disappointed and the space outside of Indian territory is smaller than the area of any other town in the county. The same spring, all that part of the town of Buffalo outside of the city was formed into the town of Black Rock. It extended clear around the city from Black Rock village to the lake shore. About the same time a law was passed allowing Buffalo a supervisor for each of its five wards. There was little or no change for the better in the financial situation during the last two years of the decade, and the country grew more and more Whiggish. The next year came the great excitement of the Harrison campaign. Erie county was one of the strongest fortresses of Whiggery in the United States, and probably developed more than the average amount of the enthusiasm then so prevalent. Nowhere were there more log cabins erected, more hard cider drank or more coon skins displayed, and nowhere were there louder shouts for "Tippe- canoe and Tyler too." When election day came the Harrison electoral ticket received nearly two to one in this county, and was triumphantly elected in the nation. For the fourth time Millard Fillmore was chosen as representa- tive in Congress, that being once more than any other citizen of Erie county has ever been elected to that office. The general depression is shown by the fact that the population of Buffalo in 1840 had only increased about nine and nine-tenths per cent. over that of 1835, having reached the number of 18,213. The population of the whole county was 62,465, an increase of ten and a fifth per cent. over 1835. This is the only instance of the county's increasing faster than the city. 15 222 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXIII. FROM 1841 TO 1860. - Slow Recovery First Railroad — The Indian Treaty Confirmed — A Compromise — Buffalo Creek Reservation Surrendered Cattaraugus and Allegany Reservations Retained - Tonawanda Reservation bought and given to Indians New Settlements Mr. Fillmore a Candidate for Governor General Prosperity - New Constitution. The Buffalo Convention Mr. Fill- T — — more Elected Vice-President He succeeds to the Presidency - Census of 1850 - The Eben- ezer Society German Immigrants - Increased Prosperity-Formation of West Seneca Extension of Buffalo Formation of Collins, Marilla and Grand Island - Political Changes - The Census of 1857 - Formation of Elma - Campaign of 1860. HE county recovered very slowly from the terrible financial crisis heretofore described, and it was not till near 1845 that it could be considered to have fully regained a healthy condition, by which time moderate prosperity was the rule throughout its borders, as dis- tinguished from the feverish fortune-making of ten years before. In 1842, the Buffalo and Attica railroad was completed, giving the former place its first railroad connection with the East. Travel west- ward was still by boat in summer, and by stage in winter. This was a fine time for Buffalo hotels. Every traveler had to stay in town for at least one meal, generally over night, and frequently in spring and fall, for several days. As stated in the last chapter, the Senate of the United States, after much debate and many unsavory disclosures, finally confirmed the treaty of 1838 with the Senecas. But a majority of the latter insisted that it had never been really confirmed by them or even by their chiefs. If so, the courts might still refuse to sanction their removal, and their friends, the Quakers, were disposed to aid them in an appeal to the courts. Such a proceeding, however, would be long and costly and both parties were evidently afraid of the result. Accordingly a compromise was resorted to. In May, 1842, a new agreement was made, by which the Ogden Company allowed the Senecas to retain the Cattaraugus and Allegany reservations, (subject to the Company's pre-emption right) and the Indians gave up the Buffalo Creek and Tonawanda tracts, on condition of receiving their proportionate value. That is to say, the value of all four of the reservations was estimated as before at $100,000, and the value of the improvements at $102,000, and the Company agreed to pay the proportion of $100,000 which, according to the decision of arbitra- tors, the value of the Buffalo Creek and Tonawanda reservations bore to the value of the whole, and the proportion of $102,000 which the improve- SALE OF THE BUFFALO Creek Reservation. 223 ments on those reservations bore to the improvements on the whole. The occupants of those reservations were to have the privilege of set- tling on the Cattaraugus and Allegany tracts. This was satisfactory to the Buffalo Creek Indians, but not to the Tonawandians. Arbitrators duly chosen decided that the proportionate value of the Indian title of those two reservations was $75,000, and that of the im- provements on them $59,000. They also awarded the portion of the $59,000 due to each Indian on the Buffalo reservation, but could not do it on the Tonawanda tract, because the inhabitants of the latter refused to let them come on the reservation to make an appraisal. After some two years, one of the claimants undertook to expel one of the Tonawanda Indians by force, whereupon the Indian sued and recovered judgment; the courts deciding that the proper steps had not been taken to justify the claimant's action. Finally, to end the controversy, the United States opened its purse, as it has so often done before and since to help indi- viduals. The Government bought the entire claim of the Ogden Com- pany to the Tonawanda reservation, and presented it to the Indians re- siding there. Consequently they now own the "fee-simple" of the land as well as the possessory right. That is, they hold it by the same title by which white men own their lands, except that the fee is in the whole tribe, and not in the individual members. Meanwhile the Buffalo Indians quietly received the money allotted to them, and, after a year or two allowed for preparation, they, in 1843 and '44, abandoned the home where they had dwelt for over sixty years, and which had been a favorite rendezvous of their nation for nearly two centuries. Most of them joined their brethren on the Cattaraugus reser- vation, some went to that on the Allegany, and a few removed to lands allotted them in the Indian Territory, now Kansas. The company immediately had the land surveyed and divided among the members, who began selling it. Settlers began to occupy Elma and that part of Marilla not included in the purchase of 1826. A few Indians remained until 1846 or 1847, when they departed, and their clearings were occupied by white men. New clearings, too, were made here and there, log houses were erected, and all over the reservation the traveler witnessed a reproduc- tion of the scenes of pioneer life. The old towns, it will be remembered, still ran to the center of the reservation, so that the newly opened terri- tory belonged to Black Rock, Cheektowaga, Lancaster and Alden, on the north, and to Hamburg, Aurora and Wales on the south. The increase by the settlement of this new territory was but slight before 1845, and the county had but partially recovered from the great downfall of 1837, yet the census of 1845 found us with a population of 78,635, against 62,465 in 1840. Buffalo had 29,773 in 1845, to 18,213 in 1840. Though still strongly Whig, the county was not so overwhelm- 224 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ingly so as in the previous years. The old Anti-Masonic feeling was pass- ing away, new settlers of various politics were coming in, even among the Americans, and the immigrants of foreign birth were very largely Democratic. In 1842, Mr. Fillmore declined a re-election to the office which he had so long and so creditably filled, and William A. Mosely was elected in his place. During the last two years of Mr. Fillmore's service, he was Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, the most important post in the House of Representatives next to that of Speaker, and dis- charged its duties with marked ability and fidelity. In 1844, when Henry Clay was nominated for President by the Whig National Convention, Mr. Fillmore's name was presented by the delegates from New York, and from some of the Western States, for the second place on the ticket. Mr. Frelinghuysen was, however, selected, and then the Whigs, with hardly a division, chose Mr. Fillmore as their candidate for Governor. The State, however, as well as the Nation, went for Polk, and Silas Wright was elected Governor. After 1845, we find the subject of this history in a condition of decid- ed prosperity. Money was reasonably plenty, without being so abund- ant as to cause fears of another crash. After long years of labor, most of the farmers had their land paid for, or so nearly as to be able to see their way through. On all the back roads handsome farm-houses were being erected in place of the log structures of primeval times. New churches sent up their spires in almost every hamlet, and the old log or red frame school-house was frequently replaced by a neat, white building, the typical American school-house of the present day. The villages showed less improvement than the farming country; for Buffalo more and more absorbed the trade of all the country around. That city was again on the high tide of success. No financial depression could long hinder the growth of the mighty West, and, as there were no through lines of railway, its produce must be poured through the Erie canal. Great fleets transferred their cargoes of grain from the lake to the canal, at Buffalo, and the vicinity of the harbor swarmed with thousands of laborers. In 1846, a new State constitution was formed, being, except as to some amendments, the same under which we now live. By its provisions, judges, district-attorneys and nearly all other officers were to be elected by the people. It also provided that senators should hold but for two years, and that there should be a senatorial district for every senator, and an assembly district for every assemblyman. The court of Com- mon Pleas was exchanged for a county court, presided over by a county judge. There were no associate judges, but in criminal cases he was to be assisted by two justices of sessions. The State was also divided into eight judicial districts, each of which elected four justices of the Supreme THE BUFFALO CONVENTION. 225 Court, Erie county being in the eighth district. The new constitution was ratified by the people in 1846, but no officers were elected under it until the next year. A special election was held in June, 1847, to choose judicial officers and district-attorneys, as directed by the new constitution. The eighth judicial district being overwhelmingly Whig, four Whig Justices of the Supreme Court were elected, among whom were Seth E. Sill, of Buffalo, and James Mullett of Chautauqua county, who also kept an office in Buf- falo. In this county, however, owing to a defection among the Whigs, all their candidates were defeated-for the first time since the organiza- tion of the party. In the succeeding autumn the first State officers were chosen under the new constitution. Millard Fillmore was nominated by the Whigs for comptroller. The fight between the "Hunker" and "Barnburner" wings of the Democracy was then in full blast, and Mr. Fillmore and his associates were elected by a large majority. In June, 1848, after General Taylor had been nominated for the Presidency by the Whig National Convention at Philadelphia, Mr. Fill- more was selected for the second place on the ticket. The Democratic National Convention nominated Cass and Butler for President and Vice- President, but the contest was not confined to the two tickets just named. The "Barnburners," or Radical Democrats, had espoused the cause of the Wilmot Proviso, which was intended to exclude slavery from the territory, lately acquired from Mexico. The proceedings of the Demo- cratic convention at Baltimore not having been satisfactory to them, the Radicals met in convention at Utica, and nominated Martin Van Buren for President, with a Vice-Presidential candidate from the West, who declined the honor. As it was desired, however, to unite as many as possible of the oppon- ents of slavery-extension throughout the country, the celebrated Buffalo convention was called to meet in that city. Thus it was that on the ninth day of August, 1848, the Queen City of the Lakes was crowded with distinguished strangers, and with numerous residents of the vicinity, about to take part in the most important assemblage which has ever met within the limits of Erie county. It was a mass convention, attended by men from every Northern State, and also from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. A great tent had been erected in the court house park, and at noon the multitude assembled beneath it was called to order. Nathaniel Sawyer, of Ohio, was elected temporary chairman and a committee on permanent organi- zation was appointed, consisting of one from each State represented. At the beginning of the afternoon session the park was filled with an eager throng, and large numbers congregated in the adjacent streets. The committee on organization, through their chairman Preston King, 226 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. reported the name of Charles Francis Adams, of Massachusetts, as presi- dent of the convention, who was forthwith elected. Thereupon a com- mittee of two escorted to the chair a small, unpretending man, scarcely forty years of age, but looking somewhat older from partial baldness, who then for the first time became prominent before the nation, but who has since been a leader among its statesmen, has fulfilled its most import- ant diplomatic trusts with consummate skill, and now remains almost the only survivor of the then eminent members of the convention, over which he presided twenty-eight years ago. One of the committee who attended him to the chair was a robust, broad-shouldered man, about thirty-eight years old, with a bold, high for- head, a compressed mouth, and a face written all over with the evidence of courage and determination. This was Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, then just entering on his brilliant and useful National career. A committee on resolutions was appointed, of which Benjamin F. Butler was chairman. That gentleman has been obliterated, as it were, by another political luminary bearing the same name, but in his day Benjamin F. Butler, of New York, was a power in the land, being the right-hand man of Mr. Van Buren in his political contests, and Attorney- General of the United States during his friend's Presidency. For the purpose of equalizing the representation a committee of con- ference, consisting of six conferees-at-large from each State, and three from each congressional district, was appointed by the delegates of the respective States, to whom was referrred the nomination of candidates. While awaiting the action of these committees several gentlemen ad- dressed the convention, and members of the celebrated Hutchinson family sang their inspiring songs of freedom. Among the speakers none attracted more attention than a tall, white-haired old man, whose bold and vehement denunciations of slavery were cheered to the echo by the multitude. This was Joshua R. Giddings, of Ohio, long known as the Nestor of the anti-slavery contest. The committee of conference met at the court house in the evening, and appointed Salmon P. Chase, chairman, but declined to nominate candidates until the convention should have adopted a platform of principles. The next morning the proper committee reported a series of resolu- tions, embodying the creed of the free-soilers, which was substantially the same as that afterwards promulgated by the Republican party. While repudiating all claim on the part of the Federal government to interfere with slavery in the States, they declared that that institution should be prohibited in all the territory subject to the jurisdiction of Congress. "No more slave States and no slave territories," was the summing up of the whole. Of course they were enthusiastically adopted. On this action being reported to the committee of conference, which PRESIDENT FILLMORE. 227 had met in the Second Universalist church, they proceeded to the nomi- nation of candidates. The selection was by no means a foregone conclu- sion. Although they were entering on an utterly hopeless contest, and although Mr. Van Buren had been nominated by a convention of Free- Soil Democrats of New York, who constituted the bulk of the new party, yet there was a strong feeling among the thorough-going anti-slavery men in favor of selecting Hon. John P. Hale, of New Hampshire. Mr. Butler was called on by the committee of conference to explain the position of Mr. Van Buren, and did so at considerable length. When the informal ballot was taken Martin Van Buren had 244 votes and John P. Hale 181, while 41 were reported as scattering. Mr. Van Buren had only 22 majority over all others. However, the vote was at once made unanimous. On consultation, the feeling in regard to the choice for Vice-Presi- dent was found to be so strong in one direction that all other names were withdrawn, and Charles Francis Adams was unanimously nominated. It was not until the evening of that day that the names adopted by the committee were reported to the mass convention. Mr. Adams, being one of the nominees, called Mr. Chase to the chair, who submitted the nominations to the assemblage. The multitude, which filled the great tent to its utmost capacity, responded with tumultuous cheers, and Martin Van Buren and Charles Francis Adams were made the standard- bearers of the "Free Democratic" party in the coming campaign. David Dudley Field then read a letter from Mr. Van Buren, several short but vigorous speeches were made, and it was eleven o'clock ere an adjournment was carried, and the Buffalo Convention became a thing of the past. Although its nominees did not carry a single State, yet its action had a strong influence in strengthening the growing opposition to slavery propagandism, which at length resulted in the entire over- throw of the institution. Its only apparent result that year, however, was to give the State of New York to the Whigs, and cause the election of Gen. Taylor and Mr. Fillmore. At the same time, Elbridge G. Spaulding was chosen as Member of Congress from Erie county. The next spring a citizen of Erie county was installed in the second office of the Republic. As Vice-President, Mr. Fillmore's only duty was to preside over the Senate, a duty for which his equable temperament and judicial turn of mind peculiarly fitted him. On the 9th day of July, 1850, General Taylor died, and Millard Fill- more became President of the United States. He was then fifty years of age; it was twenty-one years since he had entered public life as a Member of the Assembly, twenty-seven years since he had commenced the practice of law in Aurora, and thirty-one years since he had been a clothier's apprentice. 228 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. His first task was of course the formation of his cabinet. In select- ing its members, after making Daniel Webster Secretary of State, Thomas Corwin Secretary of the Treasury, and John J. Crittenden Attorney- General, he called his former student and partner, Nathan K. Hall, who had been a Member of Congress but a single term, to the office of Post- master-General. The seeming favoritism occasioned some comment, but Mr. Hall's unquestioned integrity, sound judgment and laborious devo- tion to duty, well fitted him for the post to which he was called, and it is doubtful if it has ever been more worthily filled. Congress was still in session when Mr. Fillmore became President, and all through the hot summer months it continued to wrestle with problems caused, and passions aroused, by the same question of slavery which ten years later came to a bloody arbitrament. Both houses at length passed the celebrated "Compromise Measures" embodied in five acts, which provided for the admission of California, the organization of the territories of New Mexico and Utah, without any prohibition of slavery, the abolition of the slave-trade in the District of Columbia, and the summary return of fugitive slaves, claimed to have escaped from one State to another. The President signed them all. The last named act, commonly called the Fugitive Slave Law, was strongly denounced by a large portion of the Whig party, as well as by a considerable number of the Northern Democrats. It is not necessary here to discuss the merits or demerits of that law, nor of the compromise measures generally. Not- withstanding the opposition just referred to, all those measures were sanctioned by a majority of both parties, and for a short time the excite- ment regarding slavery sank to comparative quiet. Mr. Fillmore's friends were naturally desirous that his own county should be represented by some one who approved his course, and it was probably for that reason that Solomon G. Haven, the third member of the renowned firm of Fillmore, Hall & Haven, was brought forward as a candidate for Congress. There was a very earnest contest for the Whig nomination, but Mr. Haven carried the Convention, and was duly elected in November. By the census of 1850, the population of the county was 100,993, an increase of 22,358 in five years, while that of Buffalo was 42,261, an addi- tion of 12,488 to the number in 1845. On the 15th of October, 1850, Hamburg, which had stood unchanged since 1812, was divided by the Board of Supervisors, who were then intrusted with the necessary power. All but the two western tiers of lots in Township 9, Range 7, were included in the new town, which received the name of Ellicott. It was organized by the election of offi- cers the next spring. The name was soon changed to East Hamburg. Probably the most noticeable locality in the county, at this period, was that occupied by the "Ebenezer Society." This Association of Ger- THE EBENEZER SOCIETY. 229 mans, mostly from Rhenish Prussia and Hesse, soon after the final sale of the Buffalo Creek Reservation, had bought of the Ogden Company some ten thousand acres of land, embracing the old Indian village, and situated in the present town of West Seneca, in the history of which its internal structure will be described; the land being owned in common and con- trolled by a board of managers. Their residences, which were large, substantial frame buildings, capable of holding two or more families, were grouped in two villages, and two or three smaller clusters. What most attracted the attention of their American neighbors was their method of working. The sight of great gangs of men and women, fifty to a hundred in number, engaged in the ordinary avocations of a farm, was something entirely new to the eyes of Erie county people. Especially striking was it to see in harvest time on the rich flats of the Cazenove, a row, half a mile long, of women, a few yards apart, reaping with sickles the grain of the community. Another curiosity to Yankee eyes was the shepherd, with his little port- able residence and his watchful dogs, pasturing his sheep by the road- side, and on the grass-bordered paths leading through the grain. By this means every spear of grass was saved, and not a spear of grain was lost. During the period between 1857 and 1863, the Society sold their land in Erie county and moved to Iowa. Meanwhile the German element had increased largely in both city and country. After the disturbances in Europe in 1848, a fresh impetus was given to German emigration. Some brought capital; nearly all brought habits of industry, frugality and order which were certain to bring them at least a moderate degree of success. Many were added to the German settlements in Collins, Eden, Haniburg, Cheektowaga and Lancaster, and still larger numbers filled up Batavia and Genesee streets, and began to spread over all the northeastern part of Buffalo. During the first seven years of the sixth decade of its occupation by the whites (1850 to 1857) Erie county enjoyed great general prosperity. The farmers, now mostly out of debt, still further improved their property, and even the back roads showed hundreds of neat, white houses, with outbuildings to correspond. Before their front yards handsome board or picket fences superseded the crooked barrier of rails, which still did duty around the rest of the farm. As the old well-sweep had been super- seded by the windlass, so the latter was now replaced by the still more convenient pump. It was about this time that the farmers in the pine districts began to rid themselves of their veteran stumps. The hard-wood stumps rotted down in a few years after the trees were cut, but the pines remained in- tact after twenty, thirty, or even forty years of lifelessness, and seemed likely to defy the attack of centuries. Machines of various kinds were invented, and ere long the business of pulling stumps became an impor- 230 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. tant part of the industry of the pine regions. These, when pulled, were generally placed in the road-fence, the bottoms of their roots facing out- ward, forming one of the most durable, though also one of the homeliest. enclosures ever known. Notwithstanding the general improvement in the rural districts, the amount of grain raised did not increase, as the farmers engaged more and more in the dairy business, and in raising hay, potatoes, etc., for the Buffalo market. As a rule the villages remained nearly dormant, though a few exceptions were seen. On the 16th of October, 1851, a new town was formed, called "Sen- eca." It was entirely a part of the Buffalo Creek reservation, and com. prised almost all that part of it previously embraced in the towns of Black Rock, Cheektowaga, Hamburg and East Hamburg. The Eben- ezer colony comprised the greater part of its inhabitants. As its name clashed with one somewhere else in the State, it was changed the next spring to "West Seneca." There had been an attempt, two years before, by the Board of Supervisors, to organize a town with substantially the same boundaries, by the appropriate name of Red Jacket, but it failed, and though it seems appropriate that the great orator's home should be called after his name, yet we presume the people did not relish the idea of being "Red Jacketers." Buffalo continued to engulf the business of the county; its streets pushing out in every direction, and its houses overflowing the old city line into the town of Black Rock. At length it was determined to extend the municipal boundaries, and, as the population was then rapidly increas- ing, it was thought best to make the city large enough for all exigencies. Accordingly, by a new charter, granted in April, 1853, the whole town of Black Rock was included in the city of Buffalo. The new metropolis was nine miles long, north and south, by from three to six miles wide, with an area of about forty square miles. This magnificent municipal domain was divided into thirteen wards, which still remains the number. Ever since the division of Amherst, Collins had been the largest town in the county. On the 24th of November, 1852, that part of it north of the line between Townships 7 and 8 (except the southernmost tier of lots) was formed into a new town called Shirley, the name being derived from a little hamlet and post-office two miles southwest of Kerr's Corners. But, as in the case of East Hamburg, the inhabitants soon became tired of any name which did not remind them of the old town in which they had so long resided, and the next spring "Shirley" was changed to "North Collins." That same autumn, on the 19th of October, Grand Island was organ- ized as a town. Thus, at length, the locality which had been the seat of "Governor" Clark's independent nationality, and of Major Noah's Hebrew-judge government, was supplied with the more humble, but more appropriate, organization of an American town, The population was THE TOWN OF MARILLA FORMED. 231 still sparse, and mostly distributed along the shores of the Island, but their isolated position made a separation seem desirable. On the 2d day of December, 1853, a new town was formed, called Marilla. It comprised all of the old Buffalo Creek reservation within the limits of Wales and Alden, except the mile-and-a-half-strip on the north side, first sold off. A strip about a mile and a quarter wide, within the limits of the survey township, (Township 10, Range 5,) but lying out- side and east of the reservation, had for convenience been left in Genesee county at the original division, in 1808, so that Marilla is only about four and three-fourths miles wide by five and a half long. President Fillmore's course, after the passage of the compromise acts, was in harmony with his party, and his administration of the government was creditable both to his ability and integrity. He was, however, considered the leader of the conservative portion of the party, and when the Whig National Convention assembled, in 1852, he was opposed by all those who considered themselves more progressive, especially in regard to slavery. The convention nominated General Scott, over both Mr. Fillmore and Mr. Webster. Though his selection was looked on as a defeat of the conservatives, yet the "platform" was as decidedly in favor of the compromise measures as Mr. Fillmore him- self could have desired. As it turned out, it made but little difference who received the nomination, since the Whig party was overwhelmingly defeated, and probably would have been with any candidate it could have selected, Hon. S. G. Haven was re-elected to Congress. Down to this time the Whig party had, during it whole existence, maintained complete control of the county, electing every member of Congress, every State Senator, nearly every Assemblyman, and all the county officers except at the special election in 1847, when there was a temporary defection. At each election the result could be predicted with almost infallible certainty. But in 1854 came the repeal of the Missouri compromise, followed by the general indignation of the North, and the taking of steps to organize a new anti-slavery party. Almost at the same time the American, or "Know-Nothing," party began its exist- ence in secret lodges, which soon spread rapidly over a large portion of the country. Its creed of opposition to foreign and papal influence found many supporters, but its chief strength was received from the conservative members of the Whig party, who saw the time had come for abandoning that organization, but were unwilling to join either the Democrats or the Anti-Slavery men. The new party made a full set of nominations in this State, their candidate for Lieutenant-Governor being General Gustavus A. Scroggs, of Buffalo. The Whigs, however, main- tained their organization till the fall election, and carried the State. In this county, Mr. Haven, who had voted against the Nebraska bill, was elected to Congress for the third and last time. 232 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In 1855 the Republican party was organized, and received into its ranks a large proportion of the voters of Erie county, but not a majority, nor even a plurality. Three tickets were nominated, and for the first time in over a quarter of a century, the Democrats carried the county at a regular election. The next year came the exciting triangular contest between the Democrats, Republicans and Americans, the three parties being more nearly equal in strength in Erie county than in almost any other in the Union. In February, the National American Convention nominated Millard Fillmore for the Presidency, with A. J. Donelson, of Tennessee, as the Vice-Presidential candidate. But that party, after a few spasmodic successes, was already on the wane. In some parts of the country it had almost entirely disappeared. Probably Mr. Fillmore's candidacy helped to keep it alive in this county and caused the comparative equal- ity, just mentioned, between the three parties. Notwithstanding, how- ever, all local pride as to the candidate, and notwithstanding the eloquence of Solomon G. Haven, who again acted as Mr. Fillmore's lieutenant, and was for the fourth time a candidate for Congress, the American party was third in the race, even in Erie county, and Israel T. Hatch, Democrat, was elected to Congress. This was the last appearance of our Erie county President in the political field. The remainder of his life was passed in quiet and digni- fied retirement, mostly at his residence in Buffalo. The tide of prosperity, which in the middle of this decade had been growing and swelling for ten or twelve years, maintained its onward course until the autumn of 1857. The commerce of the West continued to roll through Buffalo, leaving golden deposits as it passed. The county had a ready market for its produce, and the numerous plank- roads teemed with wagons in summer and sleighs in winter, laden with hay, grain, potatoes, and other products of the farm. Similar prosperity was seen throughout the country, though it was more marked here, in consequence of the nearness of a great commercial city. But, as has so often been the case, prosperity brought recklessness and over-trading. The banks inflated the currency beyond what was necessary for business purposes, and again, as in 1837, inflation was followed by disaster. The crisis came in the fall of 1857. It was not, however, by any means as injurious in its results in this section as that of 1837, both because the preceding speculation and inflation had been less reckless, and because the people were far better prepared to meet it. Their farms were paid for, and their houses were seldom covered with second and third mortguages, as in the time of the great wreck of 1837. There was a good reserve of crops on hand, of valuable improvements, and of other actual property, to resist the shock of financial disaster. In some parts of the Far West, where there was no FORMATION OF ELMA. 233 such reserve, the hard times which followed the panic of 1857 bore a strong resemblance to those consequent on the disaster of 1837, in the East. Still, compared with previous prosperity, the times were “hard” throughout 1858 and '59, and had only just begun to be ameliorated when the alarm of war gave notice of still severer troubles. On the 4th of December, 1857, a new town was formed from that part of the Buffalo Creek reservation within the limits of Aurora and and Lancaster. As in the case of Marilla, it included the mile-strip on the south side, but left the mile-and-a-half-strip, on the north side, in Lancaster. It received the name of Elma, in commemoration of a grand old elm, near the village of that name. Some cynic, who thought the names of Marilla and Elma rather soft," said that the next new town had better be called "Miss Nancy." To the writer, however, "Elma " sounds like a very appropriate and euphonious appellation. At all events there has been as yet no opportunity to put the suggestion in practice, for no town has been formed since that time, and Elma is still the muni- cipal baby of the county. (C By 1858 the American party had become so feeble that it was clearly seen that its continued existence could be of no practical use. In this county it dissolved, some of its members joining the Republicans, some the Democrats, and some endeavoring to stand aloof from the constantly deepening strife. A combination was formed between the Republicans and a portion of the Americans, by which Elbridge G. Spaulding was elected Member of Congress. The next year the line was pretty closely drawn between Repub- licans and Democrats, the former carrying the county, and the "Ameri- cans" disappearing from the field. The census of 1860 showed a population of 141,971 in Erie county, of which 81,129 were in the city of Buffalo. It will be seen that there were then a trifle over 60,000, outside the city. In 1850 there were 51- 224 in the country towns, aside from Black Rock, which had since been absorbed in Buffalo. The rate of increase in the city, (including Black Rock,) was sixty-three per cent.; that of the country, sixteen. In 1860 came the great Presidential contest, the most important since the formation of the government. Of the four presidential tickets in the field, that headed by Mr. Breckenridge received almost no votes in Erie. county, and that by Mr. Bell very few. The vote of the county was substantially divided between Lincoln and Douglass, the former having a majority. Mr. Spaulding was reelected to Congress. Scarcely had the rejoicings of the triumphant party ceased, ere there came from the South murmurs of discontent and anger. How they swelled and increased through all that fateful winter, how State after State fell away from its allegiance, how the whole South resounded with preparations for war, need not be recounted here. It is a part of the 234 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Nation's history. Here, as elsewhere throughout the North, men looked on in amazement, hoping even to the last for peace, deeming it impos- sible that the lunacy of session could ever ripen into the open madness of armed rebellion. Few made any preparation for the event, yet nearly all were in that angry and excited condition which needs but a word to develope into the most determined action. CHAPTER XXIV. DURING AND SINCE THE UNION WAR, The Outbreak 0 Another Regiment in Close of the War - Numer- The First Company - The Militia— First Erie County Regiment - Other Organ- izations - Erie County in Congress — Origin of the " Greenbacks 1862 - Changes in the Board of Supervisors - Events of 1864 ous Political Changes - The Commercial Barometer Conclusion of Continuous History. N the 15th of April, 1861, the spark came. The Buffalo morning papers contained the news of the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter. Everywhere men were seen scanning the fateful lines with eager gaze, and denouncing to each other the inexcusable treason. All business was at a stand-still, save at the printing offices, which every hour sent out new editions containing the latest details, which were in- stantly purchased by the excited crowd. Soon there appeared a call for a meeting at the old court house, at half-past seven o'clock that evening, to organize a body of "Minute-men" for immediate service. Early in the evening great numbers came hurry- ing toward the venerable temple of justice. The court-room was soon filled, and Eli Cook was elected Chairman of the meeting. In an eloquent speech he declared that the time for discussion had passed, and that all must now work together to save their imperiled country. But the peo- ple came surging in, in such numbers that it was found necessary to adjourn to Kremlin Hall, and still again to the street, in front of the American Hotel. After fiery speeches had been made by prominent men, it was announced that a roll was at the old court house, ready for the signatures of volunteers. Away rushed the crowd, and so great was the press that it was with difficulty men could get to the table to sign. A hundred and two names were taken that evening. On the succeeding days there were similar scenes of excitement, meetings of citizens, and enrolling of volunteers. On the 18th, General Scroggs called a meeting of those who had enrolled their names. portion of them were then organized into the first volunteer company of A THE WAR OF THE REBELLION-FIRST Volunteer REGIMENT. 235 Erie county. They elected William H. Drew as Captain, R. P. Gardner as First Lieutenant, and E. R. P. Shurley as Second Lieutenant. In subsequent chapters we shall furnish brief sketches of the gallant part acted by the various regiments and batteries, wholly or partially raised in Erie county. In this chapter we merely give an outline of events connected with Erie county, but outside of the army. Meanwhile the news flew into every village and hamlet and farm- house in the county, and everywhere awakened the same feelings of indignation and patriotism. Owing, however, to the predominant influ- ence in the affairs of Erie county, naturally obtained by the great city within its borders, separate action was not at first generally taken by the towns in organizing volunteers, but their young men began hurrying toward Buffalo to enroll themselves as soldiers of the Union. The militia regiment also began to prepare for whatever exigencies might arise. In response to an inquiry of the Governor, Colonel Chaun- cey Abbott, of the 67th, reported two hundred and fifty men ready for duty. The 74th and 65th militia regiments established recruiting offices in the city. On the 3d of May, four companies set out for Elmira, being the first soldiers who left the county to defend the Nation's life. On the 11th, six more companies, principally recruited from the 74th militia, pro- ceeded to the same rendezvous, where the ten companies were organized into the 21st New York Volunteer Infantry-the first Erie county regi- ment-under Colonel William F. Rogers. Through the summer, the citizens of the county watched the surging tide of events with unabated interest, and in July, Major Daniel D. Bidwell, of Buffalo, obtained authority to raise another regiment. This was filled up principally from Erie and Chautauqua counties, and went forward in September, becoming the 49th New York Infantry. Battery I, of the 1st New York Artillery, was formed in August and September, under Captain Michael Medrich, and went to the front in October, besides numerous detachments raised for outside regiments. Still another regiment began its career in Erie county, in September. This was not filled up until February, 1862, when it was ordered to the seat of war as the 100th New York Infantry. Oddly enough, notwithstanding the Republicans swept the State in the autumn of 1861 by over a hundred thousand majority, and although they had carried the county the two previous years, yet this time the Democrats were at least partially successful, electing both the State Sen- ator and Sheriff. On the assembling of Congress in December, the member from Erie county, Mr. Elbridge G. Spaulding, was placed on the most important committee of the house, that of Ways and Means, of which Thaddeus Stevens was Chairman. That Committee soon constituted two sub- 236 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Committees from among its members, to one of which all subjects were referred relating to the making of loans, the issuing of Treasury notes, and the creation of a currency. Of the latter, Mr. Spaulding was Chairman. The Secretary of the Treasury had, in his report, opposed the issu- ing of Treasury notes, and had recommended that the entire money of the country, aside from coin, should be furnished by National banks. At the request of the Secretary, Mr. Spaulding drew up a bill embodying these views, but, while doing so, became convinced that such a currency could not be made available quick enough to meet the enormous and pressing demand for money. He therefore drafted a legal-tender, treas- ury-note section, which the urgency of the case soon caused him to change into a separate bill, which he introduced into the House of Rep- resentatives on his own motion, on the 30th of December, 1861. It pro- vided that, for temporary purposes, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to issue $50,000,000 of Treasury-notes, payable on demand, of denominations not less than five dollars, which should be a legal-tender for all debts public or private, and which should be exchangeable for the bonds of the Government at par. This was the germ of the vast “green- back" currency of the United States. The Committee of Ways and Means was about equally divided in regard to it, and it was severely criticised by some financiers. To such critics Mr. Spaulding had, in substance, but one reply :- Show us a better way. We shall be out of money in a very brief period. Taxes cannot be raised in time. A National-bank act cannot be put in operation in time. What is to be done?" Most of those who were in carnest in support of the Government, either favored the bill from the first, or were convinced by Mr. Spauld- ing's cogent statement of the case. After considerable hesitation, the Secretary of the Treasury gave his assent to it, and a majority of the Committee of Ways and Means reported it to the House. There it was strongly opposed, not only by leading Democrats, but by a few Republi- cans. While it was under discussion, Secretary Chase became urgent in its favor, as he found he had no other means to carry on the Govern- ment. The amount of currency provided for was changed to $150,000,- ooo, and a section was added providing for $500,000,000 of United States bonds, in which these legal-tender notes should be fundable. In this shape the bill was passed by the House. The Senate amend- ed it so as to provide for the payment of the interest on the bonds in coin, which occasioned another hot debate in the House. Mr. Spauld- ing and other leaders believed that the coin could not be obtained with- out a ruinous sacrifice. Finally the expedient was hit on of providing for the payment of the interest in coin, by making the duties on imports. also payable in coin. In this form, (for the other changes were of minor THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. 237 importance) the bill was passed by both Houses, and on the 25th of Feb- ruary, 1862, was approved by the President. The Bank Act was not passed until a year later, and by that time the "greenbacks" authorized by Mr. Spaulding's bill had become the principal currency of the country, and remained so throughout the war. After the disasters of the Virginia Peninsula, and the subsequent call of the President for 300,000 more volunteers, Governor Morgan divided this State into regimental districts, of which Erie county was one, appointed a committee of prominent men in each district, to supervise the formation of a new regiment. In this county it was pushed rapidly forward, and on the 5th of September, the 116th Regiment, under Colonel Edward P. Chapin, set out for the front; nearly, or quite every man being a citizen of the county of Erie. The summer's disasters naturally strengthened the opposition to the administration, and at the fall election the county went for the Demo- cratic party; the Hon. John Ganson being elected to Congress by about three thousand majority. By a law passed in 1862, the representation of Buffalo in the Board of Supervisors was increased to three each in the 1st, 2d, 4th, 5th and 6th wards; two each in the 3d, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th wards; and one in the 13th ward; giving a total of thirty-one city members to twenty- five country members. This caused general distrust in the towns, and the next year the law was again changed so as to give two supervisors to each ward of Buffalo except the thirteenth, which was allowed one. By this arrangement the city had twenty-five members of the board, being the same number which represented the towns-thus preventing any unfair advantage on the part of either urban or rural portion of the county, although at the expense of an occasional deadlock. This balance of power has ever since been retained. During 1864, the intense public interest regarding the success of the armies in the field and the task of recruiting and supplying them was increased to still greater heat by a most exciting presidential election, on the result of which in the opinion of a large majority of the Northern people the very existence of the Republic depended. In this county, for the fourth time the Democratic party was successful, the Hon. James M. Humphrey being elected to Congress. The next spring saw the close of the great war, and the restoration. of the National power. During the summer of 1865, the gallant bands of Erie county soldiers who had gone forth to defend the Nation's life (except the 21st infantry, which had been mustered out on the expira- tion of its two years' service in 1863,) came back from fields of carnage to lay down their arms and to engage almost instantly in the pursuits and labors of peace. Since that time there have been few events in Erie county requiring a record here. Human nature is so constituted that 16 238 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. while the story of conflict is almost always perused with eager eye, the story of labor needs the mystic touch of time to give it zest. The details of the progress of city, and towns will be given in the separate histories of each, and the wonderful development of railroads around the foot of Lake Erie, will be told in the chapter particularly devoted to those enterprises; so there is little left for this continuous record. Yet the political changes in Erie county during the last eighteen years have been so numerous and so violent as to furnish something of a study to those who take an interest in partisan warfare. At the election succeeding the close of the war, the Republicans at last obtained a ma- jority in Erie county, but the very next year they were dispossessed by the Democrats and Hon. James M. Humphrey was re-elected to Congress. In 1867 the last-named party retained power, but in 1868 the county went over with a rush to the Republican side; the Grant electoral ticket and Hon. David S. Bennett, the Republican candidate for Congress being elected by over two thousand majority. In 1869 the Republicans still held possession, but the next year the Democrats captured all the prizes, the Hon. William Williams being elected to Congress. In 1871, the Republicans took their turn, and in 1872, the year of the Grant and Greeley campaign, the bird of triumph seemed to have come to that side to stay; Hon. Lyman K. Bass, the Re- publican nominee for Congress, with all his associates being elected by over five thousand majority. Yet the very next year there was a mixed result, the Democrats electing one of the candidates for the three leading officers, and the Republicans two. With one more turn of the wheel (1874,) the Democrats had a majority in everything but Congressman, Mr. Bass being re-elected to the National Legislature. The next year the Republicans were ahead by three thousand five hundred majority. In the Presidential election of 1876, the results were divided; the Hon. Daniel N. Lockwood being elected to Congress by the Democrats by a small majority. In 1877 the Repblicans were decidedly in the advance and again in 1878, when Hon. Ray V. Pierce was the successful Republican candidate for Congress. The next year they still maintained their ascendency. In 1880, while the Republicans gave a handsome majority for General Gar- field and their nominees for the county offices, the Democratic candidate for Congress, Hon. Jonathan Scoville, was the winner by a small major- ity. Next year the Republican State ticket had a majority in the county, while the local candidates of that party were badly defeated. In 1882 the case was exactly reversed; the Republicans electing most of their local candidates (although General William F. Rogers was successful as the Democratic nominee for Congress) while their State ticket was buried under an enormous adverse vote. The Democratic candidate for Governor, Hon. Grover Cleveland, was the first citizen of Erie COMMERCIAL POSITION OF ERIE COUNTY. 239 county ever elected Governor of New York, and had the largest majority ever cast for Governor in any State of the Union. The commercial barometer, during the eighteen years since the war, has not changed so often nor as freakishly as the political, but it has been sufficiently variable to fill the votaries of commerce with the wildest hopes and the gloomiest fears, to cause the upbuilding of many fortunes and the wreck of many others, and to sweep through three broad phases of financial experience, most deeply affecting the welfare of the Nation. In fact, this is a matter more of National than of local history, for Erie county has been chiefly affected by the same causes which have. elevated or depressed the financial fortunes of the country at large, yet with a difference. Like the rest of the country it rode on the tide of apparent prosperity, when an inflated currency gave fictitious value to every description of property; like the country at large it sank into five years of depression, when the bubble burst in 1873-a depression by no means so disastrous as the celebrated "Hard Times" of 1837, but more serious than the financial crisis of 1857-and like the country at large it regained and has retained prosperity during 1879 and the succeeding years. But regarding this last phase there seem to be elements of larger increase and greater permanence than are elsewhere observed, at least in the Eastern States. The commercial value of the position at the foot of Lake Erie seems never before to have been so thoroughly appreciated as now. Railroads are centering here from every direction, and now more plainly than ever before the county of Erie is seen to be the great natural gateway between the East and West. It is the gateway through which the warriors of the "Long House" sped on their errands of slaughter; through which the French explorers, traders, priests and soldiers passed on their various missions of peace and war, through which the red-coated English marched to dispossess both their Indians and Gallic foes, through which passed a little later a host of American farmers and mechanics, superseding the adventurers of all nations and seizing fast hold of the soil itself, the source of all National greatness. and endurance, through which for more than fifty years has swept a vast tide of emigration from other lands into the fertile regions of the mighty West, and through which now rolls an ever-increasing tide of commerce, never surpassed, in one narrow channel, in the history of the world. 240 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXV. TWENTY-FIRST INFANTRY AND OTHER REGIMENTS, The First Company - Four Companies go to Elmira - The Rest Follow - Organization of the Regiment Roster of Officers - Dispute about Length of Term Men Imprisoned A Off to Washington - In Garrison at Fort Runyon - Bull's Run In Wadsworth's Brigade- At Upton Hill through the Winter Fort Buffalo - Parting with Wadsworth Operations in the Spring - The Twenty-First at Fredericksburg - Its Farthest Southern Point- Weary Marches Conflict of July 28th Second Bull Run Hard Fighting - Attacking a Railroad Embankment - Men Falling Fast - The Attack Repulsed Fight Continued · Pope's Army Defeated Heavy Losses of the Twent-First-Sufferings of the Wounded The Twenty-First at South Mountain At Antietam Driving the Enemy — The Campaign of Fredericksburg Provost Duty Changes Return Home and Discharge Thirty-Third Infantry — Richmond Guards Among Officers Final Roster In Virginia Brigaded with the Forty-Ninth - The Thirty-Third at Yorktown - At Golden's Farm- At Mary's Heights -Discharge Forty-Fourth Infantry- Regiment Changes Among Officers of Company A. TWENTY-FIRST INFANTRY. Company A- · Battles of the S stated in the last chapter, the first company of Erie county vol- unteers was organized at Buffalo by the election of officers on the 18th day of April 1861, but probably the ranks were not then full, as the muster-in rolls showed that the company was not legally organiz- ed until the first day of May. By the 3d of May, three more companies had been formed, (though these two were not legally organized until somewhat later,) and all four set out from Buffalo for Elmira, which had been designated as the rendezvous for the volunteers of Western New York. An immense number of people witnessed their departure. They were escorted to the Erie railroad depot by the "Union Continentals," a body of elderly citizens, who had donned the old "Continental " Uniform and organized themselves into a company, with ex-President Fillmore as Captain, to encourage warlike spirit among the more youthful part of the community. At Niagara Square a short halt was made, and a handsome flag was presented to the volunteers, by the young ladies of the Central School, represented by Miss Julia Paddock. On arriving at Elmira, the four companies went into camp and awaited the arrival of the other six. These were rapidly formed, several companies of the 74th Militia being used as nuclei of the new organizations. On the 11th of May, the remaining six companies proceeded to Elmira, where the whole ten were speedily organized into a regiment which took the name of the Twenty- first New York Volunteer Infantry. The line officers were elected by THE TWENTY-FIRST NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS. 241 འ the men of their respective companies, and the former then chose the field officers. The following is the first roster of the officers, with the total number of officers and men in each company, and the time it was organized, according to the muster rolls officially published by the State:- Field and Staff.-Colonel, William F. Rogers; Lieutenant-Colonel, Adrian R. Root; Major, William H. Drew; Adjutant, C. W. Sternberg; Surgeon, H. P. Clinton; Assistant-Surgeon, J. A. Peters; Chaplain, John E. Robie. Company A.-Captain, Robert P. Gardner; Lieutenants, Levi Vallier and Charles S. McBeau; organized May 1, 1861; seventy-seven officers and men. Company B.-Captain, Henry M. Gaylord; Lieutenants, Algar M. Wheeler and James J. McLeish; organized May 10, 1861; seventy-seven officers and men. Company C.-Captain, J. P. Washburn; Lieutenants, Allen M. Adams and John H. Canfield; organized May 18, 1861; seventy-seven officers and men. Company D.-Captain, William C. Alberger; Lieutenants, George M. Baker and William F. Wheeler; organized May 8, 1861; seventy-seven officers and men. Company E.-Captain, James C. Strong; Lieutenants, Charles E. Efner and Thomas Sloan; organized May 7, 1861; sixty-six officers and men. Company F.-Captain, George DeWitt Clinton; Lieutenants, Thomas B. Wright and Charles B. Darrow; organized May 7, 1861; seventy-seven officers and men. Company G.-Captain, Edward L. Lee; Lieutenants, Daniel Meyers, Jr., and J. E. Bergtold; organized May 12, 1861; seventy-seven officers and men. Company H.-Captain, Elisha L. Hayward; Lieutenants, Samuel Wilkeson and Hugh Johnson; organized May 1, 1861; seventy-one officers and men. Company I.-Captain, Horace G. Thomas; Lieutenants, Abbott C. Calkins and William O. Brown, Jr.; organized May 1, 1861; seventy- four officers and men. Company K.-Captain, John M. Layton; Lieutenants, Augustus N. Gillett and John Nicholson; organized May 18, 1861; (accepted April 23d); seventy-four officers and men. These, with the seven field and staff officers and the four non-com- missioned staff officers, shown on the roll, make an aggregate of seven hundred and forty-one officers and men in the regiment when it was sworn into the United States service. All were from Erie county, and nearly all were from Buffalo. The men had enlisted at Buffalo for two years, but through some blunder they were mustered into the United States service for only three months. The mistake was one of the many caused by the organization of a large army almost at a moment's notice. At the end of the three months a part of the men demanded their release, though the majority were willing to serve during the time originally agreed upon. Those 242 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. who had had enough of war declared that, though they might be held to two years' service by the State of New York, they could not be retained beyond three months by the United States. Governor Morgan sought to avoid this difficulty by transferring the State's authority over them to the United States. The legality of this proceeding was dispu- ted, but after considerable trouble all but forty-one men agreed to per- form service during the remainder of the two years. The forty-one who positively refused to do so were confined in Fortress Monroe, but were subsequently released on their promising to do duty, and serve out their time in another regiment. On the 18th of June, the Twenty-first proceeded by rail from Elmira to Washington, where it remained until the fore part of July. It was then moved across the Potomac, being stationed at Fort Runyon, about two miles west of the Virginia end of the famous "Long Bridge." One company, however, was stationed directly at the bridge, and one at the Navy yard in Washington. Here the regiment remained nearly two months, acquiring the elements of soldiership, and drilling not only as infantry, but as artillery; so as to be able to repel an assault, if one should be made upon the fort. Here, early in the morning of Monday, the next day after the battle of Bull Run, the men of the Twenty-first saw the first fugitives from the beaten army come straggling back from the fatal field, and all day they watched the demoralized throng containing hardly a single regiment that was not utterly broken up, come surging back toward the Long Bridge. At first the runaways were allowed to pass, but ere long the Twenty-first was ordered to stop them, in order that they might be re-organized on the west side of the river. Near night two companies of the regiment were sent out as skirmishers, remain- ing on the skirmish line two or three days. There they saw their first armed rebels, . being some cavalry who rode up, took a look at them and rode away. It was not until the latter part of August, 1861, that the regiment was assigned to a brigade, at which time it was made a part of the one commanded by the lamented General James S. Wadsworth, of Geneseo. Some time was spent near Arlington Heights, where a part of a fort was built by the regiment, but ere long it was removed to Upton Hill, located five or six miles a little north of west from Fort Runyon. This was its abiding place during the winter of 1861 and '62, being engaged in drill and other routine duties, with an occasional reconnoisance. While there, also, the men erected a fort a little westward of Upton Hill, on high ground, overlooking the valley in which Falls church is situated. To this, in honor of the city where they were organized, the name of “Fort Buffalo " was given. It remained throughout the war one of the prominent defenses of Washington. IN WADSWORTH'S BRIGADE. 243 In March, 1862, Wadsworth's brigade advanced to Centerville. While there the General was relieved of the command and ordered to Washington, and the action of the brigade shows the feeling which always prevailed on the part of the men under his command toward that kindly gentleman, true patriot, and gallant soldier. His removal from the command was known in the brigade less than an hour before his de- parture, but by a spontaneous movement all the men not on duty hastened to his quarters, and when he mounted his horse to go he found them ranged on either side of the road ready to greet him with the warmest and most heartfelt cheers. The old General, who though long past middle age had left a luxurious home to aid his stricken country, was deeply touched by the devotion of his soldiers, and after thanking them, with the tears standing in his eyes, he promised never to forget them; and in fact, as long as the brigade existed he never came into its vicinity with- out visiting it. He was succeeded by General Marsena R. Patrick, a strict disciplinarian, at first not much admired by the volunteers, but afterwards well liked on account of his thorough impartiality, his bravery in battle, and his zealous care for the welfare of his men. Soon afterwards, the brigade moved back to Alexandria. After Gen- eral McClellan removed to the Peninsula with his main army, Patrick's brigade, as a part of McDowell's corps, marched to Fairfax Court House and other points, and finally arrived at Fredericksburg, where it camped on the north side of the Rappahannock. Here the Twenty-first remained until the middle of the summer, except for a short time when it marched to re-enforce General Banks. During most of this period, Company C was headquarter guard for General McDowell. After the regiment returned from Banks' army, it was encamped on the south side of the Rappahannock, on the heights south of Fredericks- burg. While there, two companies, acting as guard for a train, had a skirmish with some Confederate cavalry, which they easily repelled, on a branch of the Mattapony river. This, we believe, was the farthest southern point reached by any of the Twenty-first New York. A week or two later, McClellan's army began to arrive at Freder- icksburg, after the disastrous campaign of the Peninsula. All the Union forces in Virginia were placed under the command of General Pope. Then came long and weary marches in rapid succession. The Twenty- first moved to Cedar Mountain to aid Banks, but arrived there after he had been defeated. He and his opponents were both gone, and the Twenty-first encamped on the side of the mountain. A day or two later it retreated to Culpepper Court House, whence it moved to Rappahan- nock Station. From there it marched up the Rappahannock toward the enemy, coming in conflict with some of the rebel troops at long range, but suffering no loss, although cannon balls and sharp-shooters' bullets frequently fell in unpleasant proximity. 244 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. At length Patrick's Brigade reached Warrenton Springs, and the signs of impending conflict grew more numerous. Clouds of dust were seen rising in various directions where Union and Confederate columns were moving to secure what their Generals considered the most desir- able positions. The next march was to Gainesville, where the men bivouacked, with their arms by their sides. The following day Patrick's Brigade moved out toward the enemy on the Warrenton turnpike. A Wisconsin brigade was posted just in advance of it, and became warmly engaged with the rebels. Both parties held their position until dark. Late in the afternoon the Twenty-first was placed in the skirmish line on the left of the Wisconsin brigade, and at dark was moved past that brigade into the same wood in which the rebels were posted, where it remained during the night. The following day, August 29th, the Brigade marched to the point where the Warrenton turnpike crosses a branch of Bull Run. On its way it passed General Fitz John Porter's Corps, at the time and place where he was charged with refusing to attack the enemy according to orders. Before King's Division, which included Patrick's Brigade, reached Bull Run, the troops of Kearney, Hooker, and other Generals had driven back the rebels, and the men of the Twenty-first again bivouacked by the side of their arms. On the 30th the Brigade was driven from its position by Rebel shells, but moved only a short distance back. Until 3 o'clock the Union troops were concentrating from right and left to meet the expected foe. At that hour the conflict known as the Second Battle of Bull Run, began. At first Patrick's Brigade was in the second line of battle, with another, under General Hatch, in a piece of woods in front of it. Then the last mentioned force was moved to the right, and Patrick's Brigade marched into line on its left. As it emerged from the woods on the farther side, the rebels opened with artillery and musketry from a railroad embank- ment held by them. The Twenty-first knelt down behind a rail fence, and steadily returned the fire. Presently advance was ordered, the men sprang over the fence and moved rapidly toward the embankment. The bullets flew thick among them, and men fell fast all along the line. Sergeant Bishop fell with the flag only a few steps from the fence. Corporal Sheldon raised it and fell dead a moment later. But others quickly raised it again, and bore it onward. Nearly every man of the Color Guard was killed or wounded, and scores of others fell on either side. It was found impossible to seize the embankment, and the men were ordered to shelter themselves as best they could in a dry ditch about half way between the fence from whence they had started and the railroad. An active fire was kept up between the ditch and the embankment, Col- onel Rogers walking along the edge of the ditch and steadily directing THE SECOND BATTLE OF BULL RUN. 245 the men. At length the enemy turned the right of the line, and the shattered remnant of the Twenty-first was ordered to rally around its colors and move slowly back to the wood. As is well known, Pope's army was entirely defeated, and compelled to retire toward Washington, though not in such wild disorder as marked the retreat from the same ground a year before. Of the four hundred officers and men, (or a little over) of the Twenty- first who made that attack on the embankment, fifty were killed and a hundred and thirteen seriously wounded, besides many others slightly wounded. Eleven officers were killed or wounded. Captain Washburn and Lieutenant Whiting were killed and Lieutenant Mulligan was mor- tally wounded. Colonel Rogers was slightly and Major Thomas severely wounded. Captains Lee, Canfield and Wheeler and Lieutenants Efner, Barney and Myers were also wounded. When the Union troops retired, the Confederates swept over the field, found many wounded, and some it must be admitted who were unhurt. When the order was given to "rally on the colors" these preferred stay- ing in the ditch. These the rebels took with them in their hurried march. To the badly wounded they merely said "You are prisoners," and passed rapidly on. This was Saturday, and it was not until the next Saturday, a full week later that all of the wounded were removed from the battle ground. For a day or two the triumphant rebels refused to allow ambulance trains to pass from Washington. This, however, they permitted by Monday, when some Confederate officers came upon the field and an arrangement was made by which the wounded prisoners were paroled or exchanged where they lay. Surgeons came out from Washington and men were sent over the battle-field-or fields, for that whole region had been fought over for several days-with stretchers and ambulances, to bring the wounded men together at a central point, where some of the most necessary surgical operations were performed. Surgeons and assis- tants were alike overwhelmed with labor, and it was not until Wednes- day or Thursday that all were even brought together. Many suffered for lack of food and more from lack of attendance. Even after they were collected at one point they lay, with little food, under the open sky, and as before said it was not until Saturday that all were removed to the hospitals at Washington. Meanwhile the Twenty-first, or what was left of it, with its comrade regiments, marched, sad and dispirited, to Germantown and Upton Hill, and finally to Washington. McClellan being restored to the command of the army, it moved northward to meet the enemy, who had crossed into Maryland. On the 14th day of September, Hooker's corps, pre- viously commanded by McDowell, came in contact with the Confeder- ates on the slopes of South Mountain. With the Twenty-first and Thirty- 246 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. fifth New York, covering the front as skirmishers, the corps moved steadily up the mountain, driving back the enemy's skirmishers and then his main line. The Twenty-first secured a well-protected position, so located that the Confederates were obliged to drive it away or retire themselves from its front. They made a gallant attempt to dislodge it, but were driven back with heavy loss, falling in large numbers all along the front of the Erie county regiment. So well were the latter sheltered that their whole loss consisted of four men wounded, one mortally. South Mountain being firmly secured by the Union army without serious difficulty, that army pressed forward to the banks of Antietam creek, and on the 16th of September the battle of Antietam was fought between the armies of McClellan and Lee. The Twenty-first was hotly engaged. After a long and steady interchange of musketry with the Confederates in its front, a test which the men bore like veterans, they fixed bayonets, charged fiercely on the foe and drove him in hot haste from what he had considered a secure position. In fact, in their enthu- siasm they got so far in advance of their brigade that General Patrick ordered them back into line. The rebels seemed to think they were giv- ing way and came yelling in their rear, but the Erie county men again faced about, charged, and drove them back again with severe loss. Meanwhile, the battle raged fiercely over a wide field. The enemy was slowly pressed back, and though not entirely routed was so severely punished that the next day he gave up the contest and retreated toward the Potomac. In the Twenty-first seventeen men were killed, while Captain Gardner, Lieutenants Vallier and Hickey and fifty-three men were wounded. As there were but few over two hundred men in the ranks at the beginning of the battle, this was proportionately a very severe loss. The army followed the rebels across the Potomac, and again took up its position in Northern Virginia. A general advance was expected, but General McClellan declared it impracticable, and at length he was removed from the command, which was transferred to General Burnside. General Paul was placed at the head of the brigade previously com- manded by General Patrick. After several weeks of preparation, and much marching in the cold and mud of late autumn, General Burnside led his army against the Con- federates, well posted and well intrenched, behind the Rappahannock, at Fredericksburg. The result, as is well known, was the severe defeat of the Union arms at that place on the 12th of December, 1862. Fortunately for the decimated Twenty-first it was kept in reserve on the north side of the Rappahannock, and suffered but little loss, although on the 13th it had one man killed and three wounded by the Confederate artillery firing across the river. The men suffered greatly however from cold, and rain, and snow, both at the time of the fight and during the subsequent retreat. From MUSTER OUT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST. 247 these discomforts it was relieved, to a great degree, before the end of the year, as, on account of its hard service and weak numbers, it was trans- ferred to its old commander, General Patrick, then acting as Provost- Marshal of the Army of the Potomac. The regiment was retained on the comparatively easy duty of provost-guard until the end of its term. It was ordered home the last of April. When all its members were recalled from hospital and special duty it had four hundred and ninety- five officers and men. These proceeded by rail to Buffalo, where a grand ovation was tendered them, as they formed the first regiment which had returned to Erie county from the seat of war. Besides the decrease in the number of men, numerous changes had taken place among the offi- cers. Lieutenant-Colonel Root had been made Colonel of the Ninety- fourth New York, and Captain Strong, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty- eighth New York; both of these officers subsequently becoming Briga- dier-Generals. Captain Alberger became Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty- ninth New York in the summer of 1861. Major Drew had been com- missioned as Lieutenant-Colonel in place of Alberger, but had resigned in September, 1852. Captain Thomas had been promoted to Major, but had also resigned. Adjutant Sternberg had been promoted to Major in September, 1862, and to Lieutenant-Colonel in December, 1862. Cap- tain Lee had succeeded him as Major. The following were the officers of the Twenty-first when it was mustered out of service, according to the report of the Adjutant-General of the State :-- Field and Staff-Colonel, William F. Rogers, (Brevet Brigadier- General); Lieutenant-Colonel, Chester W. Sternberg; Major, Edward F. Lee; Adjutant, Samuel P. Gail; Quartermaster, Albert F. Ransom; Surgeon, Seth French; Assistant Surgeons, Thomas W. Johnson and Charles B. Fry; Chaplain, John E. Robie. Captains. Robert P. Gardner, Algar M. Wheeler, George L. Rem- ington, Byron Schermerhorn, Allen M. Adams, George De Witt Clinton, Daniel Myers, Jr., Levi Vallier, Peter C. Doyle, (Brevet-Major), and John M. Layton. First-Lieutenants.-John E. Ransom, James J. McLeish, George Hurst, Henry C. Beebe, Charles E. Efner, Frederick Minery, Samuel McMurray, Jacob E. Bergtold, Henry H. Halsey and James S. Mulligan. Second-Lieutenants.-John W. Davock, Francis Myers, Daniel Blatch- ford, James S. Gowans, Harmanus H. Bridges, William B. Jewett, John McCabe, Gayer Gardner and George T. Cook. Immediately after its arrival in Buffalo the regiment was disbanded, but a large mumber of its members subsequently re-entered the service and continued battling to the end of the war for the existence and wel- fare of their country. THIRTY-THIRD INFANTRY. Soon after the fall of Fort Sumter, Theodore B. Hamilton, of Buf- falo, raised a company of Infantry, which for a time was called the Rich- 248 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. mond Guards, in honor of the late Dean Richmond. Its ranks were speedily filled, when it proceeded to Elmira under the following officers: Captain, Theodore B. Hamilton; First-Lieutenant, Alexis E. Ensta- phieve; Second Lieutenant, Ira V. Germain. There it united with other companies (from Ontario and ad- joining counties) to form the Thirty-third New York Infantry, which was organized on the 21st day of May, 1861, although it was only mus- tered into service (for two years from the date of organization) on the 3d day of July following; the Richmond Guards became Company G.. Five days later the Regiment set out for Washington, and after remain- ing two months in and near that city, it crossed into Virginia. It con- structed Fort Ethan Allen, about six miles northwest of Washington, and remained in that vicinity until the following spring, having occa- sionally slight skirmishes with a rebel scouting party. During this time it was made a part of the Third brigade of Gen- eral W. F. Smith's division, along with the Forty-ninth and Seventy- seventh New York, and Seventh Maine, and remained in that brigade till it was mustered out. A general idea of its services can therefore be gained by reading the sketch of the Forty-ninth New York, down to the battle of Chancellorsville, and as the Thirty-third contained but one Erie county company, we will refer the reader to that sketch. On two or three occasions, however, the last named regiment hap- pened to be more warmly engaged than the Forty-ninth. On the 6th of April the Thirty-third had a sharp skirmish near Yorktown, in which St. Gale and several privates of Company G were wounded. On the 28th of June, while the Thirty-third, with two companies of a Pennsylvania regiment, was holding the picket line near Golden's farm, they were furiously attacked by two full Confederate regiments, who drove them back a short distance, capturing Captain Hamilton of Company G, and several of his men. The New Yorkers and Pennsyl- vanians then made a stand, reserving their fire until the enemy was close at hand, when they poured in a murderous volley, and the Confed- erates fled in great confusion. The latter again charged and were again repulsed. Colonel Lamar, of the Eighth Georgia, called them forward once more, but fell dangerously wounded and was taken prisoner, when the rebels finally fled, leaving ninety-one dead on the field, and many wounded. Captain Hamilton was soon exchanged. On the 3d day of May, 1863, the Thirty-third was one of twenty- four regiments selected to storm Mary's Heights, south of Fredericks- burg, and most gallantly did it perform that duty. While leading a charge against a heavy battery it had six color-bearers shot down in a few moments, and seventy men killed and wounded, but in spite of this the colors were still borne aloft, the Regiment still swept forward, and the battery was captured. THIRTY-THIRD INFANTRY-FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 249 Then, as related in the sketch of the Forty-ninth, Sedgwick's com- mand pushed toward Chancellorsville, but was attacked from the left at Salem Heights, and compelled to re-cross the Rappahannock. In this conflict the Thirty-third suffered still more severely than before, and it is estimated that it had two hundred and fifty men killed, wounded and captured in the Chancellorsville campaign. During its term Captain Hamilton, of Company G, had been pro- moted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the Sixty-second New York Infantry. At the muster-out the officers of Company G, were Captain George A. Gale, promoted from First Sergeant; First Lieutenant George W. Mar- shall, promoted from Sergeant, and Second Lieutenant Byron F. Crain, promoted from Corporal. FORTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. The Forty-fourth New York Infantry, commonly known as the Ellsworth Regiment, was raised in various parts of the State during the summer of 1861, and was mustered into the United States' service from the 30th of August till the 15th of October in that year. Company A was raised in Erie county, its first officers being Edward P. Chapin, Captain; George M. Love, First Lieutenant; and Benjamin K. Kimberly, Second Lieutenant. The regiment soon joined the Army of the Potomac, and remained in it till the close of the war, taking part in the conflicts at Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Gaines' Mill, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Jones' Cross Roads, Rappahannock Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Weldon Railroad and Siege of Peters- burg. It was mustered out of service on the 11th of October, 1864: the re-enlisted veterans and the recruits being transferred to the One Hundred and Fortieth and One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York Volunteers. Captain Chapin was promoted to Major in January, 1862, and in August following was discharged to accept the Colonelcy of the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York. Lieutenant Love was promoted to Captain in place of Chapin, and was likewise discharged in August, 1863, being appointed Major of the One Hundred and Sixteenth. Lieutenant Kimberly was promoted to First Lieutenant in January, 1863, and to Captain in May, 1863. He was mustered out with the regiment. 250 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXVI. FORTY-NINTH INFANTRY AND OTHER REGIMENTS. Organization of the 49th ― — Roster of Officers To New York and Washington — Preparation Movement to the Peninsula Williamsburg Gallantry of the 49th Mechanicsville The Retreat Return to Alexandria Too Late for Second Bull Run Antietam Fred- ericksburg Chancellorsville Capture of Mary's Heights - Re-crossing the Rappahan- nock Accession from the 33rd Extraordinary March —Gettysburg Winter Quarters— Spottsylvania Cold Harbor - Heavy Losses Opequan Creek Discharge of Non-Veterans The Great Campaign Wilderness Fort Stevens On the Shenandoah Consolidation into a Battalion · Cedar Creek Death of Bidwell Back to Petersburg · Capture of the Last Stronghold Return and Discharge — Roster of Officers at Muster-out -List of Battles Sixty-Fourth Infantry Company A, from Erie County Its Battles Various Officers One Company from Erie County - Its Seventy-Eighth Infantry Battles, etc. 0 FORTY-NINTH INFANTRY. N the 25th day of July, 1861, Governor Morgan issued a proclama- tion, calling for twenty-five thousand more volunteers from the State of New York, to serve three years, or during the war; their ren- dezvous being established at New York, Albany and Elmira. The details of organization were set forth in an order from the office of the Adju- tant-General of the State, issued five days later. On the 25th of July, there was a meeting of the Buffalo Committee on the Defense of the Union, at which were present Major F. A. Alber- ger, Messrs. H. W. Rogers and Jason Sexton, of the citizen's branch of the committee, and Aldermen A. S. Bemis, E. P. Dorr, James Adams, Edward Storck, A. A. Howard and C. C. Felton, of the Common Coun- cil. The committee adopted a resolution to furnish subsistence and other aid in raising another regiment of infantry, and requested Major Daniel D. Bidwell to superintend its formation. Major Bidwell ac- cepted the task thus offered, with the understanding on all sides that he was to be the Colonel of the regiment, though this of course could not be finally determined until it was organized. He was then about forty- five years old, and was a son of Buffalo's pioneer ship-builder, Benjamin Bidwell. He had long been a zealous officer of militia, and had gained considerable celebrity as the commander of " Company D," an organiza- tion unsurpassed as to drill or discipline in the State. On the 30th of July, Colonel Bidwell issued his first recruiting com- missions. These were speedily followed by others, several being sent to citizens of Chautauqua county, and the work of raising the new regi- ROSTER OF Officers. 251 ment was pushed rapidly forward. In the fore part of September, the various companies and detachments were assembled at Buffalo, and on the 16th, the regiment, though not quite full, set out for New York. There several detachments were consolidated, a company from West- chester county was added, the officers were commissioned and the regi ment received the name of the Forty-ninth New York Volunteer Infan- try. The following is a roster of the officers, with the number of officers and men in each company and the locality where it was raised, accord- ing to the muster-rolls published by the State :— Field and Staff.-Colonel, Daniel D. Bidwell; Lieutenant-Colonel, William C. Alberger; Major, George W. Johnson; Adjutant, William D. Bullymore; Quartermaster, Henry D. Tillinghast; Surgeon, James A. Hall; Assistant-Surgeon, William W. Potter; Chaplain, Rev. John Baldwin. Company A.-Captain, Henry N. Marsh; Lieutenants, Philip S. Cottle and Thomas F. Cluney; ninety-five officers and men; raised at and near Fredonia, Chautauqua county. Company B.-Captain, John F. E. Plogsted; Lieutenants, Frederick Von Gayl and William Wuerz; seventy-five officers and men; raised at Buffalo. Company C.-Captain, Charles H. Palmer; Lieutenants, Gilbert J. Greene and William T. Wiggins; ninety-five officers and men; raised at and near Port Chester, Westchester county, and in the city of New York. Company D.-Captain, William F. Wheeler; Lieutenants, George H. Selkirk and Peter A. Taylor; ninety officers and men; raised at Buffalo. Company E.-Captain, Reuben B. Heacock; Lieutenants, George W. Gilman and William Ellis; one hundred and six officers and men; raised at Buffalo. Company F.-Captain, Erasmus W. Haines; Lieutenants, Charles H. Bidwell and Clarence A. Hickmott; seventy-nine officers and men ; raised at Buffalo. Company G.-Captain, Jeremiah C. Drake; Lieutenants, Philip Stevens and Justin G. Thompson; ninety-one officers and men; raised in Chautauqua county. Company H--Captain, Charles H. Moss; Lieutenants, Andrew W. Brazee and Henry D. Hall; ninety-three officers and men; raised in Niagara county. Company I-Captain, Erastus D. Holt; First-Lieutenant, James A. Boyd; Second-Lieutenant not then mustered; sixty-seven officers and men; raised in Chautauqua county. Company K.-Captain, Alonzo M. Marsh; Lieutenants, Andrew J. Bowen and Elial F. Carpenter; ninety-one officers and men; raised in Chautauqua county. The Forty-ninth proceeded from New York to Washington on the 21st of September. It was ere long assigned to the Third Brigade in the division commanded by General W. F. Smith, and remained in it throughout its term of service. Its comrade regiments in the beginning were the Thirty-third and Seventy-seventh New York and the Seventh 252 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Maine. Through the autumn and winter the regiment, with its brigade. was encamped a short distance from Washington, on the Virginia side of the Potomac, engaged in drilling and other duties preparatory to the more active scenes of a soldier's life. While there it took part in the bat- tle of Duanesville, but without suffering much loss. In March, 1862, the regiment proceeded with the army of the Poto- mac to Fortress Monroe. It participated in the siege of Yorktown, and then marched with the army up the peninsula toward Richmond; the Third Brigade being then commanded by General Davidson. At the battle of Williamsburg that brigade and Hancock's, both under the com- mand of that General, were ordered to turn the enemy's right. They succeeded in gaining a desirable position, and then a brisk interchange of musketry took place. Ere long the rebels made a gallant charge on the two brigades. The latter made a countercharge and after a short but desperate fight the Confederates were defeated, and this decided the whole battle in favor of the Union army. General McClellan personally thanked the regiments of the two brigades mentioned, declaring that while others had done well, they had won the fight. In May the brigade was transferred to the Sixth Corps, in which it remained throughout the war. The Forty-ninth, with its brigade, was also in a sharp fight at Mechanicsville, on the 23d of May, driving back the enemy without difficulty, and capturing the town. The brigade then marched back to Gaines' Mill, on the east bank of the Chickahominy, where it was stationed during the battle of Fair Oaks. On the 5th of June it crossed the Chicka- hominy to Golden's Farm, where it remained three weeks. On the 27th of June occurred the battle of Gaines' Mill, or Gaines' Farm, just across the Chickahominy. General McClellan then, if not before, determined to retreat to the James River. That night all the troops on the east side crossed the Cnickahominy. On the 28th the enemy made a fierce attack at Golden's farm. They did not succeed in driving the Union troops away, but they inflicted severe loss, and made a retreat more imperative than before. Then followed the wearisome retreat to Malvern Hill, Smith's Division, of which the Forty-ninth formed a part, was not very seriously engaged during the retreat, although it was under fire at Savage Station, and was subjected to a heavy cannonade at White Oak Swamps on the 30th of June. After the battle of Malvern Hill, the Forty-ninth retreated down the James river, with the rest of the Army, to Harrison's Landing. There it remained six weeks, during which time the brigade built a large fort. About the middle of August the Sixth corps marched to Hampton where it embarked on shipboard, reaching Alexandria on the 23d, and going into camp at Fort Ellsworth. On the 30th of August the Sixth corps, commanded by General W. B. Franklin, was moving leisurely toward THE FORTY-NINTH AT ANTIETAM-CHANCELLORSVILLE. 253 Bull Run, where Pope was being defeated by Lee and Jackson, but did not reach the field in time to render any assistance. The army then fell back on Washington and moved thence north- wardly, under the command of General McClellan, to stop Lee's invasion of Maryland. On the 14th of September, the Forty-ninth took part in the capture of Crampton's Pass; on the 16th it engaged in the skirmish work preliminary to the battle of Antietam, and on the 17th it was hotly engaged in that great conflict. With the rest of Franklin's corps it attacked the Confederates when the latter were pressing back the Unionists and in turn compelled the rebels to flee. Lieutenant-Colonel Alberger was severely wounded in this battle and the regiment suffered heavily in killed and wounded. That officer resigning on account of his wounds, Major Johnson was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain Ellis, who had gone to the front as Second Lieutenant, was made Major. The next day after Antietam, the defeated enemy fell back toward the Potomac, and two days later Smith's division moved to Williamsport, Md. After several changes of location in that State and Northern Vir- ginia, the Army of the Potomac, then under the command of General Burnside, set out on the 15th of November, 1862, for Fredericksburgh. At Falmouth, a short distance above Fredericksburg, on the opposite side of the Rappahannock, there was another long delay, but on the 12th of December the army crossed the river and, as is well known, was com- pletely defeated. The Forty-ninth was so stationed that it was not seriously engaged. On the 19th of December the Forty-ninth moved with its brigade to White Oak Church, a short distance from Falmouth, and built cabins where, except during a few days in January, 1863, (known as the period. of the “mud campaign,") it remained until the 27th of April, 1863. When the Army of the Potomac, commanded by General Hooker, moved against the enemy at Chancellorsville, the left wing, (of which the Forty-ninth was a part), under General Sedgwick, crossed the Rappa- hannock at Fredericksburg, while the main army passed over several miles above. The regiment took part in the capture of Marye's Heights, a strongly intrenched position back of Fredericksburg. Then Sedgwick's command pushed on toward Chancellorsville to join Hooker, but was attacked on the left flank and driven to the river, which it re-crossed. The Forty-ninth was so stationed that it did not suffer serious loss. A few days later the Thirty-third New York, a two years' regiment in the same brigade, was ordered home to be mustered out. One hun- dred and sixty-three of its men had still a considerable time to serve ; these were formed into one company, under Captain Henry J. Gifford, and transferred to the Forty-ninth. Lee's Army having been victorious at Chancellorsville, that General soon marched it northward to invade Pennsylvania. The Army of the 17* 254 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Potomac moved in a course nearly parallel with that of the Confederates on their right rear, watching their action. The Sixth corps was far in the rear of the rest of the army and when the enemy's object was ascertained and the union troops were concentrated for battle the marching powers of that corps were tried to the utmost. It accom- plished the tremendous task of marching two hundred and fifty miles. in seven days, carrying arms, accoutrements, ammunition and rations, arriving on the field of Gettysburg at 5 P. M., on the 2d day of July. The Forty-ninth, however, was held in reserve during the remainder of the battle. Through the rest of the season it was engaged in those marches and counter-marches in Northeastern Virginia which formed so large a part of the duties of the Army of the Potomac. Early in December it went into winter quarters near Brandy station. Just at the close of the year. one hundred and forty-nine men of the regiment re-enlisted for another term of three years, which, by the terms of the "veterans" order was to begin at once, without waiting for the close of the old one. The Forty-ninth remained in comparative quiet until the beginning of May, 1864. Down to this time, though responding readily to every call of duty, it had been extremely fortunate in escaping serious loss in battle; not an officer had been killed and but few of the men. From the various casualties of war, however, its numbers had been reduced to three hundred and eighty-four enlisted men on duty with the colors, and about twenty-five officers. Colonel Bidwell was in command of the brigade; Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson and Major Ellis were with the regiment. The metal of the little band was now to be subjected to the severest tests. On the 4th of May, 1864, the Forty-ninth moved forward with the rest of the Sixth corps, toward Richmond. On the 5th, the army struck. the enemy in the Wilderness, and during the fierce conflict of that and the following day the Forty-ninth was in the hottest of the fray. In those two days Captains J. F. E. Plogsted, William T. Wiggins and Clar- ence H. Hickmott, and Lieutenants Henry C. Valentine and Reuben F. Preston were killed or mortally wounded. Marching forward with depleted ranks the gallant little band again met the foe at the battle of Spottsylvania. There Captain Seward H. Terry and Lieutenants M. S. V. Tyler and Herman Haas were killed. Major Ellis was wounded, too, by a ramrod flung from some rebel gun which pierced his arm and bruised his chest, but was not then supposed to have done serious injury, though the wound finally proved mortal. Again the army moved forward, operating all the time against the left flank of the enemy, and soon engaged in the terrific conflict of Cold Harbor. There, at the "death angle" fell Captain Reuben B. Heacock and Lieutenants J. P. McVean and Charles A. Sayer. 1 HEAVY LOSSES OF THE FORTY-NINTH. 255 Thus, in these four conflicts, occurring within two weeks, twelve officers, including a major and five captains, had been killed or mortally wounded, being full half the number present with the regiment. Besides these, several were seriously wounded, though the number was less than that of the killed. The proportion of deaths was not so great among the enlisted men, but still the roll of killed and wounded was very long. In those two weeks, out of the three hundred and eighty-four men with which the regiment left Brandy Station, sixty-one had been killed and a hundred and fifty-five wounded, while thirty were reported missing. Of the latter some were undoubtedly killed, (their fate not having been ascertained) while more were wounded and taken prisoners. Certainly, not less than two hundred and forty officers and men had been killed or wounded, or three-fifths of the total strength. Many of the wounded, however, soon returned to duty, and the ranks received some recruits. The Sixth Corps then advanced with the army, to the lines before Petersburg, but about the first of July it was ordered back to Washing- ton, by boat, to defend that city from a threatened attack by General Early. Scarcely had it arrived, when on the 12th of July, it was engaged in a short but sharp conflict with the enemy, who attempted to capture Fort Stevens, situated in the District of Columbia, about five miles north of the Capitol, and two miles from the Soldiers' Home. President Lin- coln was present, and saw Colonel Bidwell's Brigade charge up a hill and drive back the foe. The Forty-ninth had twenty-one killed and wounded, among the former being its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Johnson, and Lieutenant David Lambert. The President was so well pleased with the valor and vigor displayed by Colonel Bidwell, that he appointed the latter a Brigadier-General immediately afterward. As the Senate was not in session, the appointment could not then be confirmed, and, as we understand the matter, General Bidwell remained legally the Colonel of the Forty-ninth New York Volunteers. On the 3d of August, Major Ellis died of the wound received at Spottsylvania, a splinter from a fractured bone having entered his heart. Captains Holt and Brazee, the former of Chautauqua county, and the latter of Niagara, were appointed Lieutenant-Colonel and Major. The Sixth Corps was made a part of the command of General Sher- idan, and proceeded to operate against General Early, in the valley of the Shenandoah. After numerous marches and counter-marches, the Forty- ninth took part in the battle of Opequan Creek, on the 19th of Septem- ber. The men had the pleasure of seeing the enemy defeated, with but slight loss to their own thrice decimated ranks. They had eight men killed and wounded. Two days before the battle, eighty-nine men, all that were left of the original regiment, who had not re-enlisted, were sent back to Buffalo under Major Brazee, and there discharged. 256 HISTORY OF Erie COUNTY. Immediately after the fight the rolls were examined and it was found that there had been in all about one thousand five hundred and fifty names upon them. There were then four hundred and ten men in the field. These were consolidated into a battalion of five companies under Lieu- tenant-Colonel Holt, still retaining the appellation of the "Forty-ninth ;" Captain George H. Selkirk, of Buffalo, received a commission as Major. After Opequan General Sheridan pushed rapidly on in pursuit of the retreating Early, and at Fisher's Hill inflicted a very severe defeat. Bidwell's brigade captured the first five cannon taken from the enemy, and fortunately without serious loss to itself. On the 19th of October, occurred the battle of Cedar Creek, when the Eighth corps was surprised and defeated during Sheridan's absence, and when the sudden return of that General, as has so often been described, turned the tide of war, and gave the Union army a complete victory, won by the Sixth and Nineteenth corps. Bidwell's brigade was, as usual, at the front, and the Forty-ninth suffered a loss of thirty-seven, all told. Here, too, the gallant Bidwell, the only Colonel of that regiment, while bravely leading his brigade, was mortally stricken down by the bullet of the foe. He was taken to a house not far distant, and expired a few hours later. Mr. Jerome B. Stillson, of Buffalo, one of the most promi- nent of the correspondents who recorded the deeds of the armies in the field, visited him there, and found him aware that death was upon him, but as ready to meet it then as he had ever been in the field. Thus, in less than six months, every one of the three field-officers of the Forty-ninth, who had turned their horses' heads southward in the beginning of May, had been killed, besides five Captains and seven Lieutenants. It is doubtful if another regiment in the service suffered such a loss of officers in so short a time. Thus, too, of the three three- years' regiments of infantry, principally raised in Erie county, every one of the Colonels had been killed in action. "The paths of glory lead but to the grave." In December the battalion, with the rest of the Sixth corps, returned to the vicinity of Richmond and Petersburg, and was on hard service in the entrenchments during the remainder of the winter, but without being in any important battle. On the 2d of April the little battalion took the lead in attacking the last stronghold of rebellion. The Forty-ninth and Seventy-seventh New York formed the front center of the column which assaulted the Confed- erate works on the South Side railroad, and the flag of the Forty-ninth was the first Union color planted upon them. The battalion suffered severely considering its small numbers, and its commander, Lieutenant- Colonel Erastus D. Holt, was mortally wounded, dying on the 7th of the same month. Major Selkirk was promoted to fill his place, and was He also received a commission mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel. THE SIXTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 257 as Colonel from the Governor of New York, but had not enough men under his command to muster with that rank. The battalion was on easy duty during the remainder of its service. It was mustered out on the 27th of June; speedily set out for home and arrived at Buffalo on the 3d day of July. Eighteen officers and two hundred and seventy-four men out of over fifteen hundred whose names had been borne on the rolls, were mustered out with the regiment. Sixteen officers (whose names have been given) had been killed or mortally wounded in action and a somewhat smaller proportion of the enlisted men. Captain Charles H. Morse, Captain Rasselas Dickinson, Adjutant William Bullymore, Quartermaster Henry D. Tillinghast and Lieutenant Frederick Von Gayl had died of disease. The following officers were mustered out with the battalion: Lieu- tenant-Colonel, George H. Selkirk, (commissioned as colonel); Surgeon, John Jenkins; Quartermaster, Lewis C. Richards; Captains, Thomas F. Cluney (commissioned as lieutenant-colonel), S. W. Russell (brevet ma- jor and commissioned as major), William J. Kaiser, Henry J. Gifford (brevet major) and Walter D. Wilder (brevet major); First Lieutenants, French W. Fisher (brevet captain), Augustus B. Meyer, Joseph Conradt, John C. White and Hamilton Disbrow; Second Lieutenants, Otis B. Hayes, Julius Smith, Sylvester Churchwell, Jacob Vosburg and Henry Handy. Of these names only two were to be found on the original ros- ter-Lieutenant-Colonel Selkirk, who was a first lieutenant at the organ- ization of the regiment, and Captain Cluney, who at the same time was a second lieutenant. We will close this sketch with a list of the battles of the Forty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry as officially published by the Adjutant- General of this State: Drainesville, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Golden's Farm, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Crampton's Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights, Salem Heights, Get- tysburg, Rappahannock Station, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Har- bor, Petersburg, Fort Stevens, Opequan, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, to which South Side Railroad should be added. SIXTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. Company A of this regiment, was raised in Collins, Erie county, and Persia, Cattaraugus county, principally in the former town. Its first officers were: Rufus P. Washburn, Captain; Albert Darby, First Lieu- tenant; and James M. Pettit, Second Lieutenant. The regiment was mustered into the service for three years, at various times between the 7th day of September and the 10th day of December, 1861. The Sixty-fourth fought at Yorktown, Fair Oaks, Gaines' Mill, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristow Station, Mine 258 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Totopotomy, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Ream's Station. The original members who had not re-enlisted were mustered out at the end of three years from their enlistment, but the regiment retained its organization until the end of the war, being finally mustered out on the 14th of July, 1865. Captain Washburn was discharged in June, 1863. Theodore Tyrer, of Buffalo, was appointed Captain in the regiment in May, 1864; was promoted to Major in December, 1864; was commissioned as Lieutenant- Colonel in January, 1865; and was mustered out of service with the regiment. Lieutenant Albert Darby was promoted to Captain in Decem- ber, 1862, and resigned in July, 1863. James B. Morrow, of Aurora, Erie county, was appointed Second Lieutenant in March, 1863, and First Lieutenant in July, 1863. SEVENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. The Seventy-eighth contained one company from Erie county, the first officers of which were William H. Randall, Captain; Levi Metz, First Lieutenant; and John Blocher, Second Lieutenant. The regiment was mustered into service by companies or detachments from October, 1861, to April, 1862. It chanced not to be engaged in any important bat- tle until it was sent as a part of General Hooker's command to join the Western army in 1863. It then took part in the battles of Manhatchie, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Dallas, Lost Mountain, Pine Knob, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and Atlanta. It lost heavily in those con- flicts, and was consolidated with the One Hundred and Second Infantry on the 29th day of June, 1864. Captain Randall was promoted to Major in May, 1863, and resigned in March, 1864; Lieutenant Metz was promoted to Captain in July, 1863, and was mustered out on account of the consolidation before mentioned in June, 1864. t THE ONE HUNDREDTH INFANTRY. 259 CHAPTER XXVII. ONE HUNDREDTH INFANTRY. A New Regiment Authorized 0 Recruiting Commissioners Camp Morgan Colonel Brown On the Peninsula · Will- Charge The One Hun- Valor of Casey's Division Roster of Officers Homes of the Men Off to Washington iamsburg Battle of Fair Oaks Colonel Brown's Coolness dredth Deadly Conflict Death of Brown --Other Losses Retreat of the Enemy - March to the James River Malvern Hills The Regiment Adopted by the Board of Trade To Gloucester Point Colonel Dandy — Removal to To South Carolina Charleston Harbor Folly Island Capture of Assault on Fort Wagner - Second Assault - Valor of the One Hun- dredth - Desperate Fighting - Repulse — Heavy Losses The Siege Captain Payne's Services Capture of Wagner - Through the Winter- Return North -- In the "Army of the James" -- Surprised and Driven Back - "Ware Bottom Church" North of the James North Carolina Part of Morris Island Capturing a Battery -- Before Petersburg - Across the James Again Across the James Again - Winter Quarters Again Before Petersburg -- Capture of Fort Gregg - Final Victory - Official Changes Consolidation -- Discharge — Final Roster. N the 22d day of August, 1861, General Gustavus A. Scroggs, of Buf- falo, received an order from the War Department, dated three days previously, authorizing him to raise and organize a brigade of four regiments of three years' volunteers. He accepted the charge thus imposed upon him, and determined to raise one regiment in Erie and the adjoining counties, with headquarters at Buffalo, and the other three in the eastern part of the State.* After some needful preparations, the first authority to raise a company for the new regiment was issued by Gen- eral Scroggs to Captain Walter B. Moore, of Le Roy, Genesee county, on the 2d day of September, 1861. This was followed on the 18th day of the same month by recruiting orders to Captain Daniel D. Nash, of Springville, and to Captains John Nicholson, Charles E. Morse and Michael Bailey, of Buffalo; on the 21st to Captain P. Edwin Dye, of Buffalo; on the 24th to Captain Charles H. Henshaw, of Buffalo; on the 26th to Captain George Hinson, of Buffalo; on the 9th of October to Captain Lewis S. Payne, of Tonawanda; and on the 19th of the same month to Captain Charles E. Rauert, of Buffalo. All these began recruiting for their respective companies. In most cases this was slow work. An immense number of the young men of * It was expected that the regiments to be thus raised would form one body to be known as the "Eagle Brigade," and to be commanded by General Scroggs as Brigadier-General. Owing, however, to the constant demand for troops, commands were consolidated and hurried to the front as speedily as possible, so that the "Eagle Brigade" never came into existence. General Scroggs was nominated for Brigadier-General in July, 1862, but, as the number of Brigadiers then allowed by law had already been appointed, the nomination was not confirmed by the Senate. 260 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. the country had already entered the service, and no large bounties had been offered to stimulate the patriotism of the more cautious class. Cap- tain D. D. Nash, however, the dashing young commander of the Spring- ville company, speedily filled its ranks from Concord and the adjoining towns, so that when he received his commission it gave him rank from October 1, 1861, he being the senior captain of the regiment and his command being designated as "Company A.” As soon as Company A appeared at Buffalo, General Scroggs established a camp at Fort Porter, named it Camp Morgan, in honor of Hon. Edwin D. Morgan, then governor of the State, erected barracks and obtained rations for the newly enrolled soldiers. Company after company, with ranks more or less full, established themselves at Camp Morgan, and the work of recruiting was continued with varying success. In the fore part of November there appeared at Camp Morgan a stern- looking, square-built man of thirty-six, with iron resolution written all over his face, who proceeded to take command of the regiment. This was James Malcolm Brown, a Scotchman by birth, an Assistant-Surgeon in the Mexican war, then a lawyer at Jamestown, Chautauqua county, and after the breaking out of the Rebellion a Captain in the Seventy- second New York Infantry, whom General Scroggs had selected for the new regiment. The other field-officers, chosen by the same authority, were Phineas Staunton, at the opening of the war, an artist of New York, and a son of an eminent officer in the War of 1812 previously mentioned in this work, who was to be the Lieutenant-Colonel, and Calvin N. Otis, an architect of Buffalo, who was to fill the post of Major. Colonel Brown was a strict disciplinarian and soon established com- plete order among the bands of recruits (for the companies were of course. nothing else) under his charge. The camp was occasionally enlivened by presentations of military equipments to officers by admiring friends, and with humbler gifts of socks, mittens, etc., to the soldiers. On the 19th of January, 1862, the new regiment was first designated as the 100th New York Volunteer Infantry. It was not until the 7th of February, 1862, that the regiment was sufficiently full, so that the officers re- ceived their commissions, those of the field officers giving them rank from the 10th of January, and those of the line officers from various dates during the preceding autumn. The following is the roster of officers, with the number of men in their respective companies, when the regiment was mustered into the United States service :- Field and Staff.-Colonel, James M. Brown; Lieutenant-Colonel, Phineas Staunton; Major, Calvin N. Otis; Adjutant, Peter R. Chadwick; Quartermaster, Samuel M. Chamberlain; Surgeon, Martin S. Kittenger; Assistant Surgeon, William D. Murray. Company A.-Captain, Daniel D. Nash; Lieutenants, William L. Mayo and Charles S. Farnham; eighty-seven officers and men. Company B.-Captain, Walter B. Moore; Lieutenants, M. H. Topping and Martin S. Bogart; eighty-four officers and men. ROSTER OF Officers. 261 Company C.-Captain, John Nichols; Lieutenants, Unike C. Mackay and William Noble; eighty-eight officers and men. Company D.-Captain, Lewis S. Payne; First Lieutenant, Augustus Newell; [Second Lieutenant not then mustered;] ninety-one officers and men. Company E.-Captain, Michael Bailey; Lieutenants, William Brown and Timothy Lynch; eighty-four officers and men. Company F-Captain, Charles H. Rauert; Lieutenants, Charles F. Gardner and Charles E. Claussen; ninety officers and men. Company G.-Captain, George Hinson; Lieutenants, Samuel S. Kellogg and Jacob L. Barnes; one hundred and eight officers and men. Company H.-Captain, P. Edward Dye; Lieutenants, Rodney B. Smith, Jr., and Charles E. Walbridge; eighty-four officers and men. Company I-Captain, Charles E. Morse; Lieutenants, Frank C. Brunck and Herbert H. Haddock; ninety-four officers and men. Company K.-Captain, Charles H. Henshaw; Lieutenants, John Wilkeson, Jr., and Warren Granger, Jr.; eighty-five officers and men. The above numbers make a total of nine hundred and two officers and men at the muster-in. Nearly all of these were from Erie county. A part of Company B were from Genesee and Monroe counties; a small part of Company D were from Niagara county, in the vicinity of Tonawanda, and the majority of Company H were from Chautauqua county. Of the remainder nearly all were enrolled in Buffalo, and the majority were probably residents of that city, but a large proportion. were from the various towns of Erie county. Company A, as has been said, came from Concord and the adjoining towns; Company D, was principally enlisted in Tonawanda and Grand Island, while nearly every one of the other towns of the county had ten or a dozen representatives in the One Hundredth New York Infantry. On the 7th day of March, 1862, the tedium of barrack life was broken up and the regiment, with full ranks, but without arms, left Buffalo on the New York Central Railroad. The next day they reached New York and on the 9th were supplied with Enfield Rifles, accoutre- ments and camp equipage. On the 10th they proceeded on their way, and on the 12th arrived at the capital of the Nation, and the following day went into camp on "Meridian Hill." Here they were soon assigned to the First brigade of Casey's division, commanded by Colonel W. W. H. Davis, of the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Infantry. On the 29th of March, Casey's division proceeded to Alexandria, Virginia, where they embarked on transports, and landed at Newport News on the 1st day of April. At length the One Hundreth was in the immediate vicinity of the enemy. But for a time their chief foes seemed to be the wretched cold and rain and mud of a Virginia spring. About the middle of April Casey's division moved to the lines of Yorktown, in the siege of which it was engaged until the 4th of May, when the enemy abandoned his works and marched up the peninsula. McClellan's army followed, the 262 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. troops exchanging cold, rain and mud for mud, rain and cold. Near Williamsburg the command of General Naglee, who had taken the place of Colonel Davis as brigade-commander, was ordered swiftly forward to the music of musketry in front, arriving too late to take part in the con- flict (a skirmish) and bivouacing in the cold rain without equipage of any kind, undergoing sufferings during the night which the surviving soldiers of the One Hundredth remember as the worst they knew in all their long and severe service. The next day the battle of Williams- burg was fought, in which Naglee's (late Davis') brigade closely and gallantly sustained that of General Hancock when the latter made the famous charge which won the day, but was not itself actively engaged with the enemy. On the 9th of May, the One Hundredth, with the rest of McClellan's army, moved forward toward Richmond. Its movements were slow, but on the 24th it crossed Bottom's Bridge, and on the 25th had a short skirmish with the enemy. Light skirmishing continued several days, the One Hundredth suffering no loss from the enemy's bullets, but having many of its officers and men stricken down by malarial fever. On the 30th of May, there were six hundred and forty-six men fit for duty. During the night of the 30th, there was a terrific rain storm, the Chickahominy rose rapidly, and the two wings of the Union army were to a great extent cut off from each other. The enemy moved forward with a heavy force to crush the nearest wing before the other could aid it. The battle of "Seven Pines," or "Fair Oaks," followed-the first battle of the One Hundredth New York Infantry. Nearly the whole force of the foe was flung upon Casey's division and a fierce conflict ensued. Naglee's brigade was stationed on the Richmond road, the One Hundredth being on the left of that road. Com- panies D, E, and F were on picket so that there were less than four hun- dred men with the colors. The brigade was advanced in front of the defensive works which had been erected, and at length the One Hun- dredth stood in the midst of a tract of "slashing" or trees cut down at random. The enemy approached and his bullets and cannon-ball flew thick and fast over and among the unseasoned soldiers. Colonel Brown sat on his horse, just in rear of the line, calmly smoking his pipe, but keenly watching the fray. As the fight grew hotter he rode up and down the line encouraging his men in tones which often rang above the din of battle. At length an order came from Naglee's brigade to charge the enemy. It was repeated to Colonel Brown, who was very unfavorably impressed with the idea of charging through slashing against an overwhelming foe, and muttered an angry denunciation of the order, but the next moment he thundered forth the command "Charge! the One Hundredth," and led forward the men into the deadly hail. The enemy was temporarily BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS-SEVERE LOsses263 LOSSES. . driven back by Naglee's brigade, but having several divisions within easy reach, he pushed forward and utterly overwhelmed Casey's Divis- ion before aid could, or at least before it did, reach him. In the slashing the One Hundredth was badly broken up, and when at length the reluctant order to retreat was given, it suffered very severely. Colonel Brown was seen vainly endeavoring to rally his men, and then suddenly disappeared. Strange to say, no absolute knowledge of his fate was ever obtained. Stricken down in the deadly conflict, he was doubt- less either instantly slain, or so severely wounded that he died before his name and rank could be ascertained by the Confederates who swept over the field. Perhaps when wounded he dragged himself into some thicket, hoping to be able to rejoin the Union troops, and there died unseen by friend or foe. At all events, when after the battle, a detail was sent in the field to bury the dead, Colonel Brown could not be found, and when inquiry was made of the Confederate Commander, by means of a flag of truce, the reply was that nothing whatever was known of his fate. In the same locality Lieutenant Kellogg, of Company G, and Lieu- tenant Wilkeson of Company K, were killed, while Captain Nash and Lieutenant Mayo, both of Company A, and Lieutenant Brown of Com- pany E, fell seriously wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Staunton was slightly wounded. The regiment reported a loss of one hundred and sixteen killed, wounded and missing out of less than four hundred who took part in the fight. Very few of these were taken prisoners, but Captain Bailey, Lieutenants Lynch and Newell and twelve men were cut off and cap- tured while on picket. General McClellan at first censured Casey's Division for retreating, but afterward withdrew his censure, for he learned that that division really sustained the brunt of the fight; having seventeen hundred men killed, wounded and missing-nearly one-third of all the casualties in the army on that day. General Keyes' corps, consisting of Casey's and Couch's divisions, lost three thousand one hundred and twenty officers. and men, while all the rest of the army lost but two thousand six hundred and seventeen. Severe as was the punishment inflicted on Naglee's Bri- gade, its desperate charge helped to check the onslaught of the enemy until Heintzelman's Corps arrived at 5 P. M., to turn the tide of battle. The Confederates fell back into Richmond, leaving the battle-field in the possession of the Union soldiers. If the object of the rebel commander was merely to inflict heavy loss on the Union army, he was successful. If, as seems probable, he intended to defeat it and drive it permanently from the position it had assumed, he failed, and his failure was principally due to the gallant resistance made by Casey's division against overwhelm- ing numbers. A few days later Casey's division was moved back to the rear of the army, near Bottom's Bridge, where it remained during that rain-laden 264 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. month of June, with the country spreading in a swamp around it and the roads seeming like long mortar beds, being almost impassable for wagons and artillery. On the 28th of June came the battle of Mechanicsville, on the extreme right of the Union army, in which Casey's division did not take part. This was followed by the movement of the National troops toward the James river. During that movement Naglee's Brigade was selected as the rear guard of one of the retreating columns, but though in sight of the enemy was not actively engaged. General McClellan directed that all the sick and wounded, who were unable to march, should remain at Savage's Station. Surgeon Kit- tenger, of the One Hundredth, established a temporary hospital, where over two hundred wounded were received, who, with the devoted sur- geon, were all captured by the advancing foe. When Naglee's Brigade moved forward as the rear guard, a part of the One Hundredth New York, with two other regiments, were accidentally left behind on picket, and were not notified of the movement until four hours later, at two o'clock A. M., on the 1st of July. They then followed the retreating troops and reached Malvern Hills without serious misadventure where the two por- tions of the regiment were re-united. First Lieutenant Rodney B. Smith, Jr., of Company H, who was sick at the time, was last seen at Savage Station. It is supposed that he attempted to walk to Malvern Hills, and died from fatigue and dis- ease, or was perhaps slain by some random bullet of the foe. Second Lieutenant Farnham, of Company A, had died a few weeks before, and it is remarkable that, out of all the officers who served in the One Hun- dredth New York, only these two (perhaps only one of them) died of disease during nearly four years of hard campaigning. From the 2d of July, 1862, to the muster out of the regiment, in August, 1865, not an officer died except by the bullets of the foe. At Malvern Hills the One Hundredth stood steadily in line, though not under severe fire, and saw the legions of Lee, flushed with triumph and confident of further victory, driven back with terrific loss by the wearied, decimated, but not demoralized army of the Potomac. Then followed the retreat to Harrison's Landing, where the army remained until the middle of August. On the last day of July, the strength of the One Hundredth had been reduced by battle and disease to four hundred and thirty-six officers and men, less than half the number which had left Buffalo in the pre- vious March. The news of this great reduction had already reached Buffalo, fears were aroused lest the organization should be consoli- dated with some other command and its identity destroyed. On the 29th of July, the Buffalo Board of Trade formally adopted the regiment as its especial charge, and at once set acout recruiting for it with con- siderable success. THE ONE HUNDREDTH NEAR CHARLESTON. 265 On the 15th of August, the One Hundredth, with the rest of the army, set out on its march down the James river, that regiment reaching York- town on the 20th, and moving thence to Gloucester Point on the 23d, while in the meantime the greater part of the army sailed back to North- ern Virginia to defend the threatened capital of the Nation. The One Hundredth remained at Gloucester Point until the 26th of December, in a well-arranged camp and in circumstances which might be called pleasant as compared with the sufferings of the Peninsular campaign. Between the first of August and the first of October there were recruited and sent forward, principally through the efforts of the Buffalo Board of Trade, no less than three hundred and forty-five men, swelling the depleted ranks to the number of nearly eight hundred. During that time, too, (in August), George B. Dandy, of the regular army, was commissioned as Colonel of the regiment, and on the 15th of September, assumed command. Lieutenant-Colonel Staunton was greatly disgusted by this proceeding, and forthwith resigned his commission and retired from the army after eight or nine months of active service and one battle. Civilians turned soldiers acquire opinions regarding their own indefeasible right to promotion quicker than any other military ideas. Colonel Staunton afterward joined a scientific expedition to the Andes, and died at Quito, on the slopes of those mountains, in September, 1867. Major Otis was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain Daniel D. Nash, of Company A, to Major. On the 26th of December, Naglee's Brigade, with other troops, went on board ship and proceeded to Carolina City, North Carolina, whence, after a stay of three weeks, it continued its course to Port Royal bay, South Carolina, arriving there on the 31st day of January, 1863, but not disembarking until the 10th of February, where it landed on the island of St. Helena. Here it remained until the 23d of March, during which time General Naglee was ordered North and was succeeded in the com- mand of the brigade by its first chief, Colonel W. W. H. Davis. On the day last named the One Hundredth again embarked, and after much steaming to and fro reached Charleston harbor, landing on Cole Island on the 26th. The regiment had been selected to lead the movement against Charleston, having been transferred from Davis' Brigade to Howell's for that purpose. The whole force consisted of three divisions of infantry, a brigade of artillery, a light battery and a battalion of engineers. On the 3d of April the One Hundreth, again in the advance, went on shipboard and landed on the south end of Folly Island in the same harbor, whence, on the 7th, its officers and men witnessed the splendid but fruitless bombardment of Fort Sumter by the fleet under Admiral Dupont. Soon afterward the regiment established its permanent camp on Folly Island. It remained there in comparative quiet until the middle 266 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. of June, when General Gilmore superseded General Hunter in command. of the force operating against Charleston. Immediately afterward, works were erected on the extreme north end of Folly Island by the One Hundreth, and other regiments, much of the time under the fire of the enemy. Disease and hardship now became enemies as much to be dreaded as the rebels. At this time Lieutenant- Colonel Otis resigned and went North, as did several line officers. The romance of war was evidently passing away. The work of erecting. batteries was extremely tedious, but by the 3d of July they were sub- stantially finished. On the 10th a tremendous cannonade was opened against the rebel works on Morris Island. Two hours later a brigade of troops moved in boats to Morris Island piloted by Captain Payne of the One Hundredth who made himself thoroughly acquainted with both land and water, by constant scouting since the arrival of his army in the harbor. After a short fight the Confederate works were captured with eleven pieces of artillery. The One Hundredth passed over immediately afterward. The next morning Fort Wagner, situated further north on the same island, was assaulted by seven regiments including the One Hundreth New York, but that regiment seems not to have been stationed far enough in the advance to suffer much loss. The leading regiments under a heavy fire crossed the ditch and mounted the parapet, but were then obliged to retire, leaving their killed and wounded where they fell. Intrenchments were then thrown up and more careful preparations made for a second assault, which took place in the night of the 18th of July. It was heralded by a tremendous bombardment during the day from our ironclads and batteries, the guns of Fort Wagner being silenced at 4 P. M. After dark the brigades of General Strong, Colonel Putnam and General Seymour moved to the assault in the order named, the One Hundredth New York being in Putnam's Brigade. General Stephen- son's Brigade was held in support. At the head of Strong's Brigade, in the advance of the whole column, was the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts (col- ored) commanded by the gallant Colonel Shaw, of Boston. The enemy was expecting an attack, and as the assailants approached, ball, shell and canister came crashing through the foremost lines with deadly effect. Still Shaw led forward his dark battalion, followed closely by the rest of Strong's Brigade. They reached the parapet, where a terrific conflict took place, the slope being thickly covered with white men and black lying side by side in the brotherhood of death. Colonel Shaw was killed, General Strong was wounded and his brigade was driven back from the parapet at the same time that Colonel Putnam's command, in which was the One Hundredth New York led by Colonel Dandy and Major Nash, came rushing up to take their places. Another fierce con- THE ATTACK ON FORT WAGNER. 267 flict ensued, and a part of the brigade clambered over the parapet into a corner of the fort, which, however, was swept by grape, canister and musketry. Seymour's Brigade supported Putnam's, but Seymour was soon wounded, and his men were unable to effect a lodgement. Stephen- son's reserve was ordered forward, but ere it arrived Colonel Putnam, the only remaining brigade commander in the fight, was killed on the parapet and the assailants gave up the contest, leaving their killed and wounded behind, to whose number scores were added at every step of the swilt retreat. Stephenson's Brigade was consequently ordered back. The total loss in the three brigades which made the assault was over fifteen hundred officers and men. In the One Hundredth New York, Adjutant Haddock and Lieutenant Runckle were killed and Lieutenant Brown was mortally wounded. Major Nash, Captains Ranert and Granger, and Lieutenants McMann and Friday were wounded. Ser- geant Flanders, of Company A, was killed while defending the colors which he had planted on the parapet, and eleven other Sergeants, Pratt, Davy, Whaples, Hughson, Morgan, Everts, Emery, Rustin, Gaylord, Lynch and Grebler were wounded, the first five severely. On the 25th of July the engineers began work for the regular reduc- tion of Fort Wagner by siege. These were pressed forward as rapidly as possible, under almost constant fire from Forts Sumter and Wagner. The sick list was large throughout the army, but the One Hundredth, composed of hardy men and cared for by a good surgeon, escaped with less suffering from that cause than any other regiment in the vicinity. Both before and after the capture of Morris Island, Captain L. S. Payne had been acting as scout, and sometimes as commander of pickets of the army. Night after night he patrolled the waters of Charleston harbor, with a boat-load of men, gathering important information regard- ing the position and movements of the enemy, on which the Union Gen- erals justly placed implicit reliance. General Gilmore gave him a writ- ten order to call on the Adjutant-General of the Department, for what- ever men he needed, and made him the practical Commander of the whole picket line. On the resignation of Lieutenant-Colonel Otis, Gen- eral Gilmore recommended Captain Payne to the Governor of New York, for Lieutenant-Colonel of the One Hundredth, and after some delay, he was duly commissioned to that office. But in the meantime, on one of his nocturnal excursions, on the 3d of August, 1863, he and his crew were assailed by a large force of the enemy, (who were probably watching for him, as he had greatly annoyed them,) and after a hard fight they were all captured. He was imprisoned until near the close of the war, and in consequence never mustered as Lieutenant-Colonel. The siege of Fort Wagner lasted from the 25th of July till the 7th of September, the troops erecting parallels and zigzag approaches under 268 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. the direction of the engineers, and steadily working their way up to the walls of the fort. Sickness was prevalent and the balls and shells of the enemy were constantly dropping among the workmen. The One Hundredth had a hundred and four men killed and wounded during the siege. A thin assault was ordered for the day last mentioned, but when the troops advanced, it was found that the rebels had evacuated Fort Wagner, and also Fort Gregg, situated in its rear, although they did not · retire from the latter quick enough, so but that seventy prisoners were captured within its walls by the victorious Yankees. The forts were re-built and furnished with the heaviest guns known, which were constantly employed against Fort Sumter and Charleston. The people were driven out of the lower part of the city, but neither Sumter nor Charleston was captured until the appearance of Sherman's army in the rear compelled their evacuation in February, 1865. The One Hundredth remained on Morris Island through the autumn of 1863, and the succeeding winter, and as no assault was made on the rest of the enemy's works, and sickness decreased as the weather became cooler, the period was passed in what seemed like comfort, after the hardships and dangers of the summer. Colonel Dandy and other officers were absent on recruiting service during the winter, the regiment being commanded by Major Nash. In April, 1864, the One Hundredth New York, with other troops in General Gilmore's department, were ordered north to re-inforce the armies operating against Richmond, and after an uneventful voyage, landed once more at Gloucester Point. Here it was rejoined by Colonel Dandy, a number of Officers and men, and was assigned to the Third Brigade (commanded by Colonel Plaisted of Maine) of Terry's Division, Tenth Corps in General Butler's "Army of the James." On the 6th of May, that army landled at Bermuda Hundred, on the Appomattox river, and the next day the One Hundredth was engaged in a brisk fight with the enemy at Walthal Junction. Lieutenants Adriance and Richardson, were wounded. This was the opening of a campaign of the greatest hardship and danger, and one requiring such constant movement on the part of the regiment of which we are writing, that it will be very difficult to give even an outline of its operations in the space we can spare. On the 13th of May, it took part in the capture of Fort Darling. The next day it was in a hand-fight just in front of that Fort, in which Lieutenant A. H. Hoyt, was killed, and Lieutenant Edward Pratt severely wounded. On the morning of the 16th, favored by a dense fog, General Beau- regard with a large force suddenly and fiercely attacked the right flank of the Army of the James, at Drury's Bluff, inflicting heavy loss. The One Hundredth moved slowly forward in the fog, and in a short time was directed to lie down in line of battle and await further orders. But TEE ADVANCE ON RICHMOND. 269 the messengers subsequently sent were wounded, and no orders came. Suddenly the men were surprised by long lines of rebels advancing rapidly through the fog, and only a few rods distant, who poured tre- mendous volleys in quick succession among the prostrate and astonished Unionists. The right wing of the latter sprang into a line of rifle pits little in front of them and checked for a time the progress of the enemy. Others surrendered where they lay, but the main body of the regiment was driven rapidly back to the protection of the reserves. Lieutenant French was mortally wounded; Lieutenant Babbitt was also wounded and Lieutenant Pierson was taken prisoner. Over two hundred men were killed, wounded, and captured out of the seven hundred who com- posed the One Hundredth New York, on the 13th, 14th, and 16th of May. On the 21st the One Hundredth was fiercely attacked by the rebel General Walker, but his men were repulsed and he himself was wounded and captured. A sharp conflict ensued, known as the battle of “Ware Bottom Church," but the Unionists held their ground. A similar attack failed on the succeeding day. The lines on both sides were well in- trenched and it was no slight task to break through them. About the last of May two-thirds of Butler's army was sent to reinforce Grant, who was slowly fighting his way down from the northward, thus doubling the duties of those who remained. During the night of the 15th of June, the Confederates abandoned their lines to move to the defense of Petersburg, then threatened by Grant, and the Unionists occupied them. On the 17th, Company K, of the One Hundredth, under Lieutenant Stowitts, was again engaged, not far from Ware Bottom Church. On the 20th of June the Third Brigade, then commanded by General Foster, moved to "Deep Bottom," ten miles down the James river from Richmond, where the men laid a pontoon bridge on which troops passed to the north side of the James. The One Hundredth was soon engaged in almost daily skirmishing with the enemy, both sides being as usual heavily intrenched. Regular forts were built by the Union troops. and their labors were all that could have been borne. On the 27th of July, Hancock's corps and Sheridan's cavalry crossed to the north side of the James and a battle was fought, resulting in a slight advance of the Union forces. Captain Richardson, of the One Hundredth, was mortally wounded while on duty on the picket line, and died soon afterward. Near the middle of August a still larger force joined the Unionists at Deep Bottom, and an advance was made toward Richmond, under the direction of General Grant himself. On the 14th of that month Foster's Brigade including the One Hundredth New York, took an active part, the latter regiment advancing under heavy musketry fire and capturing thirty prisoners. A little later the same regiment, supported by the Sixth Connecticut, and led by Colonel Dandy and Major Nash, dashed 18 270 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. through a ravine and charged and captured a four-gun battery, under the eye of General Grant. Lieutenant McMann was wounded, and about thirty men were killed or injured. The heat was terrific and many men suffered from sun-stroke. On the 16th of August, the One Hundredth was again in the advance, and twice charged an intrenched line of the enemy, but were both times driven back; Captain Granger and several men were captured. Sergeant Kuhns and others of Company A, were killed. The Union troops, how- ever, held their ground and constructed intrenchments close to the Con- federate lines. On the 18th the rebels drove in the Union pickets and attacked the fortified lines behind them, but the One Hundredth with other regiments repulsed the assailants with heavy loss. Such, in fact, was the course of events throughout the war; the party which attacked the intrenchments of the other was almost invariably beaten. The advantage. given by even slight breastworks is enormous, and with troops of equal quality a very great superiority is necessary on the part of the assailants to insure success. During the attack just mentioned Sergeant Scott, of Company D, was killed and three men were wounded by a shot from a Union battery stationed in rear of the One Hundredth. That night the lines were moved back; Lieutenant Stowitt's and the pickets under his command being forgotten and left at their stations. Fortunately, how- ever, they were remembered in time and were with some difficulty extricated from a situation of the greatest danger. Then the whole force north of the James was withdrawn to Deep Bottom, the previous movement being called a "reconnoisance in force." On the night of the 26th of August, the Tenth corps, then com- manded by General Birney, moved from Deep Bottom to the front of Petersburgh, almost opposite the point where Burnside's celebrated mine had been exploded. Lieutenant Hughson, was severely wounded, while standing between Captain Brunck and Lieutenant Stowitts, soon after the arrival of the regiment. Colonel Plaisted was again in command of the brigade, General Foster being assigned to that of the division. After a month in the trenches, (three or four days in and two out,) the Tenth corps suddenly marched back to Deep Bottom, crossed the James, joined Ord's Eighteenth corps, (both being commanded by General Butler) and advanced towards Richmond, which was supposed to be feebly guarded. The Eighteenth corps captured important intrenchments and the Tenth marched within three and a half miles of Richmond, but Fort Gilmer repulsed the Union troops and the rebel capital could not be captured. The National forces intrenched close to the confederate fortifications, and about the 5th of October the rebels made a desperate attack which was repulsed by the One Hundredth and other regiments. Adjutant Peck was very severely wounded. Soon afterward Major Nash hav- THE ASSAULT ON FORT Greig. 271 ing served three years, retired from the army. He was succeeded by Captain James H. Dandy, a brother of the Colonel. On the 27th of October Butler's army made a feint against Richmond, to cover movements on the south side of the James, but without impor- tant results. During the day's fighting Lieutenant Stowitts then As- sistant-Adjutant-General on the brigade staff, was ordered to advance on the skirmish line and move it nearer to the enemy, but was severely wounded on the way. At night the corps fell back into its intrench- ments,and soon established itself there in winter-quarters. Soon afterward a hundred and seventy-four officers and men, who had served three years and did not wish to remain longer were mustered out and sent home. After this the regiment was substantially a new one, there being only about fifty re-enlisted veterans among the enlisted men of the regiment. The line officers, however, with very few excep- tions were original old soldiers who had been non-commissioned officers or privates at the muster-in of the regiment. After this the One Hundredth remained in front of Richmond until the latter part of March 1865, and seems to have been required to do but little fighting, and to have enjoyed comparative comfort. On the evening of the day last named the Third brigade commanded by Colonel Dandy, the One Hundredth being commanded by his brother, Major Dandy, left its quarters, with the rest of its corps, marched all night, crossed the James and Appomattox rivers, and on the morning of the 29th took up a position to the southward of Petersburg. On the 30th of March Foster's division, in which the One Hundredth was still included, drove in the rebel pickets. The next day there was considerable fighting, and about 3 A. M., April 1st, the rebels made a des- perate charge on the One Hundredth and the rest of the Third brigade, which repulsed them with heavy loss. The following day (Sunday, April 2d,) the division moved forward to the assault of Forts Greig and Alexander, two of the last of the rebel strongholds. The One Hundredth, with other regiments, was launched against Fort Greig. It was defended by only two hundred and fifty Mississippians, but these, desperate to the last degree, had sworn never to surrender, and the fort was extremely strong. The assailants were probably six or eight times as numerous as the defenders, but the latter were able to hold them at bay for nearly half an hour. Then the Union columns dashed through and over all obstacles, the One Hundredth New York leading the way and planting its flag, first of all, on the para- pet of the fort. Scarcely was this done when the color-bearer was shot and fell dead beside his flag. Major Dandy sprang forward to raise the fallen banner when he, too, was instantly killed. But the Union soldiers swarmed into the fort on all sides, and in a few moments the survivors surrendered. Yet they had come as near keeping their oath as could well be expected, for all but thirty had been killed or wounded. 272 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The next day and the next, the corps followed hard after Lee's re- treating army, reaching Burkesville Tuesday night. There the One Hundredth was detailed to guard the wagon train, and was not farther engaged with the enemy. The remainder of the Third brigade, how- ever, of which Colonel Dandy was commander, and Captain Stowitts As- sistant-Adjutant-General, was in the very last combat, four days after the battle of Appomattox, when General Lee, finding his path directly blocked by a portion of the Union soldiers, sadly decided that the gal- lant Confederate army of Northern Virginia must lay down its arms. The One Hundredth returned at once to Richmond, at or near which it remained until the 28th of August on easy duty. Lieutenant- Colonel Payne, on his release from imprisonment by exchange, having retired from the army in March, (without mustering as Lieutenant-Col- onel) Captain Warren Granger, Jr., was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, and was also brevetted Colonel. Colonel Dandy was brevetted Brigadier- General of volunteers. Captain Stowitts was commissioned as Major, but, the fighting being over, retired from the service without mustering into that office. Captain C. E. Walbridge, who had been detailed on important service in the Quartermaster's department, had acquired there the special rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Captains Cook and Coury received brevet commissions as Majors. In July, the remnants of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth and One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York Infantry were consolidated with the One Hundredth. Fred- erick A. Sawyer mustered as Major of the combined corps. After the consolidation the regiment numbered about seven hundred and forty men. It was mustered out at Richmond on the 28th of August, 1865, and was transported thence to Albany for its final discharge. Numerous changes had been continually taking place among the officers, besides those named in this sketch. Lieutenant-Colonel Gran- ger, who was Second Lieutenant when the regiment was mustered in, was the only remaining officer of those on the first roster. Ten had been killed or mortally wounded in action, viz.: Colonel James M. Brown, Major James H. Dandy, Captain William Richardson, Lieuten- ants Samuel S. Kellogg, John Wilkeson, Jr., Herbert H. Haddock, Charles H. Runckle, James H. French, Azor H. Hoyt, and Cyrus Brown. One had died, Lieutenant Charles S. Farnham. One had either died or been killed, Lieutenant Rodney B. Smith, Jr. Of the others, some had been discharged for disability, some had resigned early in the war, some had been discharged after three years' service. The follow- ing is the roster of officers at the final muster out: Field and Staff—Colonel, (Brevet Brigadier-General) George B. Dandy; Lieutenant-Colonel, (Brevet Colonel) Warren Granger, Jr.; Major, Frederick A. Sawyer; Surgeon, (Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel) Norris M. Carter; Assistant Surgeon, Edwin Schofield; Quartermaster, George G. Barnum. ROSTER OF OFFICERS AT THE MUSTER-OUT. 273 Company A.-First Lieutenant, Henry Heinz; Second Lieutenant, Peter Kelly. Company B.-Captain, Jonathan E. Head; First Lieutenant, Joseph Pratt. Company C.-Captain Edwin Nichols; First Lieutenant, Wayne Vogdes. Company D.-Captain, Samuel Ely. Company E.-Captain, Edward Pratt. Company F.-Captain (Brevet Major), Edward L. Cook; First Lieu- tenant, Henry Jones. Company G-Captain, Jacob S. Kittle; First Lieutenant, John S. Manning. Company H.-Captain (Brevet Major), Henry W. Conry; First Lieu- tenant, John Gordon. Company I.-Captain, Patrick Connolly. Company K.-First Lieutenant, Charles H. Waite. CHAPTER XXVIII. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH INFANTRY AND OTHER REGIMENTS. Committee to Raise a New Regiment - Major Chapin Appointed Colonel - Rapid Recruiting - Muster In Roster of Officers - To the Front-At Sea - Ship Island Carrollton Baton Rouge - Demonstration against Port Hudson Camp Niagara" Forward Again — " - Battle of "Plain Store " - The Charge of the One Hundred and Sixteenth- Assault on Port Hudson — Death of Chapin -Siege of Port Hudson- The Surrender - Down the River "Cox's Plantation At Fort Williams - Officers Furnished the "Corps d'Afrique ” - To Sabine Pass and Back · Western Louisiana - Camp Emory"- The Red River Expedition Sabine Cross-Roads Battle of Pleasant Hill - Return to Alexandria To Morganza At Sea Again At Washington - In the Shenandoah Valley - Victory at Opequan Creek At Fisher's Hill The Army Surprised at Cedar Creek Sheridan Restores the Battle The One Hundred and Sixteenth Plants its Flag on the Intrenchments Through the Winter "The Best Regiment in the Ninteenth Corps" At Washington Mustered Out - Reception at Buffalo The Last Roster of Officers -- Concluding Remarks The One Hundred and Fifty-Fifth Infantry- Two Companies from Buffalo — Services in Virginia - Promotions and Changes - One Hundred and Sixty-Fourth Infantry - Two Buffalo Companies - Officers' Names Its Battles Its Losses One Hundred and Eighty-Seventh Infantry — Roster of Officers - Services — Discharge. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH INFANTRY. N the 7th day of July, 1862, Governor Morgan issued an order direct- ing a new regiment to be raised in each of the thirty-two Senatorial districts of New York, to aid in filling the State's quota under the recent call of the President for three hundred thousand more volunteers. Erie county was constituted the thirty-first regimental district, and the 274 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. following committee was appointed to supervise the recruiting and organization of the new regiment: Henry M. Lansing, (Brigadier-Gen- eral State Militia) Hon. George W. Clinton, Hon. Nathan K. Hall, Hon. William G. Fargo, Hon. John Ganson, Jacob Beyer, Henry M. Kinne, John G. Deshler, Philip Dorsheimer, Asaph S. Bemis, E. S. Warren, S. G. Austin and Alexander W. Harvey. General Lansing was elected chairman, and Mr. Harvey, secretary. After tendering the colonelcy of the new regiment successively to Messrs. John Wilkeson and Henry W. Rogers, who declined, (though the latter offered to act if no younger or more experienced man could be agreed upon), the committee offered the position at Mr. Rogers' sug- gestion to Major Edward P. Chapin, of the Forty-fourth New York In- fantry, then in Buffalo on recruiting service, by whom it was promptly accepted.* He took command of Camp Morgan, at Fort Porter, the rendezvous of all Erie county recruits, and authority was speedily given to men throughout the county to raise recruits. There was some difficulty with the authorities at Washington about Colonel Chapin's leave of absence from the Forty-fourth, but after a short interval of absence he re-assumed command of Camp Morgan on the 16th of August, with a commission from the Governor as Colonel of the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Volunteer Infantry. At this time five hundred and seven men had already been mustered in by Lieutenant John B. Weber, formerly of the Forty-fourth, who had been appointed adjutant of the regiment and camp at Colonel Chapin's request. Notwithstanding the fact that at least three full regiments had been raised in Erie during the previous year, taking away a large part of the young men available for military service, notwithstanding the discouraging disasters to the National arms during the summer of 1862, and in spite of the fact that all the old regiments were seeking recruits, and that the Buffalo Board of Trade was obtaining a large number for the One Hundredth New York, yet the filling up of the new regiment proceeded with great rapidity, and on the third day of September, less than eight weeks after the first meeting of the committee, and about seven weeks after the commencement of recruiting, it contained nine hundred and twenty-nine men. On that day it was mustered into the United States service by compa- nies by Lieutenant Sturgeon of the regular army. Some sixty or seventy persons had been authorized to recruit for volunteers, and as it was found impracticable to harmonize their various claims in the necessary time, " *Colonel Chapin, a native of Seneca county, N. Y., though a little under thirty years old at the outbreak of the war, had then been practicing law in Buffalo almost nine years. Very soon afterward he raised Company A, of the Forty-fourth New York, or Ellsworth" regiment, serving a short time as Captain and being then promoted to Major. His being at Buffalo at the time mentioned in the text was caused by his having been severely wounded at Hanover Court House, in May, 1862. THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH- ROSTER OF OFFICERS. 275 Colonel Chapin recommended those he thought best, to the Governor, who promptly commissioned them. The following is the first roster of the commissioned officers and non-commissioned staff of the One Hun- dred and Sixteenth, with the number of officers and men in each Com- pany, and the locality in which it was enrolled, so far as shown by the published muster-rolls:- Field and Staff.-Colonel, Edward P. Chapin; Lieutenant-Colonel, Robert Cottier; Major, George M. Love; Adjutant, John B. Weber; Surgeon, C. B. Hutchins; First Assistant-Surgeon, Uri C. Lynde; Second Assistant-Surgeon, Carey W. Howe; Quartermaster, James Adams; Chaplain, Welton M. Moddesit. Non-Commissioned Staff.-Sergeant-Major, Orton S. Clark; Quarter- master-Sergeant, Alexander Goslin; Commissary-Sergeant, J. Ľ. Clag- horn; Hospital Steward, C. F. A. Nichell. Company_A.-Captain, Ira Ayer; Lieutenants, J. C. Thompson, and Warren T. Ferris; ninety-eight officers and men enrolled in Evans, Eden, Brant, Hamburg, East Hamburg, and a few in Buffalo and Aurora. Company B.-Captain, Albert J. Barnard; Lieutenants, Leander Willis and Daniel Corbett; one hundred and one officers and men, enrolled in Clarence, Newstead, Lancaster, Alden, Cheektowaga, Elma, and Aurora. Company C.-Captain, David W. Tuttle; Lieutenants, Robert F. Atkins and Edward J. Cornwell; ninety officers and men enrolled prin- cipally in Buffalo, with a few in Cheektowaga, Alden, Eden and Sardina. Company D.-Captain, John Higgins; Lieutenants, Charles F. Wads- worth and Elisha W. Seymour; one hundred officers and men enrolled mostly in Buffalo, with some from Newstead, West Seneca, Aurora and Colden. Company E.-Captain, Richard C. Kinney; Lieutenants, James Mc- Gowan and Thomas Notter; ninety officers and men enrolled princi- pally in Buffalo, with a few in Amherst. Company F.-Captain, George G. Stanbro; Lieutenants, Wilson H. Grey and Clinton Hammond; eighty-four officers and men enrolled in Concord, Sardinia, Boston and Collins. Company G.-Captain, John M. Sizer; Lieutenants, Timothy Lina- han and George Peterson; ninety officers and men enrolled in Buffalo. Company H.-Captain, William Wuerz; Lieutenants, David Jones and Frederick Sommers; eighty-nine officers and men; fifty-seven enrolled in Buffalo, the rest in Aurora, Amherst, Clarence, Brant, Ham- burg and West Seneca. Company I-Captain, Jefferson Stover; Lieutenants, George W. Carpenter and Edward Irwin; ninety officers and men; twenty-two enrolled in Marilla, the rest in Buffalo, Wales, Holland, Lancaster, Sar- dinia and Elma. Company K.-Captain, James Ayer; Lieutenants, Philip W. Gould and John W. Grannis; eighty-four officers and men enrolled princi- pally in Evans, with some from Hamburg, Brant and North Collins. Total, nine hundred and thirty-one officers and men, all residents of Erie county. Only two days later the One Hundred and Sixteenth (except Com- pany K., which received a short furlough to enable its members to settle 276 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. their business at home) set out for the front, receiving ere they left, a handsome stand of colors, presented by the citizens of Buffalo through the Hon. Henry W. Rogers. The regiment received its arms and equip- ments in bulk at Elmira, and then sped on through Pennsylvania to Balti- more, which it reached on the 7th of September. It encamped near that city and remained there, except during a few days' absence in Pennsylvania, until the 5th of November, being thoroughly drilled and carefully in- structed in all soldierly duties by Colonel Chapin and the few experi- enced officers under him. On the day last mentioned, the One Hundred and Sixteenth, with five other regiments, all forming a brigade commanded by General Will- iam H. Emory, took boat for Fortress Monroe. Here they remained three weeks, but on the 4th of December, they again set sail together with the rest of a large force known as the Banks Expedition, but then com- manded by General Emory. After nine days more on shipboard, the expedition reached Ship Island, off the southern coast of Mississippi, on the 13th of December. Sixteen days more were spent there in drill and other preparations, and then the One Hundred and Sixteenth proceeded by ship to Carrollton, near New Orleans, where its Colonel again re- ported to General Emory. Here another month was spent, Colonel Chapin utilizing every day in preparation for active service. General Banks' command was at this time organized as the Nineteenth army corps, with this regiment in the Third Brigade of the First (Emory's) Division. In the fore part of Feb- ruary, the One Hundred and Sixteenth was transferred to Baton Rouge and made a part of the First brigade of the Third (Augur's) division, probably to secure the services of Colonel Chapin as brigade commander, as the other colonels of his brigade at Carrollton out-ranked him, while he out-ranked those with whom he was brigaded at Baton Rouge. At all events he was placed in command of his new brigade, all the regi- ments except his own being composed of nine months' men. On the 9th of March, 1863, the regiment was supplied with shelter tents in place of the "A" tents previously used, and on the 14th it took the road, with the rest of the army, for Port Hudson, sixteen miles up the river. The command bivouaced only a few miles from that cele- brated stronghold, but the movement seems to have been intended only as a demonstration to aid Admiral Farragut's fleet in sailing up the river, past the fortress. After this was accomplished the troops returned to Baton Rouge, although the One Hundred and Sixteenth spent a few days at Winter's plantation, nearly opposite Port Hudson. The greater 'part of Banks' army soon returned down the river, leaving Augur's divi- sion at Baton Rouge. For two months the One Hundred and Sixteenth occupied a camp at the latter place, which the men called "Camp Niagara." # GALLANTRY OF THE REGIMENT AT "PLAIN STORE." 277 In the meanwhile General Banks, with the rest of his forces had made a long circuit through Western Louisiana, had come down the Red river and had crossed the Mississippi, so as to approach Port Hudson from the north. On the 20th of May, Colonel Chapin's brigade moved to Merritt's plantation, only five miles from Port Hudson, where it joined other troops of Augur's division, and where that General took command of the whole. The next day the command advanced on the Bayou Sara road, which runs four miles in rear of Port Hudson, being intersected by a road from that place at a collection of a few houses known as “Plain Store," where General Augur was directed to await the arrival of Gen- eral Banks. As the advance approached that point about ten o'clock on the morning of the 21st of May, 1863, it was checked by the fire of Con- federate artillery. This was promptly replied to and a brisk artillery fight took place while the advance brigade (Colonel Dudley's) was de- ployed into line and Chapin's Brigade was massed in support of the Union batteries. The enemy at length retired, but ere long the fight re-commenced, and Colonel Chapin was ordered to send two of his best regiments to report to General Augur in person. He sent the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York and the Forty-ninth Massachusetts, which moved to the left toward the location of our artillery on the Port Hudson road, west of Plain Store. As the two regiments approached that point their ears was saluted by heavy musketry fire, and a part of the Forty-eighth Massachusetts came rushing back in great haste, seriously demoralizing the Forty-ninth. The One Hundred and Sixteenth, however, under the command of Major Love, moved steadily forward without a man break- ing ranks. Meeting General Augur, the regiment formed line by his order, but. had scarcely done so when the enemy poured a heavy volley of musketry into it almost directly from its rear. The men were at once faced about as there was no time for any other maneuver, and promptly returned the fire. After twenty or thirty rounds had been exchanged General Augur asked Major Love if his regiment could make a charge. His reply was. "The One Hundred and Sixteenth will do anything you order them to do" a somewhat risky statement to make of any body of men—but perhaps a natural one for a young and confident soldier. The General gave the order, the Major rode down the line and in. formed the company commanders and then led the way toward the enemy, twenty paces ahead of the line. The regiment rushed forward with a yell and the enemy broke at once and fled through an open field to another belt of woodland, where they were rallied and again opened fire. The One Hundred and Sixteenth returned it a few moments, when General Augur ordered another charge, before which the enemy again fled, and this time did not attempt to rally. 278 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Although the battle of Plain Store will not rank as one of the great conflicts of history it was a very sharp fight while it lasted, and as all the real fighting was done by the One-Hundred and Sixteenth New York, which then met the enemy for the first time, that regiment was fairly en- titled to plume itself on the gallantry and energy which it then displayed. General Augur congratulated Colonel Chapin warmly on the vic- tory, which the former officer justly attributed to the regiment which the latter had trained. During the short time the One Hundred and Sixteenth was engaged, it had thirteen men killed and forty-four wound- ed, including Lieutenant Charles Boniski, who died soon after. On the 24th General Banks' army having arrived from Bayou Sara and General W. T. Sherman's division from New Orleans, the whole com- mand of twenty thousand men advanced and invested Port Hudson. A council of war determined to assault the fortress, the brigade commanders were directed to form storming parties of special volunteers to lead the attack in front of their respective brigades. Colonel Chapin called for eleven officers and two hundred enlisted men from his brigade, the pro- portion of the One Hundred and Sixteenth being about three officers and fifty men. From that regiment alone nine officers, (Major Love, Captains Higgins, Kinney and Wadsworth, and Lieutenants McGowan, Grey, Ferris, Morgan and Dobbins,) and sixty-five enlisted men promptly re- sponded to the call. At noon on the 27th of May, 1863, Colonel Chapin's Brigade was moved forward to a position just in rear of the skirmish line already held by Companies B and G of the One Hundred and Sixteenth. The brigade storming party was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel James O'Brian, of the Forty-eighth Massachusetts, while Lieutenant William J. Morgan was selected to lead the detachment from the One Hundred and Sixteenth. Between one and two o'clock the command was given and the various brigades, led by their respective storming parties, rushed forward toward the coveted fortress, though not with the unity of movement which the circumstances required. Colonel Chapin led the stormers of his brigade out of the wood where they had stood, by the side of Colonel O'Brian, directed him in his course and then turned to lead his brigade. (( But the enemy was weil intrenched at the edge of a high table- land, the approach to which was through wild ravines and over steep and broken ground, made still more impassable by large tracts of slashing,” skillfully disposed beforehand. Both brigade and storming party were speedily disorganized by these obstacles, even more than by the terrific hail of round-shot, shell, and bullets, which came crashing among them. Colonel Chapin, while most gallantly leading his men. was wounded in the knee very early in the fight, but kept on his course and a few moments later was instantly killed by a ball through the head. BEFORE PORT HUDSON. 279 Lieutenant-Colonel O'Brian at the head of the storming party pushed forward as near the works as man could go, when he, too, was instantly killed. The loss of these two gallant commanders added to the difficul ties caused by natural and artificial obstacles, and the men, utterly un- able to keep in line or act together, could only shelter themselves behind stumps and trees, and maintain an active fire against their almost unseen enemies. The brigades which attacked on the right and left and all along the line only attained a similar result, and after a fruitless fusilade of several hours the troops were withdrawn into the woods from which they had started. The One Hundred and Sixteenth had a hun- dred and six officers and men killed and wounded, including Colonel Chapin killed, Lieutenant Jones mortally wounded, and Major Love and Lieutenants Grey and Morgan wounded. Just after the battle, Lieutenant-Colonel Cottier, who had sent in his resignation before leaving Baton Rouge, left the army to return home. Major Love being disabled, General Augur selected Captains John Higgins and John M. Sizer as acting field officers. The brigade passed under the command of Colonel Charles J. Paine, a Massachusetts officer then in command of the Second Louisiana (white) Volunteers. Regular siege was then laid to Port Hudson, and digging intrench- ments and erecting batteries became the order of the day. Early in the morning of the 13th of June, the regiment took part in a feigned attack on the enemy's center, intended to cover more zealous assaults on the right and left. During the skirmish fire which the One Hundred and Sixteenth kept up for several hours, Lieutenant Timothy Linahan was killed and twenty-seven enlisted men were killed and wounded. The assailing forces on either side failed to gain an entrance, but in some places the intrenched lines were advanced to within fifty yards of the rebel works. From the nearest point a mine was then run under the enemy's in- trenchments, while in the center the One Hundred and Sixteenth was kept busily at work, supporting batteries and sharp-shooting with the watchful foe. The mine before mentioned being well advanced, volun- teers were again called for, on the 24th of June, to form one storming party for the whole command, intended to lead the way into the fortress when the mine was exploded, and, notwithstanding the defeats previously suffered, twenty-four men of the One Hundred and Sixteenth responded to the call. All the stormers were assembled and drilled in a separate body, but before it was deemed time to act, the news came on the 6th of July, that Pemberton had surrendered Vicksburg, and immediately after- ward General Gardner, the Commander of Port Hudson, yielded it to General Banks. It was decided that only a part of our troops should enter the for- tress at the time of the surrender, and each Division-Commander was 280 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. directed to select his two best regiments for that purpose. General Augur selected the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York, and the Second Louisiana (white) for the post of honor. On the 9th of July, the chosen regiments marched in and received the surrender of over six thousand rebels. The same day the One Hundred and Sixteenth took boat and went down the river to Donaldsonville. On the 13th, the regiment, with other troops, was ordered out to meet the forces of General Richard Taylor, who was operating in the vicinity. Colonel Paine's brigade was stationed in a ditch with a fence in front of it, and when the rebel line approached, the brigade rose and poured in volley after volley, which sent the assailants to the right-about in very brief time. They took refuge in the numerous buildings of "Cox's Plantation," and a desultory fire ensued between the hostile parties. Finally a Union brigade on the other side of a bayou on the right, needlessly retreated, thus uncovering the flank of Paine's brigade, when General Weitzel, the commander of all the Union troops, ordered them back to Donaldsonville. The commander of the brigade which first retreated, was court-martialed and dismissed the service. Captain David W. Tuttle, of the One Hundred and Sixteenth, was killed, as were four enlisted men, besides Lieutenant Orton S. Clark, and twenty-two men wounded, and twenty-one men captured; aggregate of casualties, forty-nine. The fight was known as the Battle of Cox's Plantation. General Taylor did not farther molest our troops, and soon retired from the vicinity. The One Hundred and Sixteenth remained at Don- aldsonville until the 1st of August, and in the meantime Major Love was commissioned as Colonel, Captain Sizer as Major, and ere long Captain Higgins as Lieutenant-Colonel. On the first of August, the regiment returned to Baton Rouge, and two weeks later was put in garrison at Fort Williams, the principal defense of that place; being at the same time made a part of the First brigade, First division of Bank's army. During that summer General Banks was forming a body of colored soldiers, called the "Corps d'Afrique," and in July, Adjutant John B. Weber, was selected to raise and command one of the regiments, after- wards called the Eighty-ninth United States Colored Infantry. He naturally selected many of his officers from among his comrades of the One Hundred and Sixteenth, and the following were in time duly com- missioned to the respective positions named: Adjutant John B. Weber, as Colonel; Captain Robert F. Atkins, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Sergeant- Major Richard M. Hair, as Adjutant; Commissary-Sergeant, J. L. Clag- horn, as Quartermaster; Second-Lieutenants, Philip J.Webber and Oscar F. Tiffany and Sergeants John W. Tuttle and Rollin C. Hubbard, as Cap- tains; Sergeants John L. Carmer and Willard S. Berry, as First-Lieuten- ants; and Corporal Charles Faul, as Second-Lieutenant. After the regi- THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION. 281 ment was nearly filled, however, most of his men were transferred to another, and in the summer of 1864, it was consolidated with other com- mands; its Colonel resigned, and most of its officers were mustered out. During its existence, Colonel Weber was nearly all of the time in com- mand of a brigade. On the 27th of August the One Hundred and Sixteenth was ordered to New Orleans, and sailed thence with General Franklin's Nineteenth corps to Sabine Pass, on the coast of Texas. Three gun-boats had a brief fight with a Confederate fort, two of them being disabled and cap- tured, when General Franklin immediately took his army and fleet back to New Orleans. Three days later the One Hundred and Sixteenth moved west by rail to Brashear City, where there was assembled an army consisting of the Thirteenth and Nineteenth Corps. This army marched slowly, with long rests, to the western part of Louisiana, without the occurrence of any important event, and on the 1st of November turned back. On the night of the 2d, a division of the Thirteenth Corps, under General Bur- bridge, while encamped several miles from the main army, was surprised and badly cut up by a Confederate force. The Nineteenth Corps has- tened to their aid, but the enemy was gone. After staying two weeks at Vermillion Bayou, the regiment removed to New Iberia, where it remained until the 7th of January, 1864, when it marched to Franklin. This was its home until the 15th of March, and its camp ("Camp Emory ") became famous for its fine appearance and the numerous ornaments, such as miniature fortresses, elegant arbors, etc., erected by the various companies. On the day last named, the One Hundred and Sixteenth set out on the famous "Red River Expedition;" Colonel Love being in command of the brigade and Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins at the head of the regi- ment. At this time, owing to deaths, resignations, absence, detachment on special service, etc., eight companies had only one commissioned officer each, on duty with them; the others having two each. The army marched westward by easy stages, along the road trav- ersed the previous fall, to Bayou Grand Coteau, and thence northwest- ward to Alexandria on the Red River. Then General Banks took com- mand, and in the latter part of March his army supposed to be thirty-five thousand strong (Grover's division of Franklin's corps being left at Alex- andria) moved up the river toward Shreveport; the One Hundred and Sixteenth being in Dwight's brigade, Emory's division of Franklin's (Nine- teenth) corps. At noon on the 8th of April, the force being then eight miles above the village of Pleasant Hill, heavy cannonading was heard, and it was soon learned that the cavalry, eight miles further in advance, was being rapidly driven back. The Thirteenth corps went to their aid, and Emory's division, all of the Nineteenth corps present, followed, while the Sixteenth corps was eight miles back of that. 282 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. At Sabine Cross-roads, the division went into line; the One Hun- dred and Sixteenth being on the extreme right, behind a rail fence, with an open field in front. Another regiment sent in advance to check the enemy, fell slowly back through the line, but the division steadily held its fire until the rebels were within a few paces, when the boys in blue poured in several rapid volleys, driving them out of sight in less than double- quick. The Nineteenth corps remained there until midnight, when it retreated to Pleasant Hill. The next day preparations were made against an expected attack, and when the enemy approached at 4 P. M., the One Hundred and Six- teenth again found itself on the right of the line, with a sort of breast- work of rails in front of it, behind which it lay down. The rebels charged the line five times but were defeated every time, as was also an attempt to turn the flank of the regiment. Then an advance was made along the whole Confederate line, outflanking and driving back one brig- ade on the left, but being in turn routed and driven back more than a mile by the bullets and bayonets of the Sixteenth corps. But not with- standing its victory the army had no rations, (though it might have had) and General Banks had become as thoroughly alarmed as he had before been overconfident; so, early the next morning it started back down the river. The losses of the One Hundred and Sixteenth were comparatively light, doubtless owing to their protected positions; only twenty-one men being killed and wounded at Sabine Cross-roads and twelve officers and men at Pleasant Hill. The retreat continued to Merritt's Bluff, where there was a sharp fight, but where the One Hundred and Sixteenth was only slightly engaged, and thence to Alexandria, which the army reached on the 25th of April. Here it remained until the 13th of May; the One Hundred and Sixteenth taking an active part in building the famous wing-dams which enabled the gunboats to get over the falls at that place. From there the army proceeded, uninterrupted except by an artillery fight at Mansura Plains, to Morganza on the Mississippi, which it reached on the 21st of May. On the 2d of July, 1864, the One Hundred and Sixteenth—again, after various changes, in the First brigade, (commanded by Colonel Love,) of Emory's division-took boat at Morganza, and re-shipped at New Orleans under sealed orders, which were opened in the Gulf of Mexico, when officers and men were astonished to find themselves on their way to Fortress Monroe. Reaching that place on the 12th of July, the Nine- teenth corps proceeded to Washington without disembarking, landed there on the 13th, and the next day marched out to check the rebel forces hovering around the capital. After numerous inexplicable marchings to and fro in Maryland and Northeastern Virginia, the Nineteenth corps found itself on the 10th of IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY. 283 August, 1864, located near Harper's Ferry, and just entering, with other troops, in the “Campaign of the Shenandoah;" all being under the orders of a man then almost unknown, who had assumed command but a day or two before-General Philip H. Sheridan. The troops at once moved up the valley, and on the 13th drove the rebels easily from the line of Cedar Creek. Three days later they again moved down the river and for a month the armies of Sheridan maneuvered in the lower valley of the Shenandoah. On the 19th of September, the Union cavalry found a rebel force strongly posted on Opequan creek. The horsemen drove it away, when Sheridan's army crossed the creek, moved through a narrow gorge, (which it would seem as if Early should have tried to hold) and formed on the open ground beyond. Grover's division, in the advance of the Nineteenth corps, was furiously attacked and driven back, but rather by the side of Dwight's division, to which the One Hundred and Sixteenth belonged. After two or three hours' firing with comparatively slight results, the Eighth corps came up fresh from the rear, and led in a de- termined charge of the whole army which drove the rebels in headlong flight, capturing five pieces of artillery, fifteen battle-flags and numerous prisoners. In the battle (sometimes called “Opequan Creek " and some- times "Sheridan's Winchester,") the One Hundred and Sixteenth had nine men killed and forty wounded. The victory was promptly followed up, and on the 22d of Septem- ber, our army was in front of Early's, which was thoroughly fortified at the extremely strong natural position of Fisher's Hill. The Sixth and Nineteenth corps made a great parade of intrenching and fighting, while the Eighth corps made a long march, and then a fierce attack on the enemy's flank. The other two corps joined in the assault, but the enemy was defeated before they were fairly engaged: The chief work of the One Hundred and Sixteenth was to drive a rebel force from a line of rail pens, which was so quickly done by a gallant charge that the regi- ment had but ten men killed and wounded. Early's army was thor- oughly defeated, losing two thousand prisoners, twenty-one pieces of artillery, and nearly all the battle-flags there were left. Sheridan drove Early up the valley three days more in hot haste, but rested when he reached Harrisonburg. After some operations at or near Staunton, the army moved back from Harrisonburg on the 6th of October, and on the 10th, encamped at Cedar Creek. At daylight on the 18th, while General Sheridan was absent,(being then on his return from a trip to Washington on official business,) General Early, who had been re-inforced by Longstreet's corps from Richmond, outflanked, surprised and utterly defeated the Eighth corps. Following up his victory, he compelled the Nineteenth corps to abandon its works, and half-face to the rear, and in the fighting which ensued the One Hun- 284 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. dred and Sixteenth 'suffered considerable loss. Soon the whole army retreated, though in less confusion than before, with a loss of two thou- sand prisoners and twenty-four pieces of artillery. But ere long tremendous cheers were heard rolling along the col- umn, and it was soon learned that "Little Phil" had returned. He speedily put the army in line, facing the enemy, who was not pressing as urgently as before, and ordered the men to get dinner. After this, at three P. M., the line moved forward. The First brigade coming under a heavy fire, its commander, Colonel Davis, ordered a charge, which was gallantly made; Colonel Love leading the One Hundred and Sixteenth against a line of rebels behind a stone wall, which was captured at a dash with little loss. This was the first brigade to burst through the enemy's line, and General Sheridan at once ordered re-enforcements to be sent to it. Another charge by the same brigade and the rest of the division broke the Confederate line again, when Early's whole army at once retreated in great confusion, closely followed by the Union infantry, and repeatedly charged in flank by Custer's Cavalry. Colonel Love in person captured the battle-flag of the Second South Carolina regiment, and the One Hundred and Sixteenth, first of all the army, planted its flags on the fortifications at Cedar Creek, so hastily abandoned in the morning. The cavalry captured more prisoners than they could take care of, and General Emory sent his first brigade to help bring them in. Afterward the First Brigade, with the rest of the army resumed its place in the fortifications at Cedar Creek. The One Hundred and Sixteenth had fifty-one men killed and wounded during the fighting of the day, including Captains George W. Carpenter, Charles S. Crary, and John H. Rohan, wounded. On the 9th of November the power of the enemy in the Shenandoah being effectually broken, the army moved down to Newtown. The Sixth and Eighth corps, were sent away, leaving that region held only by the Nineteenth corps and the cavalry. On the 30th of December, the corps moved to Stevenson's Depot, near which it remained until the 4th of April, 1865. While the corps lay there, General Emory, being requested by the Ordnance Department to furnish some new fashioned gun-cappers to the best regiment in his corps, sent them to the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York, and when they were voted worth- less, General Sheridan endorsed the Colonel's report, saying:- (( The regiment of Colonel Love enjoys the reputation of being the best in the Nineteenth Army Corps. * X X * * P. H. SHERIDAN, Major-General Commanding." While there, too, the Nineteenth Army corps, with which the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York had long been identified, was broken up and Lieutenant-Colonel Sizer (Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins had re- RETURN OF THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH. 285 signed) who had been on General Emory's staff a year, returned and took command of the regiment, Colonel Love being again in command of a brigade and being brevetted a brigadier-general. Captain George W. Carpenter had been appointed major. On the 4th of April the One Hundred and Sixteenth broke camp, and after spending two or three weeks more at various points in the valley, proceeded by rail to Washington. Here it was soon detailed as provost guard, and continued on that duty until the 8th of June, when it was mustered out of the United States service. Three days later the regi- ment took the cars for Buffalo, which it reached at 3 o'clock in the after- noon of the 13th of June. Great preparations had been made to do honor to the returning heroes, and a vast throng had assembled at the depot. Slowly the veterans made their way through thousands of friends, formed in line, and moved along Exchange street, under the escort of the Seventy-fourth regiment of the National guard, the veterans of the Twenty-first volun- teers, and numerous other bodies. The men of the One Hundred and Sixteenth wore their dress coats and shoulder-scales, and were in "spick and span order in every respect, and their marching and wheeling well displayed the effects of their three years' training. Their whole. route to Fort Porter was gay with banners and decorations, and lined with thousands upon thousands of applauding people. After being wel- comed at Fort Porter by Judge Clinton, they were given a short fur- lough to await the arrival of the paymaster, and it was not until the 26th of June, that the officers and men of the One Hundred and Six- teenth New York Volunteers were finally paid off, received their dis- charges and re-entered civil life. Numerous changes had taken place among the officers. We have noticed those among the field-officers as they occurred, and the names of those killed in action. Besides these Captain James Ayer and Lieutenant Elisha B. Cottier died in the service. The following is a roster of the commissioned officers and non-commissioned staff at the muster-out, with the number of officers and men in each company :— Field and Staff.-Colonel, George M. Love, (Brevet Brigadier- General); Lieutenant-Colonel, John M. Sizer; Major, George W. Car- penter; Adjutant, John C. Nial; Quartermaster, George W. Miller: Surgeon, Chauncey B. Hutchins; Assistant-Surgeon M. Eugene Shaw; Chaplain Hiram J. Gordon. Non-Commissioned Staff.-Sergeant-Major, Oloff W. Stadin ; Quarter- master-Sergeant, Michael Danner, Jr.; Commissary-Sergeant, William H. Matthewson; Hospital-Steward, Charles F. A. Nichell; Principal Musi- cians, John Martin and Julius S. Knapp. Company A.-Captain, George H. Shepard: First-Lieutenant, John G. Dayton; forty-three officers and men. Company B.-Captain, John G. Woehnert; First-Lieutenant, Wm. F. Feldham; Second-Lieutenant, Sam'l Leonard; forty-four officers and men. 19 286 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. men. men. Company C.-Captain, William J. Morgan; twenty-six officers and Company D.-Captain, Elisha W. Seymour; forty-seven officers and Company E.-First-Lieutenant, Henry A. C. Swarz; Second Lieuten- ant, William Kelso; thirty-five officers and men. Company F.-Captain, Charles S. Crary; First-Lieutenant, William W. Grace; thirty-eight officers and men. Company G.-Captain, John H. Rohan; Holden; fifty-seven officers and men. First-Lieutenant, William Company H.-Captain, Orton S. Clark; First-Lieutenant, Charles D. Ballard; forty-three officers and men. Company I-Captain, William Tibbitts; First-Lieutenant, Charles H. Curry; twenty-seven officers and men. Company K.-Captain, Warren T. Ferris; First-Lieutenant, John H. Dingman; fifty-one officers and men. Total in regiment at muster-out, four hundred and forty-three officers and men. The One Hundred and Sixteenth did not suffer as much in battle as some of the regiments which fought in the Army of the Potomac, yet eighty-nine of its officers and men were killed or mortally wounded dur- ing its two and a half years of active service. Eighty-four died of disease, which is much less than might have been expected, considering that the regiment spent a year and a half in the malarial swamps of Louisiana. Two hundred and three officers and men were wounded in action-aside from those mortally wounded. There were only twenty-seven deserters from the regiment during its whole term of service, which was certainly much less than the average, and is very creditable to the character of the men. Of the nine hundred and thirty-one officers and men who were mustered into the United States service on the 3d of September, 1862, those not recorded as dead, deserted, nor mustered out with the regiment were nearly all discharged on account of disability, resulting from wounds or disease, though a few were promoted out of the regi- ment and a few were transferred to a Louisiana cavalry regiment. There were also a few recruits who joined the One Hundred and Sixteenth after it returned North, and who were transferred to another regiment when the former was mustered out. Substantially, however, it was the same body throughout, composed of the ever decreasing number of those who entered its ranks between the 10th of July and the 3d of Sep- tember, 1862. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. In the autumn of 1862 several companies were raised in Buffalo and vicinity, with the expectation that they would be formed into a new Erie County regiment, but this was found impracticable, and the men were assigned to various organizations. Two companies went into the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry. This regiment was organized at THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOURTH. 287 New York, and was mostly raised in that city. It was mustered into the United States service for three years on the 18th day of November, 1862, the two Erie county companies being designated as "I" and "K." The officers of the former at the muster-in, were Captain, John Byrne; First Lieutenant, James Worthington; and Second Lieutenant, Hugh Mooney. Those of the latter were Captain, James McConvey; First Lieutenant, John McNally; and Second Lieutenant, John Ternan. The regiment joined the forces stationed near the mouth of the James river, in Virginia. There its only serious conflict with the rebels was at the battle of Suffolk and it had the fortune to escape from any other severe engagements during the whole of the year 1863. In the spring of 1864, however, it moved forward as a part of the Army of the Potomac, and it soon had fighting enough on its hands to make up for any lost time. It was engaged in the desperate battle of Spottsylvania Court House and again at North Anna and Totopotomy. Moving south- ward with the army, it took part in the deadly and disastrous assault upon the impregnable intrenchments of Cold Harbor. Thence it moved across the James river, and took active part in the long, wearisome and often dangerous siege of Petersburg. During the death-struggle around Petersburg and Richmond, the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth participated in the conflicts at Strawberry Plains, Deep Bottom, Ream's Station, and Boydton Road. After its efforts were crowned with success by the cap- ture of the rebel Capital and army, the regiment was soon granted a release from the restraints of military life; being mustered out of service on the 15th day of July, 1865. During its term, one of the two Buffalo Captains who went to the front with the regiment, John Byrne, was promoted to Major, and then to Lieutenant-Colonel, and was finally commissioned as Colonel although, owing to the reduced members of the regiment, he was not mustered into service in that capacity. The other Buffalo Captain, James Mc- Convey, was also promoted to Major, but for the same reason was not mustered as such. Second Lieutenant, Hugh Mooney, was promoted to Captain. All these were mustered out with the regiment. The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, both as to officers and men, was mostly composed of men of Irish birth or parentage, and well sustained the reputation for impetuous valor borne by those of that nationality. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. The next day after the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth New York Infantry was mustered into the United States service, viz.: on the 19th of November, 1862, the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth New York was in a similar manner made a part of the great National army organized to subdue the Slave-holders' rebellion. This regiment was also principally 288 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. raised in the city of New York, and also contained two companies from Buffalo and vicinity, officered as follows: Company C.--Captain, Timothy W. Kelly; First Lieutenant, William T. Sizer; Second Lieutenant, Michael G. Stapleton. Company D.-Captain, Christopher Graham; First Lieutenant, Chas. Waters; Second Lieutenant, Michael Riley. Among the field, staff and non-commissioned staff officers from Buf- falo, were the Colonel, John E. McMahon; the Quartermaster, Maurice Courtney; the Surgeon, Matthew F. Regan; the Assistant Surgeon, John C. Wall; the Quartermaster-Sergeant, Stephen A. Callanan; the Commissary Sergeant, William Bryan; and the Hospital Steward, James W. Kinsler. The One Hundred and Sixty-fourth, which came within one day of being the twin sister of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, was also its almost constant comrade in service. Like that regiment it proceeded to the mouth of the James river, and took part in the battle of Suffolk, and in addition participated in the fight at Blackwater. Like the regiment, too, it chanced not to be engaged in the great battles of the war until the campaign of 1864-'65, when it repeatedly participated in the most deadly conflicts, suffering very heavy loss in killed and wounded. It fought at Spottsylvania, at Cold Harbor, at Strawberry Plains, at Deep Bottom, and at Ream's Station; it braved the dangers and suffered the hardships incident to the siege at Petersburg, and finally took part in the battle of Boydton Road, one of the closing conflicts which overthrew the totter- ing fabric of the Southern Confederacy. Ten officers and a corresponding number of men were killed or mortally wounded in action, besides a large number of officers and men who were wounded, though not fatally. The first Colonel, John E. McMahon, died of disease in March, 1863. His successor, Colonel James P. McMahon, was killed at the head of his regiment, during the assault on Cold Harbor.* First Lieutenant Waters, of Buffalo, was killed at Spottsylvania. Lieutenant Stapleton, after being appointed Quarter- master of the regiment, died of disease in March, 1863. Quartermaster- Sergeant Callanan was promoted to Lieutenant and then to Captain, and was mustered out with the regiment. Hospital Steward Kinsler was promoted to Assistant-Surgeon, and was mustered out with the regiment. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. In the autumn of 1864, strenuous efforts were made to raise still an- other Erie county regiment, composed principally of men of German birth * General Humphreys, in his work entitled "The Virginia Campaign of '64 and '65," speaking of the attack made by Gibbon's division of the Second Corps at Cold Harbor, says:— "Colonel McMahon, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth New York, forming the left of McKeon's brigade, but separated from it by the swamps, gained the breast-works with a portion of his regi- ment, and whilst along side of his colors cheering on his men, fell, with many wounds, dying in the enemy's hands, they captured his colors and the men with them. THE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVENTH. 289 or parentage. Many were enlisted who had been members of the Sixty- fifth New York State Militia. It was found impracticable, however to fill up the regiment, and in October six companies were mustered into the United States service for two years, the organization being desig- nated as the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh New York Infantry, and being under the command of a lieutenant-colonel and major. The fol- lowing is a list of the commissioned officers at the muster-in with some facts regarding the companies :— Field and Staff.-Lieutenant-Colonel, Daniel Meyers; Major, Conrad Sieber; Adjutant, Carl Zeny; Surgeon, Peter L. Sonnick: Assistant- Surgeon, E. William Wachter. Company A.-Captain, Frederick Frankle; Lieutenants, Frank Schaf- fer and Johnson D. Ensign; eighty-three officers and men, from Buffalo, and nearly all of the towns of Erie county, with a few from Cattaraugus county. Company C.-Captain, Charles Gayer; Lieutenants, Valentine Hoffman and Charles Bartholomy; seventy-seven officers and men, prin- cipally from Buffalo and the northern towns of Erie county, with some from Cattaraugus county. Company D.-Captain, John C. Beckwith; Lieutenants not recorded; eighty-four officers and men, from Buffalo, the towns of Erie county and Cattaraugus county. Company E.-Captain, Philip H. Wagner; First Lieutenant, Albert Schoenwald; ninety-two officers and men, from Buffalo and the towns of Erie county. Company G.-Captain Frank Mauerman; First Lieutenant, George H. Hodges; eighty-six officers and men, from Erie, Wyoming and Niagara counties. Company I.-Captain, Daniel Loeb; Lieutenants, Frederick C. Hyde and Henry Tyler; eighty-six officers and men, from Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. The One Hundred and Eighty-seventh joined the army before Petersburg, and took an active part in the subsequent operations which resulted in the capture of that city and Richmond. At the battle of Hatcher's Run it had about sixty men killed and wounded, and it par- ticipated in numerous minor engagements. The regiment (or more properly battalion) was mustered out on the 1st day of July, 1865. The following were the officers mustered out at that time according to the report of the Adjutant-General of New York:- Lieutenant-Colonel, Daniel Meyers; Major, Conrad Sieber; Sur- geon, P. L. Sonnick; Assistant-Surgeon, E. W. Wachter; Adjutant, Henry Tyler Captains, Frederick Frankle, John C. Beckwith, Philip H. Wagner, Frank Mauerman, Daniel Loeb and Frank Schaffer; First Lieutenants, Valentine Hoffman and Albert Schoenwald. 290 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXIX. CAVALRY AND ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS. Tenth Cavalry — Four Erie County Companies Their Officers · Hard Service - Battles Consolidation Muster Out- Promotion, Etc. Eleventh Cavalry - Company M — Its Services - Twelfth Cavalry - Companies K and M- Services Muster-Out-Fourteenth Cavalry Metcalf's Company - Its Services Consolidation, Etc. Sixteenth Cavalry – Four Erie County Companies Services Consolidation, Etc.- Twenty-Fourth Cavalry - Three Erie County Companies - Their Officers - Battles of the Regiment Muster Out Second Mounted Rifles Three Erie County Companies - Officers - Battles, Etc.- Wiedrich's Battery - Its Organization Battle of Cross Keys - Second Bull Run — Chan- cellorsville Gettysburgh - Lookout Mountain The Atlanta Campaign Final Grand March Twenty-Seventh Light Battery Services and Officers Third Light Battery. TENTH CAVALRY. F OUR companies of this regiment, sometimes called the Porter Guard were wholly or principally raised in Erie county. They were not designated by letters when mustered, but were distinguished as the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth companies of the regiment. The First contained ninety-five men, under Captain Albert H. Jarvis and Lieuten- ants Henry Field and John C. Hart. The Second contained ninety-three men, under Captain John Ordner and Lieutenants Barney L. Luther and John Werick. The Fourth contained ninety-five men under Captain Norris Morey, and Lieutenants Layton T. Baldwin and William A. Snyder. The Fifth company contained ninety-two men under Captain Wilkinson W. Paige and First Lieutenant William H. Whitney. The regiment was mustered into the service at Elmira, for three years, between the 27th of September and the 23d of December, 1861. As a rule, throughout the war, the cavalry, though constantly on hard service and frequently under fire, was seldom engaged in very hard fighting. Even in European regular armies the cavalry is rarely called on to do as severe fighting as the infantry, and the difference between the two arms of the service was increased in America by the nature of the Southern country, largely covered with dense timber, and by the great ease with which hastily levied soldiers can acquire a knowledge of the infantry service. But the Tenth New York Cavalry was again and again engaged in as severe fighting as was known by most of the infantry. It had eight officers killed in action, which was full as many as fell in the average of the infantry regiments, and more than in many. The companies before mentioned were largely recruited in the southern towns of Erie county, and we have been informed that more than one family in those towns has lost three members each in the Tenth Cavalry. THE TENTH, ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH CAVALRY. 291 The list of its battle-fields included Leesburg, Brandy Station, Mid- dleburg (where there was a severe fight, three officers and many men being killed, and a proportionate number wounded) Gettysburg, Shep- hardstown, Sulphur Springs, Todd's Tavern, Fortifications of Richmond, Hawes' Shop, St. Mary's Church, Charles City, Cross Roads, Ream's Station, Vaughan Road and Boydton Road. It chanced that some of these presented more open ground than was usually found in the South, and the sabers of the Tenth Cavalry frequently clashed fiercely against those of J. E. B. Stuart's and Fitzhugh Lee's horsemen, when the Northmen gave a most excellent account of themselves in what might be considered the favorite fighting-method of the Southern chivalry. This regiment was consolidated with the Twenty-fourth New York Cavalry, on the 17th of June, 1865; forming the First Provisional Cavalry, which was soon afterward mustered out of the service. Among the offi- cers of the Erie county companies, Captain John Ordner and Captain Wilkinson W. Paige were both killed at the battle of St. Mary's Church, on the 24th of June, 1864. Lieutenant Elijah Hartwell was promoted to Captain in January, 1865, and was subsequently brevetted Major for gal- lant conduct. He was transferred to the First Provisional Cavalry at the time of the consolidation before mentioned, and was mustered out of service with that regiment. Edgar S. Hinkley was promoted to Lieu- tenant in July, 1863, and was mustered out at the end of his term of ser- vice, in October, 1864. ELEVENTH CAVALRY. Company M, of the Eleventh New York Cavalry, which regiment was at first usually known as "Scott's Nine Hundred," was raised in Buffalo. Its first officers were: Captain, John Norris; First Lieuten- ant, Ira W. Allen; and Second Lieutenant, James S. Bennett. The company was more than full, containing one hundred and four officers. and men. The regiment was mustered into the service in the winter of 1861 and '62. It served principally in Louisiana, its most important con- flict being that of New River. Samuel H. Wilkeson was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel with rank from December, 1862. He was subse- quently commissioned as Colonel, but was not mustered as such. He was mustered out of service at the expiration of his term of three years, in March, 1865. Captain Norris resigned in February, 1863, and Lieuten- ant Bennett in January, 1865. Thomas Mitchell was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in March, 1865, and the company came home under his command. TWELFTH CAVALRY. This regiment, sometimes called the "Third Ira Harris Guard," was mustered into service, by companies and detachments, at various 292 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. times from November 10, 1862, to September 25, 1863. Companies K and M were raised in Erie county. The former, at the time of muster- in, was commanded by Second Lieutenant Andrew T. Pierson; the lat- ter by First Lieutenant William H. Ashford and Second Lieutenant Edward M. Ketchum. Before all the detachments were mustered in, the regiment was des- patched to North Carolina, where it was engaged in a sharp fight at Tarboro, on the 2d day of July, 1863. It served in that State during the greater part of its term, being again engaged in battle at Wise's Ford, on the 8th day of March, 1865, besides numerous minor skirmishes. It was mustered out on the 9th day of July, 1865. Second Lieutenants Pierson and Ketchum were promoted to First Lieutenants, and were mustered out as such with the regiment. FOURTEENTH CAVALRY. The companies of this regiment were mustered into service at vari- ous periods between November, 1862, and July, 1863. Among them was one raised in Erie county. It was commanded by Captain Albert W. Metcalf, and contained, at the muster-in, eighty-seven men. The regi- ment served principally in Louisiana. In August, 1863, it was consoli- dated into a battalion of six companies. This battalion was consolidated with the Eighteenth New York Cavalry in June, 1865, with which it was mustered out in May, 1866. Captain Metcalf was discharged in May, 1863, but was again commissioned in June, 1864. Dyer D. Lum, who was mustered as First Sergeant of the Erie county company, was com- missioned as Adjutant of the regiment February 17, 1864. He was commissioned as Captain, October 31, 1864, and was discharged April 24, 1865. SIXTEENTH CAVALRY. Of the Sixteenth New York Cavalry, four companies were raised in Erie county. The regiment was mustered into the service at various times, from June until October, 1863. The Erie County companies were: Company B, which at the time of muster contained one hundred and nine officers and men, the officers being Captain, John Nicholson and First Lieutenant, William J. Keays; Company C, with eighty-five officers aud men, commanded by Captain Joseph Schneider, First Lieutenant Francis M. Baker, and Second Lieutenant Julius Winsperger; Com- pany D, with eighty-eight men, under Captain A. L. Washburn and First Lieutenant G. H. Grosvenor, and Company E, with eighty-six men, under Captain Charles E. Morse, and First Lieutenant W. H. Wells. The regiment served principally in North Carolina. It was consol- idated with the Thirteenth New York Cavalry, on the 23d of June, 1865; the two becoming the Third Provisional Cavalry, which was mustered out on the 21st day of September, 1865. THE TWENTY-FOURTH CAVALRY-SECOND MOUNTED RIFLES. 293 Captain Nicholson was promoted to Major, February 4, 1865, and was discharged when the consolidation took place. Samuel P. Gail was commissioned as Adjutant, in the forepart of 1864; was promoted to Captain, in November, 1864; was transferred to the Third Provisional Cavalry on the consolidation, and was mustered out with that regiment. Lieutenants Francis M. Baker, William J. Keays, Julius Winsperger, were promoted to Captains, were transferred to the Third Provisional, and were mustered out with it. TWENTY-FOURTH CAVALRY. This regiment was raised in Erie and several Eastern counties, being mustered into service in January, 1864. Three companies were princi- pally raised in Erie county. The officers of the first of these three at the time of muster-in, were Leland L. Doolittle, Captain, and Willard S. Silliman, First-Lieutenant; those of the second were Charles B. Cov- entry, Captain, and Benjamin F. Street, First-Lieutenant; those of the third were Morris H. Alberger, Captain, H. J. Tucker, First-Lieutenant, and William W. Cook, Second-Lieutenant. * The regiment soon joined the Army of the Potomac, and took an active part in the great campaign of 1864 and '65, which closed the rebellion. The official report of the Adjutant-General of this State, shows it to have taken part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, North Anna, Totopotomy, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, Cemetery Hill, Weldon Railroad, Ream's Station, Peebles' Farm and Vaughan Road. Captain Alberger was appointed Assistant-Quartermaster, with the rank of Captain, in December, 1864, and was subsequently brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel. Captain Doolittle was appointed Surgeon in Feb- ruary, 1864, and resigned in July following. First Lieutenant Abram Tucker, was promoted to Captain, in December, 1864, and was dis- charged when this regiment was consolidated with the Tenth Calvary, forming the First Provisional Calvary, which event took place on the 17th day of June, 1865. SECOND MOUNTED RIFLES. This regiment was organized at Buffalo, in the summer and autumn of 1862, having been raised in Erie and other counties in the western part of the State. Three of its companies, D, H and K were principally recruited in Erie county. The first officers of Company D were Henry Wells, Captain, and Augustus Budd and Franklin Rogers, Lieutenants. Those of Company H were James T. Hall, Captain, and Harlan J. Swift, Second Lieutenants. Those of Company K were Samuel D. Stevenson, Captain, and John V. Bedell and John F. Numan, Lieutenants. 294 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac, and fought at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Bethesda Church, Weldon Railroad, Pegram's Farm, Hatcher's Run and Poplar Spring Church. Captain Stevenson was mustered out with the regiment. First Lieutenant Budd was promoted to Captain in August, 1864, and was mustered out with the regiment as such. Second Lieutenant Swift was promoted to First Lieutenant in September, 1864, and Captain in June, 1866, being mustered out with the regiment as such. Second Lieutenant Rogers was promoted to First Lieutenant in August, 1864, and to Adjutant in September following, being subsequently brevetted Captain and mus- tered out with the regiment. First Lieutenant Bedell was mortally wounded before Petersburg, and died on the 8th of July, 1864. Second Lieutenant Numan was killed at Hatcher's Run, December 9, 1864. WIEDRICH'S BATTERY. Wied- One of the most famous of Erie county organizations was rich's Battery." It was formed in August, 1861, as Battery I, of the First New York Artillery, but acted as a separate organization, during the greater part of the war. It had at its organization a hundred and forty men and the following officers: Captain, Michael Wiedrich; First Lieutenants Nicholas Sahm and Diedrich Erdmann; Second Lieutenants, Christopher Schmidt and Jacob Schenkelberger. It was composed entire- ly of men of German birth or parentage, and on many a hard-fought field well maintained the reputation of the Teutonic race for stubborn, un- flinching courage. The battery left Buffalo for the front on the 16th of October. Arriving in Virginia it was attached to Blenker's Division, but remained mostly in camp during the winter of 1861-'62. Wiedrich's Battery ſought bravely and suffered severely during the campaign of 1862. On the 8th of June it was at Cross Keys, under Fremont, where six of its men were wounded, two mortally. On the 22d of August it took part in the battle of Freeman's Ford, where it had one man killed and five wounded. At the second battle of Bull Run the gallant Germans were in the thickest of the fight; Lieutenant Schenkel- berger and thirteen men being wounded, out of a little over a hundred engaged. Five of the six guns belonging to the battery were disabled and two of the carriages had to be left on the field, but by desperate exertions the men saved the pieces. The battery was only in some minor engagements during the remainder of the year. Its first severe battle in 1863 was at Chancellorsville. When Hooker fell back from that fatal field, Captain Wiedrich was obliged to leave two of his pieces-at one of them all the men but one were shot down; at the other four horses were killed. In all, four men were killed and fourteen wounded. After many a wearisome march, the battery was again in the thickest of the fight, at Gettysburg. In fact it seemed never WIEDRICH'S BATTERY-TWENTY-SEVENTH LIGHT BATTERY. 295 to miss a battle. In that glorious triumph of the Union Arms, Wiedrich's battery had three men killed and Lieutenants Palen and Stock, and seventeen men wounded. In September it was sent to Nashville, and thence to the vicinity of Chattanooga. In November it was present at the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, but fortunately escaped loss in both conflicts and during the rest of the year. Early in February the gallant Captain was promoted to Lieutenant- Colonel of the Fifteenth New York artillery. Lieutenant Sahm was pro- moted to Captain, but soon after died, and Captain Winegar took com- mand. Sixty of the men re-enlisted as veterans, being more than half of the original members. The battery went through with Sherman to At- lanta, and thence to the sea, and participated in nearly every battle on the route. It did not suffer as severely in any one fight as in some of its eastern conflicts, but wherever the foe made a stand it was brought to the front, and generally some of its men were killed or wounded. At Lost Mountain, June 4th, two men were wounded; at Ackworth Station one man was killed; at Kenesaw Mountain, one was killed and one wounded; at Peach Tree Creek, July 20th, one was killed and five were wounded; and at the siege of Atlanta, Lieutenant Aenchen was killed and two men were mortally wounded. The battery accompanied Sherman to the sea, and thence on his triumphal march northward, but was not in any other serious engagement, and in 1865 was mustered out with the rest of the victorious Army of the Republic. TWENTY-SEVENTH LIGHT BATTERY. This battery was raised in Erie county, and was mustered into the United States service for three years on the 17th day of December, 1862. Its Captain was John B. Eaton, its First Lieutenant was William A. Bird, Jr., and its Second Lieutenant, Charles A. Clark. It joined the Army of the Potomac and fought at the battle of the Wilderness, at Cold Harbor and at Petersburg. It was mustered out of the service on the 22d day of June, 1865. Captain Eaton was brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel, and was mustered out with the battery. Second Lieutenant Clark, was promoted to First Lieutenant, in February, 1863, and to Captain of the Twelfth New York Light Battery, in January, 1865. Peter L. Moore was appointed Second Lieutenant, in January, 1863, and First Lieutenant, in March, 1864, and was mustered out with the battery.´´ John J. Teller, Jr., was appointed Second Lieutenant, in March, 1864, and First Lieutenant, in January, 1865, and was mustered out with the battery. Orville S. Dewey was appointed Second Lieutenant in January, 1863, and was transferred to the Thirty-third Light Battery, in November, 1863. Henry Phillips was appointed Second Lieutenant in January, 1865, and was mustered out with the battery. William M. Church was appointed Second Lieuten- 296 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ant in March, 1864, and First Lieutenant of the Thirty-third Light Bat- tery in March, 1865. William R. Scott was appointed Second Lieuten- ant in March, 1865, and was mustered out with the battery. THIRTY-THIRD LIGHT BATTERY. The Thirty-third New York Battery of Light Artillery was raised in Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties. Its first officers were Algar M. Wheeler, Captain; J. D. Woods and Orville S. Dewey, First Lieuten- ants; and Otis S. Drake and William G. Burt, Second Lieutenants; under whom it was mustered into service on the 31st day of August, 1863. The battery served principally in the defence of Washington, and in Virginia. Captain Wheeler was brevetted Major and mustered out with the battery. Thomas E. Berry was appointed Second Lieutenant in Octo- ber, 1864, and subsequently promoted to First Lieutenant. Otis L. Drake was promoted to First Lieutenant in May, 1864. William M. Church was appointed First Lieutenant in March, 1865, and was mus- tered out with the battery. Lieutenant Burt died at Camp Barry, D. C., in April, 1864. E. G. Fenton was appointed Second Lieutenant in October, 1864. William P. Northrup was appointed Second Lieutenant in May, 1864, and was mustered out with the battery. CHAPTER XXX. THE CITIZEN SOLDIERY, — "} Numerous A Roster of 1828 The Early Militia "General Trainings - Early Organization Changes in 1816 - Successive Changes A Strange Looking Inspector — A Court-Martial The Militia in the Patriot War - Prompt Turn-Out Buffalo City Guard The Two Hundred and Eighth Infantry — Re-organization of the Militia - The Uniformed Regiments - The Sixty-Seventh Regiment - Its Services -The Ninety-Eighth Regiment — Its Services -Sketch of the Sixty-Fifth Regiment - Sketch of the Seventy-Fourth Regiment — The Seventh Battery. A S soon as the first settlers began making their homes in what is now the county of Erie, commissioners were sent to some of the more prominent ones with instructions to organize companies of militia. These were soon formed into a regiment, which was ere long divided into two. Mention of the part taken by these in the War of 1812 has been made in the chapters devoted to that war. Beginning at its close we will glance at a few of the characteristics of the old militia, though the means of information, so far as organiza- THE EARLY MILITIA OF ERIE COUNTY. 297 tions are concerned, are very meager. The older citizens of the county however, all remember the "general trainings" of early days, when all the rank and file wore their ordinary clothes, the officers alone being supplied with apparel more or less resembling the uniform prescribed by the regulations; and when some of the men carried rifles, others shot- guns, others old muskets, while many by the indulgence of their officers went through the drill with sticks or canes. The writer remembers seeing a "company training" as late as 1846, where the Captain ordered the few men who had fire-arms to lay them aside and get sticks, so that the company would be uniformly armed. In the early part of the century, both before and after the War of 1812, each militia regiment was commanded by a Lieutenant-Colonel, assisted by two Majors. At the close of that war, General Timothy S. Hopkins of Williamsville, who had been Brigadier-General, surrendered his commission, and Lieutenant-Colonel William Warren, of Willink, was made Brigadier in his place. William W. Chapin became Lieuten- ant-Colonel commanding the regiment between the reservation and Ton- awanda Creek, with James Cronk and Joseph Wells as Majors. Ezekiel Cook was made Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the regiment in the southern town of the county, its Majors being Ezra Nott and Sumner Warren. In the spring of 1816, another regiment was formed; Lieutenant- Colonels Chapin and Cook disappear from the record, and a commission was issued making Sumner Warren, of Willink, (Aurora,) James Cronk, of Clarence, (Newstead,) and Ezra Nott, of Concord, (Sardinia,) Lieu- tenant-Colonel commanding; Joseph Wells, of Buffalo, and Luther Col- vin, of Hamburg, (East Hamburg,) First-Majors; and Calvin Fillmore, of Clarence, (Lancaster,) Frederick Richmond, of Concord, and Benja- min I. Clough, of Hamburg, Second-Majors. Two years later Brigadier-General Warren was appointed Major- General of the Twenty-fourth division of the New York Militia, Colonel Ezra Nott becoming Brigadier in his stead, over the Forty-seventh brigade. By this time at least four regiments of Infantry had been organized within the present county of Erie, and as the law had recently been changed, each had a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel and a Major. The field-officers of the Seventeenth regiment, north of the reservation, were James Cronk, Colonel; Calvin Fillmore, Lieutenant-Colonel; and Arnnah Hibbard, Major. Those of the One Hundred and Seventieth regiment, apparently comprising only the old town of Willink, (now Aurora, Wales, Holland and Colden,) were Sumner Warren, Colonel; Lyman Blackmar, Lieu- tenant-Colonel; and Abner Currier, Major. Of the Forty-eighth regi- ment, in the towns farther west, Charles Johnson was Colonel; Asa Warren was Lieutenant-Colonel; and Silas Whiting was Major. Far- ther south was the One Hundred and Eighty-first regiment, of which 298 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Frederick Richmond was Colonel, Truman White, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Benjamin Fay, Major. Besides these in the Twelfth regiment of Cav- alry and the Seventh regiment of Infantry, we find mention in the journals of the day, of Hawxhurst Addington, of Aurora, as a Captain in the former, and of Reuben B. Heacock, of Buffalo, as a Captain in the latter. This was a very military community in those days. Occasional notices in the newspapers are nearly the only source of information regarding the warriors of that period. From a military commission published in 1821, one learns that at that time, Abner Cur- rier, of Holland, was made Colonel, and Josiah Emery, Lieutenant- Colonel of the One Hundred and Seventieth regiment, while Hiram Yaw, of Boston, became Colonel of the Forty-eighth regiment, and Robert Kerr, Lieutenant-Colonel; the latter, we believe, taking the place of Lieutenant-Colonel Truman Cary. The old militia, though far inferior to the present National Guard, was like it, in the fact that the higher officers seldom retained their positions for a very long period. After a man became Major or Lieutenant-Colonel, if he was not promoted in a few years, he usually resigned. The honors were too expensive for long maintenance. Some held on until they became Brigadier-Generals and Major-Generals, and then they, too, speedily gave way. In 1822, S. K. Grosvenor was appointed Colonel of the Seventeenth regiment of cavalry, Daniel S. Conkey, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Lucius Storrs, Major. From the names of its officers this regiment was evidently located in and around Buffalo. Major Storrs subsequently became a Major-General. A little later Heman B. Potter was commissioned as Colonel, and as such commanded a regiment of infantry at the execution of the three Thayers in 1825, on which occasion we also find mention of Captains Matthews' and Vosburgh's troops of horse, and Captain Crary's artillery. Captain Lyman Rathbun's "Frontier Guard" was also an organization of that day which appeared at the reception of LaFayette the same summer. James M. Stevens, of Aurora, commonly known as "Jim" Stevens, was a prominent military character of that day. A man of considerable ability, though of invincible indolence, he had obtained an appointment as brigade inspector, the only office to which a salary was attached. He was entirely competent to perform the duties of the position, but for an inspector, he set an especially bad example by appearing at parade on a scraggy Indian pony, in ragged, homespun clothes, surmounted by an old straw hat, and sometimes, it is said, without shoes or stockings. At length, on his committing some especially flagrant outrage against the military proprieties (tradition says that he appeared on parade bare- headed,) General Warren lost patience and ordered the recusant before a court-martial. The court met at the lower village of Aurora, Colonel Potter and several other military magnates being members. It lasted VARIOUS COMMANDING OFFICERS OF THE MILITIA. 299 several days, and concluded with a sentence of guilty; the sentence being that the redoubtable inspector should be reprimanded by the General Commanding. The latter was so disgusted by this lame and impotent conclusion, and was so certain that the irrepressible “Jim” would care no more for a reprimand than for a summer breeze, that he at once disapproved the proceedings, dissolved the court and left the bareheaded inspector master of the field. Nevertheless, the latter seems to have been somewhat impressed with the proceedings, for at the next parade he appeared in all the glory of full "regimentals," with chapeau, sword and boots complete, and mounted on a handsome steed in place of the scraggy Indian pony. A little later General Warren resigned, when Brigadier-General Nott was promoted to the vacant Major-Generalship. Colonels Rich- mond and Potter both became Brigadiers about this time. As near as we can learn, Colonel Richmond (Frederick Richmond, of Springville,) was first promoted, held the position a short time, and then gave way to Colonel Potter. At all events the latter was Brigadier-General of the Forty-seventh brigade of infantry about 1828, with the following as the principal officers of his brigade: Brigadier-General, Heman B. Potter, of Buffalo; Colonels, David Burt, of Buffalo, Harry B. Ransom, of Clarence, Jonathan Colby, of Holland, and Uriel Torrey, of Boston; Lieutenant-Colonels, Lyman Rathbun, of Buffalo, Alanson Fox of Clar- ence, Nathan M. Mann, of Wales, and Perry G. Jenks, of Boston: Majors, Alanson Palmer, of Buffalo, Ansel Badger, of Alden, Edward H. Nye, of Aurora, and Whitman Stone, of Eden. The brigade staff was composed of the following officers: Hospital Surgeon, John E. Marshall; Judge-Advocate, Philander Bennett; Brigade-Quartermaster, James W. Higgins; Aid-de-Camp, George Hodge; Brigade-Major and Inspector, Millard Fillmore. Major Fillmore's professional and political duties soon withdrew him from military life. By the time of the "Patriot War,' in 1837, numerous changes had taken place among the officers, although the regimental organizations remained substantially the same. General Potter had resigned and had been succeeded by Colonel David Burt; the latter having been succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Lyman Rathbun, and the latter again by Major Alanson Palmer. Colonel Colby and Lieutenant-Colonel Mann of the One Hundred and Seventieth regiment had resigned, and Major Nye had died. The new Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel were Orange T. Brown and Aaron Riley, both of Aurora. Doubtless there were many other changes of which we have met no record. Colonel Harry B. Ransom, however, was still at the head of his regiment, of which he was the commander at least ten years. Of some of the operations of the militia, we have spoken in the chap- ter which describes the "Patriot War." Patriot War." We may state here, however, * 300 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. that the militia responded with the greatest promptness when called into service. General Aaron Riley, then Lieutenant-Colonel of the One Hundred and Seventieth regiment, gives a vivid account of the excitement felt throughout the county immediately after the burning of the Caroline and the killing of Durfee. He was then employed in the Sheriff's office in Buffalo, under Sheriff Charles P. Persons of Aurora, and as Colonel Brown the commander of that regiment was absent, Colonel Riley was ordered to call it into the field. Returning home at evening he issued the necessary orders to the company commanders and despatched them by trusty mes- sengers the same night. He allowed the commanders of companies but twenty-four hours from the coming morning to assemble their men at Aurora and East Hamburg in order to march to Buffalo. The men turned out without delay, and at the appointed time the companies marched to the rendezvous with nearly full ranks. Thence the regiment proceeded to Buffalo, but, perhaps fortunately, their ardor was not sub- ject to the strain of combat. The excitement arising from the "Patriot War," was substantially the origin of the uniformed militia of Buffalo. There had been two or three uniformed companies at an earlier date, but these had become almost or quite defunct, and there was then substantially no force of citizen soldiery in the city except the old-fashioned militia, armed, equipped and clad, not as "the law directs," but as indolence, apathy or chance might decide. Immediately after the affair of the Caroline, the "City Guard" was formed under Captain James McKay. Other Companies followed, and in the course of the year they were organized as a regiment, all retain- ing the name of the "City Guard”—certainly the first regiment of uni- formed militia in Buffalo—with James McKay as Colonel, Dr. Ebenezer Johnson as Lieutenant-Colonel and George P. Barker as Major. It was not a very numerous corps, for in 1839 it had but five companies, A, B, C, D and E. At that time McKay was Colonel, Barker Lieutenant-Colonel, and H. H. Sizer, Major. It was designated as the Thirty-seventh regi- ment of artillery, but in fact, most or all of the companies were armed and drilled as infantry. In 1839, there was also an old-style regiment of infantry (the Two Hundred and Eighth) in the city and vicinity, of which Squire S. Case was Colonel and Timothy A. Hopkins of Williamsville, was Lieutenant- Colonel. There were also several separate companies described as the Lafayette Guards, the Washington Guards, the Rifle Company, etc. These were largely or wholly composed of Germans. In 1840, the Lieutenant-Colonel and Major of the Two Hundred and Eighth were Joseph Faxon and Alfred Clemons, Colonel Case remaining in command. George P. Barker had become Brigadier-General of the Eighth brigade of artillery, while the Thirty-seventh regiment of ORGANIZATION OF THE DIFFERENT MILITARY REGIMENTS. 301 artillery was commanded by Colonel H. H. Sizer, Lieutenant-Colonel M. S. Faulkner and Major John J. Fay. A company of cavalry had been added to the fourth or fifth companies of infantry which constituted this regiment of artillery. In 1844 the organizations remained about the same; Volney Randall being Brigadier-General of the Eighth brigade of artillery, and David Burt of the Forty-seventh brigade of infantry. The Thirty-seventh artillery (still called the Buffalo City Guard) was commanded by Colonel Fay, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, and Major Charles Winne. The Buffalo Light Artillery corps was composed of the officers of the regiment, with Fay as Captain, and Brown as Lieutenant. The Two Hundred and Eighth Infantry was commanded by Colonel Alfred Clemons. There was also a German battalion commanded by Major Daniel Devening, Jr., containing the Lafayette Guard, Steuben Guard, Jefferson Guard, Buffalo Plains Guard and Lancaster Guard, all uni- formed companies. In 1848, the Sixty-fifth regiment of infantry was organized with nine companies, being the first uniformed regiment which was officially desig- nated as infantry. A sketch of this regiment is given a little further on. It absorbed the greater part of the Thirty-seventh artillery and of the German battalion before mentioned. At this period and for several years later Nelson Randall was Major-General of the Fourth division of Infantry, and Volney Randall was Brigadier-General of the Eighth brigade of artillery. During these years the old un-uniformed militia had been gradually losing its efficiency throughout the State and in 1847 a law was passed providing for its disbandment and for the organization of a smaller number of uniformed regiments. The Sixty-fifth was retained and in 1854, the Seventy-fourth (of which a sketch is given later,) was organized, making a small brigade in Buffalo, commanded by Brigadier-General Gus- tavus A. Scroggs. Lieutenant-Colonel Aaron Riley, previously of the One Hundred and Seventieth, was commissioned as Colonel and authorized to organize the Sixty-seventh regiment of uniformed militia in that part. of Erie county outside of the city. In the course of two or three years, he formed a regiment comprising six companies of infantry, one of cav- alry and one of artillery. Before the work was completed, however, Col- onel Riley was appointed Brigadier-General of a brigade embracing the Sixty-seventh regiment, another regiment in Wyoming county and another in Chautauqua. The command of the Sixty-seventh devolved on Colonel Chauncey Abbott, Lieutenant-Colonel Clough and Major John A. Case. For several years the Sixty-seventh retained a high degree of efficiency. In 1863, when the rebels invaded Pennsylvania, the Sixty-fifth commanded by Colonel Chauncey Abbott and Lieutenant- Colonel Clough, went to Harrisburg, where it was held, with other 20* 302 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. forces about thirty days, to prevent a possible irruption of the enemy in that direction.* In the latter part of 1863, Dr. George Abbott, who had been out as surgeon of the Sixty-seventh, raised a new regiment of militia, the Nine- ty-eighth, in the Fourth Assembly District, comprising the southern and central parts of the county, and nearly corresponding with the present Fifth District. The first field-officers were George Abbott, Colonel, and William B. Church, Major; the Lieutenant-Colonelcy being left vacant. In July, 1864, the regiment was called out for a hundred days, and was mustered into service at Elmira with nine companies, with the field-officers before mentioned; Captain C. C. Smith being mustered for that term of service only, as Lieutenant-Colonel. It acted as a part of the guard of the great camp of rebel prisoners at Elmira, and numerous detachments went forward as far as Petersburg in charge of squads of recruits, who had volunteered principally on account of the large bounties, and were thought to need watching. The regiment was kept under excellent discipline, and the authorities at Elmira were very loth to part with them, holding them about a month beyond the time for which they were mustered. The next year, 1865, the Sixty-seventh regiment was consolidated with the Ninety-eighth, the latter retaining its number and commander. Lieutenant-Colonel D. C. Corbin and Major William H. Candee, of the Sixty-seventh, were made Lieutenant-Colonel and Major of the Ninety- eighth. The latter thus became a ten-company regiment with full ranks, embracing all of Erie county outside of Buffalo. It retained its organi- zation until 1869, when it was disbanded; the National guard of the State being at that time reduced about two-thirds. Having now given an outline of the militia forces which have passed away, we will close with brief sketches of those organizations which are still in existence. THE SIXTY-FIFTH NEW YORK REGIMENT. The Sixty-fifth regiment was organized in 1848, with the following officers: Field and Staff-Colonel, Henry K. Viele; Lieutenant-Colonel, Otis Vaughn; Major, Jacob Krettner; Adjutant, Martin Buck; Quarter- master, Henry B. Woodbridge; Engineer, John J. Hollister; Paymaster, Edward F. Cronyu; Surgeon, John S. Trowbridge; Assistant-Surgeon, B. K. Hosmer; Chaplain, George W. Haskins. Line Officers.-Captains, William Stone, Henry D. Huff, John F. E. Plogsted, Benjamin Burdett, Lewis Weber, Christian Zink, Henry * During the previous year, (April 23, 1862), the uniformed militia of the State had been "while those citizens liable to military duty, who were designated by law as the "National Guard, not uniformed nor enrolled, retained the name of militia-though they were not to be called out except on extraordinary occasions. OFFICERS OF THE SIXTY-FIFTH. 303 Mochel, John P. Kline, Lysander R. Smith; First Lieutenants, James E. Slocum, Daniel D. Bidwell, John Galligan, Alexander Sloan, Martin Hottinger, Michael Kuntz, Aloeis Bohmer, Solomon Scheu; Second Lieutenants, Benjamin F. Salisbury, Sylvanus Marvin, John Chapin, John Schenacker, George H. Stewart, John Walsh, Michael Weidrich, James Peet. The gallant General Daniel D. Bidwell was one of the organizers of the regiment, and General William F. Rogers entered it as Second Lieutenant, in 1849. The commanding officers have been as follows:— Colonels. Henry K. Viele, from 1848 to 1851; Gustavus H. Scroggs, from 1851 to 1854; Jacob Krettner, from 1854 to 1863; William F. Berens, from 1863 to 1865; Richard Flach, from 1865 to 1879; John C. Graves from 1879 to 1881; Thomas S. Waud, from 1881. This regiment has been called out for active duty as follows:- In January, 1849, to quell a riot. The disturbance was quelled only after a hard struggle between the troops and rioters. On the 19th of June, 1863, the regiment was ordered to the front to assist in repelling the rebels in Pennsylvania. It took three hundred and eighty-two men and participated in a laborious campaign. On the 15th of July, 1863, while still at the front, the regiment was ordered to New York City to assist in quelling the riot there, and performed four days of severe and meritorious service. On the 20th of July, 1863, it was ordered back to Buffalo, where it remained under arms until the 30th of July, when it was mustered out of the United States service. It was also ordered out for service in the city of Buffalo in 1877 during the labor riots and acquitted itself with credit. The Sixty-fifth has been in camp three times: In 1848, in Buffalo; in 1850, at Niagara Falls; and in 1883, at the State Camp at Peekskill. It now numbers about five hundred officers and men, and is in excellent. condition as to both drill and discipline. The present officers of the Sixty-fifth are as follows:- Field and Staff.-Colonel Thomas S. Waud; Lieutenant-Colonel, Samuel M. Welch, Jr; Major, John E. Robie; Adjutant, Edward Mulligan; Quartermaster, G. J. Metzger; Commissary, O. G. Nichols; Inspector of Rifle Practice, Henry A. Menker; Surgeon, A. H. Briggs; Assistant Surgeon, G. W. Pattison; Chaplain, Rev. Charles H. Smith. Company A.-Captain, James C. Fullerton; First Lieutenant, George Williams; Second Lieutenant, Sidney:G. Cluxton. Company C.-Captain, George H. Howard. Company F.-Captain, William T. Parsons; First Lieutenant, Willis K. Jackson; Second Lieutenant, James Sheldon, Jr. Company G.-Captain, Robert H. Montgomery; First Lieutenant, William E. De Laney; Second Lieutenant, H. S. Bellsmith. Company H.-Captain, Otto F. Langenbach; Second Lieutenant, Frederick B. Wall. Company I.-Captain, Angelo C. Lewis; First Lieutenant, D. W. Collins; Second Lieutenant, William J. Archer. 304 HISTORY OF ERIE County. SEVENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT, N. G., S. N. Y. This regiment was organized in 1854, with " Company D" as nucleus, and with the following field and staff officers: J. W. Griffith, Colonel; John A. Bliss, Lieutenant-Colonel; Watson A. Fox, Major; Captain W. F. Rogers, Acting Adjutant; Harvey M. Wilcox, Engineer; Charles Rosseel, Quartermaster; Thomas F. Rochester, Surgeon; M. L. R. P. Thompson, Chaplain. Company B, "Spaulding Guards,” previ- ously a company of cadets, was mustered into the regiment in the summer of 1856. The following have been the field officers of the regiment Colonels.-J. W. Griffith, Watson A. Fox, Walter G. Seeley, William F. Rogers, George M. Baker, Charles J. Wing, Lewis M. Evans, Louis P. Reichert, William M. Bloomer. Lieutenant-Colonels.-John A. Bliss, Watson A. Fox, Walter G. Seeley, John McManus, Thomas J. Hines, James A. Gault, Charles J. Wing, Lewis M. Evans, William B. Sirrett, Louis P. Reichert, Edgar B. Jewett, Charles D. Zacher, Usual S. Johnson. Majors. Watson A. Fox, Walter G. Seeley, Charles J. Wing, James A. Gault, Lewis M. Evans, Alfred Lythe, William B. Sirrett, John M. Kelley, Samuel M. Pooley, John A. Holloway, Usual S. Johnson. When the Rebellion broke out nearly the whole regiment volun- teered for three months' service, and was ordered to Elmira. The order was countermanded, however, and then a large proportion of the officers. and men volunteered for two years in the Twenty-first Volunteer Infan- try, commanded by Colonel W. F. Rogers, who had been Captain of Com- pany C, in the Seventy-fourth. An outline of their gallant services has previously been given. Many others took service in other volunteer regiments. J. A. Jewell became Adjutant, Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Brevet-Colonel of the One Hundred and Fifty-first New York Vol- unteers. E. J. Faxon raised a company for the Thirty-sixth New York, was promoted to Major, and was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. George W. Johnson, the Adjutant of the Seventy-fourth at the begin- ning of the war, became Major and Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty- ninth New York Volunteers, and was killed at the head of his regiment at the battle of Fort Stevens. The services and fate of the gallant Bid- well scarcely need mention here. Generals A. R. Root and George M. Love were both graduates of the Seventy-fourth. A host of other officers and soldiers were trained for the work of real war in the ranks of the Seventy-fourth and with hardly a single exception did honor to their training. When Lee's army invaded Pennsylvania in the summer of 1863, the Seventy-fourth was at once called into active service. It left Buffalo on the 19th of July, 1863, proceeded to Harrisburgh, and thence to Clear Springs, on the Potomac, where it held a fort for two days, to prevent the crossing of the Rebel General, Imboden. From there the regiment OFFICERS OF THE SEVENTY-FOURTH. 305 proceeded to Loudon, and thence to New York, where it was on duty several days, engaged in suppressing the riots in that city. It arrived at Buffalo on the 23d of July, 1863. During the celebrated riots of 1877, the Seventy-fourth was twice called into active service. It had a brief tour of duty at Buffalo from June 29th to July 1st. On the 20th of July, it was again ordered out and on the 22d it was sent to Hornellsville, where it rendered valuable service in preventing violence and the destruction of property. It returned to Buffalo on the 26th, and was dismissed on the 27th. Since then it has not been called on for dangerous service, but has kept itself well prepared by careful drilling and rifle shooting, and by general good conduct for whatever duties may be required of it. The following are the present officers of the Seventy-fourth- Field and Staff-Colonel, William M. Bloomer; Lieutenant-Colonel, Usual S. Johnson; Adjutant, William H. Chapin; Inspector of Rifle Practice, William Franklin; Quartermaster, Henry R. Clark; Commis- sary, William J. Sloan; Chaplain, Rev. Walter North; Surgeon, Charles G. Stockton; Assistant-Surgeon, George W. York. Company A.-Captain, William N. Smith; First Lieutenant, William E. Hingston. Company B.-Captain, Frank T. Bloomer; First Lieutenant, William H. Bradish; Second Lieutenant, Walter E. Mason. Company C.-Captain, C. Lee Abell; Second Lieutenant, Frederick E. Fowler. Company D.-Captain, Thomas H. Windsor; First Lieutenant, Albert J. Dance. Company F.-Captain, George C. Fox; First Lieutenant, P. Curtis Dening; Second Lieutenant, Charles W. Wells. Company G.-Captain, Peter Paulus. THE SEVENTH BATTERY N. G., S. N. Y. This organization was formed on the 1st day of October, 1875, as Battery A, of the Thirty-first brigade, with one hundred and twenty enlisted men and the following officers: Captain, Henry W. Linderman; First Lieutenants, Louis Shautol and Julius Heffner; and Second Lieu- tenant, Charles Kibler. In January, 1878, its description was changed to Battery M, of the Fourteenth brigade. In January, 1882, it was again changed to the Seventh battery, Fourth division, its commander reporting directly to the commander of the division. Captain Linderman has been in command from the organization to the present time. The other officers at this time are First Lieutenants, Garrett Breier and G. P. Meister; and Second Lieutenant, W. M. Weis- beck. There are now between seventy and eighty enlisted men, with four three-inch guns and one ten-barrel Gatling gun. * 306 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. GENERAL AND STAFF OFFICERS. To these sketches of the National Guard we append the following names of Erie county officers who have been on the staffs of various governors, and of the present Generals and staff officers of the Fourth division and Eighth brigade:— Inspector-General.—W. L. G. Smith; from May 7, 1853, to January I, 1855. Commissary-General of Ordnance.-Benjamin Welch, Jr.; from Feb- ruary 20, 1850, to April 25, 1863. Judge-Advocate General.-Alexander W. Harvey, from January, 1865, to January, 1867. Paymaster-General.-G. Barrett Rich, from January 1, 1883. Engineer.-Brigadier-General George S. Fields, from January 1, 1883. Fourth Division.-Major-General William F. Rogers, commanding; Colonel E. A. Rockwood, Assistant Adjutant-General; Lieutenant- Colonel John A. Holloway, Inspector; Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal P. Beals, Inspector of Rifle Practice; Lieutenaut-Colonel Louis H. Knapp, Engineer; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry H. Seymour, Judge-Advocate; Lieutenant-Colonel Charles N. Palmer, Surgeon; Lieutenant-Colonel Abram B. Lawrence, Ordnance Officer: Lieutenant-Colonel Charles A. DeLaney, Quartermaster; Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Sourwine, Com- missary; Majors Charles R. Wheeler, Allen G. Bigelow, and Frank T. Moulton, Aids. Eighth Brigade.-Brigadier-General John C. Graves, commanding ; Lieutenant-Colonel Edgar B. Jewett, Assistant Adjutant-General; Major William W. Lyon, Inspector; Major Edward H. Rounds, Inspector of Rifle Practice; Major Harvey J. Hurd, Engineer; Major Robert C. Titus, Judge-Advocate; Major James S. Smith, Surgeon; Major Harlow C. Palmer, Ordnance Officer; Major Charles Clifton, Quartermaster; Major Leonard H. Best, Commissary; Captains Edward S. Warren and Fred- erick A. Jewett, Aids. CHAPTER XXXI. THE ERIE CANAL. – Its First Advocate, Jesse Hawley - Gouverneur Morris - Hawley's Essays -Western Inland Lock Navigation Company - Judge Forman's Resolution Survey Ordered Commissioners Appointed - The Inland Route Adopted Law Authorizing Canal Law Kepealed During Year of 1812 - DeWitt Clinton Canal Law of 1817- Ground Broken Contest Between Black Rock and Buffalo-Decision in Favor of Buffalo First Work in Erie County Breaking Ground at Buffalo - The Canal Completed -Grand Celebration - Telegraphing by Cannon - The Wedding of Waters - Description of the Canal - Immense Business Enlargement Authorized Work on it Stopped — Political Conflict - The Enlargement Carried Through - Description of the Enlarged Canal - Its Cost - Preparations to Sel Ithe Canals The Canals Relieved of Tolls. Τ HE first person who definitely and publicly advocated the construc- tion of a canal from the Hudson river to Lake Erie, was Jesse Hawley, a native of Connecticut, but from early youth a citizen of New York, who on the 14th day of January, 1807, while temporarily THE ERIE CANAL FIRST ADVOCATED. 307 residing at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, published in the Pittsburg Common- wealth, an essay, signed "Hercules," in favor of such a work. Before this no one had printed a word, no one had spoken a word in public on that subject. So far as the public is concerned, therefore, Jesse Hawley is fairly entitled to be called the originator of the Erie canal. According to the statement of Simeon DeWitt, the Surveyor- General of the State, a similar plan was suggested to him in private con- versation, by the celebrated statesman, Gouverneur Morris, in 1803. If this be true, however, it gives Mr. Morris but slight claim to especial honor in this respect, for not only was the suggestion not brought before the public, but it was not even a permanent idea in his own mind; there is ample evidence that most of his efforts in regard to internal navigation pointed to an improvement of the old route from the Hudson, by way of the Mohawk river, Oneida lake and Oswego river, to Lake Ontario, or some similar scheme.* Still less consideration need we give to the sayings attributed to Cadwallader Colden, General Washington, General Schuyler and others; they were merely fugitive expressions, which, even if uttered, were so vague that few would have deemed either of them to refer to a canal be- tween the Hudson river and Lake Erie, had not such a canal been subse- quently constructed. Mr Hawley, on the other hand, not only published the article before mentioned at Pittsburg, but on his return to his previous residence in Ontario county published a series of elaborate essays on the same sub- ject, under the same signature of "Hercules," in the Ontario Messenger,+ a paper issued at Canandaigua. There were fourteen in the series; the publication beginning in October, 1807, and closing in April 1808. In these he discussed the subject in every light, set forth the advantages of such a work, described the canals of Europe, compared his project with the established facts of the old world, and carefully estimated the cost, coming very close to the actual expense of the canal as afterwards built. The only important particular in which Mr. Hawley's plan differed from the subsequent reality was this: he recommended that the canal should be built by the United States, while in fact it was built by the State of New York. In every other important respect the views of Jesse Hawley, published in 1807 and 1808, were realized in the Erie canal com- pleted in 1825. *In fact, Mr. Morris' diary, under date of September 12, 1803, goes far to prove positively that he had no idea of any canal running farther west than the Onondaga creek. But such a canal would interest the people of Onondaga county almost as much as one to Lake Erie, and there is strong proof that James Geddes, an engineer, and Judge Joshua Forman, both of that county, took a very active part in awakening public opinion on such a canal, and that Judge Forman was elected to the Assembly on a "canal ticket" in the spring of 1807, in order to promote the construction of such a work. + Or Genesee Messenger, for the name is given both ways, 308 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. So much for ideas. The practical forerunner of the Erie canal was the work done by the "Western Inland Lock Navigation Company," in- corporated in 1792, with General Philip Schuyler as president, for the purpose of improving the ancient route through Oneida lake to Oswego, pursued by the Dutch and English traders with the Indians long before the Revolution. A part of the scheme was the construction of a ship canal around Niagara Falls, thus forming a continuous, though circuitous and inconvenient water route from New York to the upper lakes. Noth- ing was done toward carrying out that part of the scheme, but the east- ern portion of the route was somewhat (though not greatly) improved by the "Inland” company. The Lake Ontario route, however, was found entirely inadequate to the demands of commerce as well as to the development of the State, and when Mr. Hawley's clear and forcible essays were published, they awakened very general interest. True, they were ridiculed by some, but far-seeing men were greatly attracted by them. In that same year, 1808, Judge Forman already, if our previous suggestion is correct, elected to the Assembly in order to promote the construction of a canal to the Onondaga creek, introduced a resolution into that body, providing for a joint-committee of the Senate and Assembly to consider the subject of "a canal between Hudson river and Lake Erie," and made a most vigorous and convincing speech, which was followed by the adoption of the resolution. This was the first action of any legislative body tending toward the construction of the Erie canal. Judge Forman and Mr. Geddes were afterward two of the most zealous promoters of the great work. On the recommendation of the joint-committee another resolution was adopted, directing the Surveyor-General to survey the waters in the “usual route" and such other route as he might see fit. The "usual route was the one through lakes Oneida and Ontario, and it is evident that the inland line was still considered very chimerical. Like Mr. Haw- ley, the Legislature looked to Congress to do the work, whichever route should be chosen. The small appropriation made under the last resolution was speedily Mr. Geddes made a cursory expended, in exploring the Ontario route. examination of the inland route at his own expense and nothing more was done until 1810, when the Legislature appointed Gouverneur Morris, Stephen Van Rensselaer, DeWitt Clinton, Simeon De Witt, William North, Thomas Eddy and Peter B. Porter, commissioners to explore the routes from the Hudson to Lakes Ontario and Erie. They did so during the summer of 1810, and reported to the next Legislature in favor of the inland route, subsequently adopted. All efforts to obtain assistance from the general government failed, and in March, 1812, DeWitt Clinton and Gouverneur Morris, the com- COMMENCEMENT OF THE ERIE CAnal. 309 missioners appointed to secure such aid, reported their failure and recom- mended the construction of the canal by the State. In June following the Legislature authorized the borrowing of $5,000,000, with which to construct the canal, but the war with Britain stopped all such efforts and in 1814 the law was repealed. * Soon after the close of the war, Mr. Clinton, particularly assisted by Jonas Platt and Thomas Eddy, again began to agitate for the construc- tion of the canal, and Clinton drew up a most exhaustive memorial to the Legislature, which was signed by many leading citizens, and exercised great influence in favor of the work. In April, 1816, the Legislature passed a law appointing a new commission, consisting of De Witt Clinton, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Joseph Ellicott, Samuel Young and Myron Holley, to make further surveys and estimates. Mr. Clinton was chosen President, Mr. Young, Secretary, and Mr. Holly, Treasurer. The com- missioners discharged the duties assigned them, and reported to the suc- ceeding Legislature. In that Legislature, the measure was discussed in all its bearings, and on the 15th day of April, 1817, a law was finally passed authorizing the construction of the Erie canal. The same commissioners remained in charge of the work; they proceeded at once to raise funds, employ engineers and let contracts, and on the 4th of July, 1817, ground was broken at Rome, Oneida county. In the following autumn the people of the State proved their anxiety for the canal by electing DeWitt Clinton Governor by an overwhelming majority. From that time the great work was pushed forward with all prac- ticable speed. The middle section, from Utica to Montezuma, which was the one first built, was completed in July, 1820. The part east of Utica was finished in October, 1823. The western section was begun later than either of the others. It extended from Montezuma westward to—well, the location of the western terminus of the "Grand Canal” was a question long and anxiously discussed. The contestants were the rival villages of Buffalo and Black Rock, and most vigorous was the war waged with tongue and pen in behalf of their respective claims. Much depended on the question which locality could offer the best harbor, and some very vigorous harbor-building was the result. At this time, Mr. Clinton's term of office as Governor had expired, and he was again chairman of the Board of Canal Commissioners. He and his associates finally decided in favor of Buffalo, chiefly on the ground that the water could be taken out of the lake at a higher elevation than out of the river at Black Rock, thus saving a large amount of excavation along the whole Lake Erie level. * Thenceforward DeWitt Clinton was recognized throughout the State as the leader of the friends of the canal. + That name, however, was not generally given to it until many years later During the period of its construction it was generally called the "Grand Canal.” 310 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The first work done on the canal in Erie county was at Tonawanda, or rather at the point where Tonawanda now stands, for that village is entirely an outgrowth of the canal. The commissioners, having deter- mined to use a portion of Tonawanda creek as a part of the canal, con- tracted in the winter of 1822-23 with Judge Samuel Wilkeson and Dr. Ebenezer Johnson to build a dam across that stream, near its mouth. Work was soon begun and was continued through the summer of 1823. On the 9th day of August, 1823, the work of actual canal-digging in Erie county was formally opened; ground being broken near the Com- mercial Street bridge, in Buffalo. The people of that struggling village were intensely interested, and turned out en masse to celebrate the event. The second of the other two sections being finished, as already stated, two months later, the authorities were able to direct all their efforts to the western portion. So zealously was the work pushed for- ward that in September, 1825, all was completed except where the canal cut through the "mountain ridge" at the little village of Lockport. It was officially announced that the whole canal would be ready for the passage of boats on the 26th of October. A grand celebration was resolved on, and the people all along the line entered into the project with the greatest enthusiasm. Committees were appointed in every city and village on the canal, the city of New York took an active part, and every distinguished man in the State was invited to participate. As the appointed day approached, the force at Lockport was largely increased, and was thus enabled to complete the work in time. In the evening of the 24th of October, the filling of the Lake Erie level was begun, and in twenty-four hours, the whole canal was ready for use. De Witt Clinton was again Governor of the State. His political opponents,* when in power, had removed him from the office of Canal Commissioner. As every one knew that Mr. Clinton had almost created the canal-system of the State, the act aroused the generous indignation of the people, who in the autumn of 1824, again elected him Governor by a handsome majority. On the evening of the 25th of October, 1825, Governor Clinton, and other distinguished gentlemen from Albany and New York, arrived at Buffalo, where everything was ready for a grand ovation. The next morning was ushered in by an artillery salute, and the vil- lage was soon in a fervid state of enthusiastic excitement. At 9 o'clock a procession moved from the park down Main street in which nearly every citizen took part, with a band of music and Captain Rathbun's rifle company at its head, followed by a body of canal-diggers with spades, * That is the regular” Democrats, sometimes called “Bucktails." There was no organized opposition to the Democratic party in the country at that time, but Clinton was at the head of an independent wing in this State, distinctively known as "Clintonians," and distinguished by their friendship for the canal system, OPENING OF THE ERIE CANAL. 311 sailors under their officers, mechanics of every trade, militia officers in uniform, etc., etc., the rear being brought up by a carriage containing Governor Clinton, then unquestionably the foremost man of the Em- pire State not only in political position, but in ability and influence.* The procession marched to the Canal basin, where the Governor and other eminent gentlemen went on board the canal-boat "Seneca Chief." Jesse Hawley the first public advocate, and in all probability the actual originator of the Erie canal, made a brief speech on behalf of a committee from Rochester, which was replied to by Judge Oliver Forward on the part of the Buffalo committee. At 10 o'clock the attached horse-power was put in motion and the "Seneca Chief" set out on its journey to the Hudson, amid the wild cheers of the assembled people. Its departure was announced by the firing of a 32-pound cannon on the bank. Other cannon were stationed at convenient intervals along the canal, which one after the other repeated the shots, and thus the news of the departure of the "Seneca Chief" was carried to Albany, two hundred and eighty miles distant in one hour and forty minutes. So far as we are aware this transmission of news over so long a distance in so short a period had at that time never been equaled. The procession then returned to the court house, where an eloquent oration on the benefits to be derived from the canal was delivered by Sheldon Smith a prominent Buffalo lawyer of that day. Then there were public dinners at "Rathbun's Eagle Hotel," and "Landen's Man- sion House;" the festivities of the occasion closing with a grand ball at the former place. A committee of Buffalonians, headed by Judge Samuel Wilkeson, went through by canal and river to New York, where they obtained a keg of ocean water, which they brought back to Buffalo. This was taken on board a vessel and carried a short distance out on the lake by the committee, accompanied by many prominent citizens. Then, after the inevitable speech-making, the water of the Atlantic was mingled with that of Lake Erie, a poetic and appropriate closing of the ceremonies attendant on the completion of the Erie canal. This great work, the longest canal in the world except that of China, was, as then constructed, three hundred and sixty-three miles long, forty feet wide at the surface and twenty-eight feet at the bottom, with only four feet depth of water. It had eighty-three locks, each ninety feet long between the "quoins" and fifteen feet wide in the clear; the total amount of lockage being six hundred and fifty-five feet. The water fell to the east in all the locks, except for twenty-seven miles in the vicinity of Syracuse, where it fell forty-six feet to the westward; leaving the actual descent from Buffalo to Albany five hundred and sixty-three feet. * It may be doubted, too, whether in the qualities of a statesman he had his equal in the Nation, though others were more plausible and skillful in working their way into high places. 312 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The largest boats then used were of seventy-six tons burden, and the average ones of seventy tons. The original canal cost $7,600,000. All know how largely the Erie canal aided in the development not only of the great State which had constructed it, but of the whole vast Northwest, which thus found a better outlet to market for its ever-in- creasing surplus of products than could be obtained by any other route.* Buffalo, being the point where the freight and passenger traffic of the lake was transferred to the canal, increased with greater rapidity than any other town on the line, and Erie county to a considerable extent shared in its prosperity. By 1835 the traffic had become so great that an enlargement was authorized by the Legislature and begun by the Canal Commissioners, which would more than treble the capacity of the canal. The great panic of 1837, however, seriously injured the financial ability of the State, and after several years of embarrassment, work was stopped when the Democratic party came into power in 1843. By the Constitution of 1846, the Legislature was forbidden to incur a debt of more than a million. of dollars. When the Whigs returned to power a little later, they sought to continue the enlargement, and to avoid the constitutional re- striction by selling or pledging the income of the canal in advance, claim- ing that this was not the incurrence of a debt. A heated contest ensued in the Legislature, and most of the Democratic Senators resigned in order to deprive the Senate of a quorum. At the special election called to fill their places, the majority of the resigned Senators were repudiated by their constituents, and the proposed law was duly enacted, only, how- ever, to be declared unconstitutional by the Court of Appeals. But the people were as determined to have the canal enlarged as they had originally been to have it constructed, and when a constitu- tional amendment was submitted to them, permitting an increase of debt in order to complete the work, it was adopted by a large majority. Prog- ress was slow, however, being retarded by the necessity of allowing the canal to be used during the proper season, and it was not until 1862 that the enlargement was completed. By cutting off some needless portions the length had been decreased to three hundred and fifty and a half miles, The width at the surface along most of its length. is seventy feet, and at the bottom is fifty-six feet; the debt of water being seven feet.† By a little calculation, it will be found that a cross-section of the old canal had an area of one hundred and thirty-six square feet, while the area of a cross-section of the enlarged canal is four hundred and forty-one square feet; the latter being nearly three and a fourth times as large as the former. The capacity of * Lines of packets were handsomely fitted up for the carriage of passengers, and during the season when the canal was open, largely superseded the stages of an earlier day. On the Lake Erie level, reaching from Buffalo to Lockport, the canal is seventy-two feet wide at the top, and sixty feet at the bottom, with nine feet of water. ENLARGEMENT OF THE ERIE CANAL. 313 the boats has increased in a corresponding ratio; the average burden being now two hundred and ten tons, and the maximum burden two hundred and forty tons. The number of locks since the enlargement is seventy-two, each one hundred and ten feet long and eighteen feet wide. The enlargement had been far more expensive than the original canal; so that down to 1866, the construction, enlargement and improve- ment of the Erie and Champlain canals, (the latter requiring but a small part of the whole amount,) had cost no less than $46,018,234. The repairs and maintenance had cost $12,900,333; making the total expense of those canals $58,918,567. On the other hand, the receipts for tolls on the Erie and Champlain, had then amounted to $81,057,168; leaving a balance in favor of those canals of $22,138,601. The cost of other canals reduced the direct profit on the canal system of the State to a trifle, although the indirect benefits had been enormous. But the canal system had reached its climax. As early as the con- stitutional convention of 1867, some members favored the sale of all canals to private parties. This proposition was rejected, though the unprofitable lateral canals were disposed of. Still the railroads steadily drew away the business, although the tolls were made as low as was pos- sible under the requirements of the constitution, which declared that the canals must pay for their own repairs and maintenance. At length it became evident that this could no longer be done; that in fact the canals must be made free of tolls or must be given up entirely. Believing that they were still valuable in drawing business into the State, and especially as a regulator of railroad freights, the people favored the for- mer proposition and, when the question was submitted to them in the autumn of 1882, they voted by a large majority in favor of amending the constitution so that the canals would be relieved of all tolls and would be maintained at the expense of the State. This measure has already resulted in a considerable accession to the business of the canals, and the friends of those great works are encouraged to believe that they will continue through a long and prosperous future to confer far greater benefits than they impose expense on the people of the Empire State. 314 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXXII. RAILROADS. — Charter of Buffalo & Aurora Railroad Company — First Railroad Built First Railroad Built - Buffalo & Niagara Falls Railroad - Other Enterprises · Completion of the Buffalo & Attica Road The Lake Shore T - The Buffalo & Rochester The Buffalo & New York City Company - Road to Batavia Taken Up The Buffalo & Brantford Road - Formation of the New York Central — The Buffalo & Pittsburg The Buffalo & Allegany Valley — The Canandaigua & Falls Road Purchase of the Buffalo & Niagara Falls Road by the Central The Buffalo & Washington Consolidation with the Buffalo & Allegany Valley - Name changed to Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia - Slow Construction The Canada Southern -- The "Air Line" - Consolida- tion of the Grand Trunk & Great Western Suspension Bridge & Erie Junction Railroad The Buffalo & Jamestown Changed to Buffalo & Southwestern- New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad — Buffalo, Pittsburg & Western - Consolidation with the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia — Leased Lines of the Latter York, Lackawanna & Western Railroad & Buffalo The Lehigh Valley Railroad- A d Other Property - Assumed Business-New Rochester & Pittsburg - New York, West Shore General View. 'HE first incorporation of a company to build a railroad in Erie. county, took place on the 14th day of April, 1832, when the Legis- lature incorporated two companies. One was the Buffalo & Erie. Railroad Company, whose road was to run from Buffalo through Chau- tauqua county to the State line. The corporators were all residents of Chautauqua county. The movements had no practical results. The other was the Aurora & Buffalo Railroad Company. Its road was designed to run from Buffalo to the village of Aurora, now known as East Aurora, seventeen miles southeast of the former place. Considerable stock was subscribed, and the line was carefully laid out by Mr. William Wallace, who, after a long life spent in his profession in this vicinity, is now a resident of East Aurora. For several years the people of Aurora had lively hopes of the speedy construction of a railroad to their village, and it was not until 1837, that the panic of that year crushed, for the time, their ardent ambition. The first railroad actually built in the county was the Buffalo & Black Rock Railroad, about three miles long-at least it was called a railroad then, although more like a modern street-railroad, for the cars were drawn by horses. This road was in working order as early as 1834. The first railroad operated by steam power in Erie county was the Buffalo & Niagara Falls. In the spring of 1836, it was in the course of rapid construction. On the 26th of August, in that year, the first loco- *The Corporators were Joseph Howard, Jr., Edward Paine, Joseph Riley, Robert Person, Cal- vin Fillmore, Deloss Warren and Aaron Riley, all residents of Aurora. FIRST LOCOMOTIVE IN ERIE COUNTY. 315 motive was put on the road at Black Rock, and ran from that place to Tonawanda, at the rate of fifteen or twenty miles per hour. On the 6th of the next month, the locomotive ran from Buffalo to Tonawanda, and on the 5th of November, 1836, trains began running regularly from Buf- falo to Niagara Falls. The Niagara Falls road was built just in time for the great financial crisis, which occurred immediately afterward and put a sudden stop to all enterprises of that kind in this region. The Aurora road, as we have stated, was crushed by it. In July, 1836, directors of the Buffalo & Erie (Pa.) Railroad Company were elected, but no road was built on that line for over fifteen years. In August, subscriptions to the stock of the Buf falo & Attica Railroad Company were opened, but this enterprise, too, was submerged by the wave of financial disaster, and did not re-appear until several years later. It was, however, the first, after the Niagara Falls road, to be com- pleted, being opened for travel on the 8th day of January, 1843. The work of railroad-building was then slow in comparison with later achieve- ments, and though the Attica road formed a connection with others, afterward consolidated with it into the New York Central, and though the New York & Erie was creeping slowly in this direction, yet the next road actually constructed in this county was the Buffalo & State Line (now a part of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern), which was opened for travel from Buffalo to Dunkirk on the 22d day of February, 1852, having been already opened from Dunkirk to the State Line, on the Ist of the previous month. The same year the Buffalo & Rochester Railroad Company, (which had been formed in 1850, by the consolidation of the Buffalo & Attica Company with the "Tonawanda" Company-whose road ran from Attica to Rochester,) opened a new direct line from Buffalo to Batavia, and sold its line from Buffalo to Attica, thirty miles, to the New York City Railroad Company. The latter leased this line to the New York & Erie Company, which built a branch sixty miles long, from Hornellsville to Attica, thus forming a continuous line from Buffalo to New York, which was opened in 1852. In 1852, also, the Buffalo & New York City Company opened a line from Buffalo to Batavia, (a short distance from the Central track) thence eastward to Avon, and thence southeastward to Corning. In a short time, however, the track from Buffalo to Batavia was taken up, and the road-bed has remained unoccupied to the present time. The line beyond Batavia is operated by the "Erie " Erie" Company.* * The name of the Buffalo & New York City Company was changed to Buffalo, New York & Erie in 1857. It owns a continuous road from Buffalo by way of Attica, Batavia, LeRoy, Avon and Bath to Corning. All of it is leased to the "Erie," but the section from Buffalo to Attica forms a part of that company's continuous line, while the remainder is operated as a branch. 316 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. This was an era of railroad-building. The Buffalo & Brantford road was begun in 1851 or 1852, and was completed to Brantford, Ontario, by 1854. An extension was planned to Goderich, on Lake Huron, and the name was changed to the Buffalo, Brantford & Goderich Railway. It was not opened to Goderich until June 28, 1858. The name was again changed to the Buffalo & Lake Huron Railway, and on the 1st of July, 1868, it was leased in perpetuity to the Grand Trunk Railway Company, and it is now operated as a part of the Grand Trunk system.* In 1853, a strenuous effort was made-in fact two efforts were made -to build a railroad from Buffalo through Aurora and the southeastern part of the county. In the fore part of that year the Buffalo & Pitts- burgh Railroad Company was chartered under the presidency of the late Orlando Allen. It selected a line running near the village of Wil- link (now the west end of the village of East Aurora) and thence up the valley of Cazenove creek; the design being to meet the coal-fields of Pennsylvania, and to connect either directly or indirectly with Pittsburg. Owing to dissatisfaction with the route selected, the Buffalo & Alle- gany Valley Railroad Company was formed, and began work on a road designed to run from Buffalo through the east part of the village of East Aurora, and thence up the Cazenove valley to a point near Arcade, where it was to connect with the "Allegany Valley" road running south from Attica to the Pennsylvania line. Both the companies thus organized did considerable work in the vicinity of Aurora, in the year 1853, but neither had sufficient financial resources to accomplish the task it had undertaken. The Buffalo & Allegany Valley Company first suc- cumbed and stopped work, but did not abandon its organization. The Buffalo & Pittsburg Company also stopped work, and at length gave up its organization; nothing more was done on either line until after the war. The Canandaigua & Niagara Falls Railroad Company was organ- ized in 1851, and its road was completed in 1854; running from the Sus- pension Bridge to Tonawanda, and thence eastward through the north- ern towns of Erie county-continuing in an eastern course to Canan- daigua. The name was changed to the Niagara Bridge & Canandaigua Railroad, and in 1858. it was leased to the New York Central Company, by which it is still operated. In 1855 the Buffalo & Niagara Falls railroad was purchased by the New York Central Company, and the former road made a part of the latter. The financial crisis of 1857 and the war which broke out in 1861 caused a long blank in railway-building in Erie county. Even before the close of the Rebellion, however, when peace was seen to be approaching, prep- * In May, 1853, the various short roads between Buffalo and Albany were consolidated under the name of the New York Central Railroad, and Buffalo thus became the western terminus of one of the most important railroads in the world. In November, 1869, its importance was still further increased by its union with the Hudson River road, forming the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad. VARIOUS NEW RAILROADS COMPLETED. 317 arations were made for a renewal of railroad work. On the 10th of December, 1864, Mr. Wallace, the engineer already mentioned, having projected a route from Buffalo to Olean and thence up the Allegany river, (instead of down that stream, where previous routes had run), obtained the subscription of six leading citizens of Olean to the stock of the Buffalo & Washington Railroad Company. On the 4th of February, 1865, the company was organized, and on the 14th day of April in that year, it was consolidated with the Buffalo & Allegany Valley Railroad Company, (of which Perry G. Parker was then President, and General Aaron Riley, Secretary,) and with the Sinnemahoning & Portage Rail- road Company, the whole taking the name of the Buffalo & Washington. This name was ere long changed to the Buffalo, New York & Philadel- phia, which has fortunately been spared from further transmutations. The company selected substantially the line of the old Buffalo & Allegany Valley Road through Erie county, and slowly carried forward the work of construction. It was not until December 22, 1867, that the road was completed to East Aurora, seventeen miles from Buffalo, where it made a long halt. Then it was built to South Wales, five miles further south, where there was another halt until the latter part of 1870. It was then pushed forward with more vigor, so that in July, 1872, it was opened to Olean, and on the 1st of January, 1873, it was completed to its terminus, at Emporium, Pa. The same year saw the completion of another road terminating in Buffalo, the Canada Southern, which had been chartered on the 28th of February, 1868, and begun soon after, and which was opened for traffic November 15, 1873. It extended from the Niagara river to Amherst- burg, Ontario, near the mouth of Detroit river, two hundred and twenty- nine miles distant. In 1878 the ownership of the road passed into the hands of a new company, organized in the interest of the New York Central Railroad Company, which guaranteed the interest on the bonds of its Canadian associate. During the past year the road has been leased to the Michigan Central Railroad Company, another branch of the same great combination. The year 1873 was also distinguished by the completion of the "Air Line," or "Loop Line" branch of the Great Western Railway, from Fort Erie to Glencoe, on the main line of that road, one hundred and forty- five miles westward. This branch was begun by the Canada Air Line Company, chartered in December, 1867, but subsequently became the property of the Great Western Company. During the winter of 1882-'83 the Great Western & Grand Trunk Railroad Companies were consoli- dated under the latter name, and the Grand Trunk Railroad conse- quently has two important branches, (the old Buffalo & Lake Huron, and the Air Line) practically terminating in Buffalo, with which they com- municate by the International Bridge across the Niagara. 21* 318 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. A little before the completion of these works a road had been built from Buffalo to the Suspension Bridge by a company organized under the auspices of the "Erie" company, in October, 1868. The road was completed in December, 1870, under the name of the "Suspension Bridge & Erie Junction" railroad, but was immediately leased to the Erie * company and has been known as the Niagara Falls branch of that road. The next Erie county railroad enterprise was the Buffalo & James- town. This company was organized March 25, 1872. The road was completed from Buffalo to Jamestown, Chautauqua county, in 1875, run- ning almost due south from Buffalo, through the towns of West Seneca, Hamburg, Eden, North Collins, and Collins, and crossing Cattaraugus creek at the village of Gowanda. The company was re-organized in 1877, after a foreclosure, under the name of the Buffalo & Southwest- tern, and on the 1st of August, 1881, it leased the road to the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroad Company, by whom it is now operated as the Buffalo & South-Western division of that road. Since the revival of business in 1879, after the long depression, there has been apparently a rage for railroad building throughout the country, and, owing to its position at the foot of Lake Erie, this county has been the scene of even more than the usual activity of capitalists, engineers and contractors. The first of the new roads to be completed was the New York, Chicago and St Louis, running from Buffalo to Chicago, by way of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The company was organized—in this State on the 13th of April, 1881. Work was begun soon after, and the track was completed (522 miles) in the latter part of 1882—about a year and eight months after its commencement, a fact almost, if not quite, unequaled in the history of railroad building. It was constructed by a syndicate of New York capitalists who, during the winter of 1882– '83, sold it to William H. Vanderbilt and other owners of the Lake Shore Railroad, but the New York, Chicago & St. Louis is managed as a special route, although, of course, in close harmony with the Lake Shore. From Buffalo westward to Brocton, Chautauqua county, the track occupied by the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Company was built jointly by that company and the Buffalo, Pittsburgh & Western. This was the first appearance in Erie county of the tracks of the last-named company though they had previously run trains from Brocton to Buffalo, over the track of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. The Buffalo, Pittsburg & Western Railroad Company was formed on the 20th day of January, 1881, by a consolidation of the Buffalo & Pittsburg Rail- road Company (organized September 29, 1880, to build a road from Buf- * The New York & Erie Railroad Company was reorganized as the Erie Railroad Company in June, 1861, after the road had been two years in the hands of a receiver, on account of non-payment of interest. The road again went under the control of a receiver in May, 1875, and in June, 1878, it passed into the hands of the New York, Lake Erie & Western Company, by which name the road is now known. VARIOUS NEW RAILROADS COMPLETed. 319 falo to Portland, near Brocton,) with several roads, principally in Penn- sylvania.* On the 14th of February, 1883, the road in question, together with the Oil City & Chicago and the Olean & Salamanca Railroads were consolidated with the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia, taking the name of the last named road. The Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Company is the only one of the great companies described which has its headquarters in Buffalo, and we give it a little more extended description on that account. Besides the roads consolidated with its own, as already mentioned, it controls the following leased railroads: The Genesee Valley Canal Railroad; the Rochester, New York & Pennsylvania; the McKean & Buffalo; the Kendall & Eldred; the Olean & Bradford; and the Mayville Exten- sion Railroad. The total number of miles of railroad owned and con- trolled by the company is seven hundred and eighteen. In addition to its railroad property the company controls extensive coal mines and coal lands in Pennsylvania, from which it can furnish its roads with an apparently unlimited amount of coal traffic, which cannot be diverted from them. It also controls most of the passenger and freight business of Chautauqua lake, on which it has a fleet of five large steam- ers. Its branch roads also reach to Bradford, the center of the principal oil producing territory, to Clermont, the seat of the coal mines just men- tioned and to other points, whence comes a large and constantly increas- ing business in the carriage of coal (anthracite and bituminous,) oil, lum- ber, bark, grain, and numerous other articles. The New York, Lackawanna & Western Railway Company was chartered on the 24th of August, 1880, for the purpose of construct- ing an extension of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, from Binghamton to Buffalo, a distance of two hundred miles. The work was pushed rapidly forward and the track was completed in 1883. This com- pany, however, like some of the others, has still a vast amount of work to do in constructing side tracks, building depots, obtaining facilities on the water-front, etc., etc., in and around Buffalo. The Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad Company which, as the succes- sor of the Rochester & State Line Company, is the owner of a road from Rochester to Salamanca, Cattaraugus county, determined in the year 1882, to build a branch from Ashford, Cattaraugus county to Buffalo. Surveys were made on various lines, and in August of that year a contract was let for the construction of the road by way of East Ham- burg, West Falls, Colden and Springville. The work was completed in August, 1883. As the company is also extending its road into the coal and lumber fields of Pennsylvania, it furnishes another important feeder to the manufactures and other interests of Buffalo. * In April following, the company purchased the New Castle & Franklin Road, which it re-organ- ized first as the New Castle & Oil City, and then as the Oil City & Chicago, so that there is now a continuous line from Buffalo to New Castle, with branches into important coal-bearing tracts. 320 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Last of all in date of completion is the New York, West Shore & Buffalo Railroad, the company owning which was organized on the 18th of February, 1880. This great work was completed to Syracuse at the time of the printing of this history, and was to be constructed to Buffalo with the utmost possible speed. It is the most important of any of the new roads through Erie county, having a first-class, double-track line from Weehawken, New Jersey, opposite New York, along the west. shore of the Hudson river nearly to Albany and thence westward, almost parallel to and but a short distance from the Central railroad, to Buffalo, a total distance of four hundred and twenty-five miles. It was evidently intended to be a formidable rival of the Central Railroad, but its business achievements are still in the future. Although the Lehigh Valley Railroad has no track through Erie county, yet the company sends its coal-laden cars hither over the tracks of the New York, Lake Erie & Western, and has acquired vast facilities in the southern part of Buffalo for the purpose of transhipping its coal and sending it up Lake Erie and over other roads. So far as the coal trade is concerned, Buffalo is the western terminus of the Lehigh Valley railroad. It will be observed that in regard to every road mentioned, Buffalo. is the terminus of either a main line or a branch. Not a single road runs through Buffalo. It is the western terminus of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad, of the New York, West Shore & Buffalo, and the New York, Lackawanna & Western; also of what is practically the main line of the New York, Lake Erie & Western, besides being the freight terminus of the Lehigh Valley Road. It is the southern terminus of the Niagara Falls branch of the Central, and the Niagara Falls branch of the Erie. It is the northern terminus of the two great divisions of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia, whose tributary roads spread far and wide through the coal fields, the oil fields, and the lumber fields of Pennsylvania. It is also the northern terminus of what is likely to be the main line of the Rochester & Pittsburg, which is advancing in the same direction, and of the Buffalo & Southwestern branch of the Erie. It is the eastern terminus of three great roads, the New York, Chicago & St. Louis, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and the Michigan Central, (as the lessee of the Canada Southern,) each of which reaches out over 500 miles, to the great city of the West, Chicago. Finally it is the east- ern terminus of one great branch, and the southeastern terminus of another, belonging to the Grand Trunk system of Canada, which stretches its mighty arms from the western shore of Lake Michigan to the chief city of Maine, on the coast of the North Atlantic. In short, a person can travel more than nine thousand miles over the various railroads centering at Buffalo, and their branches, without repeat- ing his journey over a single mile. THE ERIE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 321 CHAPTER XXXIII. ERIE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Niagara County Agricultural Society - Officers and Town Managers - First Fair - Dr. Chapin's Efforts · Success under Difficulties Change of Name - Decease of the Society - Revival in 1841 First Fair of the New Society The Cattle of that Period - Second Fair Hamburg Cheese" - Report for 1843 For 1845 1846 and 1847 - The Fairs Deterio- rating - The State Fair of 1848 Great Success Distinguished Visitors Another County Fair at Buffalo-First County Fair in the Country Towns held at Aurora Great Improvement - At Lancaster in 1851-At East Hamburg in 1852 - Large Crops — At Cold Spring in 1853 - At Aurora in 1854-At East Hamburg in 1855- First Charge for Admission - Horace Greeley's Address — Re-organization in 1856 — Ground Leased Near the Indian Church Fairs Held There Nine Years - At Cold Spring in 1865-At Springville in 1866 and 1867 -At Hamburg in 1868-It Continues There-- Officers for Successive Years-Efforts to Change Location-Fair Extended to Four Days in 1876- Increase of Funds - Purchase of Land-Clean Purchase - Large Receipts-Value of the Property - The Grounds. T HE first Agricultural Society organized within the present limits of Erie county was formed previous to the division of Niagara county, in the latter part of 1819, or beginning of 1820—under the name of the Niagara County Agricultural Society. Its headquarters were in Buffalo, and that energetic pioneer, Dr. Cyrenius Chapin, was its first president. The secretary was Joseph M. Moulton, the treasurer, Reuben B. Heacock, and the auditor, Heman B. Potter, all of Buffalo ; the vice-presidents being Arthur Humphrey, Asher Saxton, Ebenezer Goodrich, Ebenezer Walden and James Cronk. A Board of Town Managers was also appointed, doubtless composed principally of some of the leading farmers of their respective towns. Those in that part of Niagara county, which is now Erie so far as recorded, were: Elias Ransom, Adiel Sherwood, and Elijah Leach, of Buffalo; William W. Morseman, Abner Wilson and David Eddy, of Hamburg; Isaac Phelps, Jr., Jonathan Bowen and Ephraim Woodruff, of Aurora; Richard Buffum, Asa Cronk and Samuel Corliss, of Holland; Ethan Allen, Ebenezer Holmes and Henry B. Stevens, of Wales; John Hill, Benjamin Bowen and John March, of Eden; Belden Slosson, Alexander Hitchcock and Abram Miller, of Amherst; S. Parmely, M. Cary and Daniel Swain, of Boston. In the summer of 1820, preparations were made to hold the first fair of the society. It was very difficult to arouse much interest in a new scheme, involving considerable labor and expense, for the farmers of Erie county were then nearly all poor and a large majority of them in But Dr. Chapin, then one of the most influential men in the debt. X 322 HISTORY OF Erie COUNTY. county, was determined that the fair should succeed, and the Doctor was accustomed to achieve success whenever it could be brought by unequaled energy and liberality. Owning five farms in various parts of the county, on which he kept a large amount of stock, then considered as first-class, he was able to give considerable aid to the fair from his own resources. In the sketch of the life of the late Orlando Allen, by William C. Bryant, Esq., published among the papers of the Buffalo Historical Society, there is an interesting and somewhat amusing account of the successful efforts to get together stock for the fair, made in the face of adverse circumstances, by Mr. Allen, then an active youth of seventeen, nominally a student of medicine with Dr. Chapin, but principally occupied as general manager of that gentleman's numerous interests. The Doctor had arranged that the men living on his farms should each bring in certain stock (especially sheep) to Buffalo the day before the fair. Fearing fail- ure, however, he sent young Allen with a boy, both on horseback, the morning before the fair, to his farm in Hamburg, lately known as the Deuel Place, a mile south of "Orchard Park." On arriving there he found, as the Doctor had feared, that no movement had been made toward bringing the stock. He and the boy undertook to drive it to the city, except a fine Merino ram, which the farmer was to lead. The road lay most of the distance through the unfenced forests and moors of the Indian reservation, but Allen and his still more useful assistant drove the twenty head of cattle and sheep safely through, though with much difficulty, arriving about three o'clock P. M. Scarcely had he done so when the farmer came in, announcing that he couldn't lead the ram, and, having no way to carry him, had been compelled to leave him. Seeing the Doctor's great disappointment, his nephew, Gorham Chapin, took a horse and light wagon, drove to Hamburg and brought the ram in. Meanwhile, finding that nothing had been heard of the sheep expected from the Doctor's farms in Clarence, young Allen volunteered to see about them, mounted a fresh horse and set out, still accompanied by his boyish aid-de-camp. Arriving at the principal farm, near “ Harris Hill," at dark, he found that here, too, nothing had been done. The farmer was pressed into the service rather against his will, and the three went to the pasture, a half-mile distant, with lanterns, and drove the sheep to the barn, where Allen selected forty of the best, and with his assistants began the weary journey toward Buffalo. It was near daylight when the sheep were driven into Dr. Chapin's yard in that village. Then Allen learned that there was still one fine ram missing, which was on Major Miller's farm, eight miles distant on the road just traversed. The indefatigable Orlando hitched another horse to the wagon, drove out there, had a battle with the ram, finally conquered and bound him, and drove back to Buffalo, arriving a little after breakfast time. Certainly this was getting up a fair under difficulties. THE FIRST COUNTY FAIR. 323 Dr. Chapin was determined that all of his family should appear at the fair in clothes of domestic manufacture, and besides flannels, linens, etc., he had a piece of black cloth made for the male members and one of pressed woolen cloth for the females. Young Allen had a “brand new suit" of the former fabric and, not- withstanding labors through the previous night, enjoyed himself greatly at the ball which closed the grand event. Of the fair he says: "The day was fine, the entries quite numerous and everything passed off to the satisfaction of all concerned." When the greater part of Niagara county became Erie county the name of the agricultural society suffered a corresponding change. But the general interest in the institution was weak, the difficulties, especially of transportation, were great, the exhibits dwindled away and it was found impracticable for a few zealous men to bear the whole burden of keeping up the society; so after two or three years it was given up. It was not until 1841, that another Erie County Agricultural Society was organized, with Lewis F. Allen, of Buffalo, well-known for his active interest in agricultural matters, as its first President. The first fair of the new society was held at Buffalo in October of that year, and as it was again a new thing there was a very creditable exhibition. The Commercial Advertiser of the following day, said:- "Some remarkably fine animals were present, and a very choice lot of vegetables. The specimens of domestic manufacture, though few, were very superior. A spirited and practical address was delivered by L. F. Allen, Esq., President of the Society, which was listened to with much gratification by a crowded auditory. On the whole, for an exhi- bition got up on only six weeks' notice, it surpassed all reasonable expectations. There were at that time almost none but native cattle in the county. Mr. Allen had introduced the first thorough-breds-Short-horns and Devons-into the county in 1833, of which he has bred some hundreds. in number, and sold in this and other States down to the present day. Mr. Sweetapple, of Colden, had brought in a short-horn bull and cow about 1840. These and their descendants, with possibly a few others, were all the cattle of improved breeds to be seen in Erie county at the time of the first fair of the new society. Of the proceedings of that year, there is no record, save the inci- dental newspaper mention already quoted, but from, and including 1842 down to the present time, a fairly accurate account of the Erie County Agricultural Society can be compiled from the reports annually made to the State Society, and published by it, and from the records of the County Society, which have been preserved since 1856. The second fair was held at Buffalo, on the 5th and 6th of October, 1842. Premiums to the amount of nearly $500 were offered, and over $400 were actually awarded. The Report to the State Society says:- 324 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. "The number of fine horses, superior specimens of fine sheep and swine, and the great variety of farm products, domestic manufactures, vegetables, fruits, etc., have rarely been excelled in any part of the State." same town. The committee on cheese gave especial praise to the specimens of that article exhibited. They awarded the first premium on cheese to H. Arnold & Son, of Hamburg, and the second to Truman Austin, of the The reputation of "Hamburg cheese" was already well established. No better cheese than the many years' celebrated "Ham- burg was ever made in the United States; but since the cheese facto- ries have usurped that important industry, the "Hamburg" proper has retired from the field of production, yielding to the inferior quality of its successor. The premium crop of Indian corn yielded fifty-seven bushels per acre; of oats, sixty-seven; of barley, forty-two. During the third year of the existence of the association, Hon. Thomas C. Love, of Buffalo, ex-Member of Congress from this district, was the President, and Warren Bryant, Esq., was the Secretary. The sum of $316 was awarded in premiums. The address was delivered by Dr. Daniel Lee. For 1844 there is no report from Erie county. In 1845 the President was Robert McPherson, of Black Rock; the Vice-Presidents were R. L. Allen, of Buffalo, James Wood, of Wales, Benjamin Hodge, of Black Rock, O. Mansfield, of Clarence, N. G. Steb- bins, of Cheektowaga, and William S. Rees, of Evans. For 1846 there was a brief report showing that the President was Robert McPherson and the Secretary, Robert Hadfield. The premiums offered amounted to $470. The officers in 1847, were as follows: President, Orlando Allen, of Buffalo; Vice-Presidents, A. McArthur of Buffalo, Augustus Raynor of Clarence, W. S. Rees, of Evans, J. W. Hamlin, of Aurora, and James Wood, of Wales; Secretary, Robert Hadfield, of Buffalo. The Address was delivered by George W. Clinton, Esq., of Buffalo. The report for this shows that the exhibition did not equal those pre- viously held. Buffalo was rapidly becoming a city in size as well as name, farmers did not care to go there to attend a farmers' show, and the zeal of Buffalonians which had supported the first two or three fairs had begun to wane. In 1848, the officers were Augustus Raynor, President; Robert Hadfield, Secretary, and Arthur McArthur, Treasurer. This year the interest of the agriculturists of Erie county was ab- sorbed in the State fair, which for the first time was held at Buffalo, under the presidency of the Hon. Lewis F. Allen, near the point pre- viously occupied by the Barracks, on Delaware Avenue. The report of the Secretary, Benjamin P. Johnson, of Albany, declared it to have been “successful beyond the highest hope of the soci THE COUNTY FAIR FIRST HELD AT AURORA. 325 ety." The Governors of New York and Michigan were present, Messrs. Holmes and Barnwell of South Carolina, Hon. W. A. Graham of North Carolina, the Hon. William Stanley, son of the then Earl of Derby of England, and other distinguished gentlemen from this and other States. The weather was fine and the attendance was immense. The hall for agricultural implements was a hundred and fifty feet by seventy, and the dairy hall was one hundred and fifty feet by sixty. The exhibition of cheese received the especial praise from the authorities of the State society. The oration was delivered by the distinguished Hon. John C. Spencer. The county fair for 1849 was again held at Buffalo; the amount of premiums paid was $122.19. The report shows a good exhibition of cattle, especially of grades. There were also a few Shorthorns and Devons, and a large number of Herefords. But the interest was steadily decreas- ing from causes already mentioned and it was determined that the next fair should be held in the country. The point selected in 1850 was Aurora, the officers being Robert Person, president; Aaron Riley, secretary; and D. D. Stiles, treasurer. The result showed the wisdom of the change, the exhibition being better than at any previous Erie county fair. One hundred and thirty-three head of cattle were entered for premiums, eighty-nine horses, seventy- three sheep, many swine, etc.; besides a large number present but not entered. Farm products were shown in great abundance, and the ladies' department was fully represented. Eight thousand persons were estimated to be present. Premiums to the amount of $345, were awarded, besides numerous volumes of transactions of the State Society, diplomas, etc. The following year the fair was held at Lancaster; the officers being Apollos Hitchcock, president; Henry A. Bingham, secretary; and Henry Atwood, treasurer. The show was much smaller than the year before. At East Hamburg, in 1852, there was a moderate attendance, on account of the rain, but the show of fruits and vegetables was better than ever before. Truman Pattengill, of Wales, made oath to raising fifty-two bushels of wheat on one acre of ground "by weight and meas- urement." John Woodruff, of Aurora, exhibited specimens of Indian corn, which he stated had yielded seventy bushels per acre. The next fair was held at Cold Spring, Buffalo. Warren Granger was the president; the other officers not being recorded. In spite of bad weather there was a fine display of horses, some thorough-bred stock and the best show of poultry ever known in the State. The address was by Hon. G. W. Clinton. In 1854, the fair was again held at Aurora, the officers being John W. Hamlin, president; Nathaniel A. Turner, secretary; and H. Z. Per- * 326 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. son treasurer. The report was brief, showing a fine exhibition of horses, and numerous entries of all kinds from Aurora and the adjoining towns, but comparatively few from other parts of the county. The year 1855 was distinguished by two important circumstances in the history of the Agricultural Society of Erie county. First-it was then for the first time, that an admission fee, twelve and a half cents, was charged to the grounds; second-it was the year in which Horace Greeley delivered the address. This was a practical talk, largely relating to drainage and the use of tile, with some remarks favorable to canned fruit, then just coming into use. The presence of this distinguished gentleman drew a large number of visitors, relying on which the officers went to considerable expense in fitting up the grounds and building a temporary hall, one hundred feet by twenty, for the display of domestic manufactures, fruits, flowers, etc., which was filled to overflowing. The show of stock was creditable; that of grain and root crops still better. Benjamin Maltby exhibited samples of winter wheat which had yielded thirty-nine bushels per acre, and William Hambleton showed corn forming part of a crop of nearly one hundred bushels per acre. The receipts were the largest known in the history of the association; being, aside from the State appropriation, $682.00. The expenses were $555.00. The officers were Allen Potter, president; Myron H. Stillwell, secretary; and Amos Chilcott, treasurer. An act of the Legislature having been passed in April, 1855, provid- ing for the more thorough organization of Agricultural Societies, a special meeting of the members of the Erie County Society was called at the court-house in Buffalo, on the 4th of June, 1856, to consider the ques- tion of re-organization under that law. At that meeting it was unani- mously resolved that the Erie County Agricultural Society as it then existed should be dissolved and it should be, and was, thereby re-organ- ized under the act of April 13, 1855. A certificate declaring that the signers organized themselves as the Erie County Agricultural Society, and naming the first directors, was duly signed and acknowledged by the following persons: George W. Scott, Erastus Wallis, Benjamin Baker, A. K. Humphrey, James Wood, Austin Kimball, George C. Bull, Hiram C. White, William Hambleton, John S. King, Aaron Riley, J. M. Paine, Myron Stilwell. Subsequently a constitution was adopted which provided for the election of a presi- dent, two vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer and six directors; the first five officers to be chosen yearly at the annual meeting* of the society, and the directors to be elected for three years, two each year. The eleven officers named were to constitute a board of managers, having the general direction of the affairs of the society. Any resident of * By the original constitution this meeting was to be held on the Second Wednesday of January, but the date was changed, in 1870, to the Third Wednesday. RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE SOCIETY. 327 Erie county could become a member for a year on payment of $1, and a life member on payment of $10.00. The following were the officers for 1856: president, George W. Tifft; vice-presidents, John S. King and William Hambleton; secretary, H. C. White; treasurer, George W. Scott. The president, secretary and treasurer were the same who had been elected the previous autumn by the old organization. Arrangements were made to hold the fairs on ground leased for ten years near the Indian church in the town of West Seneca, although in fact they were not held there but nine years. The fair was more suc- cessful than before; the receipts being about $500. From this time forward we follow the secretary's book, the same one having been used from 1856 to the present time. The records relate principally to the election of officers, with occasional statements of the financial situation, but from the last a tolerably good idea can be obtained of the progress of the society. The records date from the re-organiza- tion, and the fair held in 1856 is considered the first one of the society; consequently that of 1883 is numbered the twenty-eighth, although there have been forty-three consecutive annual fairs held in Erie county by a body called the Erie County Agricultural Society. In 1857 the officers (aside from directors) were as follows: president, Erastus Wallis; vice-presidents, William Hambleton and E. S. Ely; secretary, James M. Paine; treasurer, George W. Scott. At the annual election in 1858 the following officers were elected: president, William Hambleton; vice-presidents, Warren Granger and William B. Hart; secretary, Amos Freeman; treasurer, George W. Scott. One of the first results of the new organization seems to have been to increase the expenses; for at this meeting outstanding liabilities were reported for the first time amounting to $151.83. At subsequent meetings of the board of managers, the superintendent of cattle at the coming fair was instructed to examine particularly in regard to all cattle presented as thorough-breds, and see that none were entered for pre- miums without an undeniable pedigree. The superintendent of horses. was directed to form two classes, putting the "Black Hawks" and "Mor- gans" in one, and all belonging to other breeds in the other. When the officers settled the accounts after the fair it was found that the expenses were as follows: Premiums left unpaid from 1857, $77.00; premiums awarded in 1858, $803.00; erection of buildings and holding fairs, $926.00; total $1,806.00. To meet these demands the re- ceipts were, from members' tickets $640.00; gate tickets $285.00; $100.00; State appropriation, $186.00; other sources, $33.25; total, $1,244.24; leaving a debt of $561.76. To meet this the sum of $600.00 was borrowed by the society from William Hambleton. The officers for 1859 were as follows: president, William Hamble- ton; vice-presidents, Charles Rogers and D. D. Stiles; secretary, * 328 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Amos Freeman; treasurer, George W. Scott. This year the price of gate tickets was raised from ten to fifteen cents. In 1860 the officers elected were: president, William Hambleton; vice-presidents, D. D. Stiles and H. C. White; secretary, Ellis Webster. A committee was appointed to obtain subscriptions to establish a trotting course. The period of holding the fair was for the first time extended to three days. Provision was also made for obtaining silver medals to distribute as premiums, but this was not popular and was not continued after the year in question. At this time two classes were appropriated to horses, seven to cattle, four to sheep, and one each to swine, poultry, fruits, plants and flowers, grain and roots, vegetables, farm implements, domestic articles. E. W. Stewart delivered the address. In 1861 the officers elected were: president, Z. Bonney; vice- presidents, D. D. Stiles and G. W. Paine; secretary, Ellis Webster; treasurer, George W. Scott. In 1862 they were the same except that Warren Granger was secre- tary. In the latter year the treasurer reported the number of family tickets sold at two hundred and seventy-eight and that of the gate tickets at two hundred and seventy-two. The total number of entries in all classes was four hundred and twenty-eight, against three hundred and eighty- five the previous year. In 1863 the officers elected were: president, Z. Bonney; vice- presidents, D. D. Stiles and Christopher Hambleton; secretary, Warren Granger; treasurer, G. W. Scott. In 1864 the officers elected were: president, George A. Moore; vice-presidents, Jason Sexton and Christopher Hambleton; secretary, Warren Granger; treasurer, G. W. Scott. The amount paid for pre- miums and current expenses in that year was $1,112.16; the amount received from all sources was $1,063.75; leaving a balance due the treas- urer from the society of $48.41. In 1865 the officers elected were: president, George A. Moore; vice-presidents, Jason Sexton and Christopher Hambleton; secretary, Hiram C. White; treasurer, George W. Scott. The amount paid for premiums and expenses was $1,326.25. The total indebtedness of the society, was $433.00. The fair this year was held on the race ground at Cold Spring, Buffalo. At the Annual meeting, in 1866, a ballot was taken to determine the location of the next fair, resulting in thirty-eight votes for Springville, and thirteen for Aurora; which choice was confirmed by the board of managers. The officers elected were: president, Edwin Wright; vice- presidents, John W. Hamlin and James Hopkins; secretary, Bertrand Chaffee; treasurer, Pliny Smith. The fair was held on the grounds of of the Union Agricultural Society, at Springville. At the annual meeting, in 1867, vote was again taken on location, when Springville received thirty-eight ballots, and Aurora thirty-one. PROSPEROUS GROWTH OF THE SOCIETY. 329 This vote was confirmed, and the fair was held on the same ground as in 1866. The officers elected were: president, L. C. P. Vaughn; vice- presidents, Allen Potter and James Hopkins; secretary, Bertrand Chaf- fee; treasurer, Pliny Smith. At the next annual meeting, in 1868, the treasurer's report showed that the indebtedness from that fair, besides old debt, was $108.28, which it was stated would be more than covered by the State appropriation. Luther Titus, on behalf of the Hamburg Driving Park Association, offered the free use of the track, grounds, buildings, etc., of the Associ- ation, for the purpose of holding the fair. A ballot was taken at which Hamburg received eighteen votes, and Springville, seventeen. Oddly enough, the choice made by this narrow majority was the one which became a permanent location. Although for many years the society had no permanent interest at Hamburg, yet every year it was voted to hold the fair there, and finally, with the purchase of real estate at that point, rival localities seem to have given up all the honors and emoluments of the annual exhibition. After making the location at the meeting men- tioned the following officers were elected: president, P. W. Powers; vice-presidents, L. C. P. Vaughn and Allen K. Dart; secretary, Robert C. Titus; treasurer, Robert B. Foote. At a subsequent meeting of the board of managers, the price of single tickets was raised to twenty-five cents. Member tickets remained at one dollar. Single teams were charged twenty-five cents, and double teams thirty-five cents. An effort was made to secure the services of Horace Greeley, to address the peo- ple, but without success. In 1869 the officers elected were: president, P. W. Powers; vice- presidents, Allen K. Dart and V. R. Cary; secretary, R. C. Titus; treasurer, R. B. Foote. The balance reported unexpended in the treas- urer's hands, was $129.82, but there was still an old debt of several hun- dred dollars. In 1870 the officers elected were: president, P. W. Powers; vice- presidents, Allen Potter and V. R. Cary; secretary, R. C. Titus; treas- urer, R. B. Foote. The balance in the treasurer's hands was $361.61, of which $50.00 was applied to the payment of the old debt. The time of holding the annual meeting was changed from the second to the third We ednesday of January. In 1871 the officers were the same as the previous year. In 1872 the officers were the same as the previous year. The balance. outstanding against the society was $143.34. In 1873 the officers elected were: president, P. W. Powers; vice- presidents, V. R. Cary and Adam Pierce; secretary, R. C. Titus; treas- urer, Moses Clark. In 1874 the officers elected were: president, V. R. Cary; vice- presidents, Isaac Russell and Adam Pierce; secretary, Thomas J. Powers; treasurer, Moses Clark. 330 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The officers elected at the annual meeting in 1875 were the same as those chosen the previous year, but during the succeeding spring, Mr. Adam Pierce died, and Mr. George M. Pierce was elected second-vice- president in his place. There were efforts made at nearly every annual meeting to procure the location of the fair at some other place than Hamburg, Aurora being the one most frequently mentioned, but all were unsuccessful. In 1875 the board of managers voted to contract with the Hamburg Driving Park Association to pay that body $50.00 a year for the use of the grounds during the life of the lease held by it. A barn was also erected costing $330.22, of which the Agricultural Society owned thirty sixty-sixths; the remainder being owned by the Driving Park Association aed Mr. Frederick Thompson. The tendency of the Society was evidently toward a permanent location at Hamburg. In 1876 the officers elected were: president, V. R. Cary; vice- presidents, Isaac Russell and George W. Pierce; secretary, Thomas J. Powers; treasurer, Moses Clark. This year, for the first time, the period of holding the fair was extended to four days. It was also declared that a family ticket should admit the husband and wife and three minor children children over ten years old; ten years old; those under ten being admitted free. In 1877 the officers elected were: president, V. R. Cary; vice- presidents, Isaac Russell and George W. Pierce; secretary, Amos H. Baker; treasurer, Moses Clark. The first article of the constitution was changed so that any person, whether a resident of Erie county or not could become either an annual or a life member by paying the amount designated by the board of managers. The price of life tickets was fixed at $10. It was also voted a family ticket should admit only one minor over ten years old. The price of single tickets was fixed at twenty cents; that of single-team tickets at the same sum, and that of double-team tickets at twenty-five cents. The officers elected in 1878 were: president, V. R. Cary; vice-presi- dents, Seth Fenner and Isaac Russell; secretary, A. H. Baker; treas- urer, William S. Newton; one honorary vice-president was also elected for each town not otherwise represented, who was expected to make a special effort to promote the interests of the society in that town. The price of single tickets and single-team tickets was raised to twenty-five cents each; those of double-team tickets to thirty cents. A resolution was adopted to hold the next fair at East Aurora, if the people there would erect the necessary buildings. Nothing came of this proposition however, and the fairs continued to be held at Hamburg. In 1879 the officers elected were: president, Isaac Russell; vice- presidents, John Kraus and H. W. White; secretary, A. H. Baker; treasurer, William S. Newton. The amount in the treasurer's hands was $949.15. PRESENT OFFICERS. 331 In 1880 the officers elected were: president, Isaac Russell; vice- presidents, John Kraus and H. W. White; secretary, H. K. Williams; treasurer, W. S. Newton. The treasurer's report showed the sum of $1,614.27 in his hands. Encouraged by this proof of prosperity, a com- mittee was appointed with authority to purchase land for a permanent location. Accordingly twelve and two-hundredths acres situated where the previous fairs had been held, were purchased for $200.00 per acre. The receipts during that year, including the amount on hand in the begin- ning, reached the very handsome sum of $5,768.49. The premiums paid amounted to $1,309.90, and the running expenses to $1,524.50, making the total current expenses $2,834.46. This left a balance of $2,934.03 out of which there was paid for the land first mentioned the sum of $2,404.00. In 1881 the officers elected were: president, George W. Pierce; vice-presidents, H. W. White and John Kraus; secretary, H. K. Will- iams; treasurer, W. S. Newton. The society purchased twelve and six- hundredths acres of land of George M. Pierce, for which it gave a bond and mortgage. The receipts this year, including the balance brought from 1880, amounted to $4,686.38. The premiums amounted to $1,459.65, and the current expenses to $551.53; the total being $2,011.18. This left a balance of $2,675.20, which was applied on permanent improve- ments, buildings, etc. In 1882 the officers elected were: president, George W. Pierce; vice-presidents, John Kraus and Alonzo Richmond; secretary, Oscar Wheelock; treasurer, W. S. Newton. The receipts this year amounted to $3,955.65. The expenses including $305.67 paid for the erection of building and $571.25 used to cancel the floating debt and interest were $3,044.00, leaving $911.25. At the last annual election which this work can record, 1883, the fol- lowing officers were elected: president, John Kraus; vice-presidents, H. P. Hopkins and A. H. Baker; secretary, H. W. White; treasurer, William S. Newton. A. H. Baker subsequently resigned and E. H. Hubbard was elected second vice-president by the board. The report of the treasurer, which covered the five years of his stewardship, set forth the financial improvement of the society during that time as shown in the past few paragraphs, and farther stated that out of the $911.25 just mentioned, he had paid $500.00 principal and $101.00 interest to George W. Pierce, leaving in the treasury on the 17th of January, 1883, the sum of $202.06. The same report showed that the total value of the property and cash of the society at that time was $7,146.29, and the amount due on the bond and mortgage to George M. Pierce was $706.00, leaving the actual value of the property $6,440.29. The grounds, located about midway between the village of Ham- burg and that of Abbott's Corners, are furnished with ample buildings and are extremely pleasant in every respect; the northern part being 332 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. shaded by trees, while in a beautiful glen is to be seen one of the finest springs of living water in the State, the unfailing flow of which keeps a pipe two inches in diameter constantly filled, although a considerable amount escapes and ripples over the ground beneath. The increased wealth and vitality of the society is largely represent- ative of the increased prosperity and higher development of agriculture in Erie county. Not only has there been a complete transformation in the character of the county since the pioneer period of seventy years ago, but there has been an immense change during the last forty years. Forty years ago the cultivated portion of the county was almost entirely devoted to the raising of crops and the dairy interest. The raising of stock was considered of comparatively little importance. The cattle were substantially all of the native breeds, dairying for market was in its infancy, and money could be obtained from any considerable number of cattle only by a long and weary drive across the country to New York or Philadelphia. Moreover, the Indian reservation, seven miles wide, stretched the whole width of the county. Here the roads were almost always in an extremely bad condition, and the access of the farmers in the southern part of the county to Buffalo was rendered especially difficult. A majority of the people had not yet paid all the purchase money of their farms, or at least had not been out of debt long enough to erect good buildings and thoroughly improve their farms. This condition related to the towns in the south part of the county. The northern or upper part, above the "reservation," was a limestone formation of soil well adapted to the production of the various grains of the climate and cul- tivated by industrious farmers, free from the road impediments of the other section, and its agricultural crops were in easier access to market; hence it was, in improvement, superior to it. About forty years ago, however, the reservation was open to settle- ment, and this was followed by the construction of comparatively good roads through it thus uniting the previously divided portions of the county. Near the same time continuons connection by railroad, east and west, was made with the city. The market for butter and cheese improved greatly, and this again stimulated their production. Within the past twenty-five years, cheese factories have sprung up in large num- bers through the county, and the production of cheese has become one of its principal industries. With increased profit from stock has come increased attention to this industry. Comfortable barns have been erected for cattle which once shivered through the winter as best they could, and improved breeds have been largely introduced. As before stated, Hon. L. F. Allen, of Buffalo, took the lead in this important work. Of late much has been done in this respect by wealthy men, residents of Buffalo, and others, such as Henry C. and Josiah Jewett, who own FINE HERDS OF THOROUHGBRED STOCK. 333 probably as fine a stud of horses-over one hundred in number-of as select breed as the State can show, besides a number of choice Holstein cattle at their large farm near East Aurora; also C. J. Hamlin, who has an equal number of fine horses which he keeps and breeds on his farm at East Aurora; and also J. D. Yeoman, who has fine horses and choice breeds of cattle on an extensive farm near the same village. In Short-horn cattle, Bronson C. Rumsey has a large herd which, in both quantity and pedigree, is not excelled by any others either in Eng- land or America, a large majority of the animals being selected and imported by himself and his agents in England, at unlimited expense. To them he is annually adding by their breeding—all kept on his large farm adjoining the great park within the city boundaries of Buffalo. Lewis F. Allen has a few Short-horn and Guernsey cattle on his Grand Island farm. S. D. Cornell, of Buffalo, has a choice herd of Short-horns at his farm on Grand Island. Hon. E. G. Spaulding has a large herd of thor- ough-bred Holstein, Jersey, Short-horn and other grades of those breeds at his "River Lawn," Grand Island farm, adjoining that of Mr. Allen. Carl Adam also has some Short-horns and their high grades on his Grand Island estate. Charles E. West, LL. D., now residing at Brooklyn, N. Y., has a fine herd of a few Short-horns and Jerseys, with their grade- descendants for dairy stock, at his considerable farm within the limits of Buffalo. C. J. Hamlin has a few good Short-horn cattle at his East Aurora farm. Jewett M. and Alonzo Richmond, together with Hiram P. Hopkins and R. L. Howard, all of Buffalo, have choice herds of Jerseys at their several farms in Hamburg. George L. Williams, of Buffalo, has a choice herd of Jerseys at his farm near Lockport. A. P. Wright of Buffalo, has as fine imported "Percheron" horses and Hol- stein cattle on his farm also near Lockport. E. W. Stewart, at Lake View, has a herd of Jerseys and their grades at his dairy farm, and a considerable herd of Holstein cattle were recently imported into Spring- ville, in this county. Burt Chaffee has a large herd of Holstein cattle at Concord. Many other farmers in this county are also improving their heads of dairy cows by infusion of the blood of the above mentioned breeds into their dairy herds. Choice breeds of sheep and swine are also bred by many parties in the county. So that taken together, prob- ably no one county in the State excels that of Erie in the possession and numbers of choice farm stock. Handsome, even elegant, commodious houses, with their outbuild- ings too, smooth fields, gardens, orchards and good fences, have taken the places of the rude structures and stump-disfigured tracts of forty years. ago, and few more pleasant scenes can be found than are revealed by a drive through almost any town in this great and prosperous county, whose agricultural advancement has been mainly achieved within the last forty years. 22* 334 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXXIV. COUNTY BUILDINGS. First Court House T — - Erie A Circular Plat - First Jail - Destruction of the Court House Another Erected The Second Jail - Erie County Penitentiary The Third Court House County Alms House-Movement for a County and City Hall Law Authorizing It - Commissioners Appointed — Franklin Square Selected - Ground Broken — Laying the Corner Stone Changes of Material The Work Completed - Celebration of the Event – Description of the Building — The New Jail. 'HE first court house in the present county of Erie was erected for the use of Niagara county by the association known as the Holland Company in the year 1805 and 1809. It was a frame building located in the centre of a half acre of land, laid out in the form of a circle, the centre of the circle being in the middle of North Onondaga, (now Washington) street, in the village of Buffalo, just east of Lafayette Square, and immediately in front of the site of the new court house- the one used from 1817 to 1876. The erection of the court house and jail was made incumbent on the Holland Company by the Legislature as a condition of the formation of the county of Niagara. It does not appear to have been accepted by the Judges of the County Court, in accordance with the law until 1810-at all events the deed of the lot before mentioned (which recites the acceptance of the building) was not executed until the 21st of November in that year. Even then it was not completed, for it was mentioned the next year as "an unfinished wooden court house." The jail, which the Holland Company was also required to build was of stone, and was situated on the site of the " Darrow block,” on the east side of Onondaga (Washington) street, between where Clinton and Eagle streets are now located. On the 30th of December, 1813, as already related, the village of Buffalo was burned by the British and Indians. The wooden court house was destroyed without difficulty, but the jail was harder to conquer. A fire was built in it, and the wood-work was somewhat injured, but the building as a whole, was not seriously damaged. It was repaired soon after the war, and remained in use as a jail nearly twenty years. Scarcely had the news of the conclusion of the treaty of peace been received, when the Legislature, in March, 1816, passed an act authorizing the supervisors of Niagara county, to raise four thousand dollars with which to build a new court house, This act was not car- ried into effect, apparently for the reason that the supervisors thought ERECTION OF COUNTY BUILDINGS. 335 the people could not stand so heavy a tax; for on the 17th of April, 1816, the Legislature passed an act loaning five thousand dollars to the county of Niagara, with which to build a court house, and appointing Samuel Tupper and Joseph Landon, of Buffalo, and Jonas Williams, of Williams- ville, as commissioners to direct its construction. Joseph Ellicott's plan of having the court house in the midst of a circular tract, which should cut Onondaga street in two parts, was set aside, the street was made continuous, and the west part of the block lying just east of the old site was acquired by the county for the new structure. In the spring of 1816 work was begun, and the building was so far advanced as to be occupied early in the year of 1817. It was built of brick, two stories high, with a porch in front, ornamented with white pillars running up to the cornice. A portion of the first floor was occu- pied as a County Clerk's office. It was considered and probably was the largest and finest building in Western New York. This was the only court house in Erie county until 1850. It was increased in size, however, by an extension to the rear, and other improvements were made in 1826. The old jail was also given up in 1833, or '34, the east part of the court house block was acquired by the county, and a new jail built upon it. In 1846 a law was passed authorizing the supervisors of Erie county to erect a penitentiary or work house for the occupation of prisoners under sentence for minor offences, for whom there was neither room nor labor at the jail, and whom it was not desirable to send to a State prison. It was erected in 1847, being substantially built of stone and located on Fifth street, between Pennsylvania and Root streets, Buffalo. In 1850, the old court house having become entirely inadequate to the business of the county, a new one was erected on the southeast corner of the same lot, facing on Clinton street. This was a square building of brick, three stories high, and built in the plainest manner, ast may be seen on inspection, it being the structure now occupied by the Young Men's Christian Association. It cost about $17,000.00. It was used for twenty-five years jointly with the older building-courts being held in one or the other as was convenient. In 1851 and 1852, the previous arrangements for the poor proving insufficient, a new alms-house was erected on a tract of one hundred and fifty-three acres of land located in what was then the town of Black Rock, but is now just inside the city of Buffalo on Main street, or, as that part of the street was then called, the Williamsville road. The first cost. of this structure was $20,000. The main building was destroyed by fire on the 21st of February, 1855, and was rebuilt the same year. But little change or effort for change was made in regard to the build- ings belonging to the county until the winter of 1870 and '71, when the Common Council of Buffalo and many leading citizens took steps to bring * 336 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. 1 about the erection of a large structure sufficient for the use of both county and city. On the 21st of April, 1871, the Legislature passed an act providing for the erection of such a building. Commissioners* were duly appointed by the Governor, who, after examining various proposed sites, selected Franklin square, between Delaware avenue and Franklin streets, Buffalo, as the most desirable location. The first estimate of the Commissioners placed the cost of the building at $772,000. In July, 1871, the Commissioners employed a superintendent + and accepted proposals for furnishing foundation stones, and ground was broken on the 21st of August, 1871. In April, 1872, A. J. Warren was employed as architect and his plan of the building adopted.‡ In October, 1873, an amended estimate was adopted, providing for the use of granite in place of a softer stone, for the use of black walnut or other hard wood in place of pine, and for various other improvements, making the total cost $1,207,234. This change was sactioned by the Legislature and by an act which declared that the total cost should not exceed $1,400,000. The work was carried forward through the years 1874 and 1875. Early in 1876 the building was announced to be ready for occupation, and on the 13th of March it was formally taken possession of by the Judges the Bar and the various county and city officers. A meeting of the Bar was held at the old (that is the oldest) court house on the preceding Saturday, at which a valuable and interesting paper was read by Hon. James Sheldon, giving a history of that court house, and of its prede- cessor, destroyed in 1813, and another by Hon, George R. Babcock, filled with reminiscences of the judges and lawyers who had there dis- played their judicial dignity and legal acumen—with brief addresses by Hon. George W. Clinton and Hon. James M. Smith. On the 13th, the Judges, the Bar and others met again at the old court house, and marched in procession to the new, where addresses were delivered by Hon. S. S. Rogers, Hon. A. P. Nichols and Hon. E. C. Sprague. The Common Council chamber was formally taken possession of on the afternoon of the same day, when addresses were delivered by Hon. *The first Board of Commissioners consisted of James M. Smith, Dennis Bowen and Albert P. Laning, of Buffalo; Jasper B. Youngs, of Williamsville, and Allen Potter, of East Hamburg. In May, 1872, by authority of an act of the Legislature, James Adams, Philip Becker and George S. Wardwell, of Buffalo; and John Nice, of Tonawanda. James M. Smith was chosen chairman. May, 1872, he resigned his place as commissioner on account of his appointment as Judge of the Superior Court. George W. Hayward, of Buffalo, was made commissioner in his place, and Mr. Wardwell was chosen chairman. In + The first Superintendent was Samuel H. Fields; he was succeeded in October, 1873, by Cooley S. Chapin, who remained in charge until the completion of the building. The corner stone of the "County and City Hall" as the structure was named, was laid on the 24th of June, 1872, with Masonic ceremonies by Christopher G. Fox, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, after an imposing procession through the streets, and an eloquent oration by Hon, Geo. W. Clinton. THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE AND CITY HALL, 337 Philip Becker, Mayor of Buffalo; by A. S. Bemis, Esq., President of the Common Council, and by Hon. George W. Clinton, Judge of the Superior Court, with short speeches by Aldermen Simons, Lothridge, Ambrose and Ferris. Of the building thus dedicated, in its completed form, we need say but little. This work is intended for the citizens of Erie county, and there are and will be few citizens of that county who have not gained or will not gain from actual observation, a better idea of the county and City Hall, than can be conveyed by printed words. Nevertheless, for convenience of reference, we will give some facts regarding it. The building is a double cross in form, having its main front on Franklin street, with a total length, parallel to that street, of two hun- dred and fifty-five feet-its greatest width, (through the arm of the cross, being one hundred and fifty-eight feet.) In other words, it may be described as a rectangle, one hundred and fourteen feet wide and two hundred and fifty-five feet long, with six projections, one at each end and two on each side; each projection being fifty-two feet broad, and running out twenty feet from the main part. The area on the ground is thus thirty-five thousand three hundred and ten square feet-or five hundred and sixty-two feet more than four-fifths of an acre. It has three stories above the basement; the first being finished on the outside in rough granite; the two higher ones in dressed granite. The parapet of the cornice is seventy-four feet high, while the highest parts of the slate roofs are one hundred and five feet high. The whole is surmounted by a large, square, central tower, containing in its lower part an immense clock, with four dials, each nine feet in diameter, while at the extreme top is an observatory two hundred feet above the earth. On turrets, situated at the four corners of the tower, stand statues sixteen feet high, representing, the one at the northeast corner, "Justice;" at the northwest," Mechanic Arts;" at the southeast "Agriculture;" at the southwest," Commerce." The general system of the interior is such that the county offices, court room, etc., shall be on the north side, while the city officials shall transact their business on the south side, although there are necessarily two or three exceptions to the rule. It is farther arranged so that those offices most used by the people, such as the County Clerk's, County Treasurer's, City Treasurer's, etc., shall be on the first floor; the Court rooms principally on the second floor, and the Common Council chamber, Supervisors' room, etc., on the third floor. The Common Council cham- ber occupies the whole south end of the third story, and is furnished in a style of remarkable, if not superfluous splendor. Two or three Court rooms, however, are on the third floor. The center, from top to bottom, is occupied by a large open space, with corridors extending north and south, while three apertures through the two upper floors, provide for ample ventilation. 338 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The floors of the hall and corridors, and of the uncarpeted portions of the rooms, are of marble; the exposed wood-work is of black walnut, and the metal-work, of which there is considerable, is composed of or finished in bronze. In the basement are furnaces, together with engines and appliances for supplying all parts of the building with either warm or cold air, according to the season. As a whole, the County and City Hall, as to both its interior and its exterior, impresses the spectator with the idea of solid construction, con- venient arrangement, and harmonious proportion in a remarkable degree. We think we are perfectly safe in saying that there is no building in the city of New York, belonging to the public, which equals it-hardly one that approaches it in either of these particulars. We do not believe there is one in America, which surpasses it in those respects. Although some tax-payers have doubtless thought that a smaller and less ornate structure, costing less than fourteen hundred thousand dollars, would have served equally well the purpose of the public, yet all who under- stand and have examined the subject, admit that such a building as was erected could not have been constructed for less money, and that it is in every way admirably adapted to the present and future use of the county of Erie, and the city of Buffalo. It is a good, honest, substantial, service- able structure, inside and outside, from front to rear, from end to end, From turret to foundation stone." The only County buildings erected since the County and City Hall, have been the new jail and a wing to the Insane Asylum connected with the County Alms House. The former is situated on the west side of Delaware Avenue, opposite the County and City Hall. It is plainly built of gray stone, but is of ample size, and cost about two hundred thousand dollars. It was built in 1877 and '78. The wing of the Insane Asylum was also erected during the same years. ERIE COUNTY CIVIL LIST. 339 CHAPTER XXXV. CIVIL LIST. President - Vice-President Secretary of War · Postmaster-General Foreign Ministers- United States Judge - United States District Attorney United States District Attorney - Clerks of the District Court Superintendent of Public Printing Office — Members of the House of Representatives · Presidential Electors - Generals of the Regular Army Generals of the Regular Army — Governor of New York - Lieuten- ant-Governor Secretary of State Attorney General Comptrollers-State Treasurers— Canal Commissioners - Inspector of State Prisons Superintendent of Public Instruction Circuit Judge Regent of the University — Canal Appraisers — Judge of the Court of Claims —Judges of the Supreme Court - Member of the Council of Appointment - State Senators — Members of Assembly — Members of Constitutional Conventions- First Judges of the Common Pleas - County Judges -- Sheriffs - County Clerks - District Attorneys — Surro- gates County Treasurers School Commissioners. 'HE following is a list of names of all persons who have held prom- inent civil offices in the National, State or County Government, while residents of Erie county:- Tinent civil ofices in the Nationa NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. President of the United States.—Millard Fillmore, from July 9, 1850, to March 3, 1853. Vice-President of the United States.-Millard Fillmore, from March 4, 1849, to July 9, 1850. Secretary of War.-Peter B. Porter, from May 26, 1828, to March 9, 1829. Postmaster-General.-Nathan K. Hall, from July 23, 1850, to Septem- ber 14, 1852. Ministers in Foreign Countries.—Thomas M. Foote, Chargé d'Affaires in New Granada, from the spring of 1849 to the summer of 1852; Thomas M. Foote, Chargé d'Affaires in Austria, from the summer of 1852 to the spring of 1853; James O. Putnam, Minister Resident in Belgium, from May 19, 1880, to July 1, 1882.* Judge of the District Court of Northern New York.-Nathan K. Hall, from September 1852, until his death, March 2, 1874. District-Attorney, District of Northern New York.-William Dor- sheimer, from March 1867, to March 1871. Clerks of the District Court.-Aurelian Conkling, from March 31, 1847, to May 30, 1861; George Gorham, from May 30, 1861, to January 1, 1867; Orsamus H. Marshall, from January 1, 1867, to February 11, 1868; Millard P. Fillmore, from February 11, 1868, to October 20, 1874; Winfield Robbins, from October 20, 1874, and is present incumbent. During his term Mr. Putnam was appointed by the Government and served as delegate to the International Industrial Congress held at Paris in November, 1881. 340 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Superintendent of the Public Printing Office.-Almon M. Clapp, from June 4, 1869, to April 6, 1877. Members of the House of Representatives.—Peter B. Porter,* Eleventh Congress, re-elected to the Twelfth, holding from March, 4, 1809, to March 4, 1813; Peter B. Porter, Fourteenth Congress,† from March 4, 1815, till his resignation in February, 1816; Archibald S. Clarke, Four- teenth Congress, from his election in June, 1816, to March 3, 1817; Ben- jamin Ellicott, Fifteenth Congress, March 4, 1817, to March 3, 1819; Albert H. Tracy, Sixteenth Congress, re-elected to Seventeenth and Eighteenth, holding from March 4, 1819, to March 3, 1825 Ebenezer F. Norton, Twenty-first Congress,§ March 4, 1829, to March 3, 1831; Millard Fillmore, Twenty-third Congress, March 4, 1833, to March 3, 1835; Thomas C. Love, Twenty-fourth Congress, March 4, 1835, to March 3, 1837; Millard Fillmore, Twenty-fifth Congress, re-elected to the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh, holding from March 4, 1837, to March 3, 1843; William A. Moseley, Twenty-eighth Congress, re-elected to the Twenty-ninth, holding from March 4, 1842, to March 3, 1847; Nathan K. Hall, Thirtieth Congress, March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1849; Elbridge G. Spaulding, Thirty-first Congress, March 4, 1849, to March 3, 1851; Solomon G. Haven, Thirty-second Congress, re-elected to the Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth, holding from March 4, 1851, to March 3, 1857; Israel T. Hatch, Thirty-fifth Congress, March 4, 1857, to March 3, 1859; Elbridge G. Spaulding, Thirty-sixth Congress, re-elected to the Thirty-seventh, holding from March 4, 1859, to March 3, 1863;¶ John Ganson, Thirty-eighth Congress, March 4, 1863, to March 3, 1865; James M. Humphrey, Thirty-ninth Congress, re-elected to the Fortieth, holding from March 4, 1865, to March 3, 1869; David S. Bennett, Forty- first Congress, March 4, 1869, to March 3, 1871; William Williams, Forty-second Congress, March, 4, 1871, to March 3, 1873;** Lyman K. Bass, Forty-third Congress, re-elected to the Forty-fourth, holding from March 4, 1873, to March 3, 1877; Daniel N. Lockwood, Forty-fourth Congress, March 4, 1877, to March 3, 1879; Ray V. Pierce, Forty-fifth * Mr. Porter represented the Thirteenth Congressional district, composed of Allegany, Catta- raugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara and Ontario counties. When elected he was a resident of Canandaigua, but he removed to Black Rock in the spring of 1810. + There was no representative from Niagara county in the Thirteenth Congress. In 1812 Alle- gany, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara and Ontario counties had been formed into the Twenty-first district with two representatives. In 1822 Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties were made the Thirtieth district (with one member) which Mr. Tracy represented during his last term. § The District was represented in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Congresses by Daniel G. Garnsey, of Chautauqua county. county. This District was represented in the Twenty-second Congress by Bates Cook, of Niagara In 1832 Erie county was made the Thirty-second district. In 1862 Erie county was made the Thirtieth district. **In 1873 Erie county was again made the Thirty-second district. NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICIALS. 341 Congress, holding from March 4, 1879 to his resignation in the summer of 1880; Jonathan Scoville, vacancy in Forty-fifth Congress, also elected at same time to Forty-sixth Congress, holding from his election in Novem- ber, 1880, to March 3, 1883; William F. Rogers, Forty-seventh Congress, to hold from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1885. Presidential Electors.-Samuel Russell, 1824; Ebenezer Walden, 1828; Major A. Andrews, 1832; Guy H. Goodrich, 1836; Henry R. Seymour, 1840; Jonathan Hascall Jr., 1844; William Ketchum, 1848; William L. G. Smith, 1852; Rufus Wheeler, 1856; James O. Putnam (at large) and John Greiner, Jr., 1860; Joseph Candee, 1864; William G. Fargo, 1868; Pascal P. Pratt, 1872; Cyrus Clarke, 1876; Sherman S. Jewett, 1880. Generals of the Regular Army.-Though hardly belonging in a "Civil" List, we append here the records of the following officers of the Regular army: Bennett Riley, appointed Ensign January 19, 1813; Third Lieuten- ant, March 12, 1813; Second Lieutenant, April 15, 1814; First Lieuten- ant, March 31, 1817; Captain, August 6, 1818; Major, September 26, 1837; Lieutenant-Colonel, December 1, 1839; Colonel, January 31, 1850; Brevet Brigadier-General, April 18, 1847; Brevet Major-General, August 20, 1847; died June, 1853. Albert J. Myer, appointed Major and Chief Signal Officer, June 27, 1860; Brevet Colonel, July 2, 1862; Brevet Brigadier-General, March 13, 1865; Colonel and Chief Signal Officer, July 28, 1866; Brigadier- General and Chief Signal Officer, June 16, 1880. STATE GOVERNMENT. Governor of New York.-Grover Cleveland, elected in November, 1882, to hold from January 1, 1883, to December 31, 1885. Lieutenant-Governor.-William Dorsheimer, elected for two years in 1874, re-elected for three years in 1876; holding from January 1, 1875, to December 31, 1879. Secretary of State.-Peter B. Porter, appointed February 16, 1815; · resigned February 12, 1816. Attorney-General.—George P. Barker, appointed February 7, 1842; held till February 3, 1845. Comptrollers.-Millard Fillmore, from January 1, 1848, to his resigna- tion, February 20, 1849; Nelson K. Hopkins, elected in November, 1871, re-elected in 1873, holding from January 1, 1872, to December 31, 1875. State Treasurers.-Benjamin Welch, Jr., elected in November, 1851, election contested, office awarded him by the Court, November 20, 1852, held till December 31, 1853; Elbridge G. Spaulding, served from Janu- ary 1, 1854, to December, 31, 1855; Isaac V. Vanderpoel served from January 1, 1858, to December 31, 1859; Philip Dorsheimer, served from January 1, 1860, to December 31, 1861. 342 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Canal Commissioners.-Peter B. Porter, appointed March 11, 1810, serving till the repeal of the first canal law, April 15, 1814; John T. Hud- son, appointed December 3, 1846, holding until December 31, 1847 ; Franklin A. Alberger, elected in November, 1861, re-elected in 1864, holding from January 1, 1862, until December 31, 1867. Inspector of State's Prisons.-Solomon Scheu, elected in November, 1867; serving from January 1, 1868, to December 31, 1870. Superintendent of Public Instruction.-Victor M. Rice, elected by Leg- islature for three years, holding from April 4, 1854, to April 3, 1857; Victor M. Rice, elected in 1862, re-elected in 1865, holding from Feb- ruary 1, 1862, to January 31, 1868. Regent of the University.—George W. Clinton, elected by the Legis- lature March 6, 1856; holds for life. Canal Appraisers.-Thaddeus Davis, appointed for three years in 1873; William J. Morgan, appointed for three years, January 28, 1880; no successor being appointed, he held until the establishment of the Court of Claims in May, 1883. Judge of the Court of Claims.-Henry F. Allen, appointed in May, 1883. Circuit Judge.-Albert H. Tracy, appointed March 26, 1826, declined. Judges of the Supreme Court.-Seth E. Sill, elected June 7, 1847, serv- ing from the first Monday of July, 1847, until his death, September 15, 1851; Benjamin F. Green, elected in November, 1853, serving from Jan- uary 1, 1854, until his death, August 7, 1860; James G. Hoyt,* appointed September 28, 1860, in place of Green, deceased, elected for full term in November, 1861, serving from his appointment until his death, Octo- ber 29, 1863; Charles Daniels, elected in November, 1863 in place of Hoyt, deceased, appointed on the 9th of the same month, pending the action of the State canvassers, re-elected in 1869, for eight years, and in 1877, for fourteen years, serving from November 9, 1863 to the present time, term expires December 31, 1891; Albert Haight, elected in November, 1876, to hold from January 1, 1877, to December 31, 1890; Loran L. Lewis, elected in November, 1882, to hold from January 1, 1883, to Decem- ber 31, 1896. Member of the Council of Appointment.+-Archibald S. Clarke,‡ elected by the Assembly from the Senators of the Western district, February 5, 1816, serving one year. State Senators.-Archibald S. Clarke, from July, 1812, to July, 1816; Oliver Forward, from July, 1820, to December 31, 1822, when term * Judge Hoyt had been elected to the Supreme Bench in 1847, but was then a resident of Wyom- ing county. He subsequently resigned, and still later removed to Erie county, where he was again elevated to the bench as above stated. This important body appointed nearly all the executive and judicial officers in the State, it was abolished by the Constitution of 1821. While he held the office mentioned in this chapter, Mr. Clarke resided in what is now the town of Newstead, Erie county. Many years later he removed to Cattaraugus county, in which he is erroneously credited as an official, in several statistical works. STATE SENATORS— MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY. 343 ་ expired under the provisions of the constitution of that year; Samuel Wilkeson,* elected in November, 1825, serving from January, 1, 1826, to December 31, 1829; Albert H. Tracy, elected in November, 1829, re- elected in 1833, serving from January 18, 1830, 'to December 31, 1837; William A. Mosely, elected in November, 1837, serving from January 1, 1838, until December 31, 1841; Carlos Emmons, elected in November, 1844, holding from January 1, 1845, until December 31, 1847 ;† John T. Bush, elected in November, 1847, holding through the years 1848 and '49; George R. Babcock, elected in November, 1849, re-elected in 1851, hold- ing from January 1, 1850, to December 31, 1853; James O. Putnam, elected in November, 1853, holding from January 1, 1854, to December 31, 1855; James Wadsworth, elected in November, 1855, re-elected in 1857, holding from January 1, 1856, to his resignation, August 18, 1858; Eras- tus S. Prosser, elected in place of Wadsworth in November, 1858, re- elected in 1859, holding from his election until December 31, 1861; John Ganson, elected in November, 1861, holding from January 1, 1862, until he took his seat in Congress, the first Monday in December, 1863; James M. Humphrey, elected in November, 1863, holding from January 1, 1864, until he took his seat in Congress, on the first Monday in December, 1865; David S. Bennett, elected in November, 1865, holding throughout 1866 and 1867; Asher P. Nichols, elected in November, 1867, holding throughout 1868 and 1869; Loren L. Lewis, elected in November, 1869, re-elected in 1870, holding from January 1, 1870, till December 31, 1873; John Ganson, elected in November, 1873, holding from January 1, 1874, until his death, September 28, 1874; Albert P. Laning, elected in Novem- ber, 1874, in place of Ganson, deceased, holding from his election until December 31, 1875; Sherman S. Rogers, elected in November,.1875, hold- ing from January 1, 1876, until his resignation September 5, 1876; E. Carlton Sprague, elected in November, 1876, in place of Rogers, resigned, holding from his election until December 31, 1877; Ray V. Pierce, elected in November, 1877, holding from January 1, 1878, until he took his seat in Congress, on the first Monday of December, 1879; Benjamin H. Williams, elected in November, 1879; Robert C. Titus, elected in November, 1881, and re-elected in November, 1883. Members of the Assembly.-Archibald S. Clarke, elected in the spring of 1808, re-elected in 1809 and 1810, holding from July, 1808, to July, 1811; Ebenezer Walden, held from July, 1811, to July, 1812; Jonas Williams, elected in spring of 1812, re-elected in 1813, held from July, 1812, to July, 1814; Joseph McClure, July, 1814, to July, 1815; Daniel * Under the second as under the first Constitution the Senators were elected for four years, sev- eral were elected from each Senatorial District, so that there was not always a Senator from Erie county. Dr. Emmons' term was shortened a year by the operation of the Constitution of 1846, which divided the State into thirty-two districts, each electing one Senator for two years in 1847, 1849, and each succeeding odd numbered year. Erie county has ever since constituted the Thirty-first Sena- torial District. * 344 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. McCleary and Elias Osborn, July, 1815 to July, 1816; Richard Smith, July, 1816 to July, 1817; Isaac Phelps, elected in spring of 1817, re-elected in 1818, holding from July, 1817 to July, 1819; Oliver For- ward, July, 1819 to July 1820; Thomas B. Campbell, elected in spring of 1820, re-elected in 1821, holding from July, 1820, to December 31, 1822. By the Constitution of 1821, ratified by the people in January, 1822, the terms of the Members of the Legislature then in office, were extended until the last day of December, 1822, and thenceforward their terms cor- responded with the years. We therefore give the name of the subse- quent members under their respective years of service: 1823. Ebenezer F. Norton. 1824. Samuel Wilkeson. 1825.-Calvin Fillmore. 1826,-Reuben B. Heacock.* 1827. David Burt, Oziel Smith. 1828. David Burt, Peter B. Porter. 1829.-David Burt, Millard Fillmore. 1830.- Millard Fillmore, Edmund Hull. 1831.— Millard Fillmore, Nathaniel Knight. 1832.-Horace Clark, William Mills. 1833.-Horace Clark, William Mills. 1834.—Joseph Clary, Carlos Emmons. 1835.-William A. Mosely, Ralph Plumb. 1836.-George P. Barker, Wells Brooks.t 1837. Squire S. Case, Benjamin O. Bivins, Elisha Smith. 1838.-Lewis F. Allen, Cyrenius Wilber, Asa Warren. 1839.--Jacob A. Barker, Henry Johnson, Truman Cary. 1840.-Seth C. Hawley, Stephen Osborn, Aaron Salisbury. 1841. S. C. Hawley, Seth Osborn, Carlos Emmons. 1842.-William A. Bird, Squire S. Case, Bela H. Colegrove. 1843.-George R. Babcock, Milton McMeal, Wells Brooks. 1844.-Daniel Lee, Amos Wright, Elisha Smith. 1845. Daniel Lee, John T. Bush, Truman Dewey. 1846.-Nathan K. Hall, John T. Bush, James Wood.t 1847.-Horatio Shumway, John D. Howe, William H. Pratt, Obadiah J. Green. 1848.—Elbridge G. Spaulding, Harry Slade, Ira E. Irish, Charles C. Severance. 1849.-Benoni Thompson, Augustus Raynor, Marcus McNeal, Luther Buxton. 1850.-Orlando Allen, Elijah Ford, Ira E. Irish, Joseph Candee. 1851.-Orlando Allen, William A. Bird, Henry Atwood, Charles C. Severance. *In 1826, Erie county was allotted two Members of Assembly, to be elected on a general ticket. + After this there were three Members of Assembly from Frie county, still all elected on one ticket. The Legislature of 1846, gave Erie county four Members of Assembly, and the constitution of that year provided that in 1847 the county should be divided into districts, each of which should thereafter elect one member. The names thenceforward are inserted here in the order of their respective districts. MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY. 345 • 1852.-Israel T. Hatch, Jasper B. Youngs, Aaron Riley, Joseph Bennett. 1853.-Almon M. Clapp, William T. Bush, Israel N. Ely, Nelson Welch. 1854. William W. Weed, Rollin Germain, Charles A. Sill, Edward N. Hatch. 1855.-William W. Weed, Daniel Devening, Jr., Lorenzo D. Covey, Seth W. Goddard. 1856.—John G. Deshler, Daniel Devening, Jr., John Clark, Benjamin Maltby. 1857.—Augustus J. Tiffany, George DeWitt Clinton, Horace Boies, S. Cary Adams. 1858.-Albert P. Laning, Andrew J. McNett, John T. Wheelock, Amos Avery. 1859. Daniel Bowen, Henry B. Miller, John S. King, Wilson Rogers. 1860.-Orlando Allen, Henry B. Miller, Hiram Newell, Joseph H. Plumb. 1861.-Stephen V. R. Watson, Victor M. Rice, Benjamin H. Long, Zebulon Ferris. 1862.-John W. Murphy, Horatio Seymour, Ezra P. Goslin, John A. Case. 1863.—John W. Murphy, Horatio Seymour, Timothy A. Hopkins, Anson G. Conger. 1864.-Walter W. Stanard, Frederick P. Stevens, Timothy A. Hop- kins, Seth Fenner. 1865.-Walter W. Stanard, Harmon S. Cutting, John G. Langner, Edwin W. Godfrey. 1866. William Williams, J. L. C. Jewett, John G. Langner, Levi Potter.* 1867.—Charles W. Hinson, William Williams, Roswell L. Burrows, Alpheus Prince, Joseph H. Plumb. 1868.—George J. Bamler, Richard Flach, Lewis P. Dayton, Alpheus Prince, James Rider. 1869.-G. J. Bamler, Philip H. Bender, J. A. Chase, C. B. Rich, Abbott C. Calkins. 1870.-George J. Bamler, James Franklin, A. H. Blossom, Harry B. Ransom, Lyman Oatman. 1871.-George Chambers, John Howell, Franklin A. Alberger, H. B. Ransom, John M. Wiley. 1872.—George Chambers, George Baltz, F. A. Alberger, John Nice, John M. Wiley. 1873.-John O'Brian, George Baltz, F. A. Alberger, John Nice, Robert B. Foote. 1874.-Patrick Hanrahan, Joseph W. Smith, F. A. Alberger, John Nice, Robert B. Foote. 1875.—Patrick Hanrahan, William W. Lawson, Edward Gallagher, Harry B. Ransom, William A. Johnson. 1876. Daniel Cruice, W. W. Lawson, Edward Gallagher, Charles F. Tabor, Bertrand Chaffee. 1877.-John L. Crowley, John G. Langner, Edward Gallagher, Charles F. Tabor, Charles A. Orr. Since 1866, Erie county has had five members elected, as before, by district. 346 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. 1878.—John L. Crowley, John G. Langner, David F. Day, Harvey J. Hurd, Henry F. Allen. 1879.-Bernard F. Gentsch, Simon P. Swift, James A. Roberts, Harvey J. Hurd, William A. Johnson. 1880.-Jules O'Brien, Frank Sipp, James Ash, James A. Roberts, Harvey J. Hurd. 1881.—Jeremiah Higgins, Frank Sipp, Arthur W. Hickman, George Bingham, Harvey J. Hurd, 1882.-Jeremiah Higgins, Frank Sipp, Arthur W. Hickman, Timothy W. Jackson, Job Southwick. 1883.-Cornelius Donohue, Godfrey Ernst, Elias S. Hawley, Timothy W. Jackson, David J. Wilcox. 1884. Frank Sipp, George Clinton, Timothy W. Jackson, David J. Wilcox. Members of Constitutional Conventions.-Convention of 1821, Samuel Russel; Convention of 1846, Horatio J. Stow, Absalom Bull, Amos Wright, Aaron Salisbury; Convention of 1867, George W. Clinton, Isaac A. Verplanck, Joseph G. Masten, Allen Potter. Constitutional Commis- sion of 1873, Sherman S. Rogers. COUNTY OFFICERS. First Judges of the Common Pleas.-Samuel Tupper,* May 27, 1812, to February 21, 1818; Samuel Wilkeson, appointed Judge of Niagara county November 10, 1820; retained that position when that county was divided, as Judge of Erie county. By the Constitution of 1821, his judgeship expired on the 31st of December, 1822, except that he retained that office until his successor was appointed. Ebenezer Walden, Febru- ary 1, 1823, to April 4, 1828; Thomas C. Love, from April 4, 1828, to his resignation, in March, 1829; Philander Bennett, from April 3, 1829, to July, 1837; James Stryker, July 16, 1837, until his resignation, in Decem- ber, 1840; Joseph Clary, appointed January 15, 1841; Nathan K. Hall, from January 26, 1841, until his resignation, in January, 1845; Frederick P. Stevens, from January 18, 1845, until the expiration of his term, under the provisions of the Constitution of 1841, on the first Monday of July, 1847. County Judges.—Frederick P. Stevens, from the first Monday of July, 1847, until the 31st day of December, 1851; Jesse Walker, from January 1, 1852, until his death, in September, 1852: James Sheldon appointed in place * The first “First Judge" of Niagara county was Augustus Porter, who resided outside of what is now Erie county. Judge Tupper's successor, William Hotchkiss, also lived north of the Tona- wanda. + By that Constitution, also, Judges of the Common Pleas held five years, or until their succes- sors were appointed. By the constitution of 1846, County Judges were substituted for First Judges of the Common Pleas, and were elected by the people for four years, except the first one, whose term was four years and a half. COUNTY JUDges — Sheriffs ~ COUNTY CLERKS. 347 of Walker, deceased; elected in November, 1852; re-elected in 1856 and 1860; serving from September 27, 1852, until December 31, 1864; Stephen Lockwood, from January 1, 1865, to December 31, 1868; Roswell L. Bur- rows, from January 1, 1869, to December 31, 1872;* Albert Haight, from January 1, 1873, until his becoming Judge of the Supreme Court, Janu- ary 1, 1877; George W. Cothran, appointed in January, 1877, served until December 31, 1877; William W. Hammond, elected in November, 1877, and re-elected in November, 1883. Sheriffs-Asa Ransom, (for Niagara county) from March 6, 1808, until March 6, 1810; Samuel Pratt, Jr., from March 7, 1810, until February 5, 1811; Asa Ransom, from February 3, 1811, to March 25, 1813; Nathaniel Sill, appointed March 16, 1813, declined; Cyrenius Chapin, from March 26, 1813, to March, 1814; Asa Ransom, from March 5, 1814, to February, 1818; James Cronk, from February 8, 1818, to February 3, 1821; John G. Camp, appointed Sheriff of Niagara county, February 4, 1821; after division, remained Sheriff of Erie county until December 31, 1822. From that time there has been a regular succession of Sheriffs elected by the people for three years; so we need only give their names, with their years of service: Wray S. Littlefield, 1823-'25; John G. Camp, 1826–28; Lemuel Wasson, 1829-31; Stephen Osborn, 1832-'34; Lester Brace, 1835-37; Charles P. Persons, 1838-40; Lorenzo Brown, 1841-43; Ralph Plumb, 1844-46; Timothy A. Hopkins, 1847-'49; LeRoy Farnham, 1850-'52; Joseph Candee, 1853-'55; Orrin Lockwood, 1856-'58; Gus- tavus A. Scroggs, 1859-'61; Robert H. Best, 1862-'64; Oliver J. Eggert, 1865-'67; Charles Darcy, 1868-'70; Grover Cleveland, 1871-'73; John B. Weber, 1874-'76; Joseph L. Haberstro, 1877-'79; William W. Lawson, 1880-'82; Harry H. Koch, elected for 1883, 1884 and 1885. County Clerks.-Louis LeCouteulx, appointed clerk of Niagara county, March 26, 1808; Juba Storrs, appointed March 7, 1810; Louis LeCouteulx, appointed February 11, 1811, Zenas Barker, appointed March 16, 1813; Archibald S. Clarke, appointed Feb- ruary 28, 1815; Frederick E. Merrill, appointed November 6, 1816; John E. Marshall, appointed March 2, 1819; James L. Barton, ap- pointed for Niagara county, February 12, 1821; after the division, continued as Clerk of Erie county until December 31, 1822. Thence- forward the clerks were elected by the people for three years. Their names and years of service were as follows: Jacob A. Baker, 1823–’28; Elijah Leech, 1829-31; Noah P. Sprague, 1832-34; Horace Clark, * By the "Judiciary Article" adopted in- to six years. -the term of County Judge was extended On account of a real or imaginary defect in the election of County Judges in 1877, another election was called in November, 1878, at which Judge Hammond was again chosen. 348 HISTORY OF Erie County. 1835-'37; Cyrus K. Anderson, 1838-'40; Noah P. Sprague, 1841–43; Manly Colton, 1844-'46; Moses Bristol, 1847-49; Wells Brooks, 1850–'52; William Andre, 1853-'55; Peter M. Vosburgh, 1856-'58; Obadiah J. Greene, 1859-'61; Charles R. Durkee, 1862-'64; Lewis P. Dayton, 1865-'67; John H. Andrus, 1868-'70; James H. Fisher, 1871-'73; George L. Remington; 1874-'76; David C. Oatman, 1877-'79; Robert B. Foote, 1880-'82; Joseph Ewell, elected for 1883, 1884 and 1885. District Attorneys.*—Charles G. Olmstead, appointed (for Niagara county) June 11, 1818; Heman B. Potter, appointed for Niagara county, February 13, 1819, continued as District Attorney for Erie county after the division until 1829; Thomas C. Love, appointed in March, 1829:† George P. Barker, appointed in 1835; Henry K. Smith, appointed in 1838; Henry W. Rogers, appointed in 1841; Solomon G. Haven, appointed in 1844; George P. Barker, appointed in 1846, serving until December 31, 1847. District Attorneys were subsequently elected by the people for three years; the following being a list of them, with their years of service: Benjamin H. Austin, 1848, 1849 and 1850; Charles H. S. Williams, 1851 and 1852, resigned in November, 1852; John L. Tal- cott, appointed December 3, 1852, served until December 31, 1853; Albert Swain, 1854, 1855 and 1856; James M. Humphrey, 1857, 1858 and 1859; Freeman J. Fithian, 1860, 1861 and 1862; Cyrenius C. Torrence, 1863, 1864 and 1865; Lyman K. Bass, 1866, 1867, 1868, re-elected and served in 1869, 1870 and 1871; Benjamin H. Williams, 1872, 1873 and 1874; Daniel N. Lockwood, 1875, 1876 and 1877; Robert C. Titus, 1878, 1879 and 1880; Edward W. Hatch, 1881, 1882 and 1883, re-elected in Novem- ber, 1883. Surrogates.-Archibald S. Clarke, appointed (for Niagara county) March 26, 1808; Otis R. Hopkins, appointed May 27, 1812; Amos Cal- lender, appointed March 16, 1813; Ebenezer Johnson, appointed Febru- ary 28, 1815; Roswell Chapin, appointed February 17, 1821, continued as Surrogate of Erie county, after the division; Ebenezer Johnson, appointed February 19, 1828; Martin Chittenden, appointed February 24, 1832, died in office the same year; Israel T. Hatch, appointed Jan- uary 11, 1833; Samuel Caldwell, appointed January 6, 1836; Thomas C. Love, appointed January 15, 1841; Peter M. Vosburgh, appointed Jan- uary 24, 1845, serving until the first Monday of July, 1847, elected by. the people, under the provisions of the Constitution of 1846, in June, * Previous to 1818, there was but one District Attorney in each district, containing many coun- ties. None had resided in Niagara county. In that year the Legislature enacted that there should be a District Attorney in each county. Under the Constitution of 1821, District Attorenys were appointed by the Judges of the Common Pleas and the Board of Supervisors, and there are no records showing the dates of day or month. COUNTY TREASURERS - SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. 349 1847, from the first Monday of July, 1847, until the 31st of December, 1851; Charles D. Norton served in 1852, '53, '54 and '55; Abram Thorn, 1856, '57, '58 and '59; Charles C. Severance, 1860, '61, '62 and '63; Jona- than Hascall, 1864, '65,'66 and '67; Horatio Seymour, 1868, '69, '70 and '71;* Zebulon Ferris, 1872, '73, '74, '75, '76 and '77 ; re-elected and served in 1878, '79, '80, '81, '82 and '83. County Superintendent of Schools.-E. S. Ely, from 1843 to 1847. County Treasurers since 1848.-Christian Metz, Jr.,elected by the peo- ple for three years in 1848, serving in 1849, '50 and '51; re-elected, serv- ing in 1852, '53 and '54; James D. Warren, 1855, '56 and '57; Lyman B. Smith, 1858, '59 and '60; Norman B. McNeal, 1861, '62 and '63; Francis C. Brunck, 1864, '65 and '66; Charles R. Durkee, 1867, '68 and '69; William B. Sirrett, elected in November, 1869; re-elected in 1872, 1875, and 1878; serving from January 1, 1870, to December 31, 1881; Henry R. Jones, elected for 1882, '83 and '84. School Commissioners.-First District: Moses Lane, E. Danforth, Garra K. Lester, David W. Hershey, Buradore Wiltse, Benjamin F. McNeal, Garra K. Lester, Henry Lapp, (1870, 1871, 1872;) Charles A. Young, (1873, 1874, 1875;) A. McCullum Ball, (1876, 1877, 1878;) Louis Wende, (1879, 1880;) Henry K. Fullerton, (1881 ;) John J. Lentz, (elected for 1882, 1883, 1884.) Second District: Amos Freeman, Byron F. Pratt, Thomas J. Powers, Ebenezer Holmes, James F. Crooker, (1870, 1871, 1872;) George Abbott, (1873, 1874, 1875;) George W. Holmes, (1876, 1877, 1878;) George Abbott, (1879, 1880, 1881;) Charles H. Ide, (elected for 1882, 1883, 1884.) Third District: Hiram A. Curran, Van Rensselaer Cary, Henry S. Stebbins, Pulaski L. Leggett, S. W. Soule, (1870, 1871, 1872;) Russell J. Vaughan, (1873, 1874, 1875;) Mark Whiting, (1876, 1877, 1878;) John A. Wells, (1879, 1880, 1881;) Gurney O. Dillingham, (elected for 1882, 1883, 1884.) * Term extended to six years. 23 350 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER XXXVI. GEOLOGY OF ERIE COUNTY, * — The Method Employed The Sea Beaches and the Rocks Coral Reefs and Limestone Beds- The Rocks under Erie County - Their Location — The Ancient Inland Sea - Deposition of the Rocks of the Onondaga Salt Group — Formation of Coral Reefs — Ground into Lime — Formation of the Waterlime Group - The Age of Fishes — Pure Limestone — Coral Remains at Williamsville Deposit of the Corniferous Limestone Clay Turned into Shale — Carbonaceous Matter Intermixed Later Clay Deposits Without Carbon stone Again - Moscow Shale Tully Limestone - Genesee Slate Portage Group-Rocks Farther South - The Pennsylvania Coal Beds - Excavation of the Niagara, Tonawanda, Etc -- The Great Ice Period G tion Corals and Lime- Sand Formations - The Formation of Rivers — Its Effect Its Direc- - Lake Beaches The Bowlder Clay It Fills the Valleys — Formation of Lake Erie The Bowlders—Their Origin — Excavation of Cattaraugus Creek -- Eighteen Mile Creek, Etc. - Evidence of Time of Excavations Growth of Forests - Present Surface No Gold or Silver- No Coal or Oil-Existence of Salt Probable - Valuable Cement - Buffalo Marble- Building Stone. EOLOGY is that branch of science which treats of the origin and structure of the various rock-formations found in the earth's crust, and of the changes which our globe has undergone in the course of ages. The method used to ascertain the truth on these points rests upon the principle that rocks were formed in past ages substantially as they are formed now. For example, we go to the sea-shore, and observe the sands thrown up by the waves, layer upon layer; we note how the advancing waters raise ripples on the surface of the same, which the next wave buries beneath its deposit; we see that these sand-beds are often continued for miles beneath the sea and that they are formed of the successive deposits made by the ever-moving waters; then we go among the hard inland rocks, and find strata made of sand in irregular layers, much like those on the beach, and on separating such layers we discover ripple-marks as distinct and regular as if just made by the waves; in another place we find layers of rounded, polished pebbles, such as occur beneath rapidly moving waters, whether waves or rivers; we remark that these hard rocks differ from the loose sand or pebbly deposits simply in being solidified, and we naturally conclude that they were originally formed in substantially the same manner. We may see, on another shore, extensive beds of limestone being formed from corals and sheils; we may watch the process of accumula- tion, and find the remains of both corals and shells in the compact mass. * By Julius Pohlman, M. D. GEOLOGY OF ERIE COUNTY. 351 If we then meet elsewhere with a limestone containing similar remains, we infer that it, too, was slowly formed from corals and shells, as is the limestone of the present coral regions. These examples give an idea of the mode of reasoning employed by geologists. The facts and laws of the world as it is, form the key to the history of the world as it has been. I will now give an outline of that history, so far as it effects the physical structure of the county of Erie. In so doing, I shall make no statements but those on which all geologists substantially agree, and shall closely follow the teachings of Professor James D. Dana, Professor James Hall, State. Geologist of New York, and Professor John S. Newberry, State Geologist of Ohio. Beneath the loam, clay, gravel and other soils of Erie county, there is a series of rock formations, lying one above the other in parallel strata, almost horizontal, with a dip to the southward of about twenty feet to the mile. The result of this arrangement is that by beginning at the north end of the county, and going southward, we meet one stratum after another cropping out toward the north. The following is a list of the strata, beginning with the oldest, lowest and most northern. As we go down the list we go southward geographically, and upward, geologically: Rocks of the Upper Silurian Period, or j Onondaga Salt Group. age of Mollusks. Waterlime Group. Onondaga Limestone, Corniferous Limestone, Marcellus Shale, Hamilton Shale, Rocks of the Devonian Period, or Age Encrinal Limestone, of Fishes, Moscow Shale, Tully Limestone, Genesee Slate (Shale,) Portage Group. * These rocks have been thus named by the State Geologist of New York, generally after the places where the study of their several formations has been made easy by large exposures on the shores of lakes and rivers. The Onondaga Salt Group underlies the low lands to the north of the so-called “second terrace" of Western New York, a limestone ridge running in an east-north-easterly and west-south-westerly direction through Erie county. This terrace itself is composed of rocks of the Waterlime, Onondaga and Corniferous limestones. The various shale groups mentioned in the list, interspersed with thin layers of limestone, underlie the remainder of the county. A drill pushed downward on the southern border of the county, would penetrate, if long enough and strong enough, all the layers named in the list. The term Group," is used to designate a geological subdivision. 352 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. How came those rocks in those positions? Many millions of years ago, but how many cannot with certainty be stated, the oldest rocks of Erie county were deposited in an immense inland sea, which occupied the interior of this Continent. This sea was bounded on the north by a beach a few miles south of and nearly parallel to the present southern shore of Lake Ontario. From that beach the land ascended to the great Laurentian Mountains, then located in Canada, extending in a line run- ning a little north of west, to the present locality of the Mississippi river, and bearing thence southwestwardly towards the Black Hills. Moun- tain ranges in Texas formed the southern border of this great basin, while the Appalachian region* sheltered it on the east. It must not be understood that these mountain ranges entirely inclosed this inland sea ; the openings communicating with the ocean, were, undoubtedly, at diff- erent times large and numerous, but the shelter afforded was sufficient to facilitate the formation of land, which, in what is now Erie county, progressed from the north towards the south. The northern beach of this great sea was composed of a series of shallow basins, similar to those now seen along the eastern coast of the United States, in New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, etc., where narrow areas of salt water are shut off from the ocean, forming, in some places, the tracts known as "salt marshes." The waters of these ancient lagoons and marshes, evaporating under a high temperature, deposited gypsum and salt on their clayey bottoms, and an occasional overflow, due to tides or destruction of the barriers, again supplied any possible deficiency of salt and muddy water. When we consider that the salt marshes on the Atlantic coast have undergone no appreciable change since the land- ing of the early settlers, and that the deposits of the Onondaga Salt Group, in Onondaga county, N. Y., are over 1,000 feet thick, we can form a faint idea of the length of geological periods. Even if we allow for a greatly increased evaporation of water under a hotter sun, the time nec- essary to form so heavy a deposit, must have been enormous. The same laws which now produce the subsidence and elevation of certain districts have been in operation throughout the geological history of our earth, although acting in earlier periods more vigorously than now. The age of mud-flats and salt marshes was followed by a slow submergence of the land, and the increasing depth and consequent purity of the water produced a condition favorable to the existence of corals and other lime-producing animals. Coral reefs began to fringe the coast, composed of limestone deposited by those animals. As soon as these reefs reached the top of the water, the waves broke off fragments, ground them up, and deposited the material between reef and coast on the soft clay of * Mountain chain running along and nearly parallel to the Atlantic coast of the United States. + This clay, gypsum and salt hardened into the rocks known as the Onondaga Salt Group, which, as before stated, underlie the northern part of the county. GEOLOGY OF ERIE COUNTY. 353 the preceding geological period. The result of this mixture of lime and clay is the deposit known geologically as The Waterlime Group, which is really an impure limestone, occupying the base of the terrace before mentioned, in the middle and eastern parts of the county, and approach- ing the surface near Buffalo. This ends the Silurian age in which there were only small tracts of dry land, and in which all life belonged to various marine species, the highest being the Crustaceans.* The Devonian age, which succeeded the Silurian, was named after the fine exposures, in Devonshire, England, of the rocks then formed. It marks a new epoch in the progress of life, as its rocks contain the earliest remains of fishes yet discovered; hence, its designation as "the age of fishes.” The growth of coral reefs continued, and in time the lime ground off by waves and currents entirely covered the clay with which it had at first mingled, and the impure limestone of the waterlime formation became the pure limestone of the succeeding group. The reefs increased in number and those nearest shore were sometimes protected by the out- lying banks which prevented their entire destruction. A fine specimen of these protected reefs can be seen on the farm of Mr. Youngs, one mile east of Williamsville. There the rock is well exposed in a large quarry and reveals beautiful masses of coral of different kinds, some of which is yet in the position in which it grew. In fact, the whole rock is prin- cipally composed of animal remains which retain their form sufficiently well for identification. We occasionally find an overturned mass of coral covered with a fine deposit, and upon this another coral mass either overturned or in its natural position, the whole indicating a long con- tinuation of the causes in operation. Going west from Williamsville the distinct corals disappear, and the limestone becomes compact, decreasing in thickness from about thirty feet at Williamsville to a few inches at Black Rock. The next deposit made by the waters of the great basin was what is now called Corniferous limestone. This is much like the preceding for- mation, except that it is largely mixed with flint, or hornstone, in layers and nodules, whence it derives its name, (from cornu, horn.) The animal remains found in microscopic sections of this limestone, prove its flinty portions to be of organic origin. It is well known that at the present time, miles and miles of coast are forming in various parts of the world, of the flinty remains of those microscopic plants, the Diatoms; similar causes, acting millions of years ago, preserved the like parts of these organisms in the layers and nodules of flint found in the Corniferous limestone. Along the Niagara the rock is of a dark gray, almost black * The Crustaceans, however, were comparatively few, the limestone being substantially formed by corals. 354 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ; color, and its outcrop at what is now the north part of Buffalo, was the origin of the name "Black Rock." It underlies the soil from that point easterly across the county. After the formation of the Corniferous limestone, the great inland sea became muddy, holding a large quantity of clay in suspension. Then the formation of limestone ceased, for substantially all limestone is formed of coral, and all corals grow in moderately deep and clear water. This clay was deposited on the top of the limestone, and in time hardened into rock, forming what is now known as Marcellus shale. This underlies the central part of Erie county, and exposures of it can be traced from the lake shore at Bay View, in an east-north-easterly direction across the county. It is very dark and contains in some localities so much carbon- aceous matter, that it gives out flame when thrown into a hot fire. It has often been mistaken for coal, and numerous holes have been sunk in it all over this State, for the purpose of finding coal, but entirely without success. The carbonaceous material is due to animal or vegetable organ- isms, or both, contained in the clay when deposited, but the organisms of the age were evidently not numerous enough to be transformed into coal beds, like those of a later period. Next, the waters of the inland sea became extremely tranquil, but held in suspension a great quantity of very fine clay, without sufficient animal or vegetable organisms to afford an appreciable amount of car- bonaceous matter. This clay was slowly deposited on the top of the Marcellus shale, and in time hardened into what is now known as Hamil- ton shale, which resembles the former deposit, but is devoid of the car- bonaceous material before mentioned. It is of a bluish gray color, and can be easily studied at the mouth of Eighteen-Mile creek, whence it extends easterly across the county. Then the sea became more clear, corals grew once more, limestone was formed in the manner previously described, and the result was a deposit now known as Encrinal* limestone, which forms a compact, dis- tinct band, overlying the Hamilton shale in Erie county, with a thickness of eighteen to twenty-four inches. The thinness of this band shows that the era of clear water was comparatively brief. After this the waters became muddy again, depositing clay, which hardened into rock, now known as Moscow shale. This extends across the county, just south of the Encrinal limestone, and closely resembles the Hamilton shale. Another change of clear water and corals occurred after the forma- tion of the Moscow shale, but on a still more limited scale than before; the resulting deposit of Tully limestone being in some places but a few inches thick, and in others entirely wanting. So called from the stems of Crinoids found in it. GEOLOGY OF ERIE COUNTY. 355 This was succeeded by a period of turbulent, muddy water, contain- ing numerous small organisms. The resulting deposit became a rock formation, now known as Genesee slate, or shale, which overlies the thin band of limestone mentioned in the last paragraph. It can hardly be dis- tinguished from the Marcellus shale. Like that it is black with carbona- ceous material, and also contains some large plant remains, indicating the approach to the age of coal. It often has a strong odor of petroleum, and we sometimes even find small quantities of that coveted fluid in these rocks, but though they have been repeatedly drilled, no coal or oil deposits large enough to be of any value whatever have been discovered. The organisms deposited in the original clay were far too ſew and small to produce any considerable amount of coal, and there is no place in the formation where oil can accumulate. After depositing the Genesee slate, the great sea again lost the principal part of its organisms, and its strong currents frequently carried large amounts of sand and deposited it on the slowly forming beach. Thence resulted a bed of shale, substantially devoid of carbonaceous matter, inter- spersed with sandstone. These rocks are known by geologists as the Portage group, and underlie all the southern part of this county. In some places the shales are of a uniform blackish or greenish color, while in other localities the black and green rocks alternate in thin layers. All these Devonian shales are studied to advantage along the shores of Lake Erie, from Bay View to Cattaraugus creek. After all these deposits there were still other rock formations made in a similar manner to the south of Erie county, and at a later time the land had risen sufficiently to transform the great sea into numerous shallow basins, surrounded by vast forests. In these basins were formed great. deposits of peat, which were eventually transformed into the coal beds. of Pennsylvania and other regions. But if any of these formations or deposits ever reached north into Erie county (which is only a matter of conjecture) they have been washed away, during subsequent changes. We do not find the slightest trace of them there now. After the disappearance of the great sea, numerous rivers were formed by the rainfall of various districts which naturally found their way into the most convenient channels. These cut deep valleys through some or all of the rocky strata already mentioned. About ten of them, ancient rivers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, united at various points in the present basin of Lake Erie, which did not then exist as a lake, but merely as a combination of these rivers, which found their out- let into Lake Ontario, through Canada, nearly opposite Dunkirk. The Niagara, Tonawanda and Cazenove valleys were all excavated at about the same time. Still later came an epoch of intense cold, known as the Ice Period, when a continuous sheet of ice covered the whole northern part of the 356 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. North American continent, advancing across Erie county from the north-north-east to the south-south-west. The cause and general effect of the ice period is involved in disputes into which we need not enter. Whatever its effect may have been elsewhere, it was confined in Erie. county to the smoothing and polishing of the rock and the transporta- tion of fragments broken from ledges on the sides of the valleys. Such polished rock-surfaces are visible wherever the stones are hard enough. to retain any markings, especially on the Corniferous limestone, which also shows very clearly which way the ice moved. Wherever a small fragment of the flint in this rock has been subjected to the polishing action of the glacier, there is always a little sloping ridge of the softer limestone extending from the flint in a south-south-westerly direction, proving that the advance of the ice was, as above stated, from the north- northeast to the south-southwest. After a long period of intense cold the atmosphere became warmer, and the glaciers retreated northward. Then the materials which had been carried on, in and under the ice were spread over the land by the resulting waters, and this deposit is known as the glacial drift or bowlder clay. In our county it consists of two portions, the lower part forms a mass almost as hard as the rock itself and contains a varying number of pebbles and small fragments of rock. This deposit is of a reddish color in the northern half of the county, but over the shale formations has a blueish-black tint. The upper part of the glacial drift is composed of very finely triturated material, of a light reddish-grey color. It is easily recognized on account of its partial stratification, nowhere found in the lower division. This glacial drift, spreading over the land, filled wholly or partially all the existing river valleys, such as the Tonawanda, Niagara, and Cazenove and also the valley of the present lake basin, the rocky bottom of which is found near the southern boundary of Buffalo, about eighty feet below the surface of the water, whereas the apparent sand-bottom is only from twenty to thirty-five feet below the surface. As a result of this closing of the outlets, the waters in the valleys rose and for the first time, Lake Erie came into existence. Moreover, the waters of the melting glaciers to the north of us added to the drainage of the surrounding land, filled the valleys to their greatest capacity, and we consequently find indications of beaches around Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario at an elevation of about a thousand feet above their present level, proving that at least the three lower lakes were one continuous sheet of water. Slowly finding or cutting an outlet, these waters gradually lowered, with various periods of rest, in which the lakes had time to form beaches. The highest of these in Erie county is found about three quarters of a mile north of East Aurora, being about three hundred and forty feet above the level of Lake Erie. It stretches in an easterly and westerly GEOLOGY OF ERIE COUNTY. 357 7 direction, while the layers of sand and gravel indicate a rush of waters from the north. Another beach of the same material, seventy or eighty feet higher than the lake, runs directly through the city of Buffalo along High and Genesee streets. Leaving the city on the east, a little south of Genesee street, it makes a south-easterly and southerly curve towards Lower Ebenezer, where one of the principal streets, running nearly north and south, is built on the top of this beach. From there it makes a south- westerly curve towards the lake. We find it again south of Bay View, a little east of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, and can trace it thence on one or the other side of that road up to Sturgeon Point. Another beach composed of sand and gravel, at an elevation of thirty to thirty-five feet above the lake, runs southeasterly through the city from "the Front" towards the site of the two churches on Main street. We find it again in West Seneca and can trace it with some interruptions, along the Lake Shore, westerly of the railroad before mentioned. On the top of these ancient beaches and of the glacial drift, we find numerous rounded rocks, sometimes three or four feet in diameter, con- sisting mostly of metamorphic sandstone (that is, sandstone that has been altered by heat). Nowhere have I seen bowlders buried to any depth in sand or clay, and the only satisfactory explanation of this fact is that offered by Professor Newberry, who suggests that they were brought hither by floating ice after the deposition of the bowlder clay, but when the glaciers still occupied the regions north of us, and when there was sufficient water here to allow icebergs and floes to float down to this region from northern or eastern mountains, composed of this metamorphic sandstone. As already stated, the valleys of Lake Erie, of Niagara river, and of Tonawanda and Cazenove creeks, were excavated before the ice period. The valleys of the other creeks along the lake shore, Cattarau- gus, Eighteen-Mile, etc., were cut out after that period, when Lake Erie was but little, if any, higher than now. The first of these two state- ments is proved by the fact that the sides and bottoms of the first named. valleys are covered with glacial drift, showing that it was deposited after the valleys were excavated. The truth of the second statement appears equally plain when we observe that along the second series of streams the tops of the hills are covered with glacial drift while the valleys are not; consequently the valleys must have been cut out after the drift was deposited. But both classes of valleys were formed in the same manner, by their waters cutting down through the various rocky strata. This is proved by the fact that the same strata appear, clearly marked, on both sides of each valley, lying almost as even as so many boards in a pile, with an invariable dip downward of about twenty feet to the mile 358 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. to the south. Nowhere are there any convolutions or disruptions of the strata; consequently it is plain that there has been no volcanic action in Erie county. On the top of the glacial drift grew forests like those found by the first settlers. The decayed material of these mixing with the washings. of the lighter portions of the drift, formed the alluvial soil now seen throughout the county, but most abundantly in the valleys and lowlands. All these causes, operating through millions of years, have produced the present surface of the county. In the northern part the ground varies in height from the lake level (which is five hundred and seventy- three feet higher than the ocean) to sixty feet above it, the ascent, how- ever, is so gradual that the whole region appears as an immense flat. The "terrace," the formation of which has already been described, stretches across the county in an east-north-easterly direction from the northern part of Buffalo, rising somewhat abruptly (on the north) to an average height of about one hundred feet above the lake. For several miles south of this the ascent is so slight that the land appears level; then it becomes broken, and south of the villages of East Eurora and East Hamburg it ascends more rapidly, attaining in the southern part of the county a height of about a thousand feet above the lake. The excavation of streams, as already described, has rendered this region extremely hilly and broken. Having now given the reader some idea of what is to be found beneath the soil of Erie county, we will add a brief statement of what is not to be found. There having been no volcanic action to fuse the rocks of this county, there is no gold or silver beneath its surface; for these metals have never been discovered except in a region which showed traces of volcanic activity. The "placer" gold found on the shores of streams has been washed down from the mountains around. The best chance of finding the precious metals in Erie county would be inside the bowlders, which have drifted here from distant mountains, and that chance would be a very poor one. Nor is there any probability of finding coal or oil beneath the sur. face of the county, except in very minute quantities; for those substances. are never discovered in any considerable amount except in strata formed long after the rocks underlying this county were completed. Nothing can be more absurd (though quite natural) than the supposition often. advanced that if a person drills deep enough here he will find coal or oil. These substances being in later, and consequently higher, geological strata, the farther he drills the farther he gets away from them. Still the rocky strata of Erie county are largely available for the use of man. It is extremely probable that salt might be found by boring into the "Salt group," north of the limestone terrace. The writer would not like to assume the responsibility for failure, but the salt is in that forma- tion and a fortunate seeker might find it. TOWN OF NEWSTEAD. 359 The Waterlime group yields a cement said to equal or surpass the best English Portland. Comparative tests, made in the office of the City Engineer of Cincinnati in the fall of 1879, showed that the Buffalo cement could withstand a greater tensile strain, mixed with six parts of sand, than the English Portland does with four parts although the time allowed for hardening had been in favor of the latter. The Onondaga limestone, quarried near Williamsville, yields the so-called Buffalo marble. This stone when polished is very beautiful and table and mantle-tops made from it show numerous remains of the ancient coral reefs, filled in with calcareous sand and crystallized carbonate of lime. To thoroughly appreciate its beauty and discern its origin, a small magnifying glass is necessary, for many of the delicate coralline struc- tures, which are almost invisible to the naked eye, appear very clearly when slightly magnified. A little west of Williamsville, where the Onondaga limestone assumes a more compact and crystalline form, a stone is quarried which is exten- sively used for door-steps, window-sills, etc.; it is of a light gray color, is capable of very fine dressing, and is both durable and ornamental. Quicklime is also obtained from the rocks of the limestone group. The corniferous lime-rock affords an unlimited supply of rough build- ing stone which is almost indestructible and is largely used for subter- ranean masonry. Its hornstone portions are utilized on macadamized roads, for which it forms an excellent material. The sandstone flags of the Portage group are quarried for sidewalk pavements and also for building stone, but only to a limited extent. The upper portions of the bowlder clay form a good material for the manufacture of brick and tile, especially on the northern and eastern outskirts of Buffalo, where the clay is found in remarkable purity. We thus see that the resources of our economic geology, though not as conspicuous nor valuable as those of many other districts, are still important factors in the development of the county of Erie. CHAPTER XXXVII. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF NEWSTEAD. N' EWSTEAD is situated in the northeast corner of Erie county. It comprises township twelve, range five, of the Holland Company's survey, and all that part of township thirteen in the same range lying south of Tonawanda creek; being six miles wide east and west, with an average length north and south of a little over nine miles, and with a total area of about fifty-five square miles. This area embraces a 360 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. small portion of the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, which is nominally included in this town, although the Indians are not subject to the ordi- nary civil laws. The town is watered by the Tonawanda creek on the north, while Murder creek* runs northward through the central portion. A limestone ledge, the northern outcrop of the limestone formation described in the chapter on geology, runs across the town near its center. It contains large amounts of hydraulic limestone. North of this ledge the surface is level and in many places marshy, the soil being a clayey loam intermixed with marl and sand. South of the ledge the surface is gen- tly undulating, the soil being a sandy and clayey loam, underlaid by lime- stone. The first act performed in the territory now known as Newstead, looking towards its subjection by civilized men was done in the spring of 1798, when Joseph Ellicott, the chief surveyor of the Holland Land Company, employed men to cut out the Indian trail running across the tract in question so that it would be passable for wagons. This was the first wagon track in the territory now known as the county of Erie. The trail just mentioned was the main trail of the Six Nations between Hudson river and Lake Erie. According to Turner's History of the Holland Purchase it ran down Tonawanda creek from Batavia, on the north side, crossed at or near the Indian village, ran westward across the site of Akron, and thence pursued its way by Clarence Hollow to Buffalo. A law had been passed the previous winter authorizing the construction of a State road from Conewagus (Avon) to Buffalo. This was open in 1798 or 1799. In the eastern part of Newstead it ran south of the Indian trail, so as to keep off from the reservation, but after it struck the trail in the western part of the town it followed nearly the same route to Buffalo. It has been known from that time to this as the "Buffalo road." During the year 1798 and 1799, the purchase was divided into town- ships and the lines of the reservations were determined. The Tonawanda reservation embraced (besides a large tract in Genesee county) all that part of the present town of Newstead lying north of a line running a little south of the site of Akron, and east of one running just west of the same locality. The portion of the original reservation now comprised in New- stead contained about thirteen square miles. In the year 1800, although no part of the Holland Purchase was sub- divided ready for sale, Timothy S. Hopkins and Otis Ingalls, two young men who seem to have made their headquarters at Asa Ransom's tavern, (already established as Clarence Hollow) cleared and plowed a piece of land two miles east on the Buffalo road, in what was afterwards the *The ominous name of this stream is said to have been due to the murder of a white man by an Indian on its banks before the settlement of the Holland Purchase, but we have been unable to ascertain any facts in regard to the legend. The Indians are said to have called it, "See-un-gut ” meaning the "Roar of distant waters." " TOWN OF NEWSTEAD. 361 Vandeventer neighborhood, in Newstead, and raised the first piece of wheat on the Holland Purchase. We find no mention of either of them building a house, and we presume they selected for their wheat field one of the "openings," or prairies, which, according to all the early settlers, were then numerous in the southern part of Newstead as well as in the rest of the region lying between the limestone ledge and the Buffalo Creek reservation. After the wheat was harvested and threshed, young Hopkins put the whole crop into a wagon, drawn by three yoke of cattle, drove to Black Rock, (where there was but one family) crossed the Niagara on a ferry boat, paying $2.50 for the privilege, continued his way to Chippewa, Canada, where there was a grist mill, got his wheat ground and returned by the same route, disbursing $2.50 more at the Black Rock ferry.* The eastern part of the Holland Purchase, and also township twelve, range six, (Clarence), was surveyed ready for sale early in 1801, but township twelve, range five (Newstead) was not ready until November following. By the system first adopted the townships were divided into sections a mile and a half square each, and then were subdivided into lots of one hundred and twenty acres each. Township twelve, range five, and twenty-three others were surveyed under this system, but before township thirteen in the same range was subdivided, another plan was adopted by which the townships were divided into lots three-fourths of a mile square each, these being subdivided to suit purchasers, though usually into "thirds" of one hundred and twenty acres each. The first tract sold in the territory of Newstead was lot ten, section eight, which was purchased by Asa Chapman on the 3d of November, 1801, at $2.75 per acre. When we say he purchased it we mean he took an “article or agreement for a deed when the land was paid for; this being the way nearly all the land on the Holland Purchase was sold. Not one man in twenty paid cash and took a deed. If Mr. Chapman settled on his land in Newstead, he remained but a short time, as not long after he was living near Buffalo. During the same month Peter Vandeventer bought four lots in sec- tions eight and nine. Timothy Jayne also made a purchase during 1801. David Cully and Orlando Hopkins bought late in 1801 or early in 1802; there is a little discrepancy about the dates. Hopkins, if he settled in Newstead, which is uncertain, soon removed to Amherst, but Cully re- mained a permanent resident. Early in 1802 Peter Vandeventer cleared a little piece of ground on the Buffalo road, a mile and a half east of the west line of the township, built a log house and opened a tavern. This is the first positive account *Ingalls soon became a permanent resident of Clarence, and Hopkins of Amherst; and it is doubtful if either of them had a residence at any time within the territory of Newstead. When a part of the Tonawanda reservation was bought twenty-five years later, it was subdivided in still another way; so that lands in Newstead are described according to three separate systems. 362 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. of the building of a house by a white man in Newstead, though one or two of the other persons we have mentioned may possibly have built cabins a little earlier than Vandeventer. The settlement of the town- ship was not rapid, the only other purchasers we find recorded in 1802 being John Hill, Samuel Hill, Jr., and Wm. Deshay. Until this year the Holland Purchase had been a part of the town of Northampton, Ontario county. In the spring of 1802 the county of Genesee was formed with four towns, one of which, Batavia, comprised the whole Holland Purchase; it was not organized until the next spring. On the 1st day of March, 1803, the first town meeting, or election of any kind, on the Holland Purchase was held at the tavern of Peter Vande- venter in the present town of Newstead. A full description of this meeting is given in Chapter XII of this volume. Peter Vandeventer was elected supervisor (over a candidate from Batavia) and David Cully town clerk. Timothy S. and Orlando Hopkins were elected pathmas- ters, and there is some reason to believe, though it is not certain, that at that time they both resided in the territory of Newstead. The meeting enacted that the town should pay $5 bounty on each wolf scalp taken- whelphs half price"-and fifty cents for each scalp of fox or wild cat. State elections were then held in the spring, and in April following, the first election on the "Purchase" was also held at Vandeventer's tavern. (( Those recorded as purchasers of land that year were Samuel Beard, Wm. Chapin, Asahel Powers, Jacob Dunham and Samuel Edsall. In 1804 they were Silas Hill, John Felton, Thos. Hill, Chas. Bennett and Cyrus Hopkins. These names are taken from the records of the Hol- land Company, which do not show all who came as some did not buy land and some bought at second hand. Among others who came about. this period were Samuel Miles, Chas. Barney, Aaron Beard, Robert Dunham and T. Cole. The town meeting for Batavia was again held at Vandeventer's tavern in 1804, and the landlord was again elected super- visor. But the Legislature of that year divided Batavia into four towns making the territory of Newstead a part of Willink, which extended, eighteen miles wide, from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, though nearly all of the inhabitants lived on or near the "Buffalo road." In the spring of 1805, Willink was organized by another town meet- ing at Vandeventer's, and that popular landlord had the honor of being the first supervisor of Willink as well as of Batavia. Samuel Hill, Jr., was elected a Commissioner of Highways, and Aaron Beard one of the Assessors. Among the purchasers of land in 1805, were Aaron Dolph, John Beamer, Eli Hammond, Salmon Sparling, George Sparling and Henry Russell. The most prominent one, however, was Archibald S. Clarke, who bought land on the Buffalo road, nearly opposite Vandeven- ter's, and according to some accounts kept a public house. It is certain that in 1806 or 1807, he opened a store there, which was not only the first TOWN OF NEWSTEAD. 363 one in Newstead, but the first one in Erie county, outside of Buffalo. Mr. Clarke afterwards became one of the most prominent citizens of the county.* Charles Knight and his son-in-law, Lemuel Osborne, settled in the territory of Newstead in the early part of 1807. A Methodist Church or class was organized at Mr. Knight's house in the July after his arrival, he being the class leader. This was the first church organized in Erie county, unless we classify as a church a "Friends' Meeting" in East Hamburg. Even the village of Buffalo, which had several hundred inhabitants, had no church organization until at least two years later. The one in Newstead was formed under the direction of the Reverends Jenks and Van Ness, two Methodist missionaries recently sent out from Philadelphia to the wilds of the Holland Purchase. In the same year in which the first church was formed, it is said that the first school in New- stead was kept by a Mr. Keith. In the spring of 1808, there was a total re-organization of the Hol- land Purchase (fully described in Chapter XII of this volume) by which the territory of Newstead became a part of the town of Clarence and the county of Niagara. The same spring Archibald S. Clarke was elected a Member of Assembly from Niagara county, being the first member of that body who was a resident of the present county of Erie; he was re-elected in 1809 and 1810. James Cronk, afterwards a very prominent citizen, was already a resident of the county, as he was elected poormaster after the organization of Clarence in 1808. Samuel Hill, Jr., was elected supervisor of Clarence (which com- prised all the north part of the present county of Erie) in 1809, 1810 and 1811. About the same time he was appointed major of a regiment of militia organized in Clarence. Soon after the formation of the town of Clarence at least as early as 1811-a postoffice named Clarence was established and Archibald S. Clarke was appointed the first postmaster. He kept the office at the store in what is now Newstead, it being the first in Erie county, out of Buffalo. It seems to have been the custom that letters from the East directed to "Willink," (which, after the re-organization of 1808, comprised all of Erie county south of the Buffalo creek reservation, but contained no postoffice), should be stopped at Clarke's store, and be sent thence across the county by private hands, for in one of the first issues of the Buffalo Gazette, in the autumn of 1811, Postmaster Clarke advertised seven unclaimed letters at his office for persons in the town of Clarence, and fifty for people in Willink.+ In 1812, Judge Clarke was elected State Senator--the first from the terri- * By reference to the "Civil List" (Chapter XXXV), it will be seen that at various times he held nearly all the offices to which he could be elected or appointed, from postmaster up to Member of Congress. He subsequently removed to Ellicottsville, Cattaraugus county, where he died. + We cannot learn exactly when the "Clarence" postoffice was removed from the Clarke and Vandeventer neighborhood to Clarence Hollow, but think it was in 1816. 364 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. tory of Erie county. James Cronk was supervisor of Clarence in 1812 and 1813. At an election in the former year there were two hundred and forty-nine votes cast for Member of Assembly in Clarence. As Amherst and Buffalo had been taken off two years before, probably about half of those votes were in what is now Newstead, which would indicate a population of at least six hundred. We have been furnished by Mitchell Osborne with the follow- ing list of the first settlers on the Buffalo road, before the war of 1812, beginning on the east side of the town and going through to the west side. Some of them have already been mentioned, but we give them here in a body: Solomon Bates, William Hall, Samuel Anderson, Samuel Strickland, Isaac Denio, Jacob Pratt, Joseph Barney, Joel Parmely, Charles Knight, Lemuel Osborne, John S. Ball, Martin Lewis, James H. Case, Luther Barney, Archibald S. Clarke, Peter Vandeventer, William Mills, Stephen Osborne,* James Cronk, John Boyer, and a Mr. Chamber- lain, who lived on the township line, now the east line of Newstead. During the war of 1812 the people of Newstead were kept in con- stant excitement, but suffered no serious harm. A skeleton regiment of militia under Major Samuel Hill, Jr., was frequently in service on the frontier, as recounted in the general history, and took part in the battle at Black Rock which preceded the burning of Buffalo. After that event some of the citizens fled eastward, but returned on the appearance of an American army in the spring of 1814. The Buffalo road was a great military thoroughfare throughout the war, and there was hardly a week when regulars, militia or recruits, invalids, prisoners or supplies were not seen passing over it. After the war emigration was recommenced and the improvement of the country was pushed rapidly forward. Settlers were soon scattered over the whole tract south of the Tonawanda reservation, and many invaded the region west of the reservation. The territory of Newstead, especially the old Vandeventer neigh- borhood, was at this time a center of great political influence. Judge Clarke, (for Mr. Clarke, had been appointed a Judge of the Common Pleas) was the leading spirit, but he was ably seconded by his neighbors, James Cronk, William Mills and others. On the resignation of his seat in Congress by General Peter B. Porter in 1816, Judge Clarke was elect- ed in his place and served the remainder of the term; his district com- prising nearly ali western New York. Newstead is the only town in the county outside the present territory of Buffalo, except Amherst, which has had a representative in Congress. After his return from Congress, Judge Clarke became the head of that portion of the Democratic party (the only party in existence) which opposed the leadership of Albert H. Tracy and other Buffalonians, who were known as the "Kremlin Junta.” * Probably Mr. Osborne came somewhat later than the others. TOWN OF NRWSTEAD. 365 James Cronk was appointed sheriff in 1818,* and about the same time. William Mills was made a Judge of the Common Pleas. Tracy and his friends, however, secured the supremacy over their opponents, and thenceforward the Newstead politicians became less powerful. It was not until 1823 that the territory of Newstead ceased to be a part of the town of Clarence. On the 27th day of March, in that year, the Legislature passed an act forming the towns of Erie and Alden from Clarence. The first named town comprised the same territory now known as Newstead. The county of Erie had been formed two years before, and the leading men of the new town probably thought it would be a fine thing to have their town bear the same name as the county.† Erie was organized at a town meeting held in May, 1823, but as the records have unfortunately been destroyed by fire, we are unable to give any details in regard to the organization. By this time there was a large amount of travel between the East and the West, and as the passengers generally went by stage to Buffalo, and there took steamboats up the lakes, the "Buffalo road" became, especially in the summer, one of the most crowded thoroughfares in the country. Several stages crowded with passengers were often seen bowling over the hills and dales of "Erie" in a single day. John S. Ball succeeded Archibald S. Clarke as a store-keeper on the Buffalo road, and probably kept the largest assortment of goods in the county outside of Buffalo. Soon after the formation of the town of Erie, a postoffice of the same name was established, and Mr. Ball was made postmaster. With a large store, a postoffice and one or two hotels, it seemed as if the settlement on the Buffalo road must develop into a flourishing village and become the capital of the town of Erie. But there was no water-power there, and an event which occurred in 1826, soon changed the balance of power. For many years the association called the Ogden Company, who had bought the pre-emption right of the Holland Company to the Indian reservations of the Holland Purchase, had made frequent efforts to induce the red owners to sell the whole or a portion of their lands. These efforts had been bitterly opposed by Red Jacket and other influ- ential chiefs, and hitherto with success; but in August, 1826, a majority of the chiefs agreed to a treaty by which they sold, besides a consider- able portion of the Buffalo Creek and Cattaraugus reservations, 33,409 acres off from the south side of the Tonawanda reservation. Of this tract about 7,000 acres were in the town of Erie, now Newstead. In fact * He commanded the invading forces in the "conquest of Grand Island” narrated in Chapter XIX. † Owing to the fact that there had been a town of Erie formed from Batavia in 1804, (see Chapters XII and XIII,) several statistical works have asserted that Newstead was formed from Batavia as Erie, in 1804, and some citizens of the town have made the same mistake. That is, the right of first purchase. By the laws of this State the Indians could keep their lands as long as they pleased, but could only sell them to the Holland Company or its assigns. 366 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. the part of the reservation remaining in that town was only about two miles and a half long from east to west, with an average width of a mile and a quarter, containing about 2,000 acres. The lands thus purchased were divided among the members of the Ogden Company, and were speedily offered to the public. Numerous purchasers were soon found. Hezekiah Cummings bought a part of lot 29, of the reservation, about 1828. Among the new settlers in the north part of the town were Nathan L. Barney, James McMullen and Robert Benedict. In 1829 Jonathan Russell bought lot 26, built a house and opened a store; this was the beginning of the village of Akron. Gradually at first, but afterwards more rapidly, the business of the town abandoned its old focus on the Buffalo road and transferred itself to the new center on Murder creek. This latter locality had no special name of its own, but was jestingly called "The Corporation." Mean- while the people of Newstead found themselves subjected to a good deal of annoyance on account of their mail matter going to Erie, Pennsyl vania. The people generally agreed that it would be best to change the name not only of the postoffice, but of the town. According to local tradition, however, they were unable to unite on a name, and after much unsatisfactory debate, they sent a petition to Hon. Millard Fillmore, then one of the representatives of Erie county in the Assembly, request- ing him to procure the passage of an act changing the name of the town and leaving the new appellation to his judgment. This being a matter of taste he consulted his wife. Mrs. Fillmore happened to be reading Byron at the time and she suggested the name of his ancient home, New- stead Abbey, as a good one for the new town. Mr. Fillmore adopted the suggestion, and in April, 1831, a law was passed changing the name of the town from Erie to Newstead. Soon afterward the name of the post- office was similarly changed. It still, however, remained at the old location. As late as 1837, according to a register published in that year there was a postoffice called Newstead, located on the Buffalo road, with John S. Ball as postmaster. A little earlier than that, however, the people of "The Corporation" had adopted the name of "Akron" for their growing village, and had procured the establishment of a new postoffice there bearing that name. For a few years both offices were maintained; but with the completion of a line of railroad from Albany to Buffalo a large part of the travel left the old "Buffalo road" and it was deemed unnecessary to have a post- office there. The Newstead office was therefore discontinued. For over twenty years there was no postoffice in Newstead except at Akron, but soon after the close of the war for the Union, one was established in the southern part of the town by the name of South Newstead. To go back a little, we will give a sketch of the horse railroad of 1835. Probably few people out of Newstead are aware that the first rail- TOWN OF NEWSTEAD. 367 road in Erie county (except the three-mile one from Buffalo to Black Rock) was built through Newstead, and there are doubtless some resi- dents of that town who are not aware of the fact. The road in question was built in 1835, from Medina, Orleans county, to the locality now known as Akron. and thence to Richville, Genesee county. Medina being a flourishing village on the newly constructed Erie canal, some of its leading citizens believed that they could largely increase its business and wealth, besides profiting themselves by opening this road through the fertile fields of southern Orleans, northeastern Erie and northwestern Genesee, and they accordingly formed a stock company for that purpose. A few persons along the line owned some stock, but the bulk of it was owned at Medina. The road ran from that village southwestwardly across the Tonawanda swamp by way of the old "half-way house" to "The Corporation," where it bore to the eastward, passing by the locality afterwards known as Fallkirk and continuing thence to Richville. The total length was about twenty miles. L. D. Covey, Major Huffcut and Major Long were prominent contractors in building the road and owned about $500 worth of the stock. The" rails" were six-inch, white oak scantlings, laid on cross-ties, the space between being filled with dirt. On low ground, logs were often used for ties which are still to be seen. The cars were each drawn by two horses, one ahead of the other, We cannot learn that there was more than one passenger car and one freight car. The former made one trip over the road and back each day; the freight car seems to have run whenever it could get a load. Mr. Elisha Wickwire was for a time a "conductor" on this singular road. The fare from Akron to Medina was sixty-four cents. The scheme was found entirely impracticable. After the first excite- ment was over there was little passenger traffic and less freight. A little casual freight was sent now and then, but the farmers soon found that they could transport their wheat to the canal much more cheaply with their own teams than by means of a wooden-rail, and horse-power railroad, and as the wheat freight was the main dependence of the company, the latter soon found their investment a bad one. In two or three years the company dissolved and the road was abandoned. The highway from "The Corporation" northward was early called the Bloomingdale road. Annual picnics were held in the reservation in which the people of Akron and in fact of a great part of Newstead were accustomed to join. Hon. C. B. Rich was generally prominent in these gatherings, and on the occasion of one of them he declared that the beautiful road over which they traveled ought to have a special desig- nation, and named it the Bloomingdale road, an appellation which was generally adopted by the people. 24 368 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. About 1840 Julius Swift located himself on a tract of five hundred acres of land, on Murder creek, where he speedily erected a saw mill and grist mill and opened a store. For many years a large part of the business of the northern portion of Newstead was done at "Swift's Mills." On the completion of the Niagara Falls & Canandaigua railroad, how- ever, through Newstead, in 1854, with a depot at Akron, business was naturally drawn thither and the importance of Swift's Mills was some- what diminished. Yet there is still a store, a grist mill and saw mill there, carried on respectively by Julius, Luman P. and James Swift, the three sons of the original proprietor. Akron, however, since the development of the vast stores of water- lime within its borders, has no rival in the town, and substantially all of the business interests of Newstead have centered there. A sketch of the village and of those interests will be given a little further on. Outside of Akron since the land was cleared of its primeval forests, and the log houses of the pioneers gave place to the substantial framed dwell- ings, the years have passed in the usual quietude of farm life, from which the people have only once been thoroughly aroused—when a causeless rebellion compelled the patriotic youth of America to rise in defence of their imperilled country. The sons of Newstead were scattered among a score of regiments and batteries whose story is told in the general history of the county to which the reader is referred. Owing to the destruction of the records of Newstead by fire, and the loss of some of those belonging to the Board of Supervisors, we are unable to give a full list of the supervisors of the town; the following is as complete as we can make it, and is in addition to the residents of New- stead, already mentioned, some who were supervisors of Batavia, Willink and Clarence. John Boyer, 1825;* 1831 and 1832; Wm. Jackson, 1833; Cyrus Hopkins, 1835 and '37; John Rogers, 1838; Hezekiah Cummings, 1839 and 40; H. S. Hawkins, 1850; Lorenzo D. Covey, 1851; Edward Long, 1852 and '53; H. S. Hawkins, 1854; B. K. Adams, 1855; L. D. Covey, 1856; E. J. Newman, 1857 and '58; Ezra P. Goslin, 1859 to 1861; Henry Atwood, 1862; Ezra P. Goslin, 1863, '64 and '65; Marcus Lusk, 1866 to 1872 inclusive; W. T. Magoffin, 1873: D. B. Howe, 1874; H. H. Newton, 1875; W. T. Magoffin, 1876; Timothy W. Jackson, 1877 to 1883 inclusive. There have been an unusual number of Members of Assembly from Newstead, which with their years of service are as follows:- Archibald S. Clarke, 1808, '09 and 10; Wm. Mills, 1832 and '33; Stephen Osborne, 1840 and '41; Marcus McNeal, 1849; Lorenzo D. Covey, 1855; Ezra P. Goslin, 1862; Alpheus Prince, 1867 and '68; C. B. Rich, 1869; Timothy W. Jackson 1882 and '83—a total of fifteen years, the longest enjoyment of that dignity accorded to any town in Erie county. * It is said by some that Mr. Boyer held through all the intervening years, but for this we can- not vouch. TOWN OF Newstead. 369 The officers of Newstead for 1883 are as follows:- T. W. Jackson, supervisor; G. R. Miller, town clerk; L. P. Wiltse, Alexander Goslin and FletcherMontgomery, justices of the peace; Geo. H. Butler, John T. Wil- kinson and Alexander H. Swift, assessors; Levi A. Swift, commissioner of highways; Charles Ainsworth and Geo. W. Scwhorm, overseers of the poor; Dexter Denio, M. H. Buell and John Dorst, inspectors of election, first district; W. M. Covey, L. G. Hull and Moses Kyser, inspectors, second district; Chas. J. Bostwick, Henry Croup, J. M. Mapes, and B. S. Higgins, constables; Geo. Leip, Clark Pardee and Jeptha Baker, commissioners of excise. AKRON AND VICINITY. The first move towards building a village on the site of Akron was made in 1829, when Jonathan Russell bought lot 26, erected a framed house and in a part of it opened a small store. This first of Akron build- ings has been well preserved and is now occupied by Arthur Stapleton as a cigar manufactory. Mr. Russell kept a store there for ten years. According to Mr. James Harrington, in the fall of the same year a Mr. Whicher built a grist-mill now known as the Wilder Mill, to which, as it was the first in this region, the people brought their grists, frequently on horseback, from all directions. At this time the great Indian trail between the East and the West, long used by the warriors of the Six Nations, was still plainly to be seen. Elisha Hill purchased land covering the west end of the village, shortly after the opening of Russell's store, and built the saw-mill now owned by F. E. Dunham & Co. About 1831 Isaac Parcell located him- self in the new village, being the first physician there, and practiced there until his death, about 1860. Dr. Wright came soon after Dr. Parcell as did also Dr. F. Norton, the latter remaining until his death, which occurred not far from that of Parcell. By 1831 a tavern was erected, and in that year Spencer S. Harrington (father of James Harrington) bought the building, finished it and opened a hotel, of which he was the proprietor several years. The same year Mitchell Osborne established a grocery, and after the expiration of fifty-two years he is still engaged in the same business. Elisha M. Adams opened a general store about the same time. at the point where H. H. Newton & Sons are now carrying on business. John Wainwright and Harrison Osborne went into the mercantile busi- ness together in 1832 or 1833. Mr. Osborne withdrew ere long, but Mr. Wainwright remained in business twenty-five years. About 1832 "Squire" Huntley built a stone dam across Murder creek and erected a carding and fulling-mill. A year or so later Hezekiah Cummings bought the mill and engaged Mr. Huntley as superintendent. A large custom business was done for many years, but was given up as *We are informed that the building was originally intended for a saw mill, but was soon trans- formed for the purpose mentioned above. 370 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. early as 1850. Harlow Cummings then occupied the building until about 1874, as a hub-factory. The cluster of business places and dwellings thus established had no definite name, but by general consent was called "The Corporation." There was at first no postoffice, but there seems to have been a special arrangement by which the mail for "The Corporation" and the vicinity was brought over from the "Newstead" postoffice on the Buffalo road and distributed to the people. In 1835 there was a mail route from Medina to the Newstead post office, on which the mail was carried once in two weeks. Lorenzo D. Covey, then a young man, came through on one of those trips as temporary mail-carrier, and had hard work to find his unaccustomed way through the dense forest. His accidental journey made him a life-long resident of Akron, as Mr. Harrington employed him for a time in his tavern, after which he became a clerk in a store, and subsequently a merchant and prominent citizen. Charles Ainsworth came to Akron in 1836 and has resided there most of the time since. He states that the place was then more like a log-yard and lumber-yard, than a village. Each side of Main street was crowded with logs with only a narrow passage-way along the middle. A piece of ground had been donated for a park, but it was used as a general storage-place by the people. Considerable lumber was usually piled there, and if a man had a wagon, a sleigh, a lot of shingles or anything else, for which he had no convenient place, he generally stored it in the park until he wanted it. We cannot learn the exact date at which the name of Akron was adopted, but it must have been as early as 1836, for a State register pub- lished in 1837, shows that there was then a postoffice called Akron, kept by S. Goff, and it is generally admitted that Mr. Goff was the second postmaster, E. M. Adams being the first. It may have been earlier than 1836, though not much.* Mr. James Harrington states that a meet- ing was held at his father's hotel for the purpose of deciding on a name for the growing village, doubtless with a view to obtaining a postoffice. Captain Joel Huntley was the chairman. Hezekiah Cummings proposed the name of Millville, another gentleman that of Leeds and still another that of Brighton. Sylvester Goff, however, suggested Akron as a con- venient appellation, declaring it to be a scripture name, and after some debate it was adopted by a small majority. It is derived from the Greek word Akros, meaning extreme or highest. . As there are some good sized hills at Akron, from which one can obtain a wide view of the level country around, the name is not inappropriate.† It was generally assented to, a postoffice was established by that name, and ere long “The Corporation” was no longer spoken of and Akron took its place. * The dates given us vary from 1829 to 1837, but we think it must have been in 1835 or’36. We have seen several statements that this village was named after Akron, Ohio, but have found no evidence to that effect. TOWN OF Newstead. 371 In the year 1839 an event occurred which changed the whole subse- quent history of Akron. In that year Mr. Jonathan Delano discovered a stratum of hydraulic limestone or water limestone, cropping out on the bank of Murder creek, at the point subsequently known as Fallkirk, and now the eastern part of the village of Akron, between the sites of Newman's cement-mill and flouring-mill. He obtained a lease of the land for three or four years, and in 1840 he built a small kiln and began the manufacture of water lime, making about two thousand barrels* of three hundred pounds each, the first year. Not long after the manufac- ture was begun the Canal Commissioners of the State caused a thorough test of the new cement to be made, and finding it to be of superior quality awarded a contract to Mr. Delano for a large quantity, with which to build the Genesee Valley canal and the feeder-dam on Tona- wanda creek. The cement was hauled by teams to the points where it was to be used. This new industry of course increased the business of the village, and in 1843, a large brick block was built by J. D. Jackson. About the same time or a little earlier, H. D. Jackson built a tannery at the foot of Main street, where he carried on a large business for many years. The building has long since disappeared. In that year Mr. Delano's lease having expired, Mr. Daniel Fisher, the owner of the land, conveyed it to James M. Souverhill, who soon sold it to Mr. James Montgomery. That gentleman largely increased the capacity of the works, so that in one year he manufactured 10,000 barrels of cement, which was then con- sidered an enormous quantity. Mr. Montgomery had contracts to furnish cement for the construction of a large stone dam at Attica, of the new locks at Lockport, and of other important works. Of the pres- ent cement works we will speak a little farther on. While Mr. Montgomery was the owner of the cement works, about 1840, an Indian brought him a stone for examination. He broke it up as fine as he could with a hammer and then ground it in a coffee-mill, and found it to be a fine quality of gypsum, commonly called "Plaster of Paris" or simply "Plaster," and considered excellent for use on land. After some bantering he gave the Indian two dollars to take him to the place where he found the stone. This was on the reservation near Tona- wanda creek, and not far from the locality of the old fair grounds. There Mr. Montgomery found a rich stratum of gypsum. It was a soft, grayish-white stone, and was ground in the cement mills without burn- ing, producing an almost perfectly white powder. Large quantities of it were ground at the mill owned by Montgomery, and afterwards by the Newmans, and the farmers came with teams from localities twenty-five and even thirty miles distant to obtain the desired fertilizer. In 1853 or 1855 * Some authorities state the amount to be far less. It is not practicable to ascertain it with any certainty. 372 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. H. Cummings & Sons engaged largely in the business, grinding the gyp- sum during the winter months only, and manufacturing from two thou- sand to three thousand tons every winter. The raw material was obtained as before, on the reservation, and the passage of new laws regarding the management of the reservation, with other causes, so embarrassed the business that it was closed about 1865. In June, 1847, the ambitious citizens of Akron procured its incorpo- ration as a village. All the records relating to that event were destroyed by fire in 1871. The incorporation, however, was a proof rather of ambi- tion than population, for by the census of 1850 there were but four hun- dred and sixty-two persons within the corporate limits. In 1849 and 1850 Hezekiah Cummings built the stone grist mill now standing at the foot of Main street. The flood of 1860 destroyed the dam, which has never been rebuilt. Since 1850, although the growth of Akron has not equaled that of some western towns or oil emporiums, yet we believe it has been more rapid than that of any other village in Erie county, except, possibly, Tonawanda; the population being now at least 1,500 in number. We will now call attention to some of the leading industries and occupations of the place, and then to the various religious and other organizations. Flouring and Cement Works of E. J. Newman & Co.-This establish- ment is the direct successor of the first cement works at Akron, already mentioned. Enos Newman, previously of Onondaga county, became a partner of James Montgomery in the manufacture of cement before 1850, and shortly before the death of the latter gentleman, in 1852, Mr. Newman became sole proprietor. During the year last named he sold the original works to his brothers E. J. and Leroy Newman, also of Onondaga county, and then in company with his son, Amos Newman, established other cement works on the south side of Murder creek which they carried on until 1864. Meanwhile Messrs. E. J. and Leroy Newman built a three-story stone flouring-mill, thirty feet by sixty, with a big water-wheel, with which the cement works were connected. In 1858 they built their " "per- petual burner," thirty feet high, and then manufactured one hundred barrels of cement per day. In 1859 they built their second lime kiln, and the same year, owing to their increased business, they took their cement works away from their flouring-mill, building a separate cement-mill at the lower falls of Murder creek. In 1864, on the death of Mr. Enos Newman, Messrs. E. J. & Leroy Newman bought the works on the south side of the creek of his son, Amos Newman, and united them with their former establishment. They also admitted their sons, C. Newman and H. L. Newman, into the firm, which became E. J. Newman & Co. In 1870 their cement-mill was destroyed built a new one, which is operated by steam. by fire, after which they About the same time they TOWN OF NEWSTEAD. 373 began tunneling to obtain the water-limestone instead of removing the earth as they had previously done, and speedily reduced the cost of manufacture nearly one-half. They have also increased the number of their kilns to six and now manufacture from five hundred to six hundred barrels per day. Their new flouring-mill, built in 1878, produces about one hundred and fifty barrels of the widely-known "Akron flour" daily. Akron Cement Works. In the year 1854, H. Cummings & Sons established a cement manufactory in the valley of Murder creek, near Akron, on the farm belonging to H. Cummings. It was operated by both steam and water-power and had a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels per day. It was maintained in active operation until the autumn of 1865, when it was abandoned; being however, immediately replaced by another situated on the same farm (close to the quarry from which the hydraulic limestone was obtained,) and erected by Uriah, Homer H. and Palmer Cummings, sons of H. Cummings. This estab- lishment was capable of producing four hundred barrels of cement daily. In the year 1869 the works, with the adjacent quarry, were sold to a joint stock company known as the "Akron Cement Works," and have ever since been carried on by it. The president of the company at the present time is Hon. D. N. Lockwood, the treasurer is Frank S. Coit, and the manager is Robert M. Skillen. It has one three-story mill and six lime-kilns, manufacturing about five hundred barrels per day, and employing an average of fifty-five workmen. Cummings' Akron Cement Works.—Although, as just stated, H. Cum- mings & Sons began the manufacture of cement at Akron in 1854, yet the establishment bearing the above name dates from 1870. In the fall and winter of 1870 and 1871, Uriah and Homer H. Cummings established a cement mill and opened a quarry west of Akron Station. Afterwards the owners organized as a stock company, by the name of "Cummings' Akron Cement Works." Their establishment is capable of producing four hundred barrels of cement per day and forms an important part of the system of cement works, extending through several States, operated by the Standard Cement Company of the city of New York. Uriah Cummings is the general superintendent of the Standard Company, and Palmer Cummings is the manager of the Cummings' Akron Cement Works. Merchants.—H. H. Newton & Sons occupy the locality where Elisha M. Adams kept one of the first stores in Akron. The business has been carried on successively by E. M. Adams, Adams & Baker, E. M. Adams & Co., Adams (B. K.) & Knight, Adams & Newton, H. H. Newton, and H. H. Newton & Sons. The block was burned in 1871, but was re-built. A. Post has been a merchant in Akron twenty-five years. Major W. T. Magoffin, a soldier in the Mexican war and the war for the Union, located 374 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. himself in Akron in 1864 and engaged in the mercantile business; Magoffin & Sons have now an extensive store. W. M. Cummings, C. D. Smith, W. P. Hoag and M. Osborne are all engaged in the grocery business. Hotels. The Akron House was built by John Baird. It was first kept by S. S. Harrington in 1831, then by Harrington & Stewart, then by Stewart alone, then by George Brown, then by N. B. Wickware (who is still the proprietor) and then successively by George Shannon, Thomas Blackmore, C. A. Smith and Smith & Wells, the present landlords. The Eckerson House was built by A. B. Wheeler a little before the late war. He was succeeded by Arthur Stapleton and Mr. Webster. In 1868, John Eckerson bought the property, which he still owns. The American Hotel was built in 1872, being first kept by Charles Townsend. Since 1881, it has been owned by G. M. Vancleef. I. E. Altenberg is the pro. prietor of the recently erected Altenberg House, at the foot of Main street. Physicians.-Its citizens claim that Akron has been noted for the great number of doctors who have located themseves there, but have been compelled to leave on account of the healthfulness of the village. We have mentioned three of the more prominent early physicians. Of the present practitioners, Dr. L. P. L. Parker moved to Akron from Clarence in 1861. Dr. O. P. Crane and his son, Dr. L. D. Crane, located in the village in 1877, while Dr. S. W. Hurd came in 1881. The Akron Brecze.—The only newspaper ever published in Akron is the Akron Breeze, established in September, 1878, by Frank G. Smith, who has ever since been the editor and proprietor. It is a twenty-eight column weekly and is the only paper published within fourteen miles in either direction. It is independent in politics and the originality of the name selected by the proprietor has proved typical of the character of the paper. It has devoted considerable space to the local history of its village and town, and we are indebted to it for many of the facts here reproduced. The Methodist Episcopal Church.—This church originated in the class, already mentioned, formed in 1807, at the house of Charles Knight, who became the first class-leader. This was the first class west of the Gen- esee river. The members were Charles and Mary Knight, Lemuel and Lydia Osborne, David Hamlin, Sr., David Hamlin, Jr., Anna and Rebecca Hamlin, Jedediah and Persis Felton and Persis Haines. The Hamlins, and we believe the Feltons, resided in what is now Clarence. Van Ness and Jenks were the missionaries in charge, their circuit cover- ing a large part of the Holland Purchase. In 1808, there were fifty members of the class and in 1809 there were ninety. The Genesee Conference having been formed in 1810, John Kimber- lin and William Brown were appointed preachers for the circuit and as a TOWN OF Newstead. 375 result of their labors we find the amazing number of two hundred and sixty members reported as belonging to this church. In 1811, L. Grant, E. Metcalf and M. Pearce were the preachers in charge. The house of worship used at that time stood on the Buffalo road, on the north-east corner of Lemuel Osborne's farm. In 1812 A. Owen was the preacher in charge and in 1813 G. Laning. There were at this time twenty preach- ing places on the circuit, each to be occupied once in two weeks. The preacher in charge in 1814 was J. S. Lent, in 1815 R. Menshalland in 1816 J. H. Harris and W. Jones. In 1817 a new circuit was formed in which Clarence was the leading station, with A. D. Hamilton as preacher in charge. In 1818 the preachers were A. Seager and J. Foster. There were then about ninety members in this class. At that time Glezen Fillmore, then an exhorter, used to walk from Harris Hill, nine miles, to the log school house in the Osborne neighborhood, preach a rousing sermon and return in the same manner. Z. Paddock preached in 1819, and in 1820 Mr. Fill- more, having entered the ministry, was placed in charge of the circuit. That year a log or block meeting house twenty-four feet by thirty-six, was erected. "All turned out who could hew or score." Lemuel Osborne gave the site, and the building cost but $250. In 1821 a log house belonging to Mr. Osborne was fitted up by the church for a par- sonage; N. B. Dobson was the first to occupy it. In 1822 and 1823 Eli- jah Boardman was the preacher in charge, succeeded in 1824 by Cyrus Story, and he in 1825 by George Wilkinson. In 1826 Joseph Atwood was the preacher, under whose ministrations there was an important revival, when seventy additions were made to the church. The following preach- ers officiated during the next ten years; Reeder Smith and Squire Chase, 1827; Mifflin Harker, 1828; Ira Bronson and B. Gardner, 1829; Sheldon Doolittle and J. B. Lanckton, 1830 and '31; S. Judd and D. D. Nichols, 1832; William D. Jewell, 1833 and '34; O. A. Abbott and M. Preston, 1835; Aaron Palmer, 1836. In the last mentioned year the present church edifice was erected at Akron, the site being given by Jonathan Russell. Rev. Glezen Fill- more was then the presiding elder of the Pembroke circuit, to which this church belonged. The building was not completed and dedicated until 1840, when Rev. Allen Steele preached the dedication sermon. The preachers for 1837 were Fuller Aikins and Asa Warren; for 1838 J. G. Gulick and Philander Powers; for 1839 J. G. Gulick and John Zim- merman; for 1840 J. W. Vaughn and S. Salisbury. At that time Akron was made the head of the circuit, which was thenceforth supplied by one preacher. The ministers from that time to this have been as follows: Samuel Salisbury, 1841; Allen Ripley, 1842; Nelson Hoag, 1843; S. Judd, 1844 and '45; D. J. B. Hoyt, 1846; Sumner C. Smith, 1847 and '48; E. S. Furman, 1849; David Nichols, 1850; John • 376 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Timmerman, 1851 and '52; J. Watts, 1853 and '54; A. W. Luce, 1855 and '56; Henry Butlin, 1857 and '58; R. N. Leake, 1860;, R. D. Miller, 1861 and '62; W. J. Tuttle, 1863: J. Kennard, 1864 and '65; E. F. Greene, 1867 and '68; L. L. Rogers, 1869; W. Scism, 1870; C. Eddy, 1871, '72 and 73; P. R. Stover, 1874, '75 and '76; G. W. Kittinger, 1877, '78 and '79; T. Cardus, 1879, '80 and '81; W. B. Cliff, 1882 and '83. The church now numbers one hundred and forty-six members. Present stewards, are Dennis Churchill, Eliza Churchill, H. H. Newton, William T. Magoffin, J. W. Tuttle, H. A. Wilder, C. D. Churchill, F. N. Bell and John Dorst; class-leaders, James Center, J. W. Tuttle, H. H. Newton, W. T. Magof- fin, C. D. Churchill and John A. Vroom; superintendent of the Sunday school, H. T. Newton. The Akron Baptist Church.-For many years before 1837 a Baptist Church had existed in Newstead, which held meetings on the Buffalo road about two miles from Akron. As the business of the vicinage after 1828, was gradually transferred to Akron, the former meeting- place was found inconvenient, and the church became feeble. In 1837 it was disbanded and its members united with others in organizing the Akron Baptist Church. The first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Marshall. In 1838 its first meeting-house was built on Main street, Akron, in which the church worshiped during thirty-five years. In 1873 the present church edifice was erected at a cost of $12,000. The pastor at that time, the Rev. Mr. Wilkinson, died suddenly a few days after the dedi- cation of the new building while seated in his study preparing a sermon for the coming Sabbath. The greatest number of members which the church has had at one time is one hundred and sixty-one. Its present number is one hundred and five. Its present pastor is the Rev. A. Lindsay, who has occupied the position four years. The Presbyterian Church of Newstead.—About 1820, when the terri- tory of Newstead was a part of Clarence, a church was organized by the name of the Presbyterian Church of Clarence, at least half of the mem- bers of which resided in what is now Newstead. They built a framed house of worship on the Buffalo road in Newstead which they occupied nearly twenty years. In 1835 the Presbyterian church of Newstead was organized with eleven members, but a large majority of the Presbyerians of Newstead still remained attached to the Clarence church. In 1839, the presbytery passed a resolution dividing the Clarence church and authorizing the members residing in Newstead to form themselves into a separate organization. These numbered twenty-eight who had united themselves with the Church of Newstead already formed, as did also twelve others, making a total of fifty-one mem- bers. Of these we are able to give the names of thirty-seven, viz.: Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jackson, Mr. and Mrs Benja- TOWN OF NEWSTEAD. 377 min Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. John Seaton, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Seaton, Mr. and Mrs. Silas Saxton, Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Little, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Cofran, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Davis, Mrs. Green, Nancy and Eliza- beth Green, A. Tompkins, Wm. Strickland, Wm. Whitley, Mrs. Prince, Mrs. Rogers, Catharine Rogers, John McNillib, Mrs. Cyrus Hopkins, Jane Johnson, Mrs. Joseph Harris, Miss H. Ferris, Moses Nash, A. K. Hubbard, Huldah Bates, Mrs. P. Burt, and Calvin C. Kingsley. The board of elders then elected consisted of John Seaton, Wm. Jackson, Elbridge Little, Silas Saxton and Wm. Cofran; Mr. Little being the clerk. In 1852 the society erected a framed house of worship in the vil- lage of Akron, and thenceforth held their meetings there. The first pastor in the new church was the Rev. E. Taylor. He was followed successively by Frederick Graves, D. Hamilton, Welcome Moddisett, E. Taylor, Ezra Jones, Isaac Dwight and John Long, the last of whom left in 1881, since which time the church has had no regular pastor. The elders of the church at the present time are E. Beardsley, Lot S. Wilder and Perry Cofran; the trustees of the society are Charles Clark, E. Beardsley, Hugh Carson, Perry Cofran, Monroe Johnson, Chas. Ains- worth and Lot S. Wilder. The church has but about thirty members. The Catholic Church of Akron.—The first visit of a Catholic priest to Akron was made by Father Loughan, in 1847, who celebrated mass at the house of Thomas Downey, but remained only a few days. There were few if any Catholic services at Akron from that time until the autumn of 1853, when Father James M. Early took up his abode there for a short time. As near as can be ascertained "the old church" was completed and opened for divine service by Father Richard Story, in July, 1854. The pastors who have had charge of the church in succession since that time, have been Fathers J. V. O'Donahue, Sheehan, Martin Cavanagh, D. English, Sisto, James, Samuel, Joachim, Bonaventure, Constant, Cun- ningham, Maloy, O'Dwyer, John O'Donohue, P. P. Mazaret, Dennis Daley, J. Fitzpatrick, P. M. O'Meara, M. O'Shea, and M. P. Connery. The last named pastor came to Akron in May, 1882, and has since been in charge of the church. The Catholics of Akron and vicinity are now erecting a handsome house of worship, at a cost of about $5,000. German Methodist Episcopal Church.-This church was organized in 1867. The first minister, the Rev. Philip H. Hendeges, was installed in December of that year. The first trustees were: Charles Sparling, Anson Sparling, John Etzold, Henry Holtz and Edmund Weinange. In March, 1868, sixty-eight members were added to the church. During that year the society bought the church edifice of the Catholics, which they have since occupied. There are now about seventy-five members. The following is a list of the pastors following Mr. Hendeges, with the years in which they respectively took charge of the church: Reverends John Flad, 1872; F. W. Vogel, 1875; William Schlueter, 1878; C. 378 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Schaerff, ; John Boeger, 1883; Charles Stoecker, since April, 1883. The present trustees are: Edmund Weinange, J. Holtz, Lewis Kraatz, Christian Tesnow, Charles Lorenz and Charles Yuerke. The last named gentleman is also the superintendent of a flourishing Sabbath school. Akron Lodge, No. 527, F. & A. M.—This lodge was organized in 1860, with nine members; there are now about eighty. Further details of the lodge will be found in the chapter devoted to secret societies. Wilber N. Hoag, of Akron, a son of Rev. Nelson Hoag, was born in the town of Wilton, Saratoga county, N. Y., September 10, 1833, and received his education in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. In 1852 he left that institution and went to Medina, in the same State, where he at first clerked in a store, then entered into the boot and shoe business, and after six months' trial there, went to Jeddo, where he remained two years. In 1860 he returned to Akron, his adopted village, where he has since remained and marked his career as a public- spirited man, and an active business citizen of his town and village. Mr. Hoag began in Akron without means; the first three years working at the trade of carpenter and joiner. He then became ticket and freight agent at that point for the New York Central Railroad Company, also acting as agent for the American Express Company, and continued in this position twelve years. While there, Mr. Hoag began taking and filling orders for lumber, and made the beginning of his prosperous lumber trade afterward and of the establishment of his yard in 1870. He also, during the mean time, gradually worked up the business of Fire Insurance, and is now doing a good business for the Ætna, North British, German American and Glens Falls companies. During one season he filled the position of Superintendent of the Akron Cement and Plaster Company, but owing to the arduous work in his other fields of labor, gave it up at the expiration of that time. He has also represented his village in the confidence and trust of public office, having during the years 1881 and '82, filled the position of president of Akron, and formerly served a number of terms as trustee of the village board. He has been during the last six years, president of the Maple Lawn Cemetery Association, and although not a member of any religious society has been trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church and president of the board for a number of years. He organized the Akron Lodge F. and A. M., No. 527, in the year 1861, and is a member of Buffalo Chapter and Lake Erie Commandery. His financial career has also been successful and he has added to the beauty of the place a number of elegant and substantial buildings, both business and dwelling houses. He has lived a strictly temperate life. Oct 1, 1862, Mr. Hoag was married to Cynthia L., daughter of Tunis Eckerson, one of the old- est and most respected residents of the town of Newstead. She was born April 15, 1839. Rev. Nelson Hoag, father of Wilbur N. and brother of Rev. Wilbur Hoag, was born in Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., June 24, 1811. He was converted to God under the pious labors of Rev. Dr. Brayton, in Wilton, Saratoga county, N. Y., in 1832 or '33, and there united with the Methodist Episcopal church. In October, 1836, he was received on probation as a traveling preacher in the Genesee conference and graduated to the office of elder, and continued to labor as a success- TOWN OF CLARENCE. 379 ful and faithful minister of our Lord Jesus Christ, till, disabled by his last sickness, he fell at his post, dying as he had lived, wearing his armor and trusting in God. After his conversion, he went to Lima and attended the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in 1836, and afterward filled appointments in Dansville, Avoca, Warsaw, Porter, Wilson and Akron, reaching the last named place in the year 1843. He died Aug. 10, 1844. His wife Lorenda Woodworth was born in Morreau, Saratoga county, N. Y., Sept. 24, 1812, married April 14, 1831, and died May 17, 1867, having lived an active, zealous, Christian life. There were born to them five children as follows: Permelia Jane, born May 8, 1832, died July 18, 1832; W. N. Hoag, born Sept. 10, 1833; Lyman, born in Lima, Liv- ingston county, June 29, 1836; Wilson Porter, born in Avoca, March 22, 1840; and Louisa L., born in Akron, May 27, 1844. CHAPTER XXXVIII. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CLARENCE, T HE town of Clarence at one time comprised the whole north part of the present county of Erie, but this sketch will be confined strictly to the territory now contained within its limits, being township twelve, range six, of the Holland Company's survey, and that part (about half) of township thirteen in that range lying south of Tonawanda creek. The town is situated on the northern border of Erie county, a little east of the center. Its surface is generally level. A limestone terrace, how- ever, about fifty feet high, with a wall-like front facing the north, extends east and west through the town, a short distance south of its center.* The town is watered by Tonawanda creek, which forms its northern boundary, and by Ransom's creek, which flows northwest through its central portion. The soil in the northern part is a clayey loam, while in the south it is a sandy and gravelly loam, underlaid by limestone. The first settlement was made in the year 1799, by Asa Ransom, at the point now known as Clarence Hollow. Joseph Ellicott, as the agent of the Holland Company had offered several tracts of land along the road running through Batavia to Buffalo, at the company's lowest price, on long time, and without interest, to any suitable person who would build and keep open taverns upon them. This offer was accepted by Mr. Ransom, an active young man, with a wife and two daughters, who had for three years kept a shop at Buffalo, where he made silver brooches, rings, etc., for the Indians. The few traders at that point had previously lived there by sufferance of the Indians, without legal title or prospect *For the geological character of this ledge, the reader is referred to the chapter on geology in the general history of the county. 380 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. of title to their homes, and the settlement made by Mr. Ransom at Clarence Hollow was the first permanent made in Erie county. Mr. Ransom had much influence with the Indians, who gave him the name of "O-wis-ta-no-at-squo-nich," signifying "maker of silver."* His residence was where that of Joshua Beaman is now situated. Mr. Ransom's oldest son, the late Colonel Harry B. Ransom, was born in November, 1799, and was not only the first white child born in Clarence, but was, so far as is known, the first white male child born in Erie county.+ Mr. Ransom kept a place for the accommodation of travelers as soon as he erected his first building in 1799, though it may be he did not obtain a license and called it a tavern until the beginning of the settlement, nearly two years later. His was the first hotel in Erie county, outside of the little hamlet at Buffalo. We cannot learn that there was any accession to the population of the town, outside of the Ransom family, until 1801, as the land was not surveyed so that it could be sold. During the year 1800 the survey of the Holland Purchase into townships was completed and township 12, range 6, (now the south part of Clarence) besides others farther east was subdivided into lots. This was the first township surveyed in Erie county-even No. 12 in range 5 (now Newstead) not being ready for sale until the latter part of the next year. In January, 1801, Mr. Ellicott opened the first land office on the Holland Purchase at Clarence Hollow, which was then called "Ransom- ville." Mr. Ellicott in his letters sometimes called it by that name and sometimes by that of "Pine Grove." Pine Grove." The latter appellation was not adopted by the people and the place was generally known as "Ransom- ville," or "Ransom Mills" for many years, and until those names were gradually changed for "Clarence Hollow." The locality was as near the center of the Holland Purchase as any point then available and it seems probable that Mr. Ellicott intended to make it the permanent seat of the land office. That institution remained there, however, only about a year and three months. So far as we have been able to learn Mr. Ransom was the only resident at Clarence Hollow when the land office was established, and the natural presumption is that Mr. Ellicott, who was a bachelor, boarded at Ransom's tavern, and he probably kept the land office in the same building. The price at which the land was offered was $2.75 per acre; ten per cent. in cash. The last proviso was soon set aside. Sales were at first few, even in the eastern part of the Purchase, and still more so in the section under consideration. Although the office was opened in Janu- ary, 1801, it was not until the 12th of March following that a contract, It seems to have been the custom of the red men in the early days to invent an Indian name for every white man of any prominence with whom they became acquainted. + His sister, the younger of the two daughters of Asa Ransom before mentioned, (afterwards Mrs. Frederick B. Merrill,) is believed to have been the first white child born in the county. TOWN OF CLARENCE. 381 commonly called an "article," was given by the company for land in the present town of Clarence; the purchaser being Christopher Sadler. This was the first sale in the regular course of business in Erie county, the grants to Ransom and one or two others having been made, as special favors before the land was surveyed. Mr. Sadler's contract covered two hundred and thirty-four acres of land in lots one and two, section six,* range six, being about a mile west of Clarence Hollow. It is not absolutely certain that he settled on his land until the next spring, though he probably did so. We give the names of the early purchasers and the years in which they took "articles" (very few indeed paid cash and took deeds) as shown by the books of the Holland Company. Usually the buyer began a clearing on his land the same year and, if married, put up a cabin for the use of his family, but sometimes he had been a resident a year or two before purchasing, and sometimes he postponed making a settlement until a year or two after taking his "article." If from other sources we can give the year of settlement of one of the early pioneers, we intend to do so. Besides Mr. Sadler, Timothy S. Hopkins and Levi Felton took con- tracts for land in the present town of Clarence in 1801. Mr. Hopkins had been in the county since 1797, but, being a young, unmarried man, had had no fixed residence. Mr. Felton made a settlement that year or the next. Another "settler" who did not at that time require any land, was Asa Ransom, Jr., who was born in June of that year, being the sec- ond white child born in Clarence and being also the second white male born in Erie county, the date of whose birth is known. In 1802 the list of land-owners in what is now Clarence, was in- creased by the names of Gardner Spooner, John Warren, Frederick Buck, Resolved G. Wheeler, Edward Carney, Elias Ransom, Abraham Shope, Sr., and William Updegraff. Mr. Shope's son, Abraham, then three years old, who resided in Clarence until his death in July, 1883, was accustomed to say that he could barely remember the family living in a tent before moving into the log house his father built. The land at that time was very productive, and the settlers raised large crops of corn on their small prairies or "openings" of a few acres each, which were surrounded by forests of oak or pine. These fertile fields all ready for the plow, were numerous for several miles west and south of Clar- ence Hollow. Zerah Ensign, Jacob Shope, George Sherman, Andrew Durnet, Julius Keyes and Lemuel Harding, purchased land in 1803, and most of them made settlements. David Bailey, Peter Pratt, Daniel Robinson, Isaac VanOrman, Riley Munger and David Hamlin, Jr., came or bought land in 1804. The first death in the town, that of Julius Keyes, occurred *This township and a few others, unlike the greater part of the Purchase, was first subdivided into "sections" of 1,440 acres each, and these into lots of 120 acres each. 382 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. this year. In 1804 or 1805 Asa Ransom built a saw-mill on the stream running through Clarence Hollow, to which the name of Ransom's creek had been given. In 1805 Thomos Clark, Edmund Thompson and David Hamlin, Sr., were among the settlers, and Rebecca Hamlin taught the first school in the town. In 1805 or 1806, Asa Ransom built at Clarence Hollow, the first grist-mill in Erie county. In 1806 Justus Webster, John Tyler, Jonathan Barrett and others, settled in the town, and in 1807 Wiliam Barrett, Thomas Brown and Asa Harris. Mr. Har- ris located himself on the Buffalo road, four miles west from Clarence Hollow, on a piece of slightly rising ground, which has since been known as "Harris Hill." It would be impossible to mention all the settlers in the different. parts of the town from this time on, so numerous were they, and so rapidly did their numbers increase from year to year. They came from nearly all of the middle and eastern States; but a large portion were from Pennsylvania, and were of German descent. We deem it proper, however, to mention the names of Rev. Glezen Fillmore, Bishop Lapp, Anthony Rhodes, Simeon Fillmore, Colonel Orange Mansfield, John Eshleman, Colonel Samuel Beaman, Matthias. Van Tine, David Van Tine, Christian Metz, Robert McKillip and Mr. Hunt, father of the Rev, H. P. Hunt. Glezen Fillmore, (cousin of President Millard Fillmore,) then a youth of twenty, just licensed as a Methodist exhorter, traveled from Oneida county on foot to Clarence, in the spring of 1809. He preached his first sermon at the house of David Hamlin, Sr., that gentleman and his family, and Mr. and Mrs. Maltby composing the entire audience. It was not long, however, before he found many who gladly listened to him, and he soon entered on a career of great and long-continued usefulness. Reverends William LeSuer, John LeSuer and Solomon Bell had previously preached occasionally in Clarence, but Mr. Fillmore was generally recognized as the most prominent and suc- cessful of the pioneer ministers. As near as we can learn, the first religious society in Clarence was a Methodist class, organized by him in the summer of 1809. He procured a farm near Clarence Hollow, and in the autumn of 1809 he returned to Oneida county, married Miss Lavina Atwell, and brought her back to Clarence. After exhorting nine years, he joined the conference as a minister in 1818, and afterwards spent his time in various parts of this State, being sometimes pastor and some- times presiding elder, but always retaining a permanent home in Clar- He died in 1875. The bride of his youth survives at the age of ninety-six, though seeming twenty years younger. ence. Bishop Lapp and Anthony Rhodes both left remarkable records of Christian work done among the people of their respective denominations. Simeon Fillmore, a brother of Glezen Fillmore, was appointed the first postmaster at West Clarence, in 1822. He was several years supervisor TOWN OF CLARENCE. 383 of the town, and was a man of strong local influence. Colonel Orange Mansfield, a pioneer of marked energy, established the hamlet of Mans- field Corners, afterwards North Clarence, before or soon after the year 1812; he built a store and a saw-mill, but the place flourished only during his day. He was prominent as late as 1845. Colonel Samuel Beaman, then twenty-one years old, came to the town in 1809. Accompanied by his bride, he carried his household furniture on his back from Clarence Hollow to a point three miles north, where he erected his cabin in the woods and began to clear the farm on which he lived about seventy years. He was a carpenter and commanded a dollar a day for his services. Many of the old framed dwellings and barns now seen in Clarence were erected by him. Matthias VanTine located himself in 1809, four miles north of Harris Hill, being, according to the statement of his son David, the first settler in that part of the town. A Mr. Good- rich was one of the first residents in Clarence Center; John Eshleman, David VanTine and Christian Metz settled in the vicinity a little later. During the war of 1812 nearly the whole population of Clarence capable of bearing arms, was at one time or another "on the lines" in the militia, as described in the general history. Jacob VanTine, Jr., of Clar- ence, was killed at the battle of Black Rock. The services of the gal. lant volunteers of Clarence in the war for the Union, are recorded with those of their respective regiments and batteries, in the chapters especially devoted to that subject. The northern part of the town was purchased and is still owned mainly by Germans, who have by their industry turned their farms into veritable garden beds and as a class have become wealthy. This town is extremely well adapted to agriculture,, and produces both good pas- turage and large crops of grain. Wheat is the most abundant crop har- vested, and the yield, according to the agricultural reports, equals that of any section of the state. The population of the town of Clarence is now 3,500. MUNICIPAL HISTORY. At the time of its first settlement the territory of Clarence was a part of the town of Northampton, in the county of Ontario. In the spring of 1802 it was made a part of the new county of Genesee and of the town of Batavia, which embraced the whole Holland Purchase. The first town-meeting of Batavia was held in 1803 at Vandeventer's tavern in the present town of Newstead, where the following residents of township twelve, range six, (now Clarence) were elected to office: Asa Ransom, assessor; Levi Felton, constable; Timothy S. Hopkins and Orlando Hopkins, overseers of highways.* The first town meeting within the * In 1804 Batavia was divided into four towns the territory of Clarence becoming a part of Wil- link, which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, and comprised three ranges of townships, Clarence being in the westernmost range. It was organized in the spring of 1805 (also at Vande- venter's) where Zerah Ensign, of the present town of Clarence, was elected town clerk, Asa Ransom, assessor, Levi Felton, collector, Otis Ingalls, overseer of the poor, and Julius Keyes, constable. 25 384 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. present limits of Clarence was held at the house of Asa Ransom in the spring of 1807, when that energetic pioneer was elected supervisor of Willink. The county and town boundaries remained substantially unchanged until the spring of 1808, when there was a thorough reorganization, as set forth in the general history of the county. On the 11th day of March in that year the town of Clarence was formed by the Legislature (as a part of the new county of Niagara) comprising all that part of the pres- ent county of Erie lying between the center of the Buffalo Creek reser- vation and Tonawanda creek.* The first town-meeting in Clarence was held the next month at Elias Ransom's tavern, in the present town of Amherst. Jonas Williams was elected supervisor; Samuel Hill, Jr., town clerk; Timothy S. Hopkins, Aaron Beard and Levi Felton, asses- sors; Otis R. Hopkins, collector; Otis R. Hopkins, Francis B. Drake and Henry B. Annabill, constables; Samuel Hill, Jr., Asa Harris and Asa Chapman, commissioners of highways; James Cronk, poormaster. Most of the persons named resided in the present towns of Clarence and Amherst, and Buffalo seems to have been entirely unrepresented. On the 10th of February the town of Buffalo was established, taking away all that part of Clarence lying west of the "West Transit" the western boundary of the present town. Early in 1823 the towns of Alden and Erie (now Newstead) were taken from Clarence, reducing the latter to a tract six miles wide and about eighteen miles long-which dimensions it retained ten years. On the 20th of March, 1833, all that portion south of township twelve, range six, was formed into the new town of Lancaster, leaving Clarence with its present area. The following is a list of the supervisors of the town since its organ- ization, although some of those elected previous to 1833 resided outside its present limits:- Jonas Williams, 1808; Samuel Hill, Jr., 1809, '10 and '11; James Cronk, 1812 and '13; Simeon Fillmore, 1814; Otis R. Hopkins, 1815 to 1822 inclusive; Simeon Fillmore, 1823, '24 and '25; Otis R. Hopkins, 1826, '27 and '28; Benjamin O. Bivins, 1829; John Brown, 1830, '31 and '32; Benjamin O. Bivins, 1833, '34 and 35; Levi H. Goodrich, 1836; Amos Wright, 1837; Thomas Durboraw, 1838 to 1841 inclusive; Archi- bald Thompson, 1842; Orsamus Warren, 1843; Archibald Thompson, 1844; Orsamus Warren, 1845; Thomas Durboraw, 1846; Archi- bald Thompson, 1847; Orsamus Warren, 1848 and '49; Thomas Durboraw, 1850; James D. Warren, 1851 to '54 inclusive; Thomas Dur- boraw, 1855; Henry S. Cunningham, 1856 to '59 inclusive; David Wood- * A considerable portion at least of the people of Willink desired to retain its former awkward boundaries. At a special town meeting held at the house of Asa Ransom on the 2d of February, 1808, resolutions were adopted protesting against the division proposed by the agent of the Holland Company and favoring the retention of the old town of Willink. Probably the people were afraid that all the town business would go to Buffalo, which was to be the county seat of Niagara county and was included in the town of Clarence. TOWN OF CLARENCE. 385 ward, 1860 to '64 inclusive; Livingston G. Wiltse, 1865, Jacob Eshle- man, 1866 to '72 inclusive; Livingston G. Wiltse, 1873; J. O. Magoffin, 1874; John Kraus, 1875 to '78 inclusive; Lyman Parker, 1879 and '80; Livingston G. Wiltse, 1881, '82 and '83. The following are now the prin- cipal officers of Clarence: Livingston G. Wiltse, supervisor; Andrew Metz, town clerk; George E. Pugsley, John Morrison, Samuel Kroll and Joseph F. Laraway, justices of the peace; C. G. VanTine, Emanuel L. Martin and Henry Frick, assessors; George Bluman, collector; John Kroll, highway commissioner; Michael Fisher and Daniel Blocher, poor- masters; Philip Riegle, Jacob F. Humbert and William Zesch, excise commissioners. CLARENCE HOLLOW. This village (incorporated) now contains a population of about four hundred. Of its first settlement we have already spoken. It was known as Ransomville as late as the war of 1812, or later. The first store was opened by Otis K. Ingalls about 1811, though it is believed that Asa Ransom kept some necessary articles for sale at his hotel at an earlier period. A postoffice called "Clarence" was established between 1808 and 1811, but it was kept by Archibald S. Clarke, who resided in the present town of Newstead. As near as we can learn it was kept by him until 1816, when it was removed to Clarence Hollow, where it has since remained. The erection of the old Ransom grist mill in 1805 or 1806 as already mentioned, was an important event, as the grain of the set- tlers in all that region had been previously pounded in a mortar or taken to mill in Canada; yet from its small size it was often called the pepper- mill, and farmers were frequently obliged to take their grists elsewhere even after its erection. In time it became dilapidated and valueless. About 1842, Abraham Shope bought the property and built the mill which is still standing. It was subsequently owned by Daniel Strickler, John Widelar, Jacob Hummel and Joshua Beaman, and is now owned by Van Tine & Magoffin. The physicians of Clarence Hollow are Dr. Henry Lapp, (son of the late Bishop Lapp) who has been here since 1864, and Dr. C. W. Howe, a much later arrival. Dr. Lapp studied under the well known physician, Dr. Orlando K. Parker, and afterwards practiced in partnership with him until his death, which occurred in 1872. Dr. Orlando Wakelee was an early and prominent physician and practiced in the village many years. His son, Orlando Wakelee, who died in 1842, was the first per- son buried in the new cemetery. Dr. Jared Parker came to Clarence Hollow in 1830, and practiced until his retirement in 1877. In 1832, when the town suffered from the cholera, the last-named physician alone, had forty cases under his care. There are three hotels in the place. The Sadler House was built. by William Spoor, probably in 1812, as a tavern license was first granted 386 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. him on the 4th day of May, 1813. It was kept by him and afterwards by his son for many years. James B. Sadler owned it from 1850 to March, 1853, when it was sold to Thomas Grey, the present owner. The Bern- hard House was built by Charles Bicker in 1872, and sold to Peter Bern- hard, the present owner, in 1877. It stands on the ground where Levi Felton kept a hotel as early as 1807, (the records show that a license was granted him in that year). Philip Heath kept hotel in the Felton build- ing, in all, forty years. The Hoffman House was built by John Fidinger in 1878. Among the principal merchants of the past was the firm of O. War- ren & Co., which did a large and successful business for a long period previous to 1850. In that year they sold out to Henry K. VanTine. J. B. Bailey was another of the earlier merchants. J. F. Humbert began keeping store at the Hollow in 1877. A. J. Miller and J. Fidinger, also late arrivals, have each a general store. Among mechanics especial mention may be made of John Guise, who established his blacksmith shop in Clarence Hollow in 1829 and a few years ago built himself a substantial brick shop in which he now car- ries on an extensive business. * The Methodist Episcopal Church of Clarence Hollow.-This church was organized July 3, 1833, when Glezen Fillmore, Benjamin O. Bivins, Cyrus Hopkins, John Spoor and Orlando Wakelee were chosen trustees.* In 1834 the society built a stone church, with galleries and a basement, in which the Rev. Glezen Fillmore preached the first sermon. This edi- fice and the parsonage were burned December 7, 1872. The corner stone of the present church building was laid June 14, 1873. The following is a list of the ministers of this church since 1810, given in their order :-John Kimberlin, William Brown, L. Grant, Elijah Metcalf, Marmaduke Pierce, James Gillmore, G. Laning, James L. Lent, Robert Munshall, C. Giles, Joseph H. Harris, William Jones, Alpheus Davis, James H. Harris, Aurora Seager, Jeta Foster, Asa Williams, Alba Beckwith, G. Fillmore, N. B. Dodson, Elijah Boardman, Cyrus Story, Joseph Atwood, Reeder Smith, Mifflin Harker, G. Wilkinson, Ira Bronson, R. B. Gardner, Sheldon Doolittle, B. Lavecton, D. Michos, James Durham, Merritt Preston, G. Benedict, J. F. Rose, J. R. Babcock, E. C. Sanborn, David Ferris, Earl B. Fuller, O. Abbott, J. G. Witled, Amos Worcester, Hiram May, D. B. Lawton, Joseph K. Cheesman, J. Zimmerman, K. D. Nettleton, R. C. Foote, J. R. Wooley, R. D. Miller, W. H. Shaw, R. W. Leake, E. J. Jeffars, B. F. McNeal, R. E. Thomas, *There had, however, been Methodist preaching in the vicinity since 1807, when Rev. Peter Van Ness and Rev. Amos Jenks came from Philadelphia to the Holland Purchase as missionaries, and a Methodist Church or class was organized at Clarence Hollow as early as 1809, as Mrs. Glezen Fillmore states that she found one there on her arrival in the autumn of that year. The organization in 1833 was evidently for the purpose of building a house of worship. } TOWN OF CLARENCE. 387 1 William Kerley, J. B. Lavecton, T.W. Potter, J. B. Wright, J. Zimmerman, A. N. Fillmore, R. L. Robinson, C. S. Baker, T. D. L. Bickley. The last named gentleman remained from 1879 to 1882, and was the first pas- tor that staid three years; he was succeeded by the Rev. C. H. Norris, the present minister. The church at this time consisted of fifty-one members. The trustees of the society are L. G. Wiltse, N. B. Parker, G. H. Butler, C. Bodine, Jerome Keller. The stewards of the church are Andrew McLane, Byron Chaffee, Mrs. J. Humbert and Mrs. W. Bodine. The Rev. C. H. Norris is the superintendent of the Sabbath school. The Presbyterian Church of Clarence Hollow.-This society held a meeting July 21st, 1821, the records of which state that Archibald S. Clarke was appointed to call upon the agent of the Holland Land Com- pany and obtain a deed for the "gospel lot" in the twelfth township and fifth range.* On April 30, 1822, at district school 'house No. 3, John Gray, Samuel Strickland, Levi H. Goodrich, John Sample, Stephen Osborn and Wm. Mills were elected trustees. The Rev. Harmon Hol- sey was the first pastor of the flock, but the Rev. Henry Safford was the first regularly appointed minister to whom the society agreed to pay a salary. The amount agreed on was $150 a year, in produce. The mis- sionary society of New York also paid him $100 in money. The official meeting was held Oct. 14, 1826, and Mr. Safford was to begin his labors as soon as he could return with his family from Vermont. Provision was made in time for the erection of a church building at Clarence Hol- low, which was finished in the year 1836. The church was re-built in 1879 and the whole property was sold in July, 1883, to the West Shore Railroad Company, for $9,000. Rev. C. S. Blodgett, the last pastor of this church, died in April, 1883. Robert Gray, I. J. Lester, Geo. W. Havens, Lafayette Long, B. Bodine and John Thompson are the trus- tees. D. J. Sinclair, Dr. Henry Lapp, A. C. Bodine and Augustus Rainor are the elders. The German Reformed Church of Clarence Hollow.-This was organ- ized in 1859, by the Rev. Henry Bentz, who remained in charge until April, 1882, when he was succeeded by the Rev. G. B. Chiek, the pres- ent pastor. The house of worship was formerly owned by the Seventh- day Baptists. The elders are Philip Wahl, Henry Rothenmeyer, and Philip Barbel. The deacons are M. Young, Charles Leib, and Christoph Schanzerenbergher. The trustees are Levi Churr, Leonard Churr and Fred Fisher. The church has a good membership and a good Sabbath school. * Township 12, range 5, is now the southern and principal part of Newstead. Probably the church edifice was originally intended to be located in that township, but ere long the society was permanently located at Clarence Hollow: 388 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The Christian Church of Clarence Hollow.-This church had an early organization, but its old records are not now accessible. The present church edifice was erected in 1877. The trustees are Morris Underwood, John Martin and John Seyfang. The elders are Dr. William Hays and Daniel Johnson. The church has a good Sabbath school and is in a flourishing condition. Parker Academy. This well-known institution of learning was estab- lished in Clarence Hollow as a classical school in 1841, by J. Hadley and R. Blenerhassett. A few years afterwards it was organized as Clarence Academy, Mr. Lane, the first principal, remaining four years. In 1869 it was reorganized as the Clarence Union School. The first board of educa- tion, elected in that year, consisted of O. K. Parker, A. Prince, A. L. Love, H. S. Long, Chas. Leib, G. K. Lester, H. S. Stratford, Abram Erb and George Havens. In 1872 Dr. Jared Parker gave $15,000 to the school and the town donated a like sum, making an endowment-fund of $30,000, besides its revenue from the State. In commemoration of the munificent donation made by Dr. Parker. the institution is now called Parker Academy. The board elected in 1872 consisted of Dr. Jared Parker, president; Charles A. Raynor, clerk; George Havens, Newton Parker, Wesley Williams, Abram Erb, Philip Shrader, D. B. Howe and Dr. Henry Lapp, CLARENCE CENTRE. This is an unincorporated village of about fifty houses, having two stores, three hotels, two physicians and three churches. Robert McKel- lip owned much of the land in this vicinity at an early day; he was a jus- tice of the peace and a leading citizen. David VanTine was the first who settled in the village (about 1829), which was called for a number of years, "VanTine's Corners." He kept the first store, his house being on the south-east corner of Main and Mill streets. When the postoffice was established, in 1847, it received the name of Clarence Centre, which the village has since borne. Mr. VanTine was the first postmaster. Robert Purcell succeeded him, and John Eshleman also kept the office for a time. Andrew Metz, the present postmaster, took the office in 1861 and has kept it ever since, with the exception of six months during President Johnson' administration. William Riegle kept a store where John Eshleman now is, as early as 1835. Andrew Metz began business in 1849 and is still carrying on a general store. John Eshleman began in 1851, and has the largest store in the county outside of Buffalo. Dr. Saxer was the first physician in Clarence Center. He remained but a short time and was followed by Jacob Myer, M. D., who has been there twenty years. Dr. Van Peyma came here from Lancaster, in this county, in 1869. TOWN OF CLARENCE. 389 The first hotel in Clarence Centre was kept by Alonzo Crawford, who opened it in 1853. Afterwards L. Crawford, Utley & Cobb, Andrew Riegle, Richard Perine, Samuel Wise, Solomon Hershey, Michael Neal and Charles Mochel kept the "Clarence Centre House," now conducted by the widow and sons of the last named owner. The" Farmer's Hotel" was first kept by Charles Pickard; it is now owned by Peter V. Mehl. John Schuetler opened the "Traveler's Home” in 1882. The German Lutheran Church of Clarence Centre.—The church just named was organized in the year 1857, with the Rev. Valentine Miller as the first pastor. The society had erected a church-building a few years prior to this time, but had had no regular services until Mr. Miller took charge. He was followed by the Rev. George Manz, Rev. Ernest Hyd- ler and Rev. Daniel Stahlschmidt, who came in 1873. The trustees are John Eshleman, John Keller and George Seyfang; the elders are Henry Trube and Christian Mochow; the deacons are Henry Wagner, Conrad Lauber and Philip Hehn. The church has fifty-four members. The German Reformed Church, of Clarence Centre. This church was organized as early as 1855, but had no house of worship until the erec- tion of the present elegant brick structure in 1877. The first minister was the Rev. D. C. Starkey, who was followed successively by Rev. P. Butterfield, Rev. Isaac Benehoff and Rev. H. E. Smith, the present pas- tor. The trustees are Benjamin Metz, Andrew Metz and J. S. Gunn. David Bline is the steward and Benjamin Metz is the class-leader and superintendent of the Sabbath school. HARRIS HILL. This is a small hamlet which derives its name from Asa Harris, who settled there in 1807, and purchased a large tract of land. Insignificant as Harris Hill now seems, there was a brief period when it was the busiest and most important place in Erie county. After the burning of Buffalo, in the last days of 1813, several officials and business men estab- lished themselves at Harris Hill. There was then a small village and a postoffice at Williamsville, but that was considered too near the enemy. Zenas Barker, the county clerk of Niagara county, accordingly established his office at Harris Hill. Root & Boardman opened their law office there, their location being, as they advertised "next door east of Harris' tavern, and fourteen miles from Buffalo ruins." Heman B. Potter located his law office at the same point, and some other business. men established themselves there. On the 18th of January, Messrs. S. H. & H. A. Salisbury re-issued the Buffalo Gazette there. Early in the spring of 1814, however, the people began to re-build Buffalo, the offi- cials and business men returned thither, and Harris Hill became, as before, an unimportant hamlet. A postoffice was established in 1843; which is now kept by William Criqui, who also carries on a store and a 390 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. hotel. Peter Snyder settled very early on a tract of land one-half mile east of Harris Hill, and John Peck purchased five hundred acres where John Shimer now lives. The lime-kiln was built in 1875 by John Shimer. The old Mennonite church edifice, two miles north of Harris Hill, was built under the direction of John Lapp, father of Dr. Henry Lapp, in 1829, and there he served as pastor fifty years. He was born in Chester county, Pa., in 1798, and in 1828 moved to Clarence and became a mem- ber of the Mennonite church. He was ordained as Bishop in 1839, and died in August, 1878. Bishop Lapp followed the occupation of farming, and never received pay for his ministerial services. He never cast a ballot after he was ordained as a minister, and one of his opinions was that if all people lived as they should, there would be no need of civil officers, especially salaried ones. Rev. Jacob Hahn is the present pastor. The church once had a membership of one hundred and fifty persons, but is not now so large. There is no official organization. The United Brethren Church of Harris Hill.-This had no existence until 1858, when John Hill came to the hamlet and formed a class, with Peter Blocher as class-leader, and Isaac Miller as steward. The services. were held in the old stone church erected by the German Evangelical society, until 1862, when the United Brethren occupied their new building, erected during that year. The church has increased to a membership of one hundred and fifty persons. Its ministers, in the order of their service, have been as follows: Reverends John Hill, George Hill, John Hill, Edward Bates, O. Badgely, S. A. Snyder, J. Holmes, A. Peckham, R. Crispin, A. Peckham, I. L. Bowen, D. C. Starkey, P. Butterfield, J. Ben- ehoff and E. Smith; the last named pastor taking charge in September, 1882. The officers of the church in 1862 were David Woodward, Peter Blocher, Henry Frick, Rudolph Zimmer and Joseph Shultz. The pres- ent trustees are Henry Frick, Joseph Shultz, J. S. Gunn and Henry Wiser. The German Evangelical Church of Harris Hill.-The members of this church erected a stone house of worship in 1833. Deaths, removals, and other causes, however, so decreased the size of the society, that it almost lost its identity several years before the late war, although occasionally services were held as late as 1860. The society has now become extinct. The building, a substantial stone structure, is now, (summer of 1883,) occupied by a force of Italian laborers on the West Shore railroad. The First Baptist Church at Hunt's Corners was organized in 1837, with thirty-seven members. Rev. Emory Curtis, then a young man, was the first pastor; he remained only a short time. The first church building, a wooden structure, was erected in 1844. The present one was built in 1877; it is an elegant and substantial brick edifice, with basement, church parlors, etc. The society also owns a chapel in Clarence Centre, where TOWN OF CLARENCE. 391 the minister of this congregation preaches once every two weeks. The building used there was formerly the school-house, having been bought in the year 1880. The deacons of this church in 1844 were Elijah Leach and Mr. Brown; the clerk was Horatio Lyon. The ministers, after Mr. Curtis, were successively as follows: Rev. M. B. True, who was the first pastor in the old building; D. S. Dean, Thomas Theall, M. B. True, Augustus Warren, and H. B. Hunt, the present pastor, who took charge of the church in the year 1855. Mr. Hunt is a native of Clarence and was brought up and educated by the people to whom he now ministers. When he began his work at Hunt's Corners, his church had a member- ship of about one hundred, which has increased under his ministry to two hundred and fifty. The deacons of the church are D. B. Howe and Charles Danser; the trustees of the society are H. E. Bratt, George Ogden, M. B. Cummins, Isaac Lapp and C. G. VanTine. Jacob Eshleman, of Clarence Centre, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1818, and when eight years of age moved with his parents to Clarence where the remainder of his life has been spent. His father, John Eshleman, was born July 13, 1789, and died October 1st, 1850, in Clarence Centre. He was a native of Dauphin county, Pa., and came to Erie county in 1826, coming to Amherst in the spring and to Clarence in the fall of that same year. His occupation was that of a farmer, together with a saw mill which he carried on for many years. His wife, Mary Beem, was born in Spring Creek, Lebanon county, Pa., July 22, 1797, and died in Clarence Centre, April 8, 1871, Jacob Eshleman assisted his father on the farm and in the saw mill and obtained a good common school education in the district school. In 1839 he was united in marriage with Catharine, daughter of Anthony Rhodes who came from York county, Pa., in the year 1826, she being one of ten children, five sons and five daughters, who are all still living. sons Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eshleman, seven and four daughters, of whom the following are still living: Levi B., farmer; Andrew G., a partner of John Eshleman, a merchant in Clar- rence Centre, N. Y.: Emanuel W., merchant of same place, and Eliza, now Mrs. Andrew Herr. Jacob Eshleman is a farmer and has filled the office of supervisor for the year of 1866 and the six succeeding years, and has filled other positions through the gifts of the people. John Kraus is a son of Melchior Kraus, a native of Germany, who was born November 9, 1795. In 1817 Melchior Kraus left Amsterdam for America, but after being on shipboard six weeks, his vessel was wrecked and finally stranded on the coast of Bergen, a province of Nor- way. He was one of the three hundred, out of seven hundred passen- gers, who survived and were finally picked up by a pilot and taken ashore. In 1818 he re-embarked in a merchant ship, but being poor, the only money he had was ten dollars which he paid for provisions, and sold himself for his passage to Philadelphia. His lot of servitude was cast in the town of Mount Holly, N. J., with a Quaker, who not only gave him some schooling during the winter months, but also, at the end of the three years, a suit of clothes. Upon leaving his benefactor, he 392 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. located in Lancaster county, Pa., and carried on the weaving busines until the year 1828, when he removed to the town of Lancaster, Erie. county, N. Y., and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He is a hale and hardy gentleman of eighty-eight years of age. In 1824, Mr. Kraus was married to Elizabeth Letwiler who was born December 23, 1798. She was a daughter of John Letwiler a wealthy Protestant Swiss, who opposed the enormous assessments of the Catholic church and being proscribed himself for a large amount, deter- mined to emigrate to a land where equal liberties were enjoyed by all. He accordingly set sail for America, with his family, in the year 1817, taking passage virtually, but without knowing it, in a pirate's ship. The vessel was made to drift aimlessly for three months, during which time half of the passengers perished for want of suitable water and food, and from diseases incident to such hardships, among whom were himself and wife. His children lived but were robbed of all their wealth, which amounted to $10,000 in gold. This was done in various ways, taking the money by stealth, taxing them over and over again for the passage, claiming that the time spent on the way was longer than the officers of the vessel agreed to keep them, and the remainder being burned in the hospital at Philadelphia, where the clothing was all destroyed to prevent the spread of disease. John Kraus was born in Lancaster, Erie county, N. Y., October 4, 1829, and his whole life has been spent on a farm. He attended school but little in his early years, but by extensive reading and close observation, has secured for himself a good education. When fourteen years of age his attention was practically drawn to scientific farming, and he took for his first subject that of tree culture by means of grafting, and has prose- cuted the same successfully. In 1857 he began hybridising the wheat plant and has made a study of that particular subject ever since. In 1873 he succeeded in producing a genuine crop of a hybrid of the Mediterra- nean and Diehl, which successful result was only attained after years of patient labor and investigation, thereby securing the excellent hardy qualities of the one together with the more tender but greater commer- cial value (at that time) of the other. The hybrid thus produced, has not the physiological characteristics of either species; the head, the appear- ance of the straw, and various shades in color of the wheat, differing from the originals, but it is now receiving an extensive and favorable notice. Mr. Kraus has also succeeded in producing several hybrids of other varieties. The practical course he has taken in the subject of agriculture has brought its remuneration, and proven that scientific farming is a profitable business. He was elected president of the agricultural society of Erie county at the annual meeting held in January, 1883, and holds that position at the present time. He was also Loan Commissioner of the Clarence Par- ker Union School, during several years, and in 1875 was elected Super- visor, holding that office four years. February 10, 1859, he was united in marriage with Anna, daughter of Jacob Bickler, who settled in Erie county in 1811. Garret B. Hunt, of Clarence, was born in the town of Hoosick, Rensselaer county, New York, August 13, 1818, and when six years of age, came with his father to the town of Clarence, where he has resided since October, 1824. August 18, 1842, he was united in marriage with TOWN OF CLARENCE. 393 Cynthia E. Parker. She was a daughter of Caleb Parker of Rensselaer county, who came to Clarence in 1837 and settled near Ebenezer Hunt. He died in October, 1858, and his wife, Caroline Stewart, born in 1801, married January 20, 1822, died in 1860. Mrs. Hunt has two brothers living in Michigan and two who reside near her, and one sister. To Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have been born the following children: Margaret M., Aug. 25, 1843; Ebenezer W., March 19, 1845; Čaroline E., June 28, 1848; Warren E., Oct. 15, 1854; Emory H., Jan. 14, 1859; and Ella M., Dec. 12, 1863. Of these, Emory and Ebenezer died while young; Margaret married H. S. Cunningham who has heretofore been in the lumber trade in Buffalo; Caroline married William H. Brekon, a farmer in Newfane, Niagara county; Warren married Julia Krake, and is now Internal Revenue Collector of Erie county, outside of Buffalo, his resi- dence being in Clarence. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are nicely located on a large farm at Hunt's Corners and enjoy all the luxuries of home and farm life. Ebenezer Hunt, father of Garret B., was born in Pownal, Benning- ton county, Vt., December 21, 1777, and after his marriage with Margaret Weltly in 1796, he crossed the State line and settled in Hoosick where his eleven children were born. In 1824 he removed to Clarence, bring- ing his family by the overland route, with a team, but his goods he shipped to Troy and sent them from there by canal. He located on one hundred and fifty acres of land, purchased of George Stranahan and now owned by members of the family. Mr. Palmer Utley, an old settler, was his near neighbor, and his house is still standing on land now owned by G. B. Hunt. Mr. Ebenezer Hunt was regarded by his neighbors as a substantial, well-to-do farmer, who always refused office, but whose opinion and advice were often sought. He died April 2, 1844, and his wife May 24, 1836, well remembered by all for her attention to the sick. Their chil- dren were: Beulah, born Dec. 9, 1797; Sally, May 14, 1799; Elizabeth, Sept. 23, 1801; James M., Jan. 11, 1806; Martha, Feb. 26, 1808; Catharine, Nov. 5, 1810; Warren W., Feb. 17, 1813; Martin N., July 19, 1815; Gar- ret B., Aug. 13, 1818; Sally M., April 14, 1820; Harrison P., Feb. 22, 1825. Of these, all are dead except Garret and Harrison P. Dr. Jared Parker, of Clarence Hollow, was born August 30, 1803, in Verona, Oneida county, N. Y. He was the second child of Joshua Parker, a native of Connecticut, who was born November 7, 1770, and who, when a young man, moved to Oneida county, N. Y., and subsequently to Michigan, where he died in 1853. Dr. Jared Parker remained at home until twenty years of age, at which time not being satisfied with the educational advantages of the place surrounding him, ran away from home and spent seven years fitting himself for business. Notwithstanding the fact of his starting with nothing, by industry and economy he worked his way through college, and took the degree of M. D. from Fairfield College, Herkimer county, N. Y., in the year 1830. He first practiced his profession three years in Sherman, Chautauqua county, N. Y., when he removed to Clarence Hollow, where after three years more of practice, he purchased a farm, and from that time carried on agricultural pursuits in connection with his profession, until the year 1877, when he retired altogether from business. In 1832 the doctor had about forty cases of cholera, which he suc- cessfully treated, losing but one, which case, however, was taken, after 394 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. the patient had passed beyond the hopes of recovery. His success seems to have been in the palliative remedies he employed, using a soothing treatment instead of calomel and quinine, then so much in vogue. He was married to Miss Laura Parker, May 12, 1830. She was the daughter of Stephen Parker, an old settler of Chenango county, N. Y., who died of typhoid fever in 1809. She was born February 12, 1803, and her married life has always been one of harmony with that of her hus- band, aiding him materially in all his enterprises by her most faithful endeavors. Their golden wedding was celebrated in the year 1880. There were born to this couple two children, both now dead, but they have one grandchild, Deloss Parker, to whom he has deeded one hun- dred and sixty-two acres of valuable land, when he becomes of age, and in thus giving him but part of his wealth, desires not to elevate any one above the necessities of industry and economy. Dr. Parker has in various ways made donations to institutions of learning to the amount of twenty thousand dollars. In 1870 in order to increase an interest in the educational welfare of his community offered a prize of ten dollars in gold to each person graduating from the academy, now Parker Union School, of Clarence Hollow, and has from that time. to this faithfully kept his promise, the aim being to elevate the scholar- ship. In 1872, he donated to Clarence Academy, now Parker Union School, of Clarence Hollow, $15,000 for general school purposes. This sum rested upon a stipulation that the citizens of the town were to raise a like sum, which was done, and paid by them in installments, the last one of $1,500 being paid in the spring of 1883. Owing to this liberal gift made by the doctor the citizens of Clarence rightfully insist upon calling the school" The Parker Academy," union school. When Dr. Parker was twenty years old he weighed but ninety-six pounds, when twenty-four, he weighed one hundred and sixty pounds, which weight he has kept ever since, and is now a hale man notwithstanding his old age. John Wesley Williams, an enterprising farmer of the town of Clarence, is a native of the town of Newstead, Erie county, N. Y. His father, Caleb Williams, was born in the town of Pownal, Vt., November II, 1800. He was a representative citizen of his town and an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, many years before his death, which occurred May 25, 1873. He was on guard at the time the three Thayers were hung in Buffalo, which was June 17, 1825. Joseph W. Williams, an elder brother of his, experienced some of the hardships of the war of 1812; was at Buffalo when it was burned and shot through the body at that time by an Indian. Caleb Williams was married in 1819, to Mrs. Gardner, formerly Diad- ama Sherman, who is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. There were born to them six children as follows:-Lucy, Clara, Wesley Sherman, John Wesley, Jane and Hester Ann. John Wesley Williams, the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, and then set out to seek his own fortune. He has heard his father say that the first sack of grain he had ground, he carried to Williamsville, on his back, a distance of fourteen miles and when he reached that place, he found the miller with the stone on his lap, preparatory to dressing it. He came to Clarence with his parents in the year 1815, when that place was a wilderness. John Wesley Williams was united in marriage with Beulah M., daughter of Charles Utley of North Clarence, who died in the spring of TOWN OF CLARENCE. 395 1872. She was born September 27, 1827. Their only child, Buel, was born in 1851 and died in 1861, but by adoption they have two-Nellie M., born June 30, 1867; and Laura E., born June 6, 1870. Mr. Williams has been a member of the First Baptist Church at Hunts Corners, during thir- ty-three years, having been an official member much of that time and a liberal donator to the church. He was assessor from 1861 to 1864, and has always been a strong Republican and proud of the work done by that party. By hard work he has secured for himself a neat little farm, and in 1872 built upon it a good substantial brick dwelling house, and now he is surrounded with all the ease that is necessary to make one comfortable. a John Eshleman, a merchant of Clarence Centre, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., March 5, 1826. His father, John Eshleman, native of the same county, removed in the spring of that year to Erie county and settled in the town of Amherst, two miles west of Wil- liamsville, but during the next fall, removed to Clarence, where he car- ried on farming and a saw-mill, until his death which occurred October 10, 1850. John Eshleman, the subject of this sketch, remained at home until twenty-four years of age assisting his father on the farm and in the saw- mill. He received a good common school education together with a good knowledge of the German language. In the spring of 1851, he started a store on the northeast corner of Main and Mill streets in Clar- ence Centre and there carried on business until the fall of 1872, when he formed a co-partnership with his nephew Andrew G. Eshleman, and erected a large three-story brick building, said to be one of the largest in the county outside of the city of Buffalo, and where he carries on an extensive retail trade. In 1850, on the 1st day of October, he was mar- ried to Anna H. Hershey, of Sporting Hill, Lancaster county, Pa. She was a daughter of Abram and Nancy Hershey, both of that place. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Eshleman were:-Abner B. H,, born July 7, 1851, died January 4, 1854; Hiram Edwin, born March 23, 1853; Ellen Jane, born December 9, 1856; and Harriet Malinda born December 19, 1858. Hiram E. married in 1879 and follows the occupation of a clerk. I Mr.. Eshleman was postmaster of Clarence Centre from January 1, 1855, to July 19, 1861, and again from September 1, 1868, to April 20, 1869. He has been a prominent member of the German Lutheran Church since December 1, 1867, and has held important positions in that society ever since. His wife died February 1, 1862, at Clarence Centre, and August 23, 1863, he was married to Catharine M. Dissinger, of Elizabethtown, Lancaster county, Pa. She was daughter of Henry and Mary Dissinger, natives of that county, and was born September 25, 1828. Mr. Eshleman has, by industry and economy amassed a fortune and still reaps a large income from the good retail trade of his general store. Livingston G. Wiltse was born November 29, 1817. His grand- father, David Wiltse, immigrated to America from Holland at early day, and identified himself with his adopted country in Ben- nington, Vt., and showed his patriotism by service in our Revolutionary struggle for American independence. an Jeremiah Wiltse, the father of Livingston G., removed to the south- ern part of the town of Clarence, Erie county, May 15, 1815. He was 396 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. town assessor in a very early day, and justice of the peace many years. He resided on the farm now well-known as the old Wiltse homestead, where he raised a family of eleven children, all of whom are now living and scattered widely through several different States, three sisters and one brother residing in Erie county-Mrs. Dr. Caroline Emmons, of Springville; Mrs. Diana Hershey, widow of John Hershey, of Williams- ville; Mrs. Elizabeth Bowman, of Bowmansville; and Jeremiah Simon Wiltse, whose farm joins the old homestead. Livingston G. Wiltse was the oldest son and spent his life, until twenty-seven years of age, on his father's farm, receiving during that time a good common school education. He taught school also more or less for seven years. September 3, 1844, he was married to Laura Malinda Joslyn, a daughter of Samuel Joslyn, a well-known resident of Bowmansville. She was born in Canada, near St. Albans, Vt., and came with her parents to Buffalo when seven years of age. Her brother, Simeon Joslyn, a resident of Omaha, Neb., is, and has been for the past fifteen years, paymaster for the Union Pacific Railroad. Mr. Wiltse has been officially connected with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which he and his wife have long been members. He was formerly inspector of schools, and under the old law, superintendent of the same; also justice of the peace for a period of four years; and is now, and has been occasionally since 1865, supervisor of his town. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wiltse-Samuel J., of Akron, Erie county, now Justice of the Peace; James L., Mrs. Laura A. Shissler, Mrs. Sarah A. McLane, and Rena E., wife of Rev. R. L. Robin- son, of the Genesee Conference. CHAPTER XXXIX. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST, A MHERST lies on the northern border of Erie county, with Clarence on the east, Tonawanda on the west, Niagara county on the north and Cheektowaga on the south. It comprises township twelve, range seven, of the Holland Company's survey, except about one hundred and twenty acres included in Buffalo, and all that part of township thirteen lying south of Tonawanda creek; also a strip reaching nearly across township eleven. The latter tract is about three-eighths of a mile wide at the east end and five-eighths at the west end. The fraction of township thirteen included in Amherst is about three miles wide at the east end and a half mile at the west end; the northern boundary following the bending course of Tonawanda creek. The townships in range seven are about a half mile wider than those in other ranges, so that Amherst com- prises a tract six and one-half miles wide from east to west and averag- ing about eight and a fourth miles long from north to south, (minus nearly TOWN OF AMHERST. 397 A a third of a square mile included in Buffalo,) with a total area of about fifty-three and one-fourth square miles. Through the south part of the town a ledge extends from east to west, from which limestone is quarried in abundance, and beneath this pure limestone is a layer of hydraulic limestone, which is extensively quarried at and near Williamsville and burned for water lime. The town is watered by Eleven Mile and Ransom creeks, which flow across it in a northeasterly direction, and by Tonawanda creek, which forms its northern boundary. The principal products of Amherst are corn, wheat, rye, barley and oats; it also furnishes good pasturage and excellent fruit crops. The first movement looking to the settlement of the territory of Amherst was made in the spring of 1799, when the Holland Company gave a contract for three hundred acres of land, at $2.00 per acre, to Benjamin Ellicott and John Thompson, which doubtless included the mill privilege at Williamsville and adjoining land, although there is some uncertainty about the record. This contract seems to have been given as a special favor to the recipients, (Benjamin Ellicott was a brother of Joseph Ellicott, the agent of the Company and both of the purchas- ers were surveyors under him), since no part of the Holland Purchase was surveyed ready for sale until nearly two years later. The boun- daries of the tract in question were defined in the contract by the distance from the township lines. Mr. Thompson is said to have got out the timber for a saw-mill during the summer of 1799, but he did not erect the mill until 1801. Even then it is doubtful if he put it in operation and if he did he soon abandoned it. The same year he erected a log or block for a dwelling.* * Nothing seems to have been done in Amherst in 1802 or the fore part of 1803, except to subdivide it into lots, preparatory to sale. The saw-mill stood unused and it is not certain that the block-house was ten- anted. In the autumn of 1803 we find records of "articles" or contracts taken by Samuel Kelsy, Henry Lake, Benjamin Gardner and William Lewis. The price was from $3.25 to $3.50 per acre, which was the high- est that any land had been sold in the county, except in the immediate vicinity of Buffalo. Some or all of the buyers made settlements as soon as they received their articles. In the spring of 1804 William Maltby was living in the block-house erected by Thompson. His wife's sister, Miss Nancy Kerr,was staying with him, and there, on the 28th day of April, 1804, that lady was married to Mr. Timothy S. Hopkins; this was the first marriage in the town of Amherst and it may have been the first in the county of Erie, as we *This structure was afterwards clapboarded and a large frame building erected beside it, of which it formed the wing. It is known as the "Evans House" and is situated on Main street, Williamsville, opposite the Christian Church. From all the information we can obtain, the wing of the Evans House" appears to be the oldest building in the county of Erie. " 398 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. have met with no account of any earlier one. Mr. Hopkins had pre- viously removed from Clarence to Amherst, (that is, from the territory of Clarence to that of Amherst), locating himself about two miles west of Williamsville, where he dug a well which is still in use.* Orlando Hopkins made a similar change of location about the same time. Among other settlers in Amherst during the year 1804, were Samuel McConnell, who located himself near Williamsville; Caleb Rogers, Stephen Colvin, Jacob Vanatta and Joel Chamberlain. In 1804 or 1805, Jonas Williams and David E. Evans, both clerks in the land office at Batavia, while on their way to Chautauqua county on business for the Holland Company, were much attracted by the excel- lent water-power on Eleven Mile creek at the crossing of the Buffalo road, and soon purchased the interest of the former owners.† What- ever Evan's interest may have been he took no active part in the devel- opment of the town and village, but Williams became a resident in the spring of 1805, rebuilt or repaired the abandoned sawmill, did all he could to attract settlers and in fact founded the village which still bears. his name. It was at first called "Williams' Mills," and we believe did not generally bear the name of Williamsville until after the war of 1812. In 1805 Elias Ransom opened a tavern, the first in the town, about two miles west of Williamsville. James Hershey is known to have bought land in the town in 1806, and John J. Drake, Samuel Fackler and Gamaliel St. John in 1807. The difficulty attending the making of houses on the Holland Purchase had evidently compelled the Company to reduce the price of land. Mr. St. John, though he located close to Wil- *Timothy S. Hopkins, a native of Great Barrington, Mass., came from that place to the Holland Purchase on foot in 1798, being then 22 years old. He lived a few years in the vicinity of Clarence and then located himself in Amherst, as above stated, where he became one of the leading men of the town and county. He passed through the various military grades up to Brigadier-General, which post he held during the war of 1812. He was the first supervisor of Amherst, and was subsequently elected several times to the same office. He died in 1853. He was the father of Hon. Timothy A. Hopkins, of Williamsville, ex-sheriff of Erie county, and of Hon. Nelson K. Hopkins, of Buffalo, ex-comptroller of the State. Hon. Timothy A. Hopkins has also, since attaining manhood, been a prominent citizen of Amherst, having been sheriff and Member of Assembly and a justice of the peace for many successive terms. It seems probable that Benjamin Ellicott retained at least a part of his interest, as he subse- quently became a resident of Williamsville. Mr. Ellicott's career was somewhat peculiar. While nearly every one on the Holland Purchase has heard of Joseph Ellicott, very few know anything of his brother Benjamin. The latter was not at all prominent in the history of Amherst or Wil- Yet in 1816 he was elected to Con- liamsville and few of the residents can tell anything about him. gress as the colleague of the celebrated statesman, John C. Spencer, the two representing the twenty- first district which comprised all Western New York. After the expiration of his term he was as little prominent as before. We cannot learn that he ever occupied any other public position than that of representative in Congress. He was an expert surveyor and the Indians, seeing him make correct maps of regions where he had never been, called him by an Indian name meaning, man-who-knows-all-the-world." "The The St. John family moved to Buffalo just before the war of 1812, where Mr. St. John was drowned and his widow became celebrated on account of her saving her house from the general destruction of December, 1813. TOWN OF AMHERST. 399 liams' Mills, paid but $3.00 per acre, while in other parts of the town the charge was only $2.00. Samuel McConnell was the keeper of the tavern in the west end of Williamsville, the first in that village, as early as 1807. James S. Youngs, father of Hon. Jasper B. Youngs and J. F. Youngs, moved into the town in 1808, as did also John Long, accompa- nied by his family, one of whom, Christian Long, now resides there at the age of eighty-eight years. Another settler of that year, or earlier, was John Frick who located himself on a tract of 600 acres, now owned by Mr. Lehn. In 1809 William Maltby moved about four miles down the creek from Williamsville and built a saw-mill. He remained there until about 1820, when he moved to Ohio. The low lands in township thirteen, range seven, forming the north part of Amherst, had not even a single purchaser until 1810, when Adam Vollner bought two lots at $3.00 per acre. About the same time Isaac F. Bowman opened a little store in Williamsville, the first in the village and town, and one of the first in the county out of Buffalo. Soon after a Catholic Swiss named John Bieser kept a little store on Main street, Williamsville, opposite the site of Mr. Eli Herr's residence. Among other settlers in the town before the war of 1812, were John Herr, John Reid, Jacob Hershey, Thomas Coe, Darius Ayers, John Reist, John Fogelsonger, Daniel Fry and Dr. David S. Conkey. The last named gentleman was the first physician in the town. In 1810 or 1811 Jonas Williams built the first grist-mill in the town, the one now occupied by J. Wayne Dodge. During the war of 1812 bodies of troops were frequently marching to and fro on their way to the Niagara, or returning to their homes. The people were so close to the frontier that they were kept in an almost continuous state of alarm. At the time of the burning of Buffalo, the main body of the fugitives fled along the old Buffalo road through the south part of Amherst and many of the citizens joined them in seeking a safe locality. Troops were frequently stationed at Williamsville. Early in the spring of 1814, that place was the rendezvous for the whole army gathering on the Niagara frontier, probably five or six thousand men, and during the months of April and May the headquarters of Generals Brown and Scott were at that point. In the latter part of May the army was moved to Buffalo. These troops, and perhaps some earlier ones, cut down trees and built a row of log barracks a little north of the * This gentleman is one of the leading citizens of Amherst, having been a member of the Assembly, a commissioner of the County and City Hall, and the incumbent of various other posi- tions of trust. † Soon after the burning, Eli Hart, a Buffalo merchant, opened a store at Williamsville and Ebenezer Walden opened a law office there. They returned to Buffalo, however, the next spring. Juba Storrs & Co., a firm of Buffalo merchants bought the mill property of Jonas Williams in 1814. They also opened a store at Williamsville about the same time. 400 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. main street and parallel to it. A mile or more up Eleven Mile creek were other barracks used as hospitals. Many soldiers died there and were buried near by, their place of sepulture being marked only by a row of maples. Many others died at the first mentioned barracks and were buried a little north of there. Several years since parties who were making excavations on land belonging to Dr. Snell, found large numbers of human bones, and others were dug out of the sand near the creek. There was a military station at Williamsville during nearly the whole of the war. Very little of the northern portion of the town was settled until after the war and even then its progress was slow. That section was occupied principally by Germans, who, by thrift and industry, have drained and cultivated the fertile soil until it has become a most excellent agricultural region. After the building of the dam across Tonawanda creek near its mouth in 1825, the waters of that stream overflowed its banks, rendering the adjacent lands in Amherst nearly worthless. Many years later they were redeemed by drainings, and have become valuable and are still improving in quality. At the time that Ellicott and Thompson began their improvements in Amherst, it was a part of the town of Northampton, Ontario county. In the spring of 1802, it was made a part of the town of Batavia, Genesee county. In the spring of 1804, the Legislature passed an act, to take effect the next February, by which the territory of Amherst was made a part of the town of Erie, (Genesee county) which extended from Penn- sylvania to Lake Ontario, and included all of the present county of Erie west of the "West Transit." In 1805, Orlando Hopkins was the col- lector of the town of Erie; the whole general tax being $150. In 1808, the territory of Amherst was subjected to the general re-or- ganization of the Holland Purchase, enacted by the Legislature on the 11th of March in that year; becoming a part of the town of Clarence, (Niagara county) which embraced all that part of the present county of Erie north of the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. The first town meeting for Clarence was held in April, 1808, at Elias Ransom's tavern, two miles west of Williamsville, where Jonas Williams was elected supervisor, and Timothy S. Hopkins one of the assessors. No other resident of the territory of Amherst appears in the list of officers, unless it was Asa Chapman, commissioner of highways, who lived in that territory, or a little farther west. By a law pased on the 10th day of February, 1810, all that part of Clarence west of the "West Transit" was formed into the town of "Buffaloe." The territory of Amherst remained a part of " Buffaloe " eight years. On the 10th day of April, the town of Amherst* was established by * The name was probably derived from Amherst, Mass., that being named from Lord Amherst, commander-in-chief of the English forces in America in 1759 and '60, when Canada was conquered from France. TOWN OF AMHERST. 401 the Legislature, comprising the present Amherst and Cheektowaga, and that part of West Seneca north of the center of Buffalo Creek reserva- tion. The new town was not organized until the spring of 1819, when the following officers were elected :-supervisor, Timothy S. Hopkins; town clerk, John Grove; assessors, William A. Carpenter, Christian Hershey and James S. Youngs; commissioners of highways, Alexander Hitchcock, Abram Long and Abraham Miller; collector, Joseph Her- shey; overseers of the poor, Peter Hershey and John Fogelsonger; com- missioners of schools, Nathaniel Henshaw, Alexander Hitchcock and Christian Hershey; inspectors of schools, William A. Carpenter, Foster Youngs, Benjamin E. Congdon, Lucius Storrs and Abraham Miller; constables, Palmer Cleveland and Joseph Hershey. The boundaries of the town remained as established in 1818 until the 22d day of March, 1839, when the southern portion was cut off by the name of Cheektowaga, leaving Amherst with its present area. Since that time its boundaries have remained unchanged. The following is a list of the supervisors of Amherst since its organ- ization :-Timothy S. Hopkins, 1819; Oziel Smith, 1820 to '24 inclusive; Job Bestow, 1825 and '26; Timothy S. Hopkins, 1827 to '30 inclusive; Jacob Hershey, 1831 and '32; John Hutchinson, 1833 to '37 inclusive; Jacob Hershey, 1838 '39 and part of '40; Timothy A. Hopkins, part of 1840 and '41. '42 and '43; John Hershey, 1844, '45 and '46; Jasper B. Youngs, 1847, '48 and '49; Emanuel Herr, 1850, '51 and '52; Christian Z. Frick, 1853; Peter Grove, 1854; Samuel L. Bestow, 1855; Peter Grove, 1856; Miranda Root, 1857 and '58; Charles C. Grove, 1859 to '63 inclu- sive; Benjamin Miller, 1864 to '67 inclusive; Leonard Dodge, 1868, '69 and '70; Michael Snyder, 1871 and '72; Demeter Wehrle, 1873; John Schoelles, 1874, '75 and '76; Edward B. Miller, 1877; Aaron W. Eggert, 1878, '79 and '80; John B. Fiegle, 1881, '82, and 83. The officers for the town of Amherst for the year 1883 are:-John B. Fiegle, supervisor; Charles H. Gotwalt, town clerk; Timothy A. Hop- kins, Philip J. Schoelles, B. Wiltse and George Reusch, justices of the peace; Jacob Kramer, Jr., collector; Jacob Wurtenburger, John Huver and George Wolf, Jr., assessors; John Dauman and Christian Provel, poor- masters; Eugene V. Rogers, Henry Scarce and H. M. Long, inspectors of election, first district; Joseph Fiegle, John Helmer, Adam Brick, inspectors of election, second district; Peter Grove, Peter Horry, Jacob Hanel, George Fischter, John Klingleschmidt, constables; George Else, game constable; Charles W. Hopkins, C. Cassel, excise commissioners. WILLIAMSVILLE. There were only a few houses in Williamsville until after the war of 1812. Of Williams' saw-mill and grist-mill, and of the two or three little stores which accommodated the people, we have spoken suffi- 402 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ciently in the previous sketch of the town. After the war Juba Storrs & Co., whose store was where Dr. Van Pelt's office now stands and who had also bought the mill property, carried on a flourishing mercantile and milling business, and in fact for a time did the principal part of the business of the village. They failed, however, by or before 1820, and their property passed into the hands of James Roosevelt and others, of New York. The grist-mill remained idle several years, and the village, which had been growing rapidly, became nearly stationary. The only remaining business of much importance was that carried on at the tannery built by Jonas Williams about 1812. At his death, which occurred not far from 1820, the tannery passed into the hands of John Hutchinson, who had been in his employment since 1816. He carried it on about fifty years. As early as 1825, too, there were works built for manufacturing hydraulic or water lime, the first in Western New York. These furnished the cement for building the first locks at Lockport. At length, about 1827, Oziel Smith, an enterprising business man, purchased the mill and set it to work. About the same time, or a little earlier, he came into possession of the water lime works. The tannery was also in active operation, and for many years after 1827, Williamsville was a very brisk and business-like place. It was on the great stage route from Albany to Buffalo, and in the busy season numerous travelers passed through the place every day. To accommodate this travel Mr. Smith built the Eagle House in 1832. It was burned before being completed, but was re-built immediately afterwards. After the com- pletion of the various railroads between Albany and Buffalo, afterwards consolidated as the New York Central Railroad, most of the travel was drawn away from Williamsville, and its manufactories suffered from the lack of railroad facilities. The tannery, however, still remained in the hands of John Hutchinson, who carried on the business extensively, employing twenty or thirty men all the time and becoming very wealthy. The tannery burned in 1872, and during the same year Mr. Hutch- inson died. The grist-mill, after having several owners, became the property of Mr. J. Wayne Dodge in 1864. It was re-fitted by him, and is now pro- ducing about three thousand barrels of flour per year. John Reist also built a grist-mill as early as 1840, which has been carried on ever since by him or by his sons, D. and E. Reist. The hydraulic lime works passed to the firm of King & Co., who carried them on successfully until 1844, when they were sold to T. A. Hopkins. They are now owned by the heirs of Benjamin Miller, who manufactures from four thousand to five thousand barrels of water lime per year. A large stone building on Main street near the bridge was erected some years ago, for a paper- If Mr. Smith did so, as some suppose, he must have done so as early as 1825, for the cement for the Lockport locks was certainly obtained here; but he is not generally believed to have owned the works before 1827. It seems to be uncertain who built these works. TOWN OF AMHERST. 403 mill, but the business did not prove remunerative and the machinery was removed to Niagara Falls. The structure was afterwards used as a broom factory, but that enterprise also failed, and the valuable building has for a considerable time been unoccupied. A brewery was established at Williamsville before 1850, by Urban & Blocher. They carried on a successful business until 1856, and then sold out to John Daul. The business was continued by him until 1874, when the brewery was trans- ferred to J. Batt & Co. It finally became the property of Mrs. John Nehrboss, who owned it until 1882, when it was closed. Demeter Wehrle began the manufacture of furniture in 1850. For twenty-four years he sold his products by wholesale to Buffalo dealers, but since 1874 has confined himself to the retail trade. The last manu- facturing establishment we will notice is that which was erected in 1872 as a hub and spoke factory by Klein Brothers. It was carried on by them until 1881, when it passed into the hands of John Grove, by whom it has been changed into a planing mill. * Of merchants, besides the early ones already mentioned, we may briefly notice Henry Lehn, who kept a general store from 1825 to 1856; his son John Lehn, who opened a store in 1847, and still carries on the grocery business; A. M. Dunn, E. & H. Herr, and Benjamin Miller, who were all in business before the late war, and Alexander Gotwalt, who opened a general store in 1853, and has carried one on ever since, except between 1863 and 1866. John Hoffman opened an agricultural imple- ment store in 1861, and is now in the hardware and grocery business. William Nolte opened a hardware store in 1879, and John W. Van Peyma, a general store in 1880, both of which are now in operation. We have mentioned Dr. David S. Conkey as the first physician in the village and town. Dr. Peter Hershey was also an early physician here. He was succeeded by Dr. Spaulding. Dr. William Van Pelt and Dr. H. P. Snell, are the present practitioners of medicine. Aaron W. Eggert located as a lawyer at Williamsville about 1868. He was supervisor of Amherst in 1878, '79, and '80. Since then he has removed to Michigan. The first school house in Williamsville was built by Caleb Rogers in 1812, in which a Mr. Johnson was the first teacher. The old stone school-house in Williamsville, still in use, was erected in 1840. The academy was built in 1853; the first trustees being David Graybiel, John Frick, Isaac Hershey, George Gross, Christian Rutt, John Hershey, Timothy A. Hopkins, Samuel L. Bestow, Benjamin Miller, John Witmer, John D. Campbell and James W. Stevens. It was not, however, a flourishing institution, and the building was finally sold to the village and is now occupied by one of the district schools. The daily average attendance of pupils in the schools of Williamsville for the year 1882-'83 was two hundred and fifty-nine. * Burnett & Graybiel built a forge just before the outbreak of the rebellion, in which they did a good business for several years, but which was finally closed. 26 404 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. } The first postmaster at Williamsville was Jonas Williams. The sub- sequent ones having been Joseph Hutchinson, P. J. Zent, John Ordner, L. Pond, S. L. Bestow, L. Pond, (who served in all about eighteen years) and E. D. Smith the present incumbent. On the 15th day of January, 1835, the citizens of the village held a meeting and resolved to purchase a fire-engine. The following persons agreed to pay their proportion of the cost in the ratio of their taxes for the previous year: - Christian Eggert, Luther Spaulding, Emanuel Herr, Emanuel Frick, David Sprayth, Jacob Hershey, Benjamin Baer, Benjamin Hershey, Henry Lehn, Jacob Bestow, Warner Roberts, Daniel. Root, D. Wirtz, R. Zent, Jacob Koch, Frederick Miller, William Horner, A. M. Moulton, Samuel Kinsey, Elias Widel, Daniel Hutchinson, An- thony Long, Jacob Nigh, John A. Dole, J. S. Tefft, Martin Smith, John Hutchinson, Samuel Cole, John Grove, Henry B. Evans, M. H. Evans, John Stever and James Chapin. The amount thus raised was $228, with which an engine was duly purchased. After the village was incorpo- rated the management of this department passed into the hands of the trustees. H. M. Long is the chief engineer at the present time, with C. H. Gotwalt as assistant. The village was incorporated November 4, 1850. The first officers were Benjamin Miller, president; John S. King, Henry B. Evans, Philip Zent and John Hershey, trustees; Dr. William Van Pelt, clerk. The present officers are J. D. Long, president; C. L. Haupt, clerk; A. L. Reinwalt, C. H. Gotwalt, J. W. Van Peyma, and J. B. Batt, trustees. The Amherst Bee, a seven column weekly newspaper, was established March 27, 1879, by A. L. Reinwalt, who is still the proprietor. It has a good circulation throughout Amherst and in some of the adjoining towns. The stone bridge spanning Ellicott creek at Williamsville, was erected buring the year 1882, at a cost of $14,000. It is sixty-five feet wide and has two arches of thirty-eight feet each. The Methodist Episcopal Church was the first religious society in Williamsville, having been established soon after the war of 1812. The Holland Company gave them a "gospel lot," forty acres of which were afterwards sold for $600. This society held worship at the houses of the members and not unfrequently met in Gen. Hopkins' barn. Glezen Fillmore, John Le Suer and Salmon Bell were among the early ministers who preached to them. Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Rogers, Eleanor Roberts, James Pease and Mrs. Grant Ladd were among the early members. The congregation had no house of worship until 1844, when the present church edifice was built. Rev. Henry C. Millman is the present pastor. Phineas Gray is the class-leader, and the stewards are P. Gray, George Leopard, Paul Muller, John Oswalt, Mrs. Albert Ayers and Miss S. A. Ketchum. The Christian Church of Williamsville was in existence as early as 1834 and in that year William Hayden and Jasper Moss were its elders. TOWN OF AMHERST. 405 In the same year the congregation erected a church edifice. This was sold to the Lutherans in 1871, when the present brick structure was erected. Edward Pardee was the last local preacher. The deacons are C. C. Grove, John Baker and Abraham Karmer. The elders are Dr. William Van Pelt, S. C. Smith and Abraham Giple. In the year 1834 Oziel Smith sold to the Catholics of Williams- ville a lot sixty-five by ninety feet, on the site of John Batt's grocery store, for $30. In 1836 they erected a house of worship, and on the 4th of July in that year their first priest, the Rev. John Neuman, took charge of the congregation. He was succeeded in 1840 by Rev. Alexander Pax, who remained until 1868. During his pastorate, in 1862, the handsome church edifice of stone, now in use, was erected. He was succeeded by his relative, Rev. George Pax, the pres- ent incumbent. Father Pax is also pastor of St. John's chapel at North Bush, which was established in 1833. The Reformed Mennonite Church was founded by John Herr, cousin of John Herr, Sr., and the society of Williamsville was organized in 1834. It is not an incorporated body. The original membership num- bered twenty-one, with John Reist as minister in charge. He was ordained as pastor about the year 1836 and as bishop eight years after- wards. He remained in charge of the congregation until 1878, when he died. The first house of worship was of stone and was erected in 1834. The present one was built in 1880 and will seat two hundred and fifty persons. The church has now one hundred and thirty members. The Rev. Eli Herr is the present pastor. His father, John Herr, settled near Williamsville in 1816. He was ordained as minister in 1863 and as bishop in 1879. Emanuel Long is the assistant pastor. Jacob Shisler is deacon. The Baptist church of Williamsville was organized as early as 1840. It then consisted of Deacon Coe and wife, O. H. F. Barnard and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Seamans, Martin Ely, and one or two from the town of Lancaster. The church edifice was dedicated in 1843, by Rev. Elisha Tucker, from Rochester. The Rev. Douglass Simpson is the present pastor. The deacons are Austin Ayers, George Smith and Elijah Adams. The Lutheran Church had no house of worship until 1871, the mem- bers living at and near Williamsville usually attending divine service at Eggertsville. In that year they purchased the church edifice of the "Christian" society at the former place, and have since maintained a sepa- rate organization. It is under the charge of the Rev. A. Boettzer, of the Eggertsville church. Peter Fries, George Hershey, Frederick Wolf, Philip Kline, Charles Ernst, John Gludy, John Estheimer and Henry Rose are the present trustees. 406 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. EGGERTSVILLE. Eggertsville is a hamlet on the Buffalo road west from Williamsville. H. Wingert keeps a general store and saloon. In August, 1882, the peo- ple secured a postoffice of which Mr. Wingert is the postmaster. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eggertsville was organized in 1838. The church had previously received fifty acres of land from the Holland Company. The congregation was wholly from Alsace and Lor- raine. The first house of worship was erected in 1838 and was taken down in 1874. A new church building was erected during the latter year at a cost of $11,000. It was burned in 1879, but a new struc- ture was built in 1880. The congregation consists of one hundred and nine families. The pastors since 1846 have been as follows:-J. M. Forschner, 1846 to 1849; Albert Ebert, 1849 to 1852; Mather. from 1852 to 1853; Philip Conradt, from 1853 to 1858; William Schmidt, from 1858 to 1861; G. Bochert, from 1861 to 1865; and Adolph Boettzer, who has been in charge since the last named year. The trustees are Philip Peuter, George J. Wolf, Jacob Wolf, Henry Gunther, Jacob Fries, John Kluekes. The deacons are Henry Muck, George Fries, George Reusch, Charles Muck, Michael Weber and Henry Gunther. Jr. SNYDERVILLE. This is a small hamlet situated near Eggertsville. The first house was built by John Schenck and was located where Mrs. Susan Frick now lives. He also built the first store in 1837, and formed a partnership with Michael Snyder in the mercantile business. Mr. Snyder is still carrying on business and is the present postmaster. L. F. Crout opened a hotel and saloon early in 1883. GETZVILLE. Getzville, a station on the Canandaigua & Niagara Falls branch of the Central Railroad, has a postoffice in charge of George Hausauer. Joseph Getz formerly carried on a stave factory and cooper shop, but it has been closed for several years. On the same railroad a postoffice has been lately established called East Amherst. The postmaster is D. Lauffenbur. The Methodist Church had an organization at Getzville from 1859 until 1861. The German Methodist Church has an organization east of Getzville, called Sweet Home. Harry Foster Bigelow was born at Brandon, Vermont, on the 16th of September, 1811, which day happened also to be the anni- versary of his father's birth just thirty years before. His father Henry, was born at Conway, Mass., on the 16th of September, 1781, and went with his parents when two years old to Brandon, there his father Simeon bought a farm on which he lived until he died. He had been a patriot soldier in the war of Independence. In addition to the TOWN OF AMHERST. 407 ordinary hardships of a military life in that early day, he is said to have shared in the terrible sufferings of the Continental army at Valiey Forge, in the winter of 1777. He lived to a great age and was pensioned by the government for his military services. He was descended from John Bigelow, who was living in Watertown, Mass., in the year 1636, only sixteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims. John married Mary Warren, in Watertown, October 30, 1642, which is the earliest marriage on record in that town. He came from Wrentham, Suffolk county, Eng- land, and was the son of Randall, the son of Robert, the son of Randall, the son of Ralph, Lord of Allerton Hall, in York county, who lived in the_reign of Henry VII. (1485.) Ralph was descended from Richard DeBaguley who lived in the reign of Henry III. (1206.) Harry's mother was Lucy Barnes, third daughter of Deacon Moses Barnes, who had also been a soldier in the revolutionary army, and with his twin brother Aaron had done good service for the country. Aaron was killed in battle with the Indian allies of the British army somewhere in Northern New York. Moses Barnes settled in Brandon about the time Bige- low did and subsequently married his wife Olive Simons there, and there, too, Lucy was born November 1, 1790. Henry Bigelow and Lucy Barnes were married in Brandon, October 10, 1810, and resided. there and in the neighboring town of Salisbury several years after. In one of these towns their five children were born, namely: Harry, the subject of this sketch, and their daughters Leonora, Lovine, Louisa. and Laura. In the year 1814, Northern New York was invaded by a powerful British army and Plattsburg was threatened. The American General at that place called urgently for re-inforcements but the Governor of Ver- mont failed to respond. In this emergency private volunteering began. Henry Bigelow, who was captain of the Brandon militia, voluteered with a portion of his command and went to Plattsburg and assisted in its defence. In the fall of the year 1819, Captain Bigelow moved with his family to Western New York, at first locating in Barre, Orleans county, and afterward in Williamsville, Erie county, where he arrived on the 6th day of July, 1821. He lived there and on his farm in the vicinity until he died, on the 13th of March, 1859. His widow is still living, and at the age of ninety-three, keeps house in the village with her widowed daughter, Mrs. Louisa B. Schuyler. Harry, at an early age, exhibited great aptitude for acquiring knowl- edge. He stood at the head of his class when twelve or fourteen years old, in all the studies pursued in the district schoo! that he attended, and then began the reading of mathematics and the classics; most of the time without a teacher, at the same time assisting his father in labor on the farm. Of course this occupied most of the daytime, consequently he studied in the hours of intermission only, and in those given, by most mortals to sleep. No difficult work in mathematics, no work of Greek or Latin authorship ever came into his hands without receiving a thor- ough perusal. In this way he passed his time until he arrived at the age of twenty-one. He then went to Rochester and entered as student in the Collegiate Institute there, with the Rev. Gilbert Morgan, principal. He soon became the best classical scholar in the institute, the princpal alone excepted. He remained there six months, and then returned home to assist his father. 408 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In the year 1834, Mr. Bigelow presented himself at the portals of Union College for examination, as he wished to enter that ably con- ducted school of learning. The Rev. Dr. Nott was the president of the college, and Dr. Potter, vice-president. These were assisted by an able corps of teachers. Here Mr. Bigelow underwent a successful examina- tion in all the branches of science pursued by the three lower classes in college, except in that of conic sections, which he had never studied, and was admitted into the graduating class, in full standing, with the condi- tion that he would take up conic sections and pass examination therein before graduation. He underwent examination in conic sections six weeks after admission so successfully as to elicit words of commenda- tion from the able professor of mathematics. After he was graduated, he returned to Rochester to assist the Rev. Dr. C. Dewey in teaching classics and mathematics in the Collegiate Institute. He afterwards assisted Professor C. M. Fay in the Buffalo Academy, and also conducted one of the public schools of the city. Having acquired a considerable tract of timbered land in the town of Amherst, Mr. Bigelow gave up teaching and applied himself to clearing up the wilderness and making a farm and raising fruit. He now has orchards of 2,500 apple-trees, 400 pear-trees, 500 quince-trees and 3,000 grape-vines, in which he labors with his own hands in the growing sea- son, and in the winter he finds congenial occupation in reading and study. During the past winter, 1882-'83, he has read, some of them for the third or fourth time, the Commentaries of Cæsar and others on the Gallic, the Civil, the Alexandrine, the African and the Spanish wars, Sallusto Jugur- thine and Catalinian wars, Selectæ Fabulæ Ovidii, the Germania and Agricola of Tacitus, Selectæ Profanis, Cornelius Nepos, besides several English books, and the current news of the day. Mr. Bigelow is strictly temperate, never having drank a quart of liquor as a beverage in his life. He was married on the 2d of December, 1862, to Mary Lucy Staples, a former school teacher of Biddeford, Maine. To them were born five children, namely: Henry, aged 18; Nathaniel, 16; Olive, 14; Laura, 12, and Schuyler, 10. They live near the home of the venerable mother Bigelow, whom the son seldom fails to visit two or three times a day. Mr. Bigelow may be called a liberal in religion. He does not believe in the infallibility of theologies derived from the barbarous ages, nor in articles, creeds or dogmas founded thereon which, like a Procrustean bed, require the occupant to be stretched if he be too short, and clipped if he be too long. He believes that Nature is God manifested by his works, and that reason should be exercised in searching him out, rather than trust to the old, and in many respects absurd theology. In politics Mr. Bigelow is an earnest Republican, and glories in the thought that he never voted a democratic ticket in his life. He has ever sympathized with the oppressed against the oppressor, and when the slave-holders inaugurated rebellion, he approved of all the war measures adopted by the Republican Administration for the purpose of bringing the war to a successful and glorious end. Nor did he feel the least sympathy for the efforts of those silly politicians who were crying "peace! peace! peace! compromise!" when there was no peace or compromise asked for by rebels in arms. He thought then as now, the only proper course for the occasion was contained in that sterling Roman dictum "Fiat justitia, ruat cælum," and he rejoices that justice 1 TOWN OF AMHERST. 409 did finally prevail, and yet Heaven fell not. Mr. Bigelow has lived more than the number of years allotted to the age of man, and whether his remaining time be long or short, he will die rejoicing that the insti- tution of slavery is abolished, that the Union is not only preserved, but strengthened, and that he contributed by his influence and vote even a little, to produce this result. J. Wayne Dodge, of Williamsville, Erie county, New York, is a descendant of John Dodge, who was born in 1644 near the river Tweed in northern England, and who, with his brothers Israel and Truxton, emigrated to America in 1667 and settled on Block Island, Rhode Island, and died in 1729. He had two children, (sons), John (Jr.) and David Britain. John (Jr.) moved to Westerly, Rhode Island. David Britain Dodge, the great great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1691, and died in 1764; was married May 17, 1717, in Block Island to Rebecca Yeomans, the great-great-grandmother of the subject of this sketch, and moved to Colchester, New London county, Connecticut. Jonathan Dodge, son of David Britain and great-grandfather of J. Wayne Dodge, was born on Block Island August 3, 1721, married Mercy Williams, of New London, Conn., November 7, 1744, and died June 19, 1794. His son Jonathan Dodge, (Jr.), the grandfather of J. Wayne, was born September 26, 1747, in Colchester, Connecticut, was mar- ried to Mary Warner July 13, 1769, and died September 28, 1794. His son, Alvan Dodge, father of J. Wayne, was born May 8, 1782, in Col- chester, Conn., and moved with his widowed mother to Warren, Her- kimer County, N. Y., which was then a wilderness, and there married Mary Blount. Six children were born to them-Sarah, born in 1802; Cemantha in 1804; Alma in 1806; Alvan Leonard in 1808; J. Wayne in 1812, and Mary Eliza in 1825. In 1810 the father moved from Lowville, Lewis county, N. Y., to Buffalo, being one of the first settlers of that town; and passed through the hardships incident to its early history, experiencing the horrors and privations of the war of 1812 with Great Britain, having been driven from home by British soldiers and their sav age allies on the morning of December 30, 1813, when Buffalo was burned. Under the old constitution of New York previous to 1820, he was appointed, by the Governor, Magistrate of the then County of Niagara, and afterward held numerous official positions in the old town of Buffalo and Black Rock. He died in January, 1846, and his remains rest in Forest Lawn, together with those of his wife who died in Sep- tember, 1868. J. Wayne Dodge passed his early life in Buffalo, and March 29, 1838, was married to Charlotte Hull, of Tonawanda, N. Y., by Justice Sweeny. She was born in Canada, October 3, 1817. After marriage, Mr. Dodge moved upon his farm in Lancaster, where he lived and held numerous official positions during fifteen years; then removed to Clarence, N. Y., where Mrs. Dodge died. Their children born in Lancaster were Alma, March 8, 1839; Alvan, June 1, 1840; Leonard, May 18, 1844;—born in Clarence, Henry Wright, November 30, 1850, and Martha Eliza, March 13, 1855. February 26, 1865, Mr. Dodge was married in Clarence, N. Y., by Elder Jared D. Benedict, to his second wife, Marie A., daughter of Jacob Strickler and Catherine H. Correll, his wife, of Clarence, N. Y., whose parents in an earlier day of the settlement of Erie county, moved from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Clarence. She was 410 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. born in Clarence, June 11, 1831. By this marriage they have one son, J. Arthur C. Dodge, born in Williamsville, N. Y., April 2, 1871. In April, 1864, Mr. Dodge purchased the flouring and grist-mill in Williamsville, which he entirely rebuilt soon afterward, and which has a capacity to manufacture one hundred and fifty barrels of flour daily, and is now known as the Dodge Roller Mills. April 1, 1870. Mr. Dodge took up his residence in Williamsville, where he now resides. General Timothy S. Hopkins was a descendant of an old New England family of Puritan stock. His father was one of a family of eight, four sons and four daughters, whose names were Ehod, Ichabod, Dorcas, Timothy, Sarah, Mary, Jemima and Benjamin. He was a son of Ichabod Hopkins, and his mother's maiden name was' Sarah I. Bigelow. The family resided for many years at Great Bar- rington in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, where the subject of this sketch was born on the 10th day of March, 1776. His education was only of that limited kind to be obtained in the country schools of that early period. He was reared in the Episcopal faith. He remained through life a believer in the general doctrines of the Christian church, but was entirely unsectarian in his principles. He was a man of large stature, had a stalwart frame, a robust constitution and an active mind. With these characteristics he could not long remain among the Berk- shire Hills. In 1799, at the age of twenty-two, he bade adieu to his native town to seek a home in the West. He first located in what is now the town of Clarence-Buffalo at that time being a mere hamlet. In 1804 he purchased of the Holland Land Company a farm near Williamsville, about eight miles east of Buffalo, upon which he lived for about fifty years, and where he died at the age of seventy-seven, on the 23d day of January, 1853. In 1805 he was united in marriage with Nancy Ann Kerr, a lady from Maryland, who was then on a visit to relatives near Buffalo, whom he survived- but five years, and by whom he had seven sons and two daughters. Five of the sons and one daughter survive, Timothy A., Nelson K., Horace W., William L., John F. and Elvira A. The deceased ones are Orlando, Ransom and Harriet P. Lincoln. Two of the sons only have remained in their native county. Timothy A. has been super- visor, justice of the peace, sheriff of Erie county and Member of Assem- bly. Nelson K. graduated at Union College in the class of 1842. has resided in Buffalo since that date, is a lawyer by profession, has been supervisor, alderman, collector of internal revenue, and was comp- troller of the State of New York from 1871 to 1876, and has held other positions of responsibility and trust. He Mr. Hopkins was appointed Captain by Governor George Clinton in 1803; Major by Governor Morgan Lewis, in 1806; Lieutenant-Colonel by Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, in 1809; and Brigadier-General by Governor Tompkins, in 1811. He served as Brigadier-General under Major-General Hall during the war of 1812, but resigned his commission when peace was declared. The town of Amherst was organized, and Mr. Hopkins was elected first supervisor in 1819, and subsequently held that office several years. In 1820 he was elected justice of the peace and held that office for thirty-two consecutive years, with a short interval of two years. During TOWN OF AMHERST. 411 his entire service as a magistrate, he always discouraged litigation. He was a confidential adviser and peace-maker among his neighbors. His evening fireside was always enlivened by reading books and papers. He was a subscriber and patron of the Albany Evening Journal from its first publication until the day of his death. In politics he was a Clintonian, an Anti-Mason and aWhig, when the political parties in the State of New York were known and designated by those titles. He was plain and frank in his manners, genial and social in his disposition, and enjoyed through life the confidence and respect of all who knew him. His house was the social center of his neighborhood, where cordial hospitality and pleasant entertainment were always found. Hon. Timothy A. Hopkins, eldest son of General Timothy S. Hopkins, was born February 5, 1806, in what is now the town of Amherst, and aided his father on the farm, receiving only the ordinary educational advantages of that early day. In 1828 he located in Elyria, Lorain County, Ohio, and engaged in the manufacture of cast iron plows, which were then being introduced. In 1828 he sold his interest in that business and began the sale of Connecticut clocks, con- tinuing until 1836. His trade was very extensive, and agents traveled through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Michigan and Canada. In 1844, after having been in partnership with William and John Horner a few years in the manufacture of plows at Williamsville, he purchased the mill property on the west side of the creek (in company with J. S. King and J. S. Tefft,) of the executor of the estate of Oziel Smith, and commenced the manufacture of hydraulic lime and lumber, and in 1857 he became. sole owner of the whole establishment, and carried on that business until 1866, when he sold the mills to Benjamin Miller. On the 5th day of February, 1831, Mr. Hopkins was united in mar- riage with Miss Hannah Williams, who died April 9, 1856, leaving five children, T. Orlando, (since deceased), James A., Charles W., Horace G., and George T. He was married again August 15, 1866, to Miss Elvira M. Sawtell, who died November 30, 1870, leaving one son, Nel- son S., who still survives. His third wife, Miss Elizabeth N. Oswald, he married July 29, 1873, who has one daughter, Florence Augusta, born May 26, 1875. Mr. Hopkins had a successful military life and was Lieutenant-Col- onel in the Ŝtate Militia when he resigned. His civil life has been quite brilliant, having filled the highest offices of his town; is now serving his seventh term as Justice of the Peace, and has been Sheriff of the county for the term ending January 1, 1850. The Democratic party elected him to the Assembly in 1863 and again in 1864, where he served on very important committees. The act of 1863 requiring the State to build a bridge across Tonawanda creek, where it is used as a canal, between Erie and Niagara counties, was secured by his energy, and another was secured the following year, a work that the members from Erie, together with almost yearly lobbying, had failed to secure since the completion. of that canal. His perseverance also secured an appropriation of $10,000 from the State in 1868, which, combined with $13,000 raised by tax upon the town, enabled him, with his associate commissioners, to construct ditches for draining the north part of the town of Amherst, thereby reclaiming several thousand acres of land that were often covered with spring floods, by reason of the dam placed near the mouth of the Tona- wanda creek for canal purposes. 412 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. He now resides at Williamsville, a hale, hearty gentleman of seventy- seven, enjoying the fruits of an active, well-spent life. Rev. William H. Randall, of Williamsville, was born at Stonington, Connecticut, August 11, 1818, and died at Lake Maitland, Florida, March 7, 1874, of pulmonary consumption. When fifteen years old he professed religion and united with the Baptist Church at Stonington, Connecticut. Feeling called of God to preach the Gospel, he pursued a course of study at the Literary and Theological Institute at Hamilton, New York, and graduated in 1850. His first settlement was at Truesburg, where he remained until 1853, when he took charge of the churches of Angelica and Phillipsburg jointly; subsequently Boston and Williamsville, Erie county, New York, where he labored with untiring zeal and faithfulness. Hearing the call of his country for men to assist in putting down the rebellion in 1861, he volunteered in her service. He recruited a com- pany of which he was made captain, and went out in the Seventy-eighth regiment. He participated in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run and Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Lookout Mountain. He was promoted to the rank of Major. At the battle of Gettysburg he received a severe wound in the left arm, from the effects of which he never fully recovered, and it disabled him so much that in the spring of 1864, he asked for and received a formal and honorable discharge. Mr. Randall was twice married, first to Miss Harriet H. Miner of Stonington, Conn., in 1837, who died in 1864. By this marriage he had two sons, who survive him, William E. Randall of Buffalo, and Charles E. Randall of Williamsville. His second marriage, in 1865 was to Miss. Helen M. Hutchinson, of Williamsville, daughter of the late well known John Hutchinson of that place. She lives to mourn her loss. At Will- iamsville he resumed his labors in the ministry and before his career in this work was finished he baptized ninety persons. The disease with which he died began to develop itself years before. Resolutely and in a spirit of Christian cheerfulness did he battle with it but fell a victim to its relentless power. All that kind and loving friends, physi- cian's skill or travel could do was done to avert the fatal issue but to no purpose. In the summer of 1872 he went to Colorado and in December 1873 went to Florida, where with his characteristic energy he planted an orange grove and had nearly completed the work when called away. On the last day of his life he was convinced that death was near and in a calm, business-like way gave directions concerning his temporal affairs and the disposal of his body, and then calmly composed himself to die. His last words were: "This is a good world, but there is a bet- ter" and was soon after released from his sufferings and admitted into the presence of his Redeemer. The funeral took place from the Baptist Church in Williamsville, on Friday, March 20, 1874, at 2 o'clock P. M. T CHAPTER XL. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF TONAWANDA, HIS town lies in the northwest part of the county, having Tonawanda. creek for its northern and Niagara river for its western boundary. It has an extreme length of six miles from east to west, and an extreme width of five miles from north to south. Its area is about TOWN OF TONAWANda. 413 twenty-two square miles, and it is entirely situated in township twelve, range eight, of the Holland Company's survey, except a strip a mile wide along the river which is in the State reservation described in the gen- eral history. The surface of the town is generally level; the soil along the Niagara being a clayey loam, while that of the interior is a sandy loam. Ellicott's creek runs northwesterly through the town emptying into Tonawanda creek near its mouth. The first settlement was made by Alexander Logan, John King and John Hershey, who located themselves in the southeast part of the town in 1805. Oliver Standard settled on the Niagara river in 1806, and in the same year John Cunningham, Josiah Guthrie, Ebenezer Coon, Thomas Hannan and Joseph Hershey located in the town. Henry Anguish came in 1808, making his home near Tonawanda creek, a short distance above the old Tonawanda burying-ground. Robert Van Slyke soon after set- tled near him. Frederick Buck located on the river, above Standard, in 1809, and not long afterwards James Burba made his home still farther up the river, and near the southwest corner of the present town of Tonawanda. In 1811, Henry Anguish opened a tavern, the first in the town, at his residence. Robert Van Slyke also became a landlord, although some- what later. During the same year (1811) Robert Simson located him- self near Ellicott creek, about a mile above its mouth. At this time the site of Tonawanda village and almost all of the town was a forest. The only road from Tonawanda creek to Buffalo was along the beach of the Niagara river. Another road had been underbrushed but was not used. John P. Martin and a Mr. Stevens settled on Wright's creek about 1812, but soon moved away. Among the settlers of this period, or a little later, were David Carr,* (father-in-law of General T. S. Hopkins, of Williamsville,) who located himself on Tonawanda creek, just outside the site of the village, and Charles Carr, Alvin Dodge and a Mr. Miller, who made their homes on what was called "The Guide-board road," running from Tonawanda to Williamsville. John Foster, also, about the same time opened a farm adjoining that of Henry Anguish; he was the pioneer Methodist exhorter of this region. He held services at the house of Robert Simson, at his own house and elsewhere, and was occasionally assisted by Rev. Glezen Fillmore, who came over from Clarence. Mr. Berlin, father of James and John Berlin, Richard Rogers, James Robinson and Henry Simondon located themselves on the Mili- tary road from Tonawanda to Buffalo; their farms being in the order named, beginning at Tonawanda. William Best was the first surveyor in the town; his son, R. Hamilton Best, was the sheriff of Erie county in 1862-'64. * This name was then spelled Kerr. 414 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Just before the war of 1812, a block-house was built on the south side of Tonawanda creek, near its mouth. In August of that year it contained sixteen soldiers. A rumor got abroad that the British and Indians had taken possession of Grand Island and might, perhaps, cross to the mainland. The few men of the vicinity were called to the guard- house; a day or two later several hundred British Indians appeared on the shore of Grand Island opposite Tonawanda. The soldiers and citi- zens were turned out and after parading in sight of the enemy were marched back, and then reappeared with their coats turned wrong side out, to impress the enemy with the idea that a new force had arrived. Whether on account of this strategy, or for other reasons, the Indians did not attempt to cross the river. Throughout the war the scattered settlers of this region were kept in a constant state of excitement, either on account of threatened attacks from Canada, or by the marching to and fro of bodies of Ameri- can troops, which were expected to carry the war across the river. After the capture of Fort Niagara by the British, on the 19th of Decem- ber, 1813, the danger became more serious than before. About a week later, just before the attack on Buffalo, a detachment of the enemy came up from the captured fort, burning every building along the road. They burned the guard-house before mentioned, and all the other buildings in the vicinity, with one exception. There was no village, but there were a few log farm-houses scattered along the road, and we believe, a log tavern on the north side of the creek. The building which was not burned was occupied by Mrs. Francis (a daughter of Robert Simson,) who was sick and unable to flee. Her house was set on fire three times, and each time she crawled down stairs and extinguished the flames; probably the house was of logs, and did not burn easily. The enemy went little if any farther south than Tonawanda at this time. When Buffalo was burned, on the 30th of December, the straggling settlers of Tonawanda felt themselves in greater danger than ever and most of them retreated eastward. As the enemy, however, made no more raids across the river, the people gradually returned to their homes, and when a well-appointed American army appeared on the frontier in the spring of 1814, their confidence returned, nor were they again disturbed by an invader. During the war, we believe in 1814, James Burba, who as before stated had settled in the southwest part of the town of Tonawanda, was murdered by three soldiers of the regular army. They had been ordered to go a mile and a half below Scajaquada creek to see if there were any signs of the enemy. They went three miles below the creek to the house of Burba, who kept a wayside tavern, and probably, after indulg- ing freely in his liquor, endeavored to carry off some vegetables from his garden. He attempted to prevent them and a quarrel ensued, in TOWN OF TONAWANDA. 415 which they killed him. One of the murderers escaped, but the other two, Charles Thompson and James Peters, were tried and convicted at Buffalo, in June, 1815, and were executed in August following. This was the first trial and execution by civil law within the present county of Erie. The Burba property was afterwards bought by John Foster, the Methodist exhorter, who also kept a tavern. An incident of pioneer life in this town was related by the late James Harrington, a reputable man, a sixty-years' resident of Buffalo, long con- nected with its stage and railroad business, who died a few years ago aged upwards of 80 years. Making his way from an eastern State to Buffalo, in the summer of 1815, he embarked in a vessel at Oswego, landed at Lewiston, on the lower part of the Niagara, and took the road up that river for Buffalo on foot, with his extra clothing in a small bundle, hung on a stick thrown over his shoulder. Arriving at Tonawanda creek, he espied a canoe on the opposite side, but no conveyance on the side where he stood. Standing on the bank, for it was a deep stream, he hallooed to the occupants of a log cabin on the south side, to call some one to set him across. Soon a stout woman came to the door and asked what he wanted. He told her he wanted to cross the creek. "Very well," said she, "give me a quarter of a dollar and I'll ferry you over." "But I haven't got a quarter; eighteen pence is all the money I have left," replied Harrington; "I will give you that for a passage across." "No matter," returned the woman, "a quarter is the price, and if you can't pay that you can stay where you are." Harrington was bound for Buffalo. The weather was warm so he threw off his coat, lashed it to his bundle, entered the water, swam across and trudged on his way, giving little credit to Tonawanda hospitality. After the war, settlement was again resumed and the forest was steadily cleared away, though not as rapidly as in some other towns. Edward Carney settled in 1816 on Tonawanda Island. His son, James Carney, mentions an unoccupied house then standing, situated near where the road leaves the river, which was soon after fitted up as a school- house; it was the first in that part of the town, and he thinks in the whole town. Ephraim Kelsey was the earliest teacher. Miss Hannah Pettit, now Mrs. Jacob Whitman, attended school under him. About 1820, Peter Taylor kept a tavern in a hewed log house near the crossing of Tonawanda creek. It was not until 1823 that any marked change was made. About the beginning of that year the commissioners in charge of the construction of the Erie canal, made a contract with Judge Samuel Wilkeson and Dr. Ebenezer Johnson, of Buffalo, to build a dam near the mouth of Tona- wanda creek, as it was intended to use that stream as a part of the canal from its mouth along the northern border of the present town of Tonawanda, and the greater part of Amherst. The work was begun early 416 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. out. in the spring and a large number of men were employed. Wilkeson and Johnson also constructed three-fourths of a mile of the canal and built a toll bridge. During the year the village of Tonawanda was laid Of this more will be said a little farther on. During 1823 and 1824, and perhaps the early part of 1825, the canal was constructed along the Niagara river from Buffalo to Tonawanda. A tow-path was also made by the side of Tonawanda creek, which became a part of the canal, the whole great work being completed in September, 1825. Outside of the village the further progress of the town was not marked by any exciting events. The land was steadily cleared off, framed houses were substituted for log ones, the ground was drained where necessary, (as in some places was the case,) and the town grad- ually took on the appearance of an old and well-cultivated district. The first railroad operated by steam in Western New York, that from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, was opened through Tonawanda in 1836. The Canan- daigua & Niagara Falls railroad now, like the one previously named in use as a part of the New York Central, was completed in 1854. The Niagara Falls branch of the New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad was built in 1870. There were in all about thirteen miles of railroad track in the town. In the war for the Union the young men of Tonawanda took an active part. Colonel Payne's company (D) of the One Hundredth New York Infantry, was raised in this town and the adjoining town of Wheat- field, Niagara county, and a large number of other Tonawandians were scattered through other companies and regiments. Their services are narrated in the chapters devoted to the services of the volunteers in the civil war. At the time of the first settlement of the territory of the town of Tonawanda it was a part of the town of Erie, Genesee county which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, embracing all that part of the present county of Erie west of the "West Transit." On the organ- ization of Niagara county in 1808 the territory in question became a part of Clarence which covered all the northern part of what is now Erie county. In 1810 it was made a portion of the new town of Buffalo, of which it remained a part for twenty-six years; being transferred with it from Niagara to Erie county in 1821. On the 16th day of April, 1836, the town of Tonawanda was formed from Buffalo by an act of the Legislature; it comprised the present towns of Tonawanda and Grand Island. The new town was not organized until the next year. The following is a nearly complete list of the first officers elected: William Williams, supervisor; T. W. Williams, town clerk; John T. Bush, Daniel Smith, and Mr. Fosdyck, justices of the peace; Jeremiah Phalin, and James Carney, assessors; John Simson and William Best, commissioners of highways. TOWN OF TONAWANDA. 417 Grand Island was formed into a separate town by the board of supervisors of Erie county, in October, 1852. The following is a list of the supervisors of Tonawanda, with their years of service, from its organization to the present time, so far as they can be ascertained: William Williams, 1837-'38; Jedediah H. Lathrop, 1839; Theron W. Woolson 1840; James Carney, 1846-'47; J. H. Phillips, 1848-'50: Theron W. Woolson, 1851-'54, Warren Moulton, 1855-'56; Paul Roberts, 1857-'58; Christoph Schwinger, 1859; Emanuel Hensler, 1860-'61; David Kohler, 1862-'63; Benjamin H. Long, 1864-'65; Fred- erick Knothe, 1866-'67; S. G. Johnson, 1868-'69; B. H. Long,.1870; Christoph Schwinger, 1871; Frederick Knothe, 1872-'73; William Kibler, 1874; J. H. DeGraff, 1875; Philip Wendell, 1876; A. B. Williams, 1877- '78; Oscar H. Gorton, 1879-'80; James H. DeGraff, 1881-82. At the present time (1883) the supervisor is R. Holway; the town clerk is William Schwinger and the justices of the peace are Simon Bellinger, S. G. Johnson, Theodore Schneider and C. W. Sickman. THE VILLAGE OF TONAWANDA. There was no village, nor even a hamlet, at Tonawanda until 1823. Mr. Joseph Bush, who was there early in that year, says there was nothing but a log tavern on the south side of the creek and another on the north side. The former had recently been kept, and perhaps was then kept by Peter Taylor; the latter was kept by Garrett Van Slyke. Mr. Van Slyke was the proprietor of a rope ferry across the creek, and his daughters were in the habit of ferrying travelers over the stream. As already stated, in 1823 Judge Wilkeson and Dr. Johnson of Buffalo took contracts for building a dam at the mouth of the Tonawanda and also three-fourths of a mile of the canal in the immediate vicinity. They of course employed a large number of men and a village of shan- ties at once sprang up near the mouth of the Tonawanda. Wilkeson & Johnson built a toll bridge across the creek and opened a store on the north side of the creek, in Niagara county. During the year Albert H. Tracy, Charles Townsend and other Buffalonians formed a company, bought land and laid out the village of Tonawanda. While the canal was in progress there was a great deal of business at the new village, but after its completion, in the autumn of 1825, the tem- porary excitement subsided and there was but little improvement for many years. In 1827 Mr. Urial Driggs opened what we believe was the first store on the south side of the creek, and the first in the town of Ton- awanda. Mr. Driggs, after fifty-six years have passed, is still carrying on a grocery store at Tonawanda. Mr. Joseph Bush, after acting as cleik a few years in Wilkeson & Johnson's store, opened one of his own on the south side of the creek. He was in the grocery business at Tonawanda nearly forty years. Roswell Driggs was an early hotel keeper. 418 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Soon after 1823 a postoffice was established, bearing the name of Tonawanda. Mr. Bush was the postmaster during many years. The village increased but slowly, though now and then a small advance was made in the lumber business. Henry P. Smith was the pioneer lumber dealer. John Simpson had saw mills and a planing mill at Tonawanda as early as 1840. He and others secured the attention of the Cleveland Commercial Company, who made an earnest attempt to develop the resources of Tonawanda, about or before 1850. They purchased five hundred feet of river frontage and erected an elevator with a storage capacity of 250,000 bushels and capable of elevating 2,000 bushels per hour. The company also laid out several new streets, gave a large square to the public, and sold numerous lots to laboring men on long credit. But the circumstances were not propitious, and for several years the ele- vator stood substantially without business. It was burned about 1857. Several of the members of the Cleveland Commercial Company died, its lots in Tonawanda were divided between its members, and its enterprises were all abandoned. After the war business began to revive and about 1870 the lumber trade assumed important proportions With all other kinds of business. it suffered a serious depression during the financial crisis of 1873 and the succeeding years, but there was all the time a very large quantity of lumber and timber brought from Canada and Michigan, and during the last three or four years the trade has been more prosperous than ever. J. S. Thompson, Lockman & Woods, Fassett &. Bellinger, P. W. Scribner, Peter Misner, and A. B. Williams the principal dealers in Ton- awanda, together with the Export Company, J. H. DeGraff & Co., Grat- wick, Smith & Fryer, J. M. Chapman, James Norris and others, in North Tonawanda, Niagara county, built miles of dock and have hundreds of acres of ground covered with lumber brought from Michigan and Can- ada, for distribution by rail to points south and east. The lumber yards. have side tracks from the different railroads running in every direction through them, with switch engines, which are kept busily engaged in drawing cars to and fro. The Tonawanda Lumber Association, com- posed of dealers on both sides of the creek, was formed in 1873. Tonawanda is not a port of entry, though considering the amount of import business transacted there, it would certainly seem as if it ought to be. There is a deputy collector on each side of the creek, the one in Erie county reporting to the collector at Buffalo, and the one in Niagara A vessel bound hither reporting to the one at Suspension Bridge. usually clears for "Tonawanda" and then enters and pays duties on whichever side she breaks bulk. P. S. Humphrey is the collector on the south side and Frederick Somers on the north side. The shingle business was carried on by J. A. Bliss very extensively for many years. He closed out in the fall of 1882. J. Batt engaged in TOWN OF TONAWANda. 419 the same occupation during the late war, and also did a good business. This establishment is now in the hands of J. S. Bliss, who cuts 400,000 shingles daily. J. S. Thompson began the manufacture of shingles in 1881, and turns out 200,000 daily. He was formerly in partnership with R. J. Wilder; he employs forty hands. Leaving the principal business of Tonawanda, we will glance at other professions and occupations. Lawyers.-John T. Bush, who had studied law in Buffalo under Henry K. Smith, began practice in Tonawanda in 1836. He was not, however, a permanent resident, spending a large part of his time in Buf- falo. He served two terms in the Assembly and one in the State Sen- ate. He is now a wealthy resident on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. His brother, William T. Bush, began the practice of law in Tona- wanda in 1837. He was also elected to the Assembly, and was United States Marshal under Fillmore's administration. He continued in prac- tice until a few years since, when he retired. He is still a resident of Tonawanda. W. W. Thayer, ex-Governor of Oregon, located in Tona- wanda in 1855 and practiced several years. D. H. Long began practice in 1856 and continued until 1878, when he died. George Wing began practice in 1868, but in a few years removed to Buffalo. Willis J. Benedict came a few years later than Mr. Wing and after a brief prac- tice also removed to Buffalo. Elias Root and F. L. Clark practiced in partnership from July, 1877 to May, 1882, when the former removed to Dakota and the latter formed a partnership with W. B. Simson, which was dissolved in January, 1883. Both gentlemen are now practicing in Tonawanda. Charles W. Sickman, who resides in Tonawanda, has an office in Buffalo. Physicians.-Dr. Jesse F. Locke was the first resident physician of Tonawanda, though Dr. Thomas, who resided in Niagara county, had practiced there previously. Dr. Locke came about 1838, and practiced until his death, in 1860. Dr. Frederick F. Hoyer, a native of Herkimer county, came in 1849, and it is noticeable that two other physicians, (Dr. Ware and Dr. Gail,) located at Tonawanda on the same day that he did. They remained, however, but a short period, while Dr. Hoyer has been in active practice in Tonawanda until the present time. Drs. Leonard and Dieffenbach came somewhat later and remained but a short time. Dr. W. D. Murray located in Tonawanda about 1857, and is still in prac- tice there. The later physicians now practicing in the village are: Dr. H. B. Murray, Dr. Simson Cook and Dr. C. Rollin Cobb. The Press. The Tonawanda Herald was established before 1853. After changing hands several times it was purchased by S. O. Hayward, in 1854, who changed its name to the Niagara Frontier. Subsequently he again changed it to the Tonawanda Enterprise. Save during a brief interval Mr. Hayward has conducted the paper as editor and proprietor, 27 420 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. from 1854 to the present time. It is an eight-page, sixteen-column sheet, is independent in politics, and has attained a good circulation. The Daily News was established in 1878, by George S. Hobbie. At that time it had but three columns on each of its four pages. Increased circulation brought increased size, and it has now five columns per page. X The State Bank of Tonawanda was established May 1, 1883, with the following officers: President, James H. DeGraff; vice-president, Edward Evans; cashier, Benjamin L. Raud; directors, J. H. DeGraff, E. Evans, C. Schwinger, W. D. Murray, T. S. Fassett, E. H. Smith and B. L. Rand. Capital, $100,000. Merchants, Grocers, Etc.-Urial Driggs has been in the mercantile business in Tonawanda most of the time since 1827. S. G. Johnson established himself in the same business in 1848, and has been engaged in it most of the time since. He has been a justice of the peace several terms, was a justice of sessions in 1860, and was the supervisor of the town in 1868 and 1869. William Kibler was an early merchant in Tona- wanda; his store is now owned by Joseph Powell. James A. Pinner established himself in business in 1853, and still carries it on. Christoph Schwinger came not long afterwards and was very successful. Louis F. Green is also one of the grocers of that period. Simon J. Locke estab lished the drug business as a specialty, shortly before the late war. His store is now owned by C. H. Scoville, who took possession in 1881. A hardware store was established by Sherman & Campbell, about the time of the late war. It was transferred to O. H. Gorton, in 1870, and is still under his management. Lyman G. Stanley opened a drug and stationery store in 1866, but since 1872 has confined himself to the sale of drugs alone. Christian Diedrich opened a store in 1867; he died in 1883, and his widow now carries on the business. Nice & Hinkey built a fine brick block in 1867, and have since carried on a large hardware business. A. H. Crown had a general store for many years after the late war. The establishment was purchased in 1880 by J. Wolf & Sons, who carry it on as a dry goods store only. Christian Miller opened the first furniture store in the village in 1870. William H. Hepworth, A. L. Karner and L. Silverstone, have all been in the dry goods business for several years. J. H. Kohler and J. B. Huff, have both engaged in the boot and shoe business during the year 1883. Manufactures.-The Tonawanda Pipe Works were established in 1857 by J. S. Hobbie. He manufactures water and gas pipe, and steam pipe casing; also sawed and cut shingles. The Tonawanda Pump Works were erected in 1870 by William Grieser, who manufactures two hundred pumps annually. The brick yard owned by Edward Hall was established by him in 1871; it produces 3,000,000 bricks annually. Will- * There is also a paper called the Tonawanda Herald, published by Chapman & Warner, in North Tonawanda, Niagara county. TOWN OF TONAWANDA. 421 iam Simson also engaged in the manufacture of brick in 1880. Will- iam M. Gilley erected a machine-shop in 1883. The Tonawanda Brew- ery was built by George Zent just after the close of the late war. It was burned some years afterward, but was rebuilt by Mr. Zent. This property was sold in March, 1883, to the Niagara Brewer's Association, a stock company consisting of eighty members. The officers are, Chris- tian Schwinger, president; J. R. Holway, secretary; Dr. W. D. Murray, J. R. Holway, Martin Riester, L. Smith, Jacob Stockmeyer and William Kibler, directors. The company brews one hundred and fifty barrels per day. The Tonawanda Vinegar Works were established in May, 1883, by L. P. Rose & Son. They manufacture eight barrels of vinegar per day. The Village Government.—The village of Tonawanda was incorpo- rated on the 7th day of January, 1854. It then included what is now known as North Tonawanda, situated in Niagara county. There were four wards, of which one was north of the creek. The first officers were John R. Wheeler, president; Theron W. Woolson, Jesse F. Locke and Henry F. Hill, trustees; Franklin T. McCollor, clerk; Hiram Newell, treasurer; William Hay, collector; Elijah Cooley, Gideon Hulbert and Thomas J. Keith, assessors; Levi Waite, pound-master. In 1857 the residents of that portion of the village situated in Ni- agara county, having become discontented on account of the superior power wielded by the part lying in Erie county, procured the passage of an act withdrawing them from the jurisdiction of the village. Since then Tonawanda has been entirely unconnected, legally, with North Tonawanda. The present officers are: Charles W. Sickman, president: M. Scanlon, C. Schwinger, H. G. March, A. A. Bellinger and Frederick. Schwartz, trustees; Fayette A. Ballard, clerk; James B. Huff, treasurer; Thomas McGinnis collector; Theodore Hardleben, W. W. Parker and George Fatzer, assessors; David Kohler, street commissioner; George Schrier, pound-master. Even in educational matters the south side is entirely separate from the north. Union school district No. 3, of Tonawanda, erected a large, three-story brick school house in 1870, in which a flourishing graded school has since been carried on. There are now about four hundred scholars, under the charge of T. B. Dates, as principal, assisted by a corps of Normal graduates. The Postoffice of Tonawanda was established between 1825 and 1830. It was kept many years by Joseph Bush. Jacob Kibler was appointed postmaster during the administration of President Fillmore; S. G. John- son during that of Pierce; Christian Eggert during that of Buchanan; R. W. Driggs under that of Lincoln; S. O. Hayward under that of Lin- coln; and Henry Stanley also under that of Lincoln. Mr. Stanley died shortly after his appointment and was succeeded by his widow, who remained postmistress seventeen years. Robert L. Koch, the present } 422 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. postmaster, was appointed under the administration of President Hayes and re-appointed under that of Arthur. The gross receipts for the fiscal year ending May 4, 1883, were $4,774.96. The office receives an average of about five hundred letters and five hundred papers daily. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Tonawanda.-John Foster, a local preacher, preached the first Methodist sermon in Tonawanda, at the ' house of Robert Simson about 1816. Three years after this, Mr. Simson. sold a small tract to the school district, on which a school house was built where Mr. Foster preached for a number of years. In 1830 Mr. A. H. Tracy donated a lot on South Canal street, in the village of Tona- wanda, to John Simson (son of Robert), for church purposes. That gentleman circulated a subscription for a Union Church, and after obtaining $400, added $1,600 himself, and built a church worth $2,000. The building was occupied by Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists and Universalists, all represented by John Simson, Urial Driggs and Levi Zimmerman, as trustees. In 1842 James Sweeney, John Sweeney and Mr. Gaundey donated. to John Simson a lot on Tremont street, twenty-two feet front, for a church and school-house. Mr. Simson added thirteen feet to the lot, upon which he built a church and shed, at a cost of $2,500. Mr. Simson paid $2,000 himself and raised the rest by subscription. The society was incorpo- rated December 17, 1842; Lewis Deming, Jesse F. Locke and Nathaniel Cummings being elected trustees. In consequence of a defective title it was re-organized April 17, 1854, when the following trustees were elected: James A. Pinner, Orson Shepard, Orrin Dutton, George Shesler, Hiram. Newell, Theron W. Woolson, John Simson, Charles H. Calkins and Erastus Chamberlain. John Simson deeded the property to the Metho- dist Episcopal Society, July 4, 1867. The following pastors have served the church: B. F. McNeal, 1859; W. L. Leake, 1860; J. Timmerman and R. C. Foot, 1861; C. P. Clark, 1862 and '63; C. D. Burlingham, 1866; J. McEwen, 1867 and '68; Z. Hurd, 1869 and '70; C. P. Clark, 1871; S. C. Smith, 1872 and '73; H. Vosburgh, 1874 to '76; G. H. Dyer (during whose last year a new church was commenced) 1877 to '79; L. D. Wat- son, (during whose pastorate the new church was completed) 1880 and '82. The church property is worth $20,000. The Catholic Church of Tonawanda.-This church began its work in the building known as the Sacred Heart, now the old school house, under the auspices of Father Francis Uhlrich, in the year 1850. In 1862 Father Uhlrich and his congregation erected St. Francis' Church, a commodious stone structure, there being then a membership of about fifty families. Father Aloysius Bachmann took charge as resident pastor, August 9, 1874. The church now contains about two hundred families, and has an average attendance of about two hundred and fifty children in the school. A handsome two-story brick school house was erected during the year 1883. 1 TOWN OF TONAWANDA. 423 The First Presbyterian Church. This church was organized on the 29th of May, 1852, by the Rev. A. T. Rankin, D. D. The first officers and members were as follows:-- elders, Daniel Butts, Thomas J. Collins and William R. Allen; trustees, Henry P. Smith, Daniel Butts and Henry Hill; other members, Catharine Collins, Emeline Butts, Mehita- ble G. Locke, Thankful Taber, Mary Taber Payne, Amanda M. Taber, Margaret Hoyt, Jane T. Atwater, Lereina Goodrich, Amarilla Patterson, Elizabeth Lafflin, John Churchill and Phebe Cherry. Mr.Collins is still an elder of the church; Mrs. Taber, Mrs. Payne, Elizabeth Lafflin and Mrs. Cherry are the only other members remaining of the original num- ber. The following is a list of the pastors and regular supplies from the organization of the society down to the 1st of January, 1883:—A. T. Rankin, D. D., Arthur Burtis, D. D., William Hancock, E. W. Kellogg, R. R. Sutherland, D. D., A. B. Robinson, A. F. Hale and W. C. Macbeth. The Rev. William Alfred Gay for ten years the pastor of the Brecken- ridge Street Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, has been supplying this con- gregation since the 1st of January, 1883. during which time two large debts have been paid and many important improvements made. The church edifice, built of pressed brick, has a very large audience-room with stained windows and a fine organ. The following are the officers of the church:-Pastor, William Alfred Gay; session, T. J. Collins (stated clerk), Thomas McConkey and William Baker; trustees, George W. Tong, (president), E. W. Betts, F. L. Clark, J. F. Vincent, George Herschel. The Church of Christ of Tonawanda.-This church is undenomina- tional, its members being known only as Disciples of Christ. It was organized March 27, 1853, when Asa Ransom and Samuel Kinsey were appointed overseers; it then numbered forty persons. Their house of worship, a brick edifice, was erected on the corner of Broadway and Seymour streets in the year 1855. Its dimensions were sixty-two feet by thirty-four with a seating capacity of about four hundred. During the year 1882 it was remodeled and repaired at a cost of about $2,000. The following are the names of the resident preachers: J. J. Moss, J. D. Benedict, J. M. Bartlett, C. L. Streight, H. C. Parsons, J. C. Goodrich, Geo. Lobingier, L. Osborne. The present membership, including fifteen non-residents, is one hundred and fifty-five. The following are the pres- ent officials: Asa Ransom, Daniel Bellinger and Edward Evans, trus- tees; Asa Ransom, William McLaren and L. Osborne, overseers; Daniel Bellinger, Giles Schell and Benjamin L. Rand, deacons. The Free Methodist Church of Tonawanda was organized in 1860. It originated in religious meetings held at the house of Father George Goodenough, and at the first organization there were but fifteen mem- bers. The Rev. W. W. Brown is their present pastor. G. W. Good- enough, George Low, Ira W. Rose, M. B. Shearer, D. F. Horton, L. P. Rose and Daniel Hall are officers of this society. 424 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The German Baptist Church of Tonawanda was organized in Decem- ber, 1872. The first mission was held in Evans' Hall. In 1875 the pres- ent church building was erected, and in December, 1876, the Rev. E. E. Chivers preached the dedication sermon. In October, 1879, the regular organization of this society was recognized by the German Baptist Church. The first officers were: Rev. R. Otto, pastor; A. Bauer, dea- con; T. Otto, secretary and treasurer. The present officers are: Rev. R. Otto, pastor; F. Miller, secretary; H. Smith, treasurer. The church has a membership of forty persons. Urial Driggs, of Tonawanda, was born in the town of Marcellus, on the banks of Nine Mile creek in Onondaga county, N. Y., November 15, 1802, and when ten years of age, moved with his father, Roswell Driggs, to Ontario, Wayne county. Acout one year preceding the building of the canal, the father removed to Grand Island; from there soon went to the old Fields farm, and thence to the village of Tonawanda, where he kept the Tonawanda House, and died when fifty-six years of age. Urial Driggs labored under adverse circumstances during the early years of his life. His parents not being greatly supplied with riches, he was partly sent adrift to shift for himself. He worked on a farm for five dollars a month, taking his pay in wheat, which he sold at three shillings a bushel; or cut cord wood for two shillings a cord. During the few years he attended school, he worked his way by assisting at home during his leisure hours and working Saturdays. When eighteen years of age, having acquired a small amount of means, he started a grocery, which is now under the proprietorship of his only son, Roswell W. Driggs. His business prospered finely and assisted him greatly in the care of his father's family, of which he had nearly the entire charge. As his financial abilities increased, Mr. Driggs purchased large quanti- ties of real estate, of which a large part was village lots and upon which he has erected a number of buildings. At the present time, though over eighty years of age, he is personally superintending the erection of a half-dozen houses. In 1849, he was made Superintendent of thirty miles of the canal, and the annual expenses under his administration were cut down from $64,000 to $34,000, for running the boats and keeping the ditch in repair. After leaving the canal department, he took an interest in a warehouse in Buffalo, together with an interest in a line of fifteen boats, and at the He also same time dealt very heavily in cord-wood and lumber. owned a grocery-store on the dock, and a drv-goods store which was managed by his partner, while he looked after the other business; and he supplied the steamers with wood. During all this time he had kept business steadily moving in Tona- wanda, and besides his grocery, also owned a dry-goods store, and for a time was proprietor of the Tonawanda House. After holding his inter- est in Buffalo, three years, he sold out and by the advice of his wife, decided to retire from active business life. Ease and retirement how- ever, were contrary to a nature such as his and brought on sickness, till by the advice of his physican he began active operations again and has from that time to this, been unceasingly employed superintending his varied interests. TOWN OF TONAWANDA. 425 Mr. Driggs is a member of the Presbyterian church, and. financially has not failed to remember the needs of his people. He is a staunch Republican, and during the Rebellion was an active supporter of the war measures. He has been married three times. His first wife Lucy Ann Wait, was married May 23, 1827, and died June 3, 1868, having had four children, of whom Roswell W. and Mrs. Amanda Karner are the only ones living. The two children who died were Urial B. and Aurora Polly Ann. His second wife Mrs. Anna Driggs died September 12, 1882. His third wife Mrs. Harriet S. Bedell, was the daughter of John Laflin, who removed from Connecticut to Vermont in 1820, when his daughter was fourteen years old. She was married in 1830 to Ira Bedell who came to New York and settled first in Tonawanda and subsequently on Grand Island. Mr. and Mrs. Driggs were married on St. Patrick's day, March 17, 1883, which is also her birthday. John Simson came with his father, Robert Simson, to Tonawanda, August 16, 1811. He was the first child and was born in Warren, N. Y., May 19, 1803. His ancestors migrated from Scotland to the north of Ireland in the days of William the Conqueror. Robert Simson was born May 30, 1727, and in 1761, came to America with his three children, Mary, James and John, and settled in New York. John Simson was born August 13, 1753, and March 26, 1778, married Jane Adams, by whom he had eleven children. He served seven years in the Revolutionary war, under Washington. His ancestors were wealthy and he inherited considerable property which was principally loaned to the Government, which returned for pay Continental script that was not redeemed during his lifetime. In 1816, he freed all his slaves. Robert, his only son, was born November 15, 1782. In 1810, he traveled through the western part of New York State in search of his future home, and in 1811, moved his family into the wilderness on a tract of land still retained by his descendants, and which is about a mile above the village of Tonawanda on Ellicott creek. He was Captain during the War of 1812, and had charge of the guard-house, which was then the refuge for the town in times of trouble. He was a fine singer and was always buoyant and full of life, possessing those enjoyable qualities that make soldiers popular, and General Scott frequently visited him and was a great friend of his family. His wife, Lydia Moffitt, born September 15, 1784, and married April 8, 1802, was of Welsh descent and a strong adherent of the old English Church. In 1813, the British entered the village of Tonawanda and burned the guard-house and all the dwellings except one-the house of Mrs. Francis. She was up-stairs, sick in bed and not able to flee with the others to the woods, and three times when her house was fired she crawled out of bed and down stairs and extinguished the flames. The consternation among the people was very great at this time, and Mrs. Simson, after burying her large kettle in the middle of Ellicott creek, and marking the place, went east to a place then called Big Tree, in Genesee county, N. Y., where they remained until 1816. At the age of eighteen, Mr. John Simson sought a fortune for him- self, and notwithstanding the adverse circumstances of the first few years of his life, under which he labored, has been eminently successful. He has always been prominent in business circles, and in church has been an official over sixty years. In April, 1834, he was married to Frances. 426 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Long, whose married life of forty-seven years was terminated by her death, March 24, 1881. As they toiled through life and were blest, so they forgot not the wants of others, having bequeathed many thousands. of dollars to their church, for the upbuilding of colleges and places of worship. Mr. Simson has repeatedly occupied positions of public trust in his town and county, and in the year 1872 he represented the Fourth Assembly district of Erie County in the State Legislature, where he was a prominent member of the Canal committee, and was one of those wise legislators who first advocated the doctrine of making the canals of the State free. Mr. Simson has always been connected with the lumber trade at Tonawanda village, and after some years of toil, succeeded in practically drawing the attention of the Cleveland Transportation company to Ton- awanda, and secured for the village, the obligation on their part, to build a dock, an elevator and ware-houses, all of which they faithfully did. He has himself practically retired from business, but his sons-in- law, A. B. Williams and J. W. DeGraff are extensive lumber dealers. CHAPTER XLI. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GRAND ISLAND, * * G RAND ISLAND lies in the Niagara river, county of Erie and State of New York. Its south end is about four miles below the mouth of Lake Erie, to the north, and its north end is about the same distance above, and south of Niagara Falls. Its extreme mean length is a trifle over eight miles; its extreme breadth is a little over six miles, but that width extends only a small distance, the average being prob- ably four and a half miles; containing in its whole area, by survey, seven- teen thousand three hundred and eighty-one acres. It is a body of good agricultural land, and until about the year 1834, with the exception of ten or twelve hundred acres, was covered with a heavy growth of timber. Its situation along the shore of the river, is exceedingly pleas- ant and commanding, elevated six to fifty feet above the water, and along its various coasts embraces many picturesque views of the city of Buffalo, the villages of Tonawanda and Niagara Falls, and the adjacent Canada and American shores. At its southwestern extremity lies, separated by the small arm of Beaver creek, about one hundred feet in width, Beaver Island, containing forty acres. At its northwestern extremity is a small inlet of deep water called Burnt Ship Bay, in which are two sunken hulks of vessels, said by tradition, (and no doubt truly,) to be driven in there from Chippewa by the British forces and destroyed by their * By Lewis F. Allen. TOWN OF GRAND ISLand. 427 French commanders in the French and English Canadian war of the year 1755. In very low water the timber heads of one of these vessels may be seen a few inches above the surface. Separated by this bay and an insignificant streamlet of only a few feet in width, lies Buckhorn Island, containing by survey one hundred and forty-six and one-half acres. No other islands are immediately contiguous to Grand Island. Spafford's Gazetteer, printed in the year 1824, relates that the State of New York, by a treaty held with the Seneca Indians at Buffalo, Sep- tember 12, 1815, purchased of that tribe Grand and the several other small islands in the Niagara river. For Grand Island this authority does not give the price paid by the State. My impression is that I have seen in some other work, that $11,000 was the consideration, and for the other small islands, Spafford states that the consideration was $1,000 and an annuity of $500. Immediately after its purchase by the State, numerous squatters flocked on to Grand Island, and built cabins along its shores on both sides—on the west or Canada side mostly-for the purpose of cutting and working into staves the valuable white oak timber which abounded there for the Montreal and Quebec markets. From those cities the staves were shipped mainly to the British West India Islands. The staves were taken from Grand Island in scow-boats to Chippewa, thence wagoned around the falls to Lewiston, and there put on board sail vessels for Montreal and Quebec. At the time the State of New York purchased Grand Island, the territorial titles of the lake and river islands between the United States and Canada were undetermined, and they so remained until the year 1822, when all the islands in the Niagara river, excepting Navy Island, opposite the foot of Grand Island, were declared by the boundary com- missioners, appointed by the governments of the United States and Great Britain, to belong to the United States, and consequently they came under the jurisdiction of the State of New York. Up to the year 1819 the squatters held undisputed possession of the land, amenable to neither New York nor Canadian law, setting up a sort of government of their own, wherein they settled their own disputes, if they had any, but defying the authority of either jurisdiction on the opposite shores. In a foot note to the "Field Notes" of the survey of the island, made in the months of October and November, in the year 1824, by Silas D. Kellogg and James Tanner, after describing lot No. 18, on the east, or American bank of the river, the surveyors remark: "On this lot stands the remains of a log cabin in which the renowned Mr. Clarke used to reside. While it was undetermined to which government the island belonged, this man came on and became generalissimo, aad the director of an independent judiciary, whose laws and customs were enforced and practiced like those of the King of the Outlaws." This Mr. Clarke—“ governor" he 428 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. used to be called, when administering squatter law on the Island—I knew very well in the year 1835, then living at Pendleton, in Niagara county, on the Erie canal, where he had the reputation of a good citizen. I asked him about his residence and administration at Grand Island. He evidently disliked to talk upon the subject and waived it at every attempt I made to get a history of the affair, but acknowledged the fact of living there, and being somewhat a conspicuous man among the peo- ple. He was then, perhaps, fifty years of age. So annoying had the squatters on the Island become to the neighboring shores, by their fre- quent acts of outlawry, and their depredations on the valuable timber of the Island, that the New York State authorities took summary measures to remove them. An instance was related that when a sheriff or consta- ble, armed with a civil process, had landed there to arrest one of the squatters, several of them assembled and treated both the officer and his authority with contempt; took his oars or paddles out of his boat and set him adrift down the river, where he floated for some distance, until some one, touched by his distress, put out with another boat and took him over to the American shore. Immediately after this, in the year 1819, Sheriff Cronk, of this county (then Niagara,) was clothed with a requisition from the State authorities, to call out a company of the militia in and about Buffalo, to make a descent on the Island and rid it of the squatters. The late Col. Benjamin Hodge, then having the requisite military command, with a sufficient number of armed men, and accompanied by the sheriff, took boats from the "Seeley Tavern," about three miles below Black Rock, on the river shore, landed on the Island, made its entire circuit drove off every squatter, either on to the Canadian or American shores, and burned every dwelling and other building to the ground. Thus was established the authority and law of the State over Grand Island. A portion of these squatters, however, immediately returned, but as they ceased cut- ting timber, and held themselves amenable to the law, they were not again molested by the State authority. They re-built their cabins, cul- tivated their little patches of clearing, and remained peaceable citizens, taking a little timber "on the sly," only keeping a few cattle, pigs and poultry, thus eking out a poor, but to them quite satisfactory subsistence. Grand Island, in those early days of the Niagara frontier,` in its grand and deep solitude, was a charming place for those who loved to range the woods, or float on the quiet, pellucid waters of the noble river encircling it. From head, to foot, along the shores, or in its deepest will- derness, on a still day, the roar of the Falls below, was always heard, and along its westerly shore their ascending spray was ever in sight. Men of thought and reflection, loved occasionally to camp for days on its shores, and fish, and hunt, as the mood for either recreation impelled them; and no wonder that the "loafing," desultory habits of the squat- TOWN OF GRAND ISLAND. 429 ters found there a congenial dwelling place. There was the serene sky, the clear waters, the venerable trees-all in their quiet summer beauty, inviting to repose, to listlessness and laziness, so congenial to squatter and roving life! Who can blame the vagabonds for loving to live and harbor there! The woods abounded with deer; occasionally a bear, a wolf, or other large game worthy of a hunter's elevated ambition, was found. Great numbers of raccoons, squirrels, and other small furry quadrupeds inhabited the woods, while myriads of ducks 'and other game birds thronged the shores in their proper seasons. The Indians from the Sen- eca and Tonawanda reservation held annual hunts of days or weeks upon the Island, and carried away canoe loads of the choicest venison. The fishing, too, was magnificent. Tons of the finest muscalonge, yellow pike, sturgeon, black-bass, pickerel, mullet and smaller fish were hauled up to the shore in seines in their seasons or drawn out by the hook and line of an adroit angler. The hook and line fishing of the Niagara was nowhere excelled. No wonder such a paradise of hunters and sportsmen was sought and lived upon by those to whose habits steady labor was irksome. The warm, sunny nooks of the "clearings produced every annual garden fruit, and vegetables of the climate. Mel- ons, and other choice delicacies abounded with every one who had the industry to plant and cultivate them. Hunting parties would go down from Black Rock and Buffalo, for a week's recreation, and "drive" the woods for deer, while "coons," squirrels, ducks, and other game were the continuous incidental trophies of their sport. So passed for several years the squatter and camp life of Grand Island. In the year 1824, the State ordered a survey of the land into farm lots, and in that year a party was fitted out for the purpose. A part of the work was done under the supervision of Silas D. Kellogg, in that year. But Mr. Kellogg sickened and died before the work was com- pleted, and early in the next year, James Tanner was commissioned and finished the work. In this year, (1825,) an eventful history was about to open on the Niagara frontier. Those members of our Historical Society who then lived here, in relating their reminiscences of that period have been prone to mark it as an eventful year in three striking incidents, relating to the history of Buffalo, viz.: the visit of General LaFayette, the completion and opening of the Erie canal, and "the hanging of the three Thayers." They might have added to it another memorable occurrence, not only to Buffalo, but to the Niagara frontier. Following the survey of Grand Island into farm lots, for settlement, of which the State authorities gave notice in the public newspapers, an idea occurred to the late Major Moadecai Manuel Noah, a distinguished Israelite of the city of New York, then editor of a prominent political journal called The National * 430 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Advocate, that Grand Island would make a suitable asylum for the Jews of all nations, whereon they could establish a great city, and become emancipated from the oppressions bearing so heavily upon them in for- eign countries. To understand this matter thoroughly it is necessary to go some- what into particulars. I knew Major Noah well. Physically, he was a man of large muscular frame, rotund person, a benignant face and portly bearing. Although a native of the United States, the lineaments of his race were impressed upon his features with unmistakable character, and if the blood of the elder patriarchs, or David or Solomon flowed not in his veins, then both chronology and genealogy must be at fault. He was a Jew, thorough and accomplished. His manners were genial, his heart kind, and his generous sympathies embraced all Israel even to the ends of the earth. He was learned, too, not only in the Jewish and civil law, but in the ways of the world at large, and particularly in the faith and politics of "Saint Tammany," and "the Bucktail party" of the State, of which his newspaper was the organ and chief expounder in the city of New York. He was a Counsellor at Law in our courts and had been Consul General for the United States at the Kingdom of Tunis, on the coast of Barbary—at the time he held it a most responsible trust. Although a visionary-as some would call him-and an enthusiast in his enterprises—he had won many friends among the Gentiles who had adopted him into their political associations. He had warm attachments and few hates, and if the sharpness of his political attacks created for the time a personal rancor in the breasts of his opponents, his genial, frank, child-like ingenuousness healed it all at the first opportunity. He was a pundit in Hebrew law, traditions and customs. "To the manor born," he was loyal to his religion, and no argument or sophistry could swerve him from his fidelity or uproot his hereditary faith. My friend and neighbor, William A. Bird, Esq., has related to me the following anecdote: Many years ago, when his mother, the late Mrs. Eunice Porter Bird Pawling, resided at Troy, N. Y., a society was formed, auxiliary to one organized in the city of New York, for the purpose of christianizing the Jews of all parts of the world. Mrs. Pawling, an energetic doer of good works, in the then infant city of her residence, was applied to for her co-operation in that novel benefaction. She had her own doubts both of its utility and suc- cess as results have proved the correctness. But, determined to act understandingly, she wrote a letter to Major Noah, asking his views on so important a subject.. He replied in a letter, elaborately setting forth the principles, the faith, and the polity of the Jewish people, their ancient hereditary traditions, their venerable history, their hope of a coming Messiah; and concluded by expressing the probability that the modern Gentiles would sooner be converted to the Jewish faith than that the Jews would be converted to theirs. TOWN OF GRAND ISLAND. 431 Major Noah, as I observed, a visionary somewhat, and an enthusiast altogether, made two grand mistakes in his plan. In the first place he had no power or authority over his people; and in the next he was utterly mistaken in their aptitude for their new calling he proposed them to fulfill. But he went on. He induced his friend, the late Samuel Leg- gett, of New York, to make a purchase of 2,555 acres, partly at the head of Grand Island, and partly at its center, opposite Tonawanda, at the entrance of the Erie canal into the Niagara river. Either, or both of those localities were favorable for building a city. These two tracts he thought sufficient for a settlement of his Jewish brethren, which, if suc- cessful, would result in all the lands of the Island falling into their hands. Nor, on a fairly suppositious ground-presuming the Jews, in business affairs, to be like the Gentiles-were his theories so much mistaken. The canal, opening a new avenue to the great western world from Lake Erie to the Ultima Thule of civilization at that day, was about to be completed. The Lakes had no extensive commerce. Capital was unknown as a commercial power in western New York. The Jews had untold wealth, ready to be converted into active and profitable investment. Tona- wanda, in common with Black Rock and Buffalo, with a perfect and capacious natural harbor, was one of the western termini of the Erie Canal, and at the foot of the commerce of the western lakes. With suf- ficient steam power, every sail craft and steamboat on the lakes could reach Grand Island and Tonawanda, discharge into, and take on their cargoes from canal boats, and by the ample means thus command the western trade. Buffalo and Black Rock although up to that time the chief recipients of the lake commerce, lacking moneyed capital, would not be able to compete with the energy and abundant resources of the proposed commercial cities to be established on Grand Island and at Tonawanda, and they must yield to the rivalry of the Jews. Such was Major Noah's theory, and such his plans. Mr. Leggett's co-operation with abundant means for the land purchase, he had already secured. Through the columns of his own widely circulating National Advocate he promulgated his plan, and by the time the sale of the Grand Island lots was to be made at the State Land Office in Albany, other parties of capitalists had concluded to take a venture in the speculation. The sale took place. Mr. Leggett purchased one thousand and twenty acres at the head of the Island, at the cost of $7,200, and one thousand five hundred and thirty-five acres along the river in a compact body above, opposite, and below Tonawanda, at the price of $9,785, being about fifty per cent. above the average of what the whole body of the land sold at per acre--that is to say; the whole seventeen thousand three hundred and eighty-one acres sold for $76,230, being an average, including Mr. Leggett's purchase, of about $4.38 per acre. · Next to Leggett, Messrs. John B. Yates and Archibald McIntyre, then proprietors, by purchase from the State, of the vast system of lotteries— 27 432 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. embracing those for the benefit of Union College, and other eleemosynary purposes―(gambling in lotteries for the benefit of colleges and churches was thought to be a moral instrument in those days)-purchased through other parties a large amount of the land, and "Peter Smith, of Peter- boro," (living, however at Schenectady,—and the most extensive land speculator in the State-father of the late Gerrit Smith,) took a large share of the remainder. To sum up, briefly, the result of the sale of the Grand Island lands: Leggett, and Yates and McIntyre complied with the stipulated terms of the sale, paid over to the State their one-eighth of the purchase money and gave their bonds for the remainder; while Smith-wary in land purchasing practice, when the State of New York was the seller-did no such thing. He paid his one-eighth of the purchase money down, as did the others, but neglected to give his bond for payment of the balance. The consequence was, when the cclat of Noah's Ararat subsided and his scheme proved a failure the land went down in value, Smith forfeited his first payment, and the lots fell back to the State. But on a lower re-appraisal by the State some years afterwards, Smith again bought at less than half the price at which he originally purchased, made his one-eighth payment again, and gave his bond as required, thus pock- eting, by his future sale of the property, over $20,000 in the transaction. All this, however, aside from Mr. Leggett's purchase for the benefit of Major Noah, has nothing to do with our main history and is only given as an occurrence of the times. Major Noah, now secure in the possession of a nucleus for his covet- ed "city of refuge for the Jews," addressed himself to its foundation and dedication. He had heralded his intentions through the columns of his National Advocate. His contemporaries of the press ridiculed his scheme, and predicted its failure; yet true to his original purpose, he determined to carry it through. Wise Jews around him shook their heads in doubt of his ability to effect his plans, and withheld from him their support. But nothing daunted, he ventured it unaided, and almost alone. By the aid of an indomitable friend, and equally enthusiastic co-laborer, Mr. A. B. Siexas, of New York, he made due preparations, and late in the month of August, in the year 1825, with his robes of office and insignia of rank securely packed, they left the city of New York for Buffalo. He was a stranger in the then little village of twenty-five hundred people, and could rely for countenance and aid only on his old friend, the late Isaac S. Smith, then residing here, whom he had known abroad while in his consulate at Tunis. In Mr. Smith, however, he found a ready assistant in his plans. Major Noah, with his friend Siexas, arrived in Buffalo in the last days of August. He had got prepared a stone which was to be "the chief of the corner," with proper inscription and of ample dimensions for the occasion. This stone was obtained from the Cleveland, Ohio, sandstone quarries. The inscription, furnished by Major Noah, was cut by the late Seth Cha- pin of Buffalo. TOWN OF GRAND ISLAND. 433 As on examination when arriving here, he could not well get to Grand Island to locate and establish his city, it was concluded to lay the corner stone in the Episcopal Church of the village, then under the rec- torship of the Rev. Addison Searle. As this strange and remarkable pro- ceeding, so novel as that of laying a foundation for a Jewish city, with its imposing rites and formula, its regal pomp and Jewish ceremony, in a Christian Episcopal Church, with the aid of its authorized rector, may strike the present generation with surprise, a word or two may be said of the transaction. The Rev. Mr. Searle, was at that time the officiating clergyman in the little Church of St. Paul's, in the village of Buffalo, and had been placed there as a missionary by the late wise and excellent Bishop Hobart. He held a government commission as chaplain in the United States Navy, and had been granted a furlough from active duty. He had been on the foreign cruises: had coasted the Mediterranean, and spent months in the chief cities of its classic shores, and visited the beautiful Greek island of Scio, a few weeks after the burning of its towns, and the massacre of its people by the Turks in 182–. He was an accomplished and genial man, of commanding person and portly mien; his manners were bland, and his address courtly. Whether he had made the acquaint- ance of Major Noah abroad or in New York, or whether he first met him on the occasion at Buffalo, I know not, but their intercourse here was cordial and friendly. On the 2d day of September, 1825, the imposing ceremony of laying the corner stone of the city of Ararat, to be built on Grand Island, took place. The ceremonial, with its procession, "Masonic and Military," its pomp and magnificence, passed away. Major Noah, a day or two after- wards, departed for his home in New York; the "corner-stone " was taken from the audience chamber of the church, and deposited against its rear wall, outside; and the great prospective city of Ararat, with its splendid predictions and promises vanished, "and like an unsubstan- tial pageant faded, left not a rack behind!" This was, in fact, the whole affair. The foreign Rabbis denounced Noah and his entire scheme. He had levied taxes of sundry "shekels" on all the Jewish tribes of the world; assumed supreme jurisdiction over their emigration to America, and sought to control their destinies after- wards. But having no confidence in his plans or financial management, the American Jews even, repudiated his proceedings and after a storm of ridicule heaped on his presumptious head, the whole thing died away and passed among the other thousand and one absurdities of other char- acter, which had preceded it. Noah, however, with his ever ready wit, and newspaper at hand, replied to all the jeers and flings in good humor, and lost none of the prestige of his character and position, either politi- 434 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. caily or morally. He was known to be eccentric in many things, and this was put down as the climax of his eccentricities. Poor in money, always, he had no influence in financial circles, yet he was a "power" in the State. Some years after his Ararat affair he held the office of Judge in one of the City Criminal Courts of New York with decided acceptance to the public; married a wealthy Jewess of high respectability, reared a family, and died in New York, in the year 1851, aged sixty-six years, lamented by those who best knew him, as a kind and generous man. The subsequent history of the corner-stone which we have described is imperfectly known. It is generally supposed, by those who have heard of the matter at all, that Ararat was actually founded on Grand Island, opposite Tonawanda, and some thirty years ago accounts were frequently published by tourists, and in the newspapers, that the stone aforesaid stood encased in a monument on the actual spot selected by Noah for the building of his city. That the stone did so stand, in a brick monument at Grand Island, opposite Tonawanda, but not on the site of any city, past or present, is a fact; and it came about in this wise: In the summer of the year 1827, having become a resident in Buffalo in April of that year, I saw the stone leaning against the rear underpinning of the little church of St. Paul, next to Pearl street. It had stood there from the time it was removed, at its consecration in 1825. When it was removed from the wall of the church I cannot say. In the year 1833, a purchase was made of Messrs. Samuel Leggett, of New York, Yates and McIntyre, of Albany, and Peter Smith, of Schenectady, and a few other parties, on behalf of a company of gentlemen in Boston, Massachusetts, with whom I had an interest, of the lands they held on Grand Island, amounting, in all, to about 16,000 acres. The average price paid for it was a little more than five dollars per acre. The principal object of the purchase was the valuable white oak ship timber abounding there, which it was intended to cut and convey to the New York and Boston ship yards. A clearing and settlement was made on the Island, opposite Tona- wanda. Several houses were built, and a steam mill for sawing the tim- ber into plank erected. A few months after the purchase, in the year 1834, being one day at the house of General Peter B. Porter, at Black Rock, I saw Major Noah's corner-stone lying in his lawn near the river front of his dwelling. In answer to my question, how it came there? he said that being in New York some years previous, and meeting Ma- jor Noah, with whom he had long been acquainted, he told him that his corner-stone of Ararat was standing behind St. Paul's Church in Buffalo. Noah then requested him to take care of it and place it in some secure spot, as he wished to have it preserved where it would not excite com- ment, as he had heard quite enough about it. In compliance with the TOWN OF GRAND ISLAND. 435 request, General Porter took the stone and placed it in his own grounds. Taking a fancy to the stone, I asked General Porter to give it to me, assuring him that I would take it to Grand Island and give it an honor- able position. He complied with my request and I moved it to the new settlement on the Island. A decent architectural structure of brick was erected, standing about fourteen feet high and six feet square. A niche was made in the front, facing the river, in which the stone was placed, and a comely roof, as a top finish, put over it. A steam passenger boat was running for several years, daily, through the summer, between Buf- falo and the Falls of Niagara, touching each way at Whitehaven, the little Grand Island settlement, and many people went on shore to see the monument which told a false history. Artists and tourists sketched the homely little structure, and copied the inscription on the stone; and the next year a "Guide Book to the Falls of Niagara," issued in Buffalo, had the monument, with the " Corner Stone of the Jewish City of Ara- rat," well engraved and described, conspicuous in its pages. That, of course, was sufficient authority for the general belief that the City of Ararat was founded on that spot by the Mordecai Manuel Noah. The mill was taken down about the year 1850, and the monument becoming time worn and dilapidated, was taken down also. We had no Historical Society in Buffalo then, and although the stone was my prop- erty, I had become careless of its possession, and soon afterwards, Mr. Wallace Baxter, who owned a farm a couple of miles above Whitehaven, on the river shore, took the stone and carried it to his place. By this removal, the farm of Mr. Baxter-taking the stone as authority-became as much the site of Ararat as Whitehaven had been. In the year 1864, the late Mr. Charles H. Waite, of this city, opened a watering place— "Sheen water"-on the opposite or Canada side of the Island, and Mr. Baxter carried the stone over there for the amusement of the visitors who congregated to that resort-thus establishing another locality of the renowned Ararat. Mr. Waite's house having burned a few months after the stone was removed there, he carefully placed it in an outhouse on the premises, where it remained several months, when I obtained his. leave to take it again into my possession, which I did and deposited it on my farm at the head of Grand Island, one of the original tracts of land which Mr. Leggett had purchased for Major Noah. There, too, had the traveling public seen it, might have been located another site for the Hebrew city. A short time afterwards I had the stone taken to my home premises on Niagara street, in this city, the same to which Gen- eral Porter, then owning them, had moved it previous to the year 1834. A few weeks later it was again-and I trust finally-removed and on the second day of January, in the year A. D. 1866, deposited in the official room of the Buffalo Historical Society, where it is duly honored with a conspicuous position, leaving the Hebrew "City of Ararat" a myth- 436 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. never having existence, save in the prurient imagination of its projector, a record of which the tablet bears. Like the dove which went out from the Ark of his great patriarchal progenitor, the stone of the latter Noah has come back to its domicile— not in the Ark-but to the city which in its embryo existence first gave it shelter and protection; and we trust—unlike the dove-to again go out no more. Just forty years from its exodus from the communion table of the Church of St. Paul's, like the Children of ancient Israel, has this eventful stone--meantime crossing, not the parted waters of the Red Sea, but the transparent waters of the Niagara, resting by the way- side, and traveling through the wilderness in circuitous wanderings- found its home in the rooms of the Buffalo Historical Society. Thus ends the strange, eventful history of Major Noah, his Hebrew city, and its corner stone. Although that portion of the public, away from Buffalo, who ever heard anything of this modern Ararat have believed, since the year 1825, that Major Noah actually purchased Grand Island, and founded his city, and laid his corner stone upon it, the fact is, that he never owned an acre of its land, nor founded the city, nor laid a corner stone there. Nor have I been able, after diligent inquiry, to ascertain that he ever set foot on the Island. I have heard sundry traditions lately, of his going there at the time he visited Buffalo, in the year 1825. All these were contradictory, and partially guess-work; no one, so far as I have ascertained, ever saw him there. Thus, that point may be considered as definitely settled. While the Island was in possession of its later purchasers a consid- erable portion of the white oak timber was taken off and cut up at their mill, but no considerable part of the forest land had been cleared or improved. In the year 1849, it was opened for sale to individual parties who made purchases of the different lots for agricultural purposes, and in the course of a few years the forests were mostly cleared and reduced to cultivation. Houses, barns and other necessary outbuildings were erected, gardens attached, fences enclosed the fields, orchards planted, and an industrious, thriving community of farmers settled in comfortable homes. The surface being of a level character, every part of the Island was easily accessible and horse-boat ferries connected with the main American shore, a convenient approach to the territory was established and maintained. The soil, mostly a rich clayey loam free from surface stones, is easily worked and immediately becomes productive in all the grasses, grains, vegetables and fruits of the climate. Large and valuable apple, pear and peach orchards now abound at the lower or northerly portion, which are highly productive for the domestic as well as distant markets. The town now comprises about thirteen hundred population, occu- pying farms extending from forty to some hundreds of acres in area. TOWN OF GRAND ISLAND. 437 three churches, ten school houses, excellent roads, also two good steam ferries now exist-one at Tonawanda, the other five miles above. A large, commodious hotel, with choicely cultivated surroundings, stands near the south end of the Island at the ferry landing, and several eligible summer resorts, daily reached by pleasure seekers from the adjacent city, lie a few miles below along the river shore. Falconwood, with an area of twenty-five acres of trees and lawn founded by Lewis F. Allen, its then owner, in the year 1858, now owned and occupied by the club of that name composed of about eighty-five wealthy residents of Buffalo who have an ornate spacious villa and other pleasurable appendages erected, lies near the southerly end of the Island. A short distance below is the pleasant Oakfield club-house and outbuild- ings for the recreation of its guests, with an ample grove and grounds of fifty acres belonging to a like association of Buffalo citizens. Three miles further down the river lies Sheenwater, a cozy resort of less pre- tensions, but largely resorted to in summer by pleasure and picnic parties from the city. On Beaver Island, a short distance above Falconwood, stands the elegant club-house of that name with highly cultivated grounds and wood, also owned by Buffalo gentlemen. These club resorts all have commodious wharves in front, giving accommodation to the several luxurious steam yachts owned by the clubs and private gentlemen con- nected with them. These places all command charming views of the opposite Canadian farms and buildings which, together with long reaches of river scenery, add to the pleasures of their rural retirements. Immediately above and adjoining Falconwood lies the broad wood- land park and cultivated farm belonging to Hon. E. G. Spaulding, of Buffalo, embracing three hundred and fifteen acres, fronting a half-mile on the main river, and along its narrow arm of Beaver creek a half-mile further in front of Beaver Island, extending also in rear of and below Falconwood and Oakfield. On the eastern branch of the river fronting the American shore lies the five hundred acre " Allenton " farm and its several buildings belong- ing to Lewis F. Allen, extending from the extreme head of the Island a mile and a half to the ferry below. On its upper end stands the hand- some villa, with lawn and garden surroundings-"River Lea," of W. C. Allen, nearly forty acres. The entire front of these two holdings has a wide reach of river view, including also a part of the city, its steeples, towers and manufactories. On both the east and west shores of the Island are eligible sites for suburban residences which, in process of time, will be occupied by the present and coming generations of Buffalo. Several of them are already so occupied in well-improved farms and tasteful dwellings of its citizens. -Professor Carl Adam and others--the gentle flow of the clear waters adding much to their attractions. 438 HISTORY OF Erie County. A favorable influence connected with Grand Island is its great healthfulness. In the government census of the years 1870 and 1880, the death reports for their preceding and intervening years were a large percentage less, according to numbers of population, than any other town in the United States. The thriving port of Tonawanda, now the great lumber mart of the Western Lake territories, lying opposite the center of the Island and at the entrance of the Erie canal into the river, must even add largely to its agricultural value in affording an additional market to its products, aside from that of Buffalo, hitherto the chief absorbent of its industry. John Nice, a resident of Grand Island, was born in Kindenheim, town of Gruenstadt, county of Frankenthal, Rhenish Bavaria, October 15, 1813. His father Philip Nice, born in the same place in 1782, was by occupation a farmer and transporter of goods. His wife, Maria E. Kreig, was born in Kindenheim, in 1787. These worthy parents desired their son to adopt as the occupation of his future life, the profession of teacher, but this not fulfilling the object in view by the son, he left school at an early age and began the business in which his father was engaged. In 1834, he was drafted into the army and commenced service in 1835. About the same time, his father, having met with losses through speculation, and becoming discouraged with the drafting of his son, resolved on emigrating to America. In 1836, John Nice left the army and joining his father, arrived in in Buffalo, September 5th of the same year, and for two weeks following carried a hod. At the end of that time, not liking the work, he went to the town of Newstead where he hired out to Judge Thomas C. Love, by the month and in connection with this, carried on farming on shares, until his removal to Grand Island, in 1848. There he became engaged in the wood and lumber business, and after Grand Island was set off as a town by itself in 1852, was chosen its first supervisor, and served four years. He was elected superintendent of the poor in 1860; appointed one of the commissioners of City and County Hall, by Act of Legislature; and was elected Member of Assembly in 1873, and again in 1874, and sent as delegate to the Republican National Convention in Chicago, in 1880. He died August 30, 1883. Mr. Nice was united in marriage with Mary Ann Ffitzenmaier. CHAPTER XLII. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ALDEN. A LDEN is situated on the eastern border of Erie county, consider- ably north of the center, being bounded on the east by Genesee county, on the north by the town of Newstead, on the west by Lancaster and on the south by Marilla, except for a mile and a quarter in the southeast corner, where it is bounded on the south by a part of the TOWN OF ALDEN. 439 town of Bennington, Genesee county. The town under consideration measures six miles from east to west and about five and three-fourth miles from north to south, except for the mile and a quarter before mentioned, where the north and south measurement is six miles. The total area is about thirty-four and three-fourths square miles. Alden is mostly in township eleven, range five, of the Holland Company's survey, and it would have been entirely in that township, had the latter been of the usual size of Holland Purchase townships, but in fact a tract on the south side, five miles long, east and west, with an average width of a mile and a quarter, north and south, was included in the Buffalo Creek reservation. The surface of Alden in the north and west is nearly level; in the east and south it is gently undulating. Eleven Mile (or Ellicott) and Cay- uga creeks, both head in Genesee county a little east of the county line. Three small branches of the former unite near the center of Alden, run- ning thence northwestwardly and passing out near the northwest corner of the town into Lancaster. Cayuga creek enters Alden from Marilla, runs a little north of west and passes from Alden into Lancaster near the southwest corner of the former town. The soil of the western and north- ern parts of Alden, once somewhat low and wet, is now very fertile; that of a narrow tract in the center is sandy, and that of the south is a gravel- ly and clayey loam. According to all the accounts of the early residents, the first settle- ment in the territory of Alden was made by Moses Fenno, a native of Ireland, in the spring of 1810.* He located himself on lot seventeen,† built a log house there, near the site of the depot on the New York, Lake Erie & Western railroad, and during that season raised the first crops in the territory of Alden. During the summer of 1810, Joseph Freeman, (afterwards known as Judge Freeman) William Snow, John Estabrook and Arunah Hibbard came with their families, and each erected a log cabin on or near the site of Alden village. Samuel Slade came in 1811 and made his home three-fourths of a mile farther west. James Crocker, Samuel Huntington and Jonas Stick- ney came the same year and located in the vicinity. Several others made their homes in various parts of the township in 1811 and 1812, among whom were Nathaniel Estabrook, Saxton Bailey, William Humphrey, a Mr. Cransaky and a Mr. Bunce. At this period Nathan Willis located on lot forty-four, and John Webster on lot forty-seven, both being on the main road from Alden to Buffalo, a short distance east of the present vil lage of Town Line. Both subsequently built saw-mills on Cayuga creek, and both became wealthy and influential citizens. * The records of the Holland Company show that James C. Rowan, Zopher Beach and Samuel Huntington had purchased land in the western part of township eleven, range five, two or three years before 1810, but there is no account of any of them making a settlement there. He is also said to have owned a part of lot twenty, now known as the Blodgett farm, but the weight of tradition is that his house was on lot seventeen. 440 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In 1812 Seth Butterfield located himself where J. S. Butterfield now lives, two and a half miles southeast of Alden village. The same year occurred the first death in the township, that of Miss Polly Cransaky, a girl of eighteen. She was buried on a knoll, nearly opposite the site of Isaiah Fullerton's house. In 1812, also, the first public religious services in the township were held (as is supposed at Joseph Freeman's house) by the Rev. John Spencer, a well-known pioneer Presbyterian minister. The first birth of a white child in the township likewise occurred in 1812; the child being a daughter of Arunah Hibbard. Meanwhile the war with Great Britain had broken out, which put a stop to immigration and nearly put a stop to improvement, as the able- bodied men were frequently called from their farms to defend the fron- tier against threatened invasion. There was also much fear felt lest the Canadian Indians should make a raid through the scattered settlements of Western New York, committing all the atrocities for which the red men had long been famous. By 1813, however, the people had generally lost their fears, thinking that whatever fighting there was on the frontier would be on the Canadian side of the Niagara. In the autumn of that year, Mr. Cransaky, the father of the girl already mentioned, was taken sick and felt convinced that he was about to die. Unwilling to depend on chance for a burial place, he requested Joseph Freeman to have some land designated for a public cemetery before his (Cransaky's) death. Mr. Freeman pledged himself to do so and the next day bought an acre of land from Mr. Bunce for that purpose, giving his note for five dollars in payment. Mr. Cransaky died a few days later, and his body was the first one buried in the forest-covered cemetery thus obtained. When an invasion was threatened by the British, Canadians and Indians, in the latter part of December, 1813, the able-bodied citizens of the region under consideration were ordered to the frontier as a part of the militia battalion commanded by Major Samuel Hill, Jr., of the pres- ent town of Newstead, which was attached to the regiment of Lieuten- ant-Colonel Warren, of Willink, now Aurora. None of the names of those then in service have been preserved, except that of Moses Fenno, the earliest pioneer of the township, who was slain in the battle of Black Rock or the succeeding retreat, on the 30th of December, 1813. When the defeated militiamen reached home that day the alarm sped swiftly among the Alden pioneers and before night many families were fleeing eastward as best they might, those being considered fortunate who had a yoke of oxen and a sled on which a few household articles and a small stock of provisions could be piled, some are said to have killed their hogs, flung them on their sleds without dressing, and carried them along on the eastern hegira. In the spring of 1814 confidence was restored by the appearance of an American army of regulars on the frontier. Most of the emigrants TOWN OF ALDEN. 441 of the previous winter returned and during the season John C. Rogers built the first saw-mill in the township, situated on Eleven Mile creek at Alden Centre. With the close of the war early in 1815, immigration into instead of out of the town was resumed, and in the course of the season a log house, located just east of the site of the Alger House at Alden village, was fitted up for use both as a school house and a church. Miss Mehitable Estabrook was the first school teacher. The same year Amos Bliss opened his house, a half mile east of the site of the village, as a tavern. It was kept up only three or four years. In 1816 (some say 1817) John C. Rogers built a grist-mill on Eleven Mile creek near his saw-mill.* Joshua Hendee purchased a tract of land about a mile east of Alden village. That year or the next Seth Estabrook brought in a cart load of groceries etc., with which he opened the first store in the territory of Alden, in a small log house on Mr. Hen- dee's land. Some authorities say the store was on the main road, and some locate it a little south on the "Mercer road;" it was evidently near the corner. The store was somewhat in advance of the time and was kept open only two or three years. Bliss's tavern was also closed as early as 1820. Homer Hendee came into the township in 1817, locating on lot three. The same year Amos Herrick purchased a large tract of and about a mile and a half west of Rogers' (now Platt's) mills and moved thither from Clarence; being obliged to cut his own road a con- siderable portion of the way. In March, 1817, also, Moses Case, long an influential resident of Alden, moved from Onondaga county and built. the first house at Mill Grove, near where A. B. Wende now lives. Jonas Van Wey settled west of Case the same year. Stephen Walter located in the vicinity a little later. A. C. Burdick settled in the region afterwards called West Woods in 1820, and Stephen Church in 1821. In 1822 Thomas Farnsworth bought a farm on lot seventeen from Aaron Botts, built a large house on the site of Alden village and also built a tannery on a branch of Eleven Mile Creek, north of the village. For two years, although he sometimes entertained travelers, he did not keep a hotel. But in June, 1825, the crowds going to and coming from the execution of the "Three Thayers" cleared his larder so effectually that he thought he might as well keep tavern in earnest, and accordingly obtained a license and put up a sign. About this time Dr. John M. Harrington came into town and estab- lished himself as the first physician. John Bryant opened a store about a half mile east of the village. Calvin Bishop acted as his clerk a few years and then established a store of his own on the site of the village. From this time the work of subduing the forest and cultivating the soil went rapidly forward, and in ten years all the southern and central *This grist-mill was sold by Mr. Rogers to Warren and Sylvester Earl. The latter transferred it in 1847 to Charles M. Platt, whose widow now owns it. 442 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. parts of township eleven were all settled and well cleared. In the north- ern and western parts, owing to the necessity of draining the soil, improvement was more tardy; but after 1835 it was steadily carried for- ward even in those sections. Between 1830 and 1840 a considerable number of Germans settled in the town, where they and their children. have since labored with their usual indefatigable industry. In 1843, the Buffalo & Attica Railroad (now a part of the New York, Lake Erie & Western) was built through the town, running through the south edge of Alden village. In 1853 the Buffalo & Rochester Railroad Company (which became a part of the New York Central the same year) built a road running across the whole northern part of Alden in a straight line. In 1883 the New York, Lackawanna & Western Railway was com- pleted through the town between the other two. The construction of these important trunk lines has added greatly to the value of the farms of Alden by increasing the facilities for marketing their products, and has also promoted the growth of several villages and hamlets, although none of them has attained a very large size. Of these we will speak after giving a sketch of some of the official changes in the town. Originally, like all of the rest of the Holland Purchase, a part of the town of Northampton, in the county of Ontario, the territory of Alden became in 1802 a part of the town of Batavia, in the county of Genesee, and in 1804 was made a portion of the town of Willink in the same couuty. In the general reorganization described in Chapter XIII. of this volume, the same territory became a part of the town of Clarence, Niagara county. It remained in that town (changing its county to Erie in 1821) until the 27th day of March, 1823. On that day the town of Alden was formed from Clarence by an act of the Legislature. It inclosed all of township eleven, range five and nominally ran to the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation, although the Indians on the reservation were not subject to the ordinary civil laws. The first town meeting was held at the house of Washburn Parker, on the 27th day of May, 1823, when the following officers were elected :- Edmond Badger, supervisor; Homer Hendee, town clerk; William H. Dayton and Jonathan Larkin, assessors; Thomas Durkee, collector; Thomas Farnsworth and John Van Wey, overseers of the poor; Nathan Willis, James C. Thompson and Jesse Gressman, commissioners of highways; Samuel Slade, Silas Snow and Thomas Gregg, commisioners of common schools; Homer Hendee, Paul White and Joseph Perry, inspectors of schools; Thomas Durkee and Simon Hill, constables. At this meeting it was voted that pathmasters (of whom there were twelve) should officiate as fence viewers, pound keepers and damage apprais ers; that $75 should be raised for the maintenance of roads and bridges and $65 for the support of schools; that the collector should receive four cents on the dollar for collecting the taxes and that the next town meet- ing should be held at the house of Washburn Parker. TOWN OF Alden. 443 At that time justices of the peace were appointed by the joint action of the Court of Common Pleas and the Board of Supervisors. Moses Case was the first one appointed in Alden. The same year (1823) a post- office, bearing the same name as the town, was established and Joseph Freeman was appointed the first postmaster. The next year he was also appointed a justice of the peace. In August, 1826, (besides other lands) a tract averaging in Alden about a mile and a quarter wide along the north side of the Buffalo creek reservation, and another nearly three miles wide on the east end of the same reservation, were bought from the Indians by an association known as the Ogden Company, and were speedily subdivided into lots and offered for sale to settlers. This practically increased the area of Alden between twelve and thirteen square miles, although its nominal size remained the same as before. In 1842, another agreement was made by which the Ogden Company purchased the remainder of the Buffalo Creek reservation, thus bringing the whole of the nominal area of Alden within the jurisdiction of its officers. The town then contained about forty-eight square miles. In December, 1853, the town of Marilla was formed, which embraced all of the Buffalo Creek reservation previously in Alden, except the tract sold in 1826. This reduced Alden to its present area of about thirty-four and three-fourths square miles. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since that time. The following is a list of the supervisors from the time of its organ- ization, with their years of service: Edmond Badger, 1823-24; Moses Case, 1825-32; Jonathan Larkin, 1833-'34; Moses Case, 1835-'37; Josiah Fullerton, 1838-'40; Dexter Ewell, 1841--'42; John D. Howe, 1843-'46; Alexander Kellogg, 1847-'48: Nathan Willis, 1849; Ziba Durkee, 1850; Asa Munn, 1851; Nathan Willis, 1852-'53; John B. Pride, 1854; Lester Gary, 1855; Herbert Dayton, 1856; Nathan Willis, 1857; Festus Tenney, 1858-'59; Herbert Dayton, 1860; Andrew P. Vandervoort, 1861 ; John C. Baker, 1862; Herman A. Wende, 1863-'64; William Slade, 1865; Bradley Goodyear, 1866; E. R. Hall, 1867; E. H. Ewell, 1868; Spenser Stone, 1869- '74; Bernhard A. Wende, 1875; L. W. Cornwell, 1876; B. A. Wende, 1877-'78; Joseph E. Ewell, 1879–80; George T. Patterson, 1881-'83. The following is a list of the town officers in 1883: George T. Pat- terson, supervisor; James Willis, I. R. Martin, S. P. Waldo, Emile Young, justices of the peace; Alois Bohner, Jr., town clerk; George Roll, col- lector; Robert Dickinson, commissioner of highways; Daniel Herrick, overseer of the poor; Eugene Banks and F. W. Zoeller, assessors. ALDEN VILLAGE. Perhaps the existence of Alden as a village may be dated from 1823, for it was then that a postoffice of that name was established, with Joseph 444 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Freeman as the first postmaster. There were then, however, but two or three log houses there, besides the framed house of Thomas Farnsworth, erected that year. The tannery built by that gentleman the year before was about a half mile to the north. The growth of Alden was slow, nor did the establishment of a rail- road depot there, in 1843, add much to the business. The place steadily progressed, however, becoming a very pleasant village of several hun- dred inhabitants. In 1854, William C. Leonard, with the aid of other friends of education, erected a large framed building in which he opened a high school known as the Alden Seminary. It flourished several years, but the patronage was insufficient to sustain it and it was long ago given up. On the 7th day of May, 1869, the village was duly incorporated. The following were the first officers: G. F. Vandervoort, E. W. Hendee, D. C. Skeels, J. B. Pride and A. D. Farnsworth, trustees; William E. Saunders, clerk; H. R. Kidder, treasurer; C. N. Fulton, assessor; M. Maxson, street commissioner; Frederick Thatcher, collector. The following are the present officers: Marvin G. Alger, Clarence A. Tyler, Julius Bennett, Horace P. Patrell and Julius St. John, trustees; George E. Martin, clerk; Edwin R. Hall, street commissioner; Alois Bohner, treasurer; John A. Eddy, assessor; William Thomas, collector. Alden village now contains about six hundred inhabitants, with three churches, three hotels, onc railroad depot, (New York, Lake Erie & Western) three stores, one hardware store, one jewelry store, one tannery, one saw mill and one cheese factory. After Dr. Harrington, who has been mentioned as the first physician in the town, the practice of medicine in Alden village has been pursued by Drs. G. Allen, John B. Pride, Lilly, Grove C. Gage, Crandall, John Dennison, Bradley Goodyear, L. W. Cornwell, Clarence A. Tyler and Ernst Wende. These came nearly in the order given and the last three are now practicing; Dr. Cornwell having resided in the village since 1865. Calvin Bishop, the first merchant in the village, (though John Bry- ant had traded only a half mile east of it) established himself there about 1830 and remained until about 1843. Other early merchants were Horace Stanley, Mr. Severance, Litchfield & Barstow, (who purchased Mr. Stan- ley's establishment) and Samuel M. Butler. The last named gentleman was a prominent merchant and citizen of Alden for several years pre- vious to 1850, and remained in active business until 1857. Elisha Saun ders established himself in mercantile business before the late war and continued in it until about 1877. L. P. & J. J. Stickney began as mer- chants in 1870 and continued in partnership until 1883. Both are now separately engaged in mercantile business in the village. Morey Broth- ers have the principal general store. TOWN OF ALDEN. 445 We have mentioned the hotel of Amos Bliss east of the village and that of Washburn Parker a little west of the village, both of which were soon "given up and also the first permanent hotel, built by Thomas Farnsworth. This was kept by him many years, and was afterwards occupied as a hotel until 1869, when it was destroyed by fire. It stood on the site of the tin-shop, since built by Edward Hall. A house built in 1844 was subsequently used as a hotel by B. N. Hopkins, and is now occu- pied as such by Mr. Wyers. Another hotel was built in 1851 by Dr. Grove C. Gage, who occupied it as such many years. The present landlord is J. A. Ferners, who took possession in May, 1883. Martin's hotel was built in 1871, by Horace King. He was the landlord until 1874, when he was succeeded by George T. Patterson, he was followed by James Patterson in 1876, and the latter by George E. Martin, the pres- ent proprietor, in 1882. Three attempts have been made to establish a newspaper in Alden, but neither of them has resulted in permanent succes. The Oddaographic a twelve-column folio, was founded in 1876 by E. C. Dodge, but endured only six months. In 1880 a stock company was formed for the purpose, and the Alden Trumpet, a twenty-column folio, was issued under the management of J. A. Webb, it closed its career in 1881. The Trumpet was succeeded on the 1st of January, 1882, by the Alden Gazette, a quarto sheet, considerably larger than either of its predecessors, of which Eddy & Company, were the proprietors. It was issued for a year and a half, but ceased to appear after the 1st of June, 1883. The Spring Creek Cheese Factory began operations in 1880; Ben- jamin Gifford being the owner. The business was small at first, but has rapidly developed, and the factory is now supplied with the milk of four hundred cows. In the month of June, 1883, Mr. Gifford manufactured over 35,000 pounds of cheese, which sold for nearly $3,400, and during the previous winter he had produced about 12,000 pounds of butter. On the 17th day of July, 1813, twelve members of the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations, residing in that part of Clarence now known as Alden, met and subscribed a declaration of faith, though with- out organizing as a church. Their names were Nathaniel Humphrey, Nehemiah Estabrook, Saxton Bailey, Joseph Freeman, William Hum- phrey, Nehemiah Estabrook, Jr., Eunice Humphrey, Elizabeth Esta- brook, Lois Bailey, Lois Bailey, 2d, Elizabeth Bunce and Sarah Hum. phrey. They are said at first to have affiliated with the Congregational- ists, but when, four years later, they organized themselves as a church, they united with the Presbyterian denomination. That event occurred on the 16th day of May, 1817; Nehemiah Estabrook being the first dea- con and Joseph Freeman the first clerk. Rev. John Spencer and Rev. Miller P. Squier had both preached to the society before its organization. Among subsequent ministers there have been Rev. James Remington, 446 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. who was the pastor about thirty years, Rev. Henry Wicks and Rev. Gavin L. Hamilton, the present pastor, who came in 1881. The house of worship was erected about 1830, and is still in use. The present elders of the church are: A. S. Hawks, William Slade, A. C. Bancroft, Charles C. Morey and Henry H. Edson; the trustees of the society are: J. W. Tucker, Charles C. Morey, and Joseph E. Ewell. In the month of March, 1833, thirteen men and women met at the house of Dexter Ewell and formed themselves into a conference. Mr. J. J. Parmelee offered himself for baptism. On the 13th of April follow- ing, the conference adopted a covenant and articles of faith, and on the 21st of that month Mr. Parmelee was baptized by Rev. Joshua Packer. The Conference then consisted of Matthew Lindsley, Abiah Lindsley, Joseph Card, Electa Card, James DeWitt, Pamelia DeWitt, William Dayton, Dexter Ewell, Eliza Ewell, Lyman Curtis, Maria Curtis, Gratia Wilder and John J. Parmelee. Rev. Mr. Packer preached once in two weeks during the summer. On the 5th day of September in the same year the conference was regularly organized as a church at the house of Matthew Lindsley. William Dayton was chosen deacon, and occupied that position until his death in 1871. The church had no house of wor- ship until 1852, holding services at private houses and at the school house. In the year last named a church edifice was completed at Alden village which was dedicated on the 22d day of December, 1852, Rev. V. R. Hotchkiss preaching the dedicatory sermon. A parsonage was built in 1870. The following is a list of the pastors in the order of their service: Rev. Messrs. J. Packer, Ebenezer Hall, Samuel Jones, Blakely, Vincent, E. S. Smith, J. Blaine, L. S. Stowell, (who served from 1852 to 1860), A. Milne, Philip L. Jones, C. H. James, S. M. Calkins and William Gressman. Since the pastorate of Mr. Gressman the church has been supplied by theological students from Rochester, N. Y. It has now but thirty-three members. On the 17th day of April, 1881, seven persons, Mr. and Mrs. William Witty, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Patterson, Mr. George Eggleston, Mrs. L. A. Chase, and Miss McKell met and formed themselves into a Methodist class. In November of the same year a church was organized, when thirteen additions were made by letter and seven new members were received on probation. Rev. D. C. Schwartz, the first pastor began his services in April, 1881, and remained until October, 1882. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Joseph Dennis, the present pastor. The church occu- pies the seminary building as a place of worship. The stewards of the church are William Witty, W. C. McKell, C. Baker and Mrs. J. C. Stickney. Mrs. L. A. Chase is the recording steward. The trustees of the society are, B. F. Peck, Julius Bennett, Henry Rowley, Abijah Bal- · com and Festus Allen. TOWN OF ALDEN. 447 WEST ALDEN. The hamlet of West Alden is situated about a mile and a half south- west of Alden village on the main road to Buffalo. It was long known as Alden Centre, and consisted of a hotel and a few shops and houses. Mr. B. F. Peck settled there as early as 1835. The hotel was long kept by Mr. A. Perry, but has been closed for many years. Before 1860, how- ever, the people at the actual center of the town obtained a postoffice by the name of Alden Centre, which left the locality in question without a name. About ten years ago a postoffice was established there by the name of West Alden, and the hamlet has since borne that appellation. Mr. I. R. Martin has had a store there since 1865, at first in company with B. F. Peck, but since 1870 alone. Mr. Charles Eels has had a store since 1872; he is likewise the postmaster. There is also a church building, a wagon shop, a blacksmith shop and about twenty houses. The Methodist Church of West Alden was organized in the summer of 1850. The first trustees were Nathan Willis, Henry Hartshorn, Erwin H. Ewell, Samuel Johnson, Marcus O. Benjamin, William Stone and Hiram Eggleston. A church edifice was erected in 1851-'52. At that time, and for many years after, there was a strong society and preaching was regularly maintained. The then membership steadily decreased, and during the past summer there have been no religious exercises. TOWN LINE. This little village of thirty or forty houses is on the main road from Alden to Buffalo, and on the line between Alden and Lancaster, about half being in each town. It is inhabited principally by Germans, who made a small settlement there about forty years ago. One of its two hotels and all of its three church buildings are in Alden. There was formerly an active Methodist Church at Town Line and that denomina- tion still owns the building, but no stated religious services are now held in it nor were we able to obtain any records of the organization. The Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1853, with the fol- lowing officers :-Elders, Jacob Weber and Christian Billiar; deacons, Daniel Schneider and Philip Wiederrecht; trustees, Johann Nicolaus Kiefer, Jacob Kientz and Michael Asmus. A brick house of worship. was built in 1855; the structure now in use was erected in 1875. The following ministers have served the church :-Rev. Julius Crommel, 1853 to '64: Rev. G. Ate, 1864 to '69; Rev. A. Kuss, 1869 to '75; Rev. C. Dalkil, 1875 to '78; Rev. Frederick Ehinger, 1878 to the present time. The church now contains about seventy families, its officers are as fol- lows elders, John Thomas and Frederick Man; deacons, W. Hahn and J. Hoppe; trustees, E. Arnodt, W. Eichenberg and D. Bleier. 29 448 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. St. Paul's United Evangelical Church and Society were organized in 1875, and a house of worship was erected the same year. Rev. William Yungk served as the pastor from that time until 1877, and Rev. C. F. Schoeffer from 1877 until the present time. The church now contains about fifty-five families. The elders are Frederick Pless and Nicholas Kiefer; the deacons are Philip Schneider and Theobald Urshel; the trus- tees are Frederick Weber, Jacob Leininger and Christopher Stephan. ALDEN CENTRE. The hamlet of Alden Centre is located almost exactly in the center of the town and near where the first saw-mill and grist-mill in Alden were built by John C. Rogers, as already mentioned. The grist-mill is still in operation, being owned by Mrs. Platt, widow of the late Charles M. Platt, who became its owner in 1847, and carried it on until his death in 1875. The locality was formerly known as Sand Ridge on account of a sandy elevation about a half mile wide, which extends a considerable distance both east and west from the center, and it is still sometimes called by that name. Michael Killinger had a grocery and a saloon there about 1850. George Holland built a hotel in 1855 which became the property of Jacob Sandman the same year, who has ever since owned and kept it. A little later a postoffice was established there by the name of West Alden, of which Christopher Strecker was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded in 1861 by Michael Killinger, who has since retained the position. In 1865 a hotel was built by George Shank, of which he is still the proprietor. Jacob Sandman kept a small store a few years, but closed it in 1875. The hamlet now contains about twenty houses. The first Catholic services at Alden Centre were held about 1847. Since that time the place has been well supplied with Catholic ministra- tions. A church edifice was erected in 1850, and a new one in 1861. A school house for the use of Catholic children was built in 1852, and in 1883 a large new one was erected, at a cost of $2,000, capable of accom- modating two hundred children. Two sisters of St. Joseph are the teachers. The following pastors have ministered to the church-Rev. Fathers F. X. Tschenhens, 1847; D. Luth, 1848; D. Kubin, 1849; D. Petsch; Sergius de Stcoulepnikoff; D. Uhrich; N. Neuman ; S. Gruber ; P. Seibolt, 1856; Eicher, 1857; A. Saeger and Schinabeck, 1860-'61; Lochert, Heim- 1858; Philip Poch, 1859; bucher and P. L. Ewald, 1862; J. N. Arent, 1862 to 1870; Charles Wenbierski, 1870; F. X. Kofter, 1871 and 1872; J. N. Arent, 1873 to 1875; Joseph Niebling, 1875 and 1876; A. Adolph, 1877 and 1878; James Schneider, 1878 and 1879; Gerard Gysen, 1879 to 1883; Innocenz Sager, 1883. TOWN OF ALDEN. 449 MILL GROVE. The village of Mill Grove is situated near the northwest corner of the town of Alden about a mile and a quarter from the line of Lancaster and three-quarters of a mile from that of Newstead. The first house, as already stated, was built by Moses Case in 1817. In 1848 the same enterprising pioneer built the first store in the village. Mr. Case at this time procured the establishment of a postoffice there and selected the name of Mill Grove for the office and the village. His son, Hugh Case, was the first postmaster, followed successively by James E Case, Henry Sadler, Tyler D. Burnham and A. B. Wende, the present incumbent. Henry Sadler kept a store a few years in the building erected by Mr. Case. E. Yund established a general store in 1861, which he still carries on; it is the only only one in the village. There are also two hotels, the American and the Union, two or three shops and about twenty houses. Prior to 1867, the Lutherans of Mill Grove and vicinity worshiped in the school house, but in that year they erected a church edifice. Their pastors, in the order of their service, have been the Rev. Messrs. Julius Crommel, A. Kuss, G. Ate, William Yungk and C. F. Schoffer, the present incumbent. Charles Seib is the elder and Louis Hebding the deacon. The trustees are Jacob Gehm, Christian Pollandte and Chris- tian Hensel. WENDE STATION. He This is a station (C. H. Wende, agent,) on the New York Central railroad, about a mile southeast of Mill Grove. Henry Gehm was the first settler there, coming in 1848. H. A. Wende came in 1849. built a saw-mill on Eleven Mile creek in 1850, which was kept in opera- tion until about 1876. A store was built in 1857, by Michael Killinger, who kept it until 1860. His brother, Matthias Killinger, then kept it sev- eral years. It was finally closed in 1879. PETERS' CORNERS. This is a small settlement about half way between Mill Grove and Crittenden. Among the pioneers in this vicinity were Parker Marshall, B. Barnes, E. B. Banks, Robert Dickinson, Harry Chesebrough, John Stonebraker, Rufus Blodgett and William Cockerell. The Germans made a settlement in the vicinity between 1830 and 1840. A hotel was built in 1860 by Peter Trusinski, subsequently owned by William King, A. Marshall, Edward Hale, David Long, and now by John McManus. CRITTENDEN. The village of Crittenden is situated on the New York Central & Hudson River railroad, near the northeast corner of Alden and about 450 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. three miles nearly north of Alden village. In 1848, Benjamin Arbuckle built a house there, subsequently occupied as a hotel by Amos Bump, William King, Lamar Warner, Hiram Stage, G. Thaney and others. Michael Casey, who came in 1850, states there were then but eight or nine houses. About this time John P. Edson built a steam saw-mill, in which he sawed a large portion of the plank to build the Buffalo & Batavia plank- road, which was completed in 1851-52. The saw-mill was destroyed by fire two or three years later. The next year, 1852, the railroad was built and a station opened at this point, and about the same time a postoffice was established there which was named Crittenden, after Hon. John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, then Attorney-General of the United States. under President Fillmore. In 1853, Israel Mallory built a hotel, which has since been occupied by Daniel Tucker, Walter Howard, E. T. Cross, Gabriel Wood, Peter Herington, A. W. Marshall, C. Kimball, Mr. Cran- dall and David Long, the last of whom took the hotel in 1873 and has carried it on ever since. H. H. & J. P. Edson opened a general store. in 1864, and carried on business together until 1873, when the firm was dissolved. H. H. Edson has been the proprietor since that time. S. P. Waldo has a grocery store previously kept by D. J. Watson. The post- masters at Crittenden have been Seymour Putnam, Henry P. Saddler, A. W. Marshall, H. H. Edson, John P. Edson and H. H. Edson (again), the present incumbent. The building occupied by the Catholic Church of Crittenden was erected in 1860; a half-acre of land being donated for the purpose by Michael Casey. It was built principally through the efforts of Father George Donahue. Crittenden was a mission, visited by various Catholic priests, until the present year (1883), when Father Connery, of Akron, took charge, who now officiates regularly every week. Jerry Farnsworth, of Alden village, was born in Williamstown, Orange county, Vermont, June 2, 1801, and remained in the State during his early life, working on his father's farm a greater part of each year, and attending school during the inclement weather of the winter. His father removed to Alden in 1822, and settled on the farm where Jerry now lives. This was lot seventeen, range five of the Holland Purchase, at that time in the town of Clarence, and covered the greater portion of the present site of Alden village. In November, 1827, Mr. Farnsworth was united in marriage with Eliza, daughter of David Bassett, who moved from Connecticut to Oneida county, N. Y., where he resided when the above named marriage took place in Alden. Mrs. Farnsworth was an earnest Christian woman and during the last twenty years of her life a great sufferer. She died September 29, 1857, aged forty-eight years, nine months and ten days, and much lamented by all who knew her, as her life had been most exemplary, and her charitableness to others worthy of the name she bore. She left one son-George D., who controls her father's farm, and TOWN OF ALDEN. 45I who was married in February, 1861, to Sarah Tyler, by whom he became the father of two children, both now dead. In November, 1858, Mr. Farnsworth was again married to Laura Bassett, half-sister of his former wife. He has always avoided public office, and aside from some position held on the school board, or as trus- tee of his church, has lived a retired life, free from publicity, and has strictly attended to his business as a farmer. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church about the year 1832, and for many years was an official of that society. He formerly possessed some ability as a singer, and for over sixty years was a member of some church choir both in this State and in Vermont. In 1859 he built his new house and now lives surrounded with every convenience of life. His father, Thomas Farnsworth, and wife, Miss Ladd, were active. members of the Presbyterian Church, and the former an official of that society many years before his death, which occurred April 13, 1852, at the age of eighty-four. He made his home with his son Jerry from 1840 till his death which was occasioned by a sudden stroke of paralysis, which though a hale and hearty man of younger years than he really was, he survived only thirty-six hours. His wife, Mrs. Farnsworth, died October 31, 1864, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, nine months and nineteen days, and as though in a peacefully sweet sleep. William Robinson of West Alden, was born January 26, 1814, and was the son of William and Alice Robinson of Williamstown, Vermont. He lived in the latter town until his twentieth year, with no other educa- tional advantages than a few months yearly in a district school, while learning the trade of a blacksmith. He was industrious and ambitious, loved reading, and was judicious in selecting such matter as would be instructive and profitable to him. In the fall of 1835 he opened a shop on Eleven Mile creek and worked there through the winter, and in April, 1836, settled at a place then called Alden Centre, but is now West Alden. May 16, 1837, he was united in marriage with Almira Dean, at her father's residence in Cambridge, New York, and the same year bought land and built a residence in Alden Centre, which he occupied till his death. They had two children; George, born February 26, 1838, died December 4, 1857; and Mary Elizabeth, born May 25, 1847, now living in the same residence occupied by her father from November 19, 1837 to March, 22, 1873. Mr. Robinson served as magistrate from January 1, 1857, to Decem- ber, 31, 1860, and did honor to the office, dealing out justice without fear, compulsion or profit. An opponent of his in politics, at the time made the remark that William Robinson made the best magistrate they ever had during his residence in Alden, for he was not afraid to do his duty. He made an honorable living and was a husband of whom any wife might feel proud and was always kind, affectionate and thoughtful for the happiness of those around him, possessing at the same time the prin- ciples of integrity, truth and honor, which he carried out in every act of his life. He was a faithful Mason, loved the principles of that order and executed them in his every day life. He never absented himself from the lodge when it was, possible for him to be present, and in January, 1873 was installed Master of the Alden Lodge, for the second term. Mr. Robinson died at his home in West Alden, March 22, 1873; and his wife is still living at her residence in West Alden. Joel Dean, the father of Mrs. Robinson was born in Hardwick, Mass., April 27, 1777, 452 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. and his wife Elizabeth King was born in Mount Washington, Massachu- setts, January 25, 1785, and married in Cambridge, New York, Novem- ber 30, 1801. Mr. Dean died October 11, 1854, and his wife December 21, 1868, and they were both buried within a mile of the farm on which they had lived together nearly fifty-three years. CHAPTER XLIII. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF LANCASTER, T HE town of Lancaster consists of township eleven, range six, of the Holland Company's survey (which was a fractional township) together with a strip off from the north side of the Buffalo Creek reservation; the whole being six miles wide cast and west, and about six and one-sixth miles long north and south, with an area of about thirty- seven square miles. The surface is generally level. The soil in the southern part of the town is a clayey loam; in the northern portion gravel and limestone abound. Lancaster is traversed from east to west by two considerable streams, Cayuga creek, and Ellicott, or Eleven Mile creek; the former of which runs through the southern and the latter through the northern part of the town. Little Buffalo creek empties into Cayuga creek from the south and Plum bottom joins it from the north. Township eleven, range six, was surveyed in 1798. Owing to the existence and location of the Buffalo Creek reservation, it was a fractional township, measuring six miles long from east to west, but only about four miles and three-quarters from north to south. It was surveyed under the first system adopted by the Holland Company, by which the land was laid off in sections each a mile and a half square, these being subdivided into lots each one-fourth of a mile wide by three-fourths long. According to the best attainable information the first settlement in the territory of Lancaster, was made in 1803 by James and Asa Wood- ward, at the locality now known as Bowmansville. The first purchase of land recorded on the books of the Holland Company was made by Alan- son Eggleston, in November, 1803; the price being two dollars per acre. Asa (or Amos) Woodward and William Sheldon are recorded as buying a little later in the same month. Purchases were made in 1804 by War- ren Hull, Matthew Wing and Joel Parmalee. They settled east of the site of Bowmansville and became permanent residents. Among those who came soon after were David Hamlin, William Blackman, Peter Pratt, Edward Kearney, Elisha Cox and Zophar Beach. In 1808 Ben- jamin Clark, Pardon Peckham and Elias Bissell came into the township and located themselves about a mile east of the center, (east and west) near TOWN OF LANCASTER. 453 Cayuga creek.* The same year a road was laid out from Buffalo to the site of Lancaster village and thence eastward through the settlement just mentioned. In that year, also, the first saw-mill in the township was built by Daniel Robinson, at what is now Bowmansville. In 1810 or 1811, Benjamin Bowman bought this mill and soon after built another in the same locality which has ever since been known as Bowman's mills or Bowmansville. In 1811, also as we are informed by Mr. John Johnson, of Alden, his father, Bartholomew Johnson, built a saw-mill on Ellicott creek, about a mile west of the present Alden line. The locality was afterwards known as Johnson's corners. The principal influx of new comers, however, at this period, was to the southern part of the township, commonly called the Cayuga Creek settlement, or, more briefly, "Cayuga Creek." Among the most promi- nent of these were another family of Johnsons, the Carpenters, Fields, Paines and Hibbards. In 1810 the first school house in the township was built. It was of logs and was located on the farm lately owned by Leon- ard Blackman. Miss Freelove Johnson, afterwards Mrs. Amos Robin- son, who died in 1868, taught the first school. The log school house was replaced a few years later by a better one, which from its nearness to the residence of Captain Henry Johnson, was known as the " Johnson school house." It stood on the site of the present brick school house in the Peckham neighborhood. Until this time the settlers in the township had been obliged to carry the wheat and corn which they wished to have ground to either Ran- som's mill at Clarence Hollow, or Stephens' mill, in Willink, now Aurora. Both journeys were difficult, but the latter was particularly so, as it led across the Buffalo Creek reservation. Benjamin Clark, (as related by his son James) and two others, once started for Stephens' mill on horseback, carrying seven bushels of wheat in all. They attempted to follow what was then called the Ransom road," which seems to have been at that time a mere line run through the woods, and perhaps marked by "blazed trees. They soon lost their way, and after many wanderings struck the road from Stephens' mill to Buffalo, which they followed in the wrong direction, only discovering their mistake when they reached the Indian village at what is now Ebenezer. It is recorded of the same gentleman, Mr. Benjamin Clark, that he kept sixteen head of cattle through one of тро * Five of the sons of the first settlers in that neighborhood, after growing up together, carrying on farms near each other, marrying and rearing families, retired from farming and lived as near neighbors in the village of Lancaster. They were James Clark, Elias Bissell, Elisha Bissell, T. N. Peckham and Jesse Field. + According to another account, Colonel Calvin Fillmore, an uncle of President Fillmore, built the first saw-mill in Lancaster, at Bowmansville, about the same time. Perhaps he and Robinson were interested in the same mill. It ran from Clarence Hollow to East Aurora. The trees were afterwards girdled to make the work of clearing them away more easy, whence the road is still sometimes known as the "Girdle Road." 454 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. those early winters without any fodder or grain, their sole sustenance being "browse," or the tender twigs of forest trees cut down for their benefit. In 1811 Ahaz Allen built a grist-mill, the first in the territory of Lan- caster, on the site of Lancaster village. The dam was the first on Cayuga creek, and after the mill stopped work the first night, nine hun- dred and fifty-five fish were caught in the race. Besides Allen, Edward Kearney, Joel Mix and Riley Munger were early settlers in that locality, and not long after the erection of the grist-mill, Joseph Carpenter built a tavern, the first of which we have heard in the territory of Lancaster. This mill and tavern formed the nucleus of the village of Lancaster. It is from the year 1811 that the Rev. William Waith (in a sketch of Lancaster, read before the Buffalo Historical Society, to which we are greatly indebted,) dates the first public Christian worship held in the township. For several years it was held at private houses and at the school house already mentioned. The Rev. John Spencer, commonly known as "Father Spencer," was the most prominent of the early ministers. During the war of 1812 all the able-bodied men in the township were often called out for brief periods in the militia, among the names which appear in the list are those of Blackman, Field, Hibbard, Johnson, Peckham Standart, Thayer, Brown, Harmon, Hull, Sheldon, Ackley, Derrick, Potter and Bird. The services of the armed forces on the frontier are described in the general history, but we have met no account of the union of the men of Lancaster in a body, except the statement of Mr. Waith that at one time thirty of the Cayuga creek men marched down to the Hitch- cock place, in what is now Cheektowaga, and remained there over night to repel an expected raid from Canada. No foe appeard, however, and the company marched back the next day. After the war immigrants flocked rapidly to the fertile plains of Lan- caster, and their axes rung merrily in every direction. The wild animals of the forest retired slowly and reluctantly from their accustomed haunts. Deer were not very plenty on account of the activity of the Indian hunters in the neighborhood, but bears and wolves were more wary and remained some twenty years after the close of the war to make raids, the latter on the farmers' sheep-folds and the former on their pig-pens. Captain Philip Peckham, a son of Pardon Peckham, is said to have been one of the most successful combatants of those foes. He caught a large black bear in a "dead fall" he had set on the Bissell farm, and is also credited with catching the largest wolf ever killed in that region, which had slain a great number of sheep, and which when caught in a trap made off with the trap, chain and clog. When over- taken by dogs, although the trap was still fastened to one leg, he made a hard fight against his assailants, and was only conquered by shoot- ing him. TOWN OF LANCASTER. 455 Mr. James Clark also tells of a wolf which had done great damage to the farmers, and was supposed to have killed over fifty sheep. This was a large black wolf, one of a kind rarely seen in this region. He became so bold that in the middle of the day he came out of the woods into an open field within forty rods of Mr. Benjamin Clark's house and caught and killed a sheep. Young James Clark and his brother saw the proceeding, but were unable to interfere in time to save the victim. They, however, set a trap for him and caught him. There was at that time a bounty of ten dollars on each wolf killed in the town. After- wards we believe it was higher; it certainly was in most of the towns of Erie county. The Indian hunters were often very successful in secur- ing these bounties, and it was generally supposed that some of them, as well as some of the whites, were in the habit of letting the she wolves. go free in order to make a larger sum from the whelps they would produce. The first church in the township (Presbyterian) was organized in 1818, at the Johnson school house with thirteen members. Sketches of this church and others will be given farther on. From this period until the completion of the Erie canal the growth in population of the terri- tory under consideration seems to have been rather slow, although what inhabitants there were worked busily in clearing away the forest and bringing the land into a state of cultivation. In the winter of 1823–4, the first postoffice was established in the township. It bore the name of "Cayuga Creek," and was located at the little settlement which has since developed into the village of Lancaster; Thomas Gross being the first postmaster. After that time the population increased more rapidly. A line of stages, called the "pioneer line," was established about 1827, to run from Buffalo through Lancaster and thence to the east. James Clark, who had been keeping a small tavern a little west of the "John- son school house," enlarged and improved it and gave it the name of the Pioneer House. At this period many new comers located in the southern part of the present town of Lancaster, which had been purchased from the Indians in 1826. About 1830 there was a considerable accession of foreigners, principally Germans, and the people of that nationality have ever since formed an important part of the population of Lancaster. By 1835 the numbers of the German Lutherans were sufficient to enable them to build a house of worship. On the formation of the town of Lancaster in 1833, as more fully set forth a little farther on, the name of the postoffice of Cayuga Creek was changed to Lancaster, and such has ever since been the name of the principal village in the town as well as of the town itself. Thenceforward the progress of the territory under consideration, though not rapid, was steady and enduring. The natural fertility of the 456 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. soil and the smoothness of the surface have had a strong attraction for farmers of good judgment, and that class have, to a great extent, taken possession of the town. The construction of the Buffalo & Attica Rail- road (now a part of the New York, Lake Erie & Western) through Lan- caster in 1842, and that of the New York Central ten years later, gave ample facilities for reaching market; facilities which have been but slightly increased by the completion of the New York, Lackawanna & Western Railroad in 1883, but which will be augmented for the residents of the northern part of the town by the building of the New York, West Shore & Buffalo Railroad in the same year. A drive along the Cayuga Creek road from Lancaster village to Town Line, and on each of several other roads in this town, shows a succession of farms in the highest state of cultivation, with elegant houses and ample barns; the whole unsurpassed and perhaps unequaled anywhere else in the county of Erie. When the first settlements were made in the territory of Lancaster in 1803, it was a part of the town of Batavia in the county of Genesee. With the subdivision of that town in 1804, the territory in question became a part of the town of Willink, which extended eighteen miles wide from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario; its western boundary being the same as the western boundary of Lancaster, the "West Transit." On the reorganization of the Holland Purchase, described in Chapter XIII. of the general history, the tract now known as Lancaster was included in the town of Clarence (Niagara county) which comprised all that part of the present county of Erie north of the centre of the Buffalo Creek reservation. The territory of Lancaster remained a part of Clarence until 1833, being transferred with it from Niagara county to Erie county in 1821. Until 1826 the only part of the present town of Lancaster subject to settle- ment by the whites (although all of it was nominally a part of Clarence) was what was included in the fractional township eleven, range six, which contained about twenty-eight square miles. The sale in 1826 of a strip off from the north side of the Buffalo Creek reservation varying slightly in width, but averaging nearly a mile and a half, brought the whole of the present town of Lancaster into use by white men. On the 20th day of March, 1833, the town of Lancaster was formed from Clarence by an act of the Legislature. It comprised the whole of the present town with a nominal jurisdiction over the Indian lands, to the center of the original Buffalo Creek reservation, being six miles wide (east and west) by about eight and one-quarter miles long. The sale of the remainder of the reservation to the association of capitalists com- monly known as the Ogden Company, in 1842, brought this whole tract into active use. The formation of the town of Elma on the 4th of December, 1857, reduced Lancaster to its present area, and since that time its boundaries have remained unchanged. TOWN OF LANCASTER. 457 The following is a list of the supervisors of Lancaster from its organ- ization to the present time, with their years of service: John Brown,* 1833-34; Milton McNeal, 1835; Albert E. Terry, 1836; John Boyer, 1837; Milton McNeal, 1838-'40; Norman B. Dewey, 1841; Milton McNeal, 1842; Elijah M. Safford, 1843; Milton McNeal, 1844-'45; Jona- than W. Dodge, 1846; Milton McNeal, 1847: Jonathan W. Dodge, 1848; Robert Neal, 1849; Henry Atwood, 1850; Henry L. Bing- ham, 1851-52; J. Parker, 1853-54; Eli H. Bowman, 1855; Henry L. Bingham, 1856; Robert Looney, 1857 to '60, inclusive; William W. Bruce, 1861–’62; John M. Safford, 1863; John T. Wheelock, 1864; F. H. James, 1865-'66; N. B. Gatchell, 1867 to 1876 inclusive; Charles W. Fuller, 1877 to 1880 inclusive; Charles F. Tabor, 1881-'82; Englehart Oehm, 1883. The following are the present officers of the town (1883): Englehart Oehm, supervisor; Charles Kurtz, C. E. Smith, Palmer S. Bowman and LaFayette Cooper, justices of the peace; John Leininger, town clerk; L. P. Meyers, collector; Frank Mante, Jacob Stephan and B. F. Smiley, assessors; Watson M. Blackman, Calvin Powers and Joseph Eck, commissioners of highways. LANCASTER VILLAGE. Soon after the building of the mill by Ahaz Allen on the site of Lan- caster village in 1811, as already mentioned, Joseph Carpenter erected a hotel in the same locality. Thenceforward the growth of the hamlet was very slow and it was not until 1823 or 1824 that a postoffice was established by the name of Cayuga Creek. After the completion of the Erie canal, the hamlet grew a little more rapidly, in unison with the increased activity of this whole region; the first church edifice being built in 1832, the second in 1835 and the third in 1837. There was a season of depression after the last named year, but in 1843 the village had so far recovered (although still small) that a suitable building was erected and an academy was established, which for several years was a flourishing institution of learning. The first teachers were Messrs. Hadley and Blennerhassett. The latter gentleman (a native of Ireland and a graduate of the university of Dublin) is described by the Rev. Mr. Waith, in the interesting sketch previously mentioned, as a scholar of high attainments in mathematics and modern languages and still more profoundly versed in the Greek and Latin tongues, but devoid of practical knowledge of the world and unable to rise above the grind- ing work of some small school. After several years the attendance at the academy gradually dwin- dled away and it was finally given up. * Mr. Brown had also been the supervisor of Clarence in 1830-'31-'32. 458 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In 1849, several wealthy and enterprising Hollanders settled in the village and the immediate vicinity and made their permanent homes there; giving the place such a start in the path of improvement that it has ever since shown fair, if not extraordinary, progress. Adjacent land went up almost at once from thirty to fifty dollars per acre and several enterprises were set on foot, some of which naturally failed to succeed, while others have ever since proved a source of prosperity to the village. Bush & Howard's large tannery then went into operation, ás did also the glass works, (the industry by which the town has ever since been partic- ularly distinguished). Another and less fortunate scheme was that of Judge Theodotus Burwell, an energetic, industrious, but somewhat visionary lawyer, hav- ing his residence in Lancaster, but keeping an office in Buffalo, who, among the other projects, aimed at founding an agricultural college at the former place. He actually brought about the erection of one or two small brick buildings, to which he gave the name of Oakwood Institute, and in which the work of instruction was commenced, with a few lads as students, who boarded in the Judge's family. A Dr. DeYoung was one of the first teachers, but was soon succeeded by William H. Brewer, then a young man, who has since risen to eminence as a professor in Sheffield Scientific School, connected with Yale College. He was the last teacher at Oakwood Institute. The Rev. Mr. Waith, who came to Lancaster in 1851, thus (in the historical sketch already mentioned) describes its condition at that time and compares it with the situation when he read his paper, in 1877- "At that time the tower of the Roman Catholic Church was just approaching completion. The writer found the town* pretty equally divided between Americans and foreigners, mostly Germans. The Romanists had by far the largest congregation. The Lutherans wor- shiped in a wooden church they had built, and the Methodists were just beginning to build the small brick church which they have used ever since. Dean & Halsey were just getting an iron furnace into blast. William Curtis kept a tavern in the humble wooden building which was soon removed to make way for the present brick tavern. Koopmans was getting ready to build a tannery not far from the large one of Bush & Howard, and business generally was brisk. Mr. "The town, of course, has grown in twenty-five years, though its growth has been slow. At the period mentioned, the summer of 1851, the writer can remember but fourteen buildings of brick; to-day there are more than sixty such, to say nothing of new buildings in wood or old ones enlarged or repaired. Then there was but a rickety shed at the stopping place of the Central railroad; now there is a commodious freight house and passenger station at each of the two railways-the Central and the Erie. Then the nearest telegraph station was Buffalo; now the Western Union keeps a good operator fully employed. *Notwithstanding occasional references to the "town," Mr. Waith's remarks evidently apply principally to the village. TOWN OF LANCASTER. 459 "Then the town could show but poor, decaying wooden bridges, wrenched or swept away by every flood; now the bridges are excellent structures of iron or stone. Then the public school was kept in the old and insignificant Academy building; now there is a roomy and substan- tial brick school house, with a mansard roof and cupola. Then not a pound of coal, as the writer believes, was burned for domestic purposes in the town; now there are two coal yards that keep teams busy every week. Then there was one poor old piano, with slender legs, at the house of Judge Burwell, and Alpheus Gage's daughter, I believe, had one; now Hazletons and Kurtzmans and Chickerings and Steinways- from one end of the town to the other," In 1852, the cholera struck down three or four citizens of the village in a single night, one of whom, Mr. J. W. McNeal, was a prominent merchant. The year 1859 is marked in the memories of the older citizens of Lancaster, by several casualties which would have passed almost unnoticed in a city, but which were calculated to impress more deeply the inhabitants of a rural village. In that year one of the hotels was destroyed by fire. Another great fire occurred at the glass-works; young Albert Bissell met his death by accidental drowning, and most startling of all, Eleazer Blackmore was slain in a quarrel by James Nichols. The latter was convicted of manslaughter and sent to the State Prison. A still more terrible crime was committed on the morning of Novem- ber 6, 1864, at about two o'clock, when a masked burglar, while engaged in robbing the house of Mrs. John L. Lewis, fatally shot the owner, whose husband had died by his own hand only a short time before. The murderer was subsequently hanged for another crime at Geneseo, under the name of Wilson. In 1865 there was much excitement at Lancaster over the supposed discovery of petroleum, and considerable drilling was done to induce it to come forth, but the result was the same as those which have always followed similar attempts in Erie county-utter failure. In 1866 the manufacture of church organs was begun at Lancaster by a German, and two years later William H. Grimes erected a brick building near the Erie railway station, for the purpose of carrying on that business. Several instruments were built, some of them of consid- erable size, one being for the Roman Catholic Church of Lancaster; but the business did not prosper, and ere long the building was converted into a malt-house. In 1867 street lamps (burning oil) were introduced, and have ever since been maintained. About the same time a Cemetery Association was incorporated and a large and handsome cemetery was laid out which included the old one and an ample tract of adjoining land. In 1873 a large and convenient brick school house was built for dis- trict number eight, on the ground known as the race-course; the land for the purpose being given by Ebenezer Briggs. 460 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. We will now give a glance at Lancaster as it is at this time, and close with historical sketches of its churches and other institutions. " There are now in the village of Lancaster two flouring-mills, one carriage factory, the Lancaster glass-works, one iron furnace, three breweries, two planing-mills, one tannery, one malt-house, one bedstead shop, two cabinet shops, three tin shops, two meat-markets, one drug store, four general stores, three grocery stores, two tailor-shops, one harness-shop, three hotels, four blacksmith-shops, one basket-shop and numerous saloons. Mercantile Business.-M. M. Schwartz has a general store on Railroad street, which he bought of J. R. Schwarg, in 1870. The building was formerly occupied by Jesse Field as a store and postoffice. JohnLeinin- ger, the clerk of the village and town, has a general store established by him in 1864. Matthias Schwartz, one of the oldest living merchants in town, and the father of M. M. Schwartz, carries on a general store on West Main street. Phillip Martzloff has the fourth general store, in which he is the successor of Mrs. Scheffler, who had occupied it for eight years previously. C. E. Smith, Charles Seeter and Simon Adolph are the proprietors of grocery stores. The first drug-store was owned by Mr. Fisher and was situated where the postoffice now is. He was followed in the business successively by A. B. Bishop, E. D. Keeney, J. E. Brown, T. D. Leininger and E. L. Griswold. The American Hotel was kept by John Raynor about fifteen years and passed into the possession of the present proprietor, R. S. Miller, in February, 1883. John A. Laux opened a hotel in 1850, and has been in the business ever since. The Lancaster Union planing-mills were established in 1858. A bedstead factory is connected with them and the whole establishment is now owned by Joseph Knauber, who employes twelve men. John Schrankel is the owner of a grist-mill which he built in 1871, and Philip Mook is the proprietor of one which he purchased in 1874. De Mangeot, Nuwer & Co., own and carry on one brewery, and Charles Soemon another. The Scheu Brothers, of Buffalo, are the proprietors of a large malt-house at Lancaster. Charles Clarke carries on a carriage factory, in which business he succeeded the Harlow Brothers in 1880. The Lancaster glass-works, one of the most important manufactur- ing establishments in the county, were established in 1849, by eight glass blowers, from Pittsburg. chief among whom was Charles Reed. The building first used was a frame structure.* The works have been under the control of Dr. James since 1863. He has built the present substan- tial buildings, and now employs sixty-five men and boys, turning out annually 3,000,000 bottles. *The works were successively owned by Reed, Allen, Cox & Co., by Reed, Shinn & Co., by James, Gatchell & Co., by James & Gatchell and by Dr. F. H. James. TOWN OF LANCASTER. 461 Dr. Samuel Potter is the oldest physician in the village; he located there about 1843. The following physicians have located themselves in the years which follow their names, and are all in active practice at the present time:-Dr. Jacob Van Peyma in 1848; Dr. Julius Wenz in 1870; Dr. G. W. McPherson in 1870; and Dr. J. G. Miller in 1876. The lawyers who have resided in Lancaster have all had offices in Buffalo, with two or three exceptions, and have transacted most of their business there. Among them have been Galusha Parsons, Johnson Parsons, (whose office was in Lancaster) Edwin Thayer, Hon. Charles F. Tabor, William H. Grimes, John L. Romer and George E. Phelps. Lancaster village was incorporated in 1849 and the first officers were elected on the 14th of July of that year. They were as follows:-Trus- tees, John Mc Lean, John Barger, Charles Kurtz, D. R. Osgood and Ira Sleeper; assessor, E. M. Safford; collector John M. Safford; clerk, Henry L. Bingham; treasurer William H. Grimes. The present officers, elected in March, 1883, are as follows:-George Huber, president; F. H. James and Phillip Mook, trustees; Frank H. Maute, assessor; Frank H. Maute, Jr., collector; Anton Bussman, treas- urer; John Leininger, clerk. The fire department of Lancaster village comprised hook and ladder company No. 1, and the Cayuga engine company. The first named com- pany was organized March 3, 1876. The first officers were: Phillip Martzloff, president; Eugene Gunsen, vice-president; Charles Bishop, secretary; John Leininger, Jr., treasurer; Jacob Gottschalk, foreman; George Pfohl, assistant foreman. The officers elected on the first Mon- day in August, 1883, were: Joseph Adolf, president; George Wendel, vice-president; Silas F. Draper, secretary; George Huber, treasurer; Joseph Johnson, foreman. The Cayuga engine company was organized in February, 1882. The officers for 1883 are: Peter J. Goudy, president; John V. Knauber, vice-president; M. M. Schwartz, secretary; Henry Hummell, treasurer; George Lambrix, foreman; Henry Ullman, assist- ant foreman. George Hummell is the chief of the department, and Joseph Nuwer the assistant chief. The Lancaster Literary Society was incorporated in 1866; the cor. porators being Rev. William Waith, Nathan B. Gatchell, Edward H. Perry, Dr. Frederick H. James, Charles F. Tabor, George Clapp, Rudolph F. W. Hoffeld, Frank Lee, George W. Harris and George W. Porter. They founded a society which flourished exceedingly. It cele- brated its decennial anniversary in December, 1876, and in the following February Mr. Waith stated that it had met nearly every week since its organization, that it had held more than a hundred public debates and that it had more than three hundred original papers read before it. The Presbyterian Church was organized with thirteen members at the "Johnson school house" nearly three miles east of the site of Lancaster 462 · HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. village, on the 7th day of February, 1818, under the name of the "Pres- byterian Church of Cayuga Creek." The first members were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Field, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Clark, Mrs. Martha Blackman, Mrs. Dorothy Bissell, Mrs. Sophronia Root, Mrs. Olive Peckham, Mrs. Anna Jones, Mr. James Clark and Mr. Elias Bissell. Henry Johnson, Asa Field and Benjamin Clark were elected elders; Mr. Field was also made deacon and Mr. Bissell was chosen clerk. For nine years it was a missionary church, served by transient preachers, among whom were the Rev. Messrs Wheelock, Williams, Stone, Hugh Wallace, Hutchins, Taylor, Hiram Halsey, William Page, Jonathan Longley, Charles Fitch, Henry Safford and Payson, a brother of the celebrated Edward Payson. Miles P. Squier and Gilbert Craw- ford, men of some subsequent eminence, also occasionally preached to the people of "Cayuga Creek,” usually in a school house. Only nine mem- bers were added, however, in the nine years. In 1827 the Rev. James Remington became the first settled pastor of the church, which still held most of its meetings at or near the Johnson school house. The same year a civil society was organized to take care of the property necessary for the use of the church, with George Bruce, Elias Bissell and Joseph Clark as trustees. In 1831 there was a great revival and fifty-one members were added during the year. In 1832 a house of worship was erected at the hamlet soon after known as Lancas- ter village, and that village has since been the headquarters of the church. In 1833 Mr. Remington was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Oaks, and the same year there was an active revival under the eloquent appeals of the celebrated Jedediah Burchard. There was another revival in 1837 under the leadership of Rev. Samuel G. Orton, when forty-four members were added. Mr. Remington returned to the pastorate in the autumn of that year. About this time occurred the division of the Presbyterian Church of the United States into "New School" and "Old School," on subjects. more or less connected with slavery. The pastor, with a number of friends, adhered to the "Old School," while a majority preferred to affil- iate with the "New School," There was a long contest, but in 1845 the "Old School" men gave way, Mr. Remington retired from the pastorate and several of his supporters withdrew from the church. Mr. Albert Payne, a licentiate, occupied the pulpit a year in 1846 and '47. In the latter year the Rev. L. A. Skinner became the pastor. In 1851 he resigned on account of ill health and was succeeded by Rev. William Waith, who had just been graduated at the Theological Seminary at Auburn, and who entered on his first pastorate at Lancaster. He has ever since, through a period of thirty-two years, been the minister of the Presbyterian Church at Lancaster, a remarkable case of permanence in this land of change. In 1852 the congregation erected a brick chapel TOWN OF LANCASTER. 463 and remodeled the old church edifice. In 1862 there was a revival in which the minister was assisted by Rev. Dr. Heacock, of Buffalo, when thirty-seven new members were added to the church. In 1863 an organ was placed in the church edifice. The framed church building formerly occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church, was erected in 1835, and in 1852 a small brick one was built and is still occupied by the church. Since 1857 the following pas- tors have successively officiated: Hines, Reasoner, Parker, Gordon,. Newton, Chapin, Baker, McClellan, Shaw, Conable, May, Alexander, Sparling, Welch, Ripley, McPherson, Rusbridge, Raveill, Mc Ewen, Losch, Newton, Dodd, L. D. Ferguson, H. W. Barnhart and G. W. Perry. G. W. McPherson is now the recording steward; J. L. Romer is the Sabbath-school superintendent; L. D. Ferguson and Jacob Erb are local preachers. The trustees of the society are William Booth, J. L. Romer, G. W. McPherson, J. Heller, Egbert Chapman and E. Illingsworth. The First German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized and erected a house of worship in 1835. We were unable to obtain the earliest records of the church, but the Rev. C. L. Knapp took charge as pastor in 1847, and has occupied the position ever since. The present trustees are: John Kessel, John Walter, Michael Young, John Schmidt and Philip Martzloff. The elders are: Fred Hummell, Sr., Erhardt Rup- precht and Christian Lindauer; the deacons are, Jacob Martzloff and Christian Gass; the secretary is Frederick Hummell, Jr., and the Sab- bath-school superintendent is David Hummell. The congregation erected a brick church in 1875. The German Methodist Church has had some members in Lancaster for many years, but no regular services until the purchase of the Luth- eran church building in 1874. We were unable to obtain the names of the first officers. The present trustees are: Henry Kieutz, Henry Homan, Wilhelm Helwig, Valentine Loesch and Michael Werner. The Rev. Charles Stoecker has been the pastor since the month of April, 1883. The membership numbers thirty-three. The Roman Catholic Church.-The Catholics of Lancaster were visited by priests prior to 1850. In that and the following year they erected their church edifice and in 1852 it was consecrated. Their first school was opened December 1, 1874, and has now one hundred and seventy pupils; eight years ago the attendance was two hundred and fifty. In the same period the number of families belonging to the church has been reduced from three hundred to one hundred and ninety. On the 25th day of July, 1850, the Rev. Father Sergius Stchoulepnikoff took charge as pastor and remained two years; he was followed by F. Stephen Uhrich, Sergius Stchoulepnikoff (again), F. M. Lester, P. Klein, J. Zawistowsky, H. Feldman and lastly by F. M. Lester, the present pastor, who came Feb- ruary 6, 1867. 30 464 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Trinity Church, (Episcopal,) has had a small membership for a num- ber of years, but no established rector. Cyrus P. Lee has officiated in the capacity of leader for six or seven years past and has recently taken deacon's orders. Drs. Shelton and Ingersoll, of Buffalo, and others have officially visited the parish. The church edifice, an elegant brick struc- ture, was begun in 1880, and opened in the winter of 1883; it is not yet dedicated. The membership numbers twenty-five. W. H. Bostwick is the warden; Thomas Leary, F. H. James, Frank James, William J. Palmer and W. H. Grimes are the vestrymen. BOWMANSVILLE. As previously stated, the first settlement in the town of Lancaster was made in the locality where Bowmansville now stands, in the year 1803, by James and Asa Woodward. Other emigrants occupied the land in the vicinity and a saw-mill was built there in 1808. About 1811, Ben- jamin Bowman bought the saw-mill and soon built a grist-mill from which origin came the name of Bowmansville. The mills were owned by some one of the name of Bowman for full fifty years. The place grew slowly and is still but a hamlet of thirty or forty houses. Palmer S. Bow- man built a hotel there about 1850 when the Buffalo and Batavia plank road was built through that section. John Pentelow is now the owner of the grist-mill; D. Reeser (postmaster); J. O. Long and C. W. Toyn- bee are the owners of stores. TOWN LINE. This is a village of about thirty houses, on the lines between the towns of Lancaster and Alden, and on the main road between villages bearing those names. It began its growth forty years ago. It has three church buildings, two hotels and two stores. One of the hotels and all of the church buildings are in Alden and are mentioned in the history of that town. The hotel of George King and the grocery of James Willis are in Lancaster. Anson Sanford, of Bowmansville, was born and spent his early years on a farm in Great Barrington, Mass. He received a common-school education and has always followed the occupation of farmer. March 2, 1842, he was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Fanny J. Edgerly, and in 1845, removed to Cheektowaga, Erie county, N. Y., where he has, by energy and industry, secured a fair degree of success in business. He was Highway Commissioner of the town of Lancaster from 1854 to 1857 inclusive, and Assessor from 1870 to 1879, and at the present time is trus- tee of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bowmansville. He is one of the substantial farmers of his town and is comfortably situated, having an elegant house and a valuable farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have been born the following children :- Mary E., born in Great Barrington, Mass., March 15, 1843; Allen P., born October 1, 1844; Emily E., born in Cheektowaga, N. Y., August TOWN OF LANCASTER. 465 19, 1848; and Maria B., born in Lancaster, June 6, 1852, and died June 20, 1873. The two elder children reside in Lancaster, and Emily E., resides in Buffalo, her husband being in the employ of the Erie Railroad Company. Co The parents of Mr. Sanford were Elihu Sanford and Penelope Beck- with, the former born in Great Barrington, Mass., June 4, 1788, and the latter born in Lyme, Conn., July 26, 1785. Mrs. Anson Sanford is a daughter of Stephen and Lucy Kingsley Edgerly. Palmer S. Bowman, of Bowmansville, is a native of Erie county having lived during his entire life on the farm his father purchased in 1810. He received a good district school education in Bowmansville, and in the select school at Lancaster village. Until 1855 he controlled an interest in the grist and saw-mill built by his father, and afterwards owned by himself and his brother, Eli Bowman. He opened the first and only hotel of the village in 1849, but only kept tavern two or three years. In 1862 he was elected justice of the peace, which position he has acceptably filled ever since, covering a period of twenty-five years; he was also elected Associate Judge in 1873. He has always taken an active interest in church affairs and has been an official member of the Metho- dist Episcopal society during the past thirty years. He was born in March 19, 1823, and was married to Azuba Josselyn, October 29, 1844, by the Rev. A. Worcester. She was born July 1, 1823, and died November 22, 1853. The children by this marriage are as follows: Lucius J., born Septem- ber, 1845, was elected county recorder of Clay county, Indiana, in 1874, and resides at Brazil, in that State; Alman P., born July 15, 1849, and is now clerk in recorder's office in Brazil, Indiana. Mr. Bowman was mar- ried to Miss Marie E. Wiltse, daughter of Jeremiah Wiltse, November 2, 1854, by the Rev. J. Bowman. The children born of this union are Dr. Carlock E. Bowman, born August 26, 1856, now physician at Benning- ton Centre, Wyoming county, N. Y., and Clarence W., born March. 13, 1861. Mr. Benjamin Bowman, father of P. S. Bowman, was married to Miss Mary Snively, in Canada, in the year 1799; she was born in Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1779; she died January 26, 1850, after an active Christian life. In 1810 he removed with his family from Canada and settled where his son and youngest child, Palmer S. Bow- man, now lives. He erected a log house for himself, built the saw-mill very soon afterwards, and in 1811 built the grist-mill. These were the original mills of North Lancaster, and were kept in the family until after the close of the late war. He also built the first store in the place, and also the first blacksmith's shop of Bowmansville, both of which he run for many years. He took up three hundred acres of land, buying the same from Calvin Fillmore when he came-which covers the site of the present village named in honor of him afterward. Mr. Bowman was a quiet, peaceable citizen, devoted to his church, and lived a strictly retired life, living as free from publicity as possible. Benjamin Bowman, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania, in July, 1742, and was Captain of a company in the war of the Revolution. Benjamin Bowman, Jr., was born October 3, 1776. He had two sons and six daughters:- Elizabeth Moulton, born June 17, 1800, and died May, 1862 ; Lena McNeal, born September 2, 1802, died December 6, 1864; Fanny * 466 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Rogers born August 13, 1804; Maria Josselyn, born July 21, 1807; Ma- tilda Josselyn, born April 29, 1812, died in February, 1883; Eli H., born February 16, 1814, died June, 1881; Paulina, born August 27, 1818; and Palmer S., born March 19, 1823. Samuel Potter, M. D., of Lancaster, was born in the town of Wells, Rutland county, Vt., March 22, 1816, and when six years of age moved with his father, Dr. Samuel Potter, Sr., an old practitioner of medicine in that State, to Pawlet, Vt. There he received his early education, and under instructions from his father acquired a preparatory medical train- ing. In the year 1836, he was graduated from the Castleton Medical Col- lege of Rutland county, taking the degree of M. D., when twenty years of age, and during the same year his father died. In 1839, he came to the village of Lancaster, where he has practiced medicine for the past forty- three years, and has become well known throughout the county generally. Dr. Potter was married to Diadama Cully, who died February 2, 1853, leaving one daughter, Miss C. E. Furman, of Rochester, N. Y. She was a niece of Mrs. Deacon Goodell and was brought up in her family, and whose husband was a large land owner in the early days of Buffalo. February 9, 1859, Dr. Potter was married to Fannie Rice, of the town of Elma, and daughter of William M. Rice, of that town. She died April 3, 1861, leaving one daughter, Fannie M. Potter. CHAPTER XLIV. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA T HE town of Cheektowaga is bounded north by Amherst, east by Lan- caster, south by West Seneca and west by the city of Buffalo. It com- prises all of township eleven, range seven of the Holland Company's survey, except the two western tiers of lots, and also embraces an irreg- ular tract five and a fourth miles long, and averaging about a mile and a half wide, taken from the Buffalo Creek reservation. The town is five. and a fourth miles wide, east and west, and nearly six miles long, north and south, with an area of thirty-one square miles. The surface is almost perfectly level and the soil, though fertile, is composed principally of clay. Cayuga creek runs southwestward across the southern part of the town. Scajaquada creek runs westward through the central portion, while Eleven Mile creek drains the northeast corner. The first settlement in the territory of Cheektowaga was made by Apollos Hitchcock in February, 1808. He was a native of Suffield, Con- necticut, but moved from Schenectady, N. Y., to his new home, locating on lot seventy-two, near where the main road from Buffalo to Lancaster village now runs. The land is still occupied by his descendants. There TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA. 467 was a tract of open ground there, where wild flowers abounded in sum- mer, and which, from the relics found, had evidently been an Indian camping ground. Mr. Hitchcock's son, Alexander, then eighteen years old, was afterwards one of the most prominent citizens of Cheektowaga; he survived to the age of eighty-six and finally died by accident. At the time of Mr. Hitchcock's settlement, the territory of Cheek- towaga was a part of the town of Erie (Genesee county) which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, having the "West Transit" as its eastern boundary, but immediately afterward, by the reorganization described in Chapter XIII. of the general history, it became a part of the town of Clarence (Niagara county) which comprised all that part of the present county of Erie north of the center of the Buffalo Creek res- ervation. The first grain raised by the Hitchcocks was carried on horseback to Stephen's mill, in Willink, where the village of East Aurora now stands. Indians were numerous as the reservation line was only about a mile distant, and one of their principal trails ran between Mr. Hitchcock's residence and Cayuga Creek. Mr. Alexander Hitchcock used to say that the only trouble ever made by the Indians was by throwing down the white men's fences, when built across their favorite track. Among the settlers previous to the war of 1812 were Samuel Le Suer, Eliphalet Densmore, Roswell Hatch, Jason Hatch and Major Noble. Roswell Hatch's house was where that of Mrs. Ely now stands, and Jason Hatch's occupies the site of Mrs. Hitchcock's residence. The first birth in the township was that of a child of Roswell Hatch, in 1810. The first mill was built by Samuel Le Suer in 1810, on the site of Zubrick's grist-mill; it soon passed into the hands of Mr. Hitchcock. In that year, also, the territory of Cheektowaga became a part of the new town of Buffalo (or " Buffaloe," as it was generally spelled at that time) to which was assigned all of Clarence west of the "West Transit.” Bears and wolves were numerous at this period, as was usual in pio- neer settlements, but deer were comparatively scarce, owing doubtless to the nearness of the Indian villages and the activity of the Indian hunters. It seems to be a general rule that bears remain much longer than deer on ground invaded by civilization-possibly because the white man's pigs are a favorite article of food for the former animal. Old set- tlers of Cheektowaga declare that when Bruin found a porker too heavy to carry in his mouth, or to bear in his fore legs, walking nearly upright as he sometimes did, he would put down his prey and drive it before him until he reached a safe place to eat it. This is a proceeding of which we have not heard elsewhere, though it may have been a common one on the part of the ursine fraternity. A bear, driving a hog to market by moonlight, must have been a remarkable sight. One audacious bruin carried off a good-sized hog from Mr. Hitchcock's yard into the forest, TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA. 467 was a tract of open ground there, where wild flowers abounded in sum- mer, and which, from the relics found, had evidently been an Indian camping ground. Mr. Hitchcock's son, Alexander, then eighteen years old, was afterwards one of the most prominent citizens of Cheektowaga ; he survived to the age of eighty-six and finally died by accident. At the time of Mr. Hitchcock's settlement, the territory of Cheek- towaga was a part of the town of Erie (Genesee county) which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, having the "West Transit" as its eastern boundary, but immediately afterward, by the reorganization described in Chapter XIII. of the general history, it became a part of the town of Clarence (Niagara county) which comprised all that part of the present county of Erie north of the center of the Buffalo Creek res- ervation. The first grain raised by the Hitchcocks was carried on horseback to Stephen's mill, in Willink, where the village of East Aurora now stands. Indians were numerous as the reservation line was only about a mile distant, and one of their principal trails ran between Mr. Hitchcock's residence and Cayuga Creek. Mr. Alexander Hitchcock used to say that the only trouble ever made by the Indians was by throwing down the white men's fences, when built across their favorite track. Among the settlers previous to the war of 1812 were Samuel Le Suer, Eliphalet Densmore, Roswell Hatch, Jason Hatch and Major Noble. Roswell Hatch's house was where that of Mrs. Ely now stands, and Jason Hatch's occupies the site of Mrs. Hitchcock's residence. The first birth in the township was that of a child of Roswell Hatch, in 1810. The first mill was built by Samuel Le Suer in 1810, on the site. of Zubrick's grist-mill; it soon passed into the hands of Mr. Hitchcock. In that year, also, the territory of Cheektowaga became a part of the new town of Buffalo (or " Buffaloe," as it was generally spelled at that time) to which was assigned all of Clarence west of the "West Transit." Bears and wolves were numerous at this period, as was usual in pio- neer settlements, but deer were comparatively scarce, owing doubtless to the nearness of the Indian villages and the activity of the Indian hunters. It seems to be a general rule that bears remain much longer than deer on ground invaded by civilization-possibly because the white man's pigs are a favorite article of food for the former animal. Old set- tlers of Cheektowaga declare that when Bruin found a porker too heavy to carry in his mouth, or to bear in his fore legs, walking nearly upright as he sometimes did, he would put down his prey and drive it before him until he reached a safe place to eat it. This is a proceeding of which we have not heard elsewhere, though it may have been a common one on the part of the ursine fraternity. A bear, driving a hog to market by moonlight, must have been a remarkable sight. One audacious bruin carried off a good-sized hog from Mr. Hitchcock's yard into the forest, TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA. 469 been very slow. It steadily increased, however, and the forest gave way on every side. In 1826, as described in the general history, a large portion of the Buffalo Creek reservation was bought from the Indians, of which a tract about a mile and a half wide, north and south, and three miles long, lay in the southeast corner of the present town of Cheektowaga. This was at once opened for settlement and was speedily occupied. Soon after 1830 a considerable number of German families settled in the territory of Cheektowaga, and their numbers have gone on increasing until now the town is almost entirely occupied by people of German birth and their children. Among the prominent residents of that period was Israel Ely, a man of remarkable strength of mind and tenacity of memory, who moved into the district under consideration in 1833. Having been sent out in 1818 by the New York Missionary Society, to ascertain the condition of the Indians on the Holland Purchase, he was sometimes jestingly called "The bishop" by his neighbors, but was an able man of business, and retained even to extreme old age his mental and physical activity. He was the father of Judah, Israel N., Calvin, E. Sterling and E. Sel- den Ely.* The town of Cheektowaga was formed from Amherst, on the 20th day of March, 1829. The name was suggested by Alexander Hitchcock, and was intended to represent its Indian appellation-sometimes ren- dered Ji-ik-do-wah-gah, which means. "the place of the crab-apple tree." That fruit abounded there at the time of the first settlement as did several other wild fruits. The new town, like its predecessors, extended to the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. The first town meeting was held at the house of Elnathan Bennett on the 16th day of April, 1839, when the following officers were duly elected: Alexander Hitchcock, supervisor; Jesse Vaughan, town clerk; John A. Dole, Israel N. Ely and Abraham Hausen, justices of the peace; Elnathan Bennett, John A. Dole, Apollos Hitchcock, assessors; Chris- tian Beam, Amos Robinson and Samuel Jenkins, commissioners of high- ways; James N. Green, John B. Campbell and John A. Dole, commis- sioners of schools; John Hitchcock and Matthew Campbell, overseers of the poor; Nelson Warner, collector; Jesse Vaughan, town sealer. There were no less than twenty-two road districts, which would indicate a large population. The list of path masters, though the office is not im- portant, may serve to recall the names of many of the earlier citizens, most of whom have passed away. It was as follows: Joseph Small, Jesse Vaughan, Elnathan Bennett, Samuel Warner, Peter Light, Samuel Jen- kins, John A. Dole, Philip Greiner, Caleb Coatsworth, William Schuner- man, Michael Escherich, Jacob Kolo, Henry Deckhart, John Sand, Amos. *Israel N. Ely was a member of the Assembly in 1833. and E. Selden Ely was for eleven years the supervisor of Cheektowaga. 470 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Richardson, Michael Keeble, Matthew Vandusen, Asa Green, Joseph Rowley, G. Beach, John Moyer and Jacob Kraise. In 1842 the remainder of the Buffalo Creek reservation was pur- chased from the Indians, and most of that part situated in Cheektowaga was sold to the Ebenezer society, so that the town had in fact as well as name, a length of nearly nine miles. With the formation of Seneca (now West Seneca) however, in October, 1851, Cheektowaga was reduced to its present area, and its boundaries have since remained unchanged. Thenceforward the people throve and many became wealthy, but the town has less material for history than any other in the county. Almost all of the people are engaged in raising vegetables and dairy products for the Buffalo markets; all their mercantile business is trans- acted there or in the villages of Lancaster and Williamsville, and a large part of them attend church in those places, consequently there are no villages; there are no manufactures except a single grist-mill, and there is only one church. When the war for the Union broke out, many young men of Cheek- towaga, of both American and German descent, responded to their country's call; the services of the regiments and batteries to which they belonged being recorded in the general history of the county. An attempt was made by R. H. Haywood, in 1868 and 1869, to build up a village near the center of the town, between the Erie and Central railroads. A tract of land was laid out into streets and village lots, and the lots were opened for sale, but found few purchasers. An Episcopal Church edifice was partly erected (the corner-stone being laid in 1869) as a nucleus for the coming village, but there being only two members of that church in the town the building remained unfinished. The village was likewise a complete failure. There are no less than four railroads which traverse the town from east to west-the New York, Lake Erie & Western, the New York Cen- tral & Hudson River, the New York, Lackawanna & Western, and the New York, West Shore & Buffalo-yet there is very little railroad busi- ness, for the reasons already stated. There is a postoffice near the cen- ter of the town, of which Alexander Hitchcock was the first postmaster. E. Selden Ely is the present postmaster. The office is kept at the toll- house near Mr. Ely's residenee. The Roman Catholic Church of Cheektowaga is situated in the northern part of the town and owes its origin to Joseph Batt, who deeded three acres of land to Bishop Timon and his successors in office, for that purpose, on the first day of April, 1851. Mr. Batt was on his way from Alsace-Lorraine to this country, in 1836, when a violent storm arose and the ship was for several days in imminent danger of sinking. He then made a vow to erect a chapel to the Virgin Mary in case he and his family should escape. They did escape and as soon as his means TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA. 471 permitted he faithfully fulfilled his vow. The corner-stone of the chapel was laid on the 10th of July, 1853, and it was dedicated by Rev. P. N. Neuman, on the 2d of October in that year. Mr. Batt died in February, 1872, at the age of eighty-three years, and was buried in the cemetery of the chapel he had founded. The following is a list of the supervisors of Cheektowaga, with their years of service: Alexander Hitchcock, 1839-'41; Darius Kingley, 1842; Alexander Hitchcock, 1843-44; James Warner, 1845; Manly Brown, 1846; Alexander Hitchcock, 1847; Manly Brown, 1848-49; E. P. Adams, 1850; Manly Brown, 1851; Israel N. Ely, 1852; Marvin Seamans, 1853-'54; Gardner J. Kip, 1855; Frederick Loosen, 1856-'57; Eldridge Farwell, 1858-'62 Simeon H. Joslyn, 1863; E. Selden Ely, 1864-'73; Joseph Duringer, 1874; E. Selden Ely, 1875; Pennock Winspear, 1876; Joseph Duringer, 1877-'82; Frederick Stephan, 1883. Officers for 1883.-The following persons, whose names show how thoroughly the town has become Germanized, were elected as officers of Cheektowaga for 1883: Frederick Stephan, supervisor; J. H. Stock, town clerk; Daniel Risser, Joseph Duringer and William Brennan, justices of the peace; A. M. Dunn, assessor; Joseph Groell, collector; Anthony Pfohl, commissioner of highways; John Prefert, overseer of the poor; George Neyerlin, Peter Baumler and Michael Lauther, Jr., constables; Adam Mohr, game constable; Charles H. Stock, Edward Ernst and Frank Zubrick, inspectors of elections; John C. Baumler, A. G. Nagle and Edward Monin, commissioners of excise. Chauncey Bartholomew of Cheektowaga was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., August 7, 1803, and removed to Buffalo in 1824, going to Cheektowaga in the spring of 1871, where he still resides. He spent his early life in Onondaga county, where he received a district school educa- tion. His first occupation was in the Salt Works of Syracuse, N. Y., and from whence he went to Buffalo, and at first worked in the foundry of the brass bell and iron works. Finally he built a shop and carried on the same business, but eventually sold out and became engaged in moving buildings, engines, boilers and heavy machinery continuing in this till the year 1857 or 1858. Since that time he has retired from the more active pursuits of life and has only attended to the private interests of his busi- ness. For the past twenty years he has been deacon in the Free Baptist Church of Hudson street, Buffalo, and (has been a member of) was a pro- fessor of religion over fifty years. He was married when twenty years of age to Adaline Rhines of Onondaga county, who died in 1847, leaving ten children, eight girls and two boys, of whom but one is now living-Mrs. John A. Campbell of Buffalo. November 20, 1848, Mr. Bartholomew was married to Phoebe A. Powell. She was born March 16, 1821, and was a daughter of Moses H. Powell of Coxsackie, Green county, N. Y., who came to Buf- falo in 1844, and died February 1, 1861. Mr. Bartholomew began life in poor circumstances, but by industry and economy has succeeded in bringing (a large family) eight children up in independent circumstances in life. 472 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew were as follows: George Herbert, now dead; Chauncey D., a farmer in the town of Cheektowaga; and Mrs. Chandler L. Bruce, whose husband is a farmer and a descendant of one of the oldest families in the town of Cheek- towaga. John B. Campbell, of the town of Cheektowaga, was born Sept. 23, 1812, in Montgomery county, Pa., and died Jan. 1, 1875, at his home in the town of Cheektowaga. In the year 1825 he came with his parents to the town of Amherst (now Cheektowaga), and settled one mile and a half southeast of Williamsville on the banks of Ellicott creek. His early life was spent at home, working on the farm, clearing land and doing other pioneer work incident to the life of a frontier man. The surrounding country was almost an unbroken forest from their place up to Bowmansville, also that part of the transit line from Eleven Mile creek south to Cayuga creek. The few pioneers that did exist there mostly lived in log cabins covered with bark or split timber, called shakes, fastened by poles laid across transversely. The first year was an eventful one. Gen. LaFayette, who was the nation's guest, visited Buffalo during that summer, and on the 16th of June the three Thayers were hung, and on the 26th day of October was the grand jubilee in Buffalo in honor of the completion of the Erie Canal.* The educational advantages of our subject were very poor, schools were few and far between in those days, while the teachers were not educated men. Most of his education was acquired by hard study and after work hours. Mr. Campbell, outside of farming, learned the trade of a cooper, and carried on that business from the year 1829 to that of 1844, when he pur- chased a farm two miles southeast of Williamsville, on the bank of Eleven Mile or Ellicott's creek, where he resided, working on the farm in summer and making flour barrels when not thus engaged, until the year 1856, when he sold out and quit the cooper's trade altogether. He soon after purchased another farm about one-half mile southeast of the one sold, where he resided until his death. He was married June 14, 1836, to Miss Fannie Baker, daughter of Jacob Baker and Fannie Longmaker, his wife. His only son, Jerome M. Campbell, born June 26, 1837, is a farmer and resides upon the homestead. Mr. J. B. Campbell held the office of Town Commissioner of High- ways for several terms. He was also Assessor from 1846 to 1874, with the exception of only one term, and Justice of the Peace for twenty years without intermission, and was a member of the Lafayette Guard, an inde- pendent company of militia organized by the young men of his day, about the year 1832. Apollos Hitchcock was the first Captain and he Orderly, which position he held until about 1840. He was a man of great energy, prompt and truthful, strictly honest very successful in all business adventures. His wife died August 12, 1875, at the homestead. His father was Matthew Campbell, born in 1779, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and his mother was Catherine Boyer, born in 1786, of German descent, and a resident of Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania. They were united in marriage in 1807, and resided in Montgomery county until the time of their departure for Amherst. They were the parents of ten children, who as follows:- grew up to man and womanhood. Their names were * See special chapters on these subjects. TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA. 473 Marshall, Hetty, John, Charlotte, Catherine, Maria, Henry, Philip, Oliver and Harriet. Two of the sons and three of the daughters have gone to their long homes, namely: John, Oliver, Hetty, Catherine and Harriet. Malcolm Dunn, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born of Scotch parentage three weeks after his mother arrived in Massachusetts, his father having been buried at sea during the voyage from Edinburg to Boston, in the year 1780. He left Boston at an early age and came to Romulus, Seneca county, N. Y. He there married Annis Moore, and moved into Erie county in 1808. Eight children were born to them: Esther Amanda, born in 1805; Margaret, in 1807; John S., in 1810; Mary J., in 1812; A. M., the subject of this sketch, November 11, 1814; Electa B., in 1817; Thomas O., in 1821; Annis C., in 1824. The mother of these children died in Decem- ber, 1824. In 1830 Malcolm Dunn, the father, removed to Medina county, Ohio, where he settled on a farm and lived until his death in 1862. A. M. Dunn, left his father's home in Ohio at the age of eighteen, came to Buffalo and entered the store of A. & A. Luce as clerk, where he remained for a little more than three years. He then spent a year or two at school at the Clinton Liberal Institute, and in 1837 settled in Williams- ville, and went into general merchandise, ashery and livery business, which he followed until 1845, when fire swept away in an hour the work of years. He was united in marriage in 1841 to Mary, daughter of Aaron Hitchcock of Cheektowaga; to them were born seven children, Charles M., June 8, 1842; James Franklin, May 6, 1844; Sarah Vaughan, April 29, 1846; Jesse V., March, 1849; Clarence Leslie; September 30, 1853; Annis C., January 6, 1856; and Mary E., August 5, 1858;-of these but four survive, Jesse V., having died in August, 1849; Charles M., in June, 1866; and James Franklin, in October, 1870. In 1850, A. M. Dunn in company with two or three other explorers, started for the gold mines of California, spent two or three years in frontier life in that territory, and then returned to Williamsville to take up his old avocation, for a few years, then sold out and spent three or four years in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a son who was in business there, and in the spring of 1872, removed to Cheektowaga, where he now resides, and holds the office of justice of the peace, and assessor, also holds a commission under William H. Seward, (ex-Governor) Captain of the Militia, dated August 16, 1839, was also elected school inspector at Williamsville, in the same year, and now at the age of sixty-eight has retired from farming and is living upon a fair income saved from a life of activity and energy. Apollos Hitchcock, the subject of this sketch, was the son of Apollos and Rosanah Hitchcock, of Suffield, Connecticut. In the year 1808 the father, moved by the spirit of pioneer adventure brought his family to the Indian lands of Jukdowaageh, (afterward named Cheektowaga by Alexander Hitchcock), and made the first perma- nent settlement of the town, on a farm still occupied by his descend- ants. It was on this farm that Apollos Hitchcock spent his boyhood which, although in an early day was a veritable garden of beauty, owing to the many wild flowers in the spring-time, yet one under sway of the red man and when the nightly howl of the wolf was heard around the 474 HISTORY OF ERIE County. sheepfold. Here our subject assisted in clearing up a large tract of land, having no educational advantages other than what was gained under most unfavorable circumstances, yet by the time he was twenty- one years old he had acquired a good knowledge of everything. In 1819 he was employed by the government as a surveyor, and with his two older brothers, Aaron and Alexander, went to Mississippi and other southern States, where he remained in that capacity for several years. He then returned home and spent many years thereafter in surveying in the towns and counties of his own State. The latter part of his life was devoted to farming. In the year 1859 he was married to Miss Celia M. Russell, of New Haven, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Samuel and Angeline Russell, natives of the same county and State. The children born to Apollos and Celia M. Hitchcock, were: Apol- los King, born March 6, 1860, and died in August, 1883; Charles R., born June 7, 1862; Alexander F., born November 15, 1863; Sarah A., born October 28, 1865; James E., born January 19, 1868; Aaron, born. March 15, 1870, and died March 13, 1871. Apollos Hitchcock was gen- erally successful in all business undertakings, and as a public man filled the office of assessor many years, and also other offices acceptably to the people. He died in August, 1870. Apollos Hitchcock, Sr., the only son of Capt. Aaron Hitchcock was born March 8, 1759, and was married in November, 1781, to Roxanna, daughter of William King, of Suffield, Connecticut. While still very young he took the entire charge of his father's business--farm and tavern-and was called a long-headed, smart young man, who could plan and conduct business; and he did so for many around him. By profes- sion he was a surveyor and while on an expedition to the State of Maine, he speaks of climbing a mountain with his party and finding a rock so poised that by slight exertion they started it down and it went crushing and breaking trees like reeds before it, and left a clear road for a long distance. After his marriage, he went into business in Suffield, and for a year or more kept a store there. After the birth of his first child, James, December 30, 1782, his father being at the time quite old, Mr. Hitchcock disposed of his store and with his wife and child removed to his father's Four other children were home to take charge of affairs as before. born to him as follows:-Aaron, John, Alexander and Roxanna. At the expiration of ten years, his place was taken by his brother-in-law, Alex- ander King, and he went to Charleston, S. C., after indigo, which he sold to peddlers and speculators in land, and finally started for Europe with a cargo of it, but was shipwrecked on the voyage and lost all the indigo, entailing upon himself a great loss. Later than this he spent three years in foreign countries, traveling throughout England and France, and while there, found traces which led to the belief that the Hitchcock family originally came from Wales. Before going to Europe, his daughter Sally was born, in 1794, and his son Apollos in 1797; and during his absence abroad his mother died. After three years spent in traveling, he returned to America and settled in Hartford, where he kept a tavern until the year 1806. The eldest son died March 19, 1804, and the youngest son James, the subject of this sketch was born November 6, 1805. Mr. Hitchcock then took his family and moved to the State of New York, reaching Albany at the time of the total eclipse; from there went to Schenectady where he kept TOWN OF CHEEKTOWAGA. 475 a public house, and subsequently to Buffalo, arriving there the 8th of February, 1808. He opened a store and lived on the corner of Main and Erie streets, on the site of the old Erie County Savings Bank. In the spring of 1809, he bought a farm eight miles west of Buffalo, built a comfortable and commodious log house twenty by thirty. This constituted the first set- tlement in the town of Cheektowaga; this name being the one given by the Indians to the immediate vicinity signifying the place of fruit and flowers. The family did not leave Buffalo until two years after; the journey being accomplished on a sled drawn by oxen, and occupying the whole of a long June day through dense woods. After his death, which occurred in 1824, the farm was divided among his sons and daughters, most of them making their home here, and all of them are buried within a few miles, excepting James, the youngest, who still lives in Cheektowaga, and is now the oldest resident of the town. James' early advantages were quite limited, attending school when only seven years of age, six miles from home or three miles east of Lan- caster, where he boarded for a time with a Mrs. Bissel. About the last year of the war of 1812, he attended school in an abandoned house, two miles east of his father's. In April, 1851, he was united in marriage with Patience B., daugh- ter of Elihu Sanford, of Great Barrington, Mass., who died in April, 1859. Their children were:-Sarah R., born April 17, 1853, and Emily Marie, born January 18, 1857, died July 30, 1881. Mr. Hitchcock was again married May 4, 1871. to L. Eliza Ladd, daughter of Grant Ladd, of Amherst, who was a native of Connecticut. One son has blessed this union, James Ladd, born November 14, 1876. Mr. Hitchcock has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and has been through the toils and hardships incident to changing a wilderness into a cultivated and comfortable home. He has ever been an enthusiastic promoter and helper in all public improvements. Never accepting an office for himself he has been a faithful and earnest worker in the Republican party since its formation. For a number of years past he has kept a large herd of cows, supplying Buffalo with good healthful milk, in quantities of about one hundred gallons daily. He keeps his cows prop- erly stabled and fed, and the house where they are kept is the most complete the writer has ever seen. It can be thoroughly and easily ven- tilated by windows and escape flues; has a solid cement floor with drainage system, and water-pipes connecting every department with an Artesian well; and has many other provisions for the health and com- fort of the cattle, Jesse Vaughan, the subject of this sketch, was the son of John Vaughan, who was born in Massachusetts about the year 1757, and removed to Herkimer county, N. Y., in early life. He there married Mary Chapman, in 1785, and Jesse was born February 18, 1797, and reared in the county of his birth. He left home at the age of twenty- one, and started for the then far western State of Ohio, but pausing for a few day's rest in Erie county, N. Y., he began work for Apollos Hitch- cock on a farm, and continued to work for him seven years. He married Sarah, daughter of Apollos Hitchcock, and they spent together nearly fifty years on the farm where he first settled. Mr. Apollos Hitchcock was born in Connecticut, March 8, 1759, and came to Buffalo in 1808, 476 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. and soon after went on to the farm in the town of Cheektowaga, where he died in 1824, and was buried in Home Cemetery in this town. His educational advantages were very meager, having only a com- mon school education. In early life he learned the trade of clothier, but gave it up for farm life when he attained his majority. Mr. Vaughan was assessor for a number of years, and town clerk from 1837 for several years. He never was very successful in business, but was honest, kind and true, and content with his lot; beloved and respected by all who knew him. He was never a member of any church, but a true believer in supreme wisdom. He died in Cheektowaga, February 18, 1877, and rests in the family vault in Home Cemetery beside his wife, who died December 25, 1874, at the age of eighty years. CHAPTER XLV. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MARILLA. 'HE town of Marilla is located near the center of the eastern border T of Erie county. It has a rolling surface with a sandy and gravelly soil in the northeast and south west portions and a clayey soil in some localities. It is principally drained by the head waters of the Little Buffalo creek, although Big Buffalo creck crosses its southwestern corner. The land is adapted to the raising of all kinds of grain grown in northern latitudes. The town is about six miles long, north and south, and nearly four and three-fourths miles wide, east and west, with an area of about twenty-eight square miles. It is bounded on the north by the town of Alden, on the west by Elma, on the south by Wales and on the east by Bennington, Wyoming county. In August, 1826, as narrated in the general history, the association commonly known as the Ogden Company bought of the Indians, besides other lands, a tract about three and one-half miles wide off from the east end of the Buffalo Creek reservation, and one a mile wide, extending along the south side of the same reservation. This territory included all of the present town of Marilla east of the "Two Rod Road," and a tract a mile wide at the south end of the remaining portion. In the spring of 1827, Jesse Bartoo bought and settled on the farm He soon now owned by Isaac M. Watson, in the south part of the town. sold it, however, to John M. Bauder, and bought what has long been known as the Erasmus Adams farm, near Porterville. The same year George W., and Jeremiah Carpenter bought a tract of land on the "Four Rod Road," east of the site of Marilla village, now owned by J. H. Brooks. TOWN OF MARILLA. 477 Jeremiah Carpenter built a log house that season, into which he moved on the 12th day of January, 1828. George W. Carpenter became a resi- dent a little later. Harry Jones, a step-son of Jeremiah Carpenter, and then a member of his family, is believed to be the earliest surviving resi- dent of the town of Marilla. Soon after the sale in 1826 and making of the settlements already mentioned, two roads were laid out, running north and south through the newly-opened territory. One ran north from the site of Porterville to and over the site of Marilla village, and thence northward into Alden. It was on the western border of the purchased land, adjoining that still retained by the Indians. It was expected either that the Indians would give half of the land necessary for a road or that more land would soon be purchased, and therefore the town authorities laid out the highway only two rods wide. The expectations were not fulfilled for several years, and the road remained but two rods in width. From this fact it acquired the cognomen of the "Two Rod Road," which it has ever since retained, although it has long been of the usual width. The other road ran parallel to the one just mentioned, at the distance of a mile to the east. It was of the usual width and was commonly called the "Four Rod Road," in contradistinction to its "Two Rod" rival. In the winter of 1828-'29 Joseph Carpenter bought and settled on land now owned by J. H. Brooks, which included the site of the village of Marilla. The following spring two brothers, Ira and Justus B. Gates bought ten acres in the northwest corner of Joseph Carpenter's land, built a small framed house and also erected a saw-mill where the cheese factory at Marilla village now stands; this being the first saw-mill of which we can learn in the town. In 1830 Rodney Day and Cyrus Finney settled on the farm now owned by R. D. Smith, John L. Chesbro on the one now owned by Stephen Morris, and Horace Clark on the one now owned by John Brooks and others. In 1831 Rice Wilder located on the farm now owned by W. G. Willis. In 1832 Jesse Bartoo built a saw-mill at what is now Porterville, and soon afterward erected a grist-mill at the same point. The locality was for many years, even after the mills had passed to other owners, known as "Bartoo's Mills." In the spring of 1833 Thomas Kelsey bought and settled on the farm. where his daughter, Miss Kelsey, now lives, and very soon afterward built a saw-mill. During the same year Joseph Flood made his home where his son, Joseph P. Flood, now resides, and Archibald Porter located on the farm now owned by Joseph Putney. Samuel Stewart settled on the farm now owned by Austin and William Jones; Nathan White on the one now owned by Joel Adams; John Brewer on the one now owned by Curtis Brewer; Simeon Thomas on the one now owned by Ephraim Thomas, and Ephraim Kelsey on the one now owned by Asa 478 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. J. Adams. The early settlers of the "Two Rod Road" south of Marilla. village, were: Elias Mason, Daniel Nettleton, Ezra Clark, Dudley Den- nison, John M. Bauder, Walter Markham, Zerah Parker and others. At the same period Willard Hatch, Elias Hatch, Leonard Hatch, Fordyce Ball and others located in the territory of Marilla, west and southwest of Bartoo's Mills. Thenceforward the region under consideration grew and flourished after the usual manner of newly-settled tracts. Log houses were usually, though not always, the habitations of the first settlers. These gave way to small framed houses and generally these have in turn given place to as handsome residences as can be seen in any farming community. Even before the sale of the tract west of the "Two Rod Road," there was a considerable number of small houses on the east side of that road, on the site of Marilla village, the owners of which were principally devot- ed to the manufacture of shingles After the sale the hamlet extended to the other side of the road and was known by the uncouth name of "Shanty Town." It subsequently became a handsome village, under the name of Marilla, of which a sketch will be given a little farther on. The tract west of the "Two Rod Road" and north of the " Mile- Strip❞—a tract about a mile and a quarter wide by five miles long—was all of Marilla that remained to be sold by the Indians in 1842. This, being almost surrounded by white settlements, was soon occupied, after that sale, and was brought into a state of cultivation even more speedily than the land previously described. The last portion of Marilla to be thickly settled was the southeastern, its tardiness being on account of its hilly character. But even this section is now well occupied, and the rest of the town being of marked fertility, Marilla will average very high in that respect among the towns of Erie county. The territory of Marilla, though included in the Buffalo Creek res- ervation, was nominally a part of the town of Batavia, Genesee county, from 1802 to 1804; and of Willink, in the same county, from 1804 to 1808. In that year the nominal jurisdiction over it was divided between Clar- ence on the north and Willink on the south (both in Niagara county), the former town extending about two miles and a half into the territory of Marilla, and the latter about three and a half. The inequality was caused by the fact that the town reaches to the south side of the original reser- vation, but not to the north side. In 1818 the nominal authority of Wil- link over the south part of the territory in question was transferred to Wales, and in 1823 that of Clarence over the north part passed to Alden, on the erection of the latter town. In 1821 all these towns were trans- ferred from Niagara county to Erie. The purchase from the Indians in 1826 gave real authority to Wales and Alden over the tract east of the "Two Rod Road" and over the "Mile Strip," and the acquisition of the remaining district in 1842, brought the whole of the territory of Marilla under the control of the two towns just named. TOWN OF MARILLA. 479 On the 2d day of December, 1823, the town of Marilla was formed by the Board of Supervisors of Erie county.* Its boundaries were the same that they now are, and embraced all of the original Buffalo Creek reservation situated in Wales and Alden, whether bought from the In- dians in 1826 or 1842, except the strip on the north side, sold in 1826, that remained in Alden. On the 7th day of March, 1854, the citizens of Marilla met at the house of Niles Carpenter and elected the following officers :-Jesse Bar- too, supervisor; Daniel A. Smith, town clerk; Timothy G. Grannis, Royal R. Barron and Seth P. Tabor, justices of the peace; Thomas Mil- ler, superintendent of schools; Julius P. Wilder, commissioner of high- ways; James P. Flood, assessor; John R. Wilder, collector; Erasmus Adams, overseer of the poor; John R. Wilder, LaFayette Lamb, Levi T. Ball and Sylvester R. Hall, constables; Abner S. Adams, Peter Ostran- der and Jacob Hart, inspectors of election; Jeremiah Carpenter, town sealer. The supervisors at Marilla, with their years of service, have been as follows: Seth P. Tabor, 1855; Niles Carpenter, 1856; Joseph P. Flood, (to fill vacancy) 1856; Peter Ostrander, 1857; Sylvester Franklin, 1858; Jonathan Stedman, 1859; Harrison T. Foster, 1860 to 1864 inclu- sive; Samuel S. Adams, 1865; H. T. Foster, 1866; Benjamin Fones, 1867, 1868 and 1869, (died in 1869); Whitford Harrington, elected to fill vacancy and re-elected in 1870; Henry D. Harrington, 1871 and 1872; Robert H. Miller, 1873; Russell D. Smith, 1874 to 1878, inclusive; Eras- mus R. Adams, 1879 and 1880; H. T. Foster, 1881 to 1883, inclusive. The following are the present officers of Marilla: Harrison T. Fos- ter, supervisor; Ellery E. Dennison, town clerk; James P. Stedman, Russell D. Smith, Eugene L. Willis and Stephen Curtis, justices of the peace; John C. Carpenter, Thomas Morris and Levi T. Ball, assessors; Darwin Chesbro, collector; Stephen Chadderden, overseer of the poor; Luce A. Bartoo, Henry G. Blackman and Russell B. Mason, inspectors of election; Henry C. Carpenter, Asa B. Smith, Curtis Lamb and Wal- lace Howe, constables; James Putman, Chester G. Parker and Horace L. Smith, commissioners of excise; Adam Bachmann, game constable. MARILLA VILLAGE. As already stated, the first enterprise undertaken on the terri- tory now occupied by Marilla village, was the building of a saw-mill in 1829 by the brothers, Ira and Justus B. Gates. Their house, a small framed building, stood near where that of Copeland Carpenter now stands; the saw-mill being on the site of the cheese factory. The second house of which we have any account was erected by Jeremiah Carpen- ter in 1840, being now used by E. E. Dennison as a harness-shop. The * It derived its appellation from the first name of Mrs. John Rogers, the wife of an early settler. 31 480 HISTORY Of Erie CouNTY. next houses were built in succession by H. F. Mason, Joshua Axtell, Fow- ler Munger, Darius Lindsay and Martin Kennedy. The sale of the main body of the Buffalo Creek reservation in 1842, was speedily followed by settlements on the west side of the "Two Rod Road." Jonathan Blanchard, Elder Salisbury, George Shay and John Chadderden were among the early residents. The hamlet grew slowly as the forest disappeared, and in 1847 Niles Carpenter built the first store; it is now a part of the house owned by Albert Adams. About this time the village, which had previously been designated by profane outsiders as "Shanty Town," began to be called South Alden, being then near the south western corner of the town of Alden. On the formation of the town of Marilla, the village assumed that name. From that time until about the close of the war for the Union, its growth was rapid and its improvement in appearance was very marked. In twelve years it was transformed from a rude collection of small houses, mostly unpainted, on the "Two Rod Road," to as handsome and flourishing a village as is often seen, with a half dozen streets, each bordered by neat houses, and with several large places for business, amply patronized. Much of the business portion of the village was destroyed by fire in 1865, but was immediately re-built. During the last fifteen years, although there has not been the remarkable growth of the previous fifteen, yet, considering that it is over four miles from the nearest railroad station, Marilla has been very successful in retaining its business; that success being, doubtless, chiefly attributable to the excellent soil of the surrounding district. Having thus sketched an outline history of the village we will give some facts relating to the principal occupations pursued there. The saw-mill erected by the Gates Brothers in 1829, subsequently passed into the hands of James Clark and then into those of Copeland Carpenter, but during his ownership was changed into a cheese factory. The second saw-mill, long known as the "Chadderden Mill," was built by Joseph and Jeremiah Carpenter in 1838, but after two or three years was sold to James Chadderden. It was carried on until about 1863, when it was abandoned. The Marilla flouring-mill was built in 1858, by John C. Carpenter, H. T. Foster and Frank Chesbro. Mr. Foster sold his share to Chesbro in 1859, and in 1864 the latter gentleman sold his interest to Carpenter. A few years later Mr. Carpenter transferred the mill to Harrington & Fay, and during the winter of 1882-'83 the firm became Fay & Eldridge, who are the present owners. There was a rude tavern in the village before 1853, regarding which we have no data. The Spring Hotel was erected in 1853 by Niles Car- penter. It was built on porous ground, into which a pole could easily be pushed several feet, and near it is a fine spring, from which it took its name. John Wilder and LaFayette Lamb carried it on the first year. TOWN OF MARILLA. 481 1 Niles Carpenter took charge in 1854 and kept it until 1857. He was fol- lowed successively by Whitford Harrington, V. Hathorn, Mr. Hurd and Allen Mott. In 1863 Mr. Harrington again took possession and kept the house until 1871. It was burned in 1865, but was immediately rebuilt. In 1871 it was sold to Adam Bachmann, the present owner. The Willis Hotel was erected by R. G. Willis in 1863, but was burned during the fire of 1865. The present house, bearing the above name, was erected in 1866, and has been used as a hotel by the owner since 1869. The first store, as before stated, was built by Niles Carpenter in 1847, where the residence of G. C. Monchow now stands. It was used as a store until the fall of 1853. Harrison T. Foster succeeded Carpenter at the old stand, but only remained there six months. He then, in company with Charles Walker, built the second store in the village, in 1851, but closed it in 1854. In the fall of 1855 H. T. Foster and J. H. Brooks formed a partnership and kept a store from that time until 1865. Mr. Foster then bought Brooks' interest and took Henry D. Harrington into partnership. In 1874 G. C. Monchow entered the firm, and in 1878 Mr. Harrington retired. The business has always been carried on under the firm name of H. T. Foster & Co. The first grocery store was established by Phillip Conly in 1853. Fol- lowing him was Henry Barrett, who was succeeded after three or four years by Samuel S. Adams, who kept there until 1870. The first hardware store was kept by Halliday & Mills, west of the Willis House, the building having been erected as early as 1862. It burned in the great fire of 1865, and the present hardware store was erected in 1869. In 1877 the property passed into the hands of Abraham Bemis who now carries on the business. Another store was built in 1854 by Jeremiah and William Carpenter, who sold it in 1857, to Bass & Miller; they carried on business there six years. The senior partner of this firm was Jonathan B. Bass, father of Lyman K. Bass, the well known lawyer of Buffalo, who served two terms as district attorney and two terms as Member of Congress. J. B. Bass was accidentally killed in the spring of 1863, by being thrown from a wagon. The store was afterward carried on by Thomas Miller until 1868; it was then sold to Henry Sergeant and subsequently to G. P. Miller & Co. The building is now unoccupied. J. H. Brooks, formerly of the firm of H. T. Foster & Co., is now the head of the firm of J. H. Brooks & Co. The building occupied by the latter firm was erected by James Willis in 1881. Dr. Hiram Taber was the first physician of Marilla village. He came as early as 1853 and died in 1874. Dr. Andrew J. Brooks was the next physician and is still practicing. Dr. I. G. Wheeler began practice about five years ago. 482 HISTORY OF Erie County. The Marilla Record, the pioneer of Marilla journalism, was estab- lished by F. C. Webb, the present proprietor, in January, 1883, its first number being issued on the 26th of that month. It is a folio, and had at first but four columns on a page, but has since been enlarged to five columns per page. It is a bright, lively little paper, having a circulation of over five hundred copies. The first postmaster at Marilla was James Chadderden. He was succeeded by Fowler Munger, and he by Stephen Chadderden, who held the position until 1861. In that year Harrison T. Foster was appointed postmaster and has held the office ever since. F. H. Mason built the first blacksmith shop in 1851, and Lyman O. Ford the first wagon shop in 1852. Julius Wilder was also an early blacksmith. Albert Adams built a blacksmith and wagon shop in 1855 or '56. A singular fatality has attended the site of Mr. Adams' building. In 1867, the shop was burned; it was succeeded by a cheese fac- tory in 1871, (afterwards owned by F. M. Cummings,) but this, too, was destroyed by fire in 1875. In 1876, James Willis erected a three-story building, used for various purposes, but the very next year this also went down beneath the flames. Since then no one has attempted to build on the unfortunate locality. The Methodist Episcopal Church.-The few Methodists living in the locality under consideration before 1850 worshiped in an old weather- beaten building, about a half-mile east of Marilla village. It was owned by the Wesleyan Methodists, but was used by members of various denominations. It was abandoned in 1850, after which the Methodists met at the Sons of Temperance Hall, in the village, until 1854, when they moved into their own building, the one still in use. Rev. J. E. Wallace is the present pastor, and H. T. Foster the local minister. The trustees are H. T. Foster, E. Gary, Elmer Finney, Albert Robinson, Henry Car- penter, G. W. Decker, E. E. Dennison and Willis Carpenter. The Disciple Church was organized in 1856 and built a house of worship in 1858. Previous to the erection the members had worshiped in the school house and in the Methodist Church building. There was formerly a larger membership than now, the present number of members being about thirty. Theron Stowell and Jacob Snyder are the two elders; George Vroom is the deacon; Dr. A. J. Brooks, Jacob Snyder, Ezra Van Brocklin and George Vroom are the trustees. The last preacher in charge was Rev. J. C. Goodrich. The Free Baptist Church.-The Free Baptist Church of Marilla was organized in 1874. The house of worship was erected in 1875, and dedi- cated on the Ist of June of that year; the Rev. D. M. Stewart preached the dedication sermon. The first pastor in charge was the Rev. Mr. Youngs, now in California. Rev. L. E. Bates is the present pastor. Harry Jones and John W. Hoyt are the elders. H. Jones is the deacon and Henry Adams is the clerk. TOWN OF MARILLA. 483 The Roman Catholic Church of Marilla was built in 1854, under the auspices of Father Early, of Buffalo, who visited this parish once a month. The society was larger formerly than at present; it now con- tains but fourteen families. Father O'Reilley is the pastor; John Mc- Gowan, Michael Jordan and Philip Conly are the trustees. PORTERVILLE. The beginning of this enterprising little hamlet, situated in the southwest corner of Marilla, was in 1832, when Jesse Bartoo built a saw- mill on Big Buffalo creek. He added a grist-mill in 1836, and the local- ity became widely known as "Bartoo's Mills." Bartoo's Mills." Five or six years later the mills became the property of Archibald Porter, and, with the two or three neighboring buildings then in existence, were sometimes called Porterville, though they were more frequently mentioned by the old name of Bartoo's Mills. A few years later R. G. Willis became the owner of the mills and then the place was spoken of sometimes as "Bar- too's Mills," sometimes as "Porterville" and sometimes as "Willis Mills." Porterville was, however, found to be the most convenient. name and at length was generally adopted. Joseph Putney also owned the mills for a time. Erasmus R. Adams bought them during the late war. Until that time there had been little there except the mills, though Royal R. Bar- ron had kept a small store from 1838 to 1840, and had been followed suc- cessively by a Mr. Prosser and George Dabb, by whom the business was given up. Since Mr. Adams took possession of the mills there has been a marked improvement in the place. A few years after the war he estab- lished a good store and in 1880 built a new grist-mill with all the mod- ern improvements, occupying the old one as a furniture store. He has also been the postmaster since the establishment of an office there in 1872. E. H. Dingman is now in company with him in the store. Mr. Adams also owns a blacksmith shop, tin shop, harness shop and shoe shop; all in active operation. There is likewise a cheese factory built by F. M. Cummings and now owned by Richardson & Beebe. As there are hardly as many residences as places of business, Porterville may probably be set down as the most enterprising place of its size in the country. WILLISTON. The hamlet of Williston was named after Eugene, John and James Willis, who established a steam saw-mill there in 1863. It was after- wards transferred to George Deal, then to James Willis, and finally to Frank Raynor, the present owner. A store was built in 1879 by Charles Willis; it is now owned by Joseph Phillips, who is also the postmaster. The United Brethren Church has a house of worship at Williston, built in 1873. The Rev. Mr. Miller was the first pastor; the Rev. Mr. Bowen now has charge. 484 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Joseph P. Flood of Marilla, was born in Londonderry, Vermont, the 10th of February, 1813. His lot was cast on the east side of the Green Mountains in a wild tract of land, far away from market with bad roads and many privations to be endured. The family had encountered the rigors of long, cold winters, and almost without money, hence the gun became the purse from which plenty of game of all kinds was secured, and the few needed luxuries of life obtained. Such were the unfavorable surroundings of Joseph P. Flood during the first twenty years of his life, but upon reaching manhood he decided (somewhat against his father's wishes) to seek a more suitable home in the far West. The father at last consented, and in the spring of 1833, they came to the Indian reservation and secured lot one hundred and two, in the town of Alden, now Marilla, where they built a log house, and began at once to cut down the trees and make a clearing. This was in the heart of the forest, there not being a cleared place within a mile, and the settlement of the town only being at the time four years old. The first year they had in eight acres of wheat, and just as it was ready to cut, Mr. Flood was unfortunately taken ill and was confined to his bed from that time until the following November, suffering the most acute pains from rheumatism. Long, weary days and sleepless nights were thus spent meditating upon his situation. Being in a land of strangers and four hundred dollars in debt, made his case peculiarly dis- tressing. However the grain was cut and during the next winter he and his father flailed it out in a small log barn covered with bark and saved over two hundred bushels of wheat. On the 14th of January, 1838, he was married to Miss Caroline Beet- tolph, the children born to this union were Julia A., February 24, 1839; Sarah J., October 15, 1842; and Betsey M., born July 17, 1844, died September 6, 1859. The parents of Mr. Flood lived with him during their life, a verbal contract was made concerning their home and the division of the prop- erty, that was harmoniously observed by all parties concerned. The father died April 14, 1854. The grandfather James Flood, was born in Boston, Mass., in the year 1730, of parents who emigrated from England a short time prior to his birth. His father died when he was a small boy, and his mother being unable to support him, gave him to a man by the name of Whitcomb, who lived in Marlboro, N. H., and who took him on his horse, and car- ried him sixty miles off to his town house. The entire country was at this time a wilderness, and owing to the circumstances surrounding him, he never heard from his mother, and when twenty-one years of age set out for Boston, but on arriving at that place learned that she was dead and that his uncle who also resided there had gone to Long Island. In despair he returned home, married the daughter of his adopted father, and settled on a farm in Marlboro, and raised a family of four sons and four daughters. He became a member of the Baptist Church and was a much respected deacon of that society, was a captain of a militia company in the Revolution. He was killed while felling a tree in 1790. Joseph Flood his third son, father of the subject of this sketch, was born October 17, 1779, in Marlboro, N. H., and was in the woods with his father when he was killed. He lived at home until he went out to do for himself. He married Betsey Priest of Jaffray, N. H., in 1802; in 1805 he TOWN OF MARILLA. 485 moved to Londonderry, Vermont, going with an ox team sixty miles into the wilderness on the east side of the Green Mountains, building his shanty deep in wilds, where our subject was reared. He raised four daughters and one son. In 1833 he removed to the town of Marilla, where he lived until his death in contentment with his son and his family. Joseph P. Flood has always lived in retirement, never seeking noto- riety, although having had the offer of most of the offices of the town. He was however elected assessor in 1854, and thereafter served five successive years in all. The death of his youngest daughter was probably the greatest unhappiness he was called upon to bear, but it resulted in his promising her that he would meet her in Heaven, which promise he is endeavoring to keep. The other daughters are settled in life. The oldest, Mrs. Bidlack, lives in the town, and the other, Mrs. Westcott and her husband manage the affairs of his home. Mr. Flood has lived on this place over fifty years, and in the town since it was a wilderness. He has seen the rude log shanties give way to fine dwellings and spacious churches, and the innovation of needed mills, stores, and useful trades, and the realization of a prosperous country, and also has lived to see nearly all his friends and first settlers of fifty years ago pass away. He himself begins to feel the weight of years, having with his faithful wife who is six months his senior, passed the seventieth birthday. The aged couple are now living in the enjoy- ment of a retired life, and are looking back upon the toils and hardships of almost a half century of their united labors, realizing from the many changes that have occurred, that they have indeed lived in an eventful period of the world's history. Harrison T. Foster, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Byron, Genesee county, N. Y., on the 20th of June, 1827. He was the son of Talcott Foster, a native of the state of Massachusetts. His mother's maiden name was Lucy Abbott, and a native of Connec- ticut. He was the offspring of the second marriage of both his his parents. The father being a widower of fifty-four years and the father of ten children, the mother a widow of forty-two years with six children. Harrison T. was the only offspring of this mar- riage. He was reared on a farm, and inured to hard labor. He received a fair common school education but nothing more-as his father died when he was but eleven years of age, and he then with the assistance of his mother managed and cultivated the farm. At the age of sixteen he became acquainted with Miss Clarissa Strickland, an amiable young lady of about his own age, and two years later they were united in marriage, and shortly after, together with his mother, moved to the town of Ann Arbor, Mich. They remained there but one year as sickness visited them in their new home- the mother died of malaria fever, and the young wife suffered severely from the same disease. They · then returned to their native state and town and resided there for one year, then took up their abode in what is now the town of Marilla (formerly Alden.) This was in 1848, and Mr. Foster was twenty- one years of age and the possessor of one horse, a lumber wagon, and one hundred and fifty dollars in money. He then with his brother Winfield S., purchased sixty acres of land about one-half mile west of what is now Marilla village. They erected a small rude struc- ture of a dwelling, in the midst of a grove of hemlock trees, and moved into it in November of the same year. At this time the land 486 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. west of the village was a wilderness, and belonged mostly to the Ogden Land Company. The road now running west from the village was not then in existence. Mr. Foster and his brother lived through the winter in the midst of this hemlock grove, the wind sweeping through the trees made them tremble, lest a huge hemlock might be uprooted and demol- ish their humble dwelling. They carried on lumbering for two years, and at the expiration of that time Mr. Foster bought his brother's inter- est in the land. The following year was spent in chopping and clearing. An accident occurred in August of this year (1851) which changed the tenor of Mr. Foster's whole course in life. His oxen got loose, and entered a field of corn belonging to Perry Ford, and filled themselves to such an extent that one of them died, and the other was rendered worth- less. Mr. Foster was without both team and the means of purchasing another, and the Ogden Company, from which he had bought his land, demanded payment, and refused him further extension of time. In this crisis of his affairs, Mr. Joshua Axtel, the keeper of a small grocery store in the village, offered him in exchange for his place his stock of groceries, valued at $250, his house and lot in the village valued at $250, eighty acres of land in Wisconsin valued at $200 and a mortgage of $350 on land in the town of Darien. Mr. Foster accepted the offer, sold the mortgage, and paid the balance due the Ogden Company—and moved into the village. He soon after entered into partnership with Charles Walker, and the firm was known as Walker & Foster. Together they built a small store, on the village lot now owned by W. V. Lougee. The following summer Mr. Foster bought out Mr. Walker's interest, and con- tinued the business alone for some eighteen months, he then sold out to Jonathan B. Bass. In October, 1855, he again turned his attention to merchandise, and formed a copartnership with Jefferson H. Brooks, under the firm name of Brooks & Foster, and January 1, 1865, Mr. Fos- ter purchased Mr. Brook's interest, and formed a copartnership with Henry D. Harrington. This firm was known as H. T. Foster & Co., and remained thus until 1873 when G. C. Monchow was taken in as an additional partner. In 1879 Mr. Foster bought Mr. Harrington's interest in the establish- ment, since which time Mr. Monchow has been his only partner. They are still together and doing a very profitable business. When Mr. Foster's father was a Democrat of the Jacksonian school. Mr.Van Buren became a candidate for the Presidency in 1848, on the Free Soil or Buffalo platform, Mr. Foster who was then twenty-one, became enthusiastic for Mr. Van Buren. The failure of his election, and the consequent disbandment of the Free Soil party, left Mr. Foster at sea politically. He paid but little attention to politics until 1852, when he voted for Winfield Scott as the presidential candidate of the Whig party. In 1854 the repeal of the Missouri compromise, aroused the Free Soil elements in the country that had lain dormant since the defeat of 1848. Mr. Foster became an earnest advocate and worker of the organization of what is now the Republican party. Together with William C. John- son, of Aurora, he issued the first call for an Anti Nebraska" conven- vention in the northern towns of Erie county. He wrote several notices and traveled over the town posting them in conspicuous places. The convention was held at Marilla, and delegates were elected to attend the State convention at Saratoga. The "Know Nothing" organization sprung into existence at about this time, A lodge was organized at TOWN OF MARILLA. 487 Marilla. Politics were so mixed that it was difficult for a man to know the politics of his next door neighbor. On the Saturday before election he went on foot to Buffalo, a dis- tance of eighteen miles, to obtain ballots to be voted on the following Tuesday. Eighteen votes only were polled for Myron H. Clark, the candidate of the Whig, Prohibition and Anti-Nebraska parties, for Gov- ernor. The "Know Nothings" swept the town like a whirlwind. Mr. Foster worked earnestly for the election of Mr. Fremont in 1856. In 1860, the Republicans elected Mr. Foster supervisor, and he held this office for five years. In 1861, he was appointed postmaster, which office he has held until the present time, with the exception of two years. In 1862, he was appointed a member of a committee of the board of super- visors to superintend recruiting and paying bounties to volunteers.´ In 1863, he was re-appointed and made chairman of the committee. In 1864, he was again re-appointed and made chairman. During his administra- tion of recruiting affairs, Erie county was saved wholly from draft, and the money expended for volunteers was less than in any other county in the State of New York. In 1864, the Republicans of the present Fourth Assembly district nominated Mr. Foster for Member of Assembly. The district at that time being strongly Democratic, he was defeated. He was elected supervisor in 1866, and again in 1867, after which he retired from this office satisfied with his honors. He held the office of justice of the peace from 1870 to '75, and in 1881 he was again brought to the front and elected supervisor, and still holds that office. In this year occurred the contest between the city of Buffalo and the towns of Erie county on the equalization of taxes. Mr. Foster took an active part in this contest and was known as the “ "author of 73 and 27." The towns finally won three per cent. from the city. An appeal was made by the city to the board of State assessors. Mr. Foster was made chairman of the defense committee of the towns. The appeal was finally compromised by an agreement to investigate by a committee of which Mr. Foster was chairman, for a true basis of equalization. The investigation lasted three months and the towns came off victorious, as they retained the three per cent. previously gained. In 1882, Mr. Foster was appointed chairman of a committee to investigate the management of almshouse affairs. The investigation lasted three months and resulted in a thorough expose of the keeper of the institution, saving thereby thousands of dollars to the county of Erie. ་ Mr. Foster is now living with his second wife. His first wife being afflicted with spinal disease, was insane at three different periods in her life, and died in the State lunatic asylum at Utica in 1870. His present wife was the daughter of George W. Carpenter, now deceased. She was also the widow of T. D. Lord. At the time of her marriage with Mr. Foster, she was the mother of two daughters, Mary and Estella. Mary was married to William H. Johnson of Buffalo in 1873, and died in about a year after her marriage, after giving birth to a boy, who was named Harrison Foster Johnson. The boy has lived with Mr. Foster since that time. Estella was married to Everett L. Hedger in 1882, and died soon after giving birth to a daughter who was named Mary Estella Hedger, this child is also living with Mr. Foster. He also had an adopted daughter named Eva, who had lived with him since 1860. She died in 1880 of consumption, aged 23. In 1870 Mr. Foster united with the Methodist Episcopal Church society of Marilla, and is_still an efficient 488 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. member. He was licensed to preach shortly after joining the church, and has officiated in that capacity frequently since that time. He is now superintendent of the Sabbath school, and has held that position, with the exception of two years, ever since he joined the society. He is now fifty-six years of age, hale and hearty, jovial and happy. Jonathan Stedman, of Marilla. is a native of Massachusetts, and was born in the town of Tyringham, Berkshire county, March 13, 1803. At five years of age, his father removed to Western New York, where he first located in Genesee, now Livingston county, but a year afterward removed to the town of Riga, Monroe county, and five or six years thereafter to the town of Wheatland, in the same county, and not until fourteen years of age did he find a permanent home, when his father removed to Bennington, Wyoming county, and where our subject remained for thirty years thereafter. The county of Wyoming in the year 1817 was almost an unbroken wilderness, necessitating the usual hard labor incident to clearing new land, and which gave our subject steady employment, assisting his father on the farm and at the carpenter trade, which both father and son fol- lowed until the year 1847, when Mr. Stedman settled in this town and where he has resided since the fall of that year. In 1824, Mr. Stedman was married to Miss Polly Stedman, his cousin, and daughter of George Stedman, a native of Rhode Island, and Hannah (Webster) Stedman. She was born June 8, 1805, and died March 19, 1883. This union was blessed by the births of three children-Mary Jane, born in 1839 and died in 1863; William E., who died when young; and James P., the only living representative of the family. He was married in 1865, to Miss Libbie Hunt, and is the father of two children, namely: James Eldridge and Francis Marion. He was elected justice of the peace in 1879, and re-elected in the spring of 1883, and still holds this office. Mr. Jonathan Stedman has been a public official in both Wyoming and Erie counties; in the former serving as highway commissioner and assessor, and justice of the peace for a period of eight years. In Erie county he was elected assessor in 1855, and in 1859 supervisor. He has always been a Democrat. His grandfather, William Stedman, and grandmother, Hannah (Scranton) Stedman, were natives of Rhode Island. His grandfather was the captain of a company during the Revolutionary struggle. His father, William Stedman, Jr., was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, August 6, 1766, and died in 1842. His mother, Mollie (Pearse) Stedman, was a native of Rhode Island also. She died June 8, 1808, when our subject was but five years old. William Stedman, Jr., was a sailor during the earlier years of his life, but when twenty-seven years of age married and moved to Massa- chusetts. Their children were: Hannah, John S., Jonathan, Daniel P. and William, by his first wife. He married his second wife, Miss Mercy Cook, in 1809, and the children by this marriage were: Josiah C., Mariam, George R. and Ebenezer. Of these children John S. settled in Marilla in 1848 and died in 1862, and Jonathan, our subject, who still lives an enterprising farmer and an active man at the advanced age of eighty years. TOWN OF ELMA. 489 CHAPTER LXVI. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ELMA, T 'HE town of Elma lies a little northeast of the center of the county. The soil is a clayey loam in the north and a gravelly loam in the south part of the town. The surface is rolling and is drained by Cazenove and Buffalo creeks. The town is six miles square, and had it been surveyed with the rest of the Holland Purchase, would have been described as township ten, range six. It was, however, entirely com- prised in the Buffalo Creek reservation, and the land in it is described as a part of that reservation in all legal documents. The south line of the town is the same as the south line of the original reservation, but the north line of the reservation was a mile and a half north of that of the town. In August, 1826, a treaty was made by which, besides several other tracts, a majority of the Indian chiefs ceded a strip of land a mile wide along the whole south side of the Buffalo Creek reservation, to an asso- ciation known as the Ogden Company, which had previously purchased the interest of the Holland Company in the Indian lands on the Holland Purchase. The ceded lands were divided among the members of the association and were speedily offered for sale to the public. Thus a tract in the south part of Elma a mile wide by six miles long was opened to occupation some fifteen years before the rest of the town, and all the first. settlements were made in that section. Among the early settlers in that part of the " Mile Strip" included in Elma were Lyman Chandler (1829), Willard Fairbanks (1830), Wilder Hatch, Hiram Pettengill, Taber Earl, Martin Taber and Luther Adams (1834.) In 1828 Taber Earl built a framed hotel on the road from Aurora to Buffalo, which stood on the "Mile Strip," but close to the line of the unsold part of the reservation. It soon passed into the hands of Samuel Harris, who kept it until his death a few years later. After that it was kept as a hotel by his son, Hiram Harris, many years, but has lately been occupied by him only as a private residence. About 1831 Martin Taber built another framed hotel on the opposite side of the road from the one just mentioned. This last tavern received the name of the "North Star" House, and has ever since been kept as a hotel. Both these taverns did a large business, being situated at the edge of the reservation on the main road from the southeastern part of the county to Buffalo; one or the other was patronized by almost every one who entered into or came from that wide tavernless tract of woodland. About 1832, as near as can be ascertained, a Mr. Estabrook built a saw-mill, the first in Elma, at the point now occupied by the Bullis mill. It was generally known as the Indian mill. 490 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In 1835 or '36, Leonard Hatch, a resident of that part of the "Mile Strip" now in Marilla, and Robert McKean, of Aurora, made an agree- ment with Seneca White," an Indian chief, which authorized them to build a saw-mill on Buffalo creek, at the point now known as East Elma. Seneca White alone could not, according to Indian customs, make an agreement binding on the rest of the tribe, but we presume he acted in concert with other chiefs. McKean's interest was transferred to Joseph Riley, of Aurora, and he and Hatch built the mill in 1836. Riley sold to Hatch, who died in 1842, when Zina A. Hemstreet took possession and carried on the mill as lessee or owner, about twenty-five years. The locality was widely known as Hemstreet's Mill. In 1840 Zebina Lee, by the consent of the Indians, took up his resi- dence in a log-cabin on the farm near the site of Spring Brook, now owned by O. J. Wannemacher. In May, 1842, after several years of negotiations, an agreement was made between the Ogden Company and the chiefs of the Six Nations, by which the latter agreed to give up the remainder of the Buffalo Creek reservation to the former. The land, which included all of Elma not embraced in the "Mile Strip," was speedily divided, surveyed and offered for sale. Lewis Northrup came to the site of Spring Brook in 1843 and built a saw-mill in 1844. A log-house had been built by a Mr. Flannigan and used as a hotel, by the consent of the Indians, before the reservation was sold, on the hill at the south end of Spring Brook. Another log-tavern was built by David J. Morris at Spring Brook, in 1844; it stood near the site of the Catholic Church. Horace Kyser came in 1844, and Zenas Cobb in 1845, and Joseph Tillou about the same time. In 1848 Alfred Marvel underbrushed a road lead- ing out a mile west of Spring Brook to the beautiful farm site now owned and occupied by him. James Davis lived one mile south and Chester Adams one mile north of Mr. Marvel, and were his nearest neighbors. James H. Ward, who was a justice of the peace of Elma from 1850 until 1875, and for many years postmaster at Spring Brook, settled there in 1849. The settlements in the northwest part of the town were principally made by the Ebenezer Society, a German colony who held their property in common, and who about 1844 bought a large tract of land of the Ogden Company or its members. The principal part of their land was in the present town of West Seneca, and the reader is referred to the history of that town for a description of those honest, industrious and frugal people. Most of the buildings, including the hotel and mill in and about the village of Upper Ebenezer, now called Blossom, were erected under the direction of Charles Meyer, the business manager of that society. The first house in Elma village was built by Joseph Peck in 1845. E. Bancroft built a saw-mill there the same year. C. W. Hurd and J. B. Briggs settled there in 1846, entered into partnership and built a saw- TOWN OF ELMA. 491 mill which is still in operation. At this time there were ten or a dozen Indian families still occupying their little clearings in that vicinity. "Little Jo," "Little Jo's Boy," and "Isaac Johnny John," were the names of some of the heads of these ancient families, but in a few years they all vacated their homes and went to the Cattaraugus Reservation. The greater part of the territory of Elma, except the "Mile Strip," was still heavily timbered, but a change in its appearance was soon effected. Hurd and Briggs bought large tracts of land in the vicinity of their mills, felled the forests, converted the timber into lumber and opened for use a large tract of excellent farming country. Similar operations on a somewhat smaller scale occurred in other parts of the territory of Elma, and soon the plows and harrows of the settlers were passing over the ground lately shaded by pines, maples and beeches. Large tracts were also cleared by converting the timber into cord-wood and hauling it to Buffalo; a resource unknown to the early settlers of most other towns. The price of land as fixed by the proprie- tors varied according to its locality and the character of the timber, and of course advanced with the passage of time. In 1850 the price of hard- wood land advanced about $20 per acre throughout the town. Pine land was much higher and increased rapidly in value; by the close of the Union war one good tract would often sell for more than an acre of both land and timber was worth twenty years before. The construction of the Buffalo & Aurora Plank Road in 1849, was of especial benefit to Elma, as its principal productions at that time were wood and lumber, which being heavy in proportion to their value cre- ated a particular necessity for good roads. The building of the Buffalo & Washington (now the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia) railway through the center of the town, in 1867, at once largely increased the facil- ity of communication with the rest of the world and now Elma differs but little in appearance from the older towns of the county. Besides the usual agricultural productions, Elma sends a very large quantity of milk to Buffalo daily, from each of the three depots of the railroad first mentioned. Still it does differ some from the old towns and numerous stumpy fields still remain to testify that forty years ago the whole town was substantially an unbroken tract of woodland. The most startling event which has occured in Elma since its settle- wes a cold-blooded murder committed on the 2d day of April, 1878. A feud of long standing between two Germans, living on what is known as the Bullis Road, named John Atloff and Charles Manke, arose over a dis- pute as to the boundary between their farms. On the day mentioned Atloff went to Buffalo, driving his team. On his return in the afternoon, he was shot dead by Manke, who had concealed himself by the roadside. Manke was indicted on the 13th of April; his trial began on the 2d of May and on the 11th he was found guilty of murder in the first degree 492 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. and sentence to be hung on the 21st of June. But a stay of proceedings was obtained, and upon argument before the Court of Appeals a new trial was granted. This trial occurred in February, 1880, when Manke was again convicted of murder. He was sentenced to be hung on the 2d of April in that year, but was granted a respite until May 14, when he expiated his crime in Buffalo. Although as a rule the Indians were not subject to the civil laws of New York, yet the reservations were parceled out among the various towns, and if white men for any reason, resided among the Indians, the former were subject to the jurisdiction of one or the other of those towns. To this extent the territory of Elma was a part of the town of Batavia from 1802 to 1804, and of Willink from 1804 to 1808. It was divided between Clarence and Willink in 1808, between Clarence and Aurora in 1818, and between Lancaster and Aurora in 1833. In this division the northern town, whatever might be its name, extended about two miles into the territory of Elma, and the southern one about four miles. This inequality was owing to the fact that Elma does not extend to the north line of the original reservation, and does extend to the south line. The sale of the "Mile Strip" in 1826, converted the nominal jurisdiction of Aurora over the southern sixth of Elma into a reality and the sale of the rest of the reservation in 1842, subjected the remaining five-sixths to the actual authority of Aurora and Lancaster. On the 4th day of December, 1857, the tract of land six miles square, already described, was taken from Lancaster and Aurora and formed into the town of Elma, the last town formed in the county of Erie. It was named from an immense elm tree, nearly four feet in diameter, which stood at the corner of C. W. Hurd's farm, and at the corner of four lots of land near the village of Elma. The first officers of the town were elected March 19, 1857; the meeting for that purpose being held at the house of of C. W. Hurd, in Elma village. The following officers were chosen-Paul B. Lathrop, supervisor; Warren Jackman, town clerk; Addison Armstrong, Thomas Aldrich and Nathan W. Stowell, justices of the peace; Asa J. W. Palmer, col- lector; Zenas M. Cobb, Horace Blood and Theron Stowell, assessors; Whipple Spooner and Benjamin Lougee, commissioners of highways; William Standard, overseer of the poor; Asa J. W. Palmer, Aaron Hitch- cock, Isaac Freeman, Franklin Mitchell and William J. Jackman, consta- bles; William H. Bancroft, John W. Cole and John Small, (appointed) inspectors of election; Elbridge G. Kent, town sealer. The next town meeting was held in the hotel at "Elma Centre" (about three-fourths of a mile south of the village) built by C. W. Hurd, and the town meetings con- tinued to be held there and at Mr. Hurd's house several years afterwards. The following is a list of the supervisors of Elma from its organiza- tion to the present time, with their years of service:-Paul B. Lathrop, TOWN OF ELMA. 493 1857-'59; Zina A. Hemstreet, 1860-'61; Christopher Peek, 1862-'63; Lewis M. Bullis, 1864-'65; Paul B. Lathrop, 1866; Alfred Marvel, 1867– '68; Hiram Harris, 1869-'70; Alfred Marvel, 1871-'73; William Win- spear, 1874-'76; Eli B. Northrup, 1877-80; Alfred Marvel, 1881-'82; James Tillou, 1883. The present town officers are James Tillou, supervisor; Wood Mitch- ell, town clerk; Frederick H. Thram, Erastus J. Markham, and William H. Bancroft, justices of the peace; John Carroll, Niles Hatch and Peter Weiser, commissioners of highways; David Buffum and Christian Jasel, overseers of the poor; Christian Jasel, Peter Schurr, Philip Bodiner, and George Ledger, constables; Casper Hendenreich, game-constable; Alonzo Griggs, Stephen Northrup and James Grace, inspectors of elec- tion, first district; John Garby, Myron H. Clark and John Koch, inspectors of election, second district; William Sisler, excise commis- sioner; William Kleinfelder, collector; Harvey C. Palmer and Thomas E. Wier, assessors. SPRING BROOK. Spring Brook, the largest village in Elma, is situated in the western part of the town, about midway between the northern and southern boundaries, on the Aurora and Buffalo plank road and near Cazenove creek. It has a hotel, three stores, three churches, a grist-mill, a saw- mill and a cheese factory. It is unincorporated. The first house in Spring Brook (except the log tavern on the hill) was erected by Lewis Northrup in 1843. It is still standing, opposite the residence of Zenas M. Cobb. Mr. Northrup built a saw-mill in 1844 and a grist-mill about ten years later. E. B. Northrup owns both mills at the present time. The log tavern already mentioned, on the hill at the south end of the village, was followed in 1833 by another of the same material, erected by David J. Morris. Both were given up (as hotels) in a few years. The one on the hill was succeeded by a large framed hotel which was kept as such until a few years since. The present hotel is kept by Mr. O'Connor and was built in 1861. The first store was established in 1850, by E. G. Kent, now of Wales Centre. Samuel Hoyt succeeded him, and in 1875 John Collins, the present proprietor, took possession. Stephen Northrup built a store in 1856; it burned in 1872, but a brick building was erected on the site immediately afterward. John G. Fisher took possession in 1877, and now keeps a store and the postoffice there. A grocery store was established by D. Spencer a few years ago. The postmasters of Spring Brook have been D. J. Morris, who was appointed when the office was established (about 1850); James H. Ward, Stephen Northrup, and J. G. Fisher, the present incumbent, who took the position in 1877. The first steam saw- mill in Spring Brook was built in the winter of 1848-'49, by Horace 494 HISTORY Of Erie County. Kyser; it was afterwards owned by Finley Robinson and William Eng- lish, who connected a grist-mill with it, but both were burned in 1860, at which time they were owned by Peter Bower. Mr. Kyser built a new mill in 1863, on the same ground, which burned in 1872. A grist. mill and saw-mill were again built on the same site, and in 1882, Briggs & Sweet bought the property. The Spring Brook cheese factory originally belonged to a stock company and was built in the spring of 1870. Alfred Marvel was the president, and Charles McCoun the secretary; Joseph Grace, Joseph Timmerman and Stephen Northrup were the trustees. This company did a good business until the year 1882, when the property was sold to Charles Hammer, Joseph Timmerman and Bernard Gansch, who manu- facture only what is known as "Dutch cheese." There is a station named "Spring Brook" a mile north of the vil lage, on the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad. The Union Church Edifice.-The first church in Spring Brook was organized by the Congregationalists, and in 1853 they erected a house of worship on land deeded to them by D. J. Morris. Rev. Nehemiah Cobb was the first pastor. Subsequently the church became unable to keep up religious worship and the land and building reverted to Mr. Morris. In 1868, a “Union Society" was organized, which acquired the property first mentioned and held it for the use of all denominations. The Meth- odists, however, have been the principal occupants. The Methodist minister stationed at Aurora, preaches in the building twice a month. The trustees of the society are H. Tillou, Z. M. Cobb, Eli B. Northrup, Dr. James Gilmor, W. W. Grace, Alfred Marvel and J. H. Ward. The German Methodist Church. This church built a house of worship in 1872, which, on the 24th day of November in that year, was dedicated. The Rev. Messrs. Domm and Witt were pastors on the circuit at that time. The Revs. John Granzenhark and Joseph Scheik are the present pastors in charge. Henry Kittel is the class leader; John Hoffman, John Stall and J. G. Fisher are the trustees. The Catholics have a church in the village, but we were not able to obtain data concerning it. ELMA VILLAGE AND ELMA CENTRE. Elma village received its first white occupant in 1845. Joseph Peck came at that time and built the first house. In 1846, the few neighbors got together and in one afternoon put up a school house. Salina Stand- art kept a school of about nine scholars there in the winter of 1846-'47, and was the first teacher in the village. The first hotel at the corners known as "Elma Center," three-quarters of a mile north of the village, was built in 1847 by C. W. Hurd. In 1850, he erected a store at the same place. The hotel has changed hands a number of times and is now occupied by M. Roll. The store building opposite is used as a saloon. TOWN OF ELMA. 495 The first saw-mill in the village was built in 1845, by E. Bancroft, and continued in operation until 1880. He also built a chair factory which was managed and afterwards owned by Samuel Green. Mr. Green carried on the factory until a few years since when he removed it to Aurora. C. W. Hurd and Joseph B. Briggs came in 1846 and built a saw-mill. To this they afterwards added a grist-mill, a planing-mill and a lath-mill, with which they have done and are still doing a large business. A steam saw-mill was built by Elam Clark and Warren Jack- man in 1849 or 1850. It was afterwards sold to J. B. Briggs, but the machinery was taken out and the mill abandoned many years ago. The first store in Elma village was erected by Warren Jackman in .1852, and was carried on by Mr. Ives, who also kept the first postoffice. The store and postoffice were afterwards kept in succession by Warren Jackman, James Clark and Erastus Markham; the latter of whom now keeps both the store and the postoffice. William H. Bancroft erected the first blacksmith shop in the village in 1847, and carried it on some ten years. Elma Station, on the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad, is about one and three-fourths miles north of the village. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Elma Village. This church was organized in 1850. In 1859 the present frame building was erected and was dedicated by Rev. Glezen Fillmore in the month of February in that year. Rev. C. S. Baker was the first pastor; Rev. Mr. Wallace of Marilla, is the present pastor. James Clark, F. Noyes and Mrs. J. B. Briggs are the stewards; James Clark is the class-leader and the Sabbath- school superintendent; Alonzo C. Bancroft, James Clark, James Stand- ard, Cyrus Hurd and W. B. Briggs are the trustees of the society. EAST ELMA. As already stated, a saw-mill was built at this point in 1836, by Leonard Hatch and Joseph Riley. Mr. Hatch became the sole owner, and on his death, in 1842, the mill was leased by Zina A. Hemstreet, who carried it on as a lessee until 1855, and then bought it. The little ham- let which grew up around it was known as Hemstreet's Mill. A grist- mill was built in 1856, but remained idle ten years. The saw-mill was washed away in 1859, but was subsequently rebuilt. In 1866 three brothers, David, Ellery S., and Anthony L. Allen, bought the mills and adjoining lands, when the grist-mill was entirely remodeled, new machinery put in and its use changed to that of a woolen factory. The brothers afterward made a division of the property, when the factory fell to the share of Ellery S. Allen and was by him carried on success- fully until his death in 1882. It is now carried on by his widow and heirs. There is no church or hotel in the place. Isaac Gale opened the first store in East Elma about 1856. The same year the first school house was built, and in 1858 the bridge over 32 496 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Buffalo creek was erected. The store was burned in 1878. Solomon Munger was the first postmaster in East Elma, beginning in 1862. Isaac Gale was the next one and was succeeded by George W. Hatch, the present incumbent. George W. Hatch built the present store in 1868. Z. A. Hemstreet owned a store opposite that of Mr. Hatch, which was sold to the Allen Brothers in 1866; but it burned in 1878, and Mr. Hatch is the only merchant in the place. The railway station for East Elma and the surrounding country is "Jamison" on the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia railroad. The milk brought to this station averages eight hundred gallons daily. There is a general store, saloon and hotel all in one building, kept by Ernst Bleck. F. Wilting built the house in 1869. BLOSSOM. The hamlet of Blossom was principally built by the Ebenezer society before mentioned and was then called Upper Ebenezer. Charles Reich- ert purchased the store owned by that society, about 1856, and con- ducted it for a few years. Following him came Gasper Bauer, Fred- erick Thram and Mrs. D. Kleeburg; the last two named are now in busi- William Kleinfelder owns the hotel, and Louis Ott the mill prop- erty, both purchased by them from the Ebenezer society. ness. The German Lutheran Church. This church was organized August 31, 1862. The ministers have been I. G. Ade, Frederick M. Zuzel, A. Zermeeke, Rev. Mr. Wallner, (during whose pastorate the building bought of the Ebenezer society was burned and the present one was erected in 1872.) T. A. Hengerer and L. Zuber, the present pastor who came in 1869. The elders are Henry Kleinfelder, and George Meyer. The church has a membership of sixty-eight persons. The trustees of the society are Jacob Kiefer, Matthias Becker and Michael Mueller. The German Methodist Church. This church purchased its first house of worship from the Ebenezer society in 1861. The present building was erected during the summer of 1880. The Rev. E. S. Miller was the first pastor and the Rev. John Greusbach is now in charge of the church, which numbers about forty members. Jacob Meyer is the class-leader; Henry Roth and John Kellerman are the trustees of the society. Ellery S. Allen, of East Elma, was born March 20, 1826, in the town of Day, Saratoga county, N. Y. His father, Anthony Allen, was a farmer and justice of the peace for many years. Ellery S. Allen spent his early life on a farm, but when a youth he learned the clothier's trade, spend- ing some years in a woolen factory then owned by Asa Judd. He, however, after perfecting his trade, went back on the farm where he con- tinued in that avocation of life until the year 1863, when he formed a partnership with Alexander Howe, under the firm name of Howe & Allen, in the manufacture of woolen cloths in the town of Providence. In 1867 the firm was dissolved and Mr. Allen formed a partnership with TOWN OF ELMA. 497 his two brothers, David and Anthony, and came to East Elma, where they purchased the old mill property of Z. A. Hemstreet, but changed the use for which the structure was erected into that of a woolen fac- tory, making the necessary additions and changes thereto. The pur- chase also included the saw-mill built by Hemstreet, and a wood- land consisting of two hundred and forty acres lying between the mill and depot, the timber of which was afterwards cut, sawed and shipped. During the year 1872 a division of property was made. Anthony took the saw-mill, David the farm and Ellery S., the factory. The mill was first used for the manufacture of cloth, but in the year 1875 new machinery was added and other necessary changes were made, and thereafter it was used for the manufacture of yarn solely. The goods were sold chiefly to Barnes, Bancroft & Co., of Buffalo, whose trade- mark was "Niagara Woolen Yarn," from which the mill took its name, being since that time known as the Niagara Woolen Mills. Mr. Alden carried on a successful business until his death, beginning the business in a small way, carding wool, dressing cloth, or manufacturing custom work; but building up a trade eventually of $30,000 to $50,000. His death occurred January 12, 1883. Mr. Allen was a man who attended to his private interests quietly, eschewed all public favors for office, and during life successfully carried out the business principles that afterwards brought financial success. He was moral, a temperance man and a citizen of the community in which he dwelt. He was married to Miss Emily Lawton, of the town of Day, Saratoga county, N. Y., about the year 1848. She was the daughter of Amos Lawton, a prominent farmer of that vicinity, and for a number of years a justice of the peace of his town; he was also a soldier in the war of 1812. The children born of this union were: Harriet, wife of Isaac Smith, of the firm of Smith & Wilson, woolen manufacturers of Arcade, Wyoming county, N. Y.; H. D. Allen, superintendent of the Niagara Woolen Mills; Henry L., Walter E., and Bertha. Clark W. Hurd was born in the town of Roxbury, Litchfield Co., Conn., September 17, 1806. His father, Thaddeus Hurd, married Miss Sarah Hurd, (no relation) and soon removed to Sandgate, Vermont. There were born of this union children as follows: Russell, Hiram, Clark W., Sallie M., and Harriet. Of this family Clark W. is the only sur- vivor. From Sandgate the family removed to Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., where they lived for a time. The subject of this sketch, then a lad of seventeen years, determined to seek his fortune farther west. To use his own expression often used in describing to his children his early struggles and privations, and to inculcate habits of thrift and economy, he started afoot with a pack upon his back in which were "two loaves of bread, a pair of stogy boots, and a beef tongue." He first located at Alden, a settlement on the "Holland Purchase" and with his brother Russell, who had preceded him, purchased a tract of timber lands and built a log house. During the following year he went back and brought out his parents. In 1836 in company with J. B. Briggs he built a saw mill, and they continued in the lumber business for some time. In 1846 the lands of the Buffalo Creek Indian reservation having come into market by treaty, Mr. Hurd and Mr. Briggs went into the reservation and located on the banks of the Buffalo creek, about twelve miles east from Buffalo. They purchased a large tract of timber land and built mills, and have at this place ever since done business as a firm. The 498 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. timber nas now nearly all been cut away, the lands cleared and brought under the plow, making farms as large and fertile as any in the county. In 1836, Mr. Hurd was married to Dulcena E. Clark, daughter of James and Lavina Clark, natives of Vermont, who came to Madison county in 1825, and to Erie county in 1834, and settled in Alden; the family consisting of Orinda, Elisha Allen, Horace, Hiram, Ross, Lavina, Dulcena, James, William and Joseph. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hurd were Ross Clark, Hiram Dennis, Allen Joseph, Charles Augustus, James Thaddeus, Harvey Jetson, and Harriet D.; all are living and settled in their native county except Allen J., who enlisted in the 44th Regt. N.Y.Vols., and was killed at the battle of Gettysburgh, Pa. Mr. Hurd has been actively identified with the growth of his town. and county. When the town was formed from territory taken from the towns of Aurora and Lancaster, it was named Elma from an immense elm tree which stood near the home of Mr. Hurd, and the first town meeting to select town officials was held at his house. He built the first hotel and store erected in the town. Mr. Hurd through his charities and kindness to the poor has en- deared himself to the people about him. He was an earnest supporter of the Union and aided in enlisting and equiping men for the service. At a ripe old age, the owner of a large and productive farm which he himself wrought, and surrounded by his children, he is enjoying the rewards of a life of industry and economy. Of Alfred Marvel, of Spring Brook, was born in the town of Attica, Genesee, now Wyoming county, N. Y., October, 3. 1820. When twelve years of age his father moved on a farm in the town of Colden, and in 1843 again removed taking his family, with the exception of the subject of this sketch, to the State of Illinois. Upon the leaving of his father for the West Mr. Marvel went to Aurora, and engaged his services to Mr. John Davis, afterwards his brother-in-law, and remained with him for a period of three years, working as a farm hand by the month. In 1846 he was united in marriage to Miss Lany Davis, and in 1848 he moved into the deep woods on fifty acres of land on the Buffalo Creek Indian reser- vation, now the town of Elma, where he now lives, having cut his way through the timber and underbrush a road to and the site where his new residence now stands. Lands have been added to the original piece of ground purchased until the farm now contains two hundred acres. this amount one hundred and fifty-five acres have been cleared, the trees cut down and worked up into cord wood, then hauled to Buffalo. This required years of hard labor, as thousands of loads of wood, bark and lumber have been trudged over muddy roads to the city, and most of which Mr. Marvel did himself. Indeed, he says, there have been but two log heaps made on the farm, in which he did not labor with his own hands, and as a reward for his toil, his present farm and buildings is among the finest to be seen. Mr. Marvel has always been a Democrat. He cast his first vote for Gov. Buck in 1842. He was elected highway commissioner in 1854, and held this position six years, was elected super- visor in 1867, has been elected to that office seven years, and has been a liberal supporter of the public institutions of his town and county. In 1870. he built a cheese factory and stocked his farm with cows, and run the busi- ness with success for twelve years, then sold the factory. He is the father of two children. His daughter, Mrs. Jane Kihm, wife of Henry Kihm, lives TOWN OF ELMA. 499 in the town of Aurora, on the John Davis farm. The youngest daughter, Miss Ettie Marvel, remains at home. John Marvel, his father, was a minister of the Free Will Baptist Church, He was born October 27, 1795, in the State of New Hampshire, was married to Miss Lovina May- nard of Massachusetts, in the fall of 1818, and shortly afterwards removed to Attica and in 1832 to Colden, Erie county, and in 1843 with his wife and seven children in a one horse wagon, went to Illinois, and was twenty- seven days on the way. About the year 1826, he began his work in the ministry, and con- tinued the same until the year 1856, when he died. His children were Alfred, William, Chloe, Polly, Lucy, Lovina, John L., and Olive. All lived until the youngest was married. Alfred, Chloe, Lucy, John and Olive are still living. Mrs. Lany Marvel, was a daughter of Samuel Davis, who came to Aurora in 1818 from Ulster county, N. Y., and where he was born August 13, 1774. He was married to Miss Catharine Clarwater, November 26, 1794. He died in 1836. The children born of this union were as follows:-Elizabeth, Jacob, James, Thomas, Samuel, Catherine, Jeremiah John, William, Consider K., Almeda, Lany and Fanny. They all lived until the youngest one was over twenty-one years of age. Mrs. Elizabeth Tillon, now of Gainesville, Wyoming county, N. Y., is eighty-eight years old. Jeremiah lives in Aurora, William in Iowa, and Mrs. Fanny Spaulding of Aurora, are the only ones save Mrs. Marvel now living in the town of Elma. Her brother John Davis, well known in the county and State of New York, remained a bachelor, He was killed in the spring of 1880, by the turning over of his buggy, and at the time of his death, had seventy-seven hay stacks on his farm now owned by Mr. Marvel. As a man he was generous to a fault, and charitable to that degree that made him beloved by all who knew him, and greatly missed by the poor people of the community who leaned upon him as their support in times of need. Joseph Benson Briggs was born at Woodstock, Vermont, Novem- ber 8, 1812. He was next to the youngest of a family of six children. His father, Joseph Briggs, and his mother, Hopee (Benson) Briggs were born at Wareham, Plymouth county, Mass., in 1782. In May, 1829, his father moved to Western New York-which at that time was the "far west,”—the journey being performed partly by canal and partly by horses and wagon. They stayed in the village of Lodi, now called Gowanda, Erie county, for a few months, and then removed to what is now the town of Lancaster, but was at that time part of the town of Clarence. The subject of this sketch had but few opportunities for acquiring an education; the common schools of the day being the only means, and the winter months the only time afforded. The first business in which he engaged was the manufacture of lumber, hav- ing purchased a wood-lot of the Holland Land Company. In 1835 he purchased a saw-mill on Cayuga creek in company with Clark W. Hurd. The partnership then formed still exists, after nearly fifty years, under the firm name of Hurd & Briggs. In 1845 a new pur- chase was made in the southern part of the town of Lancaster, on what was the Buffalo Creek Indian reservation. This location is now included in the town of Elma, which was formed in 1857, from territory taken from the town of Lancaster and Aurora. Here mills were erected in a pleasant valley on the Big Buffalo creek; and here is located his present horne. 500 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In 1841 he was united in marriage to Altha Wilbor, a daughter of the late Colonel Cyrenus Wilbor, then a resident of Lancaster, who was a representative from Erie county in the Assembly in 1837-'38. Eight children have been born of this union :-Albert H., born Sep- tember 9, 1842; Wilbor B., born November 23, 1844: George D., bern May 3, 1847; Helen, born November 3, 1849; Rosina, born February 10, 1852; Lucelia, born July 26, 1854; Joseph Eddy, born January 10, 1857, and Charles Selwyn, born September 6, 1860. The children are all liv- ing excepting one-Rosina, who died in childhood. Albert H. Briggs, a well-known physician, and George D. Briggs, a manufacturer and wholesale dealer in lumber, are, and have been for some years residents of the city of Buffalo. Dr. A. H. Briggs was health offi- cer of the city of Buffalo for the years 1880 and '81, and has been State Medical Examiner of A. O. U. W. since the year 1880. The rest of the children are residents of Elma with the exception of the youngest son, Charles Selwyn, who resides at Keating Summit, Pa., and is superin- tendent and general manager of his brother's mills at that place. Mr. Briggs has had, perhaps, more than an average success in business. His hospitality has always been unbounded, and he has always given liberally to any cause which has met his approbation, never refusing to contribute of his means towards the erection of a church, regardless of denomina- tion, whether Catholic or Protestant. His children have all been given every opportunity to procure the most liberal education afforded by school or college, and in his old age he has a goodly portion of this world's goods and to spare. While the principal occupation of his life has been that of a manufacturer and dealer in lumber etc., the scarcity of timber in the township where he resides, and where his mills are located, has of necessity caused a partial abandonment of that pursuit; and his principal occupation now is that of farming on the lands which in years past had furnished a portion of the raw material for the mills, and which is now one of the most beautiful and productive farms in the county. He never has sought for nor held any public office although frequently importuned to become a candidate for office. While he has never made any public profession of religion he has always been a constant attendant of church, and has given generously of his means to build and sustain the Methodist Episcopal Church of which his wife has always been a devoted member, and of which he is at the present time a trustee. In early life he took no little interest in military matters and was a private in the State militia. at the time of the disturbance on the frontier known as the Patriot War. He volunteered on that occasion and was sworn into the service of the government as a private soldier. He with the rest of the troops was. discharged at the end of one month. In addition to the pay he received at the time of his discharge he received some years later a land warrant which entitled him to one hundred and sixty acres of government land. In after years he has frequently said “that his month's service as a private soldier was the most profitable month's work he had ever performed." Soon after his discharge from the "war" he was elected captain of the local militia company, but was soon promoted to the office of major of his regiment. His commission as major he still has in his possession and bears the signatures of William L. Marcy and William H. Seward. His last title has clung to him to this day, and his neighbors and acquaintances have for years called him Major Briggs. TOWN OF WEST SENECA. 501 CHAPTER XLVII. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WEST SENECA, T HIS town is situated northwest of the center of the county, being bounded on the north by Cheektowaga and the city of Buffalo, on the east by Elma, on the south by Hamburg and East Hamburg, and on the west by the city of Buffalo and Lake Erie. It is very irregu- lar in form and although it has an extreme length of eight and a half miles from east to west, and an extreme width of five miles from north to south, its total area is only a little over twenty-seven square miles. The surface is level or gently undulating, and the soil is generally a gravelly loam. Big Buffalo creek runs from east to west across the northern part of the town. Cazenove creek runs in the same direction across the cen- tral portion, while Smoke's creek drains the southwestern corner. West Seneca is entirely within the boundaries of the Buffalo Creek reservation, and in and near its territory were the principal villages of the Indians previous to their removal from that reservation. According to the statements of early visitors, when the warriors of the Six Nations made their homes in this locality, in 1780, after being driven from their ancient seats on and east of the Genesee river by Sullivan's army, as nar- rated in the general history, the Senecas located themselves near "Martin's Corners," within the present limits of Buffalo; the Onon- dagas settled near the site of the village of Lower Ebenezer; while the Cayugas established themselves farther north, not far from Cayuga creek. But in the course of years more red men came from the east and the members of the various tribes became intermingled with each other. Many of the Senecas seem to have crossed Cazenove creek, and early white settlers remember the principal Indian village, inhabited by Sene- cas, Onondagas, and perhaps others, as being scattered over a consider- able tract of ground, on both sides of the Buffalo and Aurora road, extending from the old "Red Ridge" on the Seneca street, up to the site of Lower Ebenezer, many living on the flats south of the last named locality. There was another settlement at or near the site of the village of Gardenville, which was known as "Jack Berry Town." The houses of the Indians were nearly, if not quite, all log cabins, of various degrees of solidity. Their dress (we are speaking the period * Cazenove creek was so named from Theophilus Cazenove, the first general agent of the Holland Company in the United States. Smoke's creek was named from an Indian Chief who lived near it and who was called "Old Smoke" by the whites. He was so called because he was supposed to be the hereditary bearer of the smoking brand used as a signal between the council- fires of the Six Nations. There was such an official, but it is doubtful whether the chief who lived on Smoke's creek was the real one, 502 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. between the war of 1812 and the sale of the reservation in 1842) was of a very heterogeneous character, varying from the deer-skin outfit of an Iroquois brave, to the silk hat, "swallow-tailed" coat and tight trousers of a Buffalo dandy; to a great extent, however, they wore the cast-off clothes of white men, covered, in many cases, by a gaudy blanket. An Indian arrayed in tattered coat and pantaloons-usually supplied by an extremely dilapidated tall hat-was a sorry sight, especially if he was staggering under a load of the white man's firewater, and had little about him to recall the fierce and haughty brave of the Six Nations, whose war- whoop had been heard from New England to the Mississippi, and from Lake Superior to the borders of Alabama. The squaws were usually more neatly attired in calico or woolen dresses, and adorned with ornaments of gold or silver or brass, as their means permitted. They performed the greater part of the agricultural labor on the reservation, and were employed principally in the raising of Indian corn, beans, pumpkins and other hill-crops, although a few of the Indians worked hard, had good farms and raised ample crops of wheat and oats. George Jimeson had a farm on Cazenove creek, south- west of the site of Lower Ebenezer. His brother, Thomas Jimeson, kept a tavern on the Aurora road, west of Buffalo creek (inside the pres- ent city line.) There was a council house near George Jimeson's residence, and another (which we believe was the principal one) near the present bound- ary between Buffalo and West Seneca, north of the line of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad. In these council-houses (built in block-house form) the Indians were very fond of meeting to make trea- ties, or enact such rude legislation as they deemed necessary. Although the right of active participation was by their customs confined to the chiefs, yet the other Indians were in the habit of attending, and even the squaws were not without their influence. The chiefs alone, how- ever, made up a good sized legislature, for honors were cheap among the red men, and there were from seventy-five to a hundred chiefs on the Buffalo Creek reservation, or nearly a fourth of the whole number of adult male Indians. Mr. Jabez B. Hyde was a school teacher among them from 1811 until after the war with Great Britain. We have spoken in the general history, of the disputes which grew up between the Pagan and Christian factions, the former headed by Red Jacket and the latter by Captain Pol- lard, and need not dilate on it here. A large majority of the Indians adhered to their pagan customs, but some of the most intelligent and respectable chiefs and warriors adopted the Christian faith. From the first settlement of the country by the whites there had been two roads through the reservation, running across the territory of West Seneca. One ran up the lake shore (at first along the beach, after- TOWN OF WEST SENECA. 503 ward a little farther back;) the other pursued a somewhat devious course from Buffalo to "Stephen's Mill," now the village of East Au- rora: its track being now occupied by the Buffalo and Aurora plank road. At a little later date a road was opened from East Hamburg, which ran across the territory of West Seneca south of Cazenove creek, and another from Abbott's Corners, which united with the former inside the present limits of Buffalo. As the Indians had no “pathmasters” and did not work on the roads, these highways across the reservation were generally in a wretched bondition. In 1826, as narrated in the general history, several tracts were sold off from the reservation, but the whole of the territory of West Seneca still remained in the possession of the red men. At that time, also, or a little later, Mr. Reuben Sackett was permitted by the Indians to build a framed tavern on the East Hamburg road, a little east of where a branch left it to cross Cazenove creek to the Aurora road. "The old Sackett stand" was a famous hostlery throughout the time when the Indians occupied the reservation; and it was long after known by that appellation. When the water in the creek was low, travelers from Aurora usually crossed the Cazenove on to the East Hamburg road, passing by the Sackett stand and crossing over a bridge to the Aurora road at the point subsequently occupied by the "Westcott stand.” This route was no longer and much better than the one on the north side of the creek. In 1829 a church was erected by a missionary society on the reser- vation north of Cazenove creek, near the line between West Seneca and Buffalo. Previous to this time the influence of Red Jacket and other pagan leaders had been sufficient to prevent the erection of a church or the residence of a missionary on the reservation. But age and dissipa- tion had then greatly enfeebled his powers, (he died in January, 1830,) and the Christian Indians were able to obtain their desire. The Rev. Asher Wright was appointed as a missionary; he resided near the mission house and labored faithfully among the Indians until their removal, and went with them to the Cattaraugus Reservation. Old residents give the names of the following white men as having been permitted by the Indians, for various reasons, to reside upon the reservation before it was sold, either within the present limits of West Seneca or close to the line: Isaac Earl, George Hopper, John Wells, Joel Decker, Peter Beal and Artemas Baker. In 1838 the first treaty was made for the sale of the Buffalo Creek reservation. The first council was held at a council house on the Ebenezer flats, near to or on the farm of George Jimeson. Before any business of importance was transacted, the house was burned by the party opposed to the treaty. The commissioners of the United States in charge of the proceedings, had a new one built of boards on the 504 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. south side of Cazenove creek near Sackett's tavern. We have narrated at sufficient length in Chapters XII. and XIII. of the general history, the rejection of the treaty by the chiefs assembled in council (caused by intimidation, according to the friends of the treaty), the permission granted by the commissioner to the chiefs to sign at Buffalo, the means adopted to secure a doubtful majority and the four years of dispute, crimination and re-crimination which ensued. Suffice it to say here that in 1842 a compromise was adopted by which the Indians gave up the Buffalo Creek reservation for a handsome price, and retained the Cat- taraugus and Allegany reservations. After a year or two allowed for preparation they moved away in 1843 and 1844. The Ogden Company, an association of capitalists who had long before bought the fee-simple of the reservations, proceeded to survey and sell the tract acquired with so much difficulty. In 1842 or 1843 three agents came from Germany to purchase a large tract of land for a religious community in that country who decided to emigrate to the United States. To them the Ogden Company sold a tract of about five thousand acres, comprising the northern and central portion of the pres- ent town of West Seneca. The purchase was soon increased by another of between two and three thousand acres, the whole tract containing seven thousand six hundred and twenty-two acres, and extending east into the present town of Elma. In 1844 several hundred of the colonists appeared at their new homes. Before, however, attempting to describe the proceedings of this peculiar fraternity, we will glance at the southern and southwestern portions of the territory of West Seneca. These districts were then in the town of Hamburg, (which included East Hamburg), and many citizens of that town purchased farms on the new and comparatively cheap land then offered to them. Many also came from other towns and counties. We cannot give the order of their settlement, but in seven or eight years the whole southern and south- western part of what is now West Seneca, extending from Lake Erie nearly to the "West Transit," were well occupied by active farmers; the majority Americans and the remainder Germans. In the list of set- tlers may be found the names of S. Wasson, T. Humphreyville, R. Cald- well, E. Salisbury, L. Farnham, J. Farnham, J. Dole, W. P. Stambach, Aaron Pierce, G. Pierce, T. Scott, G. Cogswell, B. White, Nelson Reed, W. Chase, A. C. Hoag, P. Logan, H. Hoag, I. Hoag, J. Farthing, J. Sut- ton, D. Baird, W. F. Adams, J. Kennedy, J. Stamp, H. Felton, J. Shut- tleworth, M. Crooker, J. Bedford, G. Starkweather, J. Whaley, S. Stod- dard, Levi Ballou, Morgan L. Whitney, Ira Deuel, J. Hoerner, H. Fried- rich, Dr. F. Jost, Erasmus Briggs, W. Tyrer, C. Stephan, A. Leonard, E. Madden, William Schudt, J. Davis, J. King, C. White, J. Wirth, M. Covey, P, Metzger and J. Rose. Aside from farming, the only occupation seems to have been hotel- keeping, which flourished extensively, as immense quantities of wood, TOWN OF WEST SENEca. 505 lumber, grain and vegetables were then hauled to the city by teams, which are now drawn on cars. Two or three hotels were built at the junction of the cross-road from East Hamburg with the Aurora road, where Jesse Westcott, William T. Deuel and others flourished many years; the Sackett stand was kept open; "The House that Jack Built," erected and kept by Robert I. Jackson, was a celebrated, though humble hostlery, near the present Elma line; B. D. Hoag had a hotel on the Abbott road, just south of the city line, etc., etc. We will now revert to the people who occupied the central and northern parts of the territory under consideration. In 1844, as we have stated, a portion of them crossed the ocean, and the remainder came over in 1845; the whole numbering about two thousand persons, mostly from Rhenish Prussia and Hesse. They called their tract and settlements here" Ebenezer," by which name the community itself was also known by the Americans, and by which name it will be designated in these pages, but we are informed that among its members it was known by a German phrase, meaning "The Community of Inspiration." They estab- lished two principal villages, one called Lower Ebenezer, near the center of the present town of West Seneca, and one named Middle Ebenezer, a mile and a half north, on Cayuga creek. There was also a small settle- ment called Upper Ebenezer, but that was in Lancaster, now Elma. They likewise erected a grist-mill, a saw-mill, a tannery and a few houses on Cazenove creek, a short distance south of Lower Ebenezer. At a later date they erected a factory and mill on Buffalo creek, above Mid- dle Ebenezer, calling the place New Ebenezer. The Ebenezer society had many peculiar customs. They held all their property in common, and a law was passed by the Legislature mak- ing them a body corporate for sixteen years. The entire control of the property and the entire management of the business, the labor and the subsistence of the people, were vested by their customs in a board of managers—we believe nine in number-who were called trustees in the law, but were termed elders by the people under their charge, although they were not religious officials. The chief of these, at least in their dealings with the outer world, was Charles Meyer, a native of the city of Hamburg, who had been a merchant of Brazil, and was a most excel- lent man of business. The Hon. George R. Babcock, of Buffalo, was their legal adviser. The elders assigned every individual, old or young, male or female, to such location and such labor as they deemed most advantageous to the community. They directed what buildings should be erected, what lands should be plowed, what crops should be sowed. The villages before mentioned are composed of large frame houses, each of which contained several families; in fact, it is said that the house now occupied by Nicholas Steelwheuer, in Lower Ebenezer, had at one time thirty- 506 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. five families as inmates, and that other structures were equally crowded, but this was doubtless on the first arrival of the people before the neces- sary buildings could be erected. As a rule, ample provision was made for the comfort of the members. In each house the cooking was done. in a large kitchen and the meals were eaten at a common table, but each family had a separate bed-room. So strict was their discipline that a member was not allowed to go from one settlement to another without a written authority from an official. They were not required to work very hard, three or four men being often seen with one team loading logs or timber which a smart Yankee would have handled alone. Women worked in the fields, though generally in separate bands from the men, and it was a remarkable sight to American eyes to see a long row of women reaping grain or doing other out-door work. They strenuously avoided all conflicts, either among themselves or with outsiders. The State authorities once sent a circular to the trustees as they did to other local officials, asking how many paupers there were among them, how many crimes and misdemeanors had been committed in a specified time, and we believe how many law suits there had been in the same time, with other similar questions. The reply was brief and simple: There were no paupers among them; none of them had ever received any relief from the civil authorities; none of them had, so far as known, committed any crime or misdemeanor, and none of them had ever had a law suit, either with another member or an outsider. One or two disputes with Americans had been settled by the trustees without suit. It should be added that everything produced by the community was of the best quality and was always found to be strictly as recom- mended. 46 Of their religious belief and practices little was known by Ameri- cans. Their creed seems to have resembled somewhat that of the Friends," with a slight infusion of Spiritualism. They held prayers every day, but depended largely on spiritual insight rather than on reg- ular services. There were one or more persons who were accorded a prominence in this insight, who usually took the lead in speaking in their religious assemblies, and who were often called "Prophets" by outsiders, although we do not think that name was applied to them by their own. people. For twelve or fifteen years both the men of Ebenezer and the Ameri. cans living in the southern and western part of the territory of West Seneca were busily engaged in removing the forest and bringing the land into cultivation, save where such work had been anticipated by the desultory labor of Indians and squaws. As the tract joined the city of Buffalo, it was speedily occupied by prosperous farmers, who erected good buildings, so that West Seneca hardly knew anything of the rude, log-house era which was passed through by almost every other town. TOWN OF WEST SENECA. 507 By 1855 the greater part of it had the appearance of a long-settled district. The Ebenezer experiment was successful in a financial point of view, but not otherwise. The land of the community more than quadrupled in value, aside from the buildings placed on it, and all their products. found a ready market at remunerative prices. But many of their young people became uneasy on account of the strict discipline, and the near- ness of Buffalo and the close neighborhood of thousands of other Ger- mans tended greatly to encourage the spirit of unrest. Public opinion, too, looked unfavorably on a system so contrary to all American ideas, and it was considered doubtful whether their charter would be renewed. And finally they wanted more land. So in 1856 the managers purchased a large tract in Iowa, and pro- ceeded to sell their property in West Seneca, Hon. George R. Babcock being their agent. They divided the land into suitable tracts and fixed their price and terms on each. In 1857 Mr. Babcock began selling, but in a few months the financial crisis of that year stopped the sales, and after waiting a while for better times the managers made a general reduc- tion of prices. But a hundred thousand dollars' worth of land had already been sold, some entirely for cash and some principally on time. Considering it just that tracts of equal value should be sold for equal prices, the trustees reduced the cost of the land already sold, in the same proportion as that still on sale; not only releasing a corresponding amount on the mortgages they held, but refunding a due proportion to those who had paid for their land in cash. The managers soon began transferring their people to Iowa; doing the work so carefully and slowly that no one went thither until there was a home and work ready for him. The Legislature extended the charter for a few years, and it was not until 1863 or 1864 that all were removed. The land they had occupied was almost all bought by Germans, who also bought the houses in the village. In these they lived while working the ground outside, thus reproducing, to some extent, the customs of a German rural district. The mills at Cazenove creek, with sixty acres of adjoining land, were sold to John Saxe (the present town clerk) for $10,- 000. Nicholas Steelwheuer and Frederick Wendling are engaged in mercantile business near Lower Ebenezer. The woolen factory at Mid- dle Ebenezer passed into the hands of J. Schoeflin & Son, who removed the old machinery and engaged extensively in the manufacture of cider mills, horse-powers, etc. The factory at New Ebenezer was burned. The Ebenezer postoffice was retained at Lower Ebenezer, while a new one was established at Middle Ebenezer, by the name of "Gardenville," which is superseding the former appellation as the name of the village. The rest of West Seneca has changed but little in the last twenty years, as the nearness of the city prevents the growth of villages. No 508 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. less than five railroads cross the town-the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern; The New York, Chicago & St. Louis (the track of which is also occupied by a branch of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia ;) the Buffalo & Southwestern; The Buffalo branch of the Rochester & Pittsburg; and the main line of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia. All but the last one named run across the narrow tract in the southwest- ern corner of the town; the main line of the Buffalo, New York & Phil- adelphia road runs nearly east and west, having a depot about midway between Lower Ebenezer and Gardenville. Besides the postoffices at Gardenville and Ebenezer, there is one called "Reserve" at Schudt's corners, (named from William Schudt, one of the earliest settlers and the present postmaster) and one called "West Seneca," on the line of the L. S. & M. S. and the B. & S. W. railroads. When Erie county was first settled the territory of West Seneca was a part of the town of Batavia, Genesee county, but in 1804 it was made a part of the town of Erie, which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, with the "West Transit" as its eastern boundary. In 1808 it was divided between Willink and Clarence (Niagara county); the line being the present south line of Buffalo, extended east through the county. The northern portion of the town became a part of Buffalo in 1810, of Amherst in 1818 and of Cheektowaga in 1839. The southern portion was transferred to Hamburg in 1812 and remained a part of it nearly forty years. Until the purchase of the reservation from the Indians the authority of the towns over the territory of West Seneca was merely nominal, but after 1842 it became as potent as elsewhere. In 1849, an attempt was made to establish a town with substantially the same boundaries as West. Seneca now has, under the name of Red Jacket. It failed, however, and although the name was in a certain sense appropriate, the people do not seem to have liked it. In 1850, the southeastern part of the territory under consideration was transferred from Hamburg to East Hamburg. On the 16th day of October, 1851, the town of "Seneca" was formed by the board of supervisors, with the same boundaries as the present town of West Seneca. The next spring the name was changed to West Seneca to prevent confusion with another "Seneca" lying farther east. The following are the names of the supervisors of West Seneca, with their years of service: Levi Ballou, 1852; Erasmus Briggs, 1853-'55; Levi Ballou, 1856; Aaron Pierce, 1857-58; John G. Langner, 1859-'61; Nelson Reed, 1862; Richard Caldwell, 1863-'64; Charles A. James, 1865-'66; Aaron Pierce, 1867-'70; Nelson Reed, 1871-'73; Victor Irr, 1874-'76; William A. Pratt, 1877-'80; Henry Kirkover, 1881-'83. Town Clerks, Morgan L. Whitney, 1852-'53; Ira Deuel, 1854-'55: William T. Deuel, 1856; Levi Ballou, Jr., 1857-'59; Ira Deuel, 1860–’65 ; Lewis Steelbinger, 1866-'67; John Saxe, 1868; Philip Schudt, 1869; TOWN OF WEST SENECA. 509 Bernhart Fischer, 1870; Michel Horner, 1871; John Ambrust, 1872; Frederick Wendling, 1873-'77; Casper Danhiser, 1878-'80; Charles Schoeplin, 1881; Casper Danhiser, 1882-'83; John Saxe, (appointed in place of Danhiser, deceased,) 1883. The Fourteen Holy Helpers' Church of Gardenville (Roman Cath- olic) was formed in 1864, and soon afterwards a large church edifice of brick was erected. There being many residents of the city who pass the summer months in the vicinity, it became necessary to enlarge the build- ing, and during the year 1883 a story was added to it in height and a tower and vestibule were erected. The present pastor is the Rev. Father Charles Leppert. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Gardenville was also organized in 1864, and a church edifice erected in 1869. The following have been the clergymen in charge: Rev. Messrs. F. Menzel, A. Zernechi, F. Slat- terment, H. C. Kahler, and A. C. Kess, the present incumbent. The Evangelical Association of Ebenezer was organized at Lower Ebenezer in 1860, by Rev. Edward Miller; the early meetings being held in private houses. A house of worship was erected in 1865. The fol- lowing are the clergymen who have succeeded Mr. Miller: Rev. Messrs. John Greuzebach, John Earich, A. Klein, 1864-'65; Theodore Schneider, 1866; F. Lohmeyer, 1867-'68; Philip Miller, 1869-'70; C. L. Witt, 1871-'72; C. Steepe, 1873-'75; John Greuzebach, 1880 to the present time. The assistants have been A. Klein, A. Leuscher, P. Glautz, A. Schlenk, H. Tamm, Bernheimer, H. Moenger, Jacob Eperling and John Schenk. John Witzig is the present class- leader and Henry Glantz the exhorter. The church is prosperous and contains about sixty members. The German Reformed church of Ebenezer was organized on the first of October, 1863, by Rev. L. Groshuesch, when C. R. Minnig was chosen elder, and Nicholas Steelwheuer and John Murbach were elected deacons. The society purchased the present parsonage, in which meet- ings were held until 1872, when the edifice now in use was erected. The following pastors have officiated: Rev. Messrs. L. Groshuesch, John Knie, C. H. Heberle and John Rocek. The present elders are C. R. Minnig, J. Hammerschmidt, Joachim Krackt and Nicholas Steelwheuer. The deacons are John Scharlock, George Frey, John Nagel and Charles Bemann. The German Evangelical St. Peter's Church,(near Reserve postoffice) was organized in the year 1855, under the auspices of the Rev. Dr. Burger, of St. Paul's Evangelical Church, of Buffalo. The neat house of worship now in use was built in 1852. The church contains sixty families numbering three hundred souls. The pastors have been the Rev. Messrs. Paul, Rieger, Kappenberger, Lowfinch, Althaus, Beyer, Von Schulenburg, Schoffer and C. R. Beyer, the present incumbent. 510 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The Evangelical Lutheran Church, was organized on the 28th of January, 1850, when Gottfried Grotke, Adam Koch and Michael and Mr. Eschrich were elected trustees. The church contains one hundred and twelve families numbering five hundred and twelve souls. There is a parochial school under the superintendence of the minister, with one hundred pupils. The first minister was Rev. Ernest Moritz Burger, and the present one is Rev. William Dahlke. St. John's Protectory, was originated by the late Bishop Timon. The society which controls it was incorporated in 1864, as the "Society for the protection of Roman Catholic children of the city of Buffalo." Ample buildings were erected at the locality known as Limestone Hill, and the Rev. Father Hines was installed as superintendent. He contin- ued in charge until 1882, when the Rev. Nelson H. Baker was appointed. The Protectory is governed by a board of 'fifteen managers (of whom Right Rev. S. V. Ryan, the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese, is the president) who assemble quarterly for the transaction of business. There are at present seventy-five inmates; all the studies of the ordinary school are taught, as well as the various trades, such as chair-making, wood-carving, printing, electrotyping, shoe-making and iron-moulding. The establishment has all of the necessary shops for such work, and a foundry. There is also a parochial school with thirty-five scholars, con- nected with the Protectory, and under the direction of the super- intendent. St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum, originated in the city of Buffalo, in 1849, the year of the cholera. It was removed to Lancaster in 1850 and incorporated in 1851. It remained in Lancaster until 1854, when it was again removed to Buffalo, and it was finally transferred to West Seneca in 1872. It is located in the vicinity of the Protectory and is under the same general management, but does not derive its support from the same It has been under the direction of Sister Elizabeth since 1879. About sixty orphans are, on an average, received yearly. They are given good care and instruction, and when they are old enough homes are provided for them among farmers or mechanics, according to their inclinations and abilities. source. TOWN OF HAMBURG. 511 CHAPTER XLVIII. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HAMBURG. T 'HE town of Hamburg* lies in the western part of Erie county; being bounded on the north by West Seneca, on the cast by East Hamburg, on the south by Eden and a small part of Boston, on the southwest by Evans and on the west by Lake Erie. The surface is rol- ling in the eastern part; the soil being mostly a clayey loam. In the western part it is level, with a gentle inclination towards the lake. In the southeast, along Eighteen Mile creek, gravel is found in abundance. The soil of the town is easy of tillage and excellent for the production of grains, grasses and fruits. It is difficult to tell who was the first white settler in the territory of Hamburg. There are no records of any sales by the Holland Company there in 1803, except one to John Cummings on Eighteen Mile creek. Old residents, however, unite in saying that there were several residents in the western part of the town in that year, most of whom are recorded as buying land a little later. We find the Van Namee and Hicks families, from Herkimer county and the lower Mohawk, set- tled upon the lake shore in 1803, besides Ebenezer Goodrich, who is sup- posed to have been there a few weeks previous to their coming. Daniel Camp, also, settled near "Athol Spring" early in that year. There were several others who came into that locality in 1803, among whom were John Cummings, Nelson Whittiger and Ebenezer Ingersoll. Mr. Ingersoll, at a later period, purchased land on both sides of Eighteen Mile creek, and was the largest farmer in the county in his day. Leon- ard Van Namee, a son of John Van Namee, one of the settlers of 1803, is still living at the age of eighty-three; he well remembers, when but a boy, of carrying corn and wheat upon his back through the wilderness to the grist-mill, below Water Valley, and other incidents of pioneer life. Mr. Cummings, accompanied by another man whose name is not remem- bered, went up Eighteen Mile creek to find a mill site in 1803 or 1804. We are told by Mr. Joseph McGee, the present owner of the old mill site, that the two men encamped for the night near the creek, and while his companion was building a fire to cook their supper, Cummings went. up the stream to reconnoitre; on reaching a bend in the creek, he caught *There has been considerable discussion as to whether this name should or should not have a final "h." We are clearly of the opinion that "Hamburg" is the correct orthography. The German city from which this town is named is Hamburg; the German common noun which forms a part of that name is Burg," and the English word derived from it is also "Burg," according to the best author- ity. While the laudable tendency of our age and country is to avoid superfluous letters as far as possible, it would show a curious desire for needless trouble for Americans to add an extra letter to a European word of established orthography. 33 512 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. sight of the Falls, and at once returned to camp and reported that he had found the object of their search. The mill was not raised until 1805 or 1806. It was the first grist-mill in the territory of Erie county south of the reservation, except a very small, rude corn mill in East Hamburg. Men came to the "raising" from all directions and from long distances, but there were not enough to put the timbers in their places. Then Cummings sent to the reservation and obtained the assist- ance of a large number of Indians. These being, doubtless, stimulated by ample rations of whisky, gave zealous aid, but it was four days after the work was begun before it was completed. Mr. Cummings died soon after the mill was finished; his body being the first one buried in the old cemetery in that part of the town. At the first settlement in 1803, the territory of Hamburg was a part of the town of Batavia, Genesee county. In 1804 it was made a part of the town of Erie, in the same county, a long, narrow town, extending from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario. The town business was transacted at Buffalo. There was a considerable accession to the population of Hamburg in 1805. Two of the most prominent of the new comers were Nathaniel Titus and Rufus Belden, who have been thought by some to have been the first settlers in the town. We believe, however, after investigating the subject, that those already named were earlier residents. Mr. Titus opened a tavern that year on the lake shore just south of the reservation, the first of which we can learn in the present town of Hamburg. His license was issued by the authorities of the town of "Erie," to which Hamburg then belonged. Other purchasers of land in 1805 were Jotham. Bemis, Tyler Sackett, Russell Goodrich, Abel Buck, Gideon Dudley, Samuel P. Hibbard, King Root and Winslow Perry. Abner Amsdell also settled on the lake shore in that year; his son Abner, then eleven years old, survived until a very recent period in an extremely active old age. At that time there was no road up the lake, and travelers used the lake beach for that purpose. It served tolerably well, except where streams were to be crossed; there much difficulty and danger were often experienced. (( In 1806 or 1807, Jacob Wright located himself at the point after- wards known as "Abbott's Corners," and soon opened a tavern there. A small hamlet grew up around him, which for several years was known as Wright's Corners." About the same time Daniel Smith, who had a little corn-mill in what is now East Hamburg, moved it over to Eighteen Mile creek, just above the site of Hamburg village. His dam was of the most primitive construction; he felled a big hemlock so that it lay partly across the stream, fastened other logs to it and thus obstructed the water, so that it ran around the end of the tree with sufficient force to carry his mill. TOWN OF HAMBURG. 513 A little later, (probably in 1808) Daniel Smith and his brother, Rich- ard, (subsequently known as Judge Smith), built a grist-mill near the site of Long's mill at Hamburg. As business grew up around it the locality became known as "Smith's Mills," a name which it bore for fifteen years or more. Until 1808 the people in the territory of Hamburg had to go to Buffalo to transact all town business. In the reorganization of the Hol- land Purchase in that year, as described in Chapter XIII. of the general history, that territory became a part of the town of Willink, (Niagara county), which comprised all of the present county of Erie south of the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. In 1810 or 1811 a saw-mill was built at Water Valley, but there was no bridge there then, as the early settlers of Eden mention their crossing Eighteen Mile creek on the ice at that point about that time. On the 20th day of March, 1812, the Legislature formed the town of Hamburg from Willink. It embraced the present towns of Hamburg and East Hamburg and a small part of Evans, and its nominal jurisdic- tion extended north to the center of Buffalo Creek reservation, embrac- ing a part of the present town of West Seneca. The early records of Hamburg are in a very good state of preservation, and we glean from them the first officials chosen, together with the substance of the first resolutions passed. The first town-meeting was held on the 7th of April, 1812. The records say: "In pursuance of publick and official notice, certified by the former town-clerk of Willink, the inhabitants of Hamburgh met at the house of Jacob Wright in said town of Hamburgh. Notice being given of the division, name, etc., of said town, proceeded to business and elected David Eddy, supervisor; Samuel Hawkins, town clerk; Isaac Chandler, Richard Smith and N. Whitticer, assessors; Abner Wilson, constable and collector, by a vote, Nathaniel Clark and Thomas Fish, overseers of the poor; Joseph Brown, John Green and Amasa Smith, commissioners of highways; Daniel Smith, Gilbert Wright and Benjamin Henshaw, constables; Jotham Bemis and Abner Amsdell, pound masters. It was voted that five dollars be paid over by last year's supervisor to the present poor master, to discharge our poor debt." The meeting adjourned to the next day when it was voted :- "That on wolves and panthers taken within this town, there shall be paid five dollars per head." Besides the officials named above, some of the leading citizens of the original town of Hamburg at the time of its formation were Seth Abbott, William Coltrin, Ebenezer Goodrich, Cotton Fletcher, John Green, Samuel Abbott, Benjamin Enos, Pardon Pierce, Giles Sage, William Warriner, Joseph Albert and Zenas Smith. These names are taken from two political committees as published in the Buffalo Gazette of that era; those before Giles Sage in the list being "Federalists" and the latter ones "Republicans.” } 514 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In the following June, war was declared against Great Britain, much alarm was felt throughout the town, especially near the lake shore, as at that time the Americans had no armed vessels on Lake Erie and two or three British men of war completely controlled it. The Queen Char- lotte (of twenty-two guns) kept the people of Hamburg in constant alarm during the summer of 1812 by sailing along a short distance from land, and several times sent foraging parties on shore. Some eatables and live stock were carried off, but no great harm was done. One incident of this period is related by Mr. Leonard McNamee; when the war was declared two young men of his neighborhood were working in Canada and were probably enrolled in the Canadian militia. Ere long they slyly returned home. A short time afterwards another neighbor inveigled them back in company with him on some pretext, and on their arrival, gave them up to the Canadian authorities as deserters and received a reward, while they were severely punished for their alleged desertion. During the war the Hamburg militia was frequently called out for service on the frontier, but no special records of those services have been preserved. Among the officers were Captain Benjamin I. Clough and Surgeon William Warriner, of Hamburg. Besides the ordinary militia, a company of "Silver Greys" as they were called, (men exempted by age from military duty) was organized in Hamburg, under Captain Jotham Bemis. As a farther defence against the foe, especially against the In- dians, Captain Bemis' barn was surrounded by a stockade consisting of logs about fifteen feet long, hewn so as to fit closely together, and set side by side about three feet in the ground. Loop-holes were made for rifles, and the stockade would have been a good defence against any weapons but artillery. We are informed that there was also a block-house in the town, but cannot give the locality. At the time of the battle of Black Rock and destruction of Buffalo, three residents of the old town of Ham- burg were slain, Newman Baker, Parley Moffatt and William Cheeseman. After the war numerous immigrants came into the town; so numer ous in fact, that we cannot give an account of them. Judge Zenas Barker purchased the old Titus tavern, at the bend of the lake, during or immediately after the war, but does not seem to have kept it long. A postoffice was, however, established there by the name of Barkersville. Lewis T. White, who came into Hamburg in 1817, mentions, as residents. along the lake shore at that time, Bird & Foster, successors to Judge Barker at Bay View, Jacob A. Barker, Daniel Brayman, Caleb Pierce, Lansing and Seymour Whitticer, the Shepard, Amsdell, Barnard, Jack- son, Van Namee, Hicks, Camp, Beach, Abbott, Goodrich and Ingersoll families. The lake shore road was the main route of travel from the East to the West, and it is said that at one time there were almost as many taverns as private houses on it. TOWN OF HAMBURG. 515 All over the town the work of improvement went rapidly forward. Farms were cleared up, log houses gave place to framed ones, and the fertile soil was rapidly brought into a state of high cultivation. On account of a change of the principal business men, the names of the growing villages of "Wright's Corners" and "Smith's Mills" were grad- ually changed, the former to "Abbott's Corners," and the latter to "White's Corners." When Erie county was formed, in 1821, there were two postoffices in Hamburg; "Smithville," at Smith's Mills (or White's Corners) and "Barkersville," at the old Barker tavern on the lake shore. The same year another was established at East Hamburg, making three in the old town of Hamburg. No other town in the county, except Buffalo, had more than one. This was evidently considered as far too liberal an allow- ance, for the next year they were all discontinued, and a new one called "Hamburg" was established at Abbott's Corners.* This latter village was for a long time the principal business place in the town. In 1826 the sale of the "Mile-Strip" off from the south side of the Buffalo Creek reservation added materially to the available area of Ham- burg and the tract in question was speedily occupied. In the same year a small fraction of that town was transferred to Evans. During the "patriot war," of 1837-'38, the Canadian insurgents had many sympathizers in Hamburg, and at least two movements looking to the invasion of Canada were made within its borders. In January, 1838, a body of militia went from Buffalo to the "head of the turnpike (the old Barker stand) and thence two or three miles out on the ice, where they captured thirty or forty "patriots" encamped, waiting for a good chance to invade Canada by the ice-route. In February following, Colo- nel (afterwards General) Worth with some regulars and militia, dispersed a body of four hundred patriots, who had assembled at "Comstock's tavern," in Hamburg, for a similar purpose. The purchase of the remainder of the Buffalo Creek reservation, in 1842, largely increased the actual, though not the nominal, area of Ham- burg, and the tract purchased was quickly put under cultivation. It was about this time that "Hamburg cheese" gained its wide- spread celebrity. We believe that the first dairy which adopted the name was in what is now East Hamburg, but the whole town was dis- tinguished for the excellence of its cheese, which gained a fame reaching from the eastern cities, where it was consumed, to the western prairies, where it was imitated. By 1840 there was a considerable settlement of Germans in the town and their numbers have increased until they have become a very im- portant part of the population. * There had previously been a postoffice called " Hamburg" at John Green's tavern in East Hamburg, but it had been discontinued before 1821. 516 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In 1850 the town of Ellicott (now East Hamburg) was formed from Hamburg. The next year a small part of the new town of Seneca (now West Seneca) was taken from the north end of Hamburg, which was thus reduced to its present area. The line between Hamburg and East Hamburg ran through the village of Abbott's Corners, although the greater part of it was left in the former town. The town business was at once transferred to White's Corners, which was already more flourish- ing than its rival, and the former village has since engrossed nearly all of the commercial business of the town. In the war for the Union the young men of Hamburg were certainly not behind their brethren of other towns, and within the public and pri- vate cemeteries lie many who sacrificed their lives for the supremacy of the government; among these are August Ausalum, Victor Rudolff, J. Le Roy Barber, Francis P. Barker, Captain B. K. Buxton, Joseph Mills, Addison Odell, Joseph Muhlfeet, George Manchester, George Buck- miller, Samuel McCulloch, Alonzo P. Snyder, Osmer Eighme, Silas A. Oaks and Robert Ostrander. The services of the various Erie county regiments of volunteers are described in the general history, as are those of the Ninety-eighth New York Militia; commanded by Colonel George Abbott, of Hamburg village. Since the war the most important event which has occured in Ham- burg has been the construction of the Buffalo & Jamestown railroad, completed in 1875, and now known as the Buffalo & South Western rail- road, though controlled by the New York, Lake Erie & Western Company. We conclude this sketch of the town at large with a list of the supervisors and town clerks. The town records from 1837 to 1850 inclu- sive are lost. The names of the supervisors have been preserved else- where; those of the town clerks for those years are absent. Of the offi- cials who served before 1850, of course many reside in what is now East Hamburg. The list is as follows:- Supervisors. David Eddy, 1812; Samuel Abbott, 1813; Richard Smith, 1814; Lemuel Wasson, 1815; Richard Smith, 1816; Isaac Chand- ler, 1817; Richard Smith, 1818; Abner Wilson, 1819; Lemuel Wasson, 1820-24; Thomas T. White, 1825; Joseph Foster, 1826-29; Elisha Smith, 1830-'41; Isaac Deuel, 1842; Joseph Foster, 1843; Clark Dart, 1844; Amos Chilcott, 1845; Clark Dart, 1846; Isaac Deuel, 1847-'48 ; Jesse Bartoo, 1849; Jacob Potter, 1850; John Clark, 1851-'52; Ira Barn- ard, 1853-'55; George W. Barnard, 1856; Morris Osborn, 1857-'58; James S. Parkhill, 1859; Noel White, 1860–'61; Allen K. Dart, 1862–’65 ; George M. Pierce, 1866-'67; Robert C. Titus, 1868-'71; George M. Pierce, 1872-'73; Horace W. White, 1874-'76; Andrel Stein, 1877-'80; Harvey S. Spencer, 1881-'82; J. S. Newton, 1883. Town Clerks.-Samuel Hawkins, 1812; Amasa Smith, 1813-'15; Samuel Hawkins, 1816; Abner Wilson, 1817; Nathan Williams, 1818; TOWN OF HAMBURG. 517 Samuel Hawkins, 1819-'20; Amasa Smith, 1821-'28; Isaac Deuel, 1829-'30; Aaron Parker, 1831-32: John S. Weld, 1833-'36; William H. Brown, 1851; Poltis Colvin, 1852; Philander Rathbone, 1853-56; Marcus Schwert, 1857; Philander Rathbone, 1858-'60; Elihu Johnson, 1861-'64; Charles Hewson, 1866-'69; Elihu Johnson, 1870; George Federspiel, 1871; Edward S.. Nott, 1872-'80; George Kopp, 1881; F. J. Schumer 1882 and '83. HAMBURG VILLAGE. The beginning of this village was the building of a grist-mill* there by Richard and David Smith, about 1808, as before stated. A little later the firm of Root & Bliss built a tannery there. The hamlet was known as Smith's Mills from that time until at least 1820. Orson Bennett began selling goods there about the close of the war of 1812. Lewis T. White who came with his parents to the village in 1817, and was long a business man of the place, and many years a magistrate, informs us that when his father, Thomas T. White, came there, Mr. Bennett and a Mr. Beaman were engaged in selling merchandise and Ralph Shepard was keeping a hotel. In 1820 the place was still called Smith's Mills, and in that year a postoffice called Smithville was estab lished there, with Ralph Shepard as the postmaster; it was discontinued in 1822. About 1820 Thomas T. White engaged in trade on the corner of Main and Buffalo streets, and was the leading business man within a circuit of many miles; whence the place gradually became known as White's Corners, retaining the name for fifty years; indeed, it is often referred to by that appellation at the present time. The village grew slowly until 1850. After the construction of the Buffalo and White's Corners plank road, about that time, its increase was more rapid and since the construction of the Buffalo & Jamestown (now Buffalo & South Western) railroad, completed in 1875, it has become a very flourishing village. On the 9th of May, 1874, the citizens voted to be incorporated and elected the following officers: G. M. Pierce, H. S. Spenser, G. A. Schmidt, J. Ritten, T. L. Bunting, Andrel Stein and A. C. Calkins, trus- tees; G. M. Pierce, president; T. L. Bunting, treasurer; Andrel Stein, collector; A. C. Calkins, clerk. The first school was organized in the village in 1820, in an adjoining district, now a part of the Union School district; each patron was required to furnish one-fourth of a cord of wood prepared for the stove, upon the demand of the teacher or a trustee, and upon failure to do so the trustees were directed to collect from the delinquent two shillings per cord, or six cents for the required amount. one. *This was a small mill and in the course of a few years was removed to make room for a larger It was used on the corner of Main and Buffalo streets for several years as a store and in 1858 was removed to the present site, where it is known as the Stratmyer blacksmith shop. It is the old- st building in the village. 518 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In 1849 a large two-story brick building was erected for school pur- poses, arranged for two departments; but it soon proved inadequate and in 1868 the present commodious structure was built at a cost of $14,000 and a Union school was organized with the following board of education: Rev. A. J. Wilcox, president; S. E. S. H. Nott, secretary; Dr. George Abbott, chairman of executive committee; Dr. G. A. Schmidt, Dr. L. R. Leach, A. C. Calkins, Charles Sigel, Allen K. Dart, Joseph Kronenburg, O. C. Pierce and George Federspiel. The school was opened under the charge of C. W. Richards, Miss Olive North and Miss Hattie Dalrymple, all graduates of the Oswego Normal school. It has a valuable library of seven hundred volumes and a good laboratory. We have already mentioned the first grist-mill at Hamburg village. A larger one which took its place a few years later, was carried away in a January freshet in 1822, but Mr. Mills, the father of John T. Mills, immediately rebuilt it. John T. Mills subsequently became the owner of the property, and sold it to Abram Long about 1827. Increase of busi- ness compelled Mr. Isaac Long, a son of Abram Long, to enlarge his facilities, and in 1856 he built the present brick structure which he still occupies. It is one of the best mills in the county, with a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. The old mill stands near the brick one, being used as a barn. The tannery built by Root & Bliss about 1808, was purchased by Thomas T. White some ten years later. His son, Lewis T. White, sold it to John Sigel, the present owner, in 1840. Mr. Sigel is now extensively engaged in the manufacture of sole-leather. In 1825, Willard Berry. built a cloth mill near Long's flour mill; it was burned a few years later and was not rebuilt. In 1879 Horace Dart erected a planing mill near Hamburg Station. While raising the smoke stack, a portion of it fell upon and fatally injured Mr. Dart, which caused a suspension of the work. A stock-company was formed on the 5th of May, 1883, (with James Taylor as president, T. L. Bunting as secretary, and William S. Newton as treasurer), which purchased the property in question and appears to have entered upon a successful career. The Hamburg Axe Company, (joint stock) was organized in 1881, but for some reason the machinery is now idle. An establishment of great convenience to the farming community is the canning factory, which furnishes a ready market for fruits and vege- tables at remunerative prices. The company which carries it on was formed in the spring of 1881, with a capital of $30,000. G. M. Pierce was made president, and T. L. Bunting, secretary and treasurer. Large buildings were erected near the railroad and furnished with improved machinery. The ready sale found by the goods of the company shows them to be of excellent quality. TOWN OF HAMBURG. 519 Dr. Daniel Allen was in practice in Hamburg (then Smith's Mills) in 1817. Drs. Hyde, Foot, Howard and Camp also practiced there. Dr. James Allen located there about 1826 and was a successful practitioner until 1851, when he died of cholera. Dr. George A.Schmidt came in 1848 and was followed by Dr.George Abbott in 1852. The same year came Dr. Paige, who died in 1855, and Dr. Webster, a Botanic physician, who soon moved to the West. In 1854, Dr. Leach began to practice, but soon after gave up medicine and engaged in dentistry, in which he is still employed. Dr. Beckwith followed, but soon removed to Angola. Dr. F. W. Bart- lett succeeded Beckwith, but remained only a year. Dr. Nott, formerly of Abbott's Corners, removed to Buffalo, but in a few years settled at Hamburg where he still remains as a practicing physician and druggist. Dr. Turner, a homeopathist, settled there in 1877 but removed West in 1882. He was followed by Dr. Bourne, who with Drs. Abbott and Nott are the present physicians of the village. " Squire" David Lake is said to have been the first lawyer in Ham- burg village, having located there prior to 1840; he removed to Minne- sota a few years ago. Abram Thorn, now the oldest practicing attorney in Hamburg, studied with Mr. Lake and afterwards practiced with him. He was the surrogate of the county from 1852 to 1855, inclusive. Prior to that time he had practiced four years at Abbott's Corners, where he was a justice of the peace. Ira E. Irish came to Hamburg from Eden about the same time that Mr. Thorn located there. He served in the Assembly in 1848 and 1850, and removed to Evans about 1860. Horace Boies was a successful lawyer, who located in Hamburg about 1850. He was also elected to the Assembly and removed from the place not long after the war of the rebellion. A. C. Calkins bought Mr. Boies' business, and was also sent to the Assembly. Robert B. Titus, now State Sena- tor, practiced several years at Hamburg after the late war and then moved to Buffalo. Hosea Heath, who opened an office in the village in 1876, and F. Kelly, who came in 1881, are in practice there at the pres- ent time. On the 9th of November, 1874, A. C. Stolting began the publication of a small sheet called the Erie County Independent; the type was set up at Hamburg and taken to Buffalo to be printed. It proved a readable paper, but from various causes the proprietor was finally forced to trans- fer his establishment to O. W. Constantine, who in turn sold it to J. B. Miller, the present proprietor, in 1882. The paper is now an eight-page sheet, and is well patronized. During the Presidential campaign of 1876, Mr. Stolting turned the Independent, which he was then publishing, into a Republican paper, whereupon the Hamburg Democrat was started by the Democrats of the vicinity. Only twenty-five numbers were issued. The Hamburg Sentinel was published by Charles Sickman one year. The Hamburg Journal is 520 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. an independent paper, first published in 1880, by P. W. Perry. All the papers mentioned have been weeklies. The Bank of Hamburg was organized in August, 1883, with a cash capital of $500,000. The following gentlemen are the officers: G. M. Pierce, president; T. L. Bunting, vice-president; H. S. Spenser, cashier, The directors are G. M. Pierce, Isaac Long, C. T. Fish, Andrel Stein, William C. Cornwell, Josiah Jewett, T. L. Bunting, Jacob Eckhart and Charles Sigel. The other business men of Hamburg village at the present time are as follows: Milford Fish & Son, T. L. Bunting, John G. Brendel, George Eddy & Co., and Nicholas Pauley, general dealers; George Federspiel and Edward Mackmer, grocers; John Kloepper, grocer and hotel keeper; George Kopp, hotel keeper; Joseph Kronenburg and Frank Schumer, dealers in tin and hardware; A. C. Stolting, dealer in books, confectionery, etc.; C. Freley, dealer in furniture; Mr. Chandler and Edward S. Nott, druggists; Marcus Schwert, jeweler; Henry Michael, dealer in coal, flour, etc.; Jacob Houck, dealer in boots and shoes; Lewis Smith and William Venor, merchant tailors; L. R. Leach, dentist; H. S. Spenser and John G. Brendel, insurance agents; Allen Munro, Charles Beck and A. Conrad, cigar manufacturers; Elon Nott, photographer; Adam Esbenscheid, John Ritman and Neussale & Koch, wagon makers; John Bitler, Andrew Scheidel, A. S. Frierle and William Voden, black- smiths. Little can be gleaned regarding the early history of the Methodist Episcopal Church, its organization, etc., as the records are very imper- fect. The "circuit riders" formerly preached in nearly every hamlet once in two weeks, and about 1816 they came here and organized a class. Mr. L. T. White remembers hearing Rev. Mr. Hall preach in 1817 to the class, which was then very small. The church at the present time num- bers one hundred and forty-five members, and is connected with the one at Abbott's Corners. The pastors who officiated previous to 1858 are not now known, but since that date they have been as follows: Rev. Messrs. R. N. Leake, R. C. Welch, Charles Eddy, L. A. Chapin, C. S. Baker, Joseph Hill, James Moss, J. B. Wright, G. H. Dunning and G. M. Harris. The Free Will Baptist Church was organized by Rev. R. M. Cary about 1826. The first meetings were held in private houses and school houses. The first pastor was Rev. H. M. Plumb, who remained ten years. He was followed, as near as can be ascertained, by Mrs. Smith for two years. She was succeeded by Rev. A. W. Ensign for one year. Rev. Mr. Lighthall followed for one year, when Rev. Mr. Rickart took charge and remained three years. Succeeding him came Rev. Messrs. S. W. Schoonoven, six years; C. L. Gardner, three years; S. P. Barker, two years, and B. C. Vanduzee, thirteen years; the last named pastor TOWN OF HAMBURG. 521 having but just resigned. The first church edifice was built where that of the Catholics now stands, about 1830. St. Peters and St. Paul's (Roman Catholic) Church was organized by Rev. N. Merz, a Belgian, in 1831. In 1845 the old Free Will Baptist church building was purchased by the Catholics, and on the 29th of December of that year, was dedicated by the pastor of St. Louis Church of Buffalo. The present brick edifice was built in 1860 and '61, and was dedicated on the 29th of June, 1863. The church is a flourishing one and has a parochial school which was established in 1876. The following priests have had charge of this church since its formation: Rev. Fathers N. Merz, R. Follenius, I. I. Zawistowski, D. Greiner, G. Pax, D. Stephen Eicher, D. Heimbacher, D. Gerber, C. Wensierski, G. Pax, Soemer, F. Payer, Urich, B. Gruder, Rupplin, R. W. Risuwski, V. Sheffels, Inno- centius Sager, Resicski. Evangelical Protestant Church, (St. Jacobs,) was formed about 1854, and articles of government were adopted in 1860. The membership at present numbers one hundred and eighteen, and the Sabbath school has one hundred and ten scholars. The following is a list of the pastors: Rev. Messrs. O. Sceppler, Rosenthal, F. Geurgens, H. White and G. F. Kauf. man. The present officers are: Henry Heerdt, president; Joseph Happ, secretary; Jacob Essher, treasurer; Nicholas Doist, Christian Knoll, Frederick Schulz, John Fleithe and John Scharig, trustees. WATER VALLEY. This little hamlet is situated on Eighteen Mile creek, about a mile southwest of Hamburg village. It began its existence very early in the history of the town, (old records mention a saw-mill there in 1811,) and at one time had some prospects of being a rival of White's Corners. The Cumming's mill, already mentioned, was a mile or so down the creek. At an early date, which cannot be ascertained, a woolen factory was bought at Water Valley and carried on by John Porter. It was after- wards owned successively by several persons; the proprietors in the last years of its existence being Charles Haviland & Son. It was burned in 1869, and upon its site O. C. Pierce built the present grist-mill. In August, 1863, Mr. Pierce, in partnership with his son, placed patent rollers in the mill, which has a capacity of two hundred barrels of flour per day. Edward Hunt has established a planing-mill and foundry across the stream from Pierce's mill, where his father formerly made agricultural machinery. Below Water Valley Dietrich & O'Brian erected a building for the manufacture of furniture, in the spring of 1883. Sterling Mallory established a store at Water Valley several years before 1848, which he sold to Jesse Bartoo about that time. It was car- ried on by Mr. Bartoo's son until about 1873, since which time no mer- cantile business has been done there. 522 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ABBOTT'S CORNERS. This village was originally called Wright's Corners, from Jacob Wright, who settled there about 1806 or 1807, and soon opened a tavern. The first town meeting in Hamburg was held there in 1812, and from that time forward substantially all the town business was transacted there until the division of Hamburg, in 1850. The place was known as Wright's Corners" at the close of the war with Great Britain, but between that time and 1820, Seth Abbott moved thither from the vicinity of Potter's Corners and opened a tavern about 1830; he built a large brick hotel. This house was afterward burned, but was soon rebuilt by Mr. Abbott. His son, Harry Abbott, established the first store there, and the place soon acquired the name of "Abbott's Corners," which it has ever since borne. When several postoffices in Hamburg were dis- continued in 1822, the only office in the whole town was established at Abbott's Corners, receiving the name of Hamburg, with Harry Abbott as postmaster. The hotel of Seth Abbott passed at his death into the hands of his son Chauncey, and was subsequently sold to William Titus, Jr., who transferred it to Reuben Newton in 1855. The present proprietor, Louis Hepp, took possession of it in 1861. George White and Cushing Swift succeeded Harry Abbott as mer- chants at Abbott's Corners; Mr. White died soon afterwards, and Mr. Swift carried on the business many years. Fernando Philander Rath- bone had a store at an early day, which stood opposite that of Abbott ; he removed to Hamburg about 1851. The original Abbott store has been kept by the present proprietor, Louis Hepp, since 1861. Sabin Weld built a tannery at Abbott's Corners between 1820 and '22, which he carried on many years. The property subsequently passed into the hands of George Lamb, who removed the tannery to Buffalo. Dr. William Warriners was in practice at Wrights (now Abbott's) Corners before 1812, and was a surgeon of the militia in the war with Great Britain. Dr. Pringle settled in what is now East Hamburg before 1817 and came to Abbott's Corners about 1820. Charles B. Hyde, a lawyer was at Abbott's Corners as early as 1825. Ira E. Irish studied and practiced with Mr. Hyde; he went from there to Eden and thence to Hamburg village. The Congregational Church of Abbott's Corners was organized as early as 1817. Rev. John Spencer was the pioneer pastor of the little flock and did much to build up the church. A house of worship was not erected until 1825; it was used for religious purposes until the year 1850, when it was sold. About the same time the form of church government was changed to the Presbyterian. There were gatherings of a few Methodists in the vicinity of Abbott's Corners at a very early day, but no house of worship was built by them TOWN OF HAMBURG. 523 until 1857. The society now numbers about sixty persons. The Rev. George Harris is the pastor. OTHER LOCALITIES. Lake View is a hamlet on the Lake Shore railroad and consists of a station, a few houses and a hotel. West Hamburg is a small hamlet on the Lake Shore railroad con- taining a postoffice, formerly known as "Hamburg on the Lake,” four buildings and a ticket office. Athol Springs is situated on the lake shore. Two hotels are now kept there; one by Cephas Smith and the other by Charles Abel. Big Tree Corners is another small hainlet of ancient standing; there is a station there on the Buffalo & South Western railroad. Bay View is a railroad station on the Lake Shore Road, near the farm of L. L. Crocker. It is principally celebrated for the rifle practice. carried on there every year. Isaac Long, of Hamburg, was born at Williamsville, Erie county, November 5, 1821. In 1828 his parents settled near "White's Corners, now Hamburg, where he passed his early life assisting his father in the mills. From eight until eighteen years of age he attended school during the winter seasons and afterwards a select school. In 1843 he began the business of milling which he has since suc- cessfully conducted. In 1883 he changed the construction of his mill by adding the "Roller Process" to the merchant business of his trade. This, together with former improvements, makes it one of the finest custom and merchant mills in the country. In addition to his business, Mr. Long is a director in the bank of Hamburg. He is a member of the Hamburg Baptist Church and is known as a Christian gentleman. noted for his frankness, benevolence and probity. He was married to Miss Ann Aldrich of Hamburg, N. Y., daughter of Scott Aldrich, of Fredonia, N. Y., April 15, 1851. She died October 21, 1865. Their children were Flora A., Mary M., and Lorin I. He was married to Catharine Long, daughter of Abraham Long, March 14, 1868. His daughter Flora married Elias Reist, and resides at Will- iamsville, N. Y. Mary M., married Charles Sigel and resides in Buffalo. Lorin I., married Ella M. Holman, and is at present engaged in the milling business at Hamburg in copartnership with his father. Isaac Long, the subject of this sketch, is a descendant of John Long, who came to America from Langen, Switzerland, in 1716, and settled in Manheim township, Lancaster county, Pa. He bought two adjoining tracts of land, one containing two hundred and seventy-five acres and the other one hundred and fifty acres at is. 6d. per acre, from Martin Kennedy and John Hu, agents of Thomas & Richard Penn. He had three sons: Isaac, John and Benjamin. John had four sons: John Jr., Joseph, David and Christian. John Jr., had four sons and four daughters —of whom the sons were Abraham, John, Christian and Benjamin, and the daughters Esther, Nancy, Mary and Elizabeth. With this family the grandfather in 1804 settled on a farm in Canada, near Fort Erie,* *A virtuous spirit of independence inherent in the race of his ancestors, even though from a religious sense of loyalty to the British government, which had foisted its spirit of domination. upon these honest Pennsylvanian Mennonites, was not lost in their migration to Upper Canada. The Tories," after the close of the Revolutionary War, soon found occasion for persecution, in 524 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. opposite Black Rock. Black Rock. Of the sons, Abraham had two sons, Isaac, the subject of this sketch, and John. Our subject is also a descendant of Peter Reist of Dirkheim on the Rhine, Germany, and Anna Clara Boyer of the same country. They came from the Palatinate, or Pfalz, where they were married, to America in 1723, and settled between Manheim and Lititz, Lancaster county, Pa., where they bought 400 acres of land for Is. 6d. per acre, from Thomas and Richard Penn. They had five sons and three daughters. The names of the sons were, John, Abraham, Christian, Peter and Jacob. Jacob was killed at Braddock's famous defeat July 19, 1755. John mar- ried Elizabeth Longnecker, to whom were born five sons and two daughters. The names of the sons were: John, Peter, Abraham, Chris- tian and Jacob. John Jr., married a lady by the name of Hostetter. They had but two sons, John and Jacob, and three daughters, Anna, Maria and Esther. Of these three daughters, Maria was married to Abraham Long, the father of Isaac, our subject. E CHAPTER XLIX. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF EAST HAMBURG, AST Hamburg comprised all of township nine, range seven of the Hol- land Land Company's survey, except the two western tiers of lots, and also embraces a portion of the Buffalo Creek reservation, five miles long east and west, and averaging about two miles wide north and south. The total area of the town is about forty square miles. The highest land in the town is Chestnut Ridge, nearly five hundred feet above the the shape of heavy local taxes and unfriendly insinuations imposed upon these quiet non-residents, which spirit of unfriendliness culminated in inducing John Long, the grandfather of our subject, to leave his farm at Fort Erie to his son Abraham, (and for which he had, on moving from Pennsylvania to Canada in 1804, paid to the English Government $1,200.00, by which magnanimous power it was finally confiscated,) who tried in vain to realize something out of it. Having thus naturally imbibed a spirit of liberty, and being averse to English aristocracy, he (John Long) left Canada in 1808, and settled near Williamsville, N. Y., having purchased of the Holland Land Company, Lots 22, 25, 26 and 29 of townships II and 12, range 7, where he reared his dwelling on the very spot where four years previous, on his journey from Pennsylvania to Canada with his family, he had encamped for the night, a beautiful spring and purling brook marking the spot. Abraham, who had in the mean- time taken to himself a wife, and failing to recover anything from the English Government in Canada, also followed his friends to the United States, where he soon found active employment as a sub-contractor under Mr. St. John, in buying cattle of the white inhabitants and the Indians. to supply the army of the frontier with beef. After the close of the war in 1814, his house having been destroyed by fire, and being defrauded by his partner in the beef business out of a great part of his earnings, he then He also resumed his original business, farming some of his father's property near Williamsville. built a small grist-mill a short distance north of the main road, and west of the village, on the spring brook at that place. This was the pioneer mill for the neighborhood at that time. In 1821, in company with his brother-in-law, John Reist, a new mill" was built on the site where the "Reist Mills are now (1883) located. Selling out his interest in this new mill to Reist in 1827, and before he moved (a year later) to Hamburgh, Erie county, where he had purchased another custom mill at White's Corners, now Hamburg, he met David Burt, a leading business man in the embryo city of Buffalo, who informed him that a new enterprise had sprung up, viz :-That a vessel loaded with west- ern wheat [from Michigan] had arrived, and with the promise of accommodations from Mr. B., in the Reist shape of funds, the cargo was bought, unloaded with baskets, and conveyed in wagons to the Mill," where it was made into flour, this cargo of wheat being the first ever shipped to Buffalo Harbor, (then Buffalo Creek.") This experimental flour found its principal market at Black Rock, the then terminus of the "Great Erie Canal," Buffalo at that time scarcely venturing on so large a speculation in the manufacture of flour, notwithstanding Mr. Burt's practical eye was prophetically directed, as the sequel has shown. The mill at Hamburgh, with its improvements, from this time. engrossed his attention during the remainder of his useful life, which terminated peaceably, July 4th, 1869, when our subject, already initiated into the business, as before stated, took his worthy station. TOWN OF EAST HAMBURG. 525 level of Lake Erie. The soil is composed of gravelly loam in the north, and of clay underlaid with slate in the south; many peculiar fossils have been found in it, one of which, discovered on the Freeman farm near the "Quaker meeting house," bears the appearance of petrified wood, cut with a sharp instrument in its original state, far back in the past. The first settler in the territory now known as East Hamburg was Didymus C. Kinney. On the 3d day of October, 1803, he purchased a part of lot thirty-three, township nine, range seven, being now the south- west corner lot of the town of East Hamburg. He immediately built him a cabin and lived there with his family during the the winter 1803--'4. Charles Johnson, who had purchased land in township nine, (now Boston), together with his family, lived with Kinney through the winter and moved to his own land in the spring of 1804. During that spring Deacon Ezekiel Smith, accompanied by two of his oldest sons, Richard and Daniel, and by a young man named David Eddy, came from Vermont. Deacon Smith bought land in what is now called the Newton neighborhood. He and his sons made a shelter out of poles and hemlock bark, after which he returned for the rest of his family, while Richard and Daniel remained to clear land and put in a few seeds. Young Eddy selected and purchased about a hundred acres of land covering a part of the site of the village of Orchard Park, and built a log cabin near where the house of Peter Kester now stands. In September a considerable colony came from Vermont, consisting of Deacon Smith, his wife, five more sons, (Amasa, Ezekiel, Zenas, Nehe- miah and Almon,) and two daughters, (Sarah and Amy); Amos Colvin, with his sons, Jacob, George, Luther, Amos and Isaac, and other mem- bers of his family; David Eddy's brother Aaron, his sister Mary, and his brother-in-law, Nathan Peters; and we believe a few other persons. All came to Buffalo, thence up the lake shore and across to Kinney's cabin, and thence to their several locations. That was the only route available at that time. Deacon Smith's daughter Sarah, though not yet eighteen, was the wife of Jacob Colvin.* Amy, then a mere girl, went to the Indian village soon after the arrival of the family, alone and barefoot, for a peck of corn. After returning she pounded it with a pestle and made it into corn-cakes-the only food the family had to subsist on. Aaron and Mary Eddy and Nathan Peters joined David Eddy at his clearing on the site of Orchard Park. Mary was a bright Yankee girl, and was a pioneer school teacher in both Hamburg and Aurora. In 1805 David Eddy's father, Jacob Eddy, and Asa Sprague joined the colony just mentioned, and William Coltrin, Samuel Knapp and * Mr. and Mrs. Colvin, being childless, adopted Daniel Newton, who remained upon the Colvin farm. From him and his relatives that locality derived the name of "the Newton neighborhood." "Aunt Sarah Colvin," as she was familiarly called for a long time, was the last of the Smith children. She was described in 1875 as perfectly erect and active about the house, and showing less marks of age than most women of seventy. She died in 1882, at the age of ninety-six. 526 HISTORY Of Erie CouNTY. Joseph Sheldon settled not far away. David Eddy raised nearly a thousand bushels of corn in his first crop, in 1805; having rudely cleared his land by cutting down the trees and burning the tops, leaving the bodies on the ground. In that year also, Daniel Smith built a log struc- ture about eighteen feet square, on a stream since known as Hoag's brook, about two miles south west of the site of Orchard Park. In it he put some rude wooden gearing and a couple of stones, with which he could grind five or six bushels of corn per day. Two or three years later he moved it to Eighteen Mile creek, near the site of White's Corners. It was the first grist-mill, such as it was, in that part of Erie county south of the Buffalo Creek reservation. In 1805, or a little later, David Eddy built a saw-mill for the Indians (by contract with their superintendent) near the site of Lower Ebenezer; bringing the iron work from Albany. About the same time he also built a saw-mill on Smoke's creek, not far from the site of Orchard Park.* Several of the early settlers in that locality were "Friends," (or "Quak- ers" as they are commonly called,) and in 1800 they formed a "Friends Meeting," and built a school house, probably the first one south of the Buffalo creek reservation. The next year they built a log meeting- house. Among the early "Friends" were Elias Freeman (father of Elias H. and Amos Freeman,) Samuel and Joseph Webster, James Paxson, Jonas Hambletont and Nathaniel and Jacob Potter. In 1806 or 1807 Samuel and Seth Abbott, brothers, came from the Eastern States and settled southeast of the Eddy neighborhood. They came with an ox-team, and after procuring their " Articles" from the Holland Company's agent at Batavia, they had but five dollars left. Seth Abbott moved several years later, to Wright's Corners which derived from him its present name of Abbott's Corners. Samuel Abbott was the second supervisor of Hamburg, in 1813. He soon after moved to the next township south, and when the town of Boston was formed in 1817, he was chosen its first supervisor. He subsequently returned, however, and acquired the farm now owned and occupied by his son, Colonel Chauncey Abbott. Dr. Samuel Abbott, of Orchard Park, is also a son of the early pioneer. In the meantime immigrants too numerous to mention were locating themselves in all parts of the fertile territory under consideration. The unique outfit of Ezekiel Cook, however, who came to the Smith neighbor- hood soon after its settlement, is, perhaps, worthy of especial mention. He was on horseback and had his apparel and necessary accoutrements * Mr. Eddy was evidently a very energetic and wonderful citizen. He was the first supervisor of the town of Hamburg, in 1812, and, besides holding minor offices almost constantly for many years, was appointed an Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Jonas Hambleton came in 1809, located on the farm now occupied by his son William Ham- bleton. The latter, then ten years old, has ever since lived within a few paces of the log house then His brother Moses came about the same time. erected by his father Jonas Hambleton. TOWN OF EAST HAMBURG. 527 stowed away in a tow shirt, sewed up so as to form a bag, with the sleeves tied around his waist. But besides his "outfit" he had forty dollars in cash and thus might almost be considered as a capitalist. It was seldom that a man came upon the Holland Purchase with a horse and forty dollars in cash. Young Cook soon afterward married Amy Smith, and was subsequently known as Colonel Cook, from his rank in the militia. Obadiah and Reuben Newton located themselves in the Smith neighborhood in 1808. At the time that Didymus C. Kinney settled in the territory of East Hamburg, in 1803, it was part of the town of Batavia, Genesee county; in 1804 it was made a part of the town of Erie, (in that county, which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, with the "West Transit" as its eastern boundary. The town business was transacted in Buffalo. In the reorganization of the Holland Purchase in 1808, described in Chap- ter XIII. of the general history, the territory under consideration became a part of the great town of Willink, which comprised all of the present county of Erie south of the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. John Green's tavern (subsequently kept by George B. Green) not far from the Hardwin Arnold place, was a noted hostlery of that period, and the town-meetings and elections of Willink were sometimes held there before the formation of Hamburg. Mr. William Austin, who set- tled in the Smith, (or "Newton,") neighborhood in 1810, stated several years since that he attended a town-meeting at Green's tavern soon after his arrival, where the division of the town of Willink was discussed, and that some of the voters said they had come thirty miles.* Pardon Pierce, James Paxson and Joseph Hawkins were among the settlers of the territory of East Hamburg in 1811, and by that time or earlier, Obadiah Baker had built a grist-mill on Smoke's creek, near the locality which began to be known as "Potter's Corners," from two or three families of that name living in the vicinity. In the spring of 1812, Daniel Sumner made the first settlement on Chestnut Ridge; he was accompanied by his stepson, Stephen V. R. Graves, then a boy of eleven. years, and a life-long resident of that locality. On the 20th day of March, 1812, the town of Hamburg was formed, including the whole of the present town of East Hamburg. Among the first officers the following were residents of the territory of East Ham- burg: David Eddy, supervisor; Samuel Hawkins, town clerk; Isaac Chandler, one of the assessors; John Green and Amasa Smith, commis- sioners of highways; Benjamin Henshaw, constable. The war of 1812 caused the same alarm in the district under consid- eration as was felt throughout the rest of the frontier region, and the able-bodied men were frequently called out as militia, but there are no * Mr. Austin was married when he came, and he and his wife lived together in the territory of East Hamburg more than sixty-five years after their arrival. 528 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. records pertaining especially to the men of this locality. During the battle of Black Rock and destruction of Buffalo (December 30, 1813,) Newman Baker, Parley Moffatt and William Cheeseman, of the old town of Hamburg, were killed, but we cannot give their exact residence. David Eddy was captured while viewing the ruins on the first day of January, 1814, by a British party which had returned to burn the remainder of the village, but was soon released. Many of the fugitives from Buffalo came through this township and were joined in their flight by a large part of the citizens of Hamburg. Near the close of the war a mail-route was established through the county from east to west; the first one south of the Buffalo Creek reser- vation, except the one along the lake shore. It ran from Wright's (now Abbott's) Corners southeast, and then east through the Griffin neighbor- hood. A postoffice called Hamburg was located at John Green's tavern. About this time Deacon Ezekiel Smith, his son Amasa, William Austin, Lemuel Hutchinson, Lemuel Parmalee and others in that vicinity erected a school house, which was also used as a Baptist meeting house many years. Until the close of the war there was little or nothing to distinguish the Potter's Corners neighborhood from any other farming locality in the township. Just after the war, however, oue James Reynolds opened a small store near the Friends' meeting house; the first in the township. Two or three years later he moved his place of business to Potter's Cor- He was followed by William Cromwell, who was in business there. in 1819, in a log building where Anthony's drug store now stands. ners. In 1820, David Eddy built a house on the site of Wasson's Hotel, for a tavern. His sons-in-law, Lewis Arnold and Theodore Hawkins, occu- pied it several years in partnership, after which, like other country tav- erns, it changed hands so frequently that the most expert local historian could not trace the ownership. Before 1820, the "Hamburg" postoffice at Green's tavern seems to have been discontinued, and in that year one called East Hamburg was established at Potter's Corners. In 1822, this (with two others in the western part of the old town of Hamburg) was discontinued; a central one called "Hamburg" being located at Abbott's Corners, which was But before 1830 the East thought sufficient to supply the whole town. Hamburg office was again established, the postmaster in that year being Samuel S. Hawkins. About 1825, a building was erected where Brown's store now stands, William T. Smith being the first merchant there. A few years later Allen Potter became the owner and for nearly twenty years he kept the only general store in the slowly-growing village. Meanwhile the clear- ing up of the township went steadily forward, so that by 1830 the greater part of the old log houses had given place to framed ones, and more than TOWN OF EAST HAMBURG. 529 one-half of the land had been fenced and brought under cultivation. The purchase of the "Mile-Strip" off from the south side of the Buffalo Creek reservation in 1826 made about five square miles of uncleared land in the territory of East Hamburg available for use, which was speedily occupied and has proven to be at least equal in fertility to any part of the town. To this period and to this town is to be ascribed the origin of the celebrated "Hamburg cheese." Hardwin Arnold, an early settler belong- ing to the society of Friends, kept a few cows and manufactured dairy cheese, which he sold to a dealer in Buffalo. Increasing in facilities and purse, he carried on a large dairy in 1830 and later, still devoting his energy to the making of the best cheese possible. One of the Colvins also engaged in the business, and for a few years those two men had the only cheese-dairies in the town. The Buffalo dealer, being supplied with cheese of uniform and excellent quality, placed a placard on the outside of his store, announcing "Hamburg cheese for sale here," and took especial pains to introduce it in surrounding localities. He thus suc- ceeded in working up a large trade; as the demand increased so did the supply, until several others in Hamburg and adjoining towns manufac- tured cheese which they sold to the same man. At the second fair of the revived Erie county Agricultural Society, held in 1842, the first premium on cheese was awarded to H. Arnold & Son, of Hamburg, and the second to Truman Austin of the same town. When the State Fair was first held in Buffalo, in 1848, the Hamburg cheese was entered for a premium, but with little thought of securing one, as Herkimer county had for several years been the successful com- petitor at the State Fairs, and its display was very extensive. But when the awards were made, "Hamburg," was the victor, and for many years it was considered the prize cheese in the State. Success, as usual, result- ed in counterfeits, western dairymen marked their cheese-boxes with the magic name of "Hamburg," and it would have required a score of such towns to produce all the cheese sold under that favorite appellation. There was no peculiar method used in making the article in ques- tion; it was simply first-class dairy cheese. Cheese-factories, however, finally absorbed the private dairies and there is none in East Hamburg at the present time which manufactures cheese for sale. The purchase of the remainder of the Buffalo Creek reservation, in 1842, made the whole of Hamburg available for cultivation, and it was rapidly sold by the proprietors. A considerable number of Germans settled in the newly acquired territory. On the 15th of October, 1850, the Board of Supervisors of Erie county, passed an ordinance forming the town of "Ellicott" from Ham- burg, with the following boundaries :- "Beginning at the southeast corner of lot number forty-one in said town of Hamburg, on the town line between the town of Hamburg and 34 530 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. the town of Boston; running thence north on the line of lots to a point in the north line of lot number forty; thence east to the Abbott road; thence on the line of said Abbott road to the north line of said town of Hamburg; thence east to the town line between Aurora and Hamburg; thence south on the said last mentioned line to the southeast corner of said town of Hamburg; thence west on the town line between the towns of Boston and Hamburg, to the place of beginning." The first (and in fact the only) town-meeting of Ellicott, was held at the house of Abner D. Potter, on the 4th of March, 1851, when the following officers were duly elected :-supervisor, Amos Chilcott; clerk, Chauncey Abbott; justices of the peace, Hiram Bullis, Thomas Ostrander and Lansing B. Littlefield; assessor, William Hambleton; commissioner of highways, Henry A. Griffin and Harmon Wheelock; inspectors of election, Samuel S. Reed and Oliver Hampton; collector, C. C. Briggs; poormaster, William Paxson; constables, Milton H. Bull, Horace H. Hinman, Amos Colvin and John W. Ostrander; town sealer, George C. Bull. In October, 1851, the town of Seneca, (now West Seneca) was formed from East Hamburg and other towns, and about the same time a small triangular tract in the northwest corner of Ellicott, east of the "Abbott Road," was transferred to Hamburg; thus reducing Ellicott to the present area of East Hamburg, as described in the beginning of this sketch. The name " Ellicott" was derived from that of the celebrated agent of the Holland Company, Joseph Ellicott, but it had no charm for the people of the new town. They had been accustomed to be citizens of Hamburg for forty years, and, though they wished to be politically separate from their neighbors on the west, they yet desired to retain the old name as near as practicable. They accordingly sent a petition to the Legislature, and on the 20th of February, 1852, that body passed an act changing the name of the town to East Hamburg. Thenceforward the new town flourished in the quiet manner usual in country districts. A hotel and store were established a mile south of Potter's Corners, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to make a village there. Before the change of name last noted the locality was called "Ellicott Centre," but afterwards it was more commonly known as Deuel's Corners. A mile north of Potter's Corners a small hamlet grew up under the name of Webster's Corners. The village of Potter's Cor- ners itself assumed the name of East Hamburg, but for many years was more commonly mentioned by the older appellation. About the time of the formation of the new town, Ambrose C. Johnson took the place of Allen Potter as the merchant of the village, and continued in business with various partners, most of the time for twenty-five years. When the slaveholders' rebellion broke out East Hamburg, notwith- standing her Quaker traditions, did her full share in suppressing it. Those who died in the military service of their country during the war, TOWN OF EAST HAMBURG. 531 so far as we have been able to ascertain, were as follows:-N. J. Swift, died of wounds received at Port Hudson, May 21, 1863; William W. Cole, Forty-fourth Infantry, died of wounds received at Hanover Court House, in May, 1862; William Hambleton, Forty-ninth New York In- fantry, died in hospital; Charles Limibitz, Forty-ninth New York Infantry, died in hospital; Philip Limibitz, One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Infantry, died of wounds received in action; Silas A. Oaks, Eleventh New York Cavalry, died in hospital; Henry Schammel, One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Infantry, killed in action; Christian Van Sni- der, died of wounds received in front of Petersburg; Ira Ayers, One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Infantry, died in September, 1863; Isaac Colvin, One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Infantry, died near New Orleans; William Clapp, One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Infantry, died near New Orleans January 5, 1863; Jacob Saunders, killed at Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864. Other deceased volunteers are Charles B. Deuel, Edward A. Bull, Dallas Hambleton, Perry Hambleton Henry W. Freed and Albertus Trevett. During Lee's invasion of Penn. sylvania, in 1863, the Sixty-seventh New York Militia, under Colonel Chauncey Abbott, of this town, was on duty at or near Harrisburg thirty days, as narrated in the general history. There have been but few manufactures in East Hamburg. There were several small saw-mills during the pioneer period, and there was a tannery a mile east of Potter's Corners, which was carried on until a recent date. Thomas Gill has a saw-mill, a shingle-mill and a feed- mill combined at Deuel's Corners. Samuel McCormick has a barrel fac- tory at Orchard Park, turning out 2,000 barrels per year. There are also several cheese factories in the town. There was for many years a steam saw-mill at East Hamburg vil lage, but it was transformed into a canning factory in 1878. The latter was established by Job Taylor, James A. Taylor, Frank M. Thorn, Jasper N. Clark and Eben Scudder. To meet the growing business an enlarge- ment was found necessary, which led to the formation of a stock com- pany on the 1st of January, 1883, with a capital of $100,000; Jasper N. Clark being the president; Frank M. Thorn, the vice-president, and George A. Plimpton the secretary and treasurer. The construction of the Buffalo branch of the Rochester & Pitts- burg Railroad, which branch runs diagonally through this town from the northwest to the southeast, was begun in 1882 and completed in 1883. It is the first railroad that has ever crossed the boundaries of East Ham- burg, and its advent has been signalized by a local change of name. For many years the citizens have been annoyed by the sending of their mail to other Hamburgs than their own. Apparently believing the prosper- ous era expected from the advent of the new railroad to be a suitable time to get rid of this evil, they have procured the name of their post- 532 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. office to be changed to Orchard Park, and the village will doubtless grow into the enjoyment of the same appellation. The name is an appropriate one, as the village is embowered in apple and pear trees, and orchards cover large parts of the surrounding farms. Together with berries and vegetables they furnish a very large proportion of the revenue of the town. Not having mentioned the physicians in the order of their beginning practice, we will give a list of them here. The earliest constant practi- tioner in the town was Dr. William Warriner, who resided at Abbott's Corners before and after the war of 1812. The first resident physician of the town, (unless Warriner lived just within the line,) was Dr. Mc- Donald, who located himself at Potter's Corners soon after the war of 1812. Dr. Elisha Smith came to what is now East Hamburg before 1814, in which year he began practice. In 1831 he retired and settled on a farm. He was the supervisor of the old town of Hamburg seventeen years, and a member of the Assembly in 1837 and 1844. He died in 1866. Dr. S. Gould was in practice in the town about 1812; he died in 1828. Dr. Stephen Dean located at Potter's Corners about 1820, and practiced nearly fifty years. Dr. Dorland settled there about the same time and practiced until his death. He and Dr. Dean are both described as Duchess county Quakers." Dr. Philip Dorland, son of the senior Dr. Dorland, practiced at East Hamburg until his death. His brother, Dr. Elias T. Dorland, continued his ride several years, and then removed to Buffalo. Dr. Samuel Abbott and Dr. Powell were at East Hamburg previous to Dr. Philip Dorland. Dr. Abbott removed to the West, but has lately returned and is now in practice at Orchard Park, as is Dr. L. F. Bois, who established himself there in 1870. There are two general stores at Orchard Park at the present time: one of them is kept by J. Brown, who began business in 1877; the other (first established by John Scott, and afterward owned by Levi Potter,) is now kept by Christopher Hambleton. H. P. Anthony opened a drug store, the first in the village, in 1883. We subjoin a list of the supervisors and town-clerks of East Ham- burg since its organization, with their years of service, followed by sketches of the various churches in the town. It will be observed that previous to the division of Hamburg, many of its supervisors and clerks resided in the territory of East Hamburg; their names will be found in the official list of Hamburg. Supervisors.--Amos Chilcott, 1851; Isaac Baker, 1852; Jacob Pot- ter, 1853; Lansing B. Littlefield, 1854; John T. Fish, 1855-'56; Lewis M. Bullis, 1857-'58; Ivory C. Hawkins, 1859; James H. Deuel, 1860-'61; Ambrose C. Johnson, 1862; Levi Potter, 1863-'64; Benjamin Baker, 1865-'66; Christopher Hambleton, 1867; Allen Potter, 1868; Norman B. Sprague, 1869; Allen Potter, 1870; Frank M. Thorn, 1871-'74; Amos TOWN OF EAST HAMBURG. 533 Freeman, 1875; Frank M. Thorn, 1876 to 1880, inclusive; Cephas L. Potter, 1881; Norman B. Sprague, 1882; Charles H. Sweet, 1883. Town clerks.—Chauncey Abbott, 1851-'52; Eli Webster, 1853–’54; Abner Potter, 1855-'56; L. H. Abbott, 1857; Myron Deuel, 1858–'61; Levi Potter, 1862; Edwin Corbin, 1863-64; A. L. Woodruff, 1865; William N. Smith, 1866; Elias T. Dorland, 1867; Ambrose C. Johnson, 1868; John Scott, 1869; George L. Goodspeed, 1870; Elias T. Dorland, 1871; John Moore, 1872-'73; George Moore, 1874-'75; Thomas W. Wasson, 1876; Ambrose C. Johnson, 1877; William H. Paxson, 1878; Jeremiah Brown, 1879 to 1883, inclusive. The members of the Society of Friends established the first relig- ious worship in the territory of East Hamburg, and built the first meeting-house in 1807. A settlement of Friends was also made in the southern part of the township a short time after, who united in worship with those in the northern district, until the division of the society in 1828, into "Orthodox" and "Hicksite" Friends. Then those who held the "Hicksite" doctrine kept the meeting house (the present one, built in 1820 to replace the old one) and the “Orthodox" built another upon the opposite side of the adjacent north and south road. Most of the members of the latter sect lived in the south part of the township and a few years afterward they built a small church edifice in their own neigh- borhood. As most of our readers doubtless know, a description of the Friends in any locality requires no list of ministers nor of officers. For nearly eighty years they have held their meetings in East Hamburg, and their numbers, respectability and prosperity have deeply affected the character of the town. Soon after the war of 1812, as before stated, Deacon Ezekiel Cook and others built a school house in his neighborhood, which was used as a Baptist meeting house. Rev. Messrs. Baker, Carr and Richards preached there several years. They were followed by the Rev. Mr. Hascall, whose enthusiasm was so great that he insisted on the building of a large church edifice at some central point. The project was not viewed with favor by many of the staid economists of that time, and dis- sensions arose. The timbers were, however, drawn to Abbott's Cor- ners, but a more careful estimate of the cost satisfied all the laymen that it was too great for them to assume. Elder Hascall, however, was still zealous for a new church building; he also, as alleged, showed a despotic disposition in the exercise of his pastoral duties, many members revolted and the little church was ere long broken up. The First Presbyterian Church of Orchard Park was organized Jan. 16, 1817, by Rev. John Spencer and Rev. Miles Squier. The original members were Silas Wheelock, Joel Moffat, Harvey Allen, Mary Wood- ward, Rena Wheelock, Rachel Ferrington, Betsey Washburn, Valentine Bennett, Allen Brown, Seth Abbott, Harriet N. Russell, Maria Allen, 534 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Thankful St. John and Mr. Moffat; Seth Abbott, clerk. On the 24th of that month, seventeen members were added to the church; Seth Abbott, Richard Smith and William Bliss were chosen ruling elders, and Silas Wheelock was selected as deacon. In 1831, Caleb West and Henry Brayman were chosen elders and Joseph Yaster was made deacon. In 1836 Samuel Abbott, Joseph Dorr and Theron Parker were made elders, and Henry Brayman and Thomas Hitchcock, deacons. In 1838 Richard Smith, David C. Hough and Homer Wheelock were elected elders, and Samuel Abbott was chosen deacon. The total membership to May 2, 1853, was two hundred and nine. I At that time the church was in a feeble condition and it was deemed best to reorganize it, which was done on the 11th of May, 1853. Frederick Long and Henry Knapp were chosen deacons; Archibald Hewson was elected treasurer and Chauncey Abbott was made clerk. Among the ministers who have supplied this church for brief periods are Rev. David Powell, Rev. Dr. Lord, Rev. S. C. Orton and Rev. H. Ward of Buffalo. Rev. E. Taylor preached there about six years. Rev. C. W. Wells, the evangelist, in 1879, aroused a serious interest in the locality, and numbers were added to the several churches. On the 1st of May, 1881, Rev. S. M. Robinson commenced his labors in this church, which he still continues. Among the later officers of the church are A. K. Hewson, Henry Knapp Frederick Long, Putnam Ayer, Robert Ellicott, and Chauncey Abbott, with whom have been associated as trustees, Orson Swift, Leman Chandler, William H. Utley, Frank B. Abbott, J. Brown and Frank Utley. The citizens living at Chestnut Ridge, being a considerable distance from church, united without regard to religious differences, and built the present church edifice in 1855, as a " Union house;" soon afterward the Methodists dedicated the building. Difficulties, however, soon arose; the union of hands proved not to be a union of hearts and worship was suspended. The building is now used only on funeral occasions. The Methodist Church of Griffin's Corners was organized about 1850. After a few years of apparent peace and prosperity, dissensions arose, in consequence of which the building has long been unoccupied as a house of worship, and the organization has become a thing of the past. Immanuel Reformed Church was organized in August, 1877, by Rev. John Haverly, of Ebenezer. The church at that time was composed of nine members, viz.: Peter Schuler and wife, Christian Zeller and wife, Henry Scherf, John Harpts, Charles Wolfred, A. Grenold and John Addison. The pulpit has been supplied by ministers of other churches, cxcept during the term of Rev. John Smith, the first pastor. The other clergymen who have officiated have been Rev. Mr. White, of Ham- burg, and Rev. Mr. Byer, of West Seneca. The church edifice was built in 1877. TOWN OF EAST HAMBURG. Benjamin Baker, of East Hamburg, was born on the 28th of Febru- ary, 1817, on the farm where he now resides, and where he has con- tinued to live since his birth. He is the son of Obadiah and Anna Baker, of Worcester county, Massachusetts. He has always been engaged in farming and is a man of great energy and perseverance with good social and moral standing is a good financier and has attained a degree of success enviable to possess. Mr. Baker was also one of the earliest fruit growers of this part of the State of New York. He possessed a natural taste for the business and when fourteen years. of age, (at which time his father died) he began experimenting in graft- ing, and has had since that time a successful experience in testing some one hundred and forty varieties of fruit out of which he has succeeded in obtaining a number of profitable varieties, consisting of the Astracan, Duchess of Oldenburg, Gravenstein, fall fruits, also many of the leading varieties of other kinds raised for the mercantile profits thereof, such as the Roxbury Russetts, Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening and other leading varieties. He has now an orchard of seven or eight thousand trees consisting of apples, peaches, pears, quinces and other plants. During the past ten years Mr. Baker has been Loan Commissioner of the State of New York for Erie county. He was supervisor of his town in 1865, and re-elected in 1866. He was appointed State marshal to take the census of his town in 1845, and also again in 1855; was appointed military enrolling officer in 1862 to enroll all between the ages of 18 and 45 liable to military duty in the towns of Hamburg, Boston, East Hamburg and West Seneca. He has also been road commissioner, assessor, inspector of election, and held other offices of public trust. He was First Lieutenant of the National Guards of the Sixty-seventh Regiment of New York during eight years, and during the Rebellion was called out to protect Pennsylvania at the time Lee made his raid North, and was at Harrisburg at the time of the fight at Gettysburgh. In 1842, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Anna F. Freeman, daughter of Elisha and Abigail Freeman, and who still lives, an honored member of the "Friends" society of which she has been a member for over fifty years. The children born of this union were: Harriet, December, 1843: Helen, March, 1846; Carrie, October, 1847; E. Freeman, May, 1851; Mary F., April, 1853; Emma and Fannie (twins), February, 1855: Alice C., July, 1857; Metta V., August, 1859. All residents of Erie county save one, who is in Munroe county, N. Y. All married but two; all farmers but one, who is in the lumber trade at Orchard Park. Dr. Elisha Smith (deceased), of East Hamburg, the pioneer and only physician of that town for many years, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1792. His father, Benoni Smith, removed to the town of Scipio, Cayuga county, N. Y., when our subject was quite young and where he received a common school education. When he was twenty-two years of age he HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. began life for himself, teaching school and utilizing his spare moments. studying medicine. In 1814, he came to Erie county and soon after was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hussey, daughter of Benjamin Hussey, of Collins, who was an early settler of that town. In 1814, he had mas- tered the principles of medicine and was awarded a diploma by the Medical Society of Cayuga county, on the 12th of November of that year, and of which Dr. Consider King was president and Dr. Andrew Groom its secretary. He immediately returned to East Hamburg, built himself a log house (and afterwards the present house in 1831, where his youngest son, Mr. Elisha Fitch Smith, now lives,) and at once entered into a large practice. Dr. Smith was not only the pioneer physician of East Hamburg, but was the only one in the town for many years, necessitating an extensive amount of travel over an uninhabited and wild district of country. He would frequently be called into the neighboring towns, and often night would overtake him, necessitating in some instances a camping out in the woods until morning. Dr. Smith began his career poor, having when he came to the town but one horse and twenty shillings in money. His practice, however, was good, and as he became able would buy patch after patch of land until, before his death in 1867, he had acquired the inconsiderable amount of over seven hundred acres. In 1831, he retired from the practice of medicine altogether and devoted the remainder of his days to farming and to the public interests of the town. In 1820, he was elected supervisor of East Hamburg, and re-elected thereafter, serv- ing in all for a period of seventeen years. In 1837, he was elected Mem- ber of the Assembly from his district and re-elected again in 1844. Dr. Smith was recognized by his fellow men as a safe, reliable and trustworthy man. He was slow in arriving at conclusions, very cautious in forming judgments, and seldom erred in his decisions. He was much beloved by all who knew him and probably never had an enemy in his life. His first wife died in 1817. He had by her one child, Mary J. Smith, born in 1816. He was married again in 1819, to Miss Eliza Howland, daugh- ter of Job Howland of Ontario county, N. Y. She died in 1876. This union was blessed in the birth of eleven children. Seven children are now living, the oldest by the first marriage and four by the second marriage having died. Of those living, Charles I. Smith, the oldest, was born in 1828; Mortimer F., in 1832, Alsey E., in 1833; Maria L., in 1835; Harriette I., and Helen V., twins, in 1838, and Elisha F. Smith, the youn- gest, who was born in 1839. The sons are all well-to-do farmers, well known to the citizens of the county. Charles I. Smith has been assessor of his town for twenty years, thirteen years of which time were in succession. Mrs. Alsey Green is a resident of Buffalo, Mrs. Harriette Sherman lives in Ham- burg. Mrs. Helen Trevett and Mrs. Maria L. Hoag, the other two daughters live in the town of East Hamburg.. TOWN OF AURORA. 535 CHAPTER L. T HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF AURORA. HE town of Aurora lies near the center of Erie county and comprises township nine, range six, of the Holland Company's survey, which is six miles square. It is drained almost entirely by Cazenove creek, which enters the town near the southeast corner and runs almost due northwest, passing out a little east of the northwest corner. The west branch enters the southwest part of Aurora from Colden, and runs north- eastward, joining the main stream about a mile and a half south of the center of the town. Each branch is bordered by a valley of fertile loam. Between the two the ground rises into a broad, high upland with a clay sub-soil. A similar tract lies on the east side of the main stream, which for four miles after entering the town is moderately hilly, with clayey and gravelly soils intermixed, while the whole northern part is undulat- ing, with gravelly and very fertile soil. In 1802, township nine, range six, was surveyed into lots ready for settlement. In June, 1803, Jabez* Warren, then a resident of Middle- bury, in the present county of Wyoming, under a contract with Joseph Ellicott, the agent of the Holland Company, surveyed a road from the Big Tree reservation, near Geneseo, to Lake Erie, at a distance of about a mile south of the north line of the ninth township in each of the several ranges, but varying somewhat when necessary. The same summer he cut out the small trees and underbrush on a rod-wide strip of the new road so that a wagon could possibly pass. It was officially designated as the "Middle Road," the company having laid out one north and one south of it, but it has been popularly known from that time to this, as the "Big Tree Road." The On the 17th day of April, 1804, Mr. Warren took a contract for four- teen hundred and forty-three acres of land, on lots sixteen, twenty-four, thirty-one and thirty-two, conveying a large part of the site of East Aurora and much adjacent land. The price was $2.00 per acre. same day Henry Godfrey, (Warren's son-in-law), Nathaniel Emerson, Nathaniel Walker, Joel Adams and John Adams took contracts cover- ing the valley of the Cazenove for three miles, above Warren's tract, the price being $1,50 per acre, which was the cheapest that any land was sold in Erie county. Warren built a log house, (the first one in the township) near the site of the late Joseph B. Dick's residence, but did not bring his family until the next year. He and his men got their bread baked at Roswell Turner's, in Sheldon, while building the house and making a clearing. * This name has often been printed "Jabish," but Jabez is the correct form and Mr. Warren always wrote it thus during the latter part of his life. 536 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In May, Rufus and Taber Earl bought land on lot fifteen, in the southeast corner of the site of East Aurora, and Taber Earl at once built a house and moved into it.* He was probably the first man who took up his residence, within the limits of Aurora, and his wife was the first white woman who came inside of those limits. The same summer Joel Adams built him a house on the land now owned by his grandson, Ira S. Adams, and occupied it with his family. This was the first family that wintered in Aurora, as Earl took his family to Buffalo for the win- Three sons of Joel Adams-Enos, Luther and Erasmus, lived to extreme old age in and near Aurora; the one last named dying but a few years ago. The first settlers in the territory of Aurora found numerous relics of earlier inhabitants. The most important were two forts, on two abrupt hills, well located for defense, a short distance north of the site of the vil lage; both forts being circular and each containing three or four acres of land. The breast works were nearly four feet high at the time of set- tlement; the dirt being apparently thrown up from the inside. Trees three feet in diameter-pine, oak and hickory-were growing in the ditch. Numerous flint arrow-heads, from two and a half to three inches long, were found; also stone and iron axes. The stone axes had no eyes, being intended to be fastened to the handles with sinews of deer or thongs of deer skin by their Indian makers. The iron axes or hatchets were of the kind mentioned in Chapter III. of the general history, and were doubtless of French construction.† In March, 1805, Jabez Warren moved his family to his new home. on an ox-sled,‡ being accompanied by Henry Godfrey and Nathaniel Emerson. Godfrey settled near the present residence of Samuel W. Bowen. Emerson located not far away and resided in the township about fifty years. Taber Earl returned from Buffalo. Humphrey Smith, who had bought land the previous year, located himself and lived a short time near the forks of Cazenove creek. Jabez Warren's oldest son, William, afterwards known as General Warren, (who, though not yet. twenty-one, had been married two years,) built a cabin near the site of C. W. Merritt's residence, at the east end of East Aurora, and in August brought his family. He stated during his life that his was the seventh family in the township. Soon after his arrival he was appointed a cap- tain in the militia, his district embracing all of the south part of the present counties of Erie and Wyoming. He called his company together * Within a year or two afterward he moved to the farm where Harry H. Persons now lives, on the east line of the town. + Large numbers of these hatchets have been found in the valley of the Cazenove creek, and in one case fifty or sixty were discovered on the Crook farm, two miles south of East Aurora, where an elm tree had stood, which had been blown over. Mr. Warren, who was the leader of the settlement in Aurora, though not the first to bring his family thither, lived there until 1810, when he died, at the age of forty-nine. § The death of Mr. Smith's daughter is believed to have been the first in the township. TOWN OF Aurora. 537 and nine men appeared. The next year he built a log house near where H. Z. Persons now lives. When the first settlers appeared in the territory of Aurora, in 1804, it was still a part of the town of Batavia, Genesee county, and it was not until the spring of 1805, that the law of 1804 went into effect, making it a part of Willink, Genesee county, a town which extended eighteen miles wide from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario. The town business was usually transacted in what is now Clarence and Newstead. This town- ship remained a part of Willink for thirteen years. Timothy Paine came in 1806, locating a quarter of a mile east of East Aurora village, on land now owned by J. D. Yeomans. His sons Ira and Walter are mentioned as purchasers, in the records of the Hol land Company in the same year.* In that year, also, Phineas Stephens bought the mill site at the west end of East Aurora and erected a saw- mill. Among other purchasers of land in 1806 were Solomon Hall, Jon- athan Hussey, Oliver Pattengill and James Henshaw, the latter of whom bought the land in the west part of the town, on which he resided throughout his long life, and a part of which is still occupied by his children. Early in 1807, William Warren opened a tavern in a log house before mentioned, being the first one in the southeast part of Erie county. At that time the general elections were held in April and lasted three days. All previous ones had been held north of the reservation, but in April, 1807, the board of inspectors of Willink came across and held open the polls half of a day at Warren's tavern. The same summer the cabin in which he had first lived was used as a school house, in which Mary Eddy, (of what is now East Hamburg), taught the first school in the township. The next winter Warren himself taught a school in the same house. In 1807, also, Phineas Stephens built a grist-mill of hewed logs near his saw-mill, and the locality was afterwards known as Ste- phens' Mills until after the war of 1812. Ephraim Woodruff, the pioneer blacksmith of this region, opened a shop this same year; becoming the owner of a large tract of land in what is now the heart of East Aurora. About the same time Abram Smith, the father of Humphrey, (or, per- haps, the two in partnership) bought the mill site at what is now Griffin's Mills and also the one at West Falls. By the reorganization of the Holland Purchase, in 1808, described in chapter XIII. of the general history, the shape, the size and all the boundaries of the town of Willink were greatly changed, and it was transferred from Genesee county to Niagara, but it still included the whole of township nine, range six. The town being restricted to that part of the present county of Erie south of the center of the Buffalo *Timothy Paine was also the father of Judge Edward Paine and of Milton H. Paine. He died in 1822. 538 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Creek reservation, an election was held at least one day every year at Warren's tavern or in some neighboring locality. In 1808 a framed school house was erected on the north side of the Big Tree road, in what is now the middle of Pine street, East Aurora. Before it was finished, Miss Phebe Turner, afterwards Mrs. Judge Paine, kept school in the log school house. Among the new-comers of 1809 were David Rowley, Samuel Calk- ins, who located south of East Aurora village, and Timothy and Oren Treat. Oren Treat, then nearly twenty-two years old located himself on the farm where he resided throughout the remainder of his long life, and where he died in 1882. The same year Humphrey Smith* built a grist-mill at the point now called Griffin's Mills, though it was not fin- ished until the next year. The bolt was at first turned by hand. In 1810 Isaac Phelps, Jr., subsequently known as Judge Phelps, set- tled on the farm (near Smith's Mill) where his eldest son, Ledyard R. Phelps now resides. Chester Darby came with him and located himself on an adjoining farm. In the same year Jonathan Bowen moved from Massachusetts, making his first home in the woods a mile and a half southeast of East Aurora, soon removing, however, to the farm now occupied by Harry H. Persons. There was a larger immigration in 1811 than in any previous year. It included the Staffords, who settled between Stephens' Mills and Smith's Mills, and from whom that neighborhood has been called Staf- fordshire down to the present time; Moses Thompson who made his home in the same locality; Russell Darling and Amos Underhill. There were also many others who are known to have come into the township before the war of 1812, but the time of whose settlement is not known. Elias Osborne, subsequently known as Judge Osborn, located on the farm now owned by Daniel Blakely; Micah B. Crook was in the same locality; Israel Reed in the southeast part of the town; Josiah Emory was on the farm now owned by his son bearing the same name; John McKean kept a tavern near Stephens' Mills (at the old Eagle stand); Levi Blake lived in the same neighborhood; Daniel Thurs- ton, Jr., was on the Big Tree road near the Hamburg line; Joseph M. Henshaw settled at West Falls; Dr. John Watson, the first physician in the township, resided near Stephens' Mills, and his brother Ira G. Wat- son, also located there just before the war. Encouraged by the rapid increase of the population, John Adams and Daniel Haskell, who resided near what is now called Blakely's Cor- ner's obtained a small stock of goods in Buffalo, put up a counter in the log residence belonging to one of them and opened the first store in the territory of Aurora. But the pioneers did very little trading at stores, *It may be that his father, Abram Smith, was interested in the enterprise, but Humphrey appears to have been the more prominent man. TOWN OF AURORA. 539 and had very little means to pay for their purchases; so in six months the firm of Adams & Haskell was obliged to suspend. On the 20th of March, 1812, the towns of Hamburg, Eden and Con- cord were taken from Willink, reducing it to townships eight and nine in range five, and the same numbered townships in range six, now form- ing the towns of Holland, Wales, Colden and Aurora. During the war which broke out in 1812, the able-bodied men of this township were frequently called out in the militia under Lieutenant- Colonel William Warren, who was the commander of the regiment in the part of Niagara county south of the Buffalo Creek reservation ; each militia regiment being then organized with a lieutenant-colonel as com- mandant, and two majors, but with no colonel. There are few records of their services; such as there are will be found in Chapters XVI., XVII., XVIII. and XIX. of the general history. Among the officers from this township (besides Lieutenant-Colonel Warren), who served for various short periods, were Captains Daniel Haskell and James M. Stephens; Lieu- tenants Isaac Phelps and Micah B. Cook, and Ensigns Sumner Warren and Asa Warren. There was also a company of volunteers called " Silver Greys," of which Phineas Stevens was the captain, Ephraim Woodruff the lieutenant, and Oliver Pattengill the ensign. Their name was assumed on account of the supposed color of their hair, they being all past the age of forty-five, and therefore exempt from military duty. There were other companies of "Silver Greys" on the frontier, and they were probably organized in a battalion, as the captain of the Willink company is spoken of in some records as " Major Major" Stephens. He died while on duty at Black Rock, in December, 1812; his body being brought back to Willink and interred with military honors. We can learn noth- ing of the Silver Greys in the latter part of the war, and we think they were disbanded. Willink lay on one of the great lines of retreat from the scene of disaster, and for several days there was a flood of fugitives over the Big Tree road, of even more heterogeneous character and picturesque appearance than that which streamed along the Batavia route; for nearly all the occupants of the Buffalo Creek reservation, Indians, squaws and pappooses hastened eastward by way of Stephens' Mills and Sheldon. The greater part of the inhabitants fled, but most of them returned when they found that the enemy had retired, and when a well-appointed American army appeared on the frontier in the spring, the farmers resumed their labors with an assurance of comparative safety. In 1814, the first mail route was opened through the township. It ran from the west by Smith's (Griffin's) Mills; thence over the hill to the Osborn (now the Blakely) neighborhood, where a postoffice called Willink was established, with Simon Crook as the first postmaster; and thence eastward along the "Center Line" road. Doubtless the influence 540 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. of Elias Osborn had something to do with the selection of the route and the establishment of the office off from the usual line of travel, which ran along the Big Tree road; for he was the supervisor of Willink in 1813, and probably was in 1814.* Mr. Osborn soon removed to Clar- ence, where he was also a prominent citizen. At the close of the war, early in 1815, there were a few houses, mostly of logs, at each end of what is now the village of East Aurora, while scat- tered over the township were the log houses of the settlers already named, and of a few others whose names have escaped us. Immediately. after the war, there was a large immigration, and thenceforward the residents were so numerous that we can mention only a few of them. In the spring of 1815, Robert Persons, a young man about twenty-one years old, purchased a small unfinished building which had been erected by Gideon Lapham, on the present southwest corner of Main and Olean streets, East Aurora, and opened a store, the first permanent one in the township. In a year or two the mail-route was changed to the Big Tree road, and the Willink postoffice was removed to the vicinity of Stephens' Mills. In 1816, General Warren (for he had been promoted to Brigadier) built a framed tavern, which is still standing, next west of Spooner & Gundlach's store, and is probably the oldest building in the town. It was soon sold to Col. Calvin Fillmore. In 1816, Adijah Paul, Jedediah Darby and John C. Darby, three young men who had all been married at the same time in the same Vermont church, moved into the southwest part of the township, all settling on farms within a short distance of the site of West Falls. Jedediah Darby, located himself on the farm now owned by his son, James G. Darby, Esq. One or two of the oldest of the Boies family had located in Staffordshire, before or during the war. William Boies, then a boy of fifteen, came in the spring of 1815; subse- quently locating in the south part of the township. There were seven sons, Joel, Warren, Wilder, Eber, Jarvis, William and Watson Boies; the last two are still living. On the Big Tree road, Thomas Thurston, John Hambleton, and others, located soon after the war. Many of the residents on that road, in both Aurora and Hamburg, belonged to the society of Friends, whence it acquired the name of Quaker street, which it still retains. The brothers Samuel H., Hawxhurst and Isaac Addington, were among the early settlers of the township; the first named engaging in the mercantile business, and the last two being farmers. During the war, Obadiah Griffin and his two sons, James and Robert, had moved from Canada, and located at Smith's Mills. They were Americans by birth and had probably been obliged to leave Canada on that account. Soon after the close of the war, they purchased the mills * All the records of Willink and Aurora, previous to 1831, were destroyed by fire in that year, and we can only give such names of officials as we have casually met with. TOWN OF AURORA. 541 of the previous owners and carried on business there for many years. The Smiths moved away and the name of Smith's Mills was superseded by that of Griffin's Mills, or Griffinshire, and although the Griffins in time also passed away, yet their name had become so firmly fixed on the locality, that no change has been made. James Griffin was a man of considerable prominence, and was afterwards supervisor of Aurora two or three years. About the same time that the Griffins became the owners of the mills, Adam Paul opened a store near them, which he carried on nearly thirty years. Henry P. Van Vliet settled east of Griffin's Mills in 1817. On the 15th day of April, 1818, a law was passed creating three new towns covering the town of Willink. Township eight in range five, and the one bearing the same number in range six, were formed into the town of Holland; township nine, in range five, with adjacent territory on the reservation, was made a town by the name of Wales, while the remainder of the town of Willink, that is township nine, range six, with a tract of the same width reaching to the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation, was formed into the town of Aurora. As this last town con- tained the most populous part of the former one, and the town books. remained in it, Aurora has usually been considered as the legal successor of Willink, and the statement has frequently been published that the name of the town of Willink was changed to the town of Aurora. By the terms of the law, however, no change of name was made; three new towns were created from Willink, which ceased to exist. The old town, as is generally known, was named from Wilhem Willink, the head of the association of Amsterdam capitalists called the Holland Company. It seems a pity to have thrown aside the historic and appropriate name, but it was hard work for the settlers to pay for their land and they seem to have nourished a grudge against the cognomen of the chief proprietor. As for Aurora, that is a classical name, borne by the fabled goddess of the dawn. It sounds well to the ear, but is unfortunately very common. The postoffice of the village retained the name of Willink after it was dis- carded by the town. Having now reached the period when the town of Aurora came into existence, we will give an outline history of the town at large down to the present time, followed by sketches of the villages of East Aurora, Griffin's Mills and West Falls. The next eighteen years after the formation of Aurora constituted a period of rapid development, and also of general prosperity-consider- ing all the circumstances. Nearly every man was a farmer and nearly every farmer had run in debt for the principal part of the purchase money of his land, and although the price was low-ranging from two to five dollars per acre—it had been found very hard to pay it. But there was constant immigration into the town, and those who could not pay fre- 542 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. quently sold at a handsome profit to those who could. Everywhere the forest was falling before the woodman's axe, log-houses were giving place to framed ones, and wherever there was a passable mill site, a grist-mill or saw-mill was built-in fact saw-mills were erected on brooks that seemed scarcely sufficient for the purpose. There were at one time between twenty and thirty saw-mills within the present limits of Aurora. Numerous grist-mills. and other manufacturing establishments on a small scale were also built. The old grist-mill erected by Phineas Stephens burned and a new one was erected in its place by John C. Pratt; another called "the lower mill," was built where the Big Tree road crosses Cazenove creek; one of the Smith's who built the Griffin- shire mills, had already erected a grist-mill at what is now West Falls. About 1820 Lemuel Spooner built one in the southeast corner of the town, now owned by Lyman Cornwall. About the same time, or a little earlier, David Nichols built a carding-machine and fulling-mill on the west branch of the Cazenove, a mile and a half above its mouth. About 1822 an oil mill was erected on the same dam by Sylvester McKay. Near the same time Benjamin Enos built a tannery a little farther up the creek, which was carried on, however, only a few years. A little later Joseph S. Bartlett built a carding machine and fulling-mill on the east branch of Buffalo creek a short distance above the site of Stephen's Mill. There was also a tannery a little way east of Aurora village, and another a little below South Wales. Nearly, but not quite, all these mills and machine owners (probably all of the saw-mill owners) also owned farms which absorbed part of their attention. Their mills, etc., were on a small scale and rarely employed more than two or three men. Several of the saw-mills were only used in times of high water. In 1826 a strip a mile wide along the south side of the reservation was bought from the Indians, six square miles of which strip then belonged to Aurora, but as it is now a part of Elma its settlement is treated of in the history of that town. In 1830 the Buffalo & Aurora Railroad Com- pany was incorporated; the corporators being Joseph Howard, Jr., Edward Paine. Joseph Riley, Robert Persons, Calvin Fillmore, Deloss Warren and Aaron Riley, all residents of Aurora. These were the first citizens of Erie county who formed a railroad company. The road was surveyed by William Wallace (now a resident of East Aurora) and for several years strong hopes of its construction were entertained. These and other hopes were crushed by the great financial crisis of 1836 and 1837, which was probably felt more severely in Aurora than in most other country towns. It was a very dull town for many years afterward. Still, some new enterprise was established. A pail factory was built about 1840 by E. S. Taylor, on the site of the old oil-mill, which had disappeared. Taylor carried it on for a few years, when it passed TOWN OF AURORA. 543 · to Henry Van Vliet, in 1844. Three years later it was sold to William H. Davis, and about 1849 it was destroyed by fire. In 1843 Aaron Rum- sey, of Buffalo, built a large tannery on the west branch of the Cazenove, about a half mile above Griffin's Mills; he carried it on about twenty years, and until all the bark within a convenient distance had been used up, when work was necessarily suspended. The grist-mill in the south- east part of the town built by Lemuel Spooner, was replaced by one erected by Daniel McCown. This was built by Lyman Cornwall in 1850, who still carries it on. The remainder of the Buffalo Creek reservation being purchased in 1842, the real as well as the nominal jurisdiction of Aurora now extended over a tract reaching to the center of that reserva- tion, but the formation of Elma in 1857 reduced Aurora to its present limits. By 1860 the land was generally cleared, except a small wood-lot on each farm, even on the hill in the south part of the town, which was the last section to be brought under cultivation. The saw-mills on the small brooks had all disappeared and many of those on Cazenove creek. The "lower mill" had been carried away by a flood and had not been replaced. Agriculture in the form of "mixed farming" had become nearly the sole business of the town, outside of three or four small vil- lages, in which there was little mercantile business and less manufactur- ing. Then came the great war for the Union, in which a large number of the young men of Aurora took an active and honorable part. The story of the regiments and batteries in which they served is told in Chapters XXV. and XXIX. of the general history. Since 1860 a marked change has come over the agricultural charac- ter of the town. Previous to that time the principal part of the farmer's labor was directed to the raising of grain and the fattening of cattle for sale. If a dairy was kept it was generally with a view to the making of butter. A little before that year the manufacture of cheese began to increase. It went on increasing rapidly, several cheese manufactories were erected, and for nearly twenty years cheese has been the principal dependence of the farmers for the production of cash. At first each neighborhood had its own cheese factory, which was carried on independently, but in 1874 the "Cloverfield Combination" was formed by Johnson, Horton & Richardson; the head of the firm being Hon. William A. Johnson, of Collins, who had already tested the soundness of this plan of union by his "Marshfield Combination." When first formed the firm had but fourteen factories which they owned or rented, scattered over seven towns. The first year they manufactured eight hundred tons of cheese. The firm name was changed to Johnson & Richardson, and later to Johnson & Richardson's. In 1879 Mr. Harvey W. Richardson conceived the idea of having a central building whither cheese could be brought from all the factories, 544 HISTORY OF ERIE County. cured and offered for sale each week. This plan was carried out and a commodious brick building was erected that year on Elm street, at the east end of the village of East Aurora, convenient to the railroad. Here in the proper season may be seen teams bringing cheese from twenty-four factories, situated in Aurora, Colden, Wales and Marilla, with a few in Wyoming county, (for though the number of factories has been increased, the territory has been contracted) and here, too, on the appointed day of each week may be heard the animated bids of buyers from various localities, eager to secure the products of the Clover-field combination. The price usually rules a fraction higher than that brought by the renowned dairies of Herkimer county, at Little Falls. The firm became Richardson, Beebe & Co., on the 1st day of Jan- uary, 1882; Harvey W. Richardson, of East Aurora, being at the head of it. They use two hundred thousand pounds of milk daily and thirty million pounds annually, producing from thirteen hundred to fifteen hun- dred tons of cheese each year. This is believed to be the largest cheese combination in the United States; the Marshfield combination of Collins, standing next. The "Union Fair Association of Western New York," was estab- lished in 1878, and has held an annual exhibition at East Aurora from then till the present time. It is controlled by a board of managers con- sisting of the president, two vice-presidents, the secretary, the treasurer, and six directors. Ample grounds have been leased in the south part of the village, with sufficient buildings, and the annual fairs have constantly increased in interest. In blooded stock and cattle the later exhibitions are believed to be unsurpassed by any country fair in the State. The present officers are: James D. Yeomans, president; Seth Fenner, first vice-president; H. C. Jewett, second vice-president; George P. Dick, secretary; A. H. Hoyt, treasurer. The sending of milk to Buffalo has, since the construction of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad to Aurora, in 1867, become. an important industry to those farmers within a convenient distance of the road. The raising of apples for market has also assumed proportions. unknown in former years, and although it is subject to serious fluctu- ations on account of frequent occurrences of barren seasons, it has yet, on the whole, proven remunerative. The latest proceedings affecting the agricultural situation in Aurora, have been the establishment of extensive stock farms, principally devoted to the breeding and training of thoroughbred horses, although many cat- tle of the best stock are also raised. The first of these in point of time was that of Cicero J. Hamlin, of Buffalo. Mr. Hamlin has had a farm at Aurora many years, and has been engaged quietly in breeding fine horses, but within the past four years his establishment has been greatly increased and has received the name of "The Village Stock Farm," the TOWN OF AURORA. 545 · barns being at the west end of East Aurora, while the farm stretches back to the north. Besides three or four large barns built about ten years ago, a still larger one was erected in 1882, which is three hundred and eighty-two feet long. Besides numerous fine thoroughbred stallions Mr. Hamlin has about a hundred brood mares and a large number of blooded cattle. About five hundred cattle are fattened yearly on the premises. The largest establishment of this kind in Aurora, and one of the largest in the country, is that of H. C., and Josiah Jewett, of Buffalo, situated on the west side of the west branch of Cazenove creek, begin- ning about a mile west of the west end of East Aurora, and extending up the creek about two miles. The first land, being the farm formerly owned by William H. Corbin, was bought in 1878. Other tracts have since been purchased, and the Messrs. Jewett now have a farm of five hundred and forty-eight acres. Besides numerous smaller ones, they have two of the largest stock barns in the country. They have over three hundred horses, mares and colts, for some of which from ten to twenty thousand dollars are said to have been paid, and about fifty head of choice cattle. The latest large stock farm in Aurora is that of J. D. Yeomans of that town, situated a little east of East Aurora, and containing over four hundred acres. This, too, is rapidly becoming famous for the number and quality of its horses and cattle, and combines with the other two to make Aurora famous as a stock-raising town. We close this sketch of the town at large with the names of the supervisors, so far as known. The records of Willink and Aurora hav- ing been destroyed by fire in 1831, we cannot give a full list. Of the original Willink, Peter Vandeventer (of the district now known as New- stead) was the supervisor in 1805 and 1806, and Asa Ransom (of Clarence Hollow) in 1807. Of the reorganized Willink, Joseph Yaw (of what is now Boston) was supervisor in 1808 and 1809, according to the recollec- tion of the late General Warren. Elias Osborn was certainly the super- visor in 1813. Isaac Phelps, Jr., held the same position two or three terins between 1813 and 1818, but we cannot give the exact years. The fol- lowing is the list for Aurora, so far as known, with the years of service: John C. Fuller, 1825-26; Thomas Thurston, 1827-'28; Jonathan Hoyt, 1830-'34; John C. Pratt, 1835; Lawrence J. Woodruff, 1836-'37; Joseph S. Bartlett, 1838; Thomas Thurston, 1839-42; Jonathan Hoyt, 1843; Thomas Thurston, 1844; Hezekiah Moshier, 1845-46; Hiram Harris, 1847-'48; William Boies, 1849; Hiram Harris, 1850; Daniel D. Stiles, 1851-52; George W. Bennett, 1853-'55; Hiram Harris, 1856: Edward Paine, 1857-'58; William N. Bennett, 1859-'60; Seth Fenner, 1861-'62 ; Dorr Spooner, 1863-'65; DeWitt C. Corbin, 1866; Pliny A. Haynes, 1867-'68; Henry Z. Persons, 1869-'70; Christopher Peek, 1871-'73; John 35 546 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. P. Bartlett, 1874-75; Lyman Cornwall, 1876-'78; Henry B. Millar, 1879-'80; Lyman Cornwall, 1881-'82; James D. Yeomans, 1883. The present officers of the town (1883) are as follows:-James D. Yeomans, supervisor; A. F. Hitchcox, town clerk; Morgan L. Holmes, Albert F. Hitchcox, Josiah R. Brookins and James G. Darby, justices of the peace; Sylvester Griggs, Oscar A. Bartlett and Horace L. Henshaw, assessors; Thomas J. Hoag, collector; Josiah B. Wolcott, commissioner of highways; Robins Stillman, overseer of the poor; George W. Whit- ney, John W. Perry and Edward Pratt, inspectors of election of first district; John Hardie, J. F. Moore and James Neeper, inspectors of second district; Charles P. Persons, Joseph Wiser, Abram Ralyea and George W. Ricketts, constables; Joseph H. Shearer, Jenks H. Matthew- son and Alonzo U. Lockwood, commissioners of excise. EAST AURORA. The village of East Aurora is the result of the union of two hamlets which for over fifty years were commonly known as the Upper Village and Lower Village of Aurora. When the town was formed, in 1818, these hamlets were a full mile apart. At the Upper Village or East End there was the hotel of Calvin Fillmore, the store of Robert Person, and a few houses, some of logs and some framed. Dr. Jonathan Hoyt had just established himself there as a physician. At the Lower Village or West End, there was a similar collection of houses, the Eagle tav- ern, then or lately kept by John McKeen, and a grist-mill erected about that time by John C. Pratt. Both villages were growing with considerable rapidity. All the new houses were framed, and in a few years the old log structures had all disap- peared. The Willink postoffice was at the Lower Village, Elihu Walker, who had a harness shop there, being the postmaster. In 1818 or 1819, Polydore Seymour established a store there, which he kept a few years. After his death Samuel H. Addington succeeded him in business. George W. Baker, now a resident of Buffalo, followed Addington, but only remained about three years. Stephen Holmes established a store there in 1828. which he kept nearly thirty years. N. G. Reynolds also had one, which, in 1831, was bought by Samuel W. Bowen. In the meantime the Upper Village was also flourishing vigorously Robert Person kept the store on the corner of Main street until 1824, when he retired from business and sold the building to his brother, Charles P. Person, who added to it and transformed it into a hotel. This was the origin of the present "Globe Hotel," although, on account of various additions and changes, it now stands about forty feet from the corner. In 1820, Joseph Howard, Jr., located in the village and carried on both a store and a hotel. In 1828, he built a brick block on the cor- ner of Main and Pine streets, a part of which he occupied as a store. TOWN OF AURORA. 547 He was one of the leading men of the town from his arrival until his death in 1836. During the latter part of his mercantile career, Joseph Riley, who came to the place to reside in 1830, was in partnership with him, the firm name being Howard & Riley. Aaron Riley came to the Upper Village in 1820, and after acting as a clerk several years went into the mercantile business for himself in 1828. In the spring of 1823, a tall, fine-looking young man twenty-three years old, came to the Upper Village and opened the first law office in the town. This was Millard Fillmore, the future President of the United States. He had just been admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas (equivalent to the County Court) and had located himself in Aurora, partly, doubtless, because it was the most flourishing village in the county, outside of Buffalo, and partly because it was the home of his relatives; his uncle, Calvin Fillmore, being a hotel-keeper there, and his father, Nathaniel Fillmore, being engaged in carrying on a farm a mile south of the village. Until his marriage he boarded with Edward Paine. Mr. Fillmore practiced law at Aurora seven years, but, as the legal profession was not very lucrative in the struggling frontier hamlet, he taught the village school during the first two winters of his residence. He also frequently acted as a surveyor at a dollar and a half to two dollars per day, for the highway commissioners of that and adjoining towns, and for private persons. After two or three years' residence he returned to his former home in Cayuga county and married Miss Abigail Powers. He built a small house on Main street, which he occupied during his residence in the village. It was much increased in size by the next owner, Mr. Joseph Riley, who still occupies it. Mrs. Fillmore taught at least one summer term of the village school after her marriage, and afterwards taught a class of young men and women in history. There was no other lawyer in the town during Mr. Fillmore's resi- dence, but the place of an opposition counsel was supplied by James M. Stevens, more commonly known as "Jim" Stevens, a son of the first mill owner in Aurora, a man of marked natural ability and ready wit, but of eccentric habits and invincible indolence, who "pettifogged" with considerable success before the rural justices of the peace. He had a good deal of influence over juries, and by means of it, when Mr. Fillmore began practice, is said to have obtained a considerable number of ver- dicts against him, without much regard to the law or the evidence. That gentleman, however, appealed several cases to the Court of Common Pleas and easily obtained a reversal, a proceeding which deeply impressed subsequent jurymen with the idea that there were greater men than “Jim Stevens" in the country. In May, 1826, Nathan K. Hall, then a youth of sixteen, a son of Ira Hall, of Wales, entered Mr. Fillmore's office as a student. In an autobi- 548 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ographical sketch, Mr. Hall describes Mr. Fillmore as not yet admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court and as having but little business. Both lawyer and student were glad to use the surveyor's compass when an opportunity offered. Young Hall remained in Mr. Fillmore's office, except that he taught a district school every winter, until that gentle- man removed to Buffalo. In 1828 and 1829 Mr. Fillmore was elected to the Assembly by the Anti-Masonic party, which had just come into sudden power. In 1829 George W. Johnson opened a classical school or academy at the Upper Village, and the same year entered Mr. Fillmore's office as a student. Besides himself and Mr. Hall, Deloss Warren was also a student. Mr. Johnson has described Mr. Fillmore at that time as having a quick sense of the ridiculous, much humor and remarkable imitative powers, and as being fond, after his work was done, of sitting at the door of his office during the summer evenings, smoking his pipe and telling anecdotes, of which he was a vivid and amusing narrator. His propensities and tal. ents in this line, however, must soon have been subdued by the cares and labors of his later career, for in after years we hear nothing of Mil- lard Fillmore as a story-teller. In 1830 he removed to Buffalo, whither young Hali soon followed him; the latter being admitted to the bar in 1832 and entering into part- nership with Mr. Fillmore the same year. Mr. Johnson, after carrying on his private academy three or four years, also moved to Buffalo. Mr. Warren, however, after being admitted to the bar about 1830, practiced in Aurora several years. While Dr. Hoyt remained at the Upper Village, obtaining a wide practice in every direction, Dr. Erastus Wallis established himself at the Lower Village about 1825 and also had a large practice. Dr. Jabez Allen settled in the Upper Village as a physician in 1834, and Dr. George H. Lapham began practice there in 1836. Those four physicians were all in active practice at the same time, for about fifteen years. In 1833 the Aurora Academy was opened, an important institution, of which a separate sketch will be given. In 1835 Álmon M. Clapp established a weekly paper at the Upper Village, called the Aurora Standard. He published it three years, but the patronage was insufficient and it was given up. Shortly after the Standard, Deloss A. Sill established a paper at the Lower Village, but he carried it on only a short time, when he removed the press and type to Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county. In 1835, the people of the two villages had become strongly impressed with the idea that one or both of them was to become an important place, and in the speculative times of 1835 and 1836, there was a good deal of speculation in both villages. The financial crisis of 1837, rudely crushed these hopes, and it was a long, long time before they revived. TOWN OF AURORA. 549 The appearance of the villages—or village, for by 1840 there were houses scattered along every fifteen or twenty rods over the intervening dis- tance—steadily improved, rather by the growth of shade trees, the trim- ming up of yards, etc., than by the increase of buildings in number. At the Lower Village, John W. Hamlin was the principal merchant, he being succeeded by his brother, Cicero J. Hamlin, now the prominent Buffalo capitalist. He retained a store there several years after he removed to Buffalo, but was finally succeeded, about 1856, by Sylvanus B. Thompson. Judson Prentice also kept a store there several years near 1840, and there were others who remained during brief periods. Peter M. Vosburgh had settled there as a lawyer, between 1830 and 1835, and remained until he was appointed the surrogate of the county,. in 1845, when he removed to Buffalo. He was subsequently County Clerk. Isaac V. Vanderpoel was in company with him nearly ten years, and served one term as State treasurer. At the Upper Village, La Fay- ette Carver had located himself soon after the removal of Mr. Fillmore, and practiced there about twenty years. Albert Sawin went into prac- tice there before 1837, and remained until 1850, when he removed to Buffalo. He was soon afterward elected district attorney of the county. James M. Humphrey was admitted to the bar in 1847, practicing at the Upper Village until 1857, when he became district attorney and removed to Buffalo. He has since been State senator, representative in Congress and judge of the Superior Court of Buffalo. William C. Johnson, was admitted in 1848, practicing at both the Upper and Lower Village thirty-one years, and only ceasing a year before his death, which occurred in 1880. L. W. Graves and John F. Brown were admitted about 1854, both practicing at Aurora a brief period, and then, moving West. Joseph H. Shearer was admitted about 1858, and has practiced at Aurora most of the time since. In mercantile business the old firm of Howard & Riley was suc- ceeded by that of J. & J. O. Riley, which carried on business at the same stand several years. General Aaron Riley retired from business near 1850. In 1845, the firm of Paine, Persons & Co. was established at the Upper Village. After a few years, H. Z. Persons became the sole owner and has carried on the business nearly all of the time since. For several years the firm name has been H. Z. Persons & Son. Henry Keyser opened a small grocery about 1842, which was expanded into a general store and was carried on over twenty years. Shubael Waldo was in business as a merchant from 1850 to 1855. The grist-mill at the Lower Village, after changing hands several times, was destroyed by fire in 1853. In 1867 a new one was built by A. T. Hambleton, which has been in operation to the present time. The carding-machine and fulling-mill erected by J. S. Bartlett, and subse- quently owned by his sons, was burned in 1865. The next year J. P. Bart- 550 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. lett and O. A. Bartlett erected a woolen mill near the grist-mill at the Lower Village, principally used for the manufacture of yarn, which was carried on by them until 1882. It is not now in operation. Numerous fires have devastated different portions of the village, especially within the last eighteen years. The store of Mrs. Bean and a small one adjoining were destroyed at a still earlier period. The Eagle tavern and adjoining block were burned in 1869. The brick block occupied by Isaac Ellsworth and others, with the adjoining steam saw- mill of Amos Roberts, were destroyed in 1870. The Willink House and the store of H. B. Millar & Co., followed in 1875; the buildings on the northeast corner of Main & Buffalo streets in 1876; and the saw-mill of Cyrus Rogers at the east end of the village in 1878. Yet, oddly enough, this fiery period has corresponded with considerable closeness to the era of the greatest prosperity of East Aurora. There was no duller vil- lage in Western New York than that under consideration, for the few years succeeding the war. There were two stores at the east end, and one of them was closed for a short time. There were three at the west end, but only one had a large trade. Other business was at a correspond- ingly low ebb. Not more than two or three houses had been built in both villages in the ten years preceding 1867. With the construction of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad to the Upper Village in 1867 there was a slight improvement, but it was very slight for several years. In 1873, however, the old village corporation of Willink which had been in existence at the Lower Village twenty-two years, was extended over the Upper Village, and shortly afterward a majority of the people of the whole village voted to change its name to East Aurora. The village authorities proceeded to lay out several new streets; considerable land was subdivided into lots and new buildings began to be erected. From that time until 1882 there was a steady growth of the village in mercan- tile and manufacturing business, and in the erection of buildings. Be- tween thirty and forty buildings were put up in that year. This seems to have been the climax, as in 1883 only about a dozen were erected including, however, two churches in the number. Of the present manufacturing business the largest establishment is the planing-mill, furnace and plow factory of Darbee, Peek & Brother. This establishment is derived from the Eagle furnace, which was put in operation by Pratt & Bond about 1852. It was transferred to Nathan M. Mann near the close of the war and was devised to William H. Mann. It was bought by Darbee & Peek (J. Darbee and J. K. Peek) in 1874. It was removed from Main street to Oakwood avenue in 1878, when a large planing-mill was built, since which time an extensive business has been carried on and from thirty to forty men are employed. H. S. Peek joined the firm in 1883, which is now Dar- bee, Peek & Brother. TOWN OF AURORA. 551 The East Aurora Preserving Company was formed as a private firm in March 1880, and was made a stock company in August, 1882. Two large buildings are devoted to its use, and during the summer over a hundred persons are employed. On an average 500,000 cans of produce are preserved annually, principally vegetables, (corn, tomatoes, etc.,) with large quantities of fruits and berries. There is also the grist-mill of A. T. Hambleton & Co., carried on by N. Bolender; the tannery of D. Spooner & Son, which has been in operation nearly fifty years; the saw-mill etc., of D. K. Adams; the cheese factory and exchange, already mentioned; five wagon shops, two marble shops, four blacksmith shops, three shoe shops, two tinshops, etc. In mercantile business there are the general stores of H. Z. Persons & Son, (originally established by Paine, Persons & Co. in 1845;) of F. H. Fuller, (established by T. Fuller, ten years since ;) of Thompson & Hoyt, successors of S. B. Thompson, (in his new store at the east end ;) of T. & T. S. Millar, successors of H. B. Millar, (who purchased the store of S. B. Thompson at the west end, in 1867;) and of G. A. Edwards & Co., (established in 1867.) Also the clothing house of Chisman Gib- son (established in 1857;) the grocery store of Spooner & Gundlach (suc- cessors of J. A. Case & Co., established in 1867); the drug stores of Jabez Allen and Charles E. Lamb; the jewelry stores of Frank Kelsey, L. D. Mapes and Clarence Lamb; and the coal and lumber yard of S. Griggs & Son. The hotels are the Globe Hotel, established in 1824, by C. P. Per- sons; the Persons House, built in 1872 by Byron D. Persons, now owned and occupied by James Patterson; the hotel of C. F. Smith, rebuilt on the site of the Willink House, long owned by W. E. Blakely; and that of Robert Hammond, rebuilt on the site of the old Eagle Hotel, estab- lished seventy years ago. The lawyers are Joseph H. Shearer (in practice here nearly twenty- five years); Charles W. Merritt, (in practice six years ;) Charles H. Addington, (four years;) Frank N. Whaley, (two years.) The physicians are Jabez Allen, (retired ;) George H. Lapham, (in practice forty-seven years;) Horace Hoyt, (admitted to practice in 1848;) William H. Gail, (in practice here nineteen years, having been previously an assistant-surgeon in the army); and Dr. Burlingame, (homeopathist,) who came in 1882. Aurora Academy.-This institution of learning, for a long period one of the most celebrated in Western New York, was incorporated in 1832 as the Aurora Manual Labor Seminary, and the first building, a two- story frame, was completed in 1833. The first recorded election of trus- tees occurred on the 5th day of October, 1833, when the following gentlemen were duly chosen: Aaron Riley, Robert Persons, Edward Paine, Calvin Fillmore, Joseph Howard, Jr., Charles P. Persons, John C. 552 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Pratt, Jr., Elihu Walker, Lawrence J. Woodruff, Bryan Hawley, Stephen Holmes and David P. White. Elihu Walker was elected president, and Aaron Riley, secretary. Daniel Howard, Jr., was the first teacher, holding from 1833 to 1835. He was succeeded by A. Garrison. Rev. W. C. Kniffen was employed in 1837, but retired in a few months. On the 11th of April, 1838, the name of the institution was changed by the Legislature to the Aurora Academy. Hiram H. Barney began service as principal in May, 1838. A wing was added to the building the same year. Mr. Barney remained in charge of the academy until 1847, and under his strict but vigorous management it attained wide celebrity. He moved to Ohio in 1847, and was subsequently commissioner of schools of that State. He was suc- ceeded by Calvin Littlefield, who remained until 1852, a man of much originality and capacity, subsequently a lieutenant-colonel in the war for the Union, and now secretary of the St. Louis & San Francisco Rail- road Company. Rev. James M. Harlow was principal from 1852 to 1853, and Hiram L. Ward from 1853 to 1859. The latter gentleman was suc- ceeded by George Conant, who closed his services in 1865. In 1866 and 1867 a large new brick building was erected in front of the old one, which was removed. Charles W. Merritt was the next principal, and continued as such until 1872, with marked success. After Mr. Darwin Phelps had occupied the principal's chair one term, Mr. Merritt returned and remained nearly two years. Mr. Lloyd Rice, Miss Mary Stratton and Mr. David Sinclair occupied the principal's chair during the next three years, and Mr. Gary during the succeeding two years. Mr. Merritt again returned in 1879, but remained only one year. Mr. Leslie W. Lake served as principal in 1882 and 1883. In the latter year a Union School district was organized, composed of the village of East Aurora and some adjacent territory, and the use of the academy building was given up to the Union school for the cur. rent year. The Aurora Academy is still legally in existence with its board of trustees, but it has doubtless ceased to bear any part in the education of the youth of Erie county, by many of whom it will long be affectionately remembered. The Aurora Advertiser was established in the summer of 1872 by C. C. Bowsfield. It was subsequently owned by Charles Brown, by Brown & Smith, by Brown & Speers, and by W. C. Wood, the present editor and proprietor. It is an eight-page weekly paper, with five columns on each page, and is devoted principally to local news. Religious services were held by the Methodists in this locality as early as 1810, but no record of them has been preserved. Rev. Samuel Gail, a local preacher, was one of the very earliest Methodist preachers in this region. Their numbers steadily increased, and in 1827 they erected the first church building which was completed in Aurora. It TOWN OF AURORA. 553 was, for that period, a handsome and commodious edifice, and was situ- ated at the Lower Village, on what is now called Hamburg street. Rev. Mr. Gail and Mr. Isaac Addington were among the most prominent members at the time, and during the whole of their long lives. The. church flourished for many years and then declined, until about 1850, when it had but very few members. It subsequently revived and during the last twenty years it has become very strong. In 1877 a large and handsome church-edifice was built on the corner of Main and Center streets. The old building was sold to James M. Boies, who still owns it; it is called the Church of the Evangelist, and is used from time to time by such sects as desire to occupy it. In 1883 the Methodist Church had ninety-two members. The pastor was the Rev. J. Criswell. The stew- ards were: James Crannel, D. K. Adams, Emmons Fish, Robins Still- man, Christopher Peek, Mortimer K. Adams and Samuel Williams. The class-leaders were T. D. Wilson, T. C. Bartram and D. K. Adams. The trustees of the society were Edward Butlin, Robins Stillman and M. P. Adams. The Presbyterian Church was originally a Congregational Church, which was ministered to by "Father Spencer," and other early preachers for many years previous to 1826. At that time, or before, a society was duly organized which, in that year, joined with the Baptist society in erecting a church-edifice on Main street at the Upper Village. It was occupied by the two congregations on alternate Sabbaths for nine- teen years. On the 21st of March, 1843, the church adopted the Presbyterian form of government, and became a Presbyterian body. The members at the time of the reorganization were Isaac Blakeley, Huldah Blakeley, Benjamin Enos, Elihu Walker, Joseph Blakeley, John Blakeley, Asa Blakeley, William Smith, Martin C. Bently, Daniel Pierson, Jane Blakeley, Mrs. Rowley, Harvey White, Mrs. White, Edwin Fowler, Rhoda Fowler, Mrs. Pauling, Esther Blakeley, Laura Blakeley, Jane Smith, Wealthy Burt, Mrs. Cooper, Philip Holmes, Mrs. Holmes, Mrs. Pierson, Mrs. Enos, Mrs. Elizabeth Pierson, Mrs. Rachel Allen, Mrs. Allen, Mrs. James Collar, Mrs. Collar, Annetta Lee, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Watson and Helen Judd. The church connected itself with what was then called the Wyoming Presbytery, (old school). The first bench of elders were Benjamin Enos, Elihu Walker, Martin C. Bently and John Blakeley. The church and society set about erecting a house of worship which was dedicated in 1845. The society's first board of trustees were Joseph Blakeley, Robert Persons, Aaron Riley, Martin C. Bently and Daniel Blakeley. The first and only clerk of the board is Aaron Riley, who is still serving. The following ministers have served the society :—A. T. Young, James Dubar, James M. Harlow, Larkin, Charles D. Pidgeon, and R. M. Sandford, who is the present incumbent. 554 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The First Baptist Church was formed on the 17th day of October, 1810, under the supervision of Rev. David Irish, a missionary, with ten members viz:-Caleb Calkins and Elizabeth his wife; Daniel Rowley and Phebe, his wife; Samuel Calkins, and Naomi his wife; Amos Clark, Lydia Adams, Caty Swan and Hannah Jones. They adopted articles of faith and a church covenant, but for five years were without a pastor, and for fifteen years were obliged to meet in private houses and school houses. Rev. Elias Harmon was the first pastor, serving from 1816 to 1826, the longest time which any pastor has remained. X In 1826 the question of building a church edifice was agitated, and on the 19th of June in that year, a legal society was organized with the following as the first trustees:-Daniel Rowley, Enos Adams, Isaac Dunning, Josiah Maples, Sumner Warren and Thomas Holmes. This society and the Congregational society determined to erect a house of worship; it was begun in 1827 and completed in 1828; it was located on Main street at the Upper Village. It was occupied by the two churches in common until 1844, when the Congregationalists (then become Presbyter- ians) sold their interest to the Baptists. The membership of the latter church became much depleted before 1860, but since then has largely increased, so that there are now one hundred and five members. During the year 1883, the old church edifice was removed to the rear of the lot, and a large new framed building was erected, one of the finest,(perhaps the finest) in the county outside of Buffalo. The following pastors have served the church since 1816, in the order given: Rev. Messrs. Elias Harmon, Warren, William Simpson, P. S. Richards, Elias Harmon, William Smith, Elias Harmon, Benjamin Sawin, Elisha Blakely, Edward Coville, Benjamin Sawin, Peter B. Templeton, A. C. Barrelle, Harry Smith, E. G. Wood, L. W. Onley, Eliab Going, Harry Smith, E. J. Scott, R. Pierce, Darwin Wood, Will- iam Buxton, Charles Berry, A. Von Putkammer, J. W. Stone, F. W. Wall, Reuben E. Burton, B. E. Hillman and Albert M. Tennant, the present pastor, who came in September, 1880. The present deacons of the church are Isaac R. Calkins, Clark P. Bowen, Lewis E. Bowen and Frank Palmer. The trustees of the socie- ty are Horace Hoyt, J. D. Yeomans and Seth Fenner. The Disciple Church of East Aurora was formed in 1856, with the following members: Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Havens, Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Persons, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Prentice, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Paine, Mr. and Mrs. Whipple Spooner. The Rev. Theodore Homer was the first minister who preached regularly to the church, but he was not settled here. Rev. William H. Schell and William B. Young were also among the early ministers of the church. In 1865 a neat church edifice of brick was erected on Main street, at the extreme east end of the vil- * Caleb Calkins and Daniel Rowley were elected the first deacons in April, 1812, TOWN OF Aurora. 555 lage, on land donated by Robert Persons, just before his death, in 1864. The Rev. L. Osborne was the last regular minister. There are now about forty members enrolled. During the year 1868 the members of the Episcopal Church, though not regularly organized, were accustomed to meet for religious services at the house of the Universalists. On the 27th day of February, 1869, the church of St. Matthias was duly organized, with the following offi- cers: John Townsend and Clark P. Bowen, wardens; Byron D. Per- sons, William D. Jones, Henry B. Millar, Nathaniel A. Turner and Wil- liam D. Wallis, vestrymen; Rev. David A. Bonnar, rector. In 1870 a small framed church edifice was erected on the corner of Main and Maple streets, which is still occupied by the parish. The officers chosen in March, 1883, were E. T. Johnson and Richard Cartwright, wardens; William D. Jones, William H. Gail, Charles Bean, H. W. Richardson and William D. Wallis, vestrymen. The rector at that time was the Rev. Henry S. Huntington, who was succeeded during the year by the Rev. Henry M. Brown, the present rector. Those favorable to the Universalist faith, in this vicinity, united in 1844 and erected a handsome framed house of worship on the corner of what is now known as Main and Pine streets. A church was also duly formed. The regular membership has always been small though there have been many supporters of the church, and there have frequently been large congregations. The Rev. Messrs. John B. Saxe, C. C. Rich- ardson, C. S. Hatch and others have ministered to the church and con- gregation, but there is now no pastor. The German Lutherans of East Aurora and the vicinity organized in 1881 and built a framed church edifice on Pine street, at the east end of the village, which was completed in 1882. Religious services are regu- larly held there. The Catholic church is hardly as yet organized into a distinct body, yet during the past year a handsome church edifice has been erected on Oakwood avenue, and regular services will doubtless soon be instituted. GRIFFIN'S MILLS. We have already spoken, in the early history of the town, of the erection of Smith's Mills, the change of proprietorship and consequent change of name to Griffin's Mills. Taking up the sketch at the time of the formation of Aurora, we find that the Griffins carried on not only a grist-mill, but a saw-mill, a distillery and an ashery; and Robert Griffin kept a tavern, and Adams Paul had a good country store. There was a large amount of business done there, and in 1822 a brick tavern was erected. Isaac Phelps was one of the prominent men of the county, having been a member of the Legislature and a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. 556 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The Griffins sold their property and moved away about 1825. Henry Hill carried on the mills for several years after they went away. Henry P. Darrow was the next owner. Mr. Snashell is the present owner. Ledyard R. Phelps established a tannery there in 1828, which he carried on about thirty-five years. Adams Paul continued to be the principal merchant of the village until his death about 1840. James Ives also opened a store near 1825. He was succeeded by his son-in-law, Harry L. Baker. Mr. Baker was the first postmaster, holding that office in 1831. Aaron Riley had a branch store there from 1839 to 1842. O. Ṛ. Baker was also a merchant there at a later period. During the last forty years the village has lost much of its old activity. Theodore Henshaw carried on a small store there for twelve or fifteen years, but moved away a few years since. Josiah R. Brookins now occupies the same stand. Dr. Dutee J. Williams was an early physician at Griffin's Mills, practic- ing there until his death, about 1845. Dr. Caspian R. Morrow estab- lished himself there as a physician in 1852 or 1853, remaining several Dr. L. F. Boies located himself at the same point soon after the close of the late war, but remained only a few years. years. The West Aurora Congregational Church was formed on the 18th of August, 1810, probably under the direction of Rev. John Spencer, commonly known as "Father Spencer." The original members were Benjamin Enos, Seth McKay, Mary King, Samuel Henshaw, Betsy Hen- shaw, Laurinda Enos, Clement King, Elizabeth Henshaw and Joshua Henshaw. The church has always retained its Congregational form of gov- ernment, although for many years connected with the Buffalo Presbytery on the "Accommodation Plan." The following ministers, missionaries, pastors and supplies have been engaged for various periods, some for years and others for briefer terms: missionaries, Spencer, Bacon; pas- tors, Everts, Ingalls, Dutton, Smith; supplies, Lyman, Von Wormer, Baldwin, Garrison; pastors, Coan, Marsh, Kimball, Murray, Smuller, Coan, Darling, Parmelee, Skinner, Sandford, Gibbs, Middleton, Brooks, Jennings, Bassett. Rev. William Taylor, of West Falls, came to Griffin's Mills in 1868, began preaching with great zeal and secured about twenty converts. These formed a Baptist Church, organized a society and proceeded to build a house of worship the same year. Mr. Taylor remained in charge of the church about three years. Since then there has been no regular pastor, and the church is now disbanded. Elder Eli Herr, of Williams- ville, occasionally occupied the house for the purpose of preaching to the Mennonites. WEST FALLS. We have already mentioned the coming of several early settlers who established farms in the vicinity of West Falls. About the time that Aurora was made a separate town, or perhaps a little earlier, Abram } 1 1 TOWN OF AURORA. 557 Smith built a grist-mill at that point, and about the same time Lawrence Read opened a store there. From that time the hamlet grew very slowly to its present dimensions. One or more families named Crocker, settled in the vicinity and for nearly thirty years the place was known only as "Crockershire." Near the end of that period an effort was made to adopt the name of "Florence." But when a postoffice was demanded by the increasing business, that name was found impracticable, as there was already another office named Florence in the State of New York. Accordingly the name of "West Falls" was chosen, and a post- office was established by that name. Mr. Smith sold the mill not long after its erection, and it was subse- quently owned by Miner Strope, Willard Berry, Mr. Jones, Mr. Kellon, L. B. Clark, John Willey and John Snashell. Lawrence Read was followed as the store-keeper of Crockershire by Reuben Baker, who remained twelve or fifteen years. Allen Holmes also went into the mercantile busi- ness there about forty years ago, remaining in it until his death. Among other merchants of West Falls, were Hiram Green, who came about 1850; F. C. Thompson, Byron A. Churchill, who came in 1870; Wheeler C. Holmes, 2d, and George T. Harvey, who recently succeeded Mr. Churchill. The mill-power at West Falls is a valuable one and there are no less than four saw-mills in it, owned respectively by Henry Haight (the father of Hon. Albert Haight, one of the justices of the Supreme Court), by the Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad Company, by Mrs. L. C. Burr and by Smith Decker. Besides the early hotel keeper, Joseph M. Henshaw, who carried on a hotel at the upper end of the village over thirty years, George M. Huntley began keeping the present West Falls Hotel about 1845, in a house erected ten years previously by James H. Ward. It was subse- quently owned by Benjamin Birdsall for about ten years, and after changing hands several times is now owned by Hannah Shererd. a The first physician in the village was Dr. F. T. Bishop, who located himself about 1840, but remained only a few years. Dr. O. C. Strong established himself there soon after the late war, in which he had been an assistant surgeon, but soon removed to Colden, since which time there has been no physician. The justices of the peace at West Falls have been James H. Ward, who served ten years; Harrison P. Waters, sixteen years; Riley Blakely, eight years; Byron A. Churchill, ten years, (justice of sessions three years), resigning, on his removal from the village in 1882; James G. Darby elected in his place. The first church organized at West Falls was the Methodist Episco- pal, which was formed over sixty years ago. Mrs. Jedediah Darby, Mrs. John C. Darby and Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Holmes were among 558 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. the first members. The Rev. James Hall was one of the first ministers. The church occupied the school house until 1849, when the Union church edifice was erected; since then it has held its services in that building. The organization has been maintained down to the present. time, but there are now fewer members than formerly, and there is no regular minister. The Free Baptist Church was organized by the Rev. George H. Ball, of Buffalo, in 1858. The Rev. Mr. Stewart was the first stationed minister. The Rev. Miss C. A. Bassett was the second and last minister in charge. The Free Methodist Church was formed in 1859, and two years later a house of worship was erected for its use. The first preacher was the Rev George Humphrey; the present one is the Rev. A. A. Burgess. There are about twenty members. The stewards are Charles Thurber, Mrs. Carrie Murray and Mrs. M. L. Darby; the trustees of the society are James G. Darby, Albert Perry and David S. Waters. Jabez Allen, M. D., of East Aurora, was born in Dorset, Benning- ton, Vermont, July 16, 1808. He was the son of Obadiah Allen and Phoebe Fargo, and brother of the well-known Dr. James Allen, of Ham- burg, who died of a cholera fever years ago. He received his prepara- tory medical training under his brother, who was practicing medicine in Tinmouth, Vermont, and took the degree of M. D. from the College of Castleton, Vermont, in 1833. Theodore Woodward was at that time professor of surgery, and the well-known and able botanist, William Tully was professor of theory and practice, Alden March of anatomy, and Lewis C. Beck of chemistry—a corps of lecturers widely known for their great abilities in the several positions they held. In 1834 Dr. Allen came to East Aurora and opened up a practice, making a professional call the same day he reached the village, and during the half century of his practice in the place has not failed to do more or less business every day. The professional duties of Dr. Allen, coming at the time he did into an unsettled country, necessarily called him off on long rides through the towns of Erie county and that of the surrounding territory giving not only a very great amount of travel, but making the work very laborious. His son, Jabez Allen, Jr., a student of medicine under him, had succeeded in building up a trade in drugs, He became an expert com- establishing his store in his father's office. pounder of medicines, but death released him from all labors in 1877. Dr. Allen then took charge of the store and relinquished the riding part of his practice. Dr. Allen was married November 22, 1844, to Miss Millicent S. John- son, sister of the well-known lawyer, William C. Johnson, of East Aurora. The children born of this union were four sons, two of whom are now dead. One son, Loran Allen, is a farmer in the town of Six Miles, Kan- sas. Orange F. Allen is on a farm in the town of Aurora. General Aaron Riley, of East Aurora, was born in Litchfield, Conn., November 11th, 1806. He was a son of James Riley and Anna Osborne. His father was born in 1769, in Bridgton, Cumberland County, N. J., and was a small farmer near Litchfield, and lived to be over eighty-three TOWN OF AURORA. 559 years of age. During the whisky insurrection in Pennsylvania in 1793, he was called out and performed military service in putting down the disturbance. He visited his children in Western New York during the latter part of his life, but not liking the climate of the West returned and died in 1852. His mother, Anna Osborne, was a native of the same county and died in 1819. Her brother was the Rev. Ethan Osborne, who lived to be ninety-nine years, nine months and some days old before he died. He married a sister of James Riley, and served his church as minister for seventy-five years. General Aaron Riley came with his elder brother, Dayton Riley, to Genesee county when fourteen years of age, and soon afterward to East Aurora, where he found employment with Joseph Howard, one of the leading merchants and prominent citizens of the county. He remained there as clerk from 1820 to 1827, and during this period received under his tuition as a business man that education which Îaid the foundation of his success afterward and which has distinguished him in business matters so prominently throughout the entire country generally. During his clerkship under Mr. Howard, he was earnestly solicited by Millard Filimore, then a rising and prominent lawyer of the place, to study law. He had prior to this, during the odds and ends of time, spent in all about two years in Mr. Fillmore's office as clerk, por- ter and student, but having had the business principles of merchandising instilled in his mind, Mr. Riley gave up this opportunity to N. K. Hall, who was chosen to the vacancy, and who afterward became Member of Congress, Judge of the Supreme Court, and Postmaster-General. In 828, Mr. Riley evinced so much tact and shrewdness in merchandising that Mr. Howard offered him his store, and earnestly advised him to begin business for himself. He had but little money at this time, but taking advantage of the excellent opportunity offered, at once entered into the business with his usual energy, which he successfully carried on for twenty-five years. During the meantime, as it was the custom of merchants in those days, he took up his notes in exchange for produce of all kinds, also for stock, which he would drive overland to Philadelphia. and other eastern markets. His good judgment and business capacity in the selection of stock, soon secured for him a wider field for operation, and one that brought him into contact with all the leading speculators of the country. He was made agent for the Holland Land Company, and for them, bought cattle in exchange of notes for land, carrying on a successful and very extensive trade. In 1842 and 1843, his prominence brought him to the notice of Hiram Slocum, the Mayor of Troy, N. Y., who entering into a partnership, furnished money in large quantities with which he bought large droves of cattle, and the firm, at one time, largely supplied the army and navy with beef and pork. During the patriot war of 1837, General Riley was Deputy Sheriff of the county which position fitted him for other services he afterward performed, that not only redounded to his own credit, but to the general welfare of the public. An imaginary boom had swept through the financial circles, a few years prior to his taking this office, that bankrupted many of the business men of the city. It was during this time, he called out the One Hundred and Seventieth New York Regiment, and led it into the field ready for duty. He after- ward organized the Sixty-seventh, Sixty-eight and Sixty-ninth New York Regiments, and chosen commander of the brigade. This brigade 560 HISTORY OF ERIE County. was organized and equiped by him, and so efficient was its manage- ment that General B. F. Bruce, Inspector General of the troops, at that time, said that General Riley had the best equiped staff in the State of New York. It was through the enterprise and sagacity of General Riley, that the Aurora & Buffalo plank road was put through and carried to com- pletion in 1848-49. He at the instance of Judge Turner, undertook the raising of funds and the building of this road. He assiduously labored with many of the leading men of Buffalo and county, until the move- ment was set on foot. He raised the subscription for this purpose, Gen- eral James Wardsworth starting the list with his name for $5,000. He raised in all $42,000, and of this amount $20,000 in one day. The road cost $58,000 but so profitable was the enterprise) that the three gates on the line, cleared the debt in two years, and paid a dividend of 12 per cent. until the railroad was built, after which it paid 6 per cent. annually. General Riley was also instrumental in securing the building of the Buf- falo, New York & Philadelphia railroad. He entered into this enterprise with his usual fervor, and after an agitation of the project for full fifteen years, he secured the attention of leading citizens throughout the coun- try, and after locating the line also saw the work of his own hands suc- cessfully completed. In 1851, he was elected to the Legislature and served one term. Gen. Riley has been one of the most industrious men of the times. He has always had a multiplicity of business interests, and has as yet never made a failure in any of his financial business undertakings, and as a result of his labors has accumulated a handsome fortune. He has taken from the first a prominent part in educational matters, being one of the first to help establish the Aurora Academy. His name was the first on the list for one of the trustees in 1833, and he has been an efficient offi- cer in that capacity now covering a period of just a half century. He was one of the leading movers in the building of the Presbyterian Church forty years ago, and although not a member of that society, has been one of its trustees and clerk of the board ever since. Gen. Riley has never sought popularity, but is nevertheless considered one of the leading substantial business men of the whole country. For the last forty years he has occupied and directed the management of a stock farm of about three hundred acres with great success, and is regarded as one of the most successful stock raisers in the county. He was married to Miss Angelette Rice in 1830. She was a native. of Cayuga county, and died in 1852, leaving four daughters: Mariett Emily (deceased); Sophia, wife of William B. Champlain, son of Commo- dore Steven Champlain, and cousin of Commodore Perry; Anna Mary, wife of Prof. C. W. Merritt, and Ella Grace, his youngest child. Gen. Riley began in Aurora a poor boy, but by attending to all matters of business with promptness and dispatch, has, he thinks, been the main secret of his great success in life, and that with his early training, under one of the best merchants of the times, laid the foundation upon which followed the successful carrying out of many of his important enterprises. TOWN OF WALES. 561 CHAPTER LI. I HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WALES. T HIS town is situated on the east line of Erie county, a little south of the center of that line. It is bounded on the west by Aurora, on the south by Holland, on the north by Marilla and a small part of Wyoming county, and on the east by the last named county. It com- prises township nine, range five, of the Holland Company's survey, and bas an area of thirty-six square miles. The principal stream is the cen- tral branch of Buffalo creek, (generally called Big Buffalo creek,) which enters the town on the east side near the southeast corner, runs across it in a northwestward direction and passes out on the north side, about two miles east of the northwest corner. Hunters' creek is a small but long stream, which enters Wales near the middle of its southern bound- ary and runs in a northerly direction until it enters Buffalo creek, about a mile and a half south of the north line of the town. Cazenove creek runs across the southwestern corner of Wales, about a mile of its course being in that town. Big Buffalo creek is bordered by a broad fertile valley; Hunters' creek by a narrow one; the greater part of the remainder of the town is composed of high land, with gravelly or clayey soil. In 1803 the Middle or Big Tree road was surveyed and cut out through township nine, range five, and thence westward to Lake Erie. It ran nearly on its present course, a mile south of the north line of the town- ship, but it made a half-mile curve to the southward to avoid the ex- treme steepness of the hill just east of Buffalo creek. The first settlement in the territory now constituting the town of Wales was made in the year 1806, when William Allen and Ethan Allen located themselves where the road just mentioned crossed Buffalo creek about a half mile south of the site of Hall's Hollow. The same year Amos Clark and William Hoyt bought land on the Center Line road, on or a little west of Hunters' creek; but Hoyt made a settlement the next year northwest of the site of Hall's Hollow. Early in 1807 Jacob Turner located himself near William Allen. In April of that year the first election was held in the township at Mr. Turner's house. The township was then a part of the town of Willink, (Genesee county,) which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario and included range four, five and six of the Holland Company's survey. No election had previously been held in it south of the Buffalo Creek reservation. Elec- tions were then held three days, and the “ board” had ridden over on horse-back from Clarence Hollow on the afternoon of the second day, and kept the polls open during the forenoon of the third day at what is 36 562 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. now East Aurora, and had then ridden out in the afternoon to Mr. Tur- ner's house. Nathan Moon and Charles and Alexander McKay also came into the township in 1807. In February, 1808, two brothers, Ebenezer and John M. Holmes, came from the East and located themselves on the top of a hill, in the center of the township north and south, but close to its western line. Ebenezer Holmes had eight children, including Gilbert, John, Seth and Ebenezer, and John M., had nine, including Horatio, George W., Winfield S., Henry and Sidney; as they all grew up in that locality it naturally received the name of "Holmes' Hill." Silas Havens came into the township the same year. On the reorganization of the Holland Purchase in March, 1808, as re- lated in Chapter XIII. of the general history, this township became a part of the county of Niagara, but remained a portion of the town of Willink, which was made to include all the present county of Erie south of the Buffalo Creek reservation. Peleg Havens, Welcome Moore and Isaac Reed were among the new comers in 1809, and there were others in all these years whose names are not attainable. James Wood, then twenty years old, came in 1810, and made a clear-¸ ing just south of where the village of Wood's Hollow now stands. There was then not a house south of him in the township. Samuel Searls came from Montgomery county the same year and settled on the farm now owned by Thomas Hill, where he resided until his death in 1830.† In 1810 the first framed house was built in the township, by Jacob Turner. It was recently in existence on the farm of Isaac W. Gail, Esq. Alvin Burt, his son, William A. Burt, and Benjamin Earl, also came as early as 1810. Isaac Hall settled in 1811 at the point now known as Hall's Hol- low, where he and his brother Eli built mills that year and the next, and where he subsequently erected a hotel. Varnum Kenyon also located that year in that part of the township; William Carpenter took up his residence about a mile east, near where the Pochel tavern now is ; Eli Weed, Jr., settled on the high land subsequently known as Weed's Hill, and Nathan M. Mann made his residence in the southwestern part * Mr. Wood was, during the greater part of his life, one of the most prominent men of the town of Wales. He was one of the first merchants and carried on the mercantile business many years. He was the supervisor of the town four years, and was a member of the Assembly in 1846. He died in 1876, aged eighty-six. + Mr. Searls' son, Samuel J. Searls, long a well known citizen of Wales, was two years old when his father settled in the township. Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Searls celebrated their golden wedding in 1880. † William A. Burt was a man of marked mathematical and scientific ability. He was subsequently a prominent surveyor and engineer in the northwest, and is said to have been the inventor of impor- tant improvements in the compass. He was a brother of the late George L. Burt, a well known mill- wright of Wales. § There were four brothers of Isaac Hall-Ira, Jonathan, Eli and Amos H., who located in Wales Ira came as late as 1818. when Isaac did, or a few years later. TOWN OF WALES. 563 of the township near Cazenove creek. Lyman Blackmar was another settler of that period, near the center of the township. Dr. Ira G. Watson located in 1812 on a farm a little south of the site of South Wales, where he remained in the practice of his profession until his death about thirty years later. Dr. Watson is said to have been eighteen years old when he was married, while his wife was sixteen. The first store in the township was also established in 1812, by William A. Burt, at a log house near where Samuel J. Searls now lives. During the war able bodied men of this township were nearly all on duty in the militia, on the frontier, at one time or another, but there is no special record of their services. Lyman Blackmar is known to have been a captain of militia at that time (he subsequently attained the rank of colonel) and Varnum Kenyon and Thomas Holmes were lieutenants. Oliver Pattingill was a lieutenant of the "Silver Greys. In the battle at Black Rock and Buffalo, on the 30th of December, 1813, Israel Reed, of this township, was killed. He was a middle-aged man, afflicted with the asthma. He was on guard duty when his regi- ment was ordered out that morning, but induced another man to take his place, went into the battle and remained until nearly every one else had fled. He then retreated in company with the late Colonel Emery, then a private in the ranks. They had stayed so long that the Indians were close upon them. For a while Emery accommodated his pace to that of his asthmatic companion, but at length Reed sat down on a log, saying he could go no farther, and advising Emery to hasten his flight, which the latter did. Reed was afterwards found beside the log, shot, toma- hawked and scalped, although his still loaded musket showed that he had made no resistance. John Russell bought a large tract of land in the southwest part of the township in 1813, and settled on it in 1814. It included the farm on which his son, William C. Russell, now lives, and the site of the village of South Wales. In August, 1815, he sold a piece of land to Aaron War- ner, who was the first purchaser in the village. The next one was Henry Monroe. Early the next year Mr. Warner built a tavern where the " Osborn House" now stands, and soon afterwards opened a store, being the first merchant in the county south of Willink village (now East Aurora). As early as 1815, John Cole moved into the township and located near where Lyman Wood now lives. His oldest son, Niles Cole, was long a well-known resident. Isaac Wightman, who now resides in East Aurora, at the age of over ninety years, moved into Wales in 1817. In the spring of 1818, the town of Wales was formed from Willink; comprising township nine, range five, with a nominal jurisdiction over the Indian lands opposite that township as far as the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. The first town meeting was held at the house of Daniel Rowley the same spring, and the following officers were elected :- 564 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. John Cole, supervisor; William A. Burt, town clerk; Charles Blackmar, Henry Morrow and Jared Scott, commissioners of highways; Ethan Allen, Daniel C. Crane, and David Hamilton, assessors; Ebenezer Holmes and Jared Scott, poormasters; William Blackmar, collector; William Blackmar and William Hoyt, constables; Ira G. Watson, Timothy Shaw and Calvin Clifford, commissioners of schools; Nathan M. Mann, Isaac Howe and Jesse Durand, inspectors of schools. It was also voted that a bounty of ten dollars should be paid for the killing of each wolf in the town. Ira Hall, a brother of Isaac, came to Wales in 1818, and established a tannery and shoe-shop near his brother's mills.* In that year also Stephen Patch came into the town, purchased land about a mile southwest of Wood's Hollow, and made his home there. He was accompanied by his sons, Thompson, Stephen W. and Oliver Patch, who were long among the most prominent citizens of Wales.t Before 1818 Jacob Turner had built a grist mill at the place now called Wood's Hollow, which he carried on a few years and then removed to Strykersville. From this time forward there were three little centers of business growing up in Wales, one at the mills and tannery of the Hall Brothers, which began to be known as Hall's Hollow; one at Turner's mill, since known as Wood's Hollow; and one at Warner's store and tavern, now called South Wales. After giving a brief sketch of the town at large and noticing some events occurring outside of those localities, we will give with some detail an account of the business changes which have transpired at those three points. On the formation of the town, in 1818, it was settled in all parts, although in some sections the residents were not as numerous as they were subsequently. Children were to be seen in ample numbers. Mr. S. W. Patch declares that there were more children in his school district when he came there than there are now, and old residents give similar evidence in regard to other parts of the town. Most of the houses were of logs, although since the war a few framed structures had been erected. The forest was falling rapidly beneath the axe, the smoke of burning log-heaps rose in every direction, and the con- version of the resultant ashes into potash which could easily be trans- ported to distant markets, furnished one of the few sources of ready money *One of Mr. Ira Hall's sons was afterwards distinguished as a jurist and a statesman, but the Nathan Kelsey Hall remained with Nathan Kelsey, the person boy did not come with his father. after whom he was named, until 1826, when he came to his father's home in Wales, being then six- teen years old. After a few months passed in the store he entered the law office of Millard Fillmore, in Aurora, the same year. Sylvester R. Hall, the present supervisor of Wales, is a much younger son. Stephen Patch, the elder, died in 1821. Thompson Patch died many years ago, after a long career as a merchant. Oliver Patch died in the West in 1882. Stephen W. Patch still resides in Wales, having been a justice of the peace several terms and held various other positions. He cele- brated his golden wedding in the summer of 1883. J TOWN OF WALES. 565 available to the settlers. Asheries were important establishments; dis- tilleries were still more so. The late James Wood said he could count seven distilleries on Buffalo creek at that period, within the limits of Wales. They were numerous also in other townships, but Buffalo creek furnished many conveniences for establishments of that kind, and Mr. Wood was a careful observer. Among the prominent citizens of Wales at an early period, besides those already mentioned, were Nehemiah Smith, Helim Taber, Elon Virgil, Abner Nutting, Henry B. Stevens, John Carpenter and John Carpenter, 2d. In 1821, soon after the formation of Niagara county, the first post- office was established in the town. It bore the name of Wales, and the first postmaster was William A. Burt, who kept it at his store at Hall's Hollow. About the same time Isaac Hall established a line of four-horse stages through the town, along the Big Tree road, which was then, not- withstanding its many hills, a very important thoroughfare. A few years later James Wood was made the postmaster, who transferred the office to his store at Wood's Hollow, in which village it became a permanent fixture. Another office was established at South Wales in 1826. In that year three-fourths of the Indian land situated in Wales was bought by the Ogden Company, and was soon sold to white men. This extended the actual as well as the nominal jurisdiction of Wales over a tract more than nine miles long. The annals of the section subsequently included in the town of Marilla, are given in the history of that town. In 1835 a hotel was built at the point a mile east of Hall's Hollow, where the road to Wood's Hollow leaves the Big Tree road, which was called the Wales Centre House. Mortimer Stevens, who had a small store near the hotel, procured the establishment of a postoffice there about 1843, called Wales Centre, of which he was the first postmaster. It was kept there until 1850, when it was removed to Hall's Hollow, where it has since remained and which thus acquired the name of Wales Centre. The point at the forks of the road was also sometimes called Wales Centre, as the tavern there still bore the name of the Wales Centre House. A tavern has been kept there most of the time since. There were numerous saw-mills in early days not only on Buffalo creek, but on Hunters' creek and other small streams. Nearly all of these ceased to be used as the town was cleared up, and only two or three now remain. By 1840 or 1845, framed houses were generally sub- stituted for log ones, and the farms were mostly cleared. When that stage was reached the career of an agricultural town necessarily becomes somewhat monotonous. Once indeed the quiet of every such town was rudely broken, when the trump of war called its young men to arms in the defence of their country. The young men of Wales promptly re- sponded, but no separate company was formed and the story of their services is mingled with that of the various Erie county regiments and batteries in Chapters XXV. to XXIX. of the general history. 566 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Since the war the most marked fact connected with the agriculture of the town has been the steady change of grain-raising to cheese-mak- ing, which has taken place in Wales as well as in surrounding towns. The cheese factories in the town are now principally, if not entirely, owned by Richardson, Beebe & Co., the proprietors of the celebrated "Cloverfield Combination," and the cheese is taken to East Aurora to be cured and sold. We will close this general sketch of the town of Wales with a list. of the supervisors and present officers. The supervisors, with their years of service, have been as follows: John Cole, 1818; Ebenezer Holmes, 1819-26; Niles Cole, 1827-'29; Moses McArthur, 1830-'31; Nathan M. Mann, 1832-37; Elon Virgil, 1838-'40; Ira G. Watson, 1841; Elon Vir- gil, 1842; Isaac Brayton, 1843-'44; David S. Warner, 1845-'47; James Wood, 1848-'51; Charles A. Sill, 1852-'53; David S. Warner, 1854: Harry A. Stevens, 1855-'56; Comfort Parsons, 1857; Jared Tiffany, 1858-'59; John McBeth, 1860-'61; A. G. White, 1862; Clark Hudson, 1863-'64; Alonzo Havens, 1865-'69; Turner Fuller, 1870; Edward Leigh, 1871; Charles N. Brayton, 1872-'76; Eugene Norton, 1877-'80; Frank Osborn, 1881-'82; Sylvester R. Hall, 1883. The following are the present officers, (1883): Sylvester R. Hall, supervisor; George W. Holmes, Edwin Leigh, Isaac W. Gail and Millard F. Russell, justices of the peace; Macy B. Searls, town clerk; Samuel J. Searls, O. C. Grover and W. P. Shaw, assessors; Charles F. Merlau, collector; Joel A. Parker, highway commissioner; Egbert Smith and Jacob Fisher, overseers of the poor; David Griggs, Frank Shang and Thomas Tomlinson, inspectors of election; William Blackmar and J. Waters, constables; William Torge, Simon Baker and John A. Sleeper, commissioners of excise. WALES CENTRE. This village began its existence with the erection of a saw-mill and a grist-mill by Isaac and Levi Hall, in 1811-'12. They carried them on over twenty years. They then passed through the hands of several owners, including Messrs. Smith and Morse, until they came into the possession of Mr. Stillwell, who was accidentally killed about 1849, while oiling the machinery of the grist-mill. They were subsequently owned by John Hausauer (six or eight years), by John McBeth & Co., by Charles F. Hall (1871), by Horace T. Bush, by A. D. Allen (two years), by Carl Schwell, and by Bullard & Wurtemberger. David Norton built a carding machine at the Hollow in 1815 or 1816, but that has long since been given up. The first store in Hall's Hollow, or Wales Center, was kept by Will- iam A. Burt, in a log building erected by him in 1814 or 1815. It was carried on by him in that building, or another close by, eight or ten TOWN OF WALES. 567 years. He was succeded by Mr. Mead, who carried on business a short time. Jonathan Hall also kept a store in the village about 1830. Ethan Allen opened a store in 1852, and carried it on until it burned in 1882. Turner Fuller established one about 1844, which he carried on until about 1870, (except for about four years,) when he sold it to El- bridge G. Kent, who is now the proprietor. Hiram Cole built a store building nearly fifty years ago, which has passed through various hands, and in which for the last ten years a store has been carried on by War- ren A. Hall. Willard W. Stevens had a store in the village several years between 1850 and 1860, as did also B. F. Pollard. Eugene Norton kept a grocery and provision store for several years previous to his death (in 1882); the building being now occupied for the same purpose by M. S. Waters. The first hotel at Hall's Hollow was built by Isaac Hall in 1816. He was succeeded by Anson Norton before 1830. Additions were made to the building, but the original one was retained. After two or three other changes, Truman and Allen Pattingill took the hotel, about 1845. They two in company and Allen Pattingill alone carried it on until 1872, when it was occupied by Andrew D. Allen. He was succeeded by Emanuel Myer in 1876; he by P. Myers, and he by Michael Myers. It burned in 1882, but a new building was erected in the same year, in which a hotel is now carried on by Mrs. M. Myers. The first physician in Hall's Hollow was Dr. Gilbert McBeth, who established himself there in 1842. He moved to Buffalo in 1846, and died in 1849, near Fort Laramie, on his way to California. Dr. John McBeth came in 1843 and practiced with his brother, just mentioned, until 1846. He then began to practice independently, and has continued to do so during the thirty-seven years which have since elapsed. Several other physicians have practiced here for brief periods during that time, among them being Dr. Asa W. Warren, now of Chicago; Dr. William Miller, who died in the West; Dr. Bradley Goodyear, who was at Wales during the late war and is now in Buffalo; Dr. Gilbert Bridgeman and Dr. Charles Hill, both now deceased; Dr. Maynard, also deceased; and Dr. J. G. Rowe, who was here in 1881 and is now in Toronto. Dr. M. B. Searls was graduated as a physician in 1869 and has practiced at Wales Centre ever since, except during a brief interval in the West. The Baptist Church was organized about fifty years ago; Isaac Hall, Joseph Stanton, Peleg Havens and Helim Taber were among the earliest. members. The meetings were held in school houses and private houses until 1846, when a church edifice was erected. P. M. Hall was a deacon He contributed a large of this church nearly or quite half a century. portion of the means necessary to build a meeting house, and to support a minister from that time until his death, in 1881. The Baptist minister at Aurora now preaches at Wales Centre once a fortnight. 568 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The Methodist Church was organized nearly sixty years ago, but there are no records regarding those early days. A church edifice was erected in 1846, but was not completed until 1848. Rev. Samuel Gail was an early minister and did most of the preaching for many years. Rev. Joseph Burrows was another of the early preachers. The church was early connected with the one at Wood's Hollow, and so remains to the present time. The same preacher ministers to both. WALES HOLLOW. This village sometimes called Wood's Hollow, sometimes Wales Hollow, and sometimes Wales, dates from the time when Jacob Turner built a grist-mill there, in or before 1817. After carrying it on a few years he moved to Strykersville. Reuben Westcott succeeded him in the ownership of the mill; he being succeeded by Roswell Buck and Calvin Cowan, who bought the mill in 1825 or 1826. It then passed into the hands of Dr. Williams of Buffalo, who did not occupy it and during whose ownership the mill was wholly or partially destroyed by water. G. L. Huff bought the property and built a woolen factory there in 1829. He was succeeded in 1832 by Milton Noyes, who carried on the factory successfully until his death, in 1844. It was then rented until 1846, when it was set on fire and burned by Elias Brooks, who was sent to a State prison nine years for arson. Oliver Patch built a grist-mill in 1850, which he carried on five or six years. He was followed successively by George Isment, Cyrus Rog- ers, William Lapp & Co., and Green & Munroe. The first store in the village was opened by Orsamus Warren, (father of James D. Warren, proprietor of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser) in 1823. James Wood was soon taken into partnership, the firm name being Warren & Wood. Warren withdrew in 1827. N. G. Reynolds soon after became a partner, the firm name being Wood & Reynolds. In 1832 Stephen and Oliver Patch bought the store and carried it on until 1835, when the former withdrew. Oliver and Thompson Patch and James Wood then carried it on a few years, when Oliver Patch bought the interest of his two partners and carried on the business alone until 1834 or 1835. Thompson Patch then bought the store and carried it on until 1872. The building is now occupied as a dwelling house. Edwin Leigh opened a general store in 1861, and has carried it on ever since. He has been the postmaster during the same period. George N. Kent erected a new building in 1871 or '72, in which he has since kept a store. John Minkle has had a grocery store since 1881. The first hotel was built by Jesse Westcott, in 1826. It was kept by him several years and then passed through several hands, until about 1857, when Moses Hartwell took possession of it. Four years later he sold it to Edwin Leigh, who has since occupied it as a store. The other TOWN OF WALES. 569 hotel was built in 1830 or 1831, by Reuben Westcott, a brother of Jesse. It has been owned by numerous persons, and is still in use as a hotel, having been occupied by Eugene Pattengill since 1879. The first physician in the village was Dr. Richards, who came about 1832, built the house now occupied by Stephen W. Patch, and practiced his profession until 1839. He was succeeded by Dr. James Ives, who remained a few years. There have been no physicians since. The Methodist Church was organized in 1831, and a church edifice was erected in 1834. Services have been maintained since that time. There are now about fifteen members. The Rev. Albert Osborn is the pastor. The trustees are Joseph Burroughs, Thomas Burroughs, Peter Hale, Philip Simons, George Fullington, John Dubois and Edwin Leigh. The Free Methodist Church was organized in 1861 or 1862, and a house of worship built during the latter year. The membership is small, but the stated services are maintained; the Rev. A. Burgess being the present pastor. SOUTH WALES. The hamlet of South Wales may be considered to date from 1816, when Aaron Warner built a tavern there on land bought of John Rus- sell. The site has been owned by himself and his son, David S. Warner, from that time until it was sold to E. W. Osborn, in 1882, though no hotel had been kept there for more than twenty years previous. Mr. Osborn re-opened it as a hotel. Mr. Warner opened a small store the same year that he established his tavern. In this, too, he was succeeded by his son, David S. Warner, who carried it on until 1877, when he was succeeded by his son, Clark Warner. Abijah McCall, A. M. Chamberlain, Greenman Smith, Jesse Colby and Lewis L. Butler also kept stores for short periods between 1850 and 1870. William Edwards opened a general store in 1868, which he still carries on. Nathan M. Mann, who resided on a farm south of the village and carried on a blacksmith shop, was the first postmaster, appointed in 1826. David S. Warner succeeded him in 1832, and was the postmaster most of the time until 1883, when Mrs. W. P. Barker was appointed. Between 1854 and 1864 the persons before named as store-keepers also kept the postoffice. Samuel Spooner built a grist-mill soon after Warner's tavern was opened, and in 1819 Gideon Barker established a tannery; but they were both on the creek in the town of Aurora. Dr. Ira G. Watson practiced in this vicinity from 1812 until his death, about 1845. Dr. Levinus W. Cornwall practiced several years between 1850and 1857. Dr. A. C. Osborn came in 1857. He was succeeded by his son, Dr. Frank Osborn, in 1867, who has practiced here ever since. 37 570 HISTORY Of Erie CouNTY. The Congregational Church was organized on the 28th of August, 1841, when it consisted of the following persons: Gideon Barker, Cynthia Barker, William P. Barker, Phoebe Barker, Ira G. Watson, Mary N. Watson, Sarah Ripley, James M. Taylor, Caroline Barker, Eliza Barker, Sally Maples and Harriet Newell. Gideon Barker was the first deacon, and Ira G. Watson was the first clerk. Rev. Nathan Smith was the first minister, and Rev. William Bridgemann was the second one. There are now but fourteen members. Stated services are still held, but they are far apart. The present elders are O. C. Grover and C. M. Ben- son; the deacon is William Edwards. Dr. John McBeth, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest of his father's family. His father James McBeth with his family, consisting of a wife and three children, Gilbert, James and Helen, together with his brother Gilbert and his two sons, Andrew and John, and daughter Mar- garet, sailed from Greenock, in Scotland, about the year 1820, and after a voyage of sixteen weeks, landed at Quebec and remained in the lower province. Gilbert having been accustomed to farm work settled in the township of Godmanchester, where he remained until he died at a ripe old age, but James being one of the Scotch weavers and had never done ought but follow his trade, could eke out but a scanty fare in the then wild and sparsely settled province, and after the subject of our sketch was born his father moved from Dalhousie, in the upper province, to Hinchinbrooke, in the lower province, near his brother Gilbert, and there purchased a small piece of wild land, where he remained struggling with poverty until both he and his wife died, and consequently the home was broken up. The oldest son, Gilbert, had been living in Rochester with Dr. E. G. Munn for some years previous, James was working out near home where he could get employment, and now his sister Helen went to work in the village of Huntington, and John, then a boy of twelve or thirteen, went to live with his uncle, and remained there about four years, during which time the patriot war occurred in 1837-38. During that winter there was a time when all able-bodied men were called out in defense of their country, and left nothing but boys and oid men to care for stock and provide food for the families at home during the severe winter. The following summer the subject of our sketch worked on the farm and in the winter improved the opportunity of attending school three miles distant five and one half days each week, besides taking care of thirty-two head of cattle, a team of horses, and fifty sheep daily, and Saturday afternoons assisting in getting up enough wood to last the next week. Such were his privileges, but in 1829 he forsook all these and started out to find his brother Gilbert, who had left home several years previous and who was now with Dr. E. G. Munn in Rochester. After staying a few days with him, he went to Scottsville, and there found an opportunity to work for a widow lady named Knowlton, where he worked for his board and attended school. He remained there nearly two years and the succeeding two years he made his home at Dr. Peter McNaughton's, and in 1843 concluded to take up the study of medicine with his brother Gilbert who had moved to Wales Centre the year previous. The following winter he attended his first course of medical lectures at Woodstock, Vt. In 1846 his brother TOWN OF EVANS. 571 moved to Buffalo, and he remained at Wales Centre until business became established in the city and then they intended to go in business together, but in the year 1848 cholera became epidemic throughout the United States, and the indications were that Buffalo would suffer, and as his brother had had the disease while in Rochester he seemed fully convinced that if it reached Buffalo he would take it and if so die. As this was the first season of the gold excitement in California Gilbert determined to join a company composed of such men as Colonel Fay, Ira H. Blossom, two Haydens and two Hayes, and set out for the land of gold. They accordingly elected their officers and equiped themselves for the journey, and started on the 28th day of February, 1849, but mis- fortune overtook them on their way for four of their number which included A. H. Hayes and Gilbert McBeth died of cholera before they reached Fort Laramie. This put an end to all thoughts of moving West which our subject had, and since that time he has devoted his whole time and attention to his profession in the same locality where he put up his first prescription. His political faith, led him to take the oath of allegiance in 1844, when he voted for Henry Clay. Upon the organization of the Republican party, he became a thorough Republican and represented the town of Wales in the board of supervisors two terms. In 1852 he joined the Sons of Temperance, and is now a member of the Good Templars of the Royal Temple of Temperance. He enlisted in the militia regiment No. 67, and continued a member of the same until it was disbanded. In June 1863, when the State militia was called upon to send eight regiments to the frontier, Governor Seymour ordered the Sixty-Fifth, Sixty-Seventh, Sixty-Eighth and Seventy-Fourth, from Western New York, and the subject of our sketch was commissioned as Lieutenant- Surgeon on Colonel Chauncey Abbott's staff, and afterward General Couch ordered the regiments to Buffalo, and they were mustered out of service but in a few weeks the draft called for more men to fill the quota of the town, and after passing the necessary examination our subject was declared sound and given the alternative of either joining the army again or paying three hundred dollars which he accordingly did. August 11, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Clara P. Taber, with whom he lived happily over five years, and February 20, 1876, their union was blessed by the birth of a daughter, Clara T., but the mother was not per- mitted to enjoy this life longer, and died on the 24th of the same month. CHAPTER LII. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF EVANS. E VANS is situated in the southwestern part of Erie county, being bounded on the east by Eden, on the south by Brant, on the north- east by Hamburg, and on the west and northwest by Lake Erie. It is nearly all in township eight, range nine, of the Hudson Company's sur- vey, which is larger than most other townships. Its southern boundary is about eight and a half miles long, while the distance from that boundary 572 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. to the northernmost point in the town, at the mouth of Eighteen Mile creek, is a little over seven miles. The total area, according to the last report of the assessors, is 25,481 acres, or about forty square miles. The surface is generally level or slightly undulating. The principal stream is Big Sister creek, which runs through the town from the south- east corner, pursuing a direction a little north of west. Delaware and Muddy creeks are situated southwest, and the Little Sister and Pike creeks are situated northeast of Big Sister; while Eighteen Mile creek drains the northeastern corner of the town, forming its boundary for about two miles. All these streams empty into Lake Erie. The first settlement in the territory of Evans was made in June, 1804, by Joel Harvey, who located on the west side of Eighteen Mile creek, near its mouth. During the next few years there were several persons who built cabins and took up their residence in the tract now known as Evans, either in the vicinity of Harvey or farther up the lake shore, but they all moved away after a brief stay and none of their names have been preserved. In 1806 Mr. Harvey opened a tavern in his log house at the mouth of Eighteen Mile creek, the first in the terri- tory of Evans. There was considerable emigration from the East to Ohio at this period, and all the emigrants who went with teams were obliged to travel on the beach of the lake, no roads being as yet opened. These were the principal customers of the new tavern, though some of it came from the settlers up Eighteen Mile creek, who were compelled to use the shore of that stream when they visited Buffalo. At the time of Harvey's settlement, in 1804, the territory of Evans was a part of the town of Batavia, but the next year the law went into effect making it a part of the town of Erie (Genesee county), which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario. In the reorganization described in Chapter XIII. of the general history, it became a part of Willink (Niagara county), which comprised all the present county of Erie south of the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. No permanent settlement was made after that made by Harvey until the spring of 1809, when a young man named Aaron Salisbury located himself about three miles southwest of Harvey's place near the lake shore,* and Aaron Cash settled near the site of North Evans. The fol- lowing year Anderson Taylor settled on the site of Evans Centre, and David Cash, Elijah Gates, Nathaniel Lay, John Barker, Seth Sprague and Martin Sprague made their homes at various points near the lake shore. In 1810 or 1811 Gideon Dudley located at Evans Centre, David Corbin and Timothy Dustin settled near that point, and a Mr. Pike made his home on the stream now known as Pike's creek. About the same time Job Palmer took Harvey's place as a tavern-keeper at the mouth of * Mr. Salisbury became a very prominent citizen of Evans, being its supervisor several years, a Member of the Assembly and an associate judge of the court of common pleas. TOWN OF EVANS. 573 Eighteen Mile creek. Among the settlers of 1811 was James Ayer, of Haverhill, Mass., with his children-Gorman, Bradley, Ira, Mrs. Moses Dart, Mrs. Mary Labial, Mrs. Sarah B. Black and Mrs. Henrietta Atwood. James, the youngest child, was born after the arrival of the family at their new home. Members of this family became prominent in the affairs of Evans, especially during the war for the Union, their services in which will be mentioned further on. Hezekiah Dibble took up his residence in the township about the same time, becoming one of the leading citizens of Evans, as was also his son, Orange J. Dibble. In 1812 William Cash came from Duchess county and located him- self southwest of Evans Centre, where his family of twelve children grew up and occupied the land.* In March of that year the town of Eden was formed from Willink; it included the present towns of Boston, Eden and Evans, and a part of Brant. It would appear that the greater part of the population was then in the two eastern townships, for when Eden was organized the next year, the records show but one officer, out of the thirteen chosen, who is known to have resided in the present town of Evans; this was David Corbin, who was elected one of the assessors. When the war with Great Britain broke out in June, 1812, the few settlers on and near the lake shore were subjected to more than the usual annoyance and alarm felt on the frontier, for the British had three armed vessels on the lake and the Americans none, so that the former held entire command. Their largest vessel, the Queen Charlotte, was especially ac- tive, and her boats frequently came ashore in the district under consid- eration, when their crews would seize on everything which they could possibly use and on some things which were not of the slightest value to them. The men of the settlement were sometimes taken on shipboard, but were generally released after a few days of captivity. It is said that when the settlers were absent in the militia, as was frequently the case, some of the women did not take off their dresses for a week at a time, keeping themselves ready for instant flight. An account has been published in various forms of Aaron Salisbury's repulsing a band of marauders in the summer of 1812. As told by his family the story was about as follows: The enemy first landed not far from his residence and carried off such eatables as they could conveniently find, to their boats. Young Salisbury seized his musket, followed them alone and fired a few shots at them. As most of the country was covered by a dense forest they could not tell what force was assailing them, and proceeded to embark on their vessel which sailed down the lake. Suspecting that they would land, as they often did, at the mouth of Eighteen Mile creek, the young man * Mr. Cash died in 1853, at the age of eighty-nine. Of his immediate family the only survivor is his son, Ambrose Cash, a highly respected citizen of Evans, now seventy-eight years old. His only child is Mrs. Hiram Carpenter. 574 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. hastened thither and, as he expected, found a boat's crew just coming on shore. He again began firing as rapidly as possible, and the enemy, think- ing from this repeated resistance that a large force was in the vicinity, hastily rowed back to their vessel. Similar raids were made throughout 1812 and a part of 1813, but after Perry's victory in September of the latter year, there was no more annoyance from English cruisers. In 1814 Mr. Salisbury was commis- sioned as a lieutenant of the militia. When the British threatened to attack Buffalo in December, 1813, nearly all the able-bodied men of this region went to meet them. Will- iam C. Dudley, a school-teacher of Evans Centre, was a major in the regiment of militia commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Warren, of Wil- link. When the news of invasion came he hastily dismissed his scholars, mounted his horse and was on his way to meet the foe. To a Euro- pean soldier it would seem odd enough to see a young man hasten- ing from the teacher's seat in a log school house to take his place as a field officer, at the head of a regiment. Yet Major Dudley did his duty gallantly, and was killed at the battle of Black Rock on the 30th of December. It is believed that Peter Hoffman, another of the slain, was also a resident of the present town of Evans, but it is not certain. After the close of the war emigrants came in large numbers, and soon occupied all the greater part of the tract now constituting the town of Evans. A saw-mill and a grist-mill were built on the site of Evans Centre in 1815 and 1816, and a small settlement grew up there, which for many years was known as Wright's Mills. The main line of travel to the West at this time, however, seems to have run nearer the lake shore, but when the turnpike was built by Wright's mills, that became the prin- cipal route. About 1818, as appears by the newspapers of the period, a postoffice was established on the lake shore by the name of Eden, in which town Evans was then included. James W. Peters was the first postmaster. On the 16th of March, 1821, the town of Evans was formed by the Legislature; it comprised the present town of that name (except a very small tract taken from Hamburg in (1826) and a part of the town of Brant. It was named in honor of David E. Evans, one of the officers of the Holland Land Company and afterward its agent. The name of the postoffice was soon after changed from Eden to Evans. In 1821, also, Dr. George Sweetland located himself at the point now known as East Evans and commenced practice as the first physician in the town. Thenceforward Evans went forward in the usual quiet manner of agricultural towns. Wright's Mills became known as Evans Centre, *The early records of the town have been lost. The first supervisor's name we find recorded is that of Nathaniel Gray, who served in 1825. TOWN OF EVANS. 575 and there the principal part of the business of the town was transacted. A still smaller hamlet grew up some two miles northeast, to which was given the name of East Evans. There was a postoffice there as early as 1830. Meanwhile the forest was cleared off in every direction, the log houses of the pioneers gave place to framed ones and the town assumed the appearance of cultivation and prosperity. At the time of the "patriot war," most of the young men of Evans saw a little service in camp under Colonel Ira Ayer, commander of the Forty-fourth Regiment of New York State Militia; though it was regarded rather as a matter of amusement than of serious service. Of all who participated in it we can name but five (though there are perhaps others) who survive as residents of the town, viz.: Colonel Ira Ayer, Daniel Mosher, Ames Avery, Thomas Root and Elijah P. Smith. Early in 1839 the town of Brant was formed which reduced Evans to its present limits. Among the prominent citizens of the town during the middle part of its existence, were Orange J. Dibble, Aaron Salisbury, Ira Ayer, James Ayer, Dr. George Sweetland, William Cash, Nathaniel Lay, Josept Ben- nett (connected with the lake trade from early youth), Peter Barker (author of an interesting sketch of the town on file in the archives of the Buffalo Historical Society), William Van Duzer, and somewhat later Edmund Z. Southwick, Josiah Southwick (sons of Job Southwick, Sr., of North Collins), H. N. Candee, Lyman Oatman, etc. On the 22d of February, 1852, the Buffalo & State Line Railroad (now a part of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern) was opened for travel through the town. As the road ran about a mile from Evans Centre, a village was soon laid out near the point where it crossed Big Sister creek, to which the name of Angola was given. Through the facilities given by the railroad it gradually drew trade away from Evans Centre, and for many years it has been the business center of the town. When the war for the Union broke out in 1861, the young men of Evans hastened to take their part in the defense of their country. Nor was the enthusiam entirely confined to the young. When, after the defeat of McClellan in 1862, the President called for three hundred thousand more volunteers, Colonel Ira Ayer, then sixty years old, who had commanded a regiment of militia twenty-five years before, and his brother James, almost fifty years old (having been born in 1813), who had also been a colonel in the militia and was then the supervisor of the town, both received commissions as captains and both were successful in raising companies for the One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment of New York Volunteers, Captain Ira Ayer's command being designated as Company A, and his brother's as Company K. The age of the former made it impossible for him to endure the hardships of camp life and he was obliged to resign his commission on account of ill-health on the 1st of 576 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. March, 1863. Captain James Ayer went to Louisiana with his regiment, but he, too, was far too old to undergo the sudden transition from a civilian's to a soldier's life, especially as his constitution had been pre- viously weakened by pulmonary difficulties. He fell sick a few months after the arrival of the regiment in Louisiana, and died at Baton Rouge on the 22d of May, 1863. Sergeant Elijah P. Smith, now of the Union Hotel at Angola, attended him in his last moments and buried his remains. After the Mississippi was opened to the Union ships, his body was brought home and re-interred at Evans. Captain Ayer was a devoted Christian and a man universally beloved, and his entrance into the army at his age and under all the circumstances, was an act of the most unsel- fish devotion to the cause of the imperilled country. Companies A and K, both of which were largely recruited in Evans, served with the One Hundred and Sixteenth throughout the war, and the story of their deeds will be found in the history of that gallant regi- ment, in Chapter XVIII. of the general history. Many of the members were approaching middle life when the war began and had ample means to secure their comfort, but like their two captains, were willing to make any sacrifice which their country required. Post Ayer, of the Grand Army of the Republic, which may be fitly mentioned in this connection, although not organized until the 17th of March, 1881, was named in honor of Captain James Ayer. Its charter members numbered twenty-eight, as follows: G. I. Thompson, E. P. Smith, T. G. Holbrood, Ira Ayer, George W. Carr, John Hiller, Carmine Ryther, Joseph Frohley, Jacob Friend, William Brower, Edward Barry, John Shears, James Reed, S. Barnhardt, F. Glossen, T. J. Russell, F. N. Baker, Adrian Patrick, T. Hummel, C. C. Robinson, W. Mattison, Charles Craig, L. T. Colvin, Harvey Crawford, Robert Wilson, John F. Wilcox, William Doan and B. R. Train. The post has now increased to seventy-two members, and its meetings are occasions of deep interest among the veterans of Evans and vicinity. Its headquarters are at Angola. Since the war the most startling event which has occurred in Evans is the great railroad disaster which took place on the 18th of Decem- ber, 1867. On that day an express train from the west, on the Lake Shore Road was two hours late and was running at a high rate of speed; it was made up in part of three coaches, filled with passengers. When the train reached the bridge over Big Sister creek, near Angola, at half past three o'clock in the afternoon, and had passed upon it, the rear coach became detached from the train by some unknown means and plunged over upon the frozen creek forty feet below. The second coach was detached immediately after the first, and also went over into the abyss. So sud- den was the accident that not a person escaped from either coach, and to add to the horrors of the disaster, both of the wrecked coaches caught TOWN OF EVANS. 577 • fire and one of them was entirely consumed, burning to death many of the injured who might otherwise have lived. Physicians came from Buf- falo as soon as practicable and they, with the assistance of the passengers who had escaped injury, and others, did all that was possible for the wounded, most of whom were taken to the dwellings of Job Southwick and Frank Griffith, who lived near the scene. The number of the killed in this calamity was twenty-three; eighteen were seriously injured and twenty-seven slightly. Since the event just described little has occurred to require special remark. Another railroad, (jointly owned and occupied by the New York, Chicago & St. Louis and the Buffalo, New York & Philadel phia Companies) was built through the town in 1881 and '82, but as it runs close beside the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, it has produced little effect on the general situation. The following is a list, nearly if not quite complete, of the physicians who have practiced in Evans. As before stated, Dr. George Sweetland was the first physician in the town. He located at East Evans in 1821 and brought his family from Tompkins county the following year. He remained there until his death which occurred in 1882 at the age of eighty-eight. He was in active practice until a short time before his death. We believe he had a longer practice than any other physician in Erie county. Dr. Marvin came a few years after Dr. Sweetland, with whom he was in partnership several years, when he moved West. Dr. Aldrich, a son of Nathan Aldrich, an early settler, came next, and after practicing at Evans Centre eight years he also moved West. Dr. Nelson Sweetland, a nephew of Dr. George Sweetland, settled at Evans Centre, but moved to Illinois soon after. About the year 1850, Dr. Southworth was in practice with Dr. George Sweetland and met a horrible death by burning, in his residence. In 1845 Dr. Armstrong located himself at the Centre, but soon moved to the West. Dr. Beckwith was the next physician in that village; he moved to Angola where he died in 1870. Dr. Powers settled. at Angola in 1858, and was the first physician there. He disposed of his practice to Drs. Curtis and Owen who, in the course of a few years located elsewhere. The former is now a professor in a medical college in Illinois. A younger Dr. Curtis succeeded him at Angola, but after a brief stay he also moved to the West. He was followed by Dr. William Danforth, who is still in practice, as are Drs. J. G. Thompson and E. R. Raymond. The town records prior to 1856 have been lost; we can, therefore, only give the following list of supervisors, compiled from other sources, which is incomplete as to the earlier years of the existence of Evans: Nathaniel Gray, 1825; William Van Duzer, 1827; Jonathan Hascall, Jr., 1830; Orange J. Dibble, 1832; Aaron Salisbury, 1833 to 1838, inclusive Sayles Aldrich, 1839 and '40; Joseph Bennett, 1847; John Borland, 1850; 578 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Joseph Bennett, 1852; Myron D. Winslow, 1853; Peter Barker, 1854 and '55; Myron D. Winslow, 1856; Ira Ayer, 1857 and '58; Myron D. Wins- low, 1859 and '60; James Ayer, 1861 and '62; Lyman Oatman, 1863; John H. Andrus, 1864; Lyman Oatman, 1865; Edmund Z. Southwick, 1866 to 1870, inclusive; David C. Oatman, 1871 to 1874, inclusive; Edmund Z. Southwick, 1875; D. C. Oatman, 1876; Josiah Southwick, 1877 and '78; Orlin C. Brown, 1879 to 1883, inclusive. The town clerks from 1856 to the present time are as follows: E. B. Hard, 1856 to 1859; Seeley Blackney, 1860-'61; Charles A. Kinsley, 1862: E. B. Hard, 1863; Simon E. Tifft, 1864; E. B. Hard, 1865, '66, and '67; John Martin, 1868 and '69; J. M. Slater, 1870; O. W. Beckwith, 1871; Thomas Brownell, 1872; L. U. Blackney, 1873 and '74; C. W. Adams, 1875 and '76; J. S. Parker, 1877 and '78; W. C. Russell, 1879 ; Frank A. Wilcox, 1880 and '81; G. W. Shipman, 1882 and '83, resigned; E. R. Raymond, (appointed) 1883. EVANS CENTRE. As before stated, the first settler of this village was Anderson Taylor, who located upon the west side of the main road, in the year 1810. He purchased, in the course of his residence here, a large tract of land which has been divided and subdivided into small farms. Henry Tuttle and William Wright built a saw-mill in 181.5, and in the following year a grist- mill where Earl's mill now stands. They were the first mills in town. Tuttle died a little later, leaving his share of the property to his partner. The growing hamlet became generally known as Wright's Mills," retaining that name until after the formation of the town of Evans. Mr. Wright built a hotel in 1817 on the corner of the main road and the one leading to the mill-the first hotel in the place. He sold the mill to Abner Bryant, by whom Amos Root was placed in charge of the busi- The property was subsequently purchased by Joseph Earl, after his death was left to Warren Earl, who is still the owner. The saw- mill was transferred a few years ago to his son, Orson Earl. ness. and The supply of water from Big Sister creek becoming uncertain and insufficient, steam-power has been placed in both mills, and an extensive business is now carried on. Anderson Taylor built a hotel on the hill, which he carried on for several years. The postoffice which had at first been established on the lake shore, was removed to Wright's Mills and given the name of Evans soon after the formation of the town, in 1821; (it was kept by William Van Duzer, in 1831.) The village became known as Evans Centre, and for over thirty years it was, in fact, the business center of the town. It was on the main route from the east to the west; the turn- pike which ran through it was the only good road in the vicinity; the stages rolled merrily back and forth between Buffalo and Erie, and people TOWN OF EVANS. 579 came from all parts of the town to trade, to learn the news, to worship, and to enjoy the simple pleasures of the day at Evan's Centre. But after the construction of the railroad, business steadily departed to the morc favored locality of Angola, and mills are now about all that is left to the inhabitants, save the memories of earlier and more prosper- ous days. The first religious organization which was formed at this place was that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, about 1815. Among the pioneer members were the Dibbles, Blodgetts and Ayers. They held meetings in school houses and private residences until the year 1844, when Ira Ayer determined that a church edifice should be built. He began alone the work of hewing the timbers, and though others came to his aid, he labored daily until the house was finished. When the Con- gregational Church divided to form a new one at Angola, the Methodists exchanged buildings with them, and now occupy the one thus obtained, which was more commodious than their old one. The latter was sold and removed. It stood between the main road (from the Centre to Angola) and the cemetery. The church now numbers seventy members and is in an active and prosperous condition. The Baptist Church was the next church formed which is still in existence. A history of it was written by Rev. H. M. Danforth, which was published in the Minutes of the Buffalo Baptist Association in 1876. We extract the following facts: On the 4th of September, 1830, fourteen persons entered into covenant, twelve of whom presented letters from other churches, as follows: Eden, Elder Jonathan Hascall; Gouver- neur, St. Lawrence county, Elisha Barrell, Aaron Atwood, Jr., Orrin Bullock, Moses Rowley, Mary Barrell, Desire Barrell, Phoebe Bullock and Lydia Rowley; Columbus, Anna Reed; Plattsburg, Maria Gilbert; Shaftsburg, Maria Salisbury. Hannah Curtis and Sally Bennett were received by baptism. Those members adopted the articles of faith, call- ing themselves "The First Regular Baptist Church of Evans." Elder Hascall was the first pastor and began immediately upon his duties. He was followed by Elder Loomis, who served six months, Elder Stoddard, six months; Elder Freeman, from 1834 to 1838; Elder Allison, from 1839 to 1842; Elder Potter, from 1842 to 1845; Elder H. M. Danforth, from 1846 to 1865; Elder Look, from 1865 to 1867. In the fall of the latter year H. M. Danforth returned, and is still in charge of the church. In 1850 a parsonage was built, and in 1855 the present church edifice was erected. Deacon Joseph Bennett has served as superintendent of the Sabbath school forty-seven years. ANGOLA. Mr. George Wilcox, the oldest resident of this village, informs the writer that he settled there in 1854 and opened a shoe-shop, at which 580 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. time Deacon Harvey Barrell, P. H. Carrier and Philip Clark were the heads of the only families living in the vicinity; they were farmers own- ing the land upon which the village stands. A small saloon was opened soon after, where the Angola House is now located. The same year Bundy & Hard built on the site of the Farmer's Hotel, and opened a gen- eral store, but soon sold it to Lyman Oatman. The latter was succeeded several years ago by his son, David C. Oatman, who is still in business.* The place was at first called Evans Station, and a village was laid out under that name, but in 1854 or '55 a postoffice was established there by the name of Angola, of which John H. Andrus, (afterward county-clerk) was the first postmaster. Since then the village has borne that appellation. In 1856 Chauncey T. Carrier built the store now occupied by D. C. Oatman which he sold to Elijah Tifft and John H. Andrus. The Rail. road Company purchased the Clark farm in 1857 or '58; C. T. Carrier bought it of them and in turn sold it to Elijah Tifft. Seeley Blackney and R. U. Blackney, under the firm name of Blackney & Son, early established a general store which they sold in 1872 to George Wilcox. He carried on the business until the spring of 1881, when he sold to R. U. Blackney, the present proprietor. Mr. Wilcox leased a portion of the Tifft building in 1882, where he opened a grocery-store, which he still carries on. Leroy S. Oatman established a drug-store in 1868 of which he is yet the proprietor. There are also at the present time the hardware estab- lishments of W. H. Ryneck and L. A. Sandon; the millinery stores of Mrs. I. F. Thompson and Mrs. L. E. Huntley; the drug store of Dr. E. R. Raymond, the grocery of E. Southworth, and the dentistry office of H. S. McColor; besides one cooper-shop, one wagon-shop, three black- smith shops, etc. There are three hotels in the village. The Angola House was re- moved from Evans Centre and rebuilt in 1860, by John H. Andrus; Alva Motgomery followed him, and S. P. Imes, the present proprietor, purchased the property in 1867. Mr. Imes was formerly a stage-driver on the old Buffalo & Erie Route, for the Ohio stage company and boasts of having taken the last stage load of passengers through the town on the 22d of February, 1852. The Union Hotel was built by George Cas- key in 1871 and was occupied by him until 1877, when E. P. Smith, the present proprietor, purchased it. The Farmer's Hotel was erected soon after the Angola House, and is now kept by Jacob Friend. The Angola steam and water-power flour-mill is one of the leading establishments of the kind, south of Buffalo. It is owned and managed by Messrs. Henry H., Horace H., and Milan J. Bundy, sons of Henry * Mr. D. C. Oatman having been for several years employed in Buffalo, (at first as county-clerk and then as a commission merchant) his extensive establishment in Angola is managed by Orlin C. Brown, for five years past the supervisor of the town. TOWN OF EVANS. 581 Bundy, who located in Evans in 1830, and died in 1881. Mr. Henry Bundy, early engaged in the manufacture of pails and horse-rakes, and in 1853 purchased the present mill-site. He extended his business by adding a planing-mill and a sash, blind and door factory. In 1877 the works were destroyed by fire, but a merchant and custom grist-mill was soon built in their place by Mr. Bundy's three sons. It contains three run of stones and six sets of patent rollers. The first and only newspaper in the town was the Angola Record, established by H. J. Penfold; the first issue of which was dated May 22, 1879. In 1881 Mr. Olin C. Brown, became a partner in the ownership. It is a weekly, independent sheet and has a good local circulation. In 1871, the Angola Union School was established in the spacious building erected the previous year; the first principal being Mr. J. W. Barker, who was accidentally killed in Buffalo, in September, 1883. It is divided into three departments, and stands in the front rank of the schools of Erie county. The present board of education is composed of R. U. Blackney, (president,) C. A. Kingsley, (secretary,) H. J. Penfold, (treasurer,) D. C. Oatman, M. J. Bundy and J. R. Newton. The village was incorporated by virtue of a vote of the citizens, at a special election, held on the 30th of August 1873; the population was then six hundred. Lyman Oatman was elected president; O. W. W. Beckwith, L. M. Winslow and Joseph Frohley, trustees. The present officers are H. J. Penfold, president; Josiah Southwick, Jacob Friend and F. L. Southwick, trustees. The Roman Catholic Church was the first religious organization. in the village. For many years the members held meetings in the school house, and upon the building of the Union school house in 1870, they purchased and refitted the old school building for a place of wor- ship which they still occupy. The following resident priests have offi- ciated in this church :- Fathers Ledwid, Caraher, Barlow, Maloy, Mul- len, Lafin and Burns; the last of whom is now in charge. First Congregational Church of Angola. About 1857 the pastors of the Congregational Church at Evans Centre, began to hold meetings in the school house at Angola. These were continued with more or less- frequency until the latter part of 1862, when Rev. W. D. Henry, an evangelist, labored several weeks, and when thirteen persons professed. faith in Christ. On the 21st of February 1863, Rev. S. D. Taylor, of the Evans Church, with Rev. Hugh Richmond and Rev. J. S. Barras, held a meeting at Angola and organized a church composed of the thirteen above alluded to and of thirty others who joined by letter from the Evans Church. The following is a list of the pastors since that time:- Rev. Messrs. L. P. Frost, S. D. Taylor, Curtis, A. T. Chester, D. D., Charles Strong, Albert Bigelow, Charles W. Drake, A. VanCamp and the Rev. Mr. Maits, who is now in charge. 582 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. EAST EVANS. From Mr. Elisha Stocking, a son of the late Elijah Stocking, we learn that at the coming of the latter gentleman with his family to this locality in 1814, there were but four settlers between their pioneer home, now occupied by Thomas Caryl, and the lake. They were Aaron Salis- bury, O. J. Dibble, Nathaniel Gray and Elijah Talman. The following year several new settlers came, among whom were Isaac and Jehiel Bar- tholomew, Zacharias Maltby and his son Jonathan Maltby. The ridge of land running from the lake was called by them, Jerusalem Ridge. The settlers engaged at first entirely in agriculture but soon after the war with Great Britain a hotel was opened by a Mr. Clark, at the point now known as East Evans, and a store was established by R. Rowell, in 1820. Dr. George Sweetland began to practice there in 1821. An- other family which came at a later date into this part of Evans was that of the Ingersolls. Their father, Ebenezer Ingersoll, settled at the mouth of Eighteen Mile creek in 1803, and although he made his residence in what is now Hamburg, he bought land on the Evans side. Of his nine children but one survives, Mr. William H. Ingersoll, who has reached the age of eighty-two years. During the prosperous days of the old stage line, East Evans, small as it was, enjoyed considerable business, but when the locomotive drove away the stages the business of the little hamlet soon disappeared. The records give the date of the formation of the Congregational church as July 4, 1818, when it was named the Second Congrega tional Church of Evans. It was under the ministration of Rev. John Spencer during the first five years of its existence. The records are meager, and we were not able to learn the regular succession of pas- tors, but Abiel Parmalee, S. Thompson, E. Ingalls, Samuel Sessions, Charies Fitch, Randall Nott and Isaac Oakes were in charge of the church at various periods from 1818 to 1840. On the 18th of June, 1833, it was voted that the church be called the First Congregational Church of Evans. The pulpit is supplied by the pastor of the Angola church at the present time. DERBY. This is a railroad station, one mile east of East Evans. Besides the station there is a postoffice, established in 1874. George W. Carr was the first postmaster and Mrs. V. Dibble succeeded him. NORTH EVANS. This pleasant little village is situated close to the line of Hamburg and to the north west corner of Eden. The earliest settler in this vicinity was Aaron Cash, who came in 1809. David Hamlin and the Ames fami- lies came about two years later. Mills were subsequently established on TOWN OF EDEN. 583 Eighteen Mile creek and a small hamlet with the usual store and tavern grew up on the south side. It was originally in Hamburg, but in 1826 a small tract was for the sake of convenience annexed to Evans. The locality subsequently received the name of North Evans. The Congregational Church was formed as the Second Congrega- tional Church of Evans in 1834. Sixteen members withdrew from the old church at East Evans and fifteen others joined in this vicinity. John Tracy and Joseph M. Clagham were elected deacons, and Nathan Frost, clerk. Mr. Frost filled the office until his death, which occurred in 1862. Since that date W. S. Sikes has been the clerk. The first church edifice was built in 1836, and the second one, now in use, was completed and dedicated in 1863. The following is a list of the ministers from its organization to the present time: Rev. Messrs. S. Thompson, 1834; Samuel Sessions, 1836; Lord, 1837; E. Raymond, 1840; Isaac Oakes, 1842; Rollin Miller, 1843; S. M. Northrop, 1844; E. W. Clark, 1853; B. C. Ward, 1857; H. Lochs, 1858; Joseph Harris, 1860; E. Tay- lor, 1866; Ezra James, 1867; - Francisco, 1871; C. A. Keeler, 1873; J. H. Campbell, 1876; A. D. Olds, 1880 to 1883. The Methodists of the vicinity met and organized a church in 1828. They worshiped in school houses until 1856, when they erected a church edifice which is still in use. The present officers are Franklin Phelps, Jason Ames, Nelson Broad, W. F. Oatman and Austin Ames, trustees; John Dibble and Jason Ames, stewards. Among the German and Irish residents of the vicinity were a num. ber of Catholics, who organized a church in 1850 and erected a plain house of worship the same year. Religious services have ever since been maintained in it under the charge of the priest at Angola. CHAPTER LIII. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF EDEN. T 'HE town of Eden is situated south of the center of Erie county and comprises township eight, range eight, of the Holland Com- pany's survey, together with the western tier of lots in township eight, range seven. It is six miles wide from north to south, and nearly six and three-fourths miles long, from east to west, with an area of about forty square miles. It is bounded north by Hamburg, east by Boston, south by North Collins, and west by Evans. It is composed of high and generally level upland, traversed by the deep, narrow valley of the west branch of Eighteen Mile creek, which runs north-northwest 584 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. • from the southeast corner of the town to its junction with the east branch at a point a little west of the center of the northern boundary; the whole stream running thence westward nearly on the boundary line. The land on the east side of the creek averages much higher than that on the west side, which slopes gently down to the plains of Evans. The first settlement in the town of Eden was made in 1808 by Dea- con Samuel Tubbs and family (consisting of his wife and two sons Samuel and Benjamin) and by James Welch, his nephew, a young, unmarried man. They came along the lake shore from Buffalo with a team. Reaching the mouth of Eighteen Mile creek, they turned up the stream and traveled on its shore until they found a satisfactory location, which was at the point now known as Eden Valley, but long called from its first occupant, Tubbs' Hollow, where they purchased land. Young Welch induced his brothers, Elisha and John M., to join him, in the spring of 1810. John M., was the only one of the three who was married. He was the father of Hon. Nelson Welch, who has lived in the town from his earliest youth, and from whom much valuable information has been received by the writer. According to the statement of Mr. Mor- ris March, his father, Dr. John March, a graduate of Darmouth College, with Mr. Silas Estee, came in the spring of 1810 and located near the Tubbs and Welch families. James Welch died in the year 1811; this was the first death in the town. Elisha Welch built the first saw-mill in the town in 1811, and the first grist-mill during the year following; both being located at Tubbs Hollow. In the spring of 1811 John Hill, of Otsego county settled at Eden Centre, being the first resi- dent in that locality. His wife was a sister of the Welch brothers and her father, an aged revolutionary veteran, accompanied them, together with Jacob Pond. Mr. Hill brought a flock of fifteen or twenty sheep with great care from Otsego county to Tubbs Hollow; the night before reaching his destination, the wolves killed every one of them except the bell-wether. It is somewhat remarkable, in this land of change, that three of Mr. Hill's sons, Roswell, Russell and John are still liv- ing on the land first purchased by their father. Among other settlers of 1811 were Levi Bunting (long a prominent citizen of the town) Joseph Thorn, Calvin Thompson, James Paxon and Josiah Gail. From the first settlement until 1812 the territory of Eden had been a part of the town of Willink, (Niagara county), which then comprised all of the present county of Erie south of the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. On the 20th day of April in that year three new towns were formed from Willink, one of which was Eden, which comprised the pres- ent towns of Boston, Eden and Evans, and a part of Brant. The first town meeting was not held until the next year (1813), when the following offi- Mr. Welch has represented Eden eleven years in the board of Supervisors, was a member of the Assembly in 1853, and is now serving his sixteenth year as a justice of the peace. TOWN OF Eden. 585 cers were elected: John C. Twining, supervisor; John March, town clerk; Amos Smith, David Corbin and John Hill, assessors; Charles John- son, Calvin Doolittle and Richard Berry, Jr., commissioners of highways; Lemuel Parmely, collector; John Conant, and Silas Estee, constables; John Welch and Asa Cary, poormasters. Twining, Johnson, Doolittle, Parmely and Cary were residents of the present town of Boston. It is said that the name of Eden was selected by John Hill, who considered it the garden of the world. For many years the name was generally spelled “Edon," both in writing and in print. During the first year of the war of 1812 but little alarm seems to have been felt in Eden, though the able-bodied men were sometimes. called out in the militia, and though Indian runners were constantly passing through, from the Buffalo Creek reservation to the Cattaraugus and Allegany reservations, and from the latter two to the former. All these Indians were friendly, but they were given to spreading exag- gerated and alarming reports about the dangers to be apprehended from the British and the " British Indians." In the spring of 1813, Daniel, Samuel, William and Edward Webster settled near Tubbs Hollow. They came from the present town of Bos- ton, and were sons of Hugh Webster, who had died the year previous.* In that year a man named Harris came to John Hill's house † with a few articles of merchandise on his back, and obtained permission to place a shelf in the kitchen, upon which he could display his goods and begin trade. Shortly afterwards he went to Buffalo and purchased a keg of rum, a ball of “pig tail" tobacco, some red cotton handkerchiefs and a few similar articles, and opened the first store in Eden. When Buffalo was burned in December, 1813, the people were greatly alarmed, especially as many of the men were absent on the frontier. Mrs. John M. Welch and her children were at home alone and when informed by Indian messengers that the enemy would soon be along to kill, scalp and take prisoners all the people, she fled with the children to the woods and remained there concealed all night, suffering terribly with the cold. Mrs. Hill was alone with her children, but thought that the Indians would not come as far as that and remained in the house. A neighbor living nearly two miles to the southwest took his family to Mrs. Hill's, and when night came a bed was made against the door, in which his family were placed, while he loaded his rifle and sat up all night to guard the household. In the spring of 1814, Dr. William Hill, formerly a surgeon in the Revolutionary army, made his home near the residence of his son, John *The sons of Daniel Webster were Thomas, David and Hugh; those of Edward were Levi, Benjamin and Ellis; those of Samuel were John and Edward, and those of William were Ira R., Edwin and Joel B. Mr. Hill seems to have entertained travelers, as did many early settlers, without calling his house a tavern. 38 586 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Hill. Besides being a physician he was also a Methodist exhorter, and occasionally preached to the early settlers. As he considered himself too old to practice either of his professions to any considerable extent, he soon opened the first regular tavern in Eden in a log house on the site of the Caskey House, at Eden Centre. That locality was then known as Hill's Corners. In 1814 the residents of Eden Centre and vicinity assembled to pro- vide facilities for a school. It was determined to build a log house back of the site of Caskey's store. A Mr. Gail agreed to furnish the nails free of cost to the district. The offer occasioned some surprise as he was known to be a man of small means, while nails were high and money was scarce. When the building was ready for the roof Mr. Gail was called on to meet his agreement, though few expected that he would be able to do so. He at once took a sack and walked to Buffalo where he worked among the ashes of the burned buildings until he procured an ample sup- ply of nails, to the great amusement of his neighbors. After the close of the war, in 1815, many new comers settled in the territory of Eden and business of all kinds began to flourish. About that time Simeon Clark erected a small lathe on a brook near East Eden. He manufactured large and small spinning wheels, reels, etc., which found a ready sale among the settlers, as nearly all of them kept sheep and raised flax, from the products of which the women of their households made woolen and linen cloth. Among other settlers in the eastern part of Eden about this period were John Dayton (long one of the justices of the town), Joseph H. Beardsley, John Kerr, Hiram Hinman, Nathan Grover and Joseph Blye. These settlers came principally from Connecticut and located along the road from East Eden to Clarksburg. Hiram Hinman was a hatter, the first one in the county, south of Buffalo; a few years later he removed his shop to Kerr's corners, now North Collins. In 1815 or '16, Mr. Harris, finding his trade increasing, built a small framed building where J. H. Caskey's store house now stands, in which he placed his goods. It was the first framed building in that part of the town. In 1816 Colonel Asa Warren moved from Willink (now Aurora) to the valley of Eighteen Mile creek, two or three miles east of Eden Centre, where he built a saw-mill and grist-mill. Obed Warren, Orrin Babcock, Elias Babcock and David Wood were also pioneers of this period. Many of the early settlers being members of the society of Friends, they held meetings in a log house on the farm now belonging to Levi Webster. In April, 1817, the town of Boston was formed from the east end of Eden, taking off all of township seven, range eight, except the western tier of lots. About the year 1818, a Mr. Ensign built a small grist-mill on a stream near East Eden, called in early days, Hampton brook. It was with- out a bolt and was called "Ensign's corn-cracker.” TOWN OF EDEN. 587 On the 16th day of March, 1821, sixteen days before the formation of Erie county, the town of Evans was established by the Legislature; Eden being thus reduced to its present area, which has since remained unchanged. There was already a postoffice called Eden, but it was in that part of the town which was set off as Evans. In 1822 a postoffice was established at J. M. Welch's house at Eden Valley of which he was made postmaster, and to which, according to contemporary news- papers, the name of Evans was given, apparently as a set-off to the fact that "Eden" postoffice was in the town of Evans. In a short time, how- ever, the names were transposed, so that each town had a postoffice bearing its own name. Mr. Welch also took a contract to carry the mail. According to the recollection of Nelson Welch, then twelve years old, the mail was first carried from Abbott's Corners to his father's house, and was extended in the direction of Gowanda as the people along the route raised funds to pay for such service. As money was scarce, grain of all kind was taken instead. Young Nelson began to carry the mail a few months after the contract was awarded, and performed his duty on horseback for several years. The first mail-bag was an old-fashioned valise which he strapped on the back of his saddle. Having now sketched the pioneer history of Eden down to a time when the town had assumed its present size, and was provided with a postoffice and mail route, we will glance very briefly at the remaining history of the town at large, leaving the details to be mentioned in sub- sequent remarks on the various localities. By 1822 there were enough residents in Eden so that the forest disappeared rapidly on all sides. Small hamlets grew up at Eden Centre, Eden Valley and Clarksburg. By 1830 framed houses had generally taken the place of log ones on all the principal roads, and by 1840 the former had crowded out the pioneer struc- tures on many of the cross roads. About 1834 a number of German fami- lies settled in the eastern part of the town, purchasing the farms of Amer- icans already established there, and before the outbreak of the civil war, Germans had become possessed of nearly all that part of the town. During the era of the Nation's trial the young men of Eden whether of American or German parentage, responded gallantly to their coun- try's call; but for the record of their services the reader is referred to the story of the various Erie county regiments and batteries in the general history. Since the war the event which has most deeply inter- ested the people has been the construction of the Buffalo & Jamestown, (now the Buffalo & South Western) railroad, in 1874 and 1875. The road enters the town near the center of its northern boundary, runs past the hamlets of Eden Valley and Eden Centre, and passes out of Eden a little east of its southwest corner. We close this general sketch of the town with a list of its super- visors from its organization to the present time, with their years of 588 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. service: John C. Twining, 1813; Lemuel Parmely, 1814-'16; Silas Estee, 1817; John March, 1818-'19; James Aldrich, 1820; James Green, 1821-'23; Asa Warren, 1824; James Green, 1825; Asa Warren, 1826; Levi Bunting, 1827–’31; James Green, 1832; Harvey Caryl, 1833-'34; Daniel Webster, 1835; Harvey Caryl, 1836-'37; Levi Bunting, 1838-'40; William H. Pratt, 1841; James Tefft, 1842; Harvey Caryl, 1843; William H. Pratt, 1844-46; Pardon Tefft, 1847; Daniel Webster, 1848; Pardon Tefft, 1849; Nelson Welch, 1850-'52; Pardon Tefft, 1853-'54; J. Red- field, 1855; Nelson Welch, 1856-'58; Lyman Pratt, 1859; Azel Austin' 1860; Lyman Pratt, 1861-'62; Azel Austin, 1863; Nelson Welch, 1864-'67; James Schweckhart, 1868; C. S. Rathburn, 1869-'70; Fred- erick Keller, 1871; Nelson Welch, 1872; L. D. Wood, 1873; James H. Lord, 1874-'78; Franklin Dole, 1879-'80; James H. Lord, 1881-'83. EDEN CENTRE. We have mentioned some of the early events at Eden Centre when it was known as Hill's Corners, down to 1822. In that year Colonel Asa Warren moved thither and erected a large framed tavern, which he kept several years, but finally gave up on account of scruples in regard to selling liquor. About 1824 or 1825 the firm of Fillmore & Johnson opened a store, which, though small, was of somewhat higher preten- sions than the previous establishment of Mr. Harris. Several framed houses were built and the people began to call the place Eden Corners. Still later the name became Eden Centre. Eden postoffice was trans- ferred thither from the vicinity of Eden Valley, and in 1831 it was kept by Sterling Mallory. Lyman Pratt established himself there in the mercantile business a little later and carried it on over forty years. He was followed by his son-in-law, Homer Parker, in whose store the veteran merchant is still to be found during a large part of his time. William Paxon and James H. Caskey also have general stores in the village, and A. S. Pytz has a grocery. Eric Blomquist is a dealer in furniture. Many others have been in business here for a time, and have then sought other fields. The Eden Hotel was built by Godfrey Metz, and for several years has been the only one in the place. It is now owned by G. P. Roeller. Godfrey Metz, the first German resident of the village, commenced cooperage in a small way in 1840, a short distance from Eden Centre. In 1846 he moved his shop to the village, and cut staves and barrel-head- ings with a horse-power until 1858, when he procured a steam engine, the first in town. He subsequently disposed of the property to Albert Martin and John Metz, who in turn sold it to William Paxon, the pres- ent owner. Abram Long established a steam-power shingle-mill several years ago. The buildings of the Eden Centre Preserving Company are located near the railroad and a large and profitable business has, been built up. TOWN OF EDEN. 589 The company was formed in January, 1882, with a capital of $18,000. C. F. Rathburn was the first president, and Harrison Parker the secre- tary and treasurer. The spacious buildings were erected in the sum- mer of 1882, and work commenced in the fall. The greater part of the fruit and vegetables received are the products of the town of Eden and the erection of the factory has given a new impetus to agriculture there. During the year 1882 there were preserved 77,271 three-pound cans, and 6,064 gallon cans of tomatoes; 65,572 three-pound cans of peas, 47,447 cans of corn, 3.010 cans of beans and 24,550 cans of black raspberries; besides large quantities of other berries and of apples, pears, peaches, and pumpkins. John Vellum is the acting president, and Harrison Par- ker is the secretary and treasurer. As before stated Dr. William Hill came to Eden Centre in 1814; he died in 1828 at a very advanced age. Previous to his death Dr. William H. Pratt established himself there and remained nearly forty years. Dr. Lithrop studied with Dr. Pratt and still resides in the town. Horace Redfield also studied with Dr. Pratt and practiced as an assistant for a while, but finally located elsewhere. Dr. Horton Morris and Dr. Caryl followed and were in an office together until Dr. Caryl's death, when Dr. Morris moved away. Dr. Shaw succeeded him and is now practicing there, as is Dr. Cherry, who came from Niagara county in 1881. The early Baptists of Eden were members of the Hamburg Baptist Church. In 1816, they met and resolved to establish the "Baptist Church of Christ in Eden," the resolution being signed by John March, Abigail March, Silas Estee, Mary Estee, David Toles, Hannah Toles, Henry H. Shepherd, Orrilla Shepherd, John M. Welch, Nathan Lord, Prudence Lord, Joseph Ingalls and Polly Ingalls. The church was duly organ- ized by a council of ministers which met on the 7th of October, 1816, at a log-house near Eden Valley. During the first eight months of the ex- istence of the church no less than forty-three members were added to the original thirteen. The next year the services of the Rev. Jonathan Hascall were secured at a yearly salary of $65, and a log house was built for a parsonage. The Baptists claimed the "gospel lot" of one hundred acres offered by the Holland Company to the first church in township eight, range eight, on the ground of having the first organized society, while the Presbyterians (or Congregationalists) claimed it because they had held the first religious meetings. The land was equally divided be- tween the two denominations. In 1821, a house of worship was begun at Eden Valley, but it was not completed. In 1848, the old church property was sold, and soon afterwards the academy at Eden Centre was purchased and rebuilt as a house of worship. The following pastors have successively served this church: Rev. Messrs. Joy, Handy, Jonathan Hascall, Ira Stoddard, 590 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Hosea Fuller, Ira Stoddard, J. C. Allison, Hosea Fuller, Alonzo Wad- ham, Hosea Fuller, B. C. Willoughby, A. J. Wilcox, Charles H. Wood, E. Jewett, and C. H. Colby, the present pastor. The organization of the Congregational Church was effected on the 4th of January, 1817, under Rev. John Spenser, with eight members, viz. : Samuel Beardsley, Isaac Gould, Sherman Dayton, Hazard Beardsley, Abigail Beardsley, Bethiah Baker, Elizabeth Dayton and Jerusha Beardsley. In 1825, the membership had increased to thirty-two; in 1827, to thirty-seven, and in 1828 to sixty-three. It never exceeded seventy. A church edifice was erected in 1828 at Eden Centre. Asa Warren was chosen clerk at the second meeting of the society and was then elected successively until 1864, a period of forty-seven years; he was succeeded by M. W. Chapin. The following are the names of pas- tors: John Spenser, Elihu Mason, Samuel G. Orton, Mr. Sessions, Joseph M. Ladd, Mr. Rawson, G. S. Northrup, Mr. Robbins, Mr. Avery, William Hall, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Bigelow and Mr. Woodruff, whose labors closed in July, 1877. Since then the church has been without a pastor and no services have been held. The scattered Methodists of the vicinity convened at the house of John Hill, at Eden Centre, on the 9th of February, 1830, for the purpose of taking into consideration the building of a church edifice. It was "resolved to build twenty-eight by thirty, with fourteen feet posts, and to be finished off in a plain and workmanlike manner." The meeting adjourned to the 25th of that month at the same place, when it was resolved "to organize a society agreeable to public notice." The names of those present were William H. Pratt and wife, Nathan King, Lewis Gifford, Peter Corbin, Milton Chapin, Jenks Crandal, Rufus Hemenway, Daniel Simons, Ziba Hamlin, Patterson Kerr, Joseph Thorn, Russell Hill and John Hill. The first trustees were John Hill, Lewis Gifford, Joseph Thorn, Nathan King, Jeremiah Mosier and A. Pratt. The church building was erected the same year. In 1855, it was taken down and the present substantial brick structure was erected. During nearly all the time of its existence the church has had a resident pastor; the rest of the time the church at Hamburg has supplied one. The present membership numbers thirty. The trustees are N. McLaurie, Wellington Ides, William Partridge, John Hill, Leonard Sprague and David Mc. Laurie; the clerk is Stephen B. Stone. The Eden Evangelical Association was formed in 1865; in 1866, they erected a very plain but substantial church edifice. The following are the present officers: J. James, class-leader; W. Hauths, exhorter; H. H. Schneider, pastor. The Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1866, and was in connection with that at East Eden for many years, but of late has been joined with that of Hamburg. The society is small and unable to sup- port a resident pastor. TOWN OF Eden. 591 EDEN VALLEY. As previously shown, this was the location of the first settlement in the township, and also of the first mills. The first physician (Dr. John March) settled near there, and the first church was organized in the same locality. In later years it has been overshadowed by Eden Centre. The grist-mill originally erected by Elisha Welch finally passed into the hands of A. R. Welch, the present owner, who rebuilt and enlarged it in 1880; he is also the owner of the saw-mill. John G. Youngs and afterwards Joseph Webster were in the mer- cantile business there in former years, but the exact date cannot be fixed. A store was opened in 1880 by Mr. Horton, which is still carried on by him. The hamlet has a postoffice and a station on the Buffalo & South- Western Railroad. The only church ever organized at Eden Valley was the Baptist Church, of which a sketch is given in connection with Eden Centre. The unfinished church building was sold about 1848, and the headquar- ters of the church transferred to Eden Centre. EAST EDEN. About the year 1834 there came to this part of the town a few Ger- mans, who purchased lands as already stated, which had been settled by eastern men, and although the latter had found it difficult to succeed on large farms, the Germans, with their untiring industry and great frugal- ity, made comfortable homes, received new accessions and increased in numbers until now their houses stand so close for miles along the bleak hill road as to make it seem almost like a continuous village, yet it is essentially a farming community; the only persons engaged in mercantile business being George M. Keller and William Mumbach. A Roman Catholic Church was established soon after the first settle- ment was made, which has continued in a highly prosperous condition until the present time. Others of the Germans belonged to the various branches of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They united in 1838 in building a church edifice in the northeastern part of Eden, and for several years worshiped in harmony. But dissensions arose, one or two other church edifices were erected and complications ensued which it would be hopeless for us to attempt to trace. CLARKSBURG. The first settler of Clarksburg was Nathan Grover, who located where Henry Siegel now resides; Simeon Clark settled in the Hollow, as it was formerly called, about 1820. He built the grist-mill now owned by Heman and Herman Wrightman. He also built a saw-mill about the same time and a small shop for the manufacture of spinning wheels. The 592 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. property passed into the hands of his son Allen, who procured a few goods and kept a small store. A postoffice was established in 1842, receiving the name of Clarksburg. The whole property was purchased by Daniel Wrightman* who established a cheese box factory, shingle- mill and planing-mill and did an extensive business for several years. The buildings were burned in 1881. About the year 1862 parties from Buffalo became impressed with the idea that there was petroleum beneath the bed of Eighteen Mile creek at Clarksburg. They set up the requisite machinery and bored to the depth of eight hundred feet, near the grist-mill, but the project proved unsuccessful and was abandoned. CHAPTER LIV. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON. B OSTON is an interior town, lying south of the center of the county, with a hilly surface, broken by the valley of the north branch of Eighteen Mile creek, which flows through the center of the town in a northwesterly direction. It contains all of township eight, range seven, of the Holland Company's survey, except the western tier of lots. Notwithstanding this deficiency the town is six miles square, there being a surplus strip on the east side of range seven, which was included in the several townships of that range. The first settler in Boston was Charles Johnson. He and his brother Oliver purchased land in the autumn of 1803. Charles and his family stayed through the winter at the cabin of Didymus C. Kinney, in the southwest corner of the present town of East Hamburg, and in the spring of 1804 they moved up to the land already selected, near the site of Boston Centre, now occupied by John Anthony. There was a prai- rie of fifty acres there and another close by occupying thirty acres; there were also some smaller ones. Such prairies were common in the northern part of the county, but extremely rare in the southern part. On the thirty-acre tract there were then the remains of an old fort, embracing about two and a half acres of land. It is also said that there was a narrow, artificial road, running thence southwest nearly to the site of Hamburg village. Speculations in regard to the builders of such works have not resulted in the acquisition of much knowledge, and have been indulged in quite as much as is necessary in the general history of the county. Mr. Wrightman's father, George Wrightman, seltled on the farm now owned by Heman Wrightman, in 1816. TOWN OF BOSTON. 593 Charles Johnson's brother Oliver, together with Samuel Eaton and Samuel Beebe, located in the same neighborhood a little later in the season. In 1865 the principal settler in the territory of Boston was Deacon Richard Cary, a veteran who had served in the American army during the greater part of the Revolution. He was an energetic and indus- trious farmer, but a feeble wife and eight children had depleted his store, until on his arrival at his new residence he had but three cents in his pocket and was two dollars in debt. Here he soon made himself a com- fortable home.t Among the settlers of 1806 was Joseph Yaw,‡ long an influential citizen, Benjamin Whaley, (a major of militia during the war of 1812,) Jonathan Bump, Calvin Doolittle and Job Palmer. William Cook, Ethan Howard and Serrill Alger, located in the territory of Boston, the next year. From the first settlement until 1808 this township had been a part of the town of Erie, (Genesee county), which extended from Pennsyl- vania to Lake Ontario, having the "West Transit" as its eastern bound- ary. The town business was transacted at Buffalo. On the reorgani- zation of the Holland Purchase, as described in Chapter XIII. of the general history, the territory of Boston became a part of the great town of Willink, which comprised all that part of the present county of Erie. lying south of the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. As near as can be ascertained Joseph Yaw was the supervisor of Willink in both 1808 and 1809. In 1808 Asa Cary, a brother of Richard, became a resident of town- ship eight; his oldest son, Truman, was then a youth of sixteen. In 1809 Joseph Yaw erected the first grist-mill in the territory of Boston. In that year also Joel Beebe, a little son of the early pioneer, Samuel Beebe, was accidentally killed by the falling of a hollow log, which was used as a smoke house. This is said to have been the first death in the town- ship, although that must have been a remarkably healthy region, if so many families spent so long a period without one. About this time John C. Twining, long the leading citizen of the township, settled near the present location of North Boston. Among the new comers of 1811 were * Charles Johnson became an influential citizen of Boston, holding numerous civil positions and being also a colonel of the militia. His son Elihu, (likewise a much respected citizen) survived until September, 1883. † Of Deacon Cary's three sons, Calvin was killed at the time of the burning of Buffalo, Richard moved West at an early day, while Luther reared a large family, of whom but one remains in Boston, the well-known citizen, Van Rensselaer Cary, Esq. Mr. Yaw's son, Hiram Yaw, was a justice of the peace in Boston for twenty years. § Asa Cary, after an industrious life, died in 1851 at the age of eighty-one, while his wife sur- vived until 1863, dying at the age of ninety. Their son, Truman Cary, was long one of the most prominent citizens of the town, serving two terms as supervisor and one term as Member of the Assembly, besides holding minor offices during the greater part of his life. He lived to be over eighty- five years old. His sons, D. A. and T. S. Cary, have both been supervisors of Boston. 594 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Benjamin Kester,* Lemuel Parmely, Dorastus Hatch and Edward Hatch. In that year a Baptist Church was organized in Boston, one of the first churches formed in the territory of Erie county. A sketch of it will be given farther on. On the 20th of March, 1812, the town of Eden was created by the Legislature, embracing the present towns of Boston, Eden and Evans. It does not appear to have been organized until the next year, when Joseph Yaw was the "moderator" of the meeting, and when among the officials elected for the new town the following are known to have been residents of the territory of Boston: John C. Twining, supervisor; Charles Johnson and Calvin Doolittle, commissioners of highways; Lemuel Parmely, collector; and Asa Cary, poormaster. During the war with Great Britain the men of township eight were frequently called out for service under the command of Captain (after- wards Colonel) Charles Johnson. At the time of the burning of Buffalo, Calvin Cary, son of Deacon Richard Cary, was killed. Although only twenty-one years old, he was a man of extraordinary size and strength, weighing nearly three hundred pounds. He was found with his broken musket (still preserved by his kindred) lying by his side, and tradition asserts that, being pursued by three Indians, he shot one dead and killed another with his clubbed musket, but was shot, tomahawked and scalped by the third. Immediately after the war there was considerable immigration. The Torrey family located on the site of Boston Corners. The father was known as old Captain Torrey. The oldest son, Erastus, was a prominent citizen, as was also one of his younger ones, subsequently known as Colonel Uriah Torrey. The locality soon received the appellation of Torrey's Corners, and was so called for many years. On the 5th of April, 1817, the town of Boston was formed from Eden, its boundaries being the same as they now are. The first town meeting was not held until the next year, when the following officers were elected by an open vote, as was the custom at that time. Samuel Abbott, supervisor; Sylvester Clark, town clerk; Daniel Swain and Benjamin Kester, poormasters; John C. Twining, Luther Hibbard and Truman Cary, assessors; Benjamin Kester, Matthew Middleditch and Asa Cary, commissioners of highways; Lemuel Parmely, constable and collector; Charles Johnson, John C. Twining and Lyman Drake, com- missioners of common schools; Joseph Mayo and William Pierce, constables; Lyman Drake, Sylvester Clark, Truman Cary, John C. Twining, Luther Soule, Augustus Hilliker, Aaron Knapp, Silas Whiting, * Mr. Kester reared seven sons, all of whom are dead except Jeremiah Kester, Esq. The family seems to have been especially distinguished for magisterial honors, Jeremiah Kester, having been a justice of the peace eight years and his brother John twelve years; and Stephen Kester, the son of John, having also been elected for twelve years. Town of BOSTON. 595 Isaac Mills, John Britton, Nicholas D. Rector and Alpheus Williams, overseers of highways. It was also voted that the town should build a pound, of which Charles Johnson should be pound-master; that the supervisors should raise fifty dollars for the expenses of the town, and that "any person who shall suffer a stalk of the Canada thistle to blossom on his or her lot or farm, shall pay a fine of fifty cents for each and every blossom to any person sueing for the same." Also that the following Quakers should be taxed four dollars each, in lieu of military duty: Matthew Middleditch, John Kester, Stephen Kester, William Pound, David Laing, Thomas Twining, Jr., Aaron Hampton and James Miller. There were one hun- dred and fifty-three taxable inhabitants in the town in 1818. In the spring of 1820 a new mail route was established, running from Buffalo south through Hamburg, Boston and Concord to Olean; when a postoffice was located at Torrey's Corners, by the name of Boston, with Erastus Torrey as the first postmaster. About the same time Tal. cott Patchin built a tannery between the site of the hotel at Boston Centre and that of Stephan's tannery. Edward Churchill located him- self a little south of Torrey's Corners about 1820. He was then fifty years old and lived to be one hundred years of age. On the 15th of December, 1824, there occurred near the hamlet. of North Boston, the most celebrated tragedy which has ever been. enacted in Erie county, and one of the most celebrated in the United States. This was the murder of John Love by "the three Thayers." Love was a Scotchman by birth, unmarried, who worked as a sailor on Lake Erie in summer, and traveled as a peddler in winter; his only home being with the Thayers; Israel Thayer, Sr., and his three sons, Nel- son, Israel, Jr., and Isaac. The brothers were from twenty-three to nine- teen years old; the two eldest being married. Israel, Jr., with his wife, lived separate from the others. Some of them had a little land, but they worked a large share of their time in a saw-mill. Love had loaned some money to the Thayers and is supposed to have crowded them for pay- He had also, in December, 1824, considerable ready money, as he had lately returned from his summer's work on the lake. ment. On the day above named the brothers induced him to go to the house of Israel Thayer, Jr., whose wife had been sent away. There Isaac shot him from the outside, through a window, and Nelson completed the crime with an axe. They buried him a short distance back of the house, in a grave so shallow that the toes of his shoes peeked through the dirt and covered the place with brush. Little was thought of Love's disappearance for a time, and it was supposed he had gone on one of his peddling trips. But the Thayers, previously very poor, were found to be well supplied with money. Then they attempted to collect debts owing to Love, acting, as they claimed, 596 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. according to his directions, and in one case presented a pretended power of attorney from him which it was easy to see was a forgery. Suspi- cion grew stronger and stronger and in the latter part of February, Nel- son and Israel, Jr., were arrested and the people turned out from far and near to hunt for Love's body. The magistrates of Boston offered ten dollars for its recovery, a sum which appeared much larger then than it does now. The people searched zealousy, and towards nightfall they dis- covered the body. The other two Thayers were at once arrested, and all were lodged in jail. The three sons were tried on the 19th and 20th of April, 1825, and were found guilty; afterwards confessing that they had committed the crime in the manner before narrated. They were executed on Niagara Square, Buffalo, on the 7th of June, presence of the largest throng of people ever assembled in that time, and one which has seldom been equaled since. was released on the morning of the execution. 1825, in the the city at The father Many immigrants came to Boston between 1825 and 1832; more, some say, than were here previous to that time. Among the most prom- inent of the new comers were John Anthony and Martin Keller. The former bought a part of the Johnson property near Boston Centre, where he has ever since resided. He has been supervisor two years, jus- tice of the peace sixteen years and town clerk eight years. Martin Kel. ler (son of Henry Keller) another immigrant of 1830, has been a merchant and hotel keeper thirty-five years. He has been supervisor four years, assessor six terms, and one term county superintendent of the poor. Four of his five sons have also held various official positions. George Brindley also came in that year. He was supervisor several years and held numerous minor positions, but has since removed to Eden. A little later a considerable number of Germans settled in the town, and they and their children have long formed an important portion of the population. The larger portion located themselves on the hills on the east and west sides of the town, but a considerable number are found in the valley. During the middle portion of the town's history, the brothers Orrin and Jesse Lockwood were prominent citizens; the former being super- visor several years and afterward sheriff of the county; the latter being a magistrate and a justice of the sessions. The family has been especially prominent in Erie county; another brother, Dr. T. T. Lockwood, having been an eminent physician and mayor of Buffalo, and still another, the Hon. Stephen Lockwood, having been county judge; while a nephew, the Hon. Daniel N. Lockwood, has served as district attorney and mem- ber of Congress. During the war for the Union a large number of the young men of Boston responded to the call of their country, the record of whose ser- vices must be sought in that of the various Erie county regiments and TOWN OF BOSTON. 597 batteries in which they served, as narrated in the general history of the county. Since the war the course of events has flowed smoothly on as it usually does in an agricultural district, the most exciting periods being those when a railroad has seemed likely to traverse the town. Pleasant hopes were raised when the Buffalo & Jamestown (now the Buffalo & South Western) road approached the borders of Boston, only to turn aside through Eden. Still more ardent expectations were excited in 1881 and 1882, when a line was surveyed through Boston by the Buffalo branch of the Rochester & Pittsburg railroad; not only Bostonians but outsiders believing that to be the most practicable route. But difficul- ties arose regarding the right of way and other questions, and the road was finally built through Colden. Yet every one who looks on the broad, level valley of Eighteen-Mile creek, stretching from corner to corner of the town, will concede that there ought to be a railroad along a route which looks as if it was made on purpose for one, and few will doubt the ultimate construction of one. A telegraph was established through the town, from Buffalo to Springville and other points, in 1876. We close this general sketch of Boston with a list of its supervisors and town clerks, with their years of service, after which we will briefly advert to various local matters: Supervisors-Samuel Abbott, 1818; John C. Twining, 1819-22; Truman Cary, 1823; John C. Twining, 1824-25; Truman Cary, 1826; Epaphras Steele, 1827-'33; John C. Twining, 1834; Thomas Twining, 1835-'37; Ezra Chaffee, 1838; Epaphras Steele, 1839-'41; Ezra Chaffee, 1842; John Brooks, 1843; Orrin Lockwood, 1844; Epaphras Steele, 1845; Orrin Lockwood, 1846-'47; Allen Griffith, 1848; Orrin Lockwood, 1849; Perez Cobb, 1850-'51; Orrin Lockwood, 1852; Enos Blanchard, 1853; John Churchill, 1854; Palmer Skinner, 1855; Martin Keller, 1856 -'59; George Brindley, 1860-'63; D. A. Cary, 1864-'66; Enos Blanchard, 1867; Truman S. Cary, 1868-'69; Dexter E. Folsom, 1870; Enos Blanch- ard, 1871; James H. Fuller, 1872; Alonzo Lockwood, 1873; Ambrose Woodward, 1874-'76; John Anthony, 1877-'78; Martin Keller, 1879-'81; Charles Baker, 1882-'83. Town Clerks-Sylvester Clark, 1818; Talcott Patchin, 1819; Tru- man Cary, 1821-'1822; Epaphras Steele, 1823; Truman Cary, 1824-'25; Epaphras Steele, 1826; Aaron W. Skinner, 1827-'30; Joseph Chapin, 1831; Aaron W. Skinner, 1832; Joseph Chapin, 1833; Aaron W. Skin- ner, 1834; Ezra Chaffee, 1835; Frederick S. Jones, 1836; Ezra Chaffee, 1837; Truman Cary, 1838; John Anthony, 1839-'40; Perez Cobb, 1841; Jesse Lockwood, 1842; John Anthony, 1843-'47; George Brindley, 1848 -'49; W. H. Lawrence, 1850; George Brindley, 1851; Walter B. Smith, 1852-'53; William Olin, 1854; William Curran, 1855; George Brindley, 1856-'59, Frederick Siehl, 1860–61; D. A. Cary, 1862-'63; N. L. Irish, 598 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. 1864-'66; Frederick Siehl, 1867; George Cole, 1868-'73; Hiram J. Cur- ran, 1874-'75; N. L. Irish, 1876; J. A. Morrison, 1877; Michael Flicken- ger, 1878-83. BOSTON Corners. This village, as before stated, was originally called Torrey's Corners. A distillery, established by Demas Jenks about 1818, seems to have been the first attempt at a manufacturing industry, nor have its manufactures ever been extensive. A postoffice was established there in 1820, with Erastus Torrey as postmaster, and in time the place grew to be a flour- ishing little country village where most of the mercantile business of the town was transacted. Of late its activity has decreased and the con- struction of the last railroad around it will probably have a still more depressing effect. Its present business consists of the general store of Canfield & Sny- der the hardware store of Anthony Weber, established in 1861; the hardware store of P. Murray; the harness shop of S. N. Blakeley and the jewelry store of J. Besancon. As early as 1811, Rev. John Spenser, a Presbyterian minister, held meetings in Boston, and in the course of a few years he organized a Presbyterian Church; but after flourishing more than thirty years, and after erecting a house of worship in 1837, the church gradually went down and was finally disbanded; the meeting house being sold to the Lutherans. But even before the organization of the Presbyterian Church, the Baptists had assembled and formed a religious society, to which the Rev. Mr. Spenser, although a Presbyterian, occasionally preached. Being weak in numbers, it was not regularly organized as a church until 1812. On the 4th of April, the organization took place at the house of Deacon Calvin Doolittle; Rev. Cyrus Andrus extended the right hand of fellow- ship to the church on the following day. The first members were Com- fort Knapp, Asa Cary, Samuel Abbott, Israel Clark, Edward Thurber, Jonathan Bump, Polly Alger, Susannah Doolittle, Phoebe Bump, Mary Abbott and Mary Clark. Elder Andrus labored a part of the time in this field for five years. On the 7th of September, 1814, the church was formally recognized by a council from Hamburg and Willink churches. In 1816 it contained twenty-two brethren and twenty-four sisters. The first deacons were Comfort Knapp and Rufus Ingalls. On the 9th of May, 1818, the church took the name of the "Baptist Church in Boston," and on the 10th and 11th of June following it entertained for the first time the "Holland Purchase Baptist Association" and reported a membership of sixty- four. In 1834 a house of worship was erected, which was dedicated on the 1st of October in that year. TOWN OF BOSTON. 599 The names of those who served as deacons are Comfort Knapp, Rufus Ingalls, Joshua Agard, James Rathbun, Oliver Dutton, Ezra Chaffee, John Churchill and Hiram Horton. The names of the ministers with their years of service are as fol- lows, although it will be understood that they served but a part of their time here:-Rev. Cyrus Andrus, 1811 to 1816; Clark Carr, 1816 to 1831; Harmon, 1831;* E. Loomis, 1831 to 1838; David Searls, 1833 and 1834; Lovel Ingalls, 1834; Howell Smith, 1834 to 1839; Howland Smith. 1839 and 1840; William Verinder, 1840 to 1842; David Searls, 1842 and 1843; H. M. Danforth, 1845 and 1846, D. Rowley, 1846; S. J. Olney, 1846 to 1848; R. B. Jones, 1848 to 1850; F. F. Ames, 1853 to 1857; W. H. Randall, 1857 to 1859; J. M. Pease, 1859 and 1860; A. J. Wilcox, 1861 to 1867; Ephraim Mills, 1867 and 1868; William Brooks, 1869 and 1870; D. P. Tappens, 1876 and 1877. Since the last named year the church has been without a pastor. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1840. Among the most prominent members were Mr. and Mrs. Asa Cary, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Merris, Mr. and Mrs. Almon Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cary, Mr. Van Rensselaer Cary, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Hemenway, Mr. and Mrs. Joel Irish, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Rockwood, and Miss Lucy Twitchell; nearly all of whom have passed from earth. The society built a small house of worship when it was first organized, and in 1852 erected the present edifice. This church is connected with that of Colden in the ministry. St. Paul's German United Evangelical Church was incorporated in 1857. The society purchased the old Presbyterian Church edifice at North Boston, remodeled it and have since occupied it. Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthias Church, (East Hill) was organized April 14, 1854, with the following members: Jacob Kettern, George Schuster, Martin Schuster, Martin Miller, Michael Heichberger, Martin Kummer, George Leese, Martin Keniser, Michael Waltz, M. Heich- berger. The church building was erected on East Hill in 1861, and a parsonage and school house were built in 1875. The ministers who have presided over this church have been the Rev. Mr. Ernst, who served until March, 1860; Rev. August Schmidt, 1860 to 1862; Rev. J. Bernreuthes, 1862 to 1870; Rev. M. Michael, 1870 to 1874; Rev. J. Sieck, 1876 to 1880; Rev. John Salinger, 1880 to the present time. The first four lived in Eden and preached in Boston once in two weeks; the last two were resident pastors. The German Evangelical Church was organized in 1834, with twenty members, of whom the most prominent were: Michael Bastian, Jacob Youtz and Jeose Iss. The society was supplied by local preachers in its * Brother Lovel Ingalls, a licentiate, also preached in 1831. 600 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. early days; the first one being David Brickler. Jacob Bastian, a son of Michael Bastian, was licensed to preach in 1850, and settled as pastor of this church. After five years labor he removed to Canada and was absent five years. He then returned and now officiates as supply in this church and neighboring ones of like doctrine. The Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist is the only Catholic Church in Boston. In the early part of 1869 the Catholic citizens of the town met and elected the following trustees: Rev. Mr. Uhrich, of Hamburg, and August Mertz, Anthony Weber and John Wurtz, of Boston. The present fine brick edifice was erected the same year. In 1882 the church building was improved by the erection of a high altar, two confessionals, etc., making it one of the finest churches in the county outside of Buffalo. The church numbers one hundred families, all but three of which are Germans. There is also a parochial school numbering about sixty scholars, under the tuition of the priest. During the coming year the Rev. Father Theis expects to build a new school-room and employ sisters of one of the Catholic order as teachers. The grounds have been purchased and all the arrangements made for that purpose. The following are the names of the priests who have officiated in this church: Rev. Fathers Uhrich, M. Gesmer, G. Turcher, (1879); W. Grill, (1879 to 1881); P. Theis, (1881 to the present time.) BOSTON CENTRE. It was near the Centre, as has been stated, that the first settlements. were made, but it has never become more than a small hamlet. Talcott Patchin established a tannery near there about 1820, and carried on a considerable business for twelve or fifteen years. He then failed and removed to Texas, then an independent republic; he held several posi- tions under the government of that country. When the Hon. N. K. Hall became postmaster-general under Presi- dent Fillmore, in 1850, the citizens of this locality petitioned for the establishment of a postoffice by the name of Boston Centre. Mr. Hall objected to the name as too common, and the people then selected that of Patchin, in honor of their old neighbor. George Brindley was the first postmaster. A small tannery which had been in operation over thirty years, was purchased by Michael Stephan in 1857, who placed a steam- engine in it and largly improved it in other respects. In 1874 his sons, Michael S., Anthony C., George L., and Jacob P., became the owners. Anthony C., withdrew in the winter of 1882-'83, the other three brothers remained in partnership, It is the only tannery in town and works up about seven thousand hides yearly. The first hotel was built by Frederick Jones, who was followed by Squire Andre. Michael Flickenger is engaged in mercantile business and is also the postmaster. TOWN OF COLDEN. 601 A Free Will Baptist Church was organized near the Centre at a very early date; it is supposed in 1811. A small house of worship was subsequently erected a little south of the present one, and for a time there was a good attendance. But many of the old members passed away and other causes depleted the numbers of the congregation. The Univers- alists acquired an interest in the property and the present edifice was erected. But the Universalist society also went down, and now the building is unoccupied except for occasional funerals. NORTH BOSTON. John C. Twining and Benjamin Kester were prominent early settlers in this vicinity. There has been a saw-mill here at least since 1816, and there has generally been a hotel. Stephen Kester has a saw-mill here at the present time. There is also a Friends meeting-house here. From the adoption of the constitution of 1846, (which directed that members of the Assembly should be elected by separate districts) until a very recent period, North Boston was the favorite meeting place of the political conventions of the southern district of Erie county on account of its central location. Every year each party held one or two conventions at that point, and the quiet hamlet was enlivened by the confabulations. and the eloquence of many a village statesman. But since the construc- tion of a railroad through Hamburg, the majority of the conventions have been called there and the peaceful precincts of North Boston are left without their annual agitation. CHAPTER LV. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF COLDEN, T HE town of Colden lies southeast of the center of the county. It com- prises township eight, range six, of the Holland Company's survey, and contains thirty-six square miles. The surface is a comparatively level upland, except in the narrow valley of the west branch of Cazenove creek, which runs a little west of north along the western border of the town. The soil is a gravelly loam in the valley, while on the hills it is partly composed of gravel, with a large admixture of clay. No settlement was made in the territory of Colden prior to 1810, in which year Richard Buffum, of Rhode Island, a man already past mid- dle age, located himself on the site of Colden village, as the most elligi- ble attainable place for building mills and starting a settlement around 39 602 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. him.* He brought with him his family, consisting of his wife, Mary, and eleven children-Richard, James, Joseph, Charlotte, Maria, Wheeler, Hannah, Thomas, William, Mary Ann and Albert. He was also accom- panied by several men in his employ, viz.: James Sweet, John Brown, Jesse Southwick, Stephen Southwick, Thomas Pope and Nathaniel Bowen. Mr. Buffum took an agreement (or "article," as it was gener- ally called,) from the Holland Company for two thousand acres of land, intending to dispose of a part of it to the men who accompanied him and to others of his old neighbors. During the last six or eight miles of their journey the new comers were obliged to cut their own road. On their arrival Mr. Buffum erected, for the accommodation of his numerous household, a log house forty feet long, on the ground now occupied by the residence of Amos W. Gould. The same season he built a saw-mill. That year, also, James Sweet was married to Charlotte Buffum, this being the first wedding in the territory of Colden. John D. Gould, a native of Vermont, also settled in the vicinity in 1810. The next year Richard Sweet joined the little colony and was mar- ried to Maria Buffum. Mr. Buffum transferred a hundred acres to each of five men already named; Thomas Pope and John Brown each taking a hundred acres near the mill; Jesse and Stephen Southwick each taking a hundred acres a mile farther down the creek, and Nathaniel Bowen purchasing a hundred acres next below Southwick. Mr. Bowen, how- ever, died in 1812, his death being the first in the township. Miss Mary Eddy, of Hamburg, taught the first school in the territory of Colden in 1814. For several years there were but few more settlers in the western part of the township, and not many in any part. In 1813 Silas Lewis (afterward the first supervisor of Colden,) located himself on the hill near the northeast corner of the township. Erastus Bingham and Lean- der J. Roberts also settled on the upland soon afterwards; the farm of the latter gentleman (subsequently known as General Roberts) being on the north line of the township, a mile or so east of the creek. In 1815 or 1816 Richard Buffum and a Mr. Bloomfield built a grist- mill near the saw-mill of the former, and the locality was thereafter, if not earlier, known as Buffum's Mills. No one settled in the northwest corner of the township until Wheeler, James and Joseph Buffum, sons of the old pioneer, Richard Buffum, located themselves there, about 1821 or 1822, on land taken up by their father. William Lewis, a Methodist He preacher, or exhorter, settled south of Buffum's Mills about 1822. carried on a farm there and became a leading citizen, being the super- visor of Colden three years. Samuel B. Love was another prominent pioneer. *The township was then a part of the town of Willink, in which it remained until 1818, when it became a part of Holland. No farther change was made until 1827, when the town of Colden was formed. TOWN OF COLDEN. 603 On the 2d of April, 1827, the town of Colden was formed from Holland by the Legislature, with the same boundaries which it has ever since possessed. It was doubtless named from Cadwallader D. Colden, a resident of the city of New York, and a prominent political leader of that period. Silas Lewis was the first supervisor: W. H. Hayes settled in what was subsequently known as Hayes Hollow, in 1828, and several years afterward Daniel Deeter opened a store there, but the enterprise was ere long given up. There was no postoffice in Colden until 1830, three years after the formation of the town; one was then established bearing the name of Colden, but it was located at the residence of Leander J. Roberts, the first postmaster,* at the extreme northern boundary of the town. It was kept there three years, when it was removed to Buffum's Mills, where it has ever since remained. From that time the village began to be called Colden, and that name has now entirely supplanted the older appellation. Owing to the large amount of high, clayey upland in Colden, its growth has been very slow. The settlements were mostly in the Creek valley and along the northern border of the town, and in 1835 nearly all the central, eastern and southern parts of Colden were still unsold. About that time Samuel B. Love and Benjamin Maltby, of Colden, and Stephen Osborn, of Newstead formed a partnership and purchased fifteen thousand acres of land from the Holland Company, covering the site of Glenwood and extending far over the table land to the east. Mr. Maltby was the agent of the firm and built a saw-mill at Glenwood in 1838. The lands were divided and offered for sale, but it was nearly twenty years before they were all disposed of. At the present time nearly the whole of Colden is under cultivation. The principal manufacturing business of the town has been the saw- ing of lumber, which was for a long time very active. Every moder- ately good mill site on the west branch of Cazenove creek was occupied by a saw-mill, and at the proper seasons the road was swarmed with teams drawing pine and hemlock lumber to Buffalo. The original Buffum mill rotted down, but it was succeeded by two or three others at Colden village by the Nichols mill and the Abijah Smith mill down the creek, by one or two mills at Glenwood, and by others at convenient points. Having thus given an account of the early settlement of the town, we will supplement it with a list of some of the officers, followed by sketches of the two villages within its borders, their churches, etc. The early records have been lost, but from other sources we are able to give the following complete list of the supervisors, with their years of service: Silas Lewis, 1828-'29; William Lewis, 1830; Erastus Bingham, 1831-'32; * General Roberts died many years ago, but his widow still survives, although in a very infirm condition. 604 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Leander J. Roberts, 1833-35; William Lewis, 1836-'37; Leander J. Roberts, 1838-'40; Philo P. Barber, 1841-'43; Samuel B. Love, 1844; Benjamin Maltby, 1845-'46; Cyrus Cornell, 1847-48; Charles H. Baker, 1849-50; William A. Calkins, 1851-'52; Oliver P. Buffum, 1853-'54; Benjamin Maltby, 1855; Albert G. Buffum, 1856; Benjamin Maltby, 1857-'58; Moses Calkins, 1859; Nathan C. Francis, 1860-'63, inclusive; Richard E. Bowen, 1864-'65; George W. Nichols, 1866–'69, inclusive; Stephen Churchill, 1870; George W. Nichols, 1871-'72; Charles Day. 1873; Daniel T. Francis, 1874-75; R. E. Bowen, 1876; George W. Nichols, 1877-'83. The present officers of Colden (1883) are as follows: George W. Nichols, supervisor; James G. French, town clerk; Robert J. Crump, George Standard, John W. Butts and Eli Bowen, justices of the peace; Nathaniel Brooks, Daniel Wright and James G. French, assessors; John Hannon, commissioner of highways; William C. Miller, collector; Thomas Baker, overseer of the poor; Orlando Young, William A. Mc- Cumber and Stephen J. Hedges, inspectors of election; George Dar- ling, David E. Matthews, Edward Allard, John J. Murray and Christian Miller, Jr., constables; Josiah French, game constable; Charles J. Sweet- apple, James Lawrie and Myron W. Perkins, excise commissioners. COLDEN VILLAGE. As before stated, this village, originally called Buffum's Mills, began to be known by its present name when the Colden postoffice was located there in 1833. Richard Buffum was the first postmaster there, holding the position about four years. Since then the following persons have held the office :--Albert G. Buffum, Benjamin Maltby, Richard Shelley, John W. Butts, D. Henshaw, Amos W. Gould and Leroy D. Warren, the last named gentleman taking the office in 1881. The grist-mill built by Buffum & Bloomfield in 1816 was carried on by them and afterwards by A. G. Buffum, until about 1860; by Ridley Cole from 1860 to 1862; by A. W. Gould and Allen Potter from 1862 to 1866; and by John Bowers from 1866 to 1868, when it was burned. Messrs. Churchill & Shuttleworth built a brick mill on the old site in 1870, which was burned in 1878. A framed mill was built by C. J. Shuttleworth in 1879, which was sold in 1881 to A. W. Gould, the present owner. The first tavern in the village was built by Richard Buffum in 1828. Mr. Buffum moved from his log house into it and kept a public house until 1836, when he was succeeded by S. B. Love; the latter carried it on until 1841, when Albert G. Buffum succeeded him, remaining until 1843. Afterwards there were a number of changes, the last person who carried on the house as a hotel having been Murray B. Cary. It was closed as a public house in 1860. The property is now owned by J. W. Butts. TOWN OF Colden. 605 The present hotel was built in 1850, by John Hedges, but has been for many years carried on by Christian Miller. The first store, a small one, was opened by E. P. Hatch about 1831. Henry Smith and Albert G. Buffum established one in 1837, in the build- ing now occupied by Warren & French. Samuel B. Love carried it on a few years and was followed by Benjamin Maltby, who remained a simi- lar time. The next owner was Richard Shelley who remained until 1858, when he built and occupied the brick store. He was succeeded in the old building by John Churchill, who remained during 1859 and 1860, and he by Amos W. Gould, who carried on the mercantile business there from 1860 to 1875, during which time the building was much enlarged. Mr. Gould then bought and occupied the brick store, keeping the old build- ing as a furniture store until 1881, since which time it has been occupied by Warren & French. The brick store was kept by Richard Shelley from 1858 to 1861. It was then carried on two years by his brother, William W. Shelley, and was then sold to Smith Gould, who soon removed the goods to Glen- wood. The store was then occupied about a year by John M. Wiley, but was then sold to L. S. Bailey. After his death, which occurred two years later, his widow carried on the store until 1875, when it was sold to Amos W. Gould, who still owns the building. C. J. Shuttleworth carried on the mercantile business a short time there, being succeeded by Currier & Bolander, the present occupants. The first and only drug store in the place was established in 1883, by L. B. Nichols. The only hardware store is carried on by G. Lamm, who succeeded R. J. Overton. A tannery was built in Colden in 1833, by Arnold Holt, and was carried on by him until 1845, when it was sold to George Balding, who has owned and carried it on ever since, with the exception of a single year. He rebuilt it in 1873. The village had no physician until about 1838, when Dr. Philo P. Bar- ber, after a residence of two years in Glenwood, moved down to Colden. He remained nearly twenty years, when he went West. A few years before his departure Dr. Chas. H. Baker came and remained with a brief interval at Buffalo, until 1863, when he removed permanently to that city. Dr. S. N. Poole came in 1865, but moved away at the end of two years. In 1867 Dr. O. C. Strong opened an office and has been in active practice ever since. In 1867, Joslyn M. Corbin built a shingle-mill, which was subse- quently transferred to H. B. & M. R. Woodruff. In 1861, it was changed into a cheese-box factory. It was burned in 1864, rebuilt soon after- wards, again burned in 1868, and again rebuilt in 1869. It is on the point of transformation (1883) into a cabinet shop. A brewery was established by Martin Miller, who owned it until 1883. The brewery has been given up, but a part of the building is now occupied as a hotel by Michael Miller. 606 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The Methodist Church was formed in 1849, the following persons being the members at that time: Thomas Harvey, Truman Mattock, Betsey A. Lewis, Henry Smith, Sally Smith, George Balding, Caroline Balding, Asher Canfield, Roby Canfield, Rachel Knapp, Ann Lewis, John Daily, Sophia Daily, Lysander B. Knapp, Jane E. Owens, Caroline M. Barnout, Frederick A. Bates and Cordelia Bates. George Balding was appointed the first class-leader and has held the position ever since. He was also the first Sabbath-school superintendent and has held that office until the present time, except during two or three years. In 1858, a legal society was organized, with George Balding, Alfred Morse and William Kincaid as trustees. The following year a framed church edifice was erected at a cost of about fifteen hundred dollars. Preaching has been maintained ever since its organization, in connection with the churches at Boston and West Falls, although there were at one time but three female and two male members. The whole number of members rose to thirty a few years since, but has now fallen to sixteen, on account of the removal of families. The present trustees are George Balding, Nathan Collins and John Houts. The following are the names of the ministers who have served the church, in their order: Rev. Messrs. J. L. Mason, A. M. McIntyre, Charles Strong, J. H. Bayliss, A. W. Newton, Sparling, Hayward, William Jennings, R. Can- field, D. Blakely, O. N. Roberts, J. S. Tate, A. M. Bancroft and R. L. Robinson. GLENWOOD. As already mentioned, Benjamin Maltby built a saw-mill in the local- ity now called Glenwood in 1838. This may be considered the begin- ning of the hamlet in question. In 1840, Samuel B. Love and Jonas Bridge erected a tannery there. A small settlement grew up around these two establishments, but it was not until 1849 that a store was con- sidered necessary. Benjamin Maltby then erected one which he carried on for fifteen years. About the time it was built a postoffice was estab- lished by the name of Glenwood, (Mr. Maltby being the first postmaster) by which appellation the hamlet has since been known. The store was subsequently owned by Charles Crocker, by Aldrich & Gould and by Smith Gould, during whose ownership it was burned in 1878. Charles Crocker built a store in 1868, which is now owned by Mrs. Esther Bement. Allen W. Blakely carried on a grocery which he bought from George Maltby in 1875. A cheese factory was built at Glenwood in 1867, by Reynolds & Caldwell, but at the end of two years the enterprise was given up and the building was moved away. A box factory was built by John R. Hedges in 1874. It was burned in 1876, but was soon rebuilt, and after passing through several hands was purchased in 1882 by M. L. Miller & Brother, TOWN OF HOLLAND. 607 the present owners. by Stephen Hedges. There is also a shingle-mill, owned and operated The Presbyterian Church of Glenwood was formed as a Congrega- tional Church in 1829, before Glenwood was in existence; the first mem- bers being A. Dutton, Theodorus Olden, B. Wells, Melancthon, Samuel, Sylvester and Allen Abbott, Moses Leonard, Mrs. David Griggs, Mrs. Elizabeth Warren and a few others. They worshiped at first in a log school-house on the town line of Concord. The first meeting house was built in Glenwood in 1847, but was burned in 1859, a new one being built the next summer. The Presbyterian form of government and connections were adopted in 1878. Among the prominent pastors of the church have been the Rev. Messrs. Parmalee, Joseph Ingalls, Charles Crocker, John S. Lord and F. Long. The present elders are Oliver Dutton, Joel Wood, Webster Abbott and E. Graves. COLDEN Centre. This is not even a hamlet; it is merely a farming neighborhood, but it contains one public institution which we wish to mention. The Free Methodist Church was organized in November, 1871, by Rev. A. A. Burgess, with thirty members. A church edifice was erected on what is known as the McCumber road, in 1872, under the direction of J. C. White and Ira Eaton, at a cost of $1,085; the money being raised by subscription. The Rev. Messrs. G. H. Joslyn, J. C. White, M. E. Brown and J. W. McAlpine have served the church as pastors. There is none at the present time. CHAPTER LVI. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HOLLAND. T HIS town is situated on the east line of Erie county and near the southeast corner; being bounded on the north by the town of Wales, on the west by Colden, on the south by Sardinia, and on the east by Wyoming county. It comprises township eight, range five of the Holland Company's survey, and contains thirty-six square miles. The principal stream is Cazenove creek, which enters the town near the center of its southern boundary, runs northwestward and passes out near the northwest corner. Hunter's creek drains a considerable tract in the northeast part of the town, and another tributary of Buffalo creek waters the southeastern corner. These streams are bordered by fertile valleys; the remainder of the town is hill land. 608 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The first settlement in township eight, range five (now Holland,) was made in 1807. In that year Arthur Humphrey, Abner Currier and Jared Scott purchased land in the Cazenove valley, about a mile from the northern boundary of the township, and the same distance from the western boundary. Humphrey brought his family that season; Currier and Scott did the same the next year. Humphrey and Currier remained on the farms thus selected by them during their long and active lives.* In 1808 and 1809 Ezekiel Colby settled in the valley above Hum- phrey, Nathan Colby located on the hill to the east, subsequently known as Vermont hill, and Jacob Farrington settled on the same hill east of the site of Holland village. Jonathan Colby (afterward known as Col- onel Colby) settled in the valley in 1809. Immigrants came in with con- siderable rapidity down to the outbreak of the war of 1812; among whom were Daniel McKean, Harvey Colby, Samuel Miller, Increase Richardson, Sanford Porter, Theophilus Baldwin and Joseph Cooper. The last named person located in the Colby neighborhood, where his son, Samuel Cooper, long resided. That neighborhood as late as 1811, was the end of settlement in the valley, there being no road farther south. The first school in the township was taught in the Humphrey neighbor- hood just before the war, by Abner Currier. There were settlers farther south, however, on the hill to the east, where a large part of the new comers located themselves even when land was to be obtained in the valley. The top of the hill was level and the innumerable deposits of leaves on the ground had given an appearance of fertility to the soil, which not borne out by subsequent experience. was During the war the usual alarm was felt in township eight, in regard to British and Indian invasions, but more than the usual preparations were made to resist them. In the summer of 1813 the inhabitants com- bined and built a stockade on the farm of Arthur Humphrey, inclosing about an acre of land. From six hundred to seven hundred logs were cut about fifteen feet long, hewed so as to fit closely together and set upright side by side, about three feet in the ground. Loop-holes were cut for muskets and rifles, and the defenders of the stockade might reasonably expect to repel a moderate-sized force of either Indians or white men, unless it was provided with artillery. This rude defence was usually called "Fort Humphrey ;" and the Humphrey farm was thence- forth known as the "Fort farm :" old settlers have been heard to call it so even within the last few years. During the war some one, whose name has not been ascertained, made his way to the site of Holland village, where there was a good * Mr. Humphrey was a supervisor of Holland during the first two years of its independent exis- One of his sons, the Hon. James M. Humphrey, has been, during two years, a member of Congress, and is still one of the leading lawyers of Buffalo. Mr. Currier also became a prominent citizen, and was appointed a colonel of the militia about 1820. tence. TOWN OF HOLLAND. 609 mill seat, and began the erection of a grist-mill, the first in the territory of Holland. In 1814 Colonel (afterwards General) Warren and Ephraim Woodruff, of Aurora, bought the unfinished mill and completed it. In the spring of 1815 Warren bought Woodruff's interest and moved to the locality in question. He built and occupied the first house there; he also built a saw-mill near his grist-mill in the summer of 1815. The mill- wright was Robert Orr, and in the autumn of that year Warren sold his property to Orr and moved back to Aurora. In 1816 Caleb Cutler came from Vermont and settled on the farm now owned by Sylvan Cutler. He was accompanied by his son, William C. Cutler, who may fairly claim to have paid his passage as he came on foot and drove five cows the whole distance. The nearest residence to Cutler's was that of Asa Jones, who lived on the farm now owned by F. Dustin. The following season was the celebrated "cold summer" of 1816, when it was said there was frost every month of the year. The township of which we are writing seems to have suffered especially from this calamity, both because there were few residents there previously, on which account there was but little grain in store, and because so many came that year; no less than forty families settled in the township in the summer and autumn of 1816. Food was therefore very scarce and there was much suffering before grain could be raised the next year. war. Joshua Barron opened the first tavern in the township soon after the As near as we can learn it was in 1816, and the tavern was in the house built by Colonel Warren, the only framed house in the township. Barron had been in company with Orr in the mill. His sister, Lodisa, subsequently Mrs. Stanton, taught the first school in that part of the township about the same time. In 1817 Leander Cook opened the first store in the township, near Orr's Mills. It was not a very good time for mercantile business as the settlers had not yet recovered from the disastrous effects of the "cold summer." In the autumn of that year occurred the death of John Colby under circumstances which made it long remembered by early residents of the township. He lived on the east side of Vermont hill and just after the first snow of the season, which occurred in November, he went out into the forest to look for his cattle which had strayed away. As he did not return during the day nor the succeeding night, the neighbors turned out to search for him. After following his devious pathway (which was not entirely covered by the snow) for many tedious miles among the hills and ravines in the south part of the township, it turned back to the southward and towards night the body of John Colby was found lying cold in death at the foot of a tree only a short distance from a settler's cabin. On the 15th of April, 1818, a law was passed by the Legislature dividing the town of Willink into three new towns-Aurora, Wales and 610 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Holland. The last named town comprising township eight, in range five, and township eight in range six; being the present towns of Hol- land and Colden. The first town meeting was held the next spring (1819) when the following officers were elected: Arthur Humphrey, supervisor; Samuel Corliss, town clerk; Richard Buffum, Caleb Cutler, and Elisha Newhall, assessors; Richard Buffum, Jr., Amaziah Morey and Chapin Wheelock, commissioners of highways; Samuel Corliss, con- stable and collector; John A. Abbott, constable; Charles Crook, poor- master; Rudolphus Burr, Elon Clark and Ira Johnson, commissioners of schools; Elon Clark, Ira Johnson and Abner Nutting, inspectors of schools. There were seventeen road districts, which would indicate a considerable number of settlers. Having now reached the era when Holland became a separate town, we will glance more rapidly over its general history and at some events outside of the village, leaving the details in the village to be mentioned farther on. George Burzette (still living at the age of eighty-three) came to Holland in 1819 and settled on the south part of Vermont hill. About the same time Stephen Parker located on Hunter's creek. John Sleeper and his brother, Rufus Sleeper, also came in that year and located on Hunter's creek, on the line of Wales. Captain French was a resident in that locality when they came. John Huff settled on West hill in 1822. Samuel Johnson located there a little earlier. The ten- dency, now observable, of every one who can, to locate in the valleys, was not then noticeable. Well-to-do farmers settled on the tops of Ver- mont hill and West hill and made good farms there. Moses McCarthy, for fourteen years the supervisor of Wales, lived on the top of Vermont hill. Still, if men had both means and discernment, they preferred the valleys. Isaac Dickerman, who came in 1829, located on the farm next to Humphrey's "Fort farm," where he built one of the very few brick houses in the town; remaining until 1865, when he removed to Michi- gan, where he died. Among other successful farmers in Holland may be named the Crooks, Rogerses, Davises, Whaleys, Hawkses, Colbys, Sleep- ers and Dustins. Nathaniel P. Davis carried on a blacksmith shop in various parts of the town full fifty years. In 1827 township eight, in range six was separated from Holland to form Colden; reducing the former town to its present area. About this time serious troubles began to arise between the Holland Company and the settlers. The latter had bought their land on time, expecting to pay Sick- for it, but when the time came to do so many difficulties arose. ness, bad seasons, financial crises and numerous unfortunate events, com- bined to make the payment almost always difficult and sometimes impos- sible. Often they could not even pay the interest. Sometimes the com- pany was extremely lax, letting long periods pass without attempting to collect the interest. All the while the farms were being cleared up and TOWN OF HOLLAND. 611 made valuable. Attempts were made to eject some of those who had defaulted in payment, from the farms they had almost created. All the people, even those who were not directly affected, sympathized with the debtors, and many were willing to combine to prevent any one from being ejected. A long, scattering contest ensued, lasting from 1830 or earlier to about 1850, the company seeking to eject the non-paying set- tlers or their heirs, and the occupants resisting. A similar contest was going on in many other towns of the Holland Purchase, but it was more active and the settlers were more successful in Holland than in any other township. It would be impracticable to give an account of the details, as the operators kept their proceedings secret, but in some way they managed to make it extremely uncomfortable for any agent of the company or a settler's land. We have never heard of any one's being hurt; certainly no one was killed, but threats were made in great profusion; mysterious bands of men made menacing demonstrations, and sometimes rifles were fired unpleasantly close to obnoxious intruders. Very few cared to pur- chase lands claimed by settlers under such circumstances. The company did not push their demands very zealously, and in some cases in which they commenced suit, the courts held that the occupants had acquired a title by “adverse possession." In one way or another most of them kept their lands until they themselves saw proper to sell them. By the time this dispute was settled the town was cleared up and framed houses, large or small, had generally been substituted for log ones. The farms, too, were generally in pretty good condition, on the hills as well as in the valleys. By 1850, however, the native fertility of the hill farms was nearly exhausted, and since then many of them have deteriorated. A large number of Germans have settled in Holland; they began to locate themselves on Hunter's creek as early as 1840, Frederick River being the first in that section. Their numbers have increased until they form a large part of the population in that region. Some of them are Catholics who go to Sheldon to worship. The majority, however, are Baptists and have a German Baptist Church; they originally worshiped in a small house on Philip Fisher's land, built about 1850. As their num- bers increased they erected a larger building about 1865, which they still occupy, on land donated by Sidney Sleeper. There are now eighty-three members. Rev. Mr. Helmrich is the pastor; Jacob Fisher and Lorenz Pickel are the deacons; the trustees of the society are Philip Fisher, Jacob Fauldin and John Bookman. During the war for the Union many of the young men of Holland responded to the calls for volunteers, and many graves in its cemeteries are marked with soldiers' headstones. An account of the services of the various Erie county regiments is to be found in Chapters XXV. to XXIX., inclusive, of the general history. 612 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Since the war Holland has been more than ever devoted to dairying, and especially to the manufacture of cheese. Richardson, Beebe & Co., proprietors of the celebrated "Cloverfield Combination," have several cheese factories in the town, and there is a large amount of butter manu- factured by individuals. Benjamin Whaley, in the northeastern part of the town, has long had one of the largest dairy farms in the county. The construction of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Rail- road through Holland, in 1871, has greatly increased the facilities for disposing of farm products, the village of Holland has grown rapidly and the town as a whole, is probably fully equal in prosperity to the average of towns in Erie county. We close this general sketch with a list of supervisors with their years of service: Arthur Humphrey, 1819-20; Mitchell Corliss, 1821-'24; Asa Crook, 1825-28; Chase Fuller, 1829–’32; Moses McArthur, 1833-34; Isaac Humphrey, 1835-'37; Moses Mc- Arthur, 1838-40; Samuel Corliss, 1841; Moses McArthur, 1842-'47; Philip D. Riley, 1848; Moses McArthur, 1849-'51; Abner Orr, 1852; Ezra Farrington, 1853; Abner Orr, 1854; Philip D. Riley, 1855; Oliver G. Rowley, 1856; Ezra Farrington, 1857; Oliver G. Rowley, 1858; John A. Case, 1859; Phillip D. Riley, 1860; Nathan Morey, 1861-'62; Philip D. Riley, 1863-64; John O. Riley, 1865-'71; Perry D. Dickerman, 1872; John O. Riley, 1873; Charles A. Orr, 1874-75; Homer Morey, 1876- '78; John F. Morey, 1879-'80; Austin N. Stickney, 1881-83. The following are the present officers of Holland (1883): Austin N. Stickney, supervisor; C. N. House, town clerk; Marcellus L. Dicker- man, N. S. Challis, Orlando Hawks and George Fancher, justices of the peace; Horace Selleck, Porter Hawks and Pliny C. Shelman, assessors; Jacob Wurst, commissioner of highways; Leonard Scrgel, overseer of the poor; Volney Orr, collector; William H. Davis, Vinal Burlingham, inspectors of elections; Charles C. Tanner, Herbert L. Buckman, Rufus E. Hawks, Charles Sherman and Harley Houghton, constables; Clark Jackson, Millard F. Wilson and Henry Spaulding, commissioners. of excise. HOLLAND VILLAGE. The mills built by Warren & Woodruff and bought by Robert Orr in the autumn of 1813, constituted the beginning of the village of Holland, though the locality did not then bear that name. A few years later the mills (the grist-mill and saw-mill constituting one property,) passed to Alvin Orr, a son of Robert Orr, and were carried on by him until his death in 1877, except that his son, Charles A. Orr, was in company with him during some of the later years. They were owned by his heirs nearly two years longer, Edgar O. Cheney carried them on in 1879; he sold them to John McMillan and he transferred them in 1881 to Jacob Wurst, who has made important improvements and is now carrying on an extensive business. Amos Hill built a saw-mill in the village in 1820. It was TOWN OF HOLLAND. 613 transferred to other parties and disappeared before 1840. About that time Israel Rich built a new one on the same dam and also carried on a carding machine near there, the mill was owned successively by Nye & Logee, Nye & Rice, and Nye & Barron. A later owner, Mr. Kinney, put stones in the mill and used it as a grist-mill. In 1862 the property was sold to Marcus Case, who built a new saw-mill; it was then successively owned by Griggs & Crocker, Griggs & Griggs, and I. N. Griggs. The latter built a new grist-mill in 1878, of which he is still the proprietor. As already stated, Leander Cook opened the first store in the village and town in 1817. He had only a few goods, which he sold in a small building located where Jackson's store now stands. He carried on the business less than two years. The next store was established a few years later by Hoyt & Flinn, in a building erected by them on the east side of Main street. In 1829, it was moved back to make room for the hotel then erected by one of the partners, William Hoyt. Hoyt & Adams carried on a store until 1832. The firm of Howard & Riley was then established, and engaged in mercantile business. It was composed of Joseph Howard, Jr., a prominent merchant of Aurora, and Philip D. Riley, who then located himself in Holland. A few years later Mr. Riley became the sole owner, carrying on the business in all about twenty years. He was succeeded by John O. Riley, who was in busi- ness about ten years. Mr. Colby carried on a store a short time pre- vious to 1848. Marcellus L. Dickerman, oldest son of Isaac Dickerman, before mentioned, opened a general store in 1849, which he carried on until 1862. He was succeeded by Perry D. Dickerman, who remained in business until 1872. The later merchants have been A. M. Orr; C. A. Button, who succeeded him and is now merchant and postmaster; Jerome B. Morey, who built a new store in 1868; John F. Morey, who succeeded him in 1876; Austin N. Stickney, many years the head of the firm of Stickney & Jackson, elected in 1883 keeper of the Erie county penitentiary; William B. Jackson, his partner, who became the sole proprietor in April, 1883; Isaac B., and Frank W. Ellsworth (Isaac B. Ellsworth & Son), who have been in business over ten years. There are also three grocery stores. G. A. Crandall has a jewelry store, established in 1876. W. J. & N. A. Taber have carried on a hardware store since 1881. After Joshua Barron opened the first hotel, as before stated, in 1816, it changed hands several times, but was kept as a hotel until 1829. It was near the site of John F. Morey's store. In the last named year William Hoyt built a new hotel; it was subsequently kept by Anson Norton, William Crook, Vinal L. Morey and Abner Orr. It was sold to settle the estate of the last named owner, and has not since been used as a hotel. The Holland House was built about 1835, by Jonathan Paul: He was succeeded by his son, David Paul, who carried it on many years. 614 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Mrs. David Paul was also the proprietress several years. It has of late changed hands several times and is now occupied by Seward H. Sears. C. C. Lowry opened a hotel about ten years ago, on the Main street, south of Cazenove creek, which he has carried on with marked success. to the present time. Old residents say that Dr. Parker was the first physician in the vil- lage, but are unable to give his first name. He came about 1825, and remained ten years. Dr. Zoroaster Paul (a half-brother of David Paul) came about 1833 or 1834, and was in practice here until 1846 or 1847, when he moved to Ontario county, N. Y. Dr. Bradley Goodyear suc- ceeded him and remained about ten years. Dr. Dascomb Farrington succeeded him. Dr. A. C. Osborn located there about 1868. Dr. Edwin Farrington has made his residence there within the past few years. C. N. House has been a dentist here since 1877. Allen G. Sweet has been in the insurance business since 1875; and in the town since 1863. The large tannery at the south end of the village of Holland was built by A. Rumsey & Sons, of Buffalo, in 1850. It was built under the direc- tion of Guy C. Martin, who was the superintendent about fifteen years. It had at first the capacity to produce from fifteen to twenty thousand sides of sole leather annually. It has been increased, however, until it is now one of the largest tanneries in the State, covering about ten acres of land, employing at times nearly sixty men, and having the capacity to produce from sixty to seventy thousand sides of sole leather per year. It is now owned by Bronson C. Rumsey and his sons, Lawrence B. Rumsey and Bronson C. Rumsey, Jr. ments. In 1876 Horace Selleck built a planing-mill which he still carries on, together with an establishment for the manufacture of farming imple. A cheese factory was built at He employs ten workmen. Holland Village in 1876 by L. L. Horton; it is now owned by Richard- son, Beebe & Co., and belongs to the "Cloverfield Combination." There are also the blacksmith, wagon and paint shops, of Ferrin & Wilson, (J. L. Ferrin and M. F. Wilson) originating in the blacksmith shop built by Joshua Cheney in 1841; the wagon and blacksmith shop of M. Keller, established in 1871; and the blacksmith shop of H. L. Davis, previously carried on by Vinal Davis. Nathan Morey, a son of the Nathan Morey already mentioned as one of the first settlers in the village, was a tanner and currier and shoe maker. During the most of his life he devoted himself to the shoe- making business. He died in 1867. He was succeeded by his son, Homer Morey, who has carried on the business ever since. John Pergel has a shoe shop, established about 1858, and Frederick W. Grunwald has carried on the same business in Holland since 1874. E. Wallash has car- ried on a furniture store and shop since 1873. The foregoing statements in regard to its present business, give an idea of the prosperity of Holland. In fact, within the last twenty years. TOWN OF HOLLAND. 615 it has become one of the most flourishing villages in Erie county and no village in the county has improved more rapidly in that time. A postoffice was first established in Holland in 1822; Lyman Clark being the first postmaster. He is said to have been succeeded by Elam Clark and to have again filled the office as late as 1832. The subsequent postmasters, as far as can be ascertained, were Isaac Humphrey, Philip D. Riley, (under President Harrison and again under President Fillmore) Nathan Morey, O. G. Rowley (under President Buchanan), Waterman Burlingham, Perry D. Dickerman, A. M. Orr, (appointed in 1873) Chaun- cey G. Currier, (appointed in 1876) and C. A. Button, (appointed in 1881). There were some Baptist meetings in Holland before 1829, under the charge of Rev. Elias Harmon, the minister at Aurora, and in that year it was determined to organize a church. The brethren and sisters of that denomination met on the 29th of November, 1829, appointed the Rev. Elias Harmon as moderator and Lyman Clark as clerk, and organ- ized as the First Baptist Church of Holland. There were twenty-six original members and they adopted a covenant on the 8th of December following. They met in private houses and school houses until 1844, when the present church edifice was erected. The church has maintained public worship to the present time, and now contains forty-seven mem- bers. O. F. Schoonoven is the elder and Calvin Rosier the deacon. The trustees of the society are David A. Owens, Asher Cornwall, Horace Selleck, Willis House, Homer Curtis and Russell Button. There was a class belonging to the Methodist Episcopal denomina- tion in Holland which met in private houses and elsewhere previous to 1871. In that year a handsome gothic church edifice was erected at a cost of about $4,000. It was dedicated by Bishop Peck on the 7th of February, 1872. Troubles, however, arose in the church, which threat- ened to entirely destroy its usefulness. When these troubles were sup- posed to be overcome, it was thought advisable that the church edifice should be re-dedicated. Bishop Peck again preached the dedication sermon. The church is still in feeble condition, as a result of the dissen- sion before alluded to, and contains but twenty-five members. The German Lutheran Church was organized in 1874. The first trustees of the society were Joseph Wolff, George Leonhardt and John Brodbeck. A house of worship was erected the same year. The pres- ent minister is the Rev. E. Reissig, who came from the Kingdom of Saxony in 1882. The services are conducted in German; there are now about thirty members. The present trustees are Joseph Wolff, William Goldberg, Charles Goldberg, Frederick Andrews, Edward Bengert and Frederick Greenwald. PROTECTION. John Dake set up a turning lathe and made spinning wheels, chairs, etc., at this point as early as 1830. A few others settled there and 616 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. about 1840 Charles Fuller established the first hotel there. He is said to have given the place the name it has since borne. It was sometimes. called Protection Harbor, but the latter word has been dropped by gene- ral consent. As the hamlet grew up, part of the houses were built in Holland and part in Sardinia, but we speak of the village as a whole, without reference to the dividing line. Franklin Lyford opened a gro- cery store in 1846. After him O. W. Childs carried on a store there many years, but sold it to William B. Jackson, of Holland village in 1881, who now carries it on under the superintendence of his brother Frederick S. Jackson. John Dake built a saw-mill in 1840. It has been changed to a feed-mill and apple dryer. There is a postoffice, of which Samuel Curtis is the present postmaster, and a station on the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad. Charles S. Rich, of Holland, was born in the town of Holland, Erie county, N. Y., March 22, 1850, and died at his home after a brief illness of only thirteen days, September 13, 1883. His entire life had been spent upon the farm upon which he was born, and in addition to his becoming an active farmer, became also identified with the business men of the community as an upright and honorable citizen of the town and county, being greatly respected by all who knew him. On the 3d of June, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Abbie. M. Day, daughter of Ithamar Day and Elvira (Davis) Day, now of Wis- consin, and this union was blessed by the birth of two children, William H. H., born March 17, 1881; and Charles S., born May 24, 1883. Our subject was the son of the well-known Israel Rich, who came to the town in 1818 or '19, and who in 1835 built the saw-mill in the vil- lage. In 1831 he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Dustin, who became the mother of seven children, five sons and two daughters, namely: John S., Stephen R. S., Nathan M., Mary D., Lydia C., William W., and Charles S., all of whom are now dead, save Mrs. Mary D. Burnett, of Garden City, Minnesota. Israel Rich was born in 1808, and died in 1850. His mother, Mrs. Hannah Rich, was a daughter of Timothy Dustin and Sallie Little Dustin. The father was a native of Weare, Hillsborough county, New Hamp- shire, and the mother of Goffstown, same county and State. He died November 16, 1828, nearly sixty years of age. She died December 9, 1848, eighty years of age. The children born of this union were four daughters and two sons, namely: Mary L., Lydia, John, Moses, Sarah L., and Hannah, the youngest, who was the mother of our subject. Mrs. Abbie Rich is a native of Holland, born March 18, 1859; her father, Ithamar Day, was a native of Canada, but her mother, Elvira, was a native of Holland; the parents are now residents of Wisconsin. TOWN OF SARDINIA. 617 CHAPTER LVII T HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SARDINIA. HE town of Sardinia lies in the southeast corner of Erie county. It is bounded on the north by the towns of Holland and Colden, west by the town of Concord, east by Wyoming county and south by Cattaraugus county. It comprised nearly all of township seven, range five of the Holland Company's survey; also a small fraction of township six in the same range, the three eastern tiers of lots in township seven, range six and finally a fraction of township six, range six; these fractional tracts being formed by the windings of Cattaraugus creek, which is the southern boundary of Sardinia, and of Erie county. The length of the town (from east to west) is eight and one-fourth miles; its greater width (along the western boundary) is seven and a half miles; and its average width is about six and a fourth miles. Its total area is about fifty-one and a half square miles. The surface is gently rolling in the eastern part of the town, but hilly in the west and north. Shepherd's hill, southwest of the center, is one thousand and forty feet above Lake Erie. In the east the soil is a gravelly loam; in the west it is largely composed of clay. It is principally drained by Cattaraugus creek and its tributaries, although the east branch of Cazenove creek heads in the northeast part of the town, and the west branch in the northwest part. The first settlement in the territory of Sardinia was made by George Richmond, who came from Vermont in the spring of 1809. He was accompanied by his two sons, George and Frederick, and located near Cattaraugus creek about a mile and a half east of the present west line of Sardinia, where he soon afterward opened a tavern.* In the summer of the same year, Ezra Nott became the first pioneer of township seven, range five, taking an "article" for a large tract of land between the localities. since known as Colegrove's Corners and Rice's Corners. He was accom- panied by two young cousins, Asa Warren and Sumner Warren, and in later years was accustomed to boast that he and they had cut and burned the first brush heap in the township.† Henry Godfrey and Josiah Sum- ner moved into the township during the latter part of the same year (1809.) The next year there were several new comers. Among them were Elihu Rice, a native of Kent county, R. I., and Giles Briggs, who came * This was long a celebrated hostlery, and a public house was kept there by George Richmond as late as 1855. It was given up, however, not long after. Mr. Nott was married in 1818 to Miss Hannah Hardy. The log structure in which they began keeping house "with no door and very little floor," as she afterward expressed it, stood near where the cemetery is now situated. He served as a major of militia in the war of 1812 and subsequently rose to be a major-general. 40 618 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. together. Rice located where his son Alfred Rice now lives, and Briggs bought a place directly opposite. The latter built a log house, in which he opened the first tavern in that township, and the first in the territory of Sardinia, except, perhaps, that of George Richmond, in the south- west corner. The first child born in what is now Sardinia was Ray Briggs, a son of Giles Briggs, born in 1811. Ezra Nott, Elihu Rice and others boarded at the pioneer hotel for a time, until they could make homes for themselves. Landlord Briggs moved away in 1814, and the tavern was then carried on successively by Samuel Hawkins, Deacon Hudson and others. Mr. Rice brought a few goods with him in chests when he came, which he sold as he could in Brigg's tavern or at his own house. These were the first goods exposed for sale in the territory of Sardinia, but Mr. Rice did not dignify his operations by so ambitious a name as that of "keeping store." He sold goods, however, with more or less regu- larity, until Hastings' store was opened at Sardinia village in 1820, when he gave up the practice. Mr. Rice served as a commissioned officer of the militia in the war of 1812, and was subsequently a brigade inspector with the rank of Major. Among the new comers of 1810, '11 and '12 were Randall Walker, Benjamin Wilson, Daniel Hall, John Cook, Henry Bowen, Smithfield Ballard and Francis Eaton. Sumner Warren built a saw mill on Mill brook, where the "Simons Mill" now stands, (the first in the territory of Sardinia as far as we can learn,) and owned a tract of land covering the site of Sardinia village. During the war which broke out in June, 1812, the scattered settlers in the district under consideration suffered the usual annoyances of the period, all the able-bodied men being frequently called out with the militia to the great damage of crops and business, while the women and children suffered from the fears of British and Indian invasion; fears. modified somewhat, however, by the distance from the frontier. Abel Abbey came in 1813 and bought the mill and land previously owned by Sumner Warren, moving his family thither in March, 1814, and occupied a house situated about where Andrews' grocery now stands. During the following summer Miss Melinda Abbey taught the first school in the territory of Sardinia, in a log school house east of the site of Colegrove's Corners, and near where Newell Hosmer now lives. The lady is still living (she is now Mrs. Boyles) and gives an interesting account of the situation at that time. The nearest house to Mr. Abbey's was Henry Godfrey's, situated west of Colegrove's Corners. A Mr. Wilcox lived on the Olin place; a Mr. Wolsey resided on the Carney place; E. Smith lived at the foot of the hill going towards Springville; John Johnson resided where his son, Richard Johnson, now lives. John and Jeremiah Wilcox, two TOWN OF SARDINIA. 619 young men, had commenced work on the next lot below. Morton Crosby lived on the Jonathan Matthewson place. "Commodore" Rog- ers lived next; then came Captain Charles Wells and the Richmonds. Horace Rider and Mr. Sears resided on lot fifty-seven, on the hill, about three-fourths of a mile northeast of Hake's bridge. Ezekiel Hardy lived on lot forty-two. Jacob Wilson, Benjamin Wilson and Daniel Hall dwelt in the east part of the town near where the railroad junction now is. On the Genesee road lived Messrs. Godfrey, Warren, Merriam, Cartwright and Nott. The names of Miss Abbey's scholars as remem- bered by her were Sally Hall, William Hall Caroline Hall, Esther Wil- son, William Cartwright, Adolphus Merriam, Hamilton Merriam, Mason Merriam, Mary Merriam, Rena Merriam, Orrin Godfrey, Sally Godfrey, Abel Abbey, Luther Abbey and Aurelia Hosmer. A little later Miss Betsey Doane taught the first school at Rice's Corners.* George Clark & Co. established the first store in the territory of Sardinia in 1816. A little later in the same year Samuel Hawkins built the house now owned by the Nichols heirs and established a store, but sold it to Reuben Nichols in 1818. Mr. Nichols was a soldier of the Rev- olution and received a pension as such. Andrew Crocker came in 1817. In 1820 Dr. Bela H. Colegrove, then a young man, located at the place subsequently known as Colegrove's Corners, being the first physician in Sardinia. The next year Chauncey Hastings moved into the village, (there were then but three houses there), and built a store nearly oppo- site the site of the present hotel. About two years later he built a hotel and then carried on business both as a merchant and a hotel-keeper twenty-five or thirty years. He was the leading business man of the town throughout his life, as Dr. Colegrove was the leader in professional and political matters. Soon after Colegrove and Hastings came to Sardinia, George S., and Thomas Collins built a carding-machine south of Sardinia village and about fifteen years later erected a woolen factory there. About 1870 the factory became the property of John O. Riley, of Holland, who now owns it. A grist-mill and a tannery were built about 1835 by W. W. Cornwell. The grist-mill is now owned by Bolander Brothers; the tannery has for the past twenty years been the property of Geo. Martin. * Some of the early settlers will perchance like to recall the names of the teachers in the old log school house at Rice's Corners, before it was abandoned in 1828. The ladies who taught there were Betsey Doane, Miranda Powell, Mrs. Charles Sears, Mrs. Eunice Shedd, (who is still living at the age of over ninety years) Charlotte Nott (a sister of General Nott and afterwards Mrs. Goff), Miss Humphrey, (afterwards Mrs. Case), and Lucy Bigelow. The male teachers were Elihu Rice, Pardon Jewell, Isaac Humphrey, Andrew Shedd, Dr. Ira Shedd, Benjamin Osgood and John Lanckton. Dr. Colegrove became a widely celebrated practitioner, especially in surgical cases; his ride extending through large parts of Erie, Cattaraugus and Genesee (now Wyoming) counties, and he being sometimes called as far as Pennsylvania in difficult cases. He was also during several years the supervisor of Sardinia, and in 1822 was a member of the Assembly. 620 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In the course of years a small hamlet grew up on the road from Yorkshire to Buffalo, which was partly in Sardinia and partly in Hol- land, and to which the name of Protection was given. It is mentioned in the history of Holland. The town improved steadily, the log houses gave way steadily to framed ones, and by 1840 all the southern and eastern portions were well settled and handsomely improved. In the northeastern portion progress was slower and log houses still linger in the by-roads. When the Buffalo & Allegany railroad was surveyed and incorpo- rated in 1853, to run through the eastern part of Sardinia, high hopes were entertained of a speedy connection with the railroad, lake and canal systems of the State. These hopes were disappointed for the time, but were revived after the war for the Union (in which many of the young men of Sardinia bore a gallant part, recorded in the chapters. devoted to the Erie county volunteers), by the preparations for the con- struction of the Buffalo & Washington, subsequently known as the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad. That long delayed road only reached Sardinia in 1871. It has furnished increased facilities to the farmers, but as it runs near the eastern line of the town, it has been of slight benefit to the village and vicinity. In 1878 the Sardinia & Springville (narrow guage) railroad was built from the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia railroad to Springville, running across the whole southern part of the town, and having a depot at Sardinia village. In 1869 a Roman Catholic Church was organized and a church edifice was erected in the northwestern part of Sardinia, under the direc- tion of Father Ulrich. It comprises at the present time about sixty fami- lies and is under the direction of Father Peter Theis, of Boston. 1821. When the territory of Sardinia was first settled by the whites, in 1809, it was a part of the town of Willink, (Niagara county,) which at that time comprised all that part of the present county of Erie south of the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. On the 20th of March, 1812, the town of Concord was formed from Willink; embracing the present towns of Sardinia, Collins and North Collins. The territory under consideration remained a part of Concord until the 16th of March, On that day a law was passed enacting that all that part of Con- cord comprising township seven, range five, and three tiers of lots on the east side of township seven, range six, "and all those parts of township No. six in the fifth range, and township No. six, in the sixth range of the Holland Land Company's land lying within the county of Niagara, be, and hereby is erected into a separate town by the name of Sardinia." It will be seen that all of township six, range six in Niagara county, was included in Sardinia, the south- ern part of which was thus made to extend five tiers of lots farther west than the northern part, embracing Springville and all the south- TOWN OF SARDINIA. 621 eastern portion of the present town of Concord. This was doubtless due to a mistake in drawing the law; at all events, on the 22d day of March, 1822, a law was passed enacting that after the 1st of May, 1822 "all that part of the town of Sardinia lying south of the town of Concord, and bordering on Cattaraugus creek, be and the same is here- by annexed to the said town of Concord," thus giving both of those towns their present boundaries. The name of Sardinia had previously been selected by General Ezra Nott. The following have been the supervisors of Sardinia from its first organization to the present time, with their years of service: Elihu Rice, 1821; Benoni Tuttle, 1822; Morton Crosby, 1823; Horace Clark, 1824; Bela H. Colegrove, 1825: Horace Clark, 1826-'30; George S. Col- lins, 1831-'32; Henry Bowen, 1833-'35; Matthew R. Olin, 1836–’37; Elihu Rice, 1838; George Bigelow, 1839; Bela H. Colegrove, 1840-'41; Frederick Richmond, 1842; George Bigelow, 1843: Frederick Rich- mond, 1844; Bela H. Colegrove, 1845-'46; Thomas Hopkins, 1847-'48; Joseph Candee, 1849; Henry Bowen, 1850; Joseph Candee, 1851-'52; Mitchell R. Loveland, 1853; Bela H. Colegrove, 1854; Seymour P. Hast- ings, 1855; Mitchell R. Loveland, 1856; James Hopkins, 1857-'58; George Bigelow, 1859-'60; James Rider, 1861-'62; Welcome Andrews, 1863-'65; George Bigelow, 1866-'67; Welcome Andrews, 1868-'69; G. C. Mar- tin, 1870; Roderick Simons, 1871-'72; George Andrews, 1873-'74; Addison Wheelock, 1875-'76; Hiram D. Cornwell, 1877-'78; Addison Wheelock, 1879-'80; Luther Briggs, 1881-'82; Charles M. Rider, 1883. The following are the officers of Sardinia for 1883: Charles M. Rider, supervisor; George H. Mills, town clerk; Edwin Casey, Aaron Carney and Elbert Holmes, assessors; Edwin Ward, Gansevoort Wood, Sidney D. Kingsley and Asher Cutler, justices of peace; Jefferson Childs, Willard Brink and Allen Crosby, commissioners of highways; Clark F. Crosby, collector; James F. Sleeper, overseer of the poor; Maland Smith, G. W. Dake and Edgar Bauvor, inspectors of election; Charles Stevenson, Almenus Childs, Charles Russell, Manly Lord and Edmund Andrews, constables; Edwin Rice, game constable. SARDINIA VILLAGE. We have mentioned the coming of Mr. Chauncey Hastings to this place in 1821, when there were but three houses there, and the erection of his store and hotel. Several years later he built a second store near the hotel, where his son, Seymour P. Hastings, carried on business for a time. In 1847 the elder Mr. Hastings built a store on the corner of the two principal streets. In this he was followed successively by George Bigelow, Holmes & Nichols, Warren W. Simons, Kingsley & Cook, and the present owner, George W. Cook, who took the store in 1875. Sidney D. Kingsley has been the postmaster and has kept the office in this build- 622 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ing since 1870. Horace Bailey built a store in 1846, in which he carried on business until near 1863; being followed successively by W. W. Simons, James Rider, Beebe & Gordon, and H. W. Lanckton, the pres- ent owner, who took possession in 1879. Chauncey Wetherlow estab- lished a grocery about 1860, which he sold in 1867 to W. J. Andrews. The only hardware store in the village is that of A. J. Emerson, estab- lished October 1, 1878, and the only drug store is that of George H. Mills, established in the fall of 1882. Mr. Chauncey Hastings, after keeping a hotel about thirty years, was succeeded by his son, Chauncey J. Hastings, who was followed successively by Royal Green, George Goodspeed, Stephen Holmes, Nel- son M. Twiss, Silas Giles, Roderick Simons, and the present proprietor, George Andrews, who took possession about 1871. Besides the grist-mill, factory and tannery already mentioned, there was a saw-mill erected by Horace Clark nearly fifty years ago, which, after various changes of proprietorship, came into the hands of J. S. Simons in 1870. He subsequently added a planing-mill, and in 1882 built a cheese factory. Soon after the close of the war with Great Britain,* the Rev. Elias Harmon, a Baptist minister located at Willink (now Aurora), came to the east end of Concord, as Sardinia was then known, and held a series of meetings in school houses and private houses, which resulted in the organization of a Baptist Church. He was assisted by Deacons Stephen Pratt and John Colby, who acted as lay preachers and were the chief promoters of religious meetings in Sardinia for many years.† A house of worship was built at Sardinia village in 1825. Caleb Calkins and Stukely Hudson were deacons at that time. Before the building was finished, however, in September of that year the Holland Purchase Association met with this church in the spacious barn of Gen- eral Nott. The first settled minister was the Rev. Jonathan Blakely. After him came Rev. Messrs. Thomas Baker, Cyrus Andrews, Whitman Metcalf, Eliab Going, Alfred Handy, Anson Tucker, E. W. Clark, Wal- ter R. Brooks, R. P. Lamb, O. J. Sprague, E. J. Scott, Walter G. Dye, C. Colegrove (1862 to 1866), J. Huntington, E. L. Benedict, A. S. Knee- land, B. Morris, J. S. Everingham, and E. Burroughs, who was the last pastor. There is no minister at the present time. The church contains *The first religious services in the territory of Sardinia were held at General Nott's house imme- diately after the close of the war, by Father Spenser," a Presbyterian traveling minister. Before preaching he took out a newspaper and read the official proclamation of peace with Great Britain, which was received with delight by the congregation. + Deacon Pratt, a very zealous and energetic speaker, was subsequently ordained as a minister and preached for a time to a small church in the northwest part of the town, which, however, was long ago disbanded. Deacon Colby had a son, Michael Colby, who became a most worthy minister of the Gospel. Mr. Clark, who took charge of the church in 1833, was only twenty years old, but during his pastorate the, church increased to two hundred and seventy members. TOWN OF BRANT. 623 about ninety members. The deacons are H. Cornwell and H. Howell, and the clerk is A. J. Adams. Methodist meetings began to be held in Sardinia soon after the close of the war with Great Britain, but no record of them has been pre- served, and it was not until 1842 that a church edifice was erected in Sar- dinia village. Religious services were maintained in it for forty years, and in 1882 a handsome new building was erected, which is now occupied by the church. Rev. R. Catlin is the present pastor. The trustees are Wilber H. Parker, Minerva Strong, Mrs. Charles Long, Cornelia New- ton and Ira S. Cook. The clerk is Gansevoort Wood. COLEGROVE'S CORNERS. This pleasant little hamlet is sometimes considered as a part of Sar- dinia village, although it is three-fourths of a mile distant. It derived its name and celebrity from the fact that Dr. Bela H. Colegrove resided there from the time of his first settlement in the town till his death, nearly forty years later. There are but ten or a dozen houses. A delightful, level, shaded street leads from there south to Sardinia village. CHAFFEE. Chaffee postoffice was established in 1879 at the junction of the Sar- dinia & Springville Railroad with the Buffalo, New York & Phila- delphia road, being named after the Hon. Bertrand Chaffee, of Spring- ville, the president of the former company. E. M. Sherman opened a grocery there the same year, and was appointed postmaster; he still holds that position. Frederick Bigelow built a hotel there in 1880. now carried on by H. R. Savage. It is CHAPTER LVIII. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BRANT. T HE town of Brant is situated in the extreme southwest corner of Erie county. It is bounded on the west by Lake Erie, on the north by Evans, on the east by North Collins, on the south by Chautau- qua county and by that part of the Cattaraugus reservation attached to the town of Collins. Its extreme length east and west is nearly ten miles; its width is about three and seven-eighths miles, except at the western end, where the boundaries are very irregular on account of the windings of Cattaraugus creek and the lake shore. The total area of the town is about thirty-two square miles; but from this should be 624 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. deducted an irregular tract, in the southern part, containing about nine square miles belonging to the Cattaraugus reservation, over which the jurisdiction of the town is merely nominal. This deduction leaves about twenty-three square miles occupied by white men, in the town of Brant. The tract north of the original reservation is the south part of township eight, range nine, of the Holland Company's survey, which was laid out much larger than other townships and contains eighty-nine lots. The surface is generally level, but is a little broken at the eastern end of the town. The soil is for the most part a gravelly loam, mixed with clay. Big Sister creek runs northward through the eastern part of the town; Delaware creek traverses the central portion in a north west- erly direction, while Muddy creek follows the same course in the western part. Cattaraugus creek forms the southern boundary of Brant for three miles before it enters Lake Erie. When the Cattaraugus reservation was set apart to the Indians it extended to the north line of the tract now known as the Mile Strip. The whole territory of Brant was first a part of the town of Batavia (Genesee county) then of the town of Erie (Genesee county) and then of Willink (Niagara county). When Willink was subdivided in 1812, that part of the territory of Brant then included in the reservation was attached to the town of Concord, while the remainder became a part of Eden. It was during the jurisdiction of Eden that settlement began. The first settler was Moses Tucker, from Warren county, N. Y., who located upon the farm now occupied by Rufus W. Stickney, in 1816. Mr. Tucker reared three children, two of whom are now living in North Collins-Elijah Tucker and Mrs. Charles Sherman. The family belonged to the society of "Friends." In the year 1818, John Roberts, John West and Major Campbell came to the territory of Brant. Roberts settled on the road leading from Brant Centre to Farnham. Ansel Smith and Robert and William Grannis came soon after. John West located to the east of the Centre; his widow is still living at an advanced age, and five of their children are also living, viz.: Thomas, John and Jonathan West, Mrs. Richard Sher- man and Mrs. Joseph Hill. Major Campbell settled east of the center, and after a long residence there moved to Buffalo. In 1819, Reuben Hussey, a relative of Moses Tucker and a brother Quaker, who had come from Cayuga county to North Collins two years previously, moved over the line and settled near Tucker's residence. Mr. Hussey was the father of five children, of whom Mrs. Lydia Judson and James Tucker, of North Collins, Mrs. Lucy Keeler, of Cayuga county, and Warren Hussey, of Brant Centre, are now living. To the latter, who is still an active man at the age of eighty, we are indebted for much val- uable information relating to this and other towns. He mentioned a cir- cumstance which shows clearly the effect on the streams of the country TOWN OF BRANT. 625 by removing the adjacent timber. When but a lad, while wandering through the forest in company with others, he found a considerable stream of water, which flowed over the banks of Big Sister creek, a dis- tance of twenty feet, making a fine waterfall. He visited it often and for many years it remained of the same size; but as the timber was cleared away the stream gradually grew smaller and at length entirely dis- appeared. Samuel Butts, a native of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, moved from Hamburg to the territory of Brant in 1820, and in 1822 erected the first saw-mill in that territory. In fact it was nearly the only one, as the streams of Brant are sluggish and do not furnish good water-power. Mr. Butts had five sons and five daughters, of whom S. M. Butts is the only one living. He occupies the old homestead and is a successful farmer and business man, and a leading member of the Methodist Church. In March, 1821, the town of Evans was formed from Eden, including that part of the territory of Brant north of the original north line of the reservation. In 1825 Joseph Hubbard opened the first tavern in what is now the town of Brant; it was situated east of the Centre, in the Shep. herd neighborhood. In 1826, as stated in the general history, the association known as the Ogden Company purchased from the Indians a tract of land taken from the north side of the reservation, a mile wide and six miles long, extending west from the east end of the reservation; also a tract a mile square, lying south of the east end of the former piece. The first named tract has since been known as the Mile Strip and the other as the Mile Block. The Mile Strip was divided into thirty-eight lots, in two tiers; The northern tier being numbered from east to west, including lots one to nineteen, and the southern tier being numbered back from twenty to thirty-eight. The Mile Block was also divided into lots, and both tracts. were offered for sale. A road was laid out running in a perfectly straight line through the Mile Strip, between the two tiers of lots, and the land being of excellent quality it was speedily disposed of. The two tracts mentioned had, with the rest of the Cattaraugus reservation, been a part of Collins since the separation of that town from Concord, but when they were purchased by the Ogden Company they were annexed to Evans by the Legislature. Milton Morse built the first store in the territory of Brant, and stocked it with the usual goods of early days. This was at the Centre in 1835; the place was then called Morse's Corners. Mr. Morse was also the first postmaster, when the first postoffice was established, after the formation of the town of that name. Among the most prominent of the early citizens was Jonathan Has- call, Jr., (son of a well-known Baptist minister) who was the supervisor of Evans before the formation of Brant, after which event he was the 626 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. supervisor of that town fourteen years, being finally the surrogate of Erie county four years. Nathaniel K. Smith came from Burlington Green, Otsego county, in 1835. Of his seven sons and two daughters but two sons survive-Nathaniel Smith, of Brant, and Elijah P. Smith, of Angola. Another son, David E. Smith, fell in the war for the Union. Nathaniel Smith was the supervisor of Brant six years, and was the keeper of the Erie county almshouse from 1868 to 1872. On the 25th of March, 1839, the town of Brant was formed from Evans and Collins, with the boundaries which it has ever since retained. It was named from Joseph Brant, or "Thayendanegea," the celebrated Mohawk chief. The first town meeting was held at the residence of Ansel Smith, on the 16th of April, 1839. Jonathan Hascall, Jr., Otis Burgess and Stephen West were the inspectors, and Ansel Smith was the clerk. The following were elected as the first town officers: Jona- than Hascall, Jr., supervisor; Moses White, clerk; Asa Wetherbee and John B. Stead well, assessors; Patterson Kerr, collector; Reuben Fisk and Francis Pierce, commissioners of schools; Webster Balcom, over- seer of the poor; A. D. Winslow and Lewis Varney, inspectors of schools; Patterson Kerr, William Stetson, Stubel Cross and B. Carpenter, consta- bles; Shadrach Sherman, town sealer; Kester Tracey, Salmon Hawley and Harrison Maybee, justices of the peace. By 1850, that part of the town open to settlement by the whites was pretty well occupied, although the western end of the tract was still rather thinly settled. The very moderate business of the town was transacted at Brant Centre. In February, 1852, the Buffalo & State Line (now the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern) Railroad was completed across the town, about two miles from the lake shore. This increased the value of the land in that section and led to the establishment of the little hamlet of Farnham. During the war for the Union Brant furnished a contingent of sol- diers which, although their number was necessarily small, performed their full duty on many a hard-fought field. Companies A and K, of the One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Infantry, in particular contained a good number of Brant soldiers, as did also the Tenth New York Cav- alry, one of the companies of which was for a time commanded by Cap- tain Norris Morey of this town. The services of the various Erie county regiments and batteries are recounted in the general history. Since the war the farmers of Brant have pursued their way in the usual quiet manner of agricultural communities, but have developed a constantly increasing propensity for fruit-raising, especially in the south- ern and western portions of the part occupied by the whites. This is owing to the quality of the soil, on which fruit has not deteriorated as it has in many other parts of Western New York. This deterioration is more particularly noticeable in the production of peaches, where, a TOWN OF BRANT. 627 quarter-century ago, this fruit was grown of large and uniform size, rich in flavor and smooth of surface. It is now greatly inferior in those respects; while in this town the fruit retains its original qualities. Another railroad was built through the town in 1882, owned jointly by the New York, Chicago & St. Louis and the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad Companies, but as it runs close to the Lake Shore Road, it has not as yet materially increased the railroad facilities. The town of Brant contains 14,555 acres of land, the assessed valuation of which, in 1882, was $746,764. The assessed value of railroad property is $199,000. Down to the year 1836, this town was included in the field in which the early physicians of Collins and Evans labored. In 1836, Dr. Luther Buxton located in town and was followed by Dr. Joseph Andrus. Dr. S. M. McDonald, after practicing in Evans until 1878, removed to Brant where he still remains; he is now the only physician in the town. The following are the names of the supervisors of Brant, with the years of their official service:-Jonathan Hascall, Jr., 1839–44; Job South- wick, 1845; Jonathan Hascall, Jr., 1846-'47; Horace Goodrich, 1848; Jonathan Hascall, Jr., 1849-'52; Kester Tracey, 1853; Nathaniel Smith, 1854; Jonathan Hascall, Jr., 1855-56; David Gail, 1857; Nathaniel Smith, 1858-'59; Thomas Judson, 1860-'62; Nathaniel Smith, 1863-'65; Will- iam W. Hammond, 1866–'67 ;* D. H. Odell, 1868–69; Willliam W. Ham- mond, 1870-'73; Horatio P. Muffitt, 1874; William W. Hammond, 1875-'77; W. H. Estes, 1878; John Wetherbee, 1879-'83. The following have been the town clerks:-Moses White, 1839-'43; Asa Wetherbee, 1844; Simon Brown, 1845-'47; Levi Brown, 1848-49: Simon Brown, 1850-'53; William Stitson, 1854; David Gail, 1855; John Hascall, 1856-'57; John Wetherbee, 1858-60; William Stitson, 1861-'65; F. C. Hurd, 1866; T. S. Stitson, 1867; William Stitson, 1868-'69; H. B. Christy, 1870; Anson Taylor, 1871; D. B. Southwick, 1872; S. C. Stan- ton, 1873; R. Wilson, 1874; J. W. Smith, 1875; William Stitson, 1876; A. Taylor, 1877-'78; William Stitson, 1879; George Lehley, 1880; J. H. McIntyre, 1881; George Lehley, 1882–83. BRANT CENTRE. This village is situated near the center of the town and consists of two stores, one hotel, a wagon shop and a blacksmith shop, with about twenty houses. John Winters has been engaged in keeping a general store several years, having succeeded Richard Sherman and Horatio P. Muffitt. J. H. McIntyre has also kept a general store for two years, and is the postmaster. George Lehley established himself there as a wagon- maker in 1877; John Rapp is the backsmith of the hamlet. D. H. Odell * Mr. Hammond, after nine years service as supervisor, was elected county judge in 1877 and in 1883. 628 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. is engaged in the manufacture of vinegar and the evaporation of fruit. John L. Flint is the proprietor of the only hotel, in which he succeeded J. H. McIntyre. The Erie Preserving Company has a canning establishment located near Brant Centre; Benjamin Fenton, is the president, and James Fenton, the secretary of the company. The Fentons engaged in the preserving business over ten years ago, and established the first canning factory in the county. They first cut the fruit by hand on a small scale; but on the introduction of machinery they adopted it at large expense. The Erie Preserving Company (joint stock) was organized in September, 1874, with the Messrs. Fenton at its head. It has now five large factories in different localities, one of them being located at numbers 77 to 95 Ohio street, Buffalo. Many of the most effective and valuable improvements in pre- serving processes and the machinery in use therewith, are due to the Messrs. Fentons. The company preserves all kinds of fruits and vege- tables commonly sold in cans, and ships its goods to all parts of the world. To convey an idea of the extent of its business, it may be stated. that in 1883 it contracted for five hundred acres of corn, and for other crops in proportion. The Brant factory is located in one of the best fruit-growing districts in the county, and is a convenience and a source of profit to the farming community. Over fifty years ago there were a considerable number of Baptists in the vicinity of Brant Centre and a church was organized; but there are no records, and we were unable to learn the date. The leading mem- bers were Deacon Bailey, Deacon Nathan Pritchard and William Ensign, all long since dead. These and others finally attempted to build a church edifice, about 1838, but after erecting the frame and enclosing it their funds were exhausted. They occupied it a few years in its unfin- ished state; the Methodists then aided in completing it, under an agree- ment that it should be used on alternate Sabbaths by the two churches. The Methodists finally built a house of their own and gave up the old one to the Baptists, but the latter were unable to keep up religious ser- vices, and their organization has long since disbanded. The old build- ing is still standing and is occasionally used for secular meetings. The Methodists of the vicinity formed a class about 1840 or 1842, under the Rev. Mr. Fenton, then a local preacher on the Collins and Brant circuit. Among the early members were Abram Vincent, who was the first class-leader; Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Smith, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Wood, and Ephraim Willis, a local preacher. As before stated, the Methodists aided in finishing the building belonging to the Baptists and occupied it jointly with them for many years, but having grown stronger they at length erected the handsome edifice now in use. There are now forty-seven members, with the following officers :-S. M. Butts, Ralph Evans, O. Elsworth, A. B. Wood and H. P. Christy, trustees; A. TOWN OF Brant. 629 B. Wood and O. Elsworth, class leaders; Anthony Taylor, clerk; Rich- ard Christy, sexton. This church is in pastoral connection with the one at Evans. A lodge of the Royal Templars of Temperance was established at Brant Centre, November 10, 1879, with the following charter officers :- Harrison Christy, S. C.; A. E. Colvin, R. S.; Mrs. A. E. Colvin, F. S.; J. M. Peterson, treasurer; Dr. S. McDonald, M. E. The membership numbers thirty-five. The present officers are:-Harrison Christy, S. C.; Mrs. Mary Coon, V. S. C.; Dr. S. McDonald, R. S.; A. E. Colvin, F. S.; O. Elsworth, treasurer; Dr. S. McDonald, M. E. The Good Templars Order is represented in Brant by “Union Lodge" No. 176, which was organized in 1880. The membership num- bers eighty-six. The present officers of the lodge are:-Frank Hickey, W. C. T.; Ella Sprague, V. T.; Samuel Colvin, secretary; Amy Grannis, A. S.; William Butts, F. S.; Milford Calkins, treasurer; George Coon, M.; Eva Clark. D. M.; Harry Coon, O. G.; Sarah Prentice, I. G.; Frank Hurd, G. W. C. T. and L. D.; Ellis Colvin, P. W. C. T.; Edwin Evans, chaplain; Mrs. Emeline Hurd, R. H. S.; Matie Steadwell, L. H. S. FARNHAM. Farnham is situated in the western part of the town on the Lake Shore railroad, and is a brisk village of about fifty houses. Leroy Farn- ham was the first merchant of the place, and was followed successively by Mr. Goodman, W. W. Hammond and Henry Slender, the present postmaster. The second store was built in the winter of 1880-81 by George H. Walker, who is now the owner. The first hotel was built in 1869 by Pius Schwert, the present proprietor. The second one was erected in 1880, and is owned by George Davis. The Erie Preserving Company has a large canning establishment here. It was built in 1876 and does an extensive business. St. Cross Church (Evangelical Lutheran) was organized in 1864. In 1876 a number of members became dissatisfied and withdrew to organ- ize another church. The old one, however, still kept up its organization, and in 1882 it erected a church building. It maintains a resident pastor and a Sabbath school. After withdrawing from the preceding church the seceding mem- bers organized a new one, called the Second Evangelical Lutheran Church, and proceeded to build a small church edifice and parsonage. Their first minister was installed in 1878, on the first Sunday after Trinity. The names of the pastors are Rev. M. Michaels and Rev. W. Broecker, There are thirty-five members. 41 630 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHAPTER LIX. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD. HE town of Concord lies on the southern border of Erie county, a little east of the center, being bounded on the north by Colden and Boston, on the west by Collins and North Collins, on the east by Sardinia and on the south by Cattaraugus county. It comprises the five western tiers of lots in township seven, range six, of the Holland Com- pany's survey, and the six eastern tiers of lots in township seven, range seven; also all that part of the five western tiers of lots in township six, range six, and of the six western tiers in township six, range seven, lying north of Cattaraugus creek. Its width, east and west, is eight miles and a quarter, the length of its western boundary is ten miles and a half and that of its eastern boundary is seven miles and a half. Its total area is about seventy-four square miles, Concord being the largest town in the county of Erie. The principal stream is Cattaraugus creek, which forms the south- ern boundary, and with various small tributaries waters the southern half of the town; the northern part is drained by the head-waters of the west branch of Cazenove creek, and of the east and west branches of Eighteen Mile creek. The surface of the eastern and southern parts is un- dulating, with steep declivities along Cattaraugus creek. The northern and central portions are hilly, and Townsend hill (the highest point), near the center of the town, is fifteen hundred feet above the surface of Lake Erie. The soil in the south is a gravelly loam; on the northern hills it is a clayey loam, with a substratum of hard sand. The territory of Concord remained an unbroken wilderness until the fall of 1807. At that time two hardy pioneers, Christopher Stone and John Albro, made their way with their families to the banks of a pleasant little stream, running into Cattaraugus creek, and located on the site of Springville. They built cabins and remained during the winter, their nearest neighbors being at least ten miles distant, in the valley of Eighteen Mile creek. The next summer Mrs. Albro died. There was no minister in that part of the country, and in order to give some semblance of Christian burial to the departed a message was sent to Deacon Richard Cary, near what is now Boston Centre, who came through the forest and conducted the simple ceremonies which circumstances permitted over the form of the pioneer's wife. Mrs. Albro was the first white person who died in the district now forming the town of Concord, and Lucius Stone, a son of Christopher Stone, was the first white child born in the same district. At the time of the first settlement, in 1807, the territory of Concord was situated partly in the town of Willink and partly in that of Erie both TOWN OF CONCORD. 631 in Genesee county; the "West Transit" being the dividing line between those towns, both of which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario. In the reorganization of the Holland Purchase, described in Chapter XIII. of the general history, it all became a part of the town of Willink, (Niag- ara county), which was then made to include all that part of the present county of Erie south of the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. Albro went away after the death of his wife, so that Stone and his family remained alone in the wilderness. In October, 1808, however, they were joined by Samuel Cochran and Joseph Yaw. Mr. Coch- ran was the first settler who became a permanent resident of Concord He was born in Vermont in 1785, and was married to Catherine Gal lup in 1805. After a brief trial of Tioga county in this State, young Cochran left his wife there and set out, accompanied by Yaw, both being on foot, for the Holland Purchase. They came by the settlement now known as Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, and on arriving at Stone's clearing on lot No. two, Cochran determined to locate on lot No. three Albro and Yaw helped him to clear off about an acre of ground and put up the body of a shanty, five feet high on one side and eight on the other It was situated about forty rods southwest from the place now occupied by Edward Goddard. There was no floor nor window, and not a nail in the whole building Mr. Cochran then returned to Tioga county and brought his wife and child (six months old) and all their household effects, on a sled drawn by a yoke of steers. They came by Batavia and Williamsville, from which last place they occupied nine days in going to Springville. Being unable to cross Buffalo creek on the ice they went to the council-house, a mile distant, where the Indians and squaws were having a dance. Here the young man left his wife and child, and persuaded two or three Indians to go and help him get his sled across the stream. A most anx- ious hour was spent by the young mother among the wild occupants of the council-house, the squaws occasionally dancing and singing around the fire, one with the white woman's fur-trimmed cap on her head, and another with the white baby in her arms. After her husband had got his team over the creek he returned to the council-house, where they remained all night, and were extremely well treated by the Indians. They continued their course up the lake and across to Smith's Mills (now Hamburg), and thence to the locality now known as Boston Cor- There the settlements and the road ended, and it took them two days more to reach their destination; camping out one night by a big log, with hemlock boughs for bed and shelter. ners. On their arrival they found that John Russell (long known as Dea- con Russell) had moved with his family into a cabin which he had built on lot No. one. During the winter of 1808-'09, the families of Stone, Cochran and Russell were the only ones within nine miles. During the 632 HISTORY OF ERIE County. summer of 1809 Mr. Stone went away, but Mr. Albro soon after returned with a second wife, although we are informed that he did not become a permanent resident of the town. The little colony of three or four fam- ilies was very harmonious; the men clearing their land together, and all aiding each other in every practicable way. When they found a little leisure time, Cochran and Russell with their wives started on foot to visit their neighbors on Eighteen Mile creek, each of the men carrying a baby in his arms. It took two days to make the round trip. The visit was soon after returned by Mr. and Mrs. Asa Cary.* James Vaughn and Samuel Cooper purchased land in 1809 near the Cochran neighborhood, and soon became permanent residents. The same year Amaziah Ashman bought a part of lot four, township seven, range seven, on Townsend hill, and moved his family thither in May, 1810. John Stuart and his wife, another young married couple, came with Ashmant and remained a year but then went back to the East. The year 1810 was the first which saw any considerable immi- gration into that part of Willink now called Concord. Among the new comers was William Smith, whose son, Calvin C. Smith, a few years since mentioned Jedediah Cleveland, Elijah Dunham, Jacob Drake and Mr. Person as residents when he came. Josiah Fay, Benjamin C. Foster, Seneca Baker, Philip Van Horn, Luther Curtis and others also located in various parts of the tract now known as Concord. Jonathan Town- send bought a large tract of land on what has since been called Town- send hill, in 1811, but perhaps did not make his residence there until two or three years later. The emigrant of that year who became the most prominent afterward was Rufus Eaton, who came with his brother, Syl- vester Eaton, and settled in the Cochran neighborhood. In that neigh- borhood during that summer, was taught the first school in the territory of Concord; the teacher being Miss Anna Richmond, and the school house being a log barn, located just north of the site of Springville, in which had been placed a floor made of basswood puncheons. There were fourteen scholars. Christopher Douglass settled in the territory of Concord as early as 1810, and was appointed the first justice of the peace in it. * At a later period Russell, Cochran and Albro went with an ox-sled eight miles to pay Peter Pratt a visit. It took the greater part of the day to get there and all night to return. At another time Mr. Cochran heard that a man named Waterman had settled on Cattaraugus creeek where Gowanda is now situated. As there were many of that name in Cochran's native town he deter- mined to visit him in the hope of finding an acquaintance, or at least of obtaining news of friends. He first went eight miles to obtain Peter Pratt's mare, upon which Mrs. Cochran rode and carried her child, while her husband went ahead on foot to pick out the best road. They traveled over twenty- five miles along the Cattaraugus creek in this way. The journey and visit occupied five days; it was afterwards returned by Mr. and Mrs. Waterman. † Mr. Ashman taught school occasionally, and kept a hotel a few years on Townsend hill. He was the first town clerk of Concord and held the office sixteen years in succession. He was also justice of the peace eighteen years. TOWN OF Concord. 633 In 1811 Samuel Burgess, Harry Sears and others bought land near the site of Springville, while Benjamin Fay located on Townsend hill. In that year or the next Rufus Eaton built the first mill in what is now Concord, a saw-mill located on the brook which runs through Springville. In 1811, also, the first marriage ceremony in the territory under considera- tion was performed by Christopher Douglass, the contracting parties being Obadiah Brown and Content Curtiss. And in 1811 the first tav- ern was opened, by David Stickney, in a log house located on the site of the Springville Opera House. On the 20th of March, 1812, the town of Concord was formed from Willink by the Legislature. It embraced the territory now com- prising the towns of Sardinia, Concord, Collins and North Collins, with a nominal jurisdiction over that part of the Cattaraugus reservation situated in Niagara (now Erie) county. It is said to have been named from a hymn tune. The early records have been destroyed by fire. We have been informed that the first supervisor was Thomas M. Barrett, and the first town clerk was Amaziah Ashman. At an election held in May, 1812, the "Federal" candidate received thirty-three votes in Concord, and the "Republican" candidate fifty. Being situated at a goodly distance from the scene of actual conflict in the war with Great Britain, the people of Concord were injured only by the men being called out for prief periods in the militia, and by the alarm caused by the tragic events occurring from thirty to sixty miles away. John Russell and Frederick Richmond served as captains of the militia during the years of the war, as appears from old records, and Samuel Cochran was an ensign. There must have been more immigra- tion into Concord during the war than into most towns in the vicinity, for in the winter of 1813-'14, Rufus Eaton's son, Rufus C. Eaton, then nineteen years old, taught a school of seventy scholars in the Eaton- Cochran neighborhood. In that neighborhood in 1814, J. P. Jenks estab- lished the first store, a very small one, within the present limits of Concord. The first framed house within those limits was also built in 1814, by Jonathan Townsend, on Townsend hill, David Leroy being the carpenter. Mr. Townsend is said to have promised his wife to build a framed house as soon as they arrived at their new home, as she made strong objections to going so far into the wilderness, and then living in a log cabin besides. After the war Concord was rapidly settled, the southeastern part becoming more populous than other sections, but all portions receiving a goodly number of immigrants. E. A. Briggs located on Townsend hill, in 1815.* The Vaughns, Pikes, Fryes, Needhams, Stanbros and *His son, Erasmus Briggs, was born in 1818. He went to the West in 1836, but returned to West Seneca in 1850, and to Concord in 1865. He was the supervisor of West Seneca three years, and has been the supervisor of Concord four years, He is the author of a history of the original town of Concord, (now in print) and we are indebted to him for valuable information in regard to early events. 634 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. others settled in various parts of the town, and added their labor to that of those already named, in converting the wilderness into a culti- vated district. John Battles located at the point now known as Morton's Corners, in 1818. On the 16th of March, 1821, a law was passed separating Sar- dinia and Collins from Concord. It described Collins by its present boundaries, but enacted that Sardinia should include township seven, range five of the Holland Company's land, three tiers of lots on the eastern side of township seven, in range six, and all those parts of town- ship six, in range five, and township six in range six, lying in Niagara county. This embraced all that part of township six, range six, now in the town of Concord, and included the village of Springville. There was doubtless a mistake in drawing the law, and on the 22d of March, 1822, it was enacted that after the 1st of May following, all that part of Sardinia "lying south of the town of Concord and border- ing on Cattaraugus creek," should be annexed to said town of Concord. From that time to the present, Concord has been one of the leading towns of the county of Erie in population, wealth and intelligence. The greater part of the soil was found suited for all sorts of grain; even the hills, rich with the leafy deposits of numberless years, produced excellent crops for a long period, and were afterwards converted into fine grazing land, the cheese and butter from which brought the highest price in every available market. Substantially all the manufacturing and commercial business of the town, however, centered at the growing village which had already assumed the name of Springville, and outside of that the events were very much alike. Farm after farm was cleared up by the severest labor. The vast masses of forest were converted into logs, these into ashes, and these again into potash, which, from its portable character, was better than grain, for the production of ready money. In the broken land along Cattaraugus creek, a deer was occasionally seen as late as 1840, or perhaps later. The most plentiful game, however, of these wild ravines and precipitous hills, was the pigeons. A short distance west of Springville was a resort where they came to build their nests, and though tens of thousands of them were slain, yet it is said that literally millions of them came annually to the same place for many years. The whites for miles around used to obtain all they wished, and nearly all the Indians located on the Buffalo Creek reservation used to go out there in a body for the same purpose. The squaws cut down the trees, finding fifty or sixty nests in a tree, and one squab, or fat young pigeon, in each nest. These were salted and dried by the thousands. When the game-days were past, when deer no longer bounded, even at rare intervals, across the fields, when all the farms were cleared save a wood lot on every one, and when neat framed houses had supplanted TOWN OF CONCORD. 635 the log cabins which had been the residences of the inhabitants, the latter naturally began to seek some new source of excitement, some new means of progress. These for a time were supplied by the prospect of a railroad. From 1852 to 1856 numerous lines were surveyed across the town by the old "Buffalo & Pittsburg" Company, and high hopes were cherished by the people, only to be blasted for the time. Then came a sterner and fiercer kind of excitement, when the war- drum called the startled nation to arms, to defend its existence. The young men of Concord responded in large numbers. Many of them were to be found in every regiment raised in Erie county and Company A, of the One Hundredth New York Infantry, of which Daniel D. Nash was the captain, was mainly recruited in Concord. A majority of Company F, (Captain George G. Stanbro,) of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Infantry, were also from Concord. We must refer the reader to Chap- ters XXV. to XXIX., inclusive, of the general history for the story of the gallant achievements of the Erie county volunteers. After the war, events resumed a more quiet course, but there was another railroad fever when the Buffalo & Jamestown Company were preparing to build their road southward in 1872, and deep was the disap- pointment in Concord when they finally decided to go by the way of Gowanda. In 1878 the Sardinia & Springville (narrow guage) railway was built from Springville to Sardinia Junction on the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia road. Only three miles of the road was in Concord, and, although the people were at first highly pleased with even a narrow gauge branch-railroad, they soon began to sigh for more direct an con- venient communication with the great centers of business. Finally, in 1882 and '83, the Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad Company built a branch. of their road from Ashford, Cattaraugus county, through Springville, thence northward through the eastern part of Concord into Colden, and thence to Buffalo. We close this sketch of the town at large with the names of the supervisors with their years of service so far as known, and of the pres- ent officers (1883). The early records having been destroyed, we have been obliged to compile the list of supervisors from other sources, and Mr. Erasmus Briggs has kindly aided us in regard to this point. Thomas M. Barrett is said to have been the first supervisor, and to have held the office in all seven years; he was certainly in office in 1825 and 1831, as appears by contemporary newspapers. J. A. Agard was in office in 1828, and is said to have held two years. After that time the record is more full, running as follows: Oliver Needham, 1830; Thomas M. Barrett, 1831; Carlos Emmons, 1832-33; Oliver Needham, probably 1834-cer- tainly 1835-236-37; Enoch N. Frye, 1838 to 1843, inclusive: Charles C. Severance, five years between 1843 and 1851; Seth W. Goddard, 1851 to 1854, inclusive; L. B. Towsley, 1855; James M. Richmond, 1856; Morris 636 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Fosdick, 1857; Seth W. Goddard, 1858 to 1863, inclusive; Philetus Allen, 1864-'65; Charles C. Severance, 1866; Almon W. Stanbro, 1867; Charles C. Severance, 1868; Almon M. Stanbro, 1869; Bertrand Chafee, 1870-'71; Frank Chase, 1872; Charles C. Severance, 1873; Erasmus Briggs, 1874-75; Henry M. Blackmar, 1876-'77-'78; William H. War- ner, 1879-'80; Erasmus Briggs, 1881-'82 and '83. The officers of Concord for 1883 are as follows: Erasmus Briggs, supervisor; Frederick G. Meyer, town-clerk; Charles C. Stanbro, Frank Chase, C. C. Severance and W. G. Clark, justices of the peace; George W. Weeden, W. H. Pingry and A. R. Trevett, assessors; A. C. Adams, commissioner of highways; Morris C. Freeman, collector; William R. Hor- ton, overseer of the poor; H. P. Spaulding, Frank A. Smith, and Henry Brooks, inspectors of election in district No. one; George W. Clark, Will- iam Briggs and William Wells, inspectors in district No. two; Fay Drake, Henry M. Blackmar and Ira S. Drake, inspectors in district No. three Bryant J. Davis, John Gaylord, Henry Severance, Spencer Widrig and Josiah Woodward, constables; Henry Brooks, game constable; Arnold T. Moon, town sealer. SPRINGVILLE. We have already mentioned the first settlement of Springville, and some of the events occurring down to the close of the war of 1812–'15, dur- ing which time Rufus Eaton had built a saw-mill, David Stickney had estab- lished a hotel and J. P. Jenks had opened a small store. Beginning with the close of the war, we will mention some of the principal persons who have since carried on business in Springville, taking up mercantile busi- ness first. Very soon after the war Frederick Richmond (subsequently known as General Richmond) opened the second store in Springville. The firm of Eaton & Butterworth (the senior partner of which was the late Rufus C. Eaton) established the next one, locating at first on Mechanic, but soon moving on to Main street, where they carried on business many years, and where they were succeeded by the firm of Eaton & Blake.* Mr. Butterworth then became the head of the firm of Butterworth & Fox• Samuel Lake, long a well-known citizen of Buffalo, who died recently at a very advanced age, was an early merchant of Springville, and Colton & Badgely were an early firm. Jewett & Cochran, P. G. Eaton and others carried on business a littie later. James M. Rich- mond was also a long established merchant of Springville, who was in company with Cyrus Griswold, under the firm name of Richmond & Griswold, for several years previous to 1860, and subsequently carried on business alone until a recent period. J. O. Churchill, one of the oldest living merchants in Springville, sold his store in 1864. He re entered * The store which they occupied was burned in 1868. TOWN OF CONCORD. 637 business in 1882. Beebe & Meyers established a dry goods and general store in 1877. S. B. & N K. Thompson opened one about the same time, of which S. B. Thompson is now the sole proprietor. As trade has increased, it has become more and more divided into specialties. John Blake opened a hardware store as early as 1845. He sold it to John Hedges and he to D. C. Bloomfield, who transferred it to B. Chaffee in 1863. Mr. Chafee sold it to D. W. Bensiey in 1875, who transferred it to Allen & Weber, the present owners, in 1883. Fer- rin & Gardenier established a hardware store in 1867, the firm becoming Ferrin & Jones two years later. A. D. Jones became the sole proprietor in 1873, and still carries on an extensive business. Groceries were purchased at the general stores until about 1859. when J. D. Blakeley established a grocery store, Oliver Smith another, and R. W. & C. J. Tanner another. Cyrus Griswold opened one a little later, but sold it to Mr. Blakeley in 1865. Mr. Smith died in 1863. Messrs. Blakely and Tanner are still in business. The trade in drugs dates from 1841; the first druggist being Dr. Samuel Nash. He carried on the business until 1864, when he sold his store to C. J. Lowe, the lat- ter transferring it to Eaton & Hall in 1867. Hall, who soon became the sole proprietor, sold in 1874 to Frank Prior, the present owner. L. B. Nichols, who succeeded W. J. Allen in 1881, carries on another drug store, and Mills & Anderson, who succeeded E. C. Smith in 1883, have a third. Peter Hein opened a clothing store in 1868, and H. Cohens estab- lished another in 1878. J. W. Reid opened a store devoted especially to the boot and shoe trade in 1873; it was afterwards owned successively by A. P. Holman, by Reid & Holman, and again by A. P. Holman, who has carried it on since 1879. Mrs. Oliver Smith opened a millinery store in 1863; Miss Jane Graves established one in 1869; Miss Wheeler opened a third in 1881, and Mrs. L. Cumming a fourth in 1883. The only book- store in the village is owned by W. W. Blakely, the proprietor of the Journal and Herald. It would be difficult to fix its origin in any partic- ular year, as it has been gradually built up from very small beginnings into a business of considerable importance. The first cabinet-maker in Springville was W. Emmons. Since his time the business has gradually changed from mechanical to mercantile. Joseph Gaylord, Philip Herbold, James Prior and L. D. Chandler have been engaged in it at various times; Herbold and Chandler are each carrying on a furniture store at the present time. As already stated, the first hotel in Springville was opened by David Stickney in a log house, on the site of the Opera House, in 1811. The second one was opened in a framed building nearly opposite, by David Stanley, in 1818. This was afterwards carried on successively by Messrs. Sears, Wright, Sears (again), Seth Allen, David Bensley and James 638 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Crandall, who abandoned it forty years ago. Another hotel was built by Rufus C. Eaton, in 1824. It was called the Springville Hotel, and stood where the Leland House now stands. The latter structure was erected in 1878, and is owned by the Leland Brothers. Another was erected by Samuel Cochran in 1822, who kept a hotel twenty-five years. For many years it was not kept as a public house, but has lately been refitted and is now carried on by F. G. Davis, under the name of the Forest House. The American Hotel was built in 1843 by Philip Hatch. After passing through various hands it became the property of Peter Hein in 1881 who now owns it. The first newspaper in the village was the Springville Express, a six- column folio, established in 1844, and published four years, edited by E. H. Hough. The Herald followed after an interval of two years, in 1850; it being published at first by Hough & Webster, and afterwards by Eras- tus D. Webster.* It became a Republican sheet as soon as the Republi- can party was formed. In 1856 it was sold to J. B. Saxe, and was discon- tinued in 1863. The American Citizen, a "Know Nothing" paper, was established in 1856 by L. D. Saunders, who published it about a year. The Penny Paper, a four column folio, followed in August 1859, but lived only six months. In January, 1864, A. W. Ferrin leased the Herald office and estab- lished the Chronicle, a seven column Republican sheet, and managed by him until April, 1865.+ The Tribune was established in March, 1865, and was issued until January, 1867; N. H. Thurber being then the editor. The Springville Journal was established March 16, 1867, by W. W. Blakeley. It was then a six-column folio, but was afterwards changed to an eight-column sheet, the name being changed to the Journal and Herald. J. H. Melvin was a partner in the ownership from 1869 to 1873. It has since been owned and edited by Mr. Blakeley. It has a circulation of one thousand six hundred and fifty. The Students Repository was established by W. R. DePuy and J. H. Melvin, in 1867, but was soon abandoned. The Local News, published by J. F. Meyers and edited by J. H. Melvin, was established in 1879. It was at first a six-column folio, but its patronage soon justified its enlargement to seven columns per page, its present size. The first acting lawyer in Springville was Wales Emmons, a cabinet- maker, who tried cases before justices of the peace, and was one of the celebrated characters of early days. Old settlers tell of his withdraw- ing a case when he was the counsel of the defendant; of his getting a * Mr. Webster was subsequently the editor and proprietor of the Omaha Republican, and later a politician of considerable prominence in Brooklyn and elsewhere. Mr. Ferrin then became city editor of the Buffalo Express, and was afterwards the editor of the Cattaraugus Republican. TOWN OF CONCORD. 639 verdict from a jury against a man who sued on a note of hand, to which there was no defense, and of similar proceedings, the result partly of native skill and partly of sheer impudence. He is sometimes spoken of as a lawyer, but we do not think he was one at the time when he gained his celebrity. He may have been admitted to practice in the county court. Elisha Mack was admitted to the bar in 1827, and was the post- master at Springville from as early as 1830 to nearly 1840. Thomas Sher- wood also practiced a short time, previous to 1830. The Hon. Charles C. Severance, who has long been the oldest lawyer in Springville, came to that village in 1830, and has been in the practice of the law since November, 1833. He has been the supervisor of Con. cord eight years, was a member of the Legislature in 1848 and 1851, and was the surrogate of Erie county from 1860 to 1864. He was also elected a justice of the peace in 1840, and has held the office thirty-six years. B. S. Wendover and Wells Brooks came about the same time as Mr. Severance, and practiced their profession together. Mr. Brooks prac- ticed in Springville about twenty years; he was a member of the Legis- lature in 1836, and was county clerk in 1850, '51 and '52. Morris Fosdick was admitted to the bar in 1844, and practiced until his death, which occurred about 1875. A. W. Stanbro was admitted to practice in 1863, and became a partner with Mr. Severance; he subsequently moved to Buffalo, and still later to Kansas. Frank Chase came to Springville in 1870, and is still in practice there. Lowell M. Cummings came in 1877, and William H. Tichnor in 1878; about the same time came Edwin A. Scott, Scott Cummings and David J. Wilcox. The last named has twice been elected a Member of the Assembly. Dr. Daniel Ingalls and Dr. Varney Ingalls, brothers, came to Spring- ville about 1818, and began practice, being the first regular physicians in Concord. Dr. Carlos Emmons began practice in 1823, and continued to practice nearly half a century. He was an able physician and was also prominent in other respects, holding the offices of State Senator, Mem- ber of the Assembly, etc. He died in 1875. Dr. John House came some- what later, and for a long period was the compeer of Dr. Emmons. Dr. Lynde practiced at Springville several years, but went to Buffalo about twenty years ago. Dr. Jackson and Dr. Stanbro are now in practice at Springville. The banking house of Leland & Co., was established in 1866. It was carried on as a private establishment until April 2, 1883, when it was reorganized as the First National Bank of Springville, with William O. Leland as president, H. G. Leland as vice-president and E. O. Leland as cashier. The Farmers Bank, at Springville, was organized January 3, 1883, beginning business on the 3d of February following. S. R. Smith is the president, B. Chafee the vice-president and F. O. Smith the cashier. } 640 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. A grist-mill was built by Rufus Eaton and Benjamin Gardner in 1814. In 1814 a woolen factory and a carding machine were erected by Samuel Bradley and John Russell, who also became the owners of the mill before mentioned. The property afterwards passed successively to Rushmore & Bradley, Roswell Alcott and Colonel E. W. Cook, who acquired it in 1833 and carried on all of the establishments mentioned until 1876, when he sold them to Warren G. Rauson, who moved away the old grist-mill, rebuilt the factory and transformed it into another grist-mill. Henry Spaulding, now ninety years old, who came to Spring- ville in 1826, has been in charge of the carding mill many years and is so still. He has been in the business seventy years. The mill now owned by B. Chafee, was built by Manly Colton in 1835 or '36; it afterwards passed successively into the hands of Morgan L. Badgley, Rufus C. Eaton, D. B. Joslyn, William Barkley, C. J. Shuttleworth, Shuttleworth & Churchill, C. J. Shuttleworth, Madison Scoby, Scoby & Dygert, and Shuttleworth & Chafee; becoming the sole property of B. Chafee the present owner in 1874. A foundry was built by Mr. Barnett about 1830, located where the pond is now situated. Shuttleworth & Bloomfield built the next one on Main street about 1861, which was burned in 1874. An extensive establishment was erected by C. J. Shuttleworth in 1875. It includes a foundry, a machine shop, a planing-mill and a saw- mill, and employs twelve men. The saw-mill was rebuilt by James Bloomfield on ground occupied by a saw-mill, since 1816. As early as 1840 Messrs. Sherill & Sears, built a factory on the site of the Borden tannery, which was abandoned about 1859. Another was soon erected on the same ground by P. G. Eaton. It was subse- quently transformed into a tannery and became the property of J. Bor- den in 1873. It was burned in 1879, but was rebuilt by Mr. Borden who is still the proprietor. He employs five workmen and produces about one hundred and fifty sides of leather per week. The Western New York Preserving and Manufacturing Company, (joint stock) erected its buildings and began business in Springville in 1879. W. W. Blakeley is the president, E. O. Leland the treasurer, and Henry Eaton the secretary. It employs about one hundred and twenty- five women and fifty men in the working season, and cans from one hun- dred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five barrels of fruits and veg- etables per day. S. R. Smith entered on the manufacture of cheese in 1865. He steadily extended his business until there are now twenty-three factories in the combination: nine being in Erie county and three in the town of Concord. The firm became Smith & Clair in the spring of 1883. There are also three insurance agents:-Byron Cochran, who estab- lished himself in business in 1863; B. A. Lowe, who opened an office TOWN OF CONCORD. 641 about 1865, and J. D. Clark, who entered into partnership with Mr. Lowe in 1880. The village of Springville was incorporated by the Legislature in the spring of 1834, the first election being held on the 6th of May in that year. The following officers were elected: Carlos Emmons, Ebenezer Dibble, Jacob Richmond, Joseph McMillen and Samuel Cochran, trustees; Johnson Bensley, Richard Wordsworth and Theodore Smith, assessors; Peter V. S. Wendover, clerk; Pliny Smith, Jr., treasurer; Mortimer L. Arnold, collector; and Abial Gardenier poundmaster. The present officers are Charles C. Severance, president; M. L. Hall, E. L. Hoopes, J. P. Meyers, D. J. Wilcox and C. J. Shuttleworth, trustees; John Gaylord, collector; B. A. Fay, street commissioner; and Scott Cummings, clerk. Rufus C. Eaton was appointed the first postmaster at Springville, in 1820, and held the position about ten years. He was followed succes- sively by Elisha Mack, Dr. Hubbard, Mr. Blaisdell, Morgan L. Badgley, Camden C. Lake, Perrin Sampson, Luther Killom, Carlos Emmons and Theodore B. Norris, the present incumbent, who was appointed Jan- uary 3, 1874. Springville Academy.-A subscription paper to raise money to build an academy was circulated as early as December, 1825, but money was scarce in those days, and it was not until 1829 that the sum of $2,000 was pledged, of which one-third was payable in grain, one-third in live stock, and one-third in cash. In that year a board of trustees was elected, and the erection of a building was begun. It was completed in 1830 and a school was opened, Hiram H. Barney being the first principal. He remained but two terms.* The subsequent principals, with their years of service, as near as can be ascertained, were as follows:-Lorenzo Parsons, 1831 to 1834; Edwin E. Williams, 1834 to 1838; Alexander Hurst, 1842 to 1844; Ephraim C. Hall, 1844 to 1845; William Mosher, 1845 to 1846; J. W. Earle, 1846 to 1851; Moses Lane, 1851 to 1853; Ezekiel Cutler, winter of 1853-'54; Eden Sprout, 1853 to 1855; William S. Aumock, 1856; the Rev. David Copeland, 1857 to 1859; the Rev. C. R. Pomeroy, 1859 to 1865; the Rev. William H. Rogers. Griffith Institute. In 1865 Mr. Archibald Griffith gave $10,000 to the academy, the interest of which was to be used mainly for the educa- tion of orphans and indigent children. The Legislature authorized the adoption of the name of Griffith Institute, in honor of this gift, and the institution has since born that name, notwithstanding an important change in its organization and relations. In 1875 the common-school districts, No. seven and No. eight, were united as Union School District No. one, and the next year Griffith Institute became the Union School; retaining, * Mr. Barney was afterwards the principal of Aurora Academy over ten years, and still later was superintendent of schools of the State of Ohio. 642 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. however, its former name. Since that name was adopted the institution has had the following principals:-A. R. Wrightman, 1866 to 1870; Rev. W. W. Rogers, 1870 to 1872; Rev. Mr. McIntyre; J. W. O'Brien; S. W. Eddy, 1875. to 1879; George W. Ellis, 1879 to 1882; and Elbert W. Griffith, who is now in charge. There is also a preceptress and seven assistants. The Presbyterian Church was organized as a Congregational church, November 2, 1816; the Rev. John Spenser holding the first meetings. John Russell, John Ewers, Mr. Robinson, Silas H. Cleve- land, Hannah Ewers, Ruth Morrell and Marinda Russell were the original members. The firs pastor was the Rev. Mr. Fitch, a son of the Rev. Dr. Fitch, of Williams College, who remained from 1820 to 1823, and under whom the membership was increased to twenty-seven. The next was the Rev. Mr. Ingalls, under whom there was a great revival. The Rev. S. H. Gridley officiated in 1829 and '30, and Rev. Mr. Wilcox in 1830 and '31. In 1832, a church building, (now owned by the Catholics), was erected. In December, 1840, the church held a meeting, and changed from the Congregational to the Presbyterian denomination. At the same meeting the following elders were elected: John Russell, B. Cochran, Josiah D. Graves, John W. Bloomfield, Alva Dutton, Mr. Eaton, W. Bensley, M. M. Miner, Russell French and Michael Smith. Of these Messrs. Russell, Bensley, Graves, Dutton and Cochran were also chosen deacons. Rev. Z. Eddy was the pastor at that time, and was followed successively by Rev. Messrs. Hiram Eddy, (1846;) Nathan Allen, J. T. Hanning, (three years;) J. A. Wells, (thirteen years ;) B. S. Foster, (one year;) and W. Robinson, the present pastor, who came in 1880. The present brick church edifice was erected in 1847. The pres- ent elders are R. W. Tanner, J. B. Weber, J. W. Blakeley and P. H. Warren. The Baptists of this vicinity held their first meeting November 19, 1824. On the 17th of November, 1826, a meeting was held at the house of Levinus Cornwell, presided over by Rev. Whitman Metcalf, (a mission- ary to this section,) for the purpose of organizing as a church. This was duly accomplished, and R. C. Eaton was chosen deacon. The follow- ing members were present at that meeting: Thankful White, Betsey Fuller, Sally Weeden, Susannah Pond, Lois Cornwell, Sally Eddy, Eunice House, Vashti Richmond, Eliza H. Eaton, Judah Rhodes, Levinus Cornwell, Sylvester Eaton, Almon Fuller, Elisha Eaton, W. W. Cornwell, Chauncey Pond, Zebulon Stratton, R. C. Eaton. There was occasional preaching from this time forward, but the first settled minister of whom we find mention was the Rev. Daniel Beard in 1833. A meeting house was erected in 1834. During the pastorate of Rev. P. W. Mills (1845 to '49), the membership reached the number of two hundred and sixty-six, the largest the church has ever had. In 1871 TOWN OF CONCORD. 643 the church edifice was enlarged and repaired at a cost of $6,000. There are now one hundred and thirty-seven members. The following is a list of the pastors: Rey. Messrs. Daniel Beard, 1833-36; W. T. Crane, 1836-'37: G. W. Warren, 1837-'38; David Searl, 1838 to 1841; Howell Smith, 1841-'42; (vacant three years;) P. W. Mills, 1845-49; Whitman Metcalf, 1850-'54; John Smither, 1855-'57; John B. Pittman, 1857 to 1860; Clinton Colegrove, 1860-'61; H. H. Phelps, 1861- '64; Ira Simpson, 1864-'67; Charles Wilkinson, 1867-'69; E. L. Benedict, 1869 to 1872; William Look, 1872-'75; E. B. Hillman, 1875-'78; Edward Fox, 1878 to 1882; and E. F. Owen, the present pastor. The deacons are Thomas Pierce, (who has held the position almost constantly since 1855,) L. M. Kellogg and Luzerne Eaton. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at an early day but the original records are destroyed. The first church building was erected in 1827; the one now in use was built in 1863. The Rev. E. B. Williams took charge of the church in 1882, and is the present pastor. A. B. Lowe is the present class-leader and Arthur Churchill is the Sabbath-school superintendent. There are one hundred and twenty members. The Free Baptist Church was organized in 1867 and the church building erected in 1869. Rev. C. B. Vanduze, was the first pas- tor, serving one year. He was followed successively by Rev. Messrs. J. A. Baker, two years; Charles Cook, four years; B. F. Herrick, one year; B. C. Vanduze, one year; and A. F. Bryant the present pastor who came in 1877. F. A. Clark and W. E. Jones, are the deacons; Joseph Gaylord is the clerk. St. Aloysius Church, (Roman Catholic.)-This church was attended by numerous priests, from different places, from 1853 or earlier until 1869, since when a priest has resided at Springville. Rev. S. Uhrich came to reside at Springville, in May, 1869, in which year a parsonage was built, He remained until 1872 and was succeeded (after an interval of nine months), by Rev. Joseph Niebling. Two months later, in June, 1873. Rev. Victor Ritter came. He, with the Rev. Fathers John Kirch and Jacob Schneider, served until September, 1876, when F. X. Fromholzer came, who has been the priest since that time. An elegant and commodious church edifice was built under his direc- tion in 1878 and '79, at a cost of $7,000. It is situated on Franklin street, and has a total length of one hundred and six feet; the cross which sur- mounts the spire being one hundred and forty-four feet above the ground. There is a well conducted school connected with the church con- taining seventy pupils. The church has a membership of seventy families. EAST CONCORD. This pleasant little village, situated three miles northeast of Spring- ville contains a store, a post-office, a Free Baptist Church and a few resi- 42 644 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. dences. The store was opened in 1864 by Frank Peabody, who was fol- lowed successively by Charles C. Stanbro, Irving M. Horton, F. W. Horton, Mrs. Irving M. Horton and B. A. Walters, the present owner, who is also the postmaster. The postoffice was established in 1862 or 1863. The Free Baptist Church of East Concord was organized about 1852, and a church building was soon after erected. The Rev. D. H. Damon was the first minister. The leading early members were Jared Davis, Deacon Prentis, Deacon Stanbro, Deacon Epaphras Steele and Mr. Harding Norton. MORTON'S CORNERS. The first settlement was made here in 1814 by three brothers, Alanson, Elijah and Jeremiah Richardson, who opened farms. The last named lived there until his death in 1880, which occurred on the site of his first log hut, built sixty-six years before. He came on foot from Vermont, being then eighteen years old, and having but ten dollars when he arrived. During the greater part of his life he was an exten- sive and prosperous farmer. His son, Thomas Richardson, now lives. there. Another son, Harvey W. Richardson, of East Aurora, is at the head of the "Cloverfield Combination" of cheese factories. John Battles came in 1818, and built a hotel. About 1830, Wendall Morton bought Battles' property, and carried on the hotel about twenty years. A. P. Morton was the first postmaster, and kept the tavern after his father, Otis Mor- ton, kept the store. James L. Tarbox has carried on the store since 1881. L. M. Goodell, successor to M. Shroeder, is the postmaster. The Methodist Church.-This is a small church which held religious. meetings in the vicinity previous to 1867, but had no church edifice until that year. Morgan Steele is the class-leader. The Free Will Baptist Church.-We were unable to discover any records relating to this church. George W. Baker is the pastor, and took charge in 1881. There are forty members. The deacons are Tracy Burnap and Elijah Graves; the clerk is Samuel Stevens. The Lutheran Church.-The house belonging to this church was erected in 1880. The Rev. Frederick Whiteman is the pastor. The membership is small. WOODWARD'S HOLLOW. This place has a store, a large saw-mill and a post-office. Isaac Woodward settled there as early as 1850, and has been the postmaster most of the time since. Philo Woodward has owned the steam saw- mill since 1867. TOWN OF COLLINS. 645 CHAPTER LX. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF COLLINS. C OLLINS is the southernmost town of Erie county. It is comprised of two parts, that occupied by white men and that occupied by Indians. The latter is often spoken of as if it lay outside of any town, and yet it is legally a part of the town of Collins, although the Indians themselves are exempt from the jurisdiction of the town-officers except in criminal cases. White men residing on the part of the reservation included in Collins are voters in that town, and are subject to its jurisdiction in all respects, and if the whole or any part of the tract in question were pur- chased and occupied by the whites it would become in every respect a part of Collins, without any further legislation. The situation of the two tracts, however, is such that they can best be described separately. The part occupied by the whites is bounded north by North Collins, east by Concord, west by the Indian tract and south by Cattaraugus county. It comprises all that part of township six, range eight, and of the three western tiers of lots in township six, range seven, (of the Holland Company's survey,) lying north of Cattaraugus creek; also the southern tier of lots in township seven, range eight, and three lots in the southwest corner of township seven, range seven. The length of the tract, east and west, is eight miles and a quarter; its great- est width is six miles and a half; its width on the eastern boundary is about five miles and a quarter, and on the western is about four miles and a quarter. Its total area is a little over fifty square miles. Cattaraugus creek sweeps in a broad and almost regular arc around its southern border, the south branch of Clear creek waters the central portion, while the northern part is drained by the north branch of Clear creek; both branches running westward and uniting on the reservation. The surface is undulating and in the northeast is rather high, sloping gradually toward the west and descending abruptly, broken by numer- ous ravines, toward Cattaraugus creek. The soil is composed of clayey loam on the uplands, and of gravelly loam on the streams. These streams generally run in deep and narrow channels, bordered by numerous excel- lent mill-sites which have been thoroughly utilized. The other part of Collins comprises all of the Cattaraugus reserva- tion in Erie county except about ten square miles, which is in the town of Brant. It is a very irregular tract, bounded on the north by Brant, on the east by North Collins and the previously described portion of Collins, and on the west, south and southwest by Cattaraugus county. Its southern boundary is about seven and a fourth miles long, and its eastern about five and three-fourths miles. The remaining boundary is 646 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. formed by Cattaraugus creek, which curves to the northward in such a manner that the area of the whole tract under consideration is only about twelve square miles. It will be seen that, including both tracts, the area of Collins is over sixty-two square miles, making it the largest town in the county, except Concord, although the part occupied by the whites is smaller than two or three other towns. The first settlement made by the whites in the territory now known as Collins was made by a little colony of "Friends" sent out by the "Friends Yearly Meeting," of Philadelphia, to teach the Indians the arts of peace. It consisted of several single men and women, who called themselves a "family"; the manager being Mr. Jacob Taylor. They located at the point since known as Taylor's Hollow, where either Taylor or the society which sent him, had purchased three hundred acres of land adjoining the reservation.* Here they built cabins and set them- selves at their appointed work, giving instruction in farming to such Indians as would receive it, in household work to the squaws, and in reading, writing, etc., to the youth. About 1809 they built a grist-mill and saw-mill under Taylor's direction, in which work was done for both Indians and whites. The "family" flourished many years, and although it would be difficult to measure the amount of good accomplished, it is highly probable that it accomplished some. The first family of the ordinary kind which located in the territory of Collins was that of Turner Aldrich, which came up the north side of Cattaraugus creek from the lake beach in the early spring of 1810, and located on that stream, just above the reservation at the point now known as Gowanda. Aldrich built a house by setting four posts in the ground and making walls of poles and bark, surmounted by a bark roof. He afterwards procured boards for the sides and roof, but the building remained a mere hut. in which, although a land and mill owner, Mr. Aldrich lived for eight or ten years. In June, 1810, Stephen Wilber and Joshua Palmerton, two young Vermonters, followed an Indian trail from East Hamburg to Aldrich's place. Besides Aldrich's family and the Taylor colony, Arad Howard, Aaron Lindsey and Stephen Lapham, had already located in the territory of Collins that spring; the last named being on lot forty-five at the point since known as "Bagdad." Stephen Peters came soon after; he took land on lot forty-eight, Wilber on lot forty-nine and Palmerton on lot *This is according to the statement made several years since by Caleb Taylor, (a nephew of Jacob Taylor), who settled on a part of the same land in 1815. Other old residents put the amount There is also a tradition among the Friends in Collins, that purchased at or near a thousand acres. Mr. Jacob Taylor used the trust confided to him for his own benefit, selling to the Indians articles furnished free by the society, etc., but it is too late to inquire into its accuracy. It is certain that the Indians themselves, always considered the "Quakers" as their best friends; relying on them when they distrusted all other whites. TOWN OF COLLINS. 647 fifty. The three men built a cabin and kept bachelor's hall that summer; clearing off about three acres of land and erecting a log house for each of their number. In the fall Wilber went to Cayuga county and brought his family to East Hamburg, where they remained until March, 1811, when they moved to their new home, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Luke Crandall, Mr. and Mrs. Allen King, Arnold King, John King, Henry Palmerton, Jehial Abbee and John Williams. The last night before arriving they stayed in a shanty too small to hold the whole company; so Palmerton and John and Arnold King slept on the top of it. Augustus Smith, who is still living at the age of over ninety years, also came in 1810, and there were possibly two or three others who located the same year in the northwest corner of the territory of Collins, next to North Collins. In 1811 or 1812, Stephen Lapham built a saw-mill, as did John Law- ton, who had located himself on lot forty-one. The first birth in the territory of Collins was that of a son of Aaron Lindsay, in 1810; the first marriage was that of Stephen Peterson to Sarah Palmerton, in 1811; the first death was that of Mr. Strait, the father-in-law of Turner Aldrich, which occurred in 1812. Mr. Aldrich erected a saw-mill on Cattaraugus creek, near his residence, at a very early period, though we cannot state the year, and after the war of 1812 built a grist-mill, the locality being long known as Aldrich's Mills. There were many other immigrants into the territory of Collins in 1811 and '12, among whom were Abraham Lapham, Ira Lapham, Seth Blossom, George Morris and Silas Howard. When Jacob Taylor came with his assistants, as before mentioned, the territory of Collins was a part of the town of Erie (Genesee county) which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Erie. On the re-organization of the Holland Purchase, described in Chapter XIII of the general his- tory, it became a part of the town of Willink, (Niagara county), which comprised all that part of the present county of Erie south of the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation. In March, 1812, the town of Concord was formed from Willink, embracing the present towns of Sardinia, Con- cord, Collins and North Collins, and all of the Cattaraugus reservation in Erie county. The war of 1812 raged along the frontier without causing serious. injury to the people of Collins, although it produced much alarm, increased by the nearness of the Cattaraugus reservation, for the Indians, though friendly, were given to spreading frightful reports of the terrible acts which had been or would be committed by the British and "British. Indians." During the war, in 1813, the first store in the territory of Collins was opened at Taylor's Hollow, by John Hanford. He also kept a tavern there as late as 1820. During the closing winter of the war, 1814-'15, the first school in that territory was taught by John King, in a house on Nathan King's land. 648 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. After the war there was a large immigration and the axes of the pioneers resounded on every side. Smith Bartlett came near the close of the war, and soon afterwards built the first tannery in the town, at what is now called Collins Centre. John Lawton, who had previously built a saw-mill, erected a grist-mill soon after the war. A saw-mill was erected on almost every available mill-site, and such sites were numerous. Nathan King opened an inn at Collins Centre in 1816, which was the first one at that point and was probably the first one in the town, unless John Hanford already had one at Taylor's Hollow. The first settlers were mostly Quakers. They held meetings for a time in a private house; afterwards in a school house. A double log house was erected by them as a meeting house at "Bagdad" about 1817. Nathaniel Knight, long one of the most prominent citizens of the town, came in 1818. His son, O. J. Knight, then nine years old is still a resi dent of Collins. He relates that John Millis then lived on the place occupied five years later by Avery Knight. Flour was sometimes scarce. On one occasion Millis, after living on short rations a considerable time, obtained some wheat. He put two busnels in a sack, shouldered it, and set out on Sunday för Taylor's mill. Taylor refused to grind on that day. Then he carried it to Lawton's mill but that could not grind for want of water. Again he shouldered his sack and trudged eastward to what was called "Townsend's pepper mill," near Springville, where he got his grist ground, and returned home the same day, making a trip of nearly thirty miles. By 1820 the population had increased so that the people considered themselves able to support a new town. It was customary in those days for the earliest resident in a proposed new town to be allowed to select its name. Jacob Taylor was the earliest settler of the town then pro- posed, but he seems to have been disliked by the people and was not accorded the privilege. The Aldriches came next; and as the elder Aldrich was then dead or gave up his claim, his son Turner Aldrich, Jr., was called on to make the choice. He had married Miss Nancy Collins, and he selected the name of his wife's family for the new town. A petition was duly forwarded to the Legislature, and on the 16th of March, 1810, that body formed the town of Collins from Concord. It embraced the present towns of Collins and North Collins, with the same partial jurisdiction over the Indian land possessed by Concord. The first officers were elected June 9, 1821, at the house of George Southwick, Jr. At that election John Lawton was chosen supervisor; Stephen White, town clerk; Lemuel M. White, John Griffith and Luke Crandall, assessors: Levi Woodward, John Lawton and Arnold King, commissioners of highways; Jacob Taylor and Stephen Wilber, over- seers of the poor; Luke Crandall, Jr., collector; Asa Jennings and Luke Crandall, Jr., constables; Stephen White, Levi Woodward and John TOWN OF COLLINS. 649 Griffith, commissioners of common schools; John Stanclift, Jr., Nathaniel Knight and Jonathan O. Irish, inspectors of schools. There was no postoffice in the new town when it was formed, but in 1822, one was established at Taylor's Hollow, a mail route being opened through Eden and Collins to that point. The office was called Angola, and Jacob Taylor was appointed postmaster, holding that position as late as 1840. The mail route stopped there until 1824, when it was extended to Aldrich's Mills, where a new office was established, called West Lodi, on the south side of the creek. The little village which had begun to take form on both sides of the creek had been named Lodi; but as there was another Lodi in this State, the postoffice received the appellation just mentioned. There must have been a rapid increase in the demand for literary and epistolary food, for in eight years after the first postoffice was established, there were four offices in the old town of Collins, viz.: Collins, at Kerr's Corners (now North Collins); Angola, at Taylor's Hollow; Collins Centre; and Zoar. The last named office was on Catta- raugus creek, in the southeast part of the town, at a point where there was a bridge, a mill and a few houses. Jehial Hill was the postmaster between 1830 and 1840. The office was long since disestablished. By this time (1830) the town had been largely cleared, framed houses. had to a great extent taken the place of log ones, a village was growing up at Collins Centre, and Collins began to appear like a prosperous agricultural region, as it was. The years passed quietly by as is usually the case in a peaceful and prosperous agricultural community. After the division of Amherst by the formation of Cheektowaga in 1839, Collins was the largest town in Erie county (containing nearly one hun- dred square miles besides the Indian tract) until 1852; in November of which year the town of Shirley (now North Collins) was formed, reduc. ing Collins to the dimensions already described. When the war for the Union broke out the Quaker traditions of the town did not prevent its young men from responding promptly to the cail of their country; in fact it is doubtful if any other town in Erie county contributed more volunteers in proportion to the population than Collins. Company "A," of the Sixty-fourth New York Infantry, was raised in this town, North Collins and Persia, Cattaraugus county. A considerable number of Collins men enlisted in the Tenth Cavalry, and the numerous battles of that regiment brought mourning to many a rural home. Company "A" of the One Hundredth Infantry, and Company "G," of the One Hundredth and Sixteenth, had each a large delegation from Collins; besides the numerous men scattered through nearly all the Erie county regiments and batteries. For the story of *The office, however, was subsequently abandoned, and in 1855 the name was adopted for a new one in Evans. 650 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. their services we must refer the reader to Chapters XXV. to XXIX. of the general history. Since the war the most important fact affecting the town at large is the growth of the manufacture of cheese. The rich pastures of Collins had made it a good dairy town from the time it was cleared up, but it was only in 1865 that the first cheese factory was erected. In a few years the factories had substantially absorbed the dairy business of the town. Soon after the first one was built, Mr. William A. Johnson, then of Marshfield in North Collins, but later of Collins Centre, conceived the plan of uniting several factories under the direction of one person or firm, thus securing uniformity of manufacture, prompt sales and other advantages. This plan he carried out, beginning with a few factories. and increasing the number until the celebrated "Marshfield Combina- tion" contained about twenty-five factories in Erie and Cattaraugus counties, mostly owned or leased by Mr. Johnson and all under his control. He was also the leader in establishing the "Cloverfield Combination" further north and east, in which he had several partners. The untimely death of Mr. Johnson in 1881, at the age of forty-five, prevented the further expansion of the "Marshfield Combination," but it is still carried on under the direction of his widow. We close this sketch of the town at large with a list of its super- visors and town clerks, and of its present officers. The supervisors, with their years of service, have been as follows: John Lawton, 1821; Henry Joslin, 1822; Stephen White, 1823; Nathaniel Knight, 1824-'32; Ralph Plumb, 1833-43; John L. Henry, 1844-45; Thomas Russell, 1846-'48; Ralph Plumb, 1849-'50; Thomas Russell, 1851; Samuel C Adams, 1852-'53; James H. McMillen, 1854-'55; Benjamin W. Sherman, 1856; Joseph H. Plumb, 1857-'58; Anson G. Conger, 1859–’60; E. W. Henry, 1861; Marcus Bartlett, 1862; Joseph H. Plumb, 1863-'67 ; Stephen T. White, 1868-'70; Stephen A. Sisson, 1871-'73; John H. White, 1874-'75; William A. Johnson, 1876; Anson G. Conger, 1877; William A. Johnson, 1878; Cyrenius C. Torrance, 1879-'81; William H. Parkinson, 1882; John H. Johnson, 1883. The town clerks, with their years of service, have been the follow- ing: Stephen White, 1821-'22; John Lawton, 1823; Stephen White, 1824-31; Leman Howe, 1832-'35; Stephen White, 1836; Leman Howe, 1837; Leman H. Pitcher, 1838-'44; Thomas Russell, 1845; B. W. Sher- man, 1846–’47; Edwin W. Godfrey, 1848–'50; George H. Hodges, 1851; Paul H. White, 1852; George H. Hodges, 1853-'55; William W. Russell 1856-'57; George H. Hodges, 1858; Henry S. Stebbins, 1859; C. S. Warner, 1860-'61; Zallen Bartlett, 1862; P. H. Perry, 1863; Z. Bart- lett, 1864; Joseph Mugridge, 1865-'66; Curtis J. Bates, 1867; Lawrence H. DeWolf, 1868-'69; Z. Bartlett, 1870-'74; S. T. Knight, 1875-'77; Pliny Holton, 1878-'79; A. W. Fish, 1880; M. B. Sherman, 1881-'82; B. H. Davis, 1883. TOWN OF COLLINS. 651 The officers of the town for 1883 were John H. Johnson, supervisor; D. H. Davis, town clerk; E. A. Bartlett, H. A. Reynolds, W. H. Pea- cock and M. P. Kellogg, justices of the peace; Joseph A. Palmerton, commissioner of highways; Theodore A. Canfield, overseer of the poor; S. L. Soule, collector; Myron Pierce, Ward Mosher and Charles Russell, inspectors of election for district No. 1; Clayton Taylor, Charles Rosen- berg and John Karmer, inspectors for district No. 2; Albert Cowdry, Charles Slaght, James Cummings, Nathan Pierce and George McMillan, constables; Smith Phillips, game constable; M. R. Palmerton, town sealer; I. C. Washburn, Stephen W. Smith and Hiram Cooke, excise commissioners. COLLINS CENTRE. This is an unincorporated village of about seventy houses. We have mentioned the first settlement there, in 1810. The first movement which indicated the possible growth of a village there was the opening of a tavern in 1816, by Nathan King. This was carried on by Mr. King a few years and then given up, and for several years afterward there was no hotel in the little hamlet. John Adams re-opened the tavern in 1830, carried it on a few years and then turned the building into a store. Hathaway, Wood and others subsequently kept a hotel in the village. At length the Sons of Temperance, in order to discourage the sale of liquor, erected a building, the upper part of which they used as a hall, while the lower part was occupied by Mr. Job Wilber as a temperance hotel. This arrangement, however, failed to become permanent, and the building finally became the property of Smith Bartlett, the present owner. Frank Haskins keeps a hotel in it. The first store in Collins Centre was established by Samuel Lake, of Springville, about 1827. He built the house now occupied by C. J. Bates, and put a Mr. Madison in charge of it. The next merchant at the Centre was John C. Adams who was soon succeeded by Chauncey Bigelow. Subsequently Thomas Bigelow carried on business there for several years, before and after 1860. Adam White was the next one who traded there until 1872, when Curtis J. Bates went into partnership with him, the firm being Bates & White. Still later Mr. Bates became the sole owner, and has continued so to the present time. Joseph Mugridge built a store in 1865, which he still carries on. Mr. B. Sherman established a grocery store in 1880, and James Matthews opened another during the same year. H. B. Wood built the old cabinet shop and factory about 1850. He sold it to Wilber & Palmerton, after whom it was owned successively by O. J. Knight, M. J. King, M. J. & R. G. King, King & Letson, and A. A. King, who bought it in 1878. He manufactures agricultural implements and furniture. The planing mill and sash and blind factory, built by Joseph Mugridge in 1880, is now owned by Hengar & Johnson. N. 652 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Bolander & Brother carry on a feed-mill which they purchased from William Popple in 1880. Dr. Israel Condon was the first physician of Collins Centre. He came about 1830, and practiced there nearly fifteen years. Following him came Dr. Alexander Bruce, Dr. Young, Dr. W. A. Sibley, Dr. Erastus Letson, and Dr. Harlow Atwood. The last two are in the village at this time. A postoffice was established in Collins Centre in 1826, of which John C. Adams was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by Chauncey Bigelow, who was in office in 1837. Dr. Bruce and others succeeded him. Stephen J. White was the postmaster from 1861 more than ten years. Curtis J. Bates was appointed to the office in 1879. The Methodist Church.-There were Methodist missionaries in this field at a very early day, Rev. John Copeland being the first. The cir cuit was very large and he went from point to point, preaching on any day in the week which circumstances permitted to be employed for that purpose. Following him came Rev. Wilber Hoag, (one year;) Rev. John Hoag, (two years;) Rev. Daniel Shepherdson, (two years ;) Rev. Hiram May, Rev. Dr. Doolittle, Rev. Amos Bronson and Rev. Mr. Judd; during his stay a church edifice was built, three-fourths of a mile west of the Centre, in 1834. The Rev. W. R. Babcock was the next pastor; he remained two years. John C. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Nehe- miah Heath and David Beverly were among the early members. church was for a long time very small, but under the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Riley, in 1840, it received a considerable addition. During that year the building was drawn by oxen to the village, where it still serves the purpose for which it was erected. In 1863 it was thoroughly repaired. The membership of the church is now small and there is no minister. C. Taft is the class-leader; the stewards are C. Taft, Lydia Smith, B. Briggs and O. J. Knight. The trustees are O. J. Knight, Joseph Mugridge and B. Briggs. The The Free Methodist Church is a small congregation under the spir- itual guidance of Rev. W. W. Brown, who took charge of it in October 1883. The building was erected in 1869. The trustees are John Ran- dall, Millard Randall and Abraham Ingman. GOWANDA. This flourishing village is situated on both sides of Cattaraugus creek; we shall give a brief sketch, confined as far as possible to the part on the north side of the creek, which is in the town of Collins. We have mentioned the settlement of Turner Aldrich in 1810. He erected a saw-mill soon afterward and a grist-mill about 1818. The locality was known as Aldrich's Mills. The mills were situated on the site of Romer's axe factory. His son, Turner Aldrich, Jr., also lived in the vicinity. TOWN OF COLLINS. 653 The erection of a grist-mill probably embarrassed the Aldrich's, for about 1823 Ralph Plumb* bought their property, and soon afterwards established a store on the north side of the creek, the first in the whole village. It was probably he who selected the name of Lodi for the vil- lage which began to grow up there, and for over twenty years it was known by that name. In 1824 or '25, a postoffice was established there. As however there was already a Lodi postoffice in this State, (in Seneca county) this office was called West Lodi. This appellation was retained about ten years when it was changed to Persia, the name of the town on the south side of the creek. The village was still called Lodi until its incorporation, on the 7th of December, 1847, when the name of Gowanda was adopted for both village and office. The largest part of the village is on the south side of the creek, but there have been several business establishments on the north side to which we will now call attention. Mr. Plumb's store was built on what is now called Perry street, near the old Eagle tavern. It was soon moved down near the bridge, where it was kept many years by Mr. Plumb; afterwards by Chauncey Bigelow and others until 1856, when it was abandoned. H. N. Hooker went into mercantile business on the north side about 1836 and continued in it nearly twenty years, when he moved to the other side. There is now no dry goods store on the north side. A woolen factory was built between 1830 and '34, but it was carried on only a few years. Ralph Plumb erected a carding-machine and cloth mill above the old grist-mill as early as 1840, which he carried on several years. The building is occupied by Slaght & Kellogg as a hardware store. In 1835 James Lock established a foundry, called the Lodi Fur- nace. It was purchased by Ashbel R. Sellew in 1841, who enlarged it and began the manufacture of stoves and plows. In 1851 Levi Stope and Mr. Tucker became partners, the firm being Sellew, Tucker & Stope. Mr. Sellew became sole owner in 1855, losing all in the great fire of 1856. The establishment was rebuilt the same season on a larger scale. Alex- ander N. Popple becoming a partner, and remaining so until his death. Mr. Sellew is now sole proprietor and carries on an extensive business in the manufacture of plows, agricultural implements and various kinds of machinery. The grist-mill owned by C. C. Torrance was built soon after the great fire of 1856. A large amount of both custom and mer- chant milling is done there. Joseph Straub has an extensive wagon, carriage and sleigh manufactory, established by him in 1862. One of the most important manufacturing establishments in Erie county, outside of Buffalo, is the axe foundry erected by N. & J. P. * Mr. Plumb became a very influential citizen, being eleven years the supervisor of Collins, 'one year a member of the Assembly, and three years the sheriff of Erie county. His son, J. H. Plumb, was also supervisor several years. 654 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Romer in 1876, though it did not reach its present size until 1881. They employ from thirty to sixty men, and manufacture three hundred axes daily. The Gowanda Brewery was built in 1866 by Frank & Brenner- shall: A. Fisher, the present owner, took possession in 1878. The first hotel in the Collins part of Gowanda was the Eagle tavern, built in 1824 by Mr. Vosburg. The Farmer's Hotel was built in 1865 by Conrad Fiegle. It was rebuilt in 1878 by Louis Fiegle, and was sold in 1880 to Henry Aglee. The Gowanda Hotel, of about the same age, is owned by A. Fisher. The Grand Central Hotel was built in 1879, by F. Conger. The Hon. Cyrenius C. Torrance is the only lawyer of Gowanda liv- ing in Erie county; having established himself there over thirty years ago. He was the district attorney of Erie county in 1863-'64-'65, and has also, although a Democrat, been three times elected as supervisor of the Republican town of Collins. Hon. Henry F. Allen, now a member of the Board of Claims of the State of New York, was until recently a resident of Gowanda and a partner of Mr. Torrance. He was a member of the Assembly from the fifth district of Erie county in 1878. The other business men of Gowanda-in Collins-are as follows: Theodore N. Kingsley, druggist and grocer; Rooker & White, dealers in groceries, etc.; J. A. Bestrip, dealer in furniture; R. P. McMillen, dealer in groceries, etc.; J. Moll, merchant tailor; J. Danvers, carriage maker; John Jacobs, cigar manufacturer; Slaght & Kellogg, dealers in stoves and hardware; and Michael Moll, dealer in meat. Gowanda has but one church in Erie county, which is the Presby- terian. It was organized and a church edifice was built in 1826. The building burned down in February, 1843, and the present house of worship was erected the same year, the church being then under the preaching of Rev. Sylvanus Cowles. It is now under the spiritual direc- tion of the Rev. A. B. Robinson. Hiram Adams is the elder; Nicholas Romer, William Peacock, S. S. Brown and James Owen are the trustees. COLLINS STATION. On the completion of the Buffalo & Jamestown (now Buffalo & South Western) Railroad through Collins, in 1874, a station was estab- lished at this point, to which the name of Collins was given. Subse- quently a postoffice was located there, called Collins, which name had previously been borne by the office at Kerr's Corners, or North Collins, There are about fifteen buildings. L. L. Hathaway has a general store, and is the postmaster. Ambrose Sisson has established himself in the grocery and provision business during the past year. Here, too, is the large building erected by William A. Johnson, in 1881, for curing and storing the cheese made by the "Marshfield Combination," and which is still used for that purpose. TOWN OF COLLINS. 655 THE INDIAN TRACT. That part of Collins already mentioned, which is occupied by Indians, forms the most thickly settled part of the Cattaraugus reservation. As stated in the general history, this reservation was kept by the Indians when they sold the surrounding country to the Holland Company, and was occupied by a portion of the remnants of the once haughty Six Nations. For a time they could support themselves to a great extent by hunting, but as the adjoining towns were settled this resource decreased, and by 1820 it had substantially disappeared. As the game decreased the Indians were obliged to depend more and more on farming for a living, and devoted more and more attention to that pursuit. On the sale of the Buffalo Creek reservation, in 1842, the majority of its residents came to the Cattaraugus reservation, where there was ample room for them to locate. As farmers they have steadily improved, and now they nearly all have comfortable homes. To be sure, there is far from being the same thrift and industry as are manifested in average districts occupied by white men, yet we have seen districts thus occupied which were inferior to the Cattaraugus reservation. Some of the Indians have good framed houses; some have poor ones. Some have well kept farms; others have shabby ones, but all raise enough to eat and to supply them- selves with coarse clothes. No Indians are known to suffer from hunger, and it is extremely rare for an Indian beggar to be seen. Until within the last sixty years they acknowledged no authority but that of their chiefs. Nearly sixty years ago their power was annulled by the Legislature, so far as criminal acts were concerned, the jurisdiction over which was vested in the ordinary courts of the State. Within the last thirty years the Indians of this and the Allegany reserva- tion have established a sort of republican government rudely modeled on that of the whites. There are several officers, but the most import- ant ones are the "peace-makers," who are authorized to settle disputes arising among the Indians. Although the title to all the land is held in common, each man is allowed to cultivate as much as he will, and the right to his fields is respect- ed by all. There are several school districts, each of which has a good framed school house, though these, we believe, come from some provis- ion made by the State. The teachers are generally white, though there are some who are educated Indians. There are three churches organized among them—Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist-each of which has a church building. Some of them are still pagans, and occasionally perform ceremonies and make sacrifices in accordance with their ancient religion. When the Buffalo Creek Indians came to the Cattaraugus reservation they were accompanied by the Rev. Asher Wright, a missionary who had labored among them about sixteen years. He continued with them 43 656 HISTORY Of Erie CouNTY. until his death, his whole service among them being forty-two years. His venerable widow still lives with her red friends, and is now in charge of an industrial school, established by the department of the Interior in 1876, in the northwest part of the reservation. The Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children, is sit- uated near the center of the reservation, on the part belonging to Collins. The main edifice was erected in 1855, at cost of $5,000, since which time time large improvements have been made, the present valuation of the building being $20,000. It is controled by a board of five white and five Indian managers, appointed by the governor of the State. Mr. B. F. Hall has been the superintendent since the foundation of the institution. The Iroquois Agricultural Society was organized in 1857. Their fairs are largely attended by the whites, although it cannot be said that there is a very valuable display of agricultural products. Considered altogether these Indians are still far behind the whites in the arts of civilization, yet there has been a great improvement within the last eighty years; similar improvement in the next eighty would make them the equals-as farmers at least—of their white neighbors. CHAPTER LXI. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF NORTH COLLINS. Τ HIS town is situated in the southern part of Erie county, a little west of the center. It is bounded on the north by the town of Eden and a small part of Boston, on the east by Concord, on the south by Collins, and on the west by Brant and the Cattaraugus reservation. It comprises township seven, in range eight of the Holland Company's survey, except the southernmost tier of lots, and also embraces the three western tiers of lots in township seven, range seven, except the northernmost lot in each of those tiers. It is eight and one-fourth miles long, from east to west, and five and one-fourth miles wide; its area being forty-three square miles and five-sixteenths of a mile. The surface is undulating in the west, gradually rising to a broad, level upland which occupies nearly all of the eastern part of the town. This upland is highest near the line of Eden, and slopes downward toward Collins. The west branch of Eighteen Mile creek runs across the northeastern corner of the town, while Clear creek drains the south- ern portion, and Big Sister creek heads in the northwestern corner. The first settlement in the territory just described was made in 1809. As we are informed, Nathaniel Sisson was the first resident, although Abram Tucker came soon afterward, during the same year. TOWN OF NORTH COLLINS. 657 They both came through on the "Genesee road" and located themselves in the southwestern corner of what is now North Collins. Sylvanus Hussey, Isaac Hathaway and Thomas Bills purchased land the same year in the western part of township seven, range seven, and one or more of them may have made their residence there then. In February, 1810, Samuel Tucker, a brother of Abram, brought his family into the township with a team, following an Indian trail, which ran southward near the site of Eden Centre. This is said to have been the first team which passed over that trail. Mr. Tucker located himself about a mile and a half south of the site of the village of North Collins. There he built a log house, and as he had no table left a stump standing in the middle, with the top well squared off, to serve in place of that piece of furniture. Henry Tucker, another brother, came a little later, the same year. During the summer of 1810, Enos Southwick moved into the township and found a home in Abram Tucker's bark-covered cabin until he could build one of his own. In August, 1810, George Tucker, a son of Abram, was born there, being the first white child born in the territory of North Collins, and we believe in the whole of the old town of Collins. The next month George Southwick, a son of Enos, was born in the same cabin, he being the second child born in North Collins. He is now a genial and well-known citizen of Collins, residing near Gowanda. In 1811 Benjamin Sisson, the father of Nathaniel, with two brothers. of the latter, William and Stephen, came into the neighborhood and were soon followed by Lemuel, another brother. The same summer came George Southwick, the father of Enos Southwick, and also of Geo. Southwick, Jr., of Jonathan Southwick, of Job Southwick, (the latter being the father of Job Southwick, Jr.), and of five other children. The Sissons and Southwicks were all from Warren county, in this State, and all of them, together with the Tuckers, belonged to the society of Friends, these families alone forming a fair sized Quaker settlement to begin with. The first settler who was not a Quaker, was John Stanclift, who came in 1811. Mr. Stanclift had four sons, Timothy, John, Willard and Jesse, who became citizens of North Collins. In 1812 Miss Hannah Southwick, a daughter of George Southwick, was married to Levi Woodward, this being the first marriage which took place in the territory of North Collins. Gideon Lapham came into the town in 1811 or '12, and Abraham and Ira Lapham settled close to the present line between Collins and North Collins. Mrs. Lapham, a widowed lady, living near the Tuckers and Sissons, had nine daughters, seven of whom had accompanied her from the East. This was a most desirable accession, as in the pioneer days there was generally a large excess of young men. Three of the daughters married Tuckers, three married Sissons, (Nathaniel, William and Stephen,) and one married a Haight, the last mentioned being a grandmother of Hon. Albert Haight, 658 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. one of the justices of the Supreme Court of this State. There was a large immigration in 1811 and '12, and we are able to mention the follow- ing settlers of that period, besides those already specified: Benjamin Leggett, Stephen White, Stephen Twining, Noah Tripp, Abraham Gif- ford, Orrin Brayman, Hugh McMillan and Lilly Stafford. From the time of the first settlement until 1812 the territory of North Collins had been a part of the town of Willink, (Niagara county) which then comprised all of the present county of Erie, south of the cen- ter of the Buffalo Creek reservation. In March, 1812, it became a part of the town of Concord, which was then formed by the Legislature and em- braced the present towns of Sardinia, Concord, Collins and North Collins. The outbreak of the war with Great Britain, in June, 1812, almost stopped immigration and the inhabitants of the newly-settled district were in constant alarm for nearly three years, although their Quaker principles prevented the greater part of the men from bearing arms. In 1813, the Quakers of this settlement built a log meeting house near the site of the present Orthodox meeting house, in which they held their weekly meetings. As nearly all the settlers came from the same region and belonged to the same peaceful fraternity, they were knit together by bonds of unusual strength, and the hardships of pioneer life were mit- igated by the friendship which prevailed among the early settlers. After the close of the war in 1815, immigration was resumed with renewed vigor. Among the new comers was Humphrey Smith, who lived in the town until extreme old age, and who was noted for the extraordinary tenacity of his memory. John Lawton* came a little later, becoming one of the most prominent citizens. The number of the immigrants was so great that it would be impracticable to mention any considerable por- tion of them. The forest went down in every direction, and its wild denizens retreated before the advance of civilization; the deer speeding swiftly away in mortal terror; the bears, wolves and panthers retiring with slow and sullen steps, hoarsely growling or fiercely screaming at their resistless foes. They infested the territory of North Collins longer than they did many other districts, both on account of its nearness to the almost unbroken forest of the Cattaraugus reservation, and because. "Big Sister swamp," at the head of the stream of that name, and some similar localities, furnished a convenient retreat for the marauders. Battles sometimes occurred between these ancient residents and the white invaders, but the most remarkable conflict of this kind took place about 1818, between an Indian living on the reservation and three panthers. * Mr. Lawton had three sons, John, Henry and Stephen Lawton, who are still residents of the town. The first mill in the town was built in 1818, by Willard Stanclift, north of the site of North The water-power of Collins village. Several other small ones were erected in various localities. North Collins was not sufficient to justify the building of large mills. TOWN OF NORTH COLLINS. 659 The warrior, who bore the unheroic name of John Turkey, was informed by another Indian that he had discovered the trail of three panthers in the snow, and at once shouldered his gun and set out alone in pursuit. He followed the trail into "Big Sister swamp," coming at length to several trees lying close together, and making a convenient covert. Looking beyond he could see no trail and rightly concluded that he had reached his game. He prepared for battle by putting two bullets in his mouth, taking the stopper out of his powder-horn and cocking his gun. Then he slowly advanced, when a panther sprang out on one of the trees. Turkey fired at once and the beast fell dead, but the next instant the other two rushed out of the covert on the farther side. The warrior reloaded with the utmost rapidity, dropping a bullet from his mouth into his gun just in time to send it at one of the pan- thers, which was coming toward him over the trees. Again his aim was so true that his enemy sank down in death. The last of the ferocious animals had gone around the end of the heap of trees, and before he could reach his foe Turkey had again reloaded his gun, when number three met with the same tragic fate as his predecessors. The victorious war- rior made a bed of hemlock boughs and slept that night on the field of battle. The next morning he skinned his game, carrying the skins, with the heads attached, to the proper authorities from whom he obtained the bounty paid by the town for killing panthers. But panthers, though dangerous beasts for a lonely traveler to meet, were few in number and did not give as much annoyance to the farmers as did the wolves; the latter slaying their sheep by the score. An old she-wolf, which infested the territory of North Collins, with occasional excursions outside, is the subject of many remarkable stories by sur- viving pioneers and their children, some of which are well authenticated. From her lair in Big Sister swamp or some other convenient retreat, she would sally forth night after night, bearing death to the sheep-fold for miles around. She kept out of reach of the hunters rifles and shun- ned the traps set for her, as if by instinct. She formed a partnership in the sheep-killing business with a large dog belonging to Levi Wood- ward, and the two became the pests of the whole township. On one occa- sion, when the dog visited his home, a bell was put on him, in the hope that it would be heard at night when the wearer was in company with his mistress, and that some one might then be able to kill the latter. But though the bell was often heard along the roads, yet when the settlers rose and seized their rifles it was always found that the wolf had turned out into the fields (as could be seen by the tracks the next morning) leav- ing the dog to pass the houses alone. A party of men and boys at length discovered her lair, in which were seven whelps, half dog and half wolf. These were slain and thirty dollars each were received for their scalps; the bounty on full-grown 660 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. wolves being sixty dollars-whelps half price. The bereaved mother made a new home on the farm of Samuel Tucker, but continued in her old business with her accustomed success. Mr. Tucker coated an iron trap heavily with melted tallow, and then set it with a large piece of veal as a bait. Being unable to smell the iron the old marauder seized on the bait and was caught. She was slain the next day, to the great joy of the whole community. Her canine coadjutor was afterwards killed by a woman, who, in the absence of all her family, coaxed him up to a well-curb with food, pulled down the "sweep" and fastened it with a slip-noose to his neck while he was eating, and then let it go. Notwithstanding the annoyance caused by wild beasts and the weary labor required to clear the land, settlement went steadily for- ward. In March, 1821, the town of Collins was formed by the Legisla- ture, embracing the present towns of Collins and North Collins. Mr. John Lawton, already mentioned, was elected the first supervisor of the new town. At that time there was no postoffice in all Collins, but the next year a mail route was established from Hamburg southward, and in 1822 or '23 a postoffice named Collins was located at what is now the village of North Collins. There was a tavern at that point, and soon afterward Chester Rose kept a small assortment of dry goods and gro- ceries in the bar room; this being the first "store," (if it could be thus designated) in the territory of North Collins. The little hamlet was known as Rose's Corners, and for a long time it was the only place. where there was the faintest rudiment of a village in the town. On a change of merchants it took the name of Kerr's Corners. About 1825 the Society of Friends built the framed building still known as the "Orthodox meeting house," situated a little over a mile south of Rose's Corners, now North Collins. In 1828 those who adhered to the "Hick- site" belief withdrew and built a house of their own. For the next twenty years the work of clearing up the land and building comfortable houses, in place of the log structures first erected, went steadily forward. Many immigrants located on the high land in the eastern and northern part of the town. About 1835 or '36, however, a few Germans purchased land on the high ground just mentioned. Their numbers steadily increased, and in the course of ten or fifteen years they had become possessed of nearly the whole upland tract, having either cleared the land themselves or bought the clearings already made by Americans. They and their children still form a large part of the popu- lation of North Collins, and have been successful in obtaining a good subsistence in a district where Americans would have found it difficult to do so. On the 24th day of November, 1852, the town of Shirley was formed from Collins by the board of supervisors, with the present boundaries of North Collins, as described at the beginning of this chapter. The first TOWN OF NORTH COLLINS. 661 town-meeting was held at the house of Humphrey Smith, on the first Tuesday of March, 1853. The majority of the people, however, were attached to the name of Collins, in which they had long lived, and on their petition the name of Shirley was changed to North. Collins on the 24th day of June, 1853. When the war for the Union broke out, the fact that the town was first settled by Quakers did not prevent a large number of its young men from taking up arms in defence of their country. They were scattered through the various Erie county regiments and batteries, the record of whose services may be found in Chapters XXV. to XXIX. inclusive, of the general history. The territory comprising North Collins had long been prominent in the production of butter and cheese, and the first cheese factory in Erie county was built in that town in 1864, near the residence of Daniel Sis- son. The next year a stock company, of which the late William A. Johnson was a member, built a factory at a little hamlet of Marshfield, in the southeastern part of the town. It attracted patronage from a long distance, but the farmers complained that they had to carry their milk too far. The next year (1866), the company built four new factories, located north, south, east and west from the original one, from which they were two or three miles distant. This was the origin of the "Marsh- field Combination,” and in fact of all the great cheese combinations of Western New York. Mr. Johnson soon became the head of the com- pany and obtained a controlling interest in its stock. He also built and leased numerous factories personally, bringing them all into the “Marsh- field Combination." There were no less than eight factories in this town. and thirty-two in all, belonging to that combination and controlled by Mr. Johnson at the time of his death, in 1881. The Marshfield Combina- tion is still in a flourishing condition, notwithstanding the death of its founder, and during the last three years the eight factories in North Col- lins have manufactured into cheese the milk of over three thousand cows. The cheese are taken from the factories to the store-house at Collins. Station to be cured and shipped. We will close this general sketch of the town at large with a list of the supervisors and town clerks. The supervisors, with their years of service, have been as follows:-Edwin W. Godfrey, 1853-'55; Lyman Clark, 1856-'57; Charles C. Kirby, 1858-'60; Wilson Rogers, 1861-'62; Giles Gifford, 1863-'64; Daniel Allen, 1865; Thomas Russell, 1866; Daniel Allen 1867-'68; Edwin W. Godfrey, 1869-'71; Michael Hunter, 1872-74; Charles C. Kirby, 1875; James Matthews, 1876; Charles C. Kirby, 1877; H. M. Blaisdell, 1878-'80; Charles H. Wood, 1881 -'82; Jacob Staffin, 1883. The following have been the town clerks: Paul H. White, 1853- '55; Charles C. Kirby, 1856-'57; Paul H. White, 1858-'59; Michael 662 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. • Hunter, 1860-'62; Francis Leach, 1863-64; Henry Brierer, 1865; George Barringer, 1866-'67; Andrew Burley, 1868 to 1873, inclusive; Joseph Naber, Jr., 1874-'75; Andrew Burley, 1876-'82; Joseph Naber, Jr., 1883. VILLAGE OF NORTH COLLINS. As before stated, a postoffice named Collins was located at this point in 1822 or '23. About the same time Chester Rose opened a very small assortment of goods, and the little hamlet was for several years known as Rose's Corners. He also had an ashery and took ashes in exchange for goods, according to the custom of those days. In 1829, John and Alexander Kerr opened a store which they carried on many years, on account of which the name of Kerr's Corners, soon entirely superseded that of Rose's Corners. The former appellation was retained until a recent period; in fact it is still frequently used by old residents both of the vicinity and of distant localities. In 1829, also, John Sherman and his brother opened a store, which they carried on in company until 1833, when the latter withdrew. The for- mer continued in the business until 1836, retired for two years and resumed in 1838. Subsequently Edwin W. Godfrey became a partner of Mr. Sherman and remained so until about 1861, when the senior partner of the firm retired. Mr. Godfrey continued in business, in connection with several partners, until 1872, when David Sherman and Herman Blaisdell, (a son and a son-in-law of John Sherman) took his place at the old stand-built in 1835. Mr. Blaisdell subsequently retired, and Mr. Sherman continued in business. In 1873 Egbert Foster and John Stanclift erected a steam saw-mill and feed-mill at North Collins. Mr. Foster subsequently withdrew from the firm, and Edward Stanclift (the father of John) took his place. The business is still extensively carried on. In 1883, G. W. Belknap placed a planing-machine, turning-lathe, etc., in a building formerly used as a "handle factory," and a steam-engine has since been kept in active operation there. The Western New York Preserving Company established a fac- tory at this place in 1881, it being a branch of the one at Springville. The building contains a powerful steam-engine and the latest improved machinery, yet the company finds itself every year, unable to meet the demand of general dealers in this and foreign countries. Dr. Morgan was the first resident, practicing physician at North Collins; after a short residence he removed to the West. Dr. Samuel Noyes came about 1827; Dr. Fritz came soon after, and formed a part- nership with Noyes, as did Dr. Adams. Dr. John D. Arnold also was in company with Dr. Noyes a few years. Dr. Noyes' health at last failed and he was compelled to retire from practice. Drs. Fritz, Adams and TOWN OF NORTH COLLINS. 663 Arnold removed to other localities, and were succeeded by Dr. Stewart, who is still in practice, and Dr. S. H. Shaw, who came hither in 1872, from Ripley, Chautauqua county. Besides those already mentioned there are the following business men, etc., in the village of North Collins: Sherman & Knight, general merchants; D. C. Brown, dealer in tin and hardware; Reuben Potter, dealer in groceries and provisions; Martin Foose, undertaker and furni- ture dealer; Partridge & Son, dealers in flour and feed; Michael Hunter, hotel keeper; D. W. Shipman, jeweler; F. L. Southwick, druggist and grocer; John Haberer, hotel keeper; John Kopf, blacksmith; Jacob Bangert, dealer in boots and shoes; Herman Miller, shoemaker; Edwin W. Godfrey, postmaster. As before stated, nearly all the early settlers of the western part of the town of North Collins belonged to the society of Friends. The Stanclift family, however, were Congregationalists, and a Con- gregational church was organized on the 11th of June, 1817, with the following members: John Stanclift, Timothy Stanclift, John Stanclift, Jr., Willard Stanclift, Jesse Stanclift, Sarah Stanclift, Lucy Stanclift, Mary Stanclift and Phoebe Stanclift. These were the father, mother, sons and sons' wives, and there were no other members-an unparalleled case so far as we have ever heard. Rev. John Spenser, termed by many persons of different religious views" the good old Presbyterian," organized the church and preached the initiatory sermon. John Stanclift, Sr., was the first moderator, and John Stanclift, Jr., the clerk. The organization has never been strong in numbers though it has not been confined to a single family. It has had but few resident pastors, yet in the early days the pulpit was usually occupied every Sabbath. Among those who have officiated are the following, though the years of service are uncertain, being gleaned from scanty records: Rev. Messrs. John Spenser, 1817-22; William Stone, 1822-'27 ; L. B. Sullivan, 1827-’31; Hiram Smith, 1831-'35; E. Raymond, 1835-'38; J. B. Hyde, 1838-39 ; Mr. Sessions, 1839. From 1840 to 1842* there was only occasional preach- ing, and for several years after 1847 the pulpit was almost entirely vacant. After the adoption of a new form of faith in 1861, the services were more regular, the ministers being Rev. Mr. Bigelow, of Buffalo; Rev. William Henry, (a home missionary); Rev. J. D. Woodruff, Rev. Mr. Strong, (1871-'73); and Rev. Mr. Bigelow a second time, (1873). In June, 1876, Rev. J. D. Woodruff returned as resident pastor and remained until April, 1879. He was followed successively by Rev. Mr. Van Camp, of Angola; Rev. Mr. Shattuck; Rev. E. C. Hall, of Jamestown; Rev. J. D. Foot, and Rev. O. L. White (1881). There has been no preaching since 1881. *In that year the society received a severe blow in the death of its leading member, John Stan- clift, Sr., who had arrived at the age of ninety-three. 664 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. On the 4th of January, 1881, a temporal society was organized in accordance to the laws of the State, when John H. Hawley, Nelson Smith and E. W. Godfrey were elected trustees. John H. Hawley and S. H. Shaw were also chosen as deacons of the church, and on the death of Deacon Hawley, in April following, A. W. Franklin was chosen in his place. The present trustees are A. W. Franklin, Herbert Burnham and E. W. Godfrey. Post Noyes, No. 220, G. A. R., was organized June 20, 1881, and was named in honor of Major Samuel C. Noyes, a young man of great promise and son of the late Dr. Noyes of this town. He entered the army from Chautauqua county and was killed near Chancellorsville. The field being taken by the rebels, his remains were buried where he fell. The following are the names of the members of Post Noyes, several of whom were under the command of Major Noyes: E. S. Hibbard, S. V. C.; Harvey Smith, J. V. C.; Andrew Burley, Adj.; M. M. Sperry, Surg.; Isaac E. Steadwell, Chap.; H. M. Blaisdell, Q. M.; Charles Beach, O. D.; John Robinson, O. G.; Oscar Foster, S. M.; George H. Davis, Joseph Orton, Peter Bowers, O. G.; Sebastian Ballard, W. W. Ransom, Hiram W. Davis, Andrew Cook, E. E. Ensign, George White (Indian), E. S. Harris, A. C. Jennings, Irvin Bronson, Henry Sundown (Indian), Jacob Staffin, George W. Newell, David G. Lang, George Wilson (Indian), James Hussey, George H. Morse, Joseph S. Warren, Joseph P. Barr, Fred Lindo, Smith Parker, Chapin Babcock. The post has a fine room fitted expressly for its use, and holds yearly encampments in conjunction with neighboring posts. SHIRLEY. Shirley is a small hamlet of ten or twelve houses, a store, a post- office and a cheese factory. It has been in existence over forty years and when the town was formed, in 1852, it was named from this village. Francis Leach and Charles C. Kirby, have been postmasters there. The latter has also been the supervisor of North Collins five years, and a justice of the peace eighteen years. The store is kept by Fillmore Rogers. LAWTON STATION. This is a still smaller hamlet, but contains a postoffice and a railroad station on the Buffalo & South Western Railroad. It is situated near the southwest corner of the town, and its existence dates only from the com- pletion of the railroad, in 1874. It was named after John Lawton, already mentioned as a pioneer of this locality, and the first supervisor of Collins. Mr. Lawton was also intrusted with numerous other local offices, and was the poormaster of Collins nearly twenty years. TOWN OF NORTH COLLINS. 665 MARSHFIELD. Marshfield is a peculiar place; it consists of three meeting houses, a cheese factory and a postoffice. About the year 1840 the Baptists of the neighborhood organized a church and built a house of worship. For several years the church was sustained, although rather feebly, but as the older members passed away it became still weaker and at last ceased to exist. Long years have passed since services were held in the old building. Desolation seems to have marked it for its own. The history of the Methodist Episcopal Church is similar to that of the Baptist. It was formed about 1850. The society purchased the land for a church building from George Conger, in 1852, and built an unpre- tentious house the following year. Ministers belonging to the Collins circuit officiated there regularly until about ten years ago, when the church became too feeble to keep up the services any longer. A few persons seceded from the Methodist Episcopal Church about 1858, and formed a "Free Methodist " class. They built a small chapel in which they still worship. The pastor at Collins Centre and Gowanda serves this church also. The Marshfield cheese factory was built by a few farmers in 1865, the great "Marshfield Combination" of factories (of which we have spoken a little farther back,) is named from this place. The postoffice at Marshfield was established in 1855. LANGFORD. This is another small hamlet; it is situated in the center of the German neighborhood, which, as before stated, received its first immigrants. about 1835 or '36. When the number had become considerable, Mr. G. Paul Sippel established himself at this point as a merchant and hotel keeper. From him it was called Sippel's Corners, or simply Sippel's. He removed to Dunkirk and was followed by his brother, George Sippel, who was succeeded by his sons, George and John, the present proprietors of the hotel and store. George Denhiser also established himself here as a merchant fourteen years ago, and is still in business. He is also the postmaster. Jacob Baller is a dealer in groceries and keeps a saloon. Joseph Naber, Jr., (the present town clerk,) is a dealer in tin, stoves and hardware. The postoffice of Langford was established over twenty years ago, George Sippel being the postmaster twelve or fifteen years. St. Martin's is a German Catholic Church and was established here in 1847. Rev. Francis Schlee is the priest in charge and, through his labors it has become one of the strongest churches in the county outside of Buffalo. John Pitts and Jacob Staffin are the trustees. There is also a flourishing parochial school. 666 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. NEW OREGON. This is a small hamlet containing ten or twelve houses, and is located on Eighteen Mile creek in the northeast part of the town. Augustus Schmidt carries on a store and his brother, Frederick Schmidt, keeps a hotel in the same building. Germain Schneider is also a dealer in general merchandise and a hotel keeper. The majority of the residents of the vicinity are German farmers. A Roman Catholic church-edifice was built here in 1860. The congregation is under the charge of the Rev. Father Schlee, of Langford. CHAPTER LXII. PERSONAL SKETCHES. Orlando Allen 0 Solomon George Haven - Dr. Ebenezer Johnson - Henry F. Penfield - Elbridge - William Gerry Spaulding Samuel Wilkeson Millard Fillmore - Ebenezer Walden Hodge William A. Bird-Lewis F. Allen. RLANDO ALLEN was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, N. Y., on the 10th of February, 1803. His ancestors, like most of the early settlers of Central and Western New York, were New Eng- land people. His grandparents, Gideon Allen and Lettuce Curtess, came to Oneida county from Adams, Vt., in the year 1790, bringing a family of eight children-seven sons and one daughter. Upon the maternal side, Mr. Allen's grandparents, Amos Lee and Anna Camp, came to Oneida county from Hartford, Conn., in 1791, with a family of seven children-three sons and four daughters. In 1797, Eli Allen, father of the subject of this sketch and son of Gideon and Lettuce Allen, married Sarah Lee, daughter of Amos and Anna Lee. The young couple continued to reside in Oneida county until the year 1820, when they came West and located in the village of Fredonia, Chautauqua county. Orlando at this time was seventeen years old, and he had preceded his parents to Western New York, hav- ing come to Buffalo a year previous and entered the office of the late Dr. Cyrenius Chapin as a medical student. A description of the Doctor's premises at the time young Allen came to live with him, as written by himself, is very interesting :— “At the time I came to live with Dr. Chapin, his dwelling was on the northeast corner of Swan and Pearl streets; his office was on the second floor of a wooden one and a half story building, on the Main street front of his lot, near the north line; this was a small building, originally a dwelling house, the first floor of which was at this time occupied by Mr. George Keese as a drug store. John Wilkeson, Esq., PERSONAL SKETCHES. 667 Our office, then a lad of about my age, was the sole clerk in the store. as I have said, was in the second story, reached by outside stairs, start- ing from the ground on the south side of the building, rising and wind- ing around to the back end, through which was the door of the office. Immediately in the rear of the store, and some fifteen or twenty feet from it, was a small framed barn used for stabling the horse used by the Doctor in his professional rides, together with his Boston gig, cutter, etc. On the south of the store were some small one-story buildings which occupied the remaining Main street front of the lot, with the exception of some six or eight feet left for a passage way leading to the office. These offices, or small buildings, rested upon the front foundation wall of Dr. Chapin's dwelling, which was burned when Buffalo was destroyed by the British in December, 1813.. Behind them was a wide passage way from Swan street to the barn which I have mentioned, large enough to form a very convenient and serviceable barn-yard. The office on the corner of Main and Swan streets, was occupied by James Sheldon, Esq., the father of the present judge, Hon. James Sheldon. The one next north by J. Nash Bailey, Esq., as a justice of the peace, and the remain- ing one by the late James Sweeny as a tailor shop." The clerical and other duties imposed upon Mr. Allen by the Doctor, such as keeping his books, attending to out-door business, looking after his numerous farms and managing city property, left little time for the study of medicine, and therefore rapid progress in preparations for the profession was out of the question. He succeeded, however, in gaining sufficient knowledge of the scalpel and prescription case to enable him to render considerable assistance to his preceptor. Bleeding and calomel were the standard remedies for nearly all kinds of diseases and com- plaints, and young Allen frequently had occasion to deplete the robust forms of the swarthy red skins in the use of the lancet. He did not fancy the medical profession, it was not exactly suited to his taste, and he held himself ready to embark in any other calling when an oppor- tunity should be presented. In the autumn of 1821, Dr. Chapin opened a general merchandise store, admitting as a partner one of his medical students by the name of Hiram Pratt, under the firm name of Chapin & Pratt, and Mr. Allen was employed by the firm as salesman. After a year's continuance the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Pratt continued the business in his own name, with Mr. Allen as an assistant. In 1822, he was sent to Detroit to take charge of a store that Dr. Chapin and Mr. Pratt had established in that city. After a brief stay there he returned to Buffalo, and upon attaining his majority in 1824, he became general manager for Mr. Pratt and Horace Meech, who had formed a co-partner- ship for carrying on a general mercantile business, at a salary of $1,000 per annum. The average salary of clerks at that time was about $200 the highest not being more than $300. Mr. Allen felt highly compli- mented, therefore, in being esteemed deserving of such especial distinc- tion. This connection continued two years, when the firm of Pratt & Meech was dissolved and Mr. Allen became a partner with Mr. Pratt, 668 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. under the firm name of Pratt, Allen & Co. In describing the business methods of those early days, Mr. Allen wrote in after years as follows:-- “For two or three years after we commenced in the little store, our goods were forwarded from New York to Albany by sloops; from thence to Buffalo by the large Canestoga wagons drawn by five to seven horses, so common in those days. They usually came in here several together. I remember on one occasion seeing seven of these seven- horse wagons come along down Main street in a line; they made a very imposing appearance.' After a successful mercantile career in the firm of Pratt, Allen & Co., of several years, he became interested in a banking enterprise with. Mr. George Burt, and upon the death of Hiram Pratt in 1840, Mr. Allen succeeded him as president of the old bank of Buffalo. He was largely interested in real estate operations and in the construction of buildings, in which business he became seriously embarrassed, as did nearly every business man, in the financial crash of 1837. By prudent management he succeeded, however, in saving from the general wreck a reasonable competence for his declining years. Mr. Allen was frequently called to fill positions of public trust, notwithstanding his proverbial reticence in political affairs, so far as office-seeking was concerned. His recognized ability, well-known integrity and admitted fitness for public station, gained him promotion, rather than any intrigue or self-seeking. The He first office to which he was elected was that of alderman in 1835. was again elected to the council in 1846 and re-elected in 1847; and dur- ing the latter year he was elected to the office of mayor by the council, to fill a vacancy. In 1848 he was elected to the mayoralty by the people. He was a member of the convention to revise the city charter which was adopted in 1853. He was also a member of the board of super- visors several years, and in 1850 was elected Member of Assembly and While re-elected in 1851, and served on the canal committee both terms. in the Assembly he procured a charter for the Western Savings Bank, in which he was afterwards a trustee, and was made chairman of the com- mittee for the construction of its magnificent building. Upon the com- pletion of the structure the board of trustees presented Mr. Allen with a magnificent gold watch and chain in recognition of his services. He also brought forward at the extra session of the Legislature a bill to enlarge and improve the Erie canal, and championed the measure with all the force and skill at his command. Mr. Allen was again chosen to the Assembly in 1860, which concluded his political career and public service. Mr. Allen was prominently identified with every important enterprise for the promotion of the local interests of Buffalo. He was alive and active in every movement for the formation of associations, the founding of institutions and the projecting of plans for this purpose. The projected Buffalo & Pittsburg railroad was an emanation of his enterprise, intended to open communication with the coal fields of Penn- PERSONAL SKETCHES. 669 sylvania; the project was, however, in advance of the time and its con- summation was reserved for a later period. Mr. Allen was one of the foremost in the organization of the Buffalo Historical Society, was one of its first presidents and did much towards elevating it to its pres- ent high position. He took a leading part in the formation of the Old Settler's Society, serving as its chairman. He was one of the trustees of the Buffalo Insane Asylum, a member of the Young Men's Association, the Fine Arts Academy, and of other literary, benevolent and charitable institutions. Indeed, his time, his influence and his means were at all times at the command of the necessities of any object for the advance- ment of the prosperity of Buffalo in any direction. In 1826 Mr. Allen was married to Marilla A. Pratt, a sister of his former partner, Hiram Pratt. Six children were born to them, two of whom (W. K. Allen and Henry F. Allen) are now living. The names of the four children who preceded their father to the tomb were Sarah J. Allen, Hiram Pratt Allen, Orlando Allen, Jr., and Lucy A., wife of Nel- son K. Hopkins. Mrs. Allen still lives in Buffalo. Mr. Allen was a member of the Presbyterian Church and lived a broad and charitable Christian life. He was a communicant in the First Presbyterian Church for more than forty years. In politics, Mr. Allen was formerly a conservative Whig. His first vote was given for Governor DeWitt Clinton. Later he was identified with the Republican party and was enthusiastic in his support of the Union cause during the last war. Mr. Allen died on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1874, at the age of seventy-four years, most sincerely mourned by all with whom he had come in contact. This brief sketch may be appropriately closed with an extract from an able and graphic paper written for the Buffalo Historical Society, by William C. Bryant, Esq., in April 1877, as a tribute to the memory of his friend: "Mr. Allen's mental character exhibited a rare combination of qual- ities. Eminently a man of action, he was a man of reflection as well, but not to that degree that leads men to carefully poise opposing argu- ments and forces, and then ponder, hesitate and doubt, until the golden opportunity has fled. He had a cool, practical judgment, and the faculty of seeing both sides of the question, of taking in at a glance the argu- ments to be met and the difficulties to be overcome. His course once marked out, it was followed with an inflexible tenacity of purpose to the end. He was never bigoted or narrow in his views, but while stead- fastly loyal to his own convictions, was uniformly tolerant and charitable toward the opinion of others. He never sought office and never prac- ticed any of the arts of popularity. Indeed, while not insensible to the favorable opinion of his fellow men, he preferred the approval of his own conscience to popular applause, which he knew to be capricious and evanescent. He did not readily admit his acquaintances to the inner circle of his friendship; but, once admitted, they were attached to him as by hooks of steel. No labor or sacrifice in their behalf was too great 670 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. or costly, and there was something in the royal nature of the man that led the perplexed and troubled to repose in security upon his ample strength. He possessed an innate refinement of mind, clear, acute per- ceptions, and a vigorous understanding. Without the aid of an early education, he found opportunities in his busy life for self-culture and had enriched his intellect by reading and by habits of reflection. He was never unemployed; if he had but a moment of leisure, he would seize some favorite book, and become absorbed in its perusal. He had the blessed faculty of labor, and his spirits seemed to rise and grow buoyant in proportion to the height of difficulties which rose in his pathway. He was not an egotist in the offensive sense of the term, for he rarely spoke of himself or his achievements, but he had illimitable confidence in his own powers, and his iron will and indomitable energy took no account of a possible failure when he had embarked in an enter- prise; although he could exhibit a righteous indignation when just cause arose; his temper was remarkably serene and equable. He appar- ently never lost his cheerfulness in the midst of disaster, for he never doubted his ability to conquer the most adverse circumstances. He knew how to "labor and to wait" and saw a silver edging to the darkest cloud. His memory was wonderfully retentive, and was an inexhaustible storehouse of facts and anecdote relating to the past. As a story-teller he was inimitable; and, like Abraham Lincoln, he had an apposite and happy anecdote to illustrate or enforce every proposition. His heart could never grow old and so tenderly had the passing years touched him. that, on the verge of three score years and ten, his hair was still unbleached. His step had the elastic spring of youth and his whole aspect denoted the meridian strength and glory of manhood. In the autumn of his days, his feelings had the glad freshness of the springtime. He had not grown weary of the warfare of life, nor misanthropic nor cynical. There was not the slightest morbid taint in his nature. He accepted life as the good God gave it; the sweet and the bitter, and was grateful for the happiness he could extract from it. He had imagination, too, and was easily kindled into enthusiasm, but his robust strength forbade his being lead astray by any chimera. He was an affectionate husband and father, a humble and sincere Christian and a notable, useful citizen. He was also, I may add, a man of large and active benevolence. I cannot better close this feeble tribute than by quoting the remarks by the late Rev. Dr. Lord, made at Mr. Allen's funeral:- "Orlando Allen was a man of great power and untiring activities. Under different circumstances and with better opportunities, he would have been the leader of armies, or guided the councils of the State; for he was one of those men born to command. Could any one doubt that iu God's amazing universe of spirits, that active, earnest soul would find an exalted place where its energies would be eternal?' A MONG the emigrants from the west of England in the year 1644, was Richard Haven, who came over and settled in or near the old town of Lynn, Massachusetts. His descendants, the ancestors of the sub- ject of this sketch, remained in New England, mostly in Massachusetts for several generations. The male line from Richard Haven to Solomon George Haven, is as follows: 1, Richard Haven; 2, Moses Haven; 3, Joseph Haven; 4, Josiah Haven; 5, Asa Haven, Sr.; 6, Asa Haven, Jr.; 7, Solomon G. Haven. PERSONAL SKETCHES. 671 Asa Haven, Sr., removed from Southern Vermont in 1793, to Che- nango county, N. Y. At that time Asa Haven, Jr., was apprenticed to the trade of a wheelwright in the town of Danube, Herkimer county, N. Y., whence he followed his father to Chenango county, after finishing his apprenticeship. There he gave up his trade and purchased a farm in Mount Upton. On the 18th of September, 1802, he was married to Asenath Eastwood, daughter of Daniel Eastwood, a Methodist minister of renown in Central New York. The second son and fourth child of this couple was Solomon George Haven, the subject of this sketch. He was born at Easton, Chenango county, N. Y., November 27, 1810. His early years were passed as were those of nearly all the sons of pioneers at that period; hard work on the farm, when old enough to be of service, with a few months in school during the winters, filled out the years. This life continued until the young man was seventeen years old. He then left the parental roof and began life on his own account, stipulating with his father to pay him one-half of his earnings until he arrived at his majority. He immediately entered a select school in Easton where he studied the classics for a time, under Dr. Jonathan Guernsey, sub- sequently commencing the study of medicine in his office. He soon, however, abandoned the idea of following that profession. In the winter of 1828, Mr. Haven taught a school at Mount Upton, at the close of which and in the same year he went to Geneseo and entered the law office of the late Governor John Young, as a student. During the following two winters he taught school in East Guilford, as a help for his pecuniary necessities while studying his chosen profession. In 1830 he was appointed deputy clerk of Livingston county, performing the duties of the office and at the same time continuing his law studies. He occupied the position four years, during which period, on account of the ill health of the clerk, he had most of the labor of the office to do. In 1834 he was appointed by the Governor to the office of commissioner of deeds for Livingston county. It was in January, 1835, that Mr. Haven first came to Buffalo to reside, when he entered the law office of Fillmore & Hall, where he fin- ished his professional studies; in May of that year he was admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas and was soon after made a master in chancery. He then opened an office for himself and began practice. Before the expiration of another year he was admitted as attorney and proctor in the United States District Court. On the 9th of January he was admitted as a partner with his former preceptors and became a mem- ber of the famous law firm of Fillmore, Hall & Haven. Upon the retire- ment of Mr. Hall in May, 1839, the firm was continued as Fillmore & Haven until December, 1847 when Mr. Fillmore retired to assume the duties of State comptroller. In 1848 James M. Smith became a partner with Mr. Haven, remaining with him until 1857, when he retired to 672 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. engage in banking business. Mr. Haven then formed a copartnership with William Dorsheimer who in 1861, left his profession to accept a position on the staff of General Fremont, in the war for the Union. The few remaining months of Mr. Haven's life were devoted to his profes- sion, without a partner. In 1843 Mr. Haven was appointed by the Governor to the office of district attorney of Erie county, which office he resigned after two years of faithful and competent service, to assume the duties of the office of mayor of the city of Buffalo, to which he was elected in 1845. In 1850 he was elected to represent the county of Erie in the Thirty-second Congress, and was re-elected the two succeeding terms. His congres- sional career was during a very important era in the history of the country, embracing a period when there was a partial disintegration of old party organizations and the formation of new ones, chiefly upon the question of slavery. Mr. Haven was what was termed a conservative Whig, and was in sympathy with a class of Northern men of whom Millard Fillmore'was a distinguished representative. He accordingly supported the compromise measures of 1850, which received Mr. Fill- more's approval, while he was President, as being the best method of set- tling the questions that then threatened to disturb the fraternal rela- tions of the two sections of the country. It has been truly written that Mr. Haven's congressional record is free from any taint of corruption or jobbery. "He had no taste for dab- bling in the spoils of office, and gave his attention to such legislative duties as were best calculated to advance the interests of his constitu- ents as well as the people generally. His wise counsel and practical knowledge were most potent in the committee room where, after all, the most effective work of legislation is generally done; and yet the im- press of some of his sturdy arguments in the exciting debates of the period is shown in the official records of Congress and evince the power of his eloquence as well as the plausibility of his logic and the cogency of his reasoning.' Returning from his third term in Congress with a record of which he may well have felt proud, Mr. Haven devoted himself to the practice. of his profession, retiring from public life. As a lawyer, Mr. Haven attained a very high standing. His knowledge of men and his judg ment of their natures was nearly perfect; while his sound common - sense and his indefatigable labor in the interest of his clients tended to greatly augment his success. He was not a great orator, and yet his commanding presence, expressive countenance and well chosen, forcible language, gave him a power with juries that is attained by few men. He was a master of sarcasm, ready in repartee and possessed a fund of genial humor which made him a most enjoyable social companion as well as a powerful opponent in an argument. He had very few, if any equals as a PERSONAL SKETCHES. 673 nisi prius lawyer in the circuit of Western New York, and was employed in many important civil and criminal cases in this and other States. Mr. Haven's death occurred on the 24th of December, 1861, when he was but about a month over fifty-one years old. His close application to the duties of his profession was doubtless a contributing cause of his being thus stricken down almost in the prime of his man- hood, when he was possessed of a vigorous and cultivated intellect and matured faculties. Mr. Haven occupied a conspicuous position in the affairs of Buffalo, and his untimely death caused profound sorrow throughout the entire community. Among the many tributes paid to his memory in the press, was one printed in the Buffalo Courier, in which the writer thus spoke of the character of the deceased : "He was a strictly conscientious man, and the temptations of public life were powerless to swerve him from the path of rectitude. No man ever questioned his integrity or disputed the purity of his motives. In his social relations Mr. Haven was a model man, devoted as a husband, affectionate as a father, genial as a friend, charitable to his enemies; het was a man to be loved as well as respected. Devoid of all ostentation a gentleman at heart, he had his warmest admirers in the common walks of life." At a meeting of the bar of the county, called to take suitable action upon the death of Mr. Haven, numerous touching and heartfelt tributes were paid to the memory of the deceased by his professional contem- poraries. Among the many was this from the lips of Judge Smith, his former partner:- "He brought to the study of law a great intellect, most subtle and ingenious powers of investigation, a retentive memory, and quick and active perceptions. He gathered and stored up the learning of his pro- fession in all its varied departments, and he applied his learning to actual use with unrivaled skill. In practice at the bar he rapidly rose to the first rank, but never took one step that in any way sullied his honor. Uniformly courteous and considerate, he won the respect and kind regards of all his brethren." At the same meeting the following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That in the death of the Hon. Solomon G. Haven, our profession has to mourn the loss of a learned and able counsellor and an eloquent advocate. Resolved, That while we bear this public testimony to his profes- sional standing, a just appreciation of the character of the deceased requires that we should make special commendation of the care and scrupulousness with which he performed every public and every private duty; of his probity and uprightness as a citizen; of his prudence and wisdom as a statesman and of the geniality of his temper which never failed to win the hearts of all who approached him. The political and professional contests in which he bore a part did not excite bitterness of feeling in his heart. The weapons which passion gives to some men were unknown to him. His victories were won by the influence of a sunny and gentle disposition-by the play of unfailing wit, by constant industry and varied learning-and by the force of a strong, vigorous and comprehensive intellect. 674 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Mr. Haven was married on the 2d of May, 1838, to Miss Harriet N. Scott, daughter of the late Dr. W. K. Scott, of Buffalo, a lady who was eminently fitted to adorn their home, and who still resides in this city. Four daughters were born of this union, one of whom died in infancy; the others are still living. D R. EBENEZER JOHNSON was a son of Captain Ebenezer Johnson, a soldier and sailor of the Revolution, whose life was noted for many extraordinary vicissitudes. He narrowly escaped massacre at Fort Groton, having been refused admittance to the last boat that left for the fort. He was fired at, in company with four others while retreating from New London, after it was taken by the British; his companions were all killed and he escaped with seven bullet holes in his garments. He was engaged in sixteen actions at sea, was seven times taken prisoner and was confined three months in the Jersey prison ship, where incredible hard- ships were undergone. He assisted in boarding vessels of the enemy. seven different times, many of them being desperate encounters. While in cominand of a privateer off the West Indies, he encountered an English vessel, with which a severe engagement ensued, continuing until dark- ness and high winds separated them. At daylight no enemy was to be seen and on mustering the survivors it was found that forty-seven only were alive out of a crew of one hundred and nine. He was several times wrecked, and once, after losing his ship and all his men but one, trav- eled eighty miles barefoot and almost naked under the burning sun of the West Indies, before reaching a human habitation. These events in the life of Captain Johnson, (a list of which might be greatly extended) are mentioned to show the stock from which was descended Ebenezer John- son, the prominent pioneer of Buffalo. Captain Johnson was born May 9, 1760; his wife was Deborah Lathrop, who was born December 6, 1767; the subject of this sketch was born in Connecticut on the 7th of November, 1786. Few details of his early life are now available, but he secured a good education and in early life went to Cherry Valley, N. Y., where he studied for the medical profession, under the celebrated Dr. White. Having finished his studies Dr. Johnson came to Buffalo in 1809, bearing the following letter of introduction:- ERASTUS GRANGER, ESQ., CHERRY VALLEY, August 31, 1809. DEAR SIR:- The bearer of this letter (Dr. Johnson), is in pursuit of a place in order to settle himself in his professional business. I have directed him to call on you as the most suitable person to advise him of the propriety or impropriety of his settling at Buffalo. Dr. Johnson hath been a student with Judge White before and ever since my part- nership with the Judge, and it is but doing my duty to Dr. Johnson to state that he is a young man of unblemished morals, well read in his profession, and justly entitled to the patronage of the public. I remain, with respect and esteem, your much obliged friend, HEZEKIAH L. GRANGER. PERSONAL SKETCHES. 675 It may be imagined that a young man of energy whose character and attainments were such as to call for the above letter, would soon make for himself an enviable position in the pioneer village, and such was the case. He immediately began the practice of his profession, in which he was remarkably successful, and followed it until the war of 1812, after which he devoted a large share of his attention to other busi- ness matters. He erected his first dwelling about where the North Church now stands; this was burned when the village was destroyed at the close of the year 1813. He subsequently built what was known as the Johnson cottage, on Delaware avenue, now connected with the Buffalo Female Academy. Soon after the war Dr. Johnson engaged in the drug business. He was also associated, in 1823, with Samuel Wilkeson, in building the dam across the mouth of Tonawanda creek, an enterprise connected with the construction of the canal. He subsequently engaged in banking business and developed large capacity in general business affairs. Dr. Johnson occupied the position of "surgeon's mate," as it was then called, (an office similar to that of assistant surgeon in the present army,) in the war of 1812. In 1815, he was elected Surrogate of Erie county, an office with which he was again honored in 1828, the duties of which were judiciously and ably performed. Upon the formation of the city of Buffalo, in 1832, Dr. Johnson was chosen its first Mayor, and he filled the same office a second term three years later. This was a very important office at that period, when the young city was subject to many changes, new laws were being adopted and new public work pro- jected; Dr. Johnson's administration of the office was singularly efficient and energetic. In the terrible cholera epidemic which swept over the country in 1832, Dr. Johnson was, by virtue of his position as Mayor, a member of the board of health, in connection with Lewis F. Allen and Roswell W. Haskins, with Dr. John E. Marshall as city physician. The board received from Mayor Johnson the most active support in all respects. Dr. Johnson accumulated a handsome property, and made his home on Delaware avenue one of the most conspicuous in the city. His ample grounds were enclosed by a high fence and ornamented with rare shrubbery and plants. Here deer and rabbits made their contented homes and enhanced the beauty of the sylvan scene. But reverses came to Dr. Johnson, as they did to many other prudent men, in the financial revolution of that period, and much of his fortune was swept away. He felt impelled to seek its return by accompanying his brother to Tennessee, where they owned an iron mining interest. But he was destined never to return to Buffalo, and died at Tellico Plains, Tennessee, February 8, 1849, at the age of sixty-three. Dr. Johnson was married on the 25th of January, 1811, to Miss Sallie M. Johnson, of Cherry Valley. From this marriage three children 44 676 HISTORY OF ERIE County. were born: Maria, who became Mrs. Maria Englehart, and Mary, relict of the late Rev. Dr. John C. Lord, and William H. Johnson; Mrs. Lord still resides in Buffalo. She was born in Buffalo January 6, 1812, and passed through the exciting scenes of the war of that period. When the village was burned on the 1st of January, 1813, her mother placed her, with the only large mirror in the village, on a feather bed, put the precious load in a sleigh and drove it to Williamsville. "Baby Mary,' as she was known in camp, was taken in charge by Winfield Scott and the other officers, and cared for, so that the mother might give her valuable aid to the sick and wounded. Dr. Johnson was again married on the 7th of December, 1835, to Lucy E. Lord, by her father, the Rev. John Lord, of Madison county, New York. Three children were born to them: Mrs. Cecelia Utley, of Buffalo, and Herbert Lord Johnson, of Kansas City, Mo., and Sarah Louisa Johnson, who died when a child. Dr. Johnson has been spoken of as a gentleman of pleasing address, fine, commanding presence, and one who would attract attention in any assemblage of men. He was for a quarter of a century, one of the most influential citizens of Buffalo. H' ENRY F. PENFIELD was born in the town of Penfield, on the 8th of July, 1785. His father was Daniel Penfield, once a New York merchant, who afterwards moved to Monroe county, where he secured large landed interests and formed the town of Penfield. H. F. Penfield was given the best educational advantages afforded during the period of his youth and young manhood, finishing in New York with a collegiate education. He afterwards pursued the study of the law, in which profession he was eminently successful, as far as his practice extended. He was honored with the office of district attorney of Ontario county, N. Y., for several years, from about 1829 to 1832. Mr. Penfield might, undoubtedly, have reached distinction in the political world, had his inclinations led him in that direction; but he never sought political honors, preferring a quiet and retired life. Mr. Penfield settled in Buffalo in 1836, his daughter Mary having married Dr. James P. White, of this city; but he never entered actively into business in Buffalo, otherwise than as demanded by his large real estate interests, in which he was associated to a considerable extent with his son-in-law, Dr. White. On the 28th of January, 1813, Mr. Penfield was married to Miss Harriet Lucretia Seymour, of Canandaigua. She died on the 27th of August, 1835. In 1846, Mr. Penfield was again married to Alice Brown, who still survives him, residing in Buffalo. Mr. Penfield was the father of seven children by his first wife, all of whom, with the exception of his daughter Mary, above mentioned, died in childhood or early life. PERSONAL SKETCHES. 677 E' In politics, Mr. Penfield was an "old line" Whig, afterwards affiliat- ing with the Republican party, but never took any active part in politics after his removal to Erie county. He was one of the founders of St. John's Church, in Buffalo, and a member of its vestry. He was a man of cheerful temperament, amiable disposition, who attracted to himself warm friends. Mr. Penfield died in Buffalo on the 7th of January, 1868. LBRIDGE GERRY SPAULDING, one of the honored and re- spected citizens of Buffalo, was born on the 24th of February, 1809, at Summer Hill, Cayuga county, N. Y. He is a descendant in the seventh generation from Edward Spaulding, who emigrated from Lincolnshire, England, and settled in Massachusetts, about the year 1630,—ten years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. This early pioneer to America had five sons who separated and settled in different parts of the country, chiefly in New England, some of them going to New Hampshire and others locating in Massachusetts and Connecticut. From these five original New England Yankees, the Spaulding family has increased and spread wonderfully during the last two hundred and fifty years, and its representatives are found in nearly every State and territory in the Union. The subject of our notice was born of parents in moderate circum- stances. If they were denied the luxuries of life they had its comforts and were able to give their children a good common school education. His father, Edward Spaulding, was one of the pioneers in Central New York, coming from New England, where he was united in marriage with Mehitable Goodrich. When Elbridge arrived at the age of twenty years he determined upon the legal profession as a business, and he entered the office of the late Timothy Fitch, of Messrs. Fitch & Dibble, of Batavia, as a law student. After pursuing his studies with this firm three years, he completed his course in the office of the late Hon. Har- vey Putnam, of Attica, father of the Hon. James O. Putnam, of Buffalo, and was admitted to practice in the Court of Common Pleas in Genesee county. Soon after his admission to the bar Mr. Spaulding came to Buffalo, in the year 1834, and became a clerk in the office of Messrs. Potter & Babcock, then leading attorneys of the city. In 1836 he was admitted to practice as an attorney of the Supreme Court, and in 1839 as a coun- selor of the Supreme Court and the Court of Chancery. He was soon admitted as a partner with Mr. George R. Babcock, one of his principals, and afterward he held the same relationship with Mr. Heman B. Potter, the other member of the firm, and continued with him until 1844, when the partnership was dissolved and the business was assumed by Mr. Spaulding. His practice was then very large and remunerative, indeed it would be considered a lucrative business in these times of larger fees and retainers as well as more important suits. 678 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In 1846, Mr. Spaulding prevailed upon the late Hon. John Ganson. to leave Canandaigua and settle in Buffalo, with whom he formed a co-partnership under the firm name of Spaulding & Ganson, for the practice of law, a relation that was continued four years and until Mr. Spaulding retired from the profession. In 1837, Mr. Spaulding married a daughter of the late G. B. Rich, proprietor of the Bank of Attica, and became his attorney and legal adviser. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Spaulding the bank was moved from Attica to this city and has continued under the same name to the present time. Mr. Spaulding became interested in the bank and was one of its officers, and is still a large stockholder therein. About the time of the retirement from the practice of law, Mr. Spaulding was instrumental in securing the removal of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Batavia to Buffalo. It was a bank organized under the State law and was continued as such after its establishment in this city. Mr. Spaulding became a stockholder in the institution, and was soon made its president. Upon the passage of the Federal banking law, the bank was reorganized under its provision with the name of the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank, and is still in existence with Mr. Spaulding as its president and principal owner and stockholder. Mr. Spaulding has been as successful and as prominent in official and public life as he has in business. The first office to which he was appointed was that of city clerk in 1836, two years after coming to Buffalo. In 1841, he was elected to the office of alderman, and served as chairman of the finance committee. In 1847, he was chosen mayor of Buffalo by the Whig party. During his administration several import- ant enterprises were projected largely by his influence. Among these were the organization of the Buffalo Gas Light Company, the adoption of a general sewage system for the city, and the consummation of plans for the formation of the Erie and Ohio basins for enlarging the facilities of lake and canal commerce. In 1848, he was elected to the Assembly, and served as chairman of the canal committee. In 1849, he was elected a member of the Thirty-first Congress, and served on the committee on foreign relations. In Congress he acted with the factions of the Whig and Democratic parties, that opposed the augmentation of the interests of the institution of negro slavery. He supported the policy of President Taylor for the admission of California as a free State, and opposed the Omnibus bill or the compromise measures for the adjustment of pending difficulties in 1850, and which received the approval of his fellow towns- man and party associate, President Fillmore, after the death of General Taylor. In 1853, Mr. Spaulding was elected to the office of State Treasurer of New York, and became ex-officio a member of the canal board and served during the years 1854 and 1855. During his term he advocated. PERSONAL SKETCHES. 679 and secured the adoption of plans for the enlargement and improvement of the canals, involving an expenditure of $9,000,000, which was borrowed on the credit of the State. Mr. Spaulding became prominent and influential in the politics of the State and Nation and took a leading part in the exciting events of 1854 to 1856, at which period the old Whig party disappeared and the Republican party was evolved from the free soil elements of the Whig and Democratic organizations. He opposed the repeal of the Missouri compromise, and the passage of other measures in the interest of slavery. He was for many years a member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee, and his advice and counsel were sought in the management of political affairs. In 1860 he was a member of the Congressional Execu- tive Committee in conducting the political campaign that resulted in the election of Abraham Lincoln for President. Mr. Spaulding was elected to represent Erie county in the Thirty- six Congress in 1858, and was re-elected to the Thirty-seventh Congress in 1860, and served four years on the important committee of Ways and Means. He played a conspicuous part in Congressional legislation of the eventful period during the War of the Rebellion. To provide ways and means for carrying on the war was the problem of the hour. There was no want of theories and schemes, but practical, financial knowledge was essential in the emergency. Mr. Spaulding was not only a banker but he had made the subject of finance a speciality, and had mastered the banking laws of New York in the management of his private business. He was therefore made chairman of the sub-committee of Ways and Means, and entrusted with the duty of preparing the necessary bills to meet the needs of the government. The result was the presentation and passage of the Greenback or Legal Tender Act, and the National Cur- rency Bank Bill. Both of these bills were drawn by Mr. Spaulding. These were offered and urged as war measures, and they answered the purpose admirably, and proved to be the best financial system ever con- ceived or adopted by any government. Mr. Spaulding is justly entitled to the credit of formulating these measures and of securing their adop- tion. He has been called the "Father of Greenbacks" for his connec- tion with the legislation that gave the country this, then popular cur- rency. Nearly all the subsequent legislation during the war, for obtaining loans that originated with the Ways and Means Committee, were the bills of Mr. Spaulding. Long after the close of the war Hon. Charles Sumner, the distinguished Senator, in writing to him in 1869, makes this deserved acknowledgment:- "In our early financial trials, while the war was most menacing, you held a position of great trust, giving you opportunity and knowledge. The first you used at the time most patriotically, and the second you use now, (in preparing a financial history of the war) for the instruction of the country." 680 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. The work referred to by Mr. Sumner is a "History of the Legal Tender Paper Money issued during the Great Rebellion" which was pre- pared and published by Mr. Spaulding in 1869 and is regarded as stand- ard authority upon the subject treated. It is an intelligent and exhaust- ive exposition of the question of finance and an authentic account of the financial legislation that did so much to carry the government through the terrible struggle of the civil war. Mr. Spaulding was chosen to deliver the address before the Banking Association, at the Centennial Exposition, in which he gave an able review of "one hundred years of progress in the business of banking." The address opened with the following eloquent and patriotic sen- timents:- "Invoking the continued guidance of the Supreme Ruler of the Uni- verse, who has shaped the destiny of this great country for the last hundred years, I appear here to-day with my fellow bankers to express our grateful thanks to the governments and people participating in this great International Exposition, for uniting with us to commemorate the patriotic deeds of the departed heroes of the American Revolution. We assemble here with reverence and gratitude to join this vast assembly in paying proper tribute to the heroic men who achieved American Inde- pendence. This great Centennial gathering has two objects in view; the first inspires patriotic and grateful feeling for the great work accom-- plished by the founders of our Republican form of government; the second arouses the pride which we all feel in exhibiting, in common with all other countries, the industry and skill developed in a hundred years of progress. “Ï revere and honor the patriotic fathers of 1776, for organizing the thirteen English Colonies into an independent Union for self-defence, resulting in successful resistance to the civil and military oppressions of King George the Third. On this hallowed ground, in this historic city, they declared the independence of the British Crown. After long years. of hardship, privation and blood, this Union was finally made perpetual by the formation of a Constitutional Government which went into operation in the city of New York in 1789." Mr. Spaulding was an earnest supporter of the government in its efforts to suppress the rebellion, and he was one upon whom President Lincoln leaned with implicit confidence for counsel and advice. When Secretary Chase resigned the Treasury ship to become Chief-Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Mr. Lincoln said to a well-known Buffalonian, then at the White House: "If the State of New York was not represented in the Cabinet as it is by Mr. Seward, I should at once send for Mr. Spaulding and tender him the responsible position of Sec- retary of the Treasury." The position of Mr. Spaulding as chairman of the sub-committee of Ways and Means, frequently brought him in con- tact with the President, and a close and abiding intimacy grew out of the intercourse. The name of Edward Spaulding has had a represent- ative in every generation from the worthy pioneer from England to the present time. A son of the subject of this notice has that distinction in PERSONAL SKETCHES. 681 the present generation. The family is a distinguished one in this country, and was in England. A branch of it emigrated to Maryland in the seventeenth century, and one of the descendants became a noted Catholic Bishop in Baltimore. Representatives of the family have been leading members of the professions, distinguished in science, literature and art, and in civil and military service. The subject of our sketch has done his share in maintaining the good name and proud position that the family is entitled to. His father served four years in the Revolu- tionary War, and his grandfather, Levi Spaulding, was in the memorable battle of Bunker Hill on the 17th of June, 1775. In commemoration of this event, and as a further family tribute, Mr. Spaulding has erected a granite monument (cenotaph) in Forest Lawn Cemetery. It was dedi- cated on the 17th of June, 1875, the centennial anniversary of the Bunker Hill engagement, when a large gathering of relatives as well as friends and neighbors participated in the ceremonies. Among the inscriptions on the monument are the following: " One hundred years of Progress; " "In memory of the New England Fathers who fought for Civil and Religious Liberty, American Independence, resulting in National Union." ¿ Mr. Spaulding has been prominent in promoting the development of the material, literary, scientific and charitable interests of Buffalo. His ample means, generous heart and cultivated taste have done much to build up the city, endow its institutions and add to its attractions. He is a life member of the Young Men's Association, a life member of the Buffalo Historical Society, a member of the Society of Natural Sciences, a member of the Buffalo Club, and other literary, social and charitable organizations. He is president of the International Bridge Company, and a stockholder in several of the banks of the city. In 1848, while in the Legislature, he secured the passage of a law authorizing the forma- tion of gas light companies in the State; the Buffalo Gas Light Company was the first organized under that law. Mr. Spaulding took an active part in its formation, was made a director, and has been a stockholder from the time of its organization, and has been president of the company for the last twelve years. Mr. Spaulding has taken an active interest in organizing and sustain- ing the Buffalo Street Railroads; he has done much, especially since the year 1875, toward perfecting the efficient system of the present success- ful management, and which has been largely due to the financial assist- ance given by him. He has been director of both roads for a long time and holds the positions now; his son, Mr. S. S. Spaulding, is the presi- dent of the East Side Street Railway. He fills a large place in the affairs of Buffalo, and is held in esteem by his fellow citizens of all classes without distinction of party, creed, wealth or social condition. He has gained this position by an upright business career and a life of probity worthy of emulation. 682 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Mr. Spaulding began life poor, and the princely fortune he has acquired is the result of his own unaided efforts. It was not obtained by fortunate speculation or some unexpected enhancement in values, that frequently bring speedy wealth, but in the pursuit of legitimate business and the gains that follow its prudent and attentive management. His public life is without reproach, and is not devoid of cherished honor. Beginning as Clerk of the City of Buffalo, he was successively chosen Alderman, Mayor, Assemblyman, State Treasurer, and three times to Congress. Surely, if human ambition can be appeased, Mr. Spaulding has occasion to be satisfied with the favors that fortune and friends have strewn in his pathway. He has practically retired from active business, although still nomi- nally filling the office of President of the Farmers' & Mechanics' National Bank, but its duties are largely performed by others. Much of his time in the summer is spent at his beautiful country seat, "River Lawn," on Grand Island, where he finds pleasure and restoration of wasted energies in attending to the details of the cultivation and management of his pro- ductive grounds. Mr. Spaulding is a member of the congregation of the First Presby- terian Church society, and has been for many years, but is not a com- municant, never having been what is popularly termed a professor of religion. He has been thrice married. His first wife was the daughter of the late G. B. Rich, who lived but a few years after marriage and died without issue. The second wife was Miss Strong, who bore him three chil dren, Edward R., and Samuel S., who are assistant cashiers in the bank of which Mr. Spaulding is president, and Mrs. Frank Sidway, whose husband is cashier in the same institution. Upon the death of his second wife, which occurred a quarter of a century ago, Mr. Spaulding mar- ried the widow of the late Clark Robinson, a sister of his second wife, and also of Mrs. Samuel F. Pratt, of this city. 0 N that panel of the square of granite covering the grave of Samuel Wilkeson which faces the harbor of Buffalo, is chiselled the epitaph - URBEM CONDIDIT.” "HE BUILT THE CITY BY BUILDING ITS HARBOR." The Erie canal was under construction-a water channel to connect Lake Erie with the Atlantic ocean and make New York the market of the Lake' Basin and the upper Mississippi valley. The point at which the canal should receive the waters of the lakes was of triple consequence to commerce, to rival terminal interests and State politics. The government of the State wanted the best connection; the people of Black Rock wanted the canal to enter the Niagara river somewhat below the head of that deep but rapid, revolving current. Buffalo claimed that the only possibility of a large and good harbor at the foot of the lakes was PERSONAL SKETCHES. 683 in Buffalo creek. Outside of these contestants, two active and one pas- sive, reposed the Holland Land Company, indifferent through territorial exclusion from the water front by the State's reservation of the mile-wide strip of land on the Niagara river and on the lake shore to Genesee street. Yet those foreign speculators in American land nursed in imagi- nation a New Amsterdam where Black Rock now is, and would prob- ably have built it there, had they owned the ground. As it was, they kept their hands away from every effort to make Buffalo the terminus of the canal, arguing that wherever the canal terminated, the Black Rock or Buffalo, one of their town plats behind either terminus would surely enrich them. The building of the harbor saved the Holland Land Com- pany's Buffalo town plat for its proprietors, and gave speedy sale to all their lands in the county of Erie. The company never gave a dollar to the perilous enterprise. Elsewhere in this volume is told the story of the making of this inland seaport. The writer of this paper is one of the few men living who looked on the work. As if it were only yesterday he can remember being perched on his father's shoulders as he waded across the mouth of Buffalo creek in superintendence of the crib-laying, and being startled by the bugle-tone power of the magnetic voice which gave commands to his men as he walked. It was then a ford but waist-deep to the tall man, now ships holding one hundred thousand bushels of grain, move under great sail where he caressingly carried a child. And, as it were yester- day's sight, the writer recalls the large timber trees which fringed the lake north and south of the creek, and the great elms, sycamores and black-walnuts, basswoods and oaks, which threw shadows over the silent water-way, and east of Main street became a forest on both its banks. A forest and a swamp dense with trees and all vegetable growth, extend- ing from the bend of Niagara river, around by what is now the Terrace and Exchange street--then the edge of a bluff which was once the wall of the lake; a swamp through which, south of the Mansion House, Main street had been cut and corduroyed with immense logs painful to travel; a swamp which, west of the Terrace, and north and south of Court street, was terrible to the writer, then a little child, as a black fastness alive with ser- pents, turtles and frogs, to disappear in which the family's cow was wickedly prone, and where oft she hid herself to enjoy the small tragedy of the child's wandering in search of her on the edge of the cat-tail- fringed ooze which he dared not enter. The man who turned the severe work on the harbor into a joyous battle by wading the creek and laboring among his men in the water up to his waist, doubling their effectiveness with electric words and a judg- ment unerring and quick as lightning,—that man changed the swamps into a populous and beautiful city. He built the harbor of Buffalo- "URBEM CONDIDIT." The harbor made the Buffalo creek the west- 684 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ern terminus of the Erie canal; that made Buffalo the outlet of the com- merce of the vast region commercially dependent on the great lakes. Samuel Wilkeson was of Scotch Covenanter stock and of Scotch- Irish descent. Men of the name died fighting for religious freedom at Bothwell Bridge in 1679. The first defeat of the Covenanters exiled the family to the north of Ireland. They took with them their love of battle and devotion to Protestant liberty. Six Wilkesons were killed in the siege of Derry. The soldier survivors received their distributive por- tions of land in the pale. Within less than a century the increase of the family exceeded the supporting power of its land. Emigration was the relief. John Wilkeson and his wife, Mary Robinson, came to America in 1760 and settled in Delaware. The shadow of the war of the Revolu- tion was creeping over the land, and this couple welcomed the coming struggle with the British monarchy. The war broke out. John Wilke- son hastened into the army with a lieutenant's commission and fought till peace was declared. What was left of his regiment was camped at Carlisle, Pa., where the subject of this sketch, literally a military product, was born in 1781. When the army was disbanded, John Wilkeson went with his family to Washington county, in Western Pennsylvania, and under a soldier's warrant chopped a farm out of the wilderness. His son, in his very childhood, was held face to face with the battle of life on the American timbered frontier, and had his character formed and tempered in that severest but manliest of schools. His education by teaching commenced in the nearest log school house and ended in just two weeks. Labor on his father's farm in the wilderness until he was twenty-one years old must have been performed in a heavy conflict with his sense of power, his ambitious aspirations and his marvelous imagi- nation. Soon after his father's death he married and went to Southeastern Ohio, and opened another farm for himself in another wilderness. As he was logging and burning one night at eleven o'clock, a sense of the slow- ness and distance of reward for his terrible toil stopped his work. Before he resumed it he had planned a change of employment, and was a builder of keel boats, and a merchant, and a transporter who loaded with glass, nails, bar-iron and other commodities in Pittsburg, and carried them by the Alleghany and Connewango rivers, Chautauqua lake, Lake Erie and the Niagara river to Black Rock and Buffalo; and loaded back with With him, to determine was Onondaga salt brought up Lake Ontario. to do. Soon he was master of vessels. The first of them he built with his own hands from timber trees growing on the river bank, with no other tools than an axe, a wedge, a saw, an auger and a hammer. Not an iron spike or nail was used in their construction. He varied his traffic by the inland route with voyages to points up Lake Erie. The beginning of the superb commerce of the three thousand ton vessels that PERSONAL SKETCHES. 685 now enter the harbor of Buffalo was in these open boats, and salt was their principal freight. This lake trade, however, was soon destroyed by war, the second that the British waged against the country—that of 1812. The American army under General Harrison lay at Maumee, delayed in its advance to invade Canada by the failure of a contractor to provide transportation by boats. In this emergency Wilkeson was sent for and appealed to by the Commander-in-Chief to give his army transportation. He consented. Quickly gathering a force of axemen and carpenters, he hastened to the Grand river in Northern Ohio and attacked the timber growing on its banks, sawed, hewed, rived, framed and planked, and in a wonderfully short time, completed the transports and delivered them at Maumee within the conditions of his contract as to time. His family was at Portland in Chautauqua county. The British army was in march across the Niagara river from the Canadian side. Armed with a rifle he hurried to Buffalo with the regiment to get into the expected fight to check or defeat the foe. The battle was fought north of Black Rock and near the Conjockada creek. Our militia was overmatched by Wellington's vet- erans in numbers as well as effectiveness. We were beaten. Buffalo was captured and burned. Wilkeson walked home to Chautauqua to his family with the comforting knowledge that the rifle he carried on his shoulder had been deadly to not a few of the enemy. While the war was yet in progress, in the spring of 1814, he loaded a lake boat at Port- land with the frames and covering of a store and a dwelling house, and, embarking his family, sailed to Buffalo to settle there permanently and do business as a merchant. The store was erected on the corner of Main and Niagara streets, and the dwelling on the north side of Main, south of Genesee street. Peace was proclaimed on the 14th of December, 1814. Our army passed the winter in cantonment, at what was popularly called "Sandy Town," below the bluff at the front, and between a range of high sand dunes which then bordered the lake, and the present line of the Erie canal. In the spring of 1815, Buffalo, as the nearest town naturally attracted and held a large number of the most lawless of the soldiers. As terrible in peace as in war, they instantly became a disturbing and dan- gerous social element, against which the citizens sought a summary remedy. They found it in persuading Samuel Wilkeson to accept the the then important judicial office of justice of the peace, to which they unanimously elected him. His discharge of the duties of a criminal magistrate is one of Buffalo's living traditions. He was a terror to evil doers. A natural lawyer, impetuous, utterly fearless, hating wrong and loving right, looking in an instant through men as through glass, he smote the rascals and ruffians brought before him with terrible quickness and the utmost reach of the law. The dangerous he flung into jail; the 686 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. turbulent and petit-larcenous he frightened out of town with a voice and look which few men could endure; and he had a way, too, that was per- haps extra-judicial, but was certainly effective, of discouraging young adventurers in the law from espousing the cause of scoundrels. He swept Buffalo clean of the lees of the war, and to the end of his term of office gave his court the reputation of a tribunal in which right was sure to prevail, and wrong was sure to be punished, and in which judgment was swift and final. Public opinion never reversed his judgments. In 1819 he was a leading advocate of the construction of the Erie canal. 'Twas December. The failure of the association of citizens to comply with the law which authorized the State to loan to the village of Buffalo $12,000 with which to build a harbor, on the security of a bond in double the amount, threatened the enterprise with ruin, by the loss of of the loan through a lapse of the law. The times following the war were exceedingly hard. Money was scarce. Money was scarce. Every member of the Harbor Association became discouraged, and, with the exception of Charles Townsend and Oliver Forward, refused to execute the required security. 'Twas Buffalo's crisis. Judge Wilkeson stepped to the front and, with Townsend and Forward, agreed to give the State an approved bond in the penal sum of $25,000. The harbor loan was saved. In due time a superintendent who had some reputation as a harbor-builder, was employed, and the work was begun. Mr. Townsend, who was charged with the finances of the enterprise, soon made up his mind that under this superintendent's management the money would not provide a har- bor. The obligors on the bond had a conference. The putative harbor- builder was dismissed. Neither Townsend or Forward was adapted by previous experience or habit of life to the work. Wilkeson had never seen an artificial harbor and had a valuable mercantile business which required his personal attention. But his two associates on the larger bond were determined that he, and no one else, should build that harbor, and they finally prevailed on him to abandon his business and take charge of the construction. The next morning at daylight he was on the ground. The great structure was completed in two hundred and twenty-one working days. The Canal Commissioners met in Buffalo in the summer of 1822, to decide finally where the Erie canal should terminate. The meeting was held in a small room in Benjamin Rathbun's Eagle tavern on Main street near Court. Samuel Wilkeson presented the claim of Buffalo and argued it, using a map which he had made of the lower part of the lake, the creek and Niagara river, and drawing with prodigious effect on his thorough knowledge of the action of the winds, currents and waves on all the water connected with both the proposed termini. General Peter B. Porter pleaded for Black Rock. Canal Commissioner De Witt Clin- ton, judicially summed up the case, and in the name and authority of the State, decided it in favor of Buffalo. PERSONAL SKETCHES. 687 4 The canal was completed from the Hudson river to Lake Erie on the 26th of October, 1825. It had been previously arranged that the great event should be properly celebrated. A beautiful and swift packet boat built of red cedar and named Seneca Chief lay moored at the cross- ing of Commercial street, ready to make the first passage through the entire length of the canal to tide water. A new cask, filled with water from Lake Erie, was in her store-room, to be used in a marriage ceremony to take place in the harbor of New York, by which the inland lakes and the sea should be united forever. On the morning of that day, October 26th, the citizens of Buffalo formed in procession and escorted the Canal Commissioners, DeWitt Clinton and Myron Holley, with other public men, to the "first boat" which had been expressly built for the round trip. A committee of Buffalo's foremost citizens, of which Samuel Wilkeson was chairman, embarked with Clinton on the Seneca Chief and in the bay of New York mingled the fresh waters of the inland sea with that of the Atlantic. On the return of the Seneca Chief to Buffalo, she brought a cask of sea water, which with suitable ceremonies, was mingled with the waters of Erie. Buffalo was then yet on the border, and the necessity existed for a bold and thorough man on the bench of the Common Pleas Court of Erie county, which, after the disbandment of the army, had demanded of Wilkeson to serve as justice of the peace. He was appointed First. Judge of the Erie Common Pleas in February, 1821. He had probably never held in his hand an elementary work on law. In not any technical sense was he a lawyer, but in every sense was he a judge. His instan- taneous insight, his comprehensive common sense, dignity, tolerant honesty and wise imperativeness carried him with complete credit through a three years' term. Then, in 1824, he was elected to the State Senate, and served in that body and in the Court for the Correction of Errors for six years. În 1836 he was elected mayor of Buffalo. During all this representative service, these labors for the commu- nity of which he was a part, he had prosecuted various kinds of busi- ness with sagacity and energy. He was a merchant; a forwarder on the lakes; he built a section of the Erie canal; was a warehouse-man and the owner of vessels; built the first iron foundry erected in Buffalo ; started in the town its now immense business of manufacturing steam engines, stoves and hollow ware. This was an outcome of a previous purchase of a charcoal blast furnace in Lake county, Ohio, in the manage- ment of which he established his sons, and the erection and operation afterwards of a furnace in Mahoning county, in the same State, the first in this country, to "blow in" on raw bituminous coal and smelt iron with that fuel uncoked. His interest in politics and his conscientiousness and humanity carried him earnestly into the discussion of the problems of American 688 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. slavery. The tidal wave of abolition was forming. He opposed it. He felt that if the doctrine of unconditional and immediate emancipation of the slaves should obtain, the Union of the States would be broken, the negroes in the South would be exterminated by the whites, and an armed struggle for the control of the Federal government would ensue between the North and the South. To save the Union and to save the South, he favored a system of gradual and compensated emancipation. Fearing that a system of slavery could not and would not tolerate the presence of free negroes, he advocated the colonization of the blacks on the west coast of Africa. The control of the American Colonization Society was surrendered to him. He removed to Washington, the head- quarters of the society, and for two years edited its organ, the African Repository, governed the colony of Liberia, instituted commerce with it from the ports of Baltimore and Philadelphia, gathered colonists wher- ever he could in the South and shipped them to the new Republic. But the flood that was to uproot human bondage in America and to over- whelm the slave oligarchy in a disastrous civil war, was not to be averted. Sentiment in the slave States, as well as in the free, finally rejected colonization as a remedy and it was abandoned. Judge Wilkeson was thrice married. His first wife the mother of all his children, was Jane Oram, the daughter of James Oram, a Scotch- Irish emigrant who came to this country with John Wilkeson and with him went into the Revolutionary army and fought through the war as a captain. Of their six children, Elizabeth, John, Eli, William, Louise and Samuel, the eldest and youngest John and Samuel are now living. His second wife was Sarah St. John, of Buffalo, a woman of uncommon intel- lect and character. His third wife was Mary Peters, of New Haven, Conn., eminent as an educator of girls. A simple malady, contracted at the first Chicago land sale, mistreated by many physicians, was at last transferred and confirmed into an incurable disease of one of the nobler organs. While he was yet young-for he was organized to live to be a century old—he died in July, 1848, in his sixty-seventh year, in a tav- ern in the Tennessee mountains, through which he was journeying to visit his youngest daughter. He This man was a king among men. 'Twas native to him to seize situations that required treatment, and give orders. Men obeyed him without loss of self-respect. His right to command was conceded. moved masses of men and did not excite jealousy. His knowledge of what was best to do was intuitive. He never had to come to a conclu- sion of mind by logical steps or by waiting. It is doubtful if he ever lost an opportunity. His knowledge was prodigious. His imagination was extraordinarily rich. His humor was fine. Through all his life. men considered it a privilege to hear him talk. The graphic art with words was his. The great magnetic force of the man flashed over the PERSONAL SKETCHES. 689 wires of his talk, filling, kindling and lifting his listeners. Had he esteemed himself much and been fond of applause he would have been an irresistible orator; but an audience made him bashful. He was incorruptibly honest. His scorn of what was dishonorable or mean was grand. He had a dignity that all men respected and felt was becoming. His courage was chivalric and complete. And away down in the lion heart of the man was a soft nest in which his children were held and his friends found warmth and sympathy. When a northwest gale swept down the lake and shrieked and moaned through the house, his crooning of one of Burns' ballads always shook his voice and made the tears tremble on his lids. The cannonade against Fort Sumter which opened the slaveholders' rebellion, was not heard by this veteran as he lay in his grave in Forest Lawn. Eight of his grandson's heard it and went into the Union Army, three of them under age, two seventeen years old, the other sixteen. Not one of the eight served on a general's staff, was in the department of transportation or supplies, or ever placed on detail duty. Each and all were in the line and at the front. John Wilkes Wilkeson, eldest son of John, was killed in the sudden and bloody battle of the Seven Pines, in command of Company K, of the One Hundredth N. Y. Infantry. He was shot in the front. His courage was as perfect as his integrity. He was as pure as he was brave and true, steadfast and gentle. Bayard Wilkeson, the eldest son of Samuel, was killed in the first days' fighting at Gettysburg commanding Battery G, of the Fourth United States Artil- lery, aged only nineteen years, one month and fifteen days. An infant, in the langauge of the law, he was so. thorough a soldier and so good a commander that his battery had the post of honor in the Eleventh Corps, the right of the line of march. M' ILLARD FILLMORE.-The name of the distinguished man which heads this sketch, lends an honorable fame to the city of his adoption. which renders it eminently proper that a brief sketch of his life shall appear in the pages of this work. Fortunately for us, Mr. Fillmore wrote a few years previous to his death some autobiographic notes which were left with the Buffalo Historical Society; from these we make the following extracts :- the "I am the second child and eldest son of Nathaniel Fillmore and Phoebe Millard. I was born in Locke, (now Summer Hill,) Cayuga county, N. Y., on the 7th of January, 1800. My father was a native of Bennington, Vermont, and my mother was a native of Pittsfield, Massa- chusetts. They were early settlers in what was then known as Military Tract.' About two years after my birth, my father lost all his property through a bad title to the property which he had purchased. This was a blessing in disguise as the township where he had located, being high and cold, was one of the poorest in the whole military tract, and far removed from any thoroughfare or central point of business. My father left the town and removed into what was then Sempronious, (now 690 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Niles) in the same county. Here he took a perpetual lease of a small farm of about one hundred and thirty acres, wholly uncultivated and covered with heavy timber. He built a small log house and commenced clearing the land; and it was at this place and in these pursuits that 1 first knew anything of life. 'The town of Niles, and especially that part of it, was then very sparsely settled. There were no schools except such as were improvised for the summer, and taught by a woman of very limited education. From about the age of ten or eleven, I could not be spared from the farm dur- ing the summer, and therefore, only attended school for two or three months during the winter. Consequently, I forgot nearly as much dur- ing the summer as I learned in the winter. I, however, acquired some knowledge of arithmetic and read Dwight's old geography of questions. and answers enough to have acquired some knowledge of geography, had there been any such thing as a map or atlas in school; but I never saw either until I was nineteen years of age. When I was about twelve or thirteen, some effort was made to organize a school under our pres- ent system of common schools, and after that there was some improve- ment in our teachers. One scholar had a copy of Morse's geography, which he permitted me to look at, and I devoured it with the greatest avidity. X * * "I continued thus to work upon the farm in summer till I was in my fifteenth year. But my father's misfortune in losing his land, and the scarcely less misfortune of having a hard, clayey soil for cultivation, gave him a great distaste for farming, and he was, therefore, anxious that his sons should follow some other occupation. His means did not justify him or them in aspiring to any profession, and therefore he wished them to learn trades. A man by the name of Benjamin Hungerford, living in Sparta, Livingston county, N. Y., where he had established the business of carding and cloth-dressing, came to my father and proposed to take me on trial for three months; then, if we were both suited, I was to become an apprentice to the business. I therefore went home with Mr. Hungerford. He had come with an old team to purchase dye woods and other materials for his business. His load was very heavy and the roads were bad, consequently I had to go on foot most of the way, some- thing like a hundred miles; but I endured this very well. X X * I was the youngest apprentice and soon found that I had to chop most of the wood, having very little opportunity to work in the shop; and it seemed to me that I was made to enslave myself without any cor- responding benefit. I became exceedingly sore under this servitude. One day when I had been chopping in the woods I came into the shop just before dark, tired and dissatisfied. Mr. Hungerford told me to take my axe and go up on the hill and cut some wood for the shop. I took up my axe and said (perhaps not very respectfully) that I did not come there to learn to chop, and immediately left without waiting for a reply. I went on the hill, mounted a log and began chopping. Mr. Hungerford soon followed me up and, coming near, asked me if I thought I was abused because I had to chop wood. I told him I did, that I came there for no such purpose and could learn to chop at home; and that I was not disposed to submit to it. He said that I must obey his orders. I said, Yes, if they are right, otherwise I will not; and I have submitted to this injustice long enough.' He said, 'I will chastise you for your disobedience,' and stepped towards me as I stood upon the log with my PERSONAL SKETCHES. 691 axe in my hand. I was burning with indignation and felt keenly the injustice and insult, and said to him, You will not chastise me,' and rais- ing my axe said, 'If you approach me I will split you down.' He looked at me for a minute, and I looked at him; when he turned and walked away. I am very glad that he did so, for I was in a frenzy of anger and know not what I might have done. I had dwelt in silence and solitude from what I deemed his injustice, until I had become morbidly sensitive; and his spark of insolent tyranny kindled the whole into a flame. I do not justify my threat, and sincerely regret it; but the truth must be told. The next day he asked me if I wished to go home. I told him I was ready to go or would stay the three months for which I came if I could be employed in the shop. He said I might be and so I remained until the time was up, when I shouldered my knapsack, containing bread and dried venison, and returned to my father's on foot and alone. Mr. Hun- gerford came after me the next year, but I refused to go with him. "In 1815, I commenced my apprenticeship with Zaccheus Cheney and Alvin Kellogg, who carried on the business of carding and cloth- dressing at Newhope, near my father's residence. I was not indentured, but the verbal bargain was, that I was to serve during the season of wool-carding and cloth dressing, which usually lasted from about the first of June to the middle of December, until I arrived at the age of twenty, for which I was to be taught the trade and receive $55 for each year, except the last, when the amount was to be increased. I was well pleased with my situation and all things went on smoothly and satisfactorily. I went to school some during the winters of 1816 and 1817, and worked on the farm during the spring. I had thus far had no access to books, beyond the school books which I had; but in 1817, or 1818, a small cir- culating library was established in the town and I managed to get a share which cost me $2. Then for the first time I began to read mis- cellaneous works. I read without method or object; nevertheless, I read enough to see the need of a better knowledge of the definition of words. I, therefore, bought a small dictionary and determined to seek out the meaning of every word occurring in my reading, which I did not under- stand. While attending the carding machines, I used to place the dic- tionary on the desk, by which I passed every two minutes in feeding the machines and removing the rolls, and in this way I could have a moment in which to look at a word and read its definition, and could then fix it in my memory. This I found quite successful. The winter that I was eighteen years of age, I was employed to teach a country school in the town of Scott, at the head of Skaneateles lake. This was at that time a very rough and uncultivated place where the boys, the winter before, had driven out the teacher and broken up the school. It was not long before I saw that the question who was master had got to be decided. One of the boys set my authority at defiance, evidently with the inten- tion of bringing on a fight. I ordered him up for chastisement. Imme- diately the larger boys sprang to their feet and one attempted to seize the wooden poker, but I was too quick for him, and raising it, I stamped my foot and told them to sit down, and they obeyed. I punished the guilty one without further interference, but it raised a breeze in the neighborhood. A school meeting was called which I was invited to attend and did. I then found it to have been represented that I pun- ished scholars with the poker. I stated the facts and told them that I was ready to quit the school if they desired it; but that while I remained 45 692 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. * XX X I should be master, even if I used the poker in self-defence. After some discussion they concluded that the school should go on, and I had no further trouble. After my school closed, finding nothing better to turn my hand to, I tended a saw-mill for a month or two, and then shoul- dered my knapsack and came out to Buffalo, to visit some relatives and see the country. That was in May, 1818, and Buffalo then presented a straggling appearance. It was just rising from the ashes and there were many cellars and chimneys without houses, showing that its destruction by the British had been complete. I stayed all night at a kind of an Indian tavern about six miles from Buffalo, kept by a man by the name of Lane. The next day I went through the woods alone into the town of Wales, where a couple of weeks of rest healed my blistered feet and restored my suffering muscles. I then traveled east through Geneseo with great ease, making one day forty miles. Then, for the first time I saw the rich bottom lands of the Genesee river, and the beautiful village of Canandaigua, which seemed to me an earthly paradise. I returned to my apprenticeship in June and improved every leisure moment in study- ing and reading. My attempt to teach had made me conscious of my deficiency. 1, therefore, decided to attend school if possible, the next winter, but the best school was in a different part of the town from that in which my father lived and I had no means to pay my board. Never- theless, I was determined to go to school and I effected an arrangement with a farmer by which he was to board me and when the school closed I was to work for him, chopping two days for every week's board, which I did. I then, for the first time in my life, heard a sentence parsed and had an opportunity to study geography with a map. I pursued much of my study with, and perhaps was unconsciously stimulated by the com- About this panionship of a young lady whom I afterwards married. time my father sold his farm and removed to Martville, Cayuga county, where Judge Walter Wood resided. He was a gentleman somewhat advanced in years, and reputed to be very wealthy. He had farms and tenants scattered over several counties on the old Military Tract.' The titles were often the subject of litigation, and his professional business was mostly limited to actions of ejectment. He had a good library and was a man of remarkable energy and methodical business habits; and from his example and training I derived essential benefit, especially from his scrupulous punctuality. Some persons, without my knowledge, had told my father that it was possible for me to become something more than a carder of wool and dresser of cloth, and he was induced to apply to Judge Wood to know if he would receive me into his office on trial, for a little time, before I went back to my apprenticeship, and he consented. I knew nothing of this until at the dinner table, my mother informed me of it, and the news was so sudden and unexpected, that in spite of myself I burst out crying and had to leave the table, much mortified at my weakness. Suffice it to say, I went immediately into Judge Wood's office and he handed me the first volume of Blackstone's Commentaries and said, 'Thee will please to turn thy attention to this.' I soon discov- ered that I was reading the laws of England and not of the State of New York. Not having been told that the laws of New York are founded upon the English law, I felt sadly disappointed, as my study seemed a waste of time. I, however, continued to read as directed, but received no instruction or explanation from Judge Wood. I was occasionally sent out to attend to some business in the country among the judge's C PERSONAL SKETCHES. 693 numerous tenants and, so far as I know, I discharged the duties satisfac- torily. When I was about to leave the office and return to my appren- ticeship, the judge said to me: 'If thee has any ambition for distinction, and can sacrifice everything else to success, the law is the road that leads to honor; and if thee can get rid of thy engagement to serve as an apprentice, I would advise thee to come back again and study law.' 'But,' I said, I have no means of paying my way during the long clerkship that I must serve, before I can be admitted to practice.' He said: 'I can give thee some employment attending to my business in the country, and, if necessary, I will advance thee some money and thee can repay it when thee gets into practice." "All this seemed very generous and kind, but how was I to get released from my engagement to serve as an apprentice? True, I was not bound by any legal indenture, but I had given my word, and that in my estima- tion was equal to my bond. So I saw no way in which my rising ambition could be gratified, and I returned rather dejected to my apprenticeship. In the meantime one of my employers, Mr. Cheney, had quit the business and gone to farming. During the summer I sounded Mr. Kellogg on the subject of purchasing my time; finally he consented to give up my last year if I would relinquish any claim I might have for the increased compensation which I was to receive for that year and pay him $30. I agreed to this most willingly, and was to pay him as soon as I could earn it. I was then in my twentieth year and immediately took a school for the winter, borrowing one or two law books from Judge Wood, to read mornings and evenings. When my school closed I went into his office again and continued my studies until the next winter, when I took the same school and at its close returned to my studies. During the summer of 1821, the 4th of July was celebrated in the village of Mart- ville, where I was living, and by request I delivered a short address. I am sure it had no merit, but it gave me a little notoriety in the vicinity, and a gentleman having a suit before a justice of the peace in the adjoin- ing town came and offered me $3.00 to go and pettifog for him. I got leave of absence and went; but fortunately for my untried powers, the suit was settled and I got my first fee without exposing my ignorance. Judge Wood, however, got wind of it and enquired of me about it; I frankly told him the whole truth. He said he did not approve of my attending cases before justices of the peace. He instanced several cases of the injurious effect of this. I pleaded my poverty and the necessity I was under of earning a little something when such opportunities present- ed. But he was inexorable and said I must promise not to do it again or we must separate. I became suspicious, and perhaps unjustly, that he was more anxious to keep me in a state of dependency and use me as a drudge in his business by looking after his tenants than to make a lawyer of me. But I was resolved to be a lawyer and nothing else. I, therefore, after expressing my gratitude for his favors and my regret at leaving, for it seemed to dash all my hopes, I told him with great emo- tion that I would go. We settled and I owed him $65, for which I gave him my note, afterwards paying it with interest; and this is the only aid I ever received in obtaining my profession. "My father had then become a resident of Aurora, in the county of Erie, and with four dollars in my pocket, three of which was my fee aforesaid, I started for his house, and arrived there the last of August or the first of September, 1821, hoping, like Micawber, that something 694 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. would turn up. Nevertheless, I was very much discouraged. It so happened that a relative of mine had a suit pending before a justice of the peace which was to be tried a few days after my arrival, and he requested me to attend to it, which I did and succeeded. This brought me somewhat into notice in that vicinity and I had several other cases during the winter. As the rules of court then stood, it required seven years' study in an attorney's office before I could be admitted to prac- tice, and I was, therefore, desirous of getting into some such office; but no opportunity presenting, I took a school at East Aurora for the winter and managed to attend several suits before justices on Saturdays, with- out neglecting my duties as a teacher. In the spring of 1822, I came to Buffalo, where I was an entire stranger and took a district school. This I did to enable me to pay my way, as nothing was then allowed to clerks for their services in lawyer's offices. I soon entered as a clerk in the office of Asa Rice and Joseph Clary in this city. I continued to teach and study until the spring of 1823, when the Court of Common Pleas (as a matter of grace) at the solicitation of some of the older members of the bar whose acquaintance I had made, admitted me to practice. But, not having sufficient confidence in myself to enter into competition with the older members of the bar here, I opened an office at East Au- rora, where I practiced till May, 1830, when I formed a partnership with Joseph Clary and removed to Buffalo, which has ever since been my place of residence. I was first elected to the Assembly in the fall of 1828. I was admitted attorney of the Supreme Court in 1827, and as counselor in 1829, and continued my practice up to January 1, 1848, when I relinquished my profession and entered upon my duties as comp- troller of the State of New York. I was married to Miss Abigail Pow- ers, daughter of the Rev. Lemuel Powers, and Abigail Newland, at Moravia, Cayuga county, on the 5th of February, 1826; she died at Washington, March 30, 1853. I was married again to Mrs. Caroline C. McIntosh, daughter of Charles Carmichael and Temple W. Blachly, of Morristown, New Jersey, at Albany, February 10, 1858.” Mr. Fillmore was thrice elected to the Assembly, and in the fall of 1832 was elected to Congress, when he was but thirty-two years old. Three successive terms his constituents sent him to Congress after that, when he declined a fifth nomination. The record of his public life thus far was a most honorable one, all of its duties having been discharged with ability and fidelity. The veteran statesman, John Quincy Adams, said of Mr. Fillmore in the fall of 1842: He was one of the ablest, most faithful and fairest-minded with whom it has ever been my lot to serve in public life.” In June, 1843, the Whig National Convention at Philadelphia, nomi- nated Mr. Fillmore for vice-president, to which office he was elected. On the 9th of July, 1850, General Taylor died; he was President of the United States at the time of his death, and by it Mr. Fillmore became President. He was then fifty years of age; twenty-one years before he had entered public life as member of the Assembly; twenty- seven years before, he began the practice of law in Aurora, and thirty- one years only had passed since he was a cloth-dresser's apprentice. PERSONAL SKETCHES. 695 In February, 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Presidency by the National American Convention. That party had already lost some of its power, and the Democrats carried the country. This was Mr. Fillmore's last appearance in the political field; the remainder of his life he passed in honorable retirement among his friends and associates in the city of Buffalo, where his son, now resides. Hon. E. C. Sprague, of Buffalo, is one of the eminent lawyers who studied his profession in the office of Fillmore & Haven. In a brief address made by Mr. Sprague at the farewell ceremonies in the old court house in Buffalo in 1876, Mr. Sprague said :— I cannot omit a word in memory of the gentleman with whom I studied my profession. As a statesman, Mr. Fillmore's name is known as widely as civilization itself; but to the younger men in the profession I wish to bear testimony to his great learning, his profound investiga- tions, his excellent sense and his unwearied industry as a lawyer. I have not known his superior, upon the whole, as a professional man. I wish also to express my admiration for that strict conscientiousness which I may say that I know governed the most trifling as well as the important actions of his life. Differing from him as I and many of us did in regard to his policy while President of the United States, Í have never had the slightest doubt that he was governed in all that he did by the highest sense of duty, and that he most conscientiously believed that the measures he sustained were calculated to promote the welfare of the country." E BENEZER WALDEN.--This eminent Buffalo pioneer, who enjoyed the distinction of being the first lawyer to settle in Erie county, was a native of Massachusetts, where he was born in 1777. He removed from there to Oneida county, N. Y., where he studied his profession and was admitted to the bar of the State. In 1806, he came to Buffalo bearing the following letter of introduction :- (6 BATAVIA, September 23, 1806. "DEAR SIR:-Permit me to recommend to your particular attention. Mr. Walden, the bearer of this-a young gentleman with whom I have long been acquainted-a correct scholar, liberally educated, an attorney in the Supreme Court, and a gentleman who will be quite an accession to your society at Buffalo Creek. He is a stranger in your country; any attentions paid him will be a favor done to your friend and humble D. B. BROWN. servant, "ERASTUS GRANGER, ESQ., Buffalo." Mr. Walden was a graduate of Williams College, Massachusetts, where he acquired a broad and liberal education. Upon his arrival in Buffalo he immediately began the practice of his profession, and was for many years the only licensed attorney in Western New York west of Batavia; he was one of the eight lawyers who, in 1808, constituted the entire bar in Niagara county, of which the present Erie county was a part. His colleagues in the year 1812, residing in Buffalo, were Jonas Harrison, John Root and Heman B. Potter, all of whom Judge Walden long survived. 696 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. In 1812, Judge Walden represented in the State Legislature the dis- trict comprising the present counties of Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus. During the war of 1812, Judge Walden was on the frontier and saw his own dwelling share the fate of the remainder of the village of Buffalo from the torches of the enemy. At that trying time he exhibited per- sonal bravery of a high order, aiding to save the lives of citizens and their families, and it was he who carried the lifeless body of Mrs. Love- joy, who had been massacred on her own threshold, into the house and placed it upon a bed. Judge Walden was one of a committee of investi- gation appointed to appraise losses by the war, the other members of the committee being Charles Townsend, S. Tupper, Jonas Harrison, H. B. Potter, S. Grosvenor, Joseph Landon and Ebenezer Johnson. His name also appears as one of the directors of a brickmaking company that was organized very soon after the close of the war, for the chief purpose of furnishing the necessary capital and energy to supply the people with a better building material than wood. Judge Walden was a mem- ber of the original Buffalo Harbor Company and his influence was exerted towards the final completion of that important work. In 1823, soon after the organization of Erie county, Judge Walden was appointed First Judge, which office he held and faithfully and ably discharged his duties for five years. In 1828 he was chosen one of the Presidential electors, casting his vote for John Quincy Adams. In 1838 he was chosen mayor of Buffalo, and he performed the complicated duties of that position with rare ability and honor to himself. Judge Walden was married in 1812 and had several children, one of whom still survives in the person of the widow of the late Colonel Albert J. Myers. Judge Walden died November 10, 1857, aged eighty years. This brief sketch of one of the eminent men of Buffalo may properly be closed with a quotation from the pen of William Ketchum as it appears in his "History of Buffalo and the Senecas:"- "Judge Walden was greatly respected and honored through a long and active life. Perhaps it is not too much to say that no man stood higher in the public estimation during the period of his residence in Buffalo, which extended from 1806 to a few years before his death, when he removed to his farm in the country. He accumulated a large fortune, chiefly by the enhancement of the value of the real estate he held in Buffalo, to retain which he led a life of laborious industry. XE * X "He has left a record that should satisfy the ambition of any man- that of a gentleman of learning and intelligence, a man of perfect honor and integrity, a true friend, fulfilling all the relations of life with fidelity, ever exerting a conservative influence in favor of law, religion and morality, contributing both by his example and his means to the estab- lishment and perpetuation of all the institutions which go to build up intelligent civil society, based upon the great principles of Christian morality and religion.". PERSONAL SKETCHES. 697 W WILLIAM HODGE.—On the morning of the seventh day after the village of Buffalo was laid in ashes by a relentless foe, as an appall ing event for the beginning of the new year (1814), two men whose property had been destroyed by the flames returned to the desolate scene, indomitable in spirit and full of hopefulness for the future, and began the work of rebuilding their homes. They were about the first— perhaps the very first-to return. One of these men was William Hodge, father of the subject of this sketch. His wife, who nobly shared the hardships and labors of that dark period, bore the name of Sally Abbott before her marriage, and was the daughter of a New England family, from which four brothers went into the Revolutionary war to battle for their country's freedom. The members of the Hodge family who have been identified with the growth of Buffalo since the early days referred to, came originally from Glastonbury, Conn., but removed to this locality from Richfield, Otsego county. William Hodge, Sr., father of our subject, came to Buffalo June 16, 1805, and was followed one year later by Benjamin Hodge, Sr. The father of these two pioneers had been conspicuous in the Revolutionary war, spent a portion of his life at sea, and afterwards settled at Glastonbury, where he was married to Miss Sarah Churchill. Thence he removed to the town of Richfield, Otsego county, N. Y., in 1794. William Hodge was married in the town of Exeter, N. Y., March 25, 1802, to Sally Abbott, of that place. After his marriage he taught school three years; then, with his young wife and two children, he came by wagon and flat-boat to Buffalo, arriving at Buffalo Creek June 16, 1805. With energy characteristic of the man, he began a series of inno- vations remarkable for pioneer times. Before 1812 he manufactured fanning-mills, the first in Western New York, and continued the business for twenty years. He, with his brother, Velorus Hodge, and Whipple Hawkins, started the first forge in Buffalo; this was in 1815 or 1816. He also made a loom with harness and wove the first wire screen'in Western New York, and furnished many rolling screens for grist-mills in this vicinity and Canada. He began this business as early as 1811. He opened the first tavern in this vicinity in 1807. In December, 1812, he moved into the new brick house "on the hill," the first house of the kind in the city. He also had the first nursery and the first threshing machine in Western New York. He was school trustee in his district from 1812 or 1813 to 1840, and was instrumental in establishing a school some years before the district was organized. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, lived the life of a consistent Christian and died September 18, 1848, revered by all who knew him. William Hodge, Jr., was born in the town of Exeter, Otsego county, N. Y., December 20, 1804. When he was five months old his parents came to Buffalo, moving in a wagon to Utica, and thence in an open row 698 HISTORY OF Erie CouNTY. boat. His first remembrance is of living in a double log house on farm lot No. 35, where his parents resided until he was eight years old. Dur- ing the earlier years of his life he attended school in the log house on Main street, near the present Puffer street. He also attended school in a log house on Main street, near where St. Paul street now is, and sub- sequently in a log house between Riley and Northampton streets, on the east side of Main street, on lot No. 33. After the organization of school district No. 2, (which was afterwards changed to district No. 3,) he attend- ed school where the police station No. 6, is located. The next winter he attended school under Millard Fillmore, in the same location, in a plank school house. At eighteen years of age Mr. Hodge left school, and the winter and summer thereafter performed all kinds of labor incident to pioneer times. His father had kept a tavern since the year 1807, first in a log house on lot No. 35, corner of Main and Utica streets, subsequently in a log house near Cold Springs, where a tavern still stands. About 1809 or 1810 he purchased lot No. 57, on the hill, near the corner of Utica and Main streets, and kept a tavern there until about 1830. The former owner of that land, Joseph Husten, had sown apple seeds, and from these seedling sprouts began the first nursery business in Western New York, and which was continued by Mr. Hodge's father until about 1834. The hotel and nursery gave young Hodge ample opportunities for work of different kinds and owing to the stringency of these times, his life was one of con- stant hard labor. During the hours allotted him for rest he often wan- dered over different portions of what now constitutes the city of Buffalo, with dog and gun, in pursuit of game. He frequently caught foxes and quite often killed deer on grounds now occupied by the most ele- gant residences of the city. Mr. Hodge distinctly recollects the inci- dents connected with the burning of Buffalo, on the 30th of December, 1813. On the 1st of January, 1814, his father's house was burned, with most of the household furniture. It was a brick house on lot No. 57, the first of the kind in the country. At this time Colonel Totman was killed, and Mr. Hodge remembers seeing the body after it had been carried to Harris Hill on a horse. Just one week afterwards the Hodge family returned and built an addition to a joiner's shop on the premises (which had escaped the flames) where they continued the tavern, as before stated. About the year 1826 Mr. Hodge felt inclined to do something for himself, but at the urgent request of his father, remained at home assist- ing him to liquidate a large debt that he had owed for several years; nor had the son reason ever to regret this course though he remained with his father until the year 1848, making and selling bricks. This business was begun about 1825 and in 1826 Mr. Hodge took charge of the business in part, and in the spring of 1835 took full charge of the yards. PERSONAL SKETCHES. 699 Mr. Hodge has never sought public honors or office, but has been content to devote his time and energies to the improvement and beauti- fying of the large real estate interests that have been confided to his care. He has erected many residences on Hodge Avenue, which was opened by him several years ago, most of the land for the purpose being given by him. Mr. Hodge was prominently instrumental in opening Delaware street north from North street. His work in the world was mainly of a practical nature, the benefits of which are seen by the eye, rather than heard of by the ear. During his long residence and business connection with his father, no accounts were kept between them, the most harmonious and peaceful relations constantly existing between the two. Mr. Hodge is a prominent member of the Buffalo Historical Society, of which he has been president; he is also a devoted member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, to the building of which he gave liberally; has been its trustee and still gives it and other worthy objects a liberal support. In the year 1847, Mr. Hodge was married to Arietta A. Hodge, daughter of the late Loren Hodge, brother of William Hodge, Sr., to whom three children have been born: William Churchill, Willard Way and Charles J. They are all residents and respected citizens of Buffalo. Mr. Hodge was seventy-nine years old in December, 1883, but still gives considerable personal attention to the management of his estate. WHE WILLIAM A. BIRD,* the second son of John Bird, was born at the home of his maternal grandfather, Col. Joshua Porter, in Salisbury, Connecticut, on the 23d of March, 1796. His mother was Eunice, daughter of Col. Porter, a distinguished citizen of his county and State. He commanded a regiment of the Revolutionary army in the battle of Sara- toga and at the surrender of General Burgoyne, in the year 1777. His ancestors were early emigrants to New England and their descendants became conspicuous actors in the arduous duties enacted by the ener- getic pioneers of the provinces. The father of William A., was John Bird, a graduate of Yale College, afterwards studying law at the celebrated law school of Judge Tappan Reeve, in Litchfield, Connecticut. He then settled at Troy, N. Y., in the year 1791, and became distinguished in his profession. In the years 1796 and 1797, he was a member of the State Legislature in the city of New York, and in 1798 also a member of the same body at Albany, the seat of government being removed to that city. He became a member of Congress for the Troy district in the years 1801-'02, and participated with the Federal party in the election of President between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, voting for the latter throughout the contest. He died at Troy, in 1806. His family lineage traced through his father, Seth Bird, a skilled physician and a large land-holder; John Bird, his * Prepared by Hon. Lewis F. Allen. 700 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. grandfather, a sergeant-at-law who settled in Litchfield, and his great- grandfather, Thomas Bird, settled in Hartford in the year 1642; William A., being the fifth in direct descent of the family. John Herman, the elder and only other son of John and Eunice Bird, was a midshipman on the frigate, President, under command of Commodore Rogers and was killed by a cannon ball shot from the British frigate, Belvidere, the 23d of June, 1812, only five days after the declaration of war by the United States against Great Britain, thus leaving William A., the only sur- viving child. Receiving his early boyhood education in a school at his home, he was prepared for college at the academy in Lenox, Massachusetts, and entered Yale College in the year 1813; he left college after a stay of one year, and was then employed as clerk in a commercial house in New York city. Some months later he returned to his home in Troy, and engaged in the study of mathematics, fitting him for the profession of an engineer. In 1817, he engaged in the service of the Boundary Commission to establish the line between the United States and British America, his uncle,,Gen. Peter B. Porter, being the chief Commissioner on the part of the United States. He began his labors as secretary of the Commission near St. Regis, and so continued until 1819, when he became the head of the surveying party and continued his services throughout the continuous summer until the entire survey to the waters of Lake Superior was com- pleted. The history of the boundary survey he gave in his paper read before the Historical Society of Buffalo. In 1818, he came to Black Rock, the residence of General Porter, and made it his permanent home. after his official labors ended. In 1820 he built his brick residence there, which, with brief intermissions, he occupied for fifty-eight years, until his death which occurred on the 19th of August, 1878, at eighty-one years of age. His mother, widow of Colonel Albert Pawling, of Troy, N. Y., died at her son's house in 1846, aged eighty-three years. She was a per- son of remarkable ability, character and accomplishments; from early life a member of the Presbyterian Church; a zealous doer of good works in numerous charities and organizations. In December, 1820, Mr. Bird married Joanna W., daughter of Colonel Thomas Davis, of Troy, a lady of estimable character, who died April 11, 1837, leaving her husband a life-long widower. They had four chil- dren; John Herman, the eldest, a graduate of Union College, afterwards practicing as a physician in Chicago, Ill., for several years, and dying at Sioux City, Iowa, March 3, 1871; Maria Davis, wife of the late Dr. Thomas W. Foote, many years an accomplished editor of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser; she died in June, 1876; Miss Grace E., and her brother, William A., who still survive, both residents of the city. From the date of his location in Black Rock (for many years past, incorporated from its previous village existence into an important PERSONAL SKETCHES. 701 adjunct of Buffalo city), Mr. Bird assumed by the strength of his charac- ter an important position in the development of its subsequent progress to the end of his life. He was a participator in all its public works of harbor-erection, canal commerce and other enterprises. In connection with General Porter and the late Robert McPherson, they built the first flouring-mill at Lower Black Rock, and ground the first cargoes of wheat which came down Lake Erie from the Western States. He was a large land-holder in the village, actively interested in the laying out and estab- lishing its streets and other public improvements; a confidential and friendly adviser, irrespective of their condition in life, to all those numer- ous ones who sought his counsels-in short, a universal factor for public good. Mr. Bird was in early days an earnest Clay Whig, and, though min- gling little in practical politics, he was elected several times to the office of county supervisor for the town, where his advice was largely influential in the proceedings of that body of local legislation. He was twice elected to the legislative Assembly of the State, where he held a prominent. position; a founder, with others, of one of the Buffalo & Niagara Falls railroads, of which, until merged with the New York Central, he was superintending secretary and treasurer; one of the corporators and president until his death (a period of twenty-four years) of the prosper- ous Erie County Savings Bank, and to the sound business judgment and scrupulous integrity, associated with similar qualifications in his co- laborers, the bank owes the principal foundation of its success. He was for some time a Government Inspector of Marine Navigation of the lakes; an appraiser on the part of the city of the grounds taken for the city park. In a word, too numerous to mention, are the various enter- prises in which his labors and counsels took an active part, all redound- ing to the welfare of the community in which he dwelt. As a matter of justice to his services in association with the several able and eminent pioneers among whom he labored in their various enterprises, he was equal to either of them in wisdom, execution and sound judgment, and known as a man of unsullied honor, always to be relied on and safely trusted. The influence of such a character will descend in grateful acknowledgement to future generations. The remains of William A. Bird were, together with other deceased members of his family-mother, wife and children—interred in his family lot in Forest Lawn Cemetery. L EWIS FALLEY ALLEN was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, at the home of his maternal grandfather, Captain Richard Falley, on the 1st of January, 1800, the eldest son of Samuel Allen and his wife, Ruth Falley, who were married early in the year 1799. Richard Fal- ley was partially of French Huguenot descent, his father migrating in early life from near Paris, soon after the year 1700. His wife, the mother 702 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. of Richard, was of New England birth. Richard Falley when under age, went as a soldier in the English and Colonial war against Canada, then a province of France, and in its conquest under command of the British General Wolfe and other distinguished officers of the Amer- ican forces, was taken prisoner and held for some months in Montreal, until exchanged. He was afterwards the captain of a company of local militia in Westfield, and immediately succeeding the battle of Lexington in 1775, was summoned with his company to march to Boston and join the small army called out to oppose the British forces at that point. An incident showing the incomplete organization of the Colonial militia of those days, occurred in the sickness of the "drummer" of the company, by which he was unable to march with them. This deficiency Captain Falley immediately supplied with his eldest boy Frederick, then twelve years old, who had learned the drummer's art. Thus equipped, his com- pany went forth upward of one hundred miles distant to Cambridge, and fought safely through the battle of Bunker Hill. Captain Falley was a gunsmith by trade, which being ascertained by the commander of the Colonial forces, General Washington, who arrived during the summer, he was induced to stay at Cambridge, where he became superintendent of the military armory, and so remained the greater part of the seven years' war, with occasional short visits to his family. His wife was Margaret Hitchcock, of Long Meadow, Massachu. setts, a lineal descendant of early English immigrants to that colony. She survived him several years. Of their ten children, seven sons and three daughters, Ruth, the mother of the subject of this notice, was the youn- gest daughter, born in 1775. Samuel Allen was born at Petersham, Mas- sachusetts, in the year 1777. His father was Ephraim Allen, and his wife, Mary Maynard, of Shrewsbury. The ancestors of both of them migra- ted from England in the seventeenth century, and joined the Massachu- setts colony. Samuel Allen was the youngest of eleven children, sons and daugh- ters, but not taking to the agricultural occupation of his father, went early into mercantile life, which he pursued for the most of his days, dying at the age of seventy-eight years. Ruth Falley, a devoted wife and affec- tionate mother, died in the year 1826, aged fifty-three years. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters, only three of whom, the eld- est sons, Lewis F., Anthony B., born in June, 1802, and Richard L., born in October, 1803, lived to mature years. Lewis F., left the academy at Westfield, the town of his birth, in December, 1812, where, with his younger brothers, he received the greater share of his school education, confined to the ordinary branches given to boys of their age. When nearly thirteen years old he went to the city of New York and entered the employ of a wholesale importing and jobbing dry goods house as an apprentice. PERSONAL SKETCHES. 703 During the winter of 1812-'13, the frigate United States, under com- mand of Commodore Stephen Decatur, with the British frigate Macedo- nian, which the former had taken at sea, arrived through Long Island Sound at the Wallabout navy yard at Williamsburg, now a part of the city of Brooklyn. The war of 1812-'15, then existing between the United States and Great Britain, the frigates came in by way of the Sound instead of Sandy Hook, the latter being blockaded by several British war ships. Young Allen went over, with hundreds of other boys and men of the city, to view the ships immediately after their arrival, and saw the dismantled and almost wrecked condition of the Macedonian, her felled masts and spars, blood-stained decks, etc., clearly showing the severity of the contest she had undergone with the conquering ship, while the latter, although much disabled, was less damaged. Another incident connected with the arrival of these vessels, and well remembered by the lad, was a public dinner given by the citizens of New York to Commodore Decatur and his officers, at the City Hotel on Broadway; and a few days later another similar dinner to the crew of the frigate, at the same public house. He well recollects the procession made by the crew from their landing at the then old Fly Market, near the site of the present Fulton Market. From there they moved, several hundred in number, up to Pearl street and passed by the store where Allen was employed and then present. Two doors from there Commodore Deca- tur, with several other gentlemen, stood upon the front steps of another store. Among the crew were a large number of negro sailors, from mulattoes to deeper shades of black, who marched by equally proud with the white ones who preceded them. As they were passing, one of the gentlemen asked the commodore why so many negroes appeared among his crew. Because they are just as good and brave men as the others. I could have no better ones," was Decatur's reply. (( Later in the summer the lad returned to his father's employ, who had removed from his mercantile business in New York and engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods in the State of Connecticut. Early in the year 1818, he went to the vicinity of Sandusky, Ohio, and spent three and a half years in desultory employment, with one of his uncles, who was a large land-holder in that new country. But not succeeding to his wishes, in 1821 he returned to his New England home, where he again joined his father and younger brothers in the manufacturing and mer- cantile business. Finding that this pursuit paid no adequate returns, the father and sons, in the year 1826, disposed of their property and the win- ter of 1826-27 found them all in the city of New York, where they were soon engaged in mercantile operations. In the year 1825, Lewis F. married Margaret Cleveland, who was born in Salem, Mass., in January, 1801; the daughter of William Cleve- land, then a resident of Norwich, Conn. The Cleveland families, both 704 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. of Massachusetts and Connecticut, descended from early English migra- tors into the Massachusetts colony. Several clergymen, both of the Episcopal and the Congregational faith, eminent for ability, were born of them. General Cleveland, of Connecticut, became an owner of a por- tion of the land where the city of Cleveland, Ohio, now stands, and it was named after him. The Rev. Richard F. Cleveland, a Presbyterian clergyman and a younger brother of Mrs. Allen, dying in the year 1853, was father to Governor Grover Cleveland, of the State of New York. Of the six children of Mr. Allen and his wife, two only arrived at mature age-William C., and Margaret Gertrude, wife of Daniel A. Bailey, M. D., of Buffalo. Mrs. Allen died at her home September 13, 1880. She was a lady of deeply religious nature and character, of warm heart and benevolent impulses; an active promoter of the earlier chari- ties of the city associations. Her literary attainments were excellent and she was occasionally a valued contributor to several religious and secular periodicals. Her loss was felt not only in her own family, but throughout the wide circle of her friends and acquaintances. Early in the month of April, 1827, the subject of this sketch came to Buffalo, where he was employed as secretary and financial manager of the Western Insurance Company, chartered some years previous by the Legislature of the State, the stockholders of which lived in New York city. Insurance business was small at the time, and the number of policies, both fire and marine, was quite limited. Not a rod of either pavement or sidewalk then existed in the streets of Buffalo, and the pop- ulation did not exceed three thousand; a village of cheaply constructed wooden ware-houses, stores, dwellings and mechanic's shops, with a few substantial stone and brick structures scattered among them. The Erie canal, finished late in 1825, and used as a transportation highway in the navigable season of 1826, had as yet given little impulse to the vigorous commerce which rapidly grew in future years. Within the next three years the charter of the Western Insurance Company expired. Aided by a few leading business men of the village, Mr. Allen obtained a char- ter from the State Legislature, for "The Buffalo Fire and Marine Insur- ance Company," with a capital of $100,000, secured by bond and mort- gage on real estate, by the stockholders. He was elected its secretary, in which office he continued until late in 1833, when he resigned the position. During his retention of those offices, destructive fires occurred on Main street at different times, in which most of the wooden stores between the Terrace and Seneca, and between Seneca and Swan streets; also nearly the entire block of wooden stores on the Kremlin Block from Niagara to Eagle streets, comprising the most important mercantile houses of the city, were burned, but soon re-built with substantial brick structures, most of which, with large additions, still remain. Real estate was then low in value; few sales were made; the village was poor in PERSONAL SKETCHES. 705 • : money; not a bank of established capital existed, although the business men were of decided ability, energy and enterprise, who surmounted all obstacles, and many of them laid foundations for substantial fortunes in the future. Mr. Allen, although with very limited financial means and opportunities aside from his insurance employment, soon applied himself to a few land operations and purchases. Some historical notes may here be cited As an example of values in the years 1827, '28 and '29, he pur- chased an outer lot of five acres, a short distance above Chippewa, extending from Main to Delaware streets, from a New York owner, for $750, on a part of which Calvary Church now stands, and the whole of it covered with substantial buildings. He also purchased a five-acre block of vacant ground from the State of New York, lying on Virginia street, opposite the present Protestant Orphan Asylum, for $150. Many blocks adjoining were also bought by other Buffalo parties, from the State at the same time, at about like prices, the sales being made at Albany, by public auction. In 1829, he bought the farm lot of twenty- nine acres, extending from Main street to the "State Reservation line" of Black Rock, through which Allen street now runs, for $2,500. In the same year the late Hon. Albert H. Tracy offered him a lot of five acres, which he then owned on the west side of Delaware, a short way above Chippewa street, and through which Tracy street now runs, for $500, but not at the time possessing that small amount with which to purchase, the offer was declined. Any quantity of land lying in different parts of the village plat, could then have been bought at like comparative prices. In the same or succeeding year, in connection with Colonel Ira A. Blossom, the local agent of the Holland Land Company, they leased from Joseph Ellicott, of Batavia, the entire block of vacant ground bounded by Main, Swan, Washington and South Division streets, for the term of sixty-three years, at an annual rent of $700 per annum for the first twenty-one; and $850 for the second twenty-one, and $1,000 per annum for the third term of twenty-one years. On the Main street front they immediately built fourteen substantial three-story brick stores, which were immediately occupied at respective rents, averaging about $250 each, and now renting for more than $2,000 each. They also built several wooden dwellings on the Swan street front, and rented them at proportional yearly rates. In the year 1830 on 1831, they bought of the late Louis LeCouteulx, a large block of vacant ground, bounded by the Erie canal, Commercial and Water streets, for $30,000, and built on the Commercial and Water street corner, four large four-story brick stores still standing. All these properties were severally sold some years after- ward, at large advances above their original costs. In the year 1828, Colonel Blossom bought the small block of ground bounded by Franklin and Swan streets, and the Terrace, on which St. Stephen's Hall now stands, for $100, and immediately built a good 706 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. wooden dwelling on it, which he occupied many years as a family resi- dence. He died about the year 1858, at the age of sixty-nine years, an honorable, honest man, highly respected and deeply lamented by all who knew him, in the several financial and civil offices which he discharged in the city. He was a native of the State of Maine. Down to the years 1831-32 it was almost impossible to borrow money on the security of real estate in Buffalo. No men in the place had money to so invest, and capitalists at the East had little confidence in loans of the kind. The first loan of this character, of any considerable amount, was made by Messrs. Blossom & Allen, in 1830, from the late Wilfred Parkins, an ex-sheriff of the city of London, England, for $20,000, at seven per cent. annual interest, on the block of stores erected on their lease from Mr. Ellicott-a wonderful event for the time. It was repaid at the lapse of a few subsequent years. About the year 1831, Mr. Allen was appointed financial agent of the New York Life Insurance and Trust Company, established in that city, which authorized him to make loans of their capital stock by bond and mortgage, on real estate in Erie and adjoining counties, on an appraisal of half the value of the premises, irrespective of buildings and improve- ments, at seven per cent. interest, payable semi-annually. In pursuance of this appointment he made loans to about $200,000 in the village, (then become a city) and another $100,000 on various improved farms outside in Erie county and a few in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties; all of which were afterwards paid, without a dollar of loss on either one of them. Those loans continued to be made down to the year 1835-'36, about which time speculations in real estate had become so rife all over the country, that it was considered hazardous to continue them. The Branch Bank of the United States was established in Buffalo in 1829, which brought into the village a large amount of ready capital and that, with the creation of another local bank of $100,000 capital, soon gave an im- petus to business enterprises and industry largely beyond the limited means controlled by the citizens, and stimulated a growth of the city unequaled in earlier days. The above narrated items, to which might be added numerous others in real estate by other persons, insignificant as they may appear in comparison with the enormously larger transactions of recent times, show in striking contrast the progress of Buffalo from a small and poor village of 3,000 population in 1827, to a city of 200,000 in 1884. In the autumn of 1833 and succeeding winter, Mr. Allen, in associa- tion with a few gentlemen of Boston, Mass., made a purchase of about 16,000 acres of forested land on Grand Island, in Niagara river, at a cost averaging about six dollars an acre, a more particular notice of which is The development of that property, given in the history of that town. chiefly under his superintendence, led his mind towards agricultural pur- PERSONAL SKETCHES. 707 suits, in which he soon took a decided and permanent interest. As the Grand Island lands were some years after their purchase sold into sepa- rate farms for cultivation. he reserved to himself an eligible tract of sev. eral hundred acres at its head, nearest Buffalo, which he cleared from its forest growth and still retains in cultivation. Early in the years 1835-'36 Mr. Allen, associated with many leading business men of Buffalo city, believing that the annexation of the lands and manufacturing privileges of the adjoining village of Black Rock (now a substantial part of the city) would be advantageous to its growth and development, purchased the extensive real estate of Gen. Peter B. Porter and several other land-holders there. He soon afterwards became a resident on Niagara street and with the late William A. Bird, for some years and until the stockholders in the purchase severally divided their interests, were the managers of the estate, and actively engaged in the various improvements of water power, streets, bridges, etc., which have since stimulated its commercial and manufacturing occupations to their present successful condition. As early as the year 1834, Mr. Ailen intro- duced several breeds of improved farm stock of various kinds, and culti- vated them with much assiduity for many years. He was elected pres- ident of the New York State Agricultural Society in 1848, which held its annual exhibition for that year in Buffalo, and long afterwards, as in previous years, continued an active co-operator in its proceedings. He compiled and edited two or three valuable books on the history and improvement of cattle and farm management, and contributed during several years many papers to the agricultural and political journals of the State. To the development of short-horn cattle, more valuable in their combined excellencies than any other breed now disseminated throughout all the grazing States of the Union, aggregating several thousand in number and many millions of dollars in value, he paid decided attention. In the year 1846, he began the registration of their pedigrees in the American Short-Horn Herd Book, a work of the highest importance to their breeders, and continued it through twenty-four vol- umes, to the year 1883, recording the pedigrees of about 125,000 animals. in its pages-a labor exacting and responsible, reasonably compensated. by the more than two thousand enterprising propagators of them. In cultivating the taste for forest trees, pomology and horticulture in the city and vicinity, Mr. Allen and his zealous co-workers were highly influential, and it is owing to their associations and practical efforts at an early day, that the city owes the grateful embellishments with which its. long ranges of shade trees overshadow the principal streets, as well as the choice fruits so abundant in the spacious grounds of many of the cit- izens and the profuse floral ornamentation of their lawns and gardens. In his politics Mr. Allen was an original Whig, and a pronounced Republican from the foundation of that party, and although not an aspir- 708 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ant for office, firmly upheld the general policy of his party. In the more active days of his life he was on terms of social intimacy with many lead- ing statesmen and politicians of the country. He was chairman of the first Republican Convention in the county of Erie, then numbering but a few volunteers from the declining "Whig," "American," (" Know-Noth- ing") and "Democratic" organizations of their day, and in which the Republicans of the county numbered less than a thousand votes in the next election, but at the succeeding one they carried the county by a large majority. Elected to the State Legislature for the year 1838, he took an active interest in the enlargement of the Erie canal, then in its early course of prosecution. He was one of the originators and founders of the Buffalo Historical Society, of which he continued for several years an efficient officer. He was also one of the founders of the Buffalo City Cemetery Association (Forest Lawn) in the development and success of which, with his spirited and able associates, he has continued a zealous worker. In various other private and public interests of the city, he has been an active promoter. Now, at eighty-three years of age, still vigorous in mind and active in body, he can look back upon a long life of general usefulness and good to the community. Mr. Allen is blessed with that great factor of success in life—a large stock of sound, practical common sense; his mind clear and vigorous, a broad range of reading and study, excellent judgment upon the policy of public and private affairs, and a remarkable capacity to clearly express himself upon any topic and thus to influence men to his way of thinking, have enabled him to surmount many difficulties and obstacles that would have caused a weaker man's failure. Although at times somewhat brusque in manner, to his friends and those who are closely associated with him, he is warm-hearted, generous, hospitable and loyal to the last degree. His life has been guided by the strictest principles of integrity and honor and whatever success he has attained in any direction, has come from legitimate, reputable effort. BRIEF PERSONALS. AMHERST. Ayers Albert D., p o Williamsville, farmer, born in Amherst, in 1836; wife, Geraldine Youngs, born in Amherst in 1834, married in 1865; children three-Ho- bart C., Jennie S., and Coleman. Mrs. Ayers was daughter of Jasper B. and Jane Ann Youngs of Amherst. Parents of Mr. Ayers, Philetus and Margaret (Frink) Ayers, the former born in Connecticut in 1806, came to Erie county in 1834, married in 1834, died in 1879; children three-- Albert D., Emma R., and Sarah. Ayer Austin, po Williamsville, farmer, born in Erie county May 11, 1811; wife Ann Frink, born in Connecticut, October 16, 1810, married in 1833, died in Febru- ary, 1836; children one-Orlando, born in 1836 Orlando, born in 1836; second wife Lucy Frink, of Connecticut, born March 16, 1808, married in 1839; children one-Susan, born Nov. 18, 1840. Orlando F., married Laura F. Beach, of Erie county, born in 1845, married in 1865; children three-Florence C., Harland and Lucy F. Ayer Charles C., p o Williamsville, farmer and fruit-grower, born in Windham county, Mass., in 1814, came to Erie county in 1825, has held the office of asses- sor and several other town offices; wife Emeline Knapp, born in Wayne county, in 1824, married in 1846; children six-Alice, Jerome, Franklin, Julia, William and James E. Bigelow Harry Foster, p o Williamsville, farmer and horticulturalist, born in Brandon, Vt., Sept. 16, 1811, came to Erie county, July 6, 1821, has been a teacher of languages, an assistant of Dr. Chester Dewey, in Buffalo, in 1836; wife Mary L. Staples, born in Newfield, Me., June 24, 1830, married Dec. 2, 1862; children five- Henry, born Nov. 20, 1864, Nathaniel, Nov. 2, 1866, Olive, Apr. 24, 1869, Laura, Apr. 16, 1871, and Schuyler, Aug. 6, 1873. Parents Henry and Lucy (Barnes) Bigelow, former born in Conway, Mass., in 1781, married Oct. 4, 1810, died March 13, 1859; the latter born in Brandon, Vt., Nov. 1, 1790, still living aged 93; children three-one son and two daughters. Brick Adam, p o Pendleton, farmer, carpenter and builder, born in Bavaria, Ger- many, in 1839, came to Erie county, in 1865; wife Helena Koon, born at Boonville, Oneida county, in 1845, married in 1866; children seven-Hattie M., Caroline L., Ida C., Anna M., Jennie S., Catharine M. and Charles Adam Brick. Parents Henry and Catharine (Bachman) Brick of Bavaria. They came to Lewis county in 1852 the former died in 1860 and the latter in 1852; children five-two living, Adam and Barbara, the latter now in the new home at Amherst. Parents of Mrs. Brick, An- thony and Catharine M. Koon, born in Baden, Germany, came to Oneida county, and then to Erie county in 1867, settled at Davenport, Iowa, in 1873. Bruner Valentine, p o Eggertsville, general farmer, 218 acres, born in France in 1827, came to Erie county in 1831, has held the office of poormaster; wife Mary H., born in Germany in 1828, married in 1848, died in 1858; children two-John and Joseph; second wife Mary Coon, born in Erie county in 1838, married in 1859; children nine-five sons and four daughters. Parents Valentine and Orcut (Fixorie) Bruner, born in France, the former in 1803, and died in 1873, the latter born in 1802, came to Erie county in 1831; children three-two living, Valentine and Mary. John Bruner died in May, 1882, leaving wife, Mrs. Anna Bruner, and three children. 46 710 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Bucher Joseph L., p o Getzville, ticket and station agent for N. Y. C. R. R., coal dealer, farmer and hotel, born in Switzerland in 1837, came to Erie county in 1853, has held the office of town poor master and constable; wife Catharine Matler, born in Erie county in 1846, married in 1866; children nine-six sons and three daughters. Parents Jacob and Mary Ann Bucher of Switzerland, came to Erie county in 1853, the former died in 1873, aged 69, the latter died in 1881, aged 79, and left three children-Joseph L., Elizabeth and John. Busch Frederick, p o Erie county almshouse, a graduate of Speyer College on the Rhine, born at Tussgoenheim in 1843, came to Erie county in 1861, was super- visor of Ninth ward in 1876-77; wife Caroline Layer, born in Erie county in 1848, married in 1866; children two-Frederick C., and George A. Busch. Parents Carl and Barbara Busch. Bush Ira M., p o Martinsville, general farmer, stock grower and canal supplies, was assessor in 1881; wife, Sarah Sawyer, born in Massachusetts in 1823, married in 1844; children nine, five living-Albert W., George, Adaline, Josephine, and Emma. Albert married Catharine Hartel and Josephine married John Beber; Adaline married Christopher Ackerman. Father John G., born in Vermont in 1800, came to Erie county in 1812, was active during the war of 1812, and performed acts of kindness in various ways; he died in 1854; wife born in Herkimer county in 1810, died in 1879 aged 69; children eight. Grandfather, Eli Bush, born in Vermont and came to Erie county in 1812, settled with his family in the forest during the war of 1812. Bush Stephen, po Martinsville, farmer born at Amherst in 1832, wife Martha Dixon of Niagara county, born in 1840, married in 1861, children eleven-seven sons and four daughters. Parents John G. and Mary Pickard Bush; he was born in Ver- mont in 1800 and came to Erie county in 1812, and died in 1854; wife born in Her- kimer county in 1810, and died in 1879; children eight-four sons and four daughters. The grandfather, Eli Bush, born in Vermont, came to Erie county Dec. 14, 1812; was very active during the war of 1812. Parents of Mrs. Bush, James and Orilla Dixon. Burgasser George, po Williamsville, farmer, born in Alsace, France, in 1825, came to Erie county, in 1833; wife Anna Leau born in 1830, married in 1850; children ten-Mary, John, Josephine, George, Lany, Henry A., Caroline, Margaret, Eliza- beth and Rosa Barbara. Parents Christian and Mary (Guyler) Burgasser; he was born in France, came to Erie county in 1833, and died in 1856; wife died in 1864. Parents of Mrs. Burgasser, Jacob and Mary Leau. Campbell Henry B., p o Williamsville, retired farmer, born in Pennsylvania in 1818, came to Erie county, in 1822; wife Sophia Metz, born in Amherst in 1830, married in 1866. Parents Matthew and Catharine (Boyer) Campbell, he was born in 1779, came to Erie county in 1822 and died aged 84; she died in 1868; children ten -five living. Parents of Mrs. Campbell, John and Elizabeth (Martin) Metz. Cretsenger George, p o Amherst, farmer and stock dealer, born at Amherst in 1848; wife Mary Kumier, born at Amherst in 1856, married in 1874; children- three sons. Parents George and Dorothy, (Russell) Cretsenger; the former born at Wirtemburg in 1805, and died in 1865; the latter born at Alsace 1805; children seven-four sons and three daughters. Dodge J. Wayne, p o Williamsville, miller and farmer, born in Buffalo, Nov. II, 1812, has held the office of supervisor in Lancaster; wife Charlotte Hull, born in Erie county and died July 1864; children five-Leonard, Henry W., Alvan, Alma and Mattie E.; second wife Maria A. Stickler born at Clarence in 1865; children one- John Arthur Dodge. Alvan was a physician and surgeon in the navy during the late war, he now resides in Kansas. Parents Alvan and Mary Blout Dodge; he was born in Colchester, Conn., in 1782, came to Erie county in Feb. 1810, and held many town and county offices during his life; he died in 1846; wife born in Herkimer county in 1784 and died in 1868; children six-two sons and four daughters. BRIEF PERSONALS. 711 Dodge Henry W., p o Williamsville, miller, born in Erie county in 1850; wife Mary E. Richardson born in Erie county, and married in 1874; children two-Char- lotte and Harriet. Parents of wife, Thomas B. and Harriet M. (Caswell) Richardson, of Erie county. Ernst Charles, po Williamsville, farmer, acres 112, born in Mecklenburg, in 1828, came to Erie county in 1853; wife Sophia Lupmann, born at Germany in 1829, married in 1853; children three-Charles, Mary and John. Parents Charles and Catharine Ernst of Germany, came to Erie county in 1853. Fiegel John B., p o Swormville, farmer and assessor, born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1844, came to Erie county in 1846, has been supervisor, collector, president of the farmers' county insurance company and assessor; wife Caroline Heine born at Amherst in 1847, married in 1870; children seven-four sons and three daughters. Parents George and Mary (Stall) Fiegel; he was born in Germany in 1808, wife born in Germany in 1814, married in 1841, came to Erie county in 1846; children seven-Joseph, Michael, Jacob, John and George, Mary Catharine and Lany. Wife's parents John and Anna R. Heine. Fogelsonger Wendell, p o Williamsville, farmer and lime manufacturer, born in Amherst in 1810; wife Catharine Reid, born in Pennsylvania in 1811, married in 1831; children twelve, eight living-Fanny, Catharine, Jane, David, Betsey, Susie, Henry and Emmanuel. Parents John and Maria Fogelsonger; former born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, in 1770, was a prominent office-holder in the county and an active business man, died in 1858; wife died in 1821; six children, one living -Wendell H. Frick John, p o Snyder, farmer and grocer, born in Pennsylvania in 1805, came to Erie county in 1810, has been justice of the peace, he died February 5, 1860; wife Susan Schenck, born in Dauphin county Penn., in 1809, married in 1830. Father, Christian Frick of Pennsylvania, came to Erie county in 1810. Parents of Mrs. Frick, Catharine Elibaeger and Michael Schenck of Pennsylvania, came to Erie county in 1821, he born in 1772, and died in 1844, she born in 1772, and died in 1861; children eleven-three living, Mrs. Susan Frick, Veronica Snyder and Jacob Schenck. Fries Peter, of Williamsville, farmer and stock dealer, born in Tonawanda, Erie county, in 1834; wife Catharine Knoche, born in 1838 at Tonawanda, married in 1859; children six-William M., Louisa, Caroline, Henry, William J., and Clara. Parents Peter and Magdalena, (Pierson) Fries, both born in France, and came to Erie county at an early date. Parents of Mrs. Fries, Phillip and Catharine Knoche, of Tonawanda, Erie county. Graf Jacob, of Wendlesville, retired farmer, born in Germany in 1817, came to Niagara county in 1839, purchased a farm in Erie county in 1843, and settled thereon in 1860; wife Mary Wagner, born in Pennsylvania in 1821, married in 1842; chil- dren eleven—eight now living, five daughters and three sons; Elizabeth, born Nov. 1843, Henry, 1846, Anna 1848, Charlotte 1849, George S., 1854, Maria 1856, Jacob 1862, and Catharine 1864. Parents John and Charlotte (Dorst) Graf; he died in Germany, and she came to Niagara county, in 1839, and died in 1852. Grover C. C., p o Williamsville, retired lime manufacturer, born in Williamsville, Erie county in 1829, has been supervisor and county superintendent; wife Harriet Driesbach, born in Erie county in 1832, married in 1853; children three-William D., LaFayette L., and Edward B. Parents John and Betsey (Carr) Grover, he born in Pennsylvania, came to Erie county in 1812, held several town offices, and died in 1852, she born in 1790, and died in 1863. Hershey Isaac, of Williamsville, retired farmer, born in Canada in 1807, and came to Erie county in 1812; wife Anna Driesbach, born in Pennsylvania in 1806, married in 1842, and died in 1872; children two-Franklin P., and Mary M. Parents, Peter and Mary (Kauffman) Hershey, both born in Lancaster county, Penn., came to Erie county to live in 1812, he was a physician and surgeon, died in 1819; 712 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. children eleven, two now living-Isaac and Susan Hershey; Franklin P., married Miss Jane, of Erie county in 1870; children two-Florence and Millie. Hofmeister Christoph, p o Williamsville, farmer and stock_grower, born in Wirtemburg, Germany, in 1831, came to Erie county in 1854; wife Beina Henpermen, of Germany, she died in 1872; children two-Catharine and William; second wife Caroline Smith, born in Germany, married in 1874, and died August 29, 1882; chil- dren three-Beina, Flora and Peter. Parents Christopher and Rebecca Hofmeister, of Germany. Hopkins Timothy A., p o Williamsville, retired gentleman and farmer, born in Amherst, Erie county, in 1806; he has been Captain and Colonel of the old militia, Sheriff, Supervisor and Member of the Legislature; wife Hannah Williams, born in Oneida county April 19, 1810, married Feb. 5. 1831, and died April 9, 1856; second wife, Elvina Sawtell, born in Erie county, July 24, 1833, married August 15, 1866, died Nov. 30, 1870; children one-third wife, Elizabeth N. Oswold, born in Erie Parents county, Dec. 1, 1845, married in 1873; children-one daughter, Florence. Timothy S., and Nancy Ann (Kerr) Hopkins, he born in Great Barrington, Mass in 1776, settled in Amherst, in 1804, held several town offices, and died Jan. 23, 1853; wife born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, married April 28, 1805, and died April 2, 1848; children seven-five sons and two daughters. Hoover George W., p o Swormville, farmer and agent for agricultural imple- ments, born in Amherst, Erie county, in January, 1826; wife Jane Nelson, born in New Jersey, in 1833, married in 1852, and died in March, 1868; children five— Frank, Emily, Nelson, Elsworth and Elda; second wife, Ellen Fetterman, born in Niagara county, in 1845, married in 1869; children two-Minnie and Charles. Parents Henry S. and Permelia (Taylor) Hoover, he born in Yates county, in 1805, and came to Erie county, in 1825, she born in New Jersey, in 1807, married in 1824, and died in 1880; children four-William H., Maria, G. W., and John. Grand- parents John and Barbara Hoover, born in Pennsylvania, and settled in Niagara county in 1830. Hershey Isaac, p o Williamsville. Klingenschmitt Andrew, p o Wendlesville, farmer and stock grower, born in Germany, in 1827, came to Erie county in 1850, settled in Niagara county in 1837; wife Dorothy Wittenbager, born in Germany, in 1830, married in 1858; children eleven-six sons and five daughters. Parents Henry A., and Elizabeth Boyer, he born in Germany in 1800, she in 1806, married in 1826; children nine-six living, three sons and three daughters. Parents of Mrs. Klingenschmitt, John and Caroline Wittenbager. Leffler Joseph, p o Swormville, farmer, born in Amherst, Erie county, in 1835, he was drafted and furnished a substitute; wife Theresa Wittnauer, born at Amherst in 1843, married April 10, 1862; children ten-six sons and four daughters. Parents Joseph and Caroline (Booman) Leffler, of Germany, came to Erie county in 1830, he died in 1874, aged sixty-six, she born in 1806. Lutes John, po Williamsville, born in Petersburg, Penn., in March, 1816; wife Elizabeth Colvin, born in Black Rock, Erie county in 1829, married in 1853; children six-one son and five daughters, Ella A., born in 1853, Mary L., in 1855, Eva E., in 1856, Fanny F., in 1857, John A., in 1859, and Emma L., in 1861. Parents Abraham and Eva Lutes, she born in Pennsylvania in 1797, and died in 1821; children one- John; his second wife, Catharine Wyland, born in Lancaster, Penn., in 1808, married in 1824, and died in 1853, he died in 1876. Parents of Mrs. Lutes, Hanan and Mary (Moyer) Colvin, he born in Providence, R. I., in 1805, came to Erie county in 1823, and died in 1876, she born in Pennsylvania in 1809, married in 1829, and died in 1882; children eight-one son enlisted in the New York Cavalry, was taken prisoner, and died in prison. Long Christian, p o Williamsville, retired farmer, born in Lancaster, Penn., June 17, 1795, came to Erie county in 1808; wife Margaret Hoil, born in Pennsylvania, BRIEF PERSONALS. 713 Feb. 23, 1800, married in 1822, and died May 12, 1878; children nine-four sons and five daughters. Parents John and Mary (Hershey) Long, both of Pennsylvania, came to Canada in 1804, and to Erie county in 1808, settled on a farm in Williams- ville, of five hundred and sixty-seven acres, of which Christian now owns a home- stead of sixty-two acres. The former born in 1756, and died March 4, 1838, the latter born in 1763, and died in 1856; children nine-four sons and five daughters, two living, Joseph Long, son of Christian, and Margaret Young, born at Williams- ville in 1823, married to Susan Ream, August 17, 1845; children eight-five sons and three daughters; four now living. Long David N., po Williamsville, florist and horticulturist, born in Amherst, Erie county in 1857; wife Mary A. Landis, born in Pennsylvania in 1854, married in 1880. Parents David and Mary (Miller) Long, he born in Erie county in 1818, and died March 31, 1883, she born in Dauphin county, Pa., in 1818, came to Erie county in 1823, married in 1840; children eleven-Henry M., Esther S, Mary E., John D., Elias A., Daniel B., Susan C., Annie M., David N., Benjamin G., Eli H., all live in Erie county, the last two physicians in Buffalo. Parents of Mrs. Long, Benjamin and Mary Landis, of Pennsylvania. The Long Nursery of Williamsville, town of Amherst, is one of the most prominent features of the growth of Erie county, it was started over forty years ago by David Long, Sr. It has forty-two acres under cultivation, containing the choicest fruit and ornamental trees, making specialties of evergreens, which he has in large quantities. David N. Long, purchased the nursery from his father in 1880. Long John D., p o Williamsville, lime, cement and lumber mills, agent for the Smith estate, born in Erie county in 1847; wife Sarah Miller, born in Erie county in 1846, married in 1874. Parents David and Mary (Miller) Long, he born Dec. 19, 1819, was an extensive horticulturist, died March, 1883, she born in Pennsylvania in 1820, married in 1841; children eleven-seven sons and four daughters. Grand- parents were born in Pennsylvania and came Erie county in 1808. Magoffin John M., p o Snyder, retired farmer, born in Adams county, Pa., in 1811, came to Erie county in 1823; wife Olive Green, of Hancock, Mass., born in 1817, married in 1840; children eight-six living, Albert, Mary, Hattie, Emma, John M., and Alma. Parents John and Catharine (Cossett) Magoffin, he born in Ireland in 1773, came from Pennsylvania in 1823, and died in 1838, she born in Pennsylvania in 1779, and died in 1861; children seven-six now living. Meyer John, p o Wendelsville, farmer, born in Germany in 1814, came to Erie county in 1852; wife Maria Dolg, born in Germany in 1818, married in 1852; chil- dren two-John, born 1855, and Charles H., born in 1858. Michael Phillip, p o Eggertsville, general farmer, born in Amherst, Erie county in 1843; wife Elizabeth Wolf, of Amherst, born in 1846, married in 1866; children five-two sons and three daughters. Parents Christian and Louis (Schever) Michael, he born in Germany in 1813, and died in 1868, she born in Erie county in 1815, and died in 1863. Miller Emmanuel D., p o Buffalo Plains, farmer, born in Amherst in 1824; wife Henrietta E. Butterfield, born in Genesee county July, 1831, married July 19, 1853. Parents Lewis D., and Catharine (Blocher) Miller, the former born in Pennsylvania, and died in 1827; the latter born at Gettysburgh in 1788, came to Erie county in 1810, and married for second husband John Peters; children nine. Metz Abram, p o Williamsville, retired farmer, born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1811, came to Erie county in 1829; wife Mary Halter, born in Erie county July 20, 1820, married in 1840, and died Nov. 27, 1882; children two-Levy W., born in 1841, and Edward L., born in 1842. Levy married Sophia Moyer, she born in Amherst in 1836, married in 1861; children four. Parents John and Elizabeth (Martin) Metz, both of Lancaster, Pa. The family are descendants of William Penn. Metz Christian C., p o Williamsville, retired farmer, born in Cayuga county in 1827, came to Erie county in 1829, held office in the town of Clarence as one of 714 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. the board to furnish recruits, funds, etc.; wife Esther N. Sneavly, born in Clarence in 1830, married in 1854, and died in 1876; children three-Ella, Kate L., and Cora Ada. Parents John and Elizabeth (Martin) Metz, of Pennsylvania, came to Cayuga county in 1826, to Erie county in 1829, where they died. Parents of Mrs. Metz, David and Catharine (Brewer) Sneavly. Metz Jacob, po Williamsville, farmer, born in Onondaga county in 1825, came to Erie county in 1829; wife Matilda A. Greene, born at Amherst in 1835, married in 1855; children four-Mary M., Clara L., Annetta L., and Myron J. Parents of Mr. Metz, John and Elizabeth Metz, came to Erie county in 1829. Parents of Mrs. Metz, Alanson and Eliza (Ayer) Greene, he born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1804, she born in Amherst in 1802, and died in 1866. Peters George, po Buffalo Plains, farmer, born in Erie county in 1834; wife Eliza- beth Hoil, born in Erie county in 1837, married in 1856; children two-Ella, born in 1859, and Frank G., born in 1863. Parents John and Catharine (Blocher) Miller Peters; father born in Pennsylvania, came to Erie county in 1804; his wife, Cath- arine Blocher, was the widow of Lewis D. Miller, she was born at Gettysburg in 1788, and died in 1865; children sixteen; the father died in 1865. Parents of Mrs. Peters, John and Fanny Reid, of Pennsylvania. Randall William H., p o Williamsville, born in Connecticut, August 11, 1818, came to Erie county in 1858, graduated at Madison College in 1850, became the pastor of the Williamsville Baptist Church, was captain in the Seventy-eighth regiment in 1861, was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, received his honorable discharge in 1864, and returned to his church as pastor; he died in Florida, March, 1874; wife Helen Hutchinson, born in Erie county in 1820, married in 1865. Parents of Mrs. Randall, John and Harriet M. (Martin) Hutchinson, the former born in Lebanon, Connecticut, in 1792, held many town offices and was a man of sterling character; wife born in 1793, came to Erie county in 1815, married in 1818, children two-Helen and John Hutchinson. Reist Daniel, p o Williamsville, general miller and grain dealer, born in Amherst in 1836; wife Sobrina Long, born at Amherst in 1836, married in 1859; children six -three sons and three daughters. Parents of Mr. Reist, John and Annie (Frick) Reist of Pennsylvania. Parents of Mrs. Reist, Christian and Margaret (Hoil) Long of Amherst. Rinewalt Adam L., p o Williamsville, publisher of the Amherst Bee, born in Amherst in 1849. Parents Adam and Mary (Lehn) Rinewalt; he born in West Chester, Penn- sylvania, in 1810, was collector of town, deputy sheriff and held many other offices; she born in Lancaster county Pennsylvania, in 1820, and married in 1840. Grand- parents Henry and Elizabeth (Frick) Rinewalt, he born in 1790, came to Erie county in 1808, and died in 1876; she born in 1797, still living. Root Miranda, p o Pendleton, Niagara county, retired farmer and lumber dealer, born in Oneida county February 2, 1808, came to Erie county in 1832,has been super- visor and deputy superintendent of the canal; wife Maria Woolver, born at Amherst in 1814, married in 1843. Parents Elias and Margaret (Rockwell) Root, natives of Coventry, Conn.; he died in Genesee county in 1854, she died in Oneida county. Miranda purchased one hundred and forty-two acres from the Holland Land Com- pany, taken from the New York Land Company in 1850. Scholls Andreas, p o Wendelsville, general farmer, born in Bavaria in 1824, came to Niagara county in 1848, and Erie county in 1852; wife Anna M. Steiner, born in Bavaria in 1831, married in 1852; children seven--Jacob, Phillip, John, Mary, Elizabeth, Amelia and Sarah. Mary married Mr. Martin Wendel in 1879. Elizabeth married Mr. Louis Arnes in 1878. Parents Phillip and Anna Maria Scholls, of Bavaria, came to Niagara county in 1848. Parents of Mrs. Scholls Peter and Anna M. Steiner, of Bavaria. Schenck Jacob, p o Snyder, farmer, born in Dauphin county, Pa., in 1811, came to Erie county in 1821; wife Mira J. Bachelder, born at Concord, New Hampshire in BRIEF PERSONALS. 715 1837, came to Erie county in 1855, married in 1855; children six-three sons and three daughters. Parents Michael and Catharine (Elibaerger) Schenck, he born in 1772, and died in 1844, she born in 1772, married in 1792. Parents of Mrs. Schenck, Peter and Almira (Beger) Batchelder. Michael Schenck emigrated from Pennsylvania in August, 1821, with his family in two large covered wagons, drawn by four horses, came by way of Pittsburgh, over the mountain to Erie, thence to a point then called Comstock's, eight miles from Buffalo, where he was compelled to place eight horses to one wagon, in order to get to Buffalo, on account of bad roads, he settled in Amherst, and purchased one-half section of land at fifteen dollars per acre, near Snyder post- office, then heavy timber land. Schoelles John, po Wendelsville, general farmer and stock grower, born in Bavaria in 1829, came to Erie county in 1844, was supervisor and one of the direc- tors of the insurance company, also a highway commissioner; wife Loisa Kassing, born in Prussia in 1834, married in 1858; children eight-Mary, Elizabeth, Adam, Margaret, Catharine, Loisa, Jacob P., and Anna E. Parents Jacob and Mary A. (Beckman) Schoelles, he born in Bavaria, Jan. 3, 1805, came to Erie county in 1844, and died in 1846, she born in Bavaria, Oct. 15, 1803. Seitz John, p o Williamsville, manufacturer of boots and shoes, born in Erie county in 1854; wife Frances Pfohl, born at Amherst in 1857, married in 1880; children one. Parents Joseph and Magdalena Seitz, both born in France, and came to Erie county in 1848. Sheesley David, p o Williamsville. farmer, stock and grain grower, born in Pennsylvania, August 20, 1803, settled in Erie county in 1824; wife Paulina Teach- out, born in Franklin county, Vermont in 1821, married in 1844; children three- Eliza A., Levy D. and Mary E., they have two grandchildren, Lilla D. Sheesley and Ada M. Parents Christian and Catharine Deitz, of Pennsylvania, he came to Erie county in 1824, and died May 16, 1840, she died in Pennsylvania in 1816; children. thirteen-six living. Mrs. Sheesley's parents were Jacob and Mary (Mower) Teach- out, of Vermont; they came to Erie county in 1835, he died in 1848, aged 80, she died in 1860, aged eighty years; they left twelve children, five now living. Shisler Jacób, p o Williamsville, farmer, cattle feeder and dealer, born in Amherst, Erie county, in 1839; wife Esther S. Long, born in Williamsville, Erie county, in 1844, married in 1864; children eight, five living-Sarah E., born in 1869, Emma, 1871, Christian B., 1874, Laura A., 1877, and Fannie E., 1879. Parents Isaac and Anna (Beau) Shisler, of Lancaster, Pa., came to Erie county in 1825, she died in 1872; children six, only one living. Snyder Jacob W., p o Snyder, farmer, born in Amherst, Erie county, Dec. 22, 1831; wife Fanny Long, born in Amherst, Erie county, Jan. 22, 1831, married in 1854; children two-Benjamin, born in 1855, and John W., in 1864. Parents Abraham and Veronica Snyder, he born in Pennsylvania in 1797, went to Pennsylvania in 1832 on a visit, and is supposed to have been murdered, as no trace of him could be found; wife born in Pennsylvania in 1795. Mrs. Snyder's parents were Christian and Marga- ret (Hoil) Long. Snyder Louis, p o Williamsville, retired farmer and blacksmith, born in Alsace, France, in 1813, came to Erie county in 1832, was captain of the old company in 1837 and served in Patriot war three months; wife Mary A. Sand, born in France in 1814, married in 1836, and died in 1850; children four; second wife Magdalena Hense, born in France, married in 1851; children seven-three sons and four daughters. Par- ents Jacob and Catharine Snyder, came from France to Amherst in 1832, he died in 1867, aged fifty-five, she died in 1851. Snyder Michael, p o Snyder, auctioneer, merchant, postmaster and cider manu- facturer, born in Pennsylvania in 1821, came to Erie county in 1825, was supervisor, justice of the peace and highway commissioner; wife Catharine Halter, born in Buffalo in 1830, married in 1852; children eight. Parents Abraham and Veronica (Schenck) Snyder, of Dauphin county, Penn; children six. Parents of Mrs. Snyder born in Pennsylvania, came to Erie county in 1808, he died in 1860 and she in 1854. 716 HISTORY OF Erie COUNTY. Snyder P. J., p o Williamsville, milling, flour, feed and grain dealer, born in Amherst in 1838; wife Magdalena Baumgardner, born at Amherst in 1842, married. in 1860; children nine-two sons and seven daughters. Parents Louis and Mary Snyder; he born at Alsace, in 1814, is a general blacksmith. and was captain of the militia company for many years; wife born in 1 many years; wife born in 1818, and died in 1848; children four— three sons and one daughter; second wife Magdalena Zentz, born in Germany, came to Erie county in 1833, married in 1855; children seven-three sons and four daughters. Staley Isaac, p o Williamsville, capitalist and farmer, born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1801, and died in 1852; wife Elizabeth Reid, born in Pennsylvania, married in 1846; children-one son; he married Susie Getty, of Frie county, in 1872; chil- dren three-Edward W., Ella A., and Roy Sherman. Parents Christian and Mar- garet Staley, of Pennsylvania. Parents of Mrs. Staley, John and Fannie (Landes) Reid of Pennsylvania; they came to Erie county in 1823. Trull Dr. Hiram P., p o Williamsville, physician and surgeon, born in Sheldon, Wyoming county, April 21, 1842; was graduated from the Buffalo Medical Univer- sity in 1868, came to Erie county in 1868; wife Emma L. Tyler, born in Attica, married in October, 1870. Parents David W., and Esther A. Trull. Wagner John W., p o Williamsville, farmer and stock grower, born in Prussia, June 3, 1827; wife Helen Starks, born in Erie county in 1833, married in 1853 ; children twelve, ten living-Barbara, Charles, Charlotte, Catharine, Edward, Lucy, Emily, Helen, John J., and Carrie. Parents Peter and Barbara Wagner, of Prussia. Wehrle D., p o Williamsville, manufacturer, farmer, furniture dealer and under- taker, born in Baden, Germany, in 1824, came to Erie county in 1848, settled in Will- iamsville in 1850, and in 1854 commenced manufacturing furniture, in 1882 he erected a brick factory and sales-room, has held the office of town collector and supervisor; wife Margaret Daniels, born in France in 1833, married April 29, 1851; children three, one now living. Witmer Tobias, p o Williamsville, surveyor and farmer, born in Niagara county in 1816, came to Erie county November 16, 1837, held the office of assessor, was a teacher and an army officer in the Rebellion; wife Anna Frick, born in Amherst, May, 1819, married November 16, 1837; children fourteen, five sons and nine daughters. Parents Abraham and Barbara (Habecker) Witmer, of Lancaster, Penn., came to Niagara county in 1811, he died in 1851, aged eighty, and she in 1859, aged seventy-six. Parents of Mrs. Witmer, Christian and Elizabeth Frick, he born in Pennsylvania in 1794, she born in 1796 and came to Erie county in 1804. Wolgast Charles F., p o Wendelsville, farmer and blacksmith, born in Prussia in 1821, came to Erie county in 1853, was assessor for six years; wife Amelia Meyer, born at Prussia in 1828, married in 1853; children four-Louis, Charles, John and Paulina. Parents Charles and Elisha H. Wolgast, of Prussia, came to Erie county in 1854, he died in 1861 and she in 1872; children one. Parents of Mrs. Wolgast, Fred and Wilhelmina Meyer. Wolf George, Sr., p o Getzville, retired farmer, born in Germany in 1817, came to Erie county in 1832; wife Loisa Fries, born in France in 1824, married in 1843; children six, five living-Louisa, George G., Jacob, Catharine and Henry. Parents Adam and Catherine (Krebs) Wolf, of Germany, the former was a farmer, born in 1778 and died in 1857, the latter born in 1782 and died in 1862; children five, four now living. Parents of Mrs. Wolf, Jacob and Catharine (Fisher) Fries, of France. Wolf George G., p o Getzville, general milling, flour and feed, born at Amherst, Erie county, in 1851; wife Barbara Workely, of Amherst, married in 1881; children two-Isaac and Clara. Parents George and Loisa (Fries) Wolf, of Amherst. ents of Mrs. Wolf, Adam and Richy (Clink) Workely. Par- Wolf Jacob, p o Getzville, miller and farmer, born in Amherst in 1840, was assessor for seven years; wife Catharine Muck, born at Amherst in 1842, married in BRIEF PERSONALS. 717 *1863; children seven, four sons and three daughters. Parents Jacob and Margaret (Lanfer) Wolf, he born in Strasburg in 1815, came to Erie county in 1832, and died September 12, 1875, she born in France in 1817, married in 1838; children ten, three sons and seven daughters. G. G. and J. Wolf purchased the Star mills and are now doing a large custom business. Wolf Jacob, p o Getzville, farmer, born at Amherst in 1853; wife Sarah Kluda, born at Amherst in 1859, married in 1881; children one-Cyrus G. Parents George and Loisa (Fries) Wolf, of Amherst. Youngs James F., p o Williamsville, farmer and interested in the quick-lime company, born at Amherst in 1817; wife Minerva A. Wilson, born in Otsego county in 1831, married in 1850; children seven, six living-Alice, Carrie L., Mary F., Bertha, James F., Jr., and Florence L. Parents James and Phebe (Saxton) Youngs, he born in Connecticut in 1777, and died in 1861, she born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1777, married in 1803, came to Erie county in 1807, and died in 1849. Parents of Mrs. Youngs, Stephen and Miranda Wilson, he born in Albany county in 1804, came to Erie county in 1836, and died in 1875, she born at Amenia, Duchess county, in 1804. Youngs Jasper B., p o Williamsville, farmer and interested in the Buffalo Lime Company, born at Lancaster, Erie county, June 26, 1811, was Member of Assembly, supervisor, and held other town offices; wife Jane Ann Eveline Abbe, born in Water- town, Jefferson county, in 1811, married in 1835; children five-Jane A., Geraldine Ayer, Jasper S., Laura C. Baxter and Frank H. Parents James S. and Phebe (Saxton) Youngs, he born at Stamford, Conn., in 1777, she born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1779, married in 1802, came to Erie county in 1806; children eight. Mrs. Youngs was the daughter of Simeon Abbe, of Massachusetts. ALDEN. Bennett Julius, p o Alden, carpenter and joiner, born in Erie county in 1831, was assessor for three terms, owns 95 acres; wife Josephine E. Casey, born in Alden in 1843, married in 1865; children two-one living. Boyer Elijah, p o Mill Grove, farmer, born in Erie county in 1821; owns 93 acres; wife Mary Gallop, born in 1823, married in 1841; children ten-seven living. Mr. Boyer's father came to Erie county in 1809. Cook B., p o Alden, retired from business, born in Vermont in 1797, came to Erie county in 1828; wife Lydia A. Beal, born in Wayne county in 1805, married in 1825, and died in 1854-children seven. Connor Patrick, p o West Alden. Cook John H., p o Alden, farmer, born in Germany in 1844, came to Erie. county in 1850, owns 75 acres; wife Mary A. Goodman, born in Erie county in 1855, married in 1874; children one-Hatty M. Edson John. p o Crittenden, farmer, one hundred and ninety-two acres, born in Genesee county in 1815, came to Erie county 1850; wife Isabel Looney, born in Alden in 1848, married in 1867; children one. Eiss Samuel, p o Alden, farmer, one hundred and seven acres, born in Ham- ilton county, N. Y., in 1850, came to Erie county in 1853; wife Helen Lanenger, born at Lancaster in 1856, married in 1876; children two-Martha O., and Henry W. Ellers Claude, p o West Alden. Ewell H. D., p o Alden, farmer, two hundred acres, born at Alden in 1835; wife Jennie M. Patterson, born in Wyoming county in 1844, married in 1866; children one-Mr. Ewell's father came to Alden in 1828. 718 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Gysen Rev. Girard H., pastor of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, born in Holland in 1849, and came to Erie county in 1876. Kidder Foster B., p o Town Line. Munn Ira J.,p o Alden, farmer, has three hundred and fifty acres, born in Oneida county in 1827, came to Erie county in 1832; wife Sarah Campbell, born in Oneida county in 1830, married in 1852; children one-Fred Munn. Patterson George T., p o Alden, farmer two hundred and ten acres, born in Wyoming county in 1836, came to Erie county in 1870; is supervisor and com- missioner; wife Irene Nichols, born in Wyoming county in 1826, married in 1867, children two-Emogene and John. Robinson Almira, p o West Alden, retired, born in Washington county in 1811, came to Erie county in 1837, was married to William Robinson, who died March 22, 1873, leaving one daughter, Mary E., now the wife of Theodore Ross. St. John L., p o West Alden, farmer, one hundred and forty-six acres, born in Alden in 1834, was assessor and commissioner of excise; wife Helen Barnum, born in Wyoming county in 1838, married in 1859; children six. Mr. St. John's father came to Erie county in 1818. Stone Spencer, p o Alden, in the employ of the N. Y., L. & W. Railroad, born in Genesee county in 1822, came to Erie county in 1840; was supervisor for seven years; wife Sarah P. Lord, born in Genesee county in 1828, married in 1848, children two-Georgiana and James. Thomas J. N., p o Alden Centre, farmer, owns seventy-two acres, born in Lan- caster in 1822, holds the office of assessor; wife Caroline Fidelia Courser, born in Monroe county, married in 1852, died in 1867; second wife Rosa Bouer, born in Buffalo in 1838, married in 1869, children six. Webster Mary C., p o Town Line, farmer, born in Alden in 1838, was married to John Webster in 1862, he died in March, 1880, leaving eleven children. Willis James, p o Town Line, farmer, merchant and builder, born in Erie county in 1844; wife Lovina C. Emsley, born in Canada in 1847, married in 1868; children. five-Mary F., Closey E., Wallace, Jay and Winfield. Zoeller F. W., p o Mill Grove, farmer, eighty-one acres, born in Prussia in 1826, came to Erie county in 1856, was commissioner four years and is present assessor; wife Pauline Roeher, born in Prussia in 1833, married in 1853; children two-Bertha and Clara. AURORA. Adams Ira S., p o East Aurora, farmer, 350 acres, born in Aurora in 1823; wife Louise Rosenkrauz, born in Germany, married in 1864; children five-Charles, Florence L., William, James Ira and Benjamin Franklin. Parents, Enos and Martha (Richardson) Adams, the former born in Brookfield, Mass., came to Erie county, in 1806, with his father and mother, Joel and Lydia Adams. Joel Adams with John Allen, a cousin, and a Mr. Haskell, came to Aurora in 1804 and settled on land then owned by the Holland Company, Mr. Adams taking 240 acres of lot No. 4. They gathered material and erected a log house and soon returned to Vermont where they resided a short time, then came back with his family and settled in Aurora, the grand son Ira owned some two-thirds of the original land purchased. Enos brought up a family of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. Addington Charles S., p o Willink, farmer, born in Aurora, in 1856, has been town collector and agent for farm machines, and fertilizers; wife Grace A. Hall, daughter of Isaac and Maria Hall of Erie county, married in 1880; one child-Hattie G. Parents Isaac and Aurelia (Gates) Addington, the former born in Oneida county, the latter in BRIEF PERSONALS. 719 Putney, Vt., in 1815, married in 1833; the former was town assessor and held several other offices and died in 1870 leaving two sons and one daughter, Chas. S., Henry I., and Almeda E. Allen Jabez, M. D., p o East Aurora, druggist, born in Dorset, Bennington county, Vt., in 1808, came to county in 1832; wife Millicent L. Johnson, of Aurora, married in 1833; children two--Loren J. and Orange F. Dr. J. Allen was a graduate of Castleton Medical College, Vermont, in 1833. Parents, Obadiah and Phebe (Tay- lor,) Allen of Vermont, the former died in Aurora in 1873. Bennett William N., p o Willink, retired merchant and farmer for twenty years, born in Cayuga county in 1808, came to Erie county in 1819, remained there three years, then returned to Cayuga county and came back to Erie county in 1831, was supervisor in 1859 and '60 and poormaster several years; wife Mary A. Maples, born in Yates county, 1834; children two--Charles J., and Mary Elizabeth; Charles mar- ried Elizabeth Lapham, of Yates county, in 1858, died in 1874; children two-Frank and Mary L. Parents Charles and Betsey (Merrow) Bennett. Mary A. was daughter of Josiah and Esther (Hedges) Maples, the former born at New London, Conn., in 1762, settled in Erie county in 1825, and died in Chautauqua county in 1846. They had ten children-four now living, David, Sophia, (now wife of Rev. Smith Hulse) Mary A. and Judge Charles J. Maples of Maryville, Josiah was a Revolutionary soldier and a descendant of the Puritans. Boies Charles, po West Falls, farmer and stock grower, 362 acres, born in Aurora, July, 1830, held the office of assessor in 1883; wife Lucina Henshaw, daughter of Andrew and Percil (Spaulding) Henshaw, born in Aurora in 1843, mar- ried in 1863; children three-Herbert born in 1864, Homer born in 1866, and Emmet born in 1877. Parents Wilder and Diana (Little) Boies, natives of Oneida county, he came to Erie county in 1812, and returned with his family and settled in Aurora on a part of same farm now owned by Charles and his brother Joel, and died in 1850, aged 58 years, his wife died in 1846, aged 53, leaving six children, four now living-Joel, Charles, Adelia and Jane. Bragg George S., p o South Wales, general farmer and stock grower, born in Washington county in 1806, settled in county in 1837, held the office of Deputy Marshall and Assessor for twelve years, and School Commissioner of Wales, under the old law, and Chairman of Committee; wife Anna Taber, born in Washington county, N. Y., in 1809, married in 1830; children two-George and Mary. Parents John and Jane (Southwick) Bragg, came to county with five children in 1837. Mary mar- ried Amos Underhill, George married Hattie Knight, of Erie county in 1869; chil- dren four-George enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth N. Y. Cavalry in 1862, and remained until the close of the war, was appointed by the government as special detective at Washington. Brookins Joseph R., p o Griffins Mills, merchant, postmaster and farmer, born in Aurora in 1835; wife Maryette Brown, daughter of Colonel Brown, of Aurora, born 1836, married 1857; children three-Albern J., Grace and Ellen. Parents James and Jane (Rich) Brookins, natives of Rensselaer county, came to Erie county in 1823, died in 1862; wife died in 1860, leaving two sons--Josiah R., and Erastus. James Brookins came to Erie county on horseback in 1823, traded the horse with Deacon Enos for seven acres of land and a small log house and tannery, and immediately obtained an article from the Holland Company for 260 acres, which has long been known as the Brookins farm, recently purchased by Messrs. Jewetts, and now called the Jewett farm. Josiah R. Brookins located at Griffins Mills in 1881, and com- menced the general mercantile business in connection with farming. Darby James G., p o West Falls, general farmer, born in Aurora in 1827, held the office of justice of peace in 1883; wife Miranda L. LeClaer, born in Boston, 1836, married 1855, daughter of Hiram and Bethisah Frances LeClair, the former of Sar- atoga county, the latter of Vermont, who came to Erie county in 1818. Parents Jedediah and Maria (Holmes) Darby, the former of Connecticut, born in 1790, came } 720 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. to county in 1816, married in 1824, died in 1866, the latter of Canada born in 1805 and is now living; children four--two sons and two daughters, James, Frederick, Ruth and Martha J. Darrow Edward S., p o Willink, farmer, born in Plainfield, Otsego county, N. Y., 1811, came to county in 1825; wife Maria L. Dusenbury, born in 1816, mar- ried Dec. 5, 1834; children three. Parents Elijah and Anna Darrow, the latter died in 1875, aged 93; children nine-three now living, two sons and one daughter. Emery Josiah Jr., p o South Wales, deputy sheriff, general farmer and stock grower, 200 acres, born in Aurora in 1819, has been justice of peace eight years, assessor three years and deputy sheriff four terms; wife Elizabeth Kellogg, born in 1829, married in 1847; children three-Edward K., born in 1851, Albert J., in 1856, and Asher B., in 1867. Parents Alexander and Mary (Ingersoll) Kellogg who came to county from Connecticut in 1840. Josiah Emery, Jr., was a son of Col. Josiah Emery and Abigail Cutler, the former born in Dunbarton, N. H., July 1, 1783, the latter Oct. 14th, 1780, married in 1809, came to Leroy, N. Y., in 1811 and to Aurora in 1812, settled on his farm and enlisted in army and was appointed lieuten- ant, served through the war and was promoted colonel of State militia and died in county; six children survive, five sons and one daughter; Josiah Jr., owns and resides on the old homestead. Gail Wm. H., M. D., p o East Aurora, physician and surgeon, born in Wales, Erie county, in 1840; wife Julia Wallace, daughter of William, married in 1866; children. three--Florence M., Clarence W. and William W. Dr. Gail enlisted as a private in the Eighteenth N. Y., and was promoted to medical cadet and returned and grad- uated in Buffalo in 1864, went back to army as assistant surgeon and remained until the close of the war and settled in Aurora in 1866. Parents Rufus and Maria (Storms) Gail, grandfather Rev. Samuel Gail, was a Methodist clergyman, settled in county with family at a very early date, was an efficient man in his calling and died in 1868, leaving four sons. Haynes Pliny A., p o Griffin's Mills, farmer, born in Aurora, March 2, 1819, was highway commissioner ten years, assessor six years, supervisor two terms and held in Rutland several other town and district offices; wife Mary Train, born 1818, county, Vt., married Sept. 18, 1842; children seven--three sons and four daughters. Parents Moses and Sophia Paul, natives of Rutland county, Vt., the former born in 1790, died in 1846, the latter born in 1793, married in 1810, died in 1869; children five--two living, Pliny A., and Anna P. Henshaw H. L., p o West Falls, assessor and farmer, born in Aurora, Erie county, 1839, held office of assessor two years and now serving by appointment; wife Abigail Holmes. Parents Allen and Elizabeth, married 1864, came to Erie county in 1840, children four. Parents Joseph and Polly (Wheeler) Henshaw, natives of Cay- uga county, married 1816, former died 1869, aged 83, latter born in 1800, came to Erie county in 1812. Moore Gilford J., p o Willink, farmer, stock grower and oil producer, born in East Hamburg in 1831; wife Sarah Baker, born in East Hamburg in 1834, married in 1856; children two--Ellen and Susan, the former died in 1864, the latter married F. Dunham of Buffalo. Sarah (Baker) Moore died in 1856; parents Stephen and Mercy Baker. Parents Reuben and Sarah (Ferris) Moore, natives of Otisco county, came to Erie county in 1808; second wife, Augusta Lovel, of Erie county, married in 1871, grandfather, Obadiah Moore, who with three sons served in the war of 1812 and drew land warrants. Moore Henry F., p o Griffin's Mills, farmer and stock grower, born in New Hampshire in 1826, settled in county in 1833; wife Eliza Baker, of Aurora, married in 1852, died in 1875; second wife Delia Hosford, born in Vermont, married in 1877. Parents Henry and Charlotte (Spaulding) Moore, natives of New Hampshire, came to county in 1833, settled on farm now owned by Henry, Jr., died in 1880, aged seventy-nine years; wife survives, aged eighty; children four-Henry G., Jeremiah, Sarah J., and Charlotte E. BRIEF PERSONALS. 721 Paul James W., p o Griffin's Mills, farmer, born in Aurora in 1820; wife Rachel Webster, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Webster, natives of Pennsyl- vania, born in East Hamburg in 1826, married in 1846; children three-Cordelia, Arthur and Ida. Parents David and Alvira (Mahuren) Paul, the former born in Ver- mont in 1798, died in 1880, the latter born in 1801, died in 1879; chilren four— Rheuel, Lorance, Sophia and James W. Richardson H. W., p o East Aurora, cheese manufacturer, born in county in 1840; wife Almeda S. Wheeler, born in 1846, married in 1866; children three- Ella M., Addie A., and Harris E. Riley General Aaron, p o East Aurora, farmer 300 acres, born in 1806, settled in county in 1820, has been trustee for Aurora Academy; wife Angelet Rice, born in 1810, married in 1830; children four-Mary A., Sophia, Anna M., and Ella S. Stiles James W., p o Willink, farmer, born in Aurora in 1832; wife Cordelia E. Fish, daughter of Anson T. and Sally (Smith) Fish, born in East Hamburg in 1838, married in 1858; children three--Lillian, Lawrence G., and Fannie. Parents Daniel and Harriet M. (Wolcott) Stiles, the former of Duchess' county, came to Erie county in 1800, died in 1869, having held many town offices; the latter died in 1876, leaving four children. Underhill Don Carlos, p o Willink, farmer, born in Aurora in 1836; wife Laura (McIntyre) Underhill, widow of Deloss Underhill, born in Madison county in 1832, married in 1865; children two-Grant C. and Laura M. Parents Cyrus, Jr., and Malinda (Harmon) Underhill, the former was born in 1806 and died in 1842; his widow still survives. Grandparents Amos and Mary, came to Erie county in 1811, the former was a pensioner of the war of 1812, died in October, 1867, aged ninety-three. Underhill James P., p o East Aurora, clergyman and farmer, born in New Hamp- shire in 1809, came to county in 1811; wife Polly Ann Hawley, of Oneida county, born in 1812, married in 1831; children six-Amos, Horace D., James H., Hannah M., Mary A. and Almeda. Parents Amos and Mary Underhill, the former settled in county in 1811, served in the war of 1812, and died in 1867. Elder James P., was ordained in 1834, and has supplied the pulpit in the Free Will Baptist Church at Aurora for forty years, he also supplied the South Wales Presbyterian Church one year and has aided other churches in the county as his services have been required. Van Vliet Henry, p o Griffin's Mills, farmer, carpenter and builder, born in Che- nango county in 1817. came to county in 1818; wife Rachel Pease, born in Aurora, married in 1840, died in 1852; children three-Charles, Harriet and George; sec- ond wife Ellen Henman, born in Vermont, married in 1855; children two-Hoel and Emma L., the latter died January 19, 1866. Wagner P. J., p o East Aurora, dealer in lime, cement, tile and farmers' supplies, born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1844, came to Philadelphia in 1860, and to Erie county in 1878; wife Crescentia Claus, who died in 1875, leaving two children; second wife Josephine Felz, born in Germany in 1847, married in 1876. Parents Leonard and Catharine (Glech) Wagner, natives of Germany. Wolcott Josiah B., p o Willink, farmer and traveling agent for Dr. Price, of Buffalo, born in Aurora November 16, 1844, was highway commissioner in 1880; wife Mary A. Anderson, daughter of Amos H., and Evaline Anderson, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Erie county in 1828, born in Aurora November 4, 1844, married April 25, 1871; children one--Cora May. Parents Samuel and Jemima (Gates) Wolcott, the former born in county in 1809, married in 1840, and died in 1874; children nine. Grandfather James Wolcott, came to Erie county in 1800, and was an active business man. 722 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. BOSTON. Anthony John, p o Patchin, general farmer and cheese manufacturer, born in Sharon, Schoharie county, in 1809, came to Sardinia, Erie county, in 1830, has been town clerk twelve years, justice of the peace eight years, and supervisor three terms; wife Achsah Maria Churchill, married in 1829; children eight-George, Carlos E., John W., Martha, Elizabeth, Mary, Margery G., and Maria. George married Helen. Horton; John, Adelaide Goodspeed; Mary, Lorain J. Drake; Elizabeth, Milo Canfield, of Concord; Martha, Walter, D. Smith; and Maria, Tibbetts J. Soule. Parents John and Elizabeth (Heller) Anthony, natives of Schoharie county. Baker Charles, p o North Boston, general farmer and retired carpenter and builder, born in Hamburg in February, 1828, has been supervisor two years, and col- lector for East Hamburg in 1864; wife Samantha Paxson, married in 1849; children three--Charles F., Herbert and Minerva E. Charles married Louisa Nuessle in 1880; Herbert, Estella Walker July 29, 1883. Parents Isaac and Elizabeth (Jones) Baker, who came to Erie county in 1818, the former with his parents, Elisha and Elizabeth (Dean) Baker, who were Rhode Island people and of Quaker order. Isaac was supervisor in 1851, and held the office of highway commissioner in East Hamburg. Bastian Jacob, po North Boston, clergyman and farmer 130 acres, born in Alsace, France, in 1821, came to county in 1832; wife Catharine Yontz, born in France in 1816, married in 1842; children six--Catharine, Lydia, Sarah, Emma, Henry and Daniel. Parents Michael and Catharine (Leinhardt) Bastian, who came to Erie county in 1832 with his family of nine children. Cary Truman S., Jr., p o Boston, retired farmer and stock grower, born in Bos- ton in 1821, has been supervisor two terms and is present justice of the peace, which office he has held six years; wife Theresa Folsom, born in 1835, married in 1858, and died April 2, 1883, leaving one daughter, Mary, who married Charles Churchill. Par- ents Truman and Fanny (Alger) Cary, the parents of the former settled in Boston on the present farm of Truman S.; the former was born in 1791 and died in 1879, and was an officer in the war of 1812, and some years before his death received a pension. He was a member of the Legislature for 1839, and held the office of supervisor and justice of the peace for sixteen years. Cary Van Rensselaer R., p o Patchin, born in Boston in 1825, has been president of the Erie County Agricultural Society five years, postmaster at Boston Centre four- teen years under General Grant's appointment, town superintendent of schools in 1849 wife and 1850, and school commissioner for the Third district from 1857 to 1861; Jane A. Skinner, of Boston, born in 1827, married in 1850; children three--Cas, born in 1853 and died in 1854, Elgin B., born in 1855, and Luther D., who was born in 1859 and married Carrie B. Goodspeed, of Ellicottsville. Parents Luther H., and Lucy (Doolittle) Cary, the former came to Erie county in 1806, was a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Vermont. Cary William S., p o Boston, general farmer, born in Boston in 1855; wife Amelia Vail, married in 1876; children one--Danford A. Parents Danford and Esther (Peck) Cary, the former of Boston and the latter of Concord; they had three children-William S., Fanny and Nancy. Grandparents on his father's side are Tru- man and Fanny (Alger) Cary, on his mother's side Daniel and Nancy (Green) Peck, who came to Erie county in 1830. Curran Hiram A., p o Boston, retired farmer, born in Concord, Erie county, December 15, 1823, has been superintendent of schools and school commissioner for third district three years. Parents Robert and Martha (Towsey) Curran, the former was born in Ireland, and in 1780 came to New York city and settled in Duch- ess county in 1794, and came to Erie county in 1822. Curran William, p o Patchin, boot and shoe manufacturer, farmer and apiarist, 50 acres, born in Tompkins Co., in 1819, came to Erie county in 1822, has been justice of peace twelve years, town clerk two years, and was justice of peace in California eight BRIEF PERSONALS. 723 years, was a resident of California from 1859 to 1869, and a commissioned officer in the old military organization and was wrecked on coast of Florida, on the steamer North Star, and lost many of his valuables; wife Delia Cobb, born in 1825, mar- ried in 1844, children three-two sons and one daughter. Parents Robert and Mar- tha (Towsey) Curran, of Connecticut, who came to Erie county in 1822. Davis Dr. Lewis L., p o Boston, physician and surgeon, stock and dairy farmer, born in East Hamburg in 1813, and died June 8, 1875; wife Amelia Cary, daughter of Truman and Fanny Cary, who came to Boston, Erie county in 1809, and settled with their parents Asa and Damaris Cary. The former was in the Revolutionary war, a member of the Legislature in 1839, and held various other offices, born in 1819, married in 1839-children two, Emmet and Millard T. Dr. Lewis L, was a graduate of the Philadelphia Medical college. Parents John and Hannah (Hamilton) Davis, who settled in Hamburg in 1810. Griffith Elisha A., p o Boston, farmer, born in Rutland county Vt., in 1826, settled in county in 1843; wife Ann E. Zavitz, born in Ontario, Canada, in 1832, married in 1855, and died in 1881, leaving one child Allen H., born in 1859, and died in 1864. Parents Allen and Mary W. (White) Griffith, natives of Danby, Vt. The former was supervisor in 1848. Heinrich Diebold J., p o North Boston, general farmer, stock and dairy farm, born in Alsace, France, in 1819, settled in county in 1831, was assessor two terms, and has held other district offices; wife Eva Heisser, born July 26, 1825, married in 1842, children ten-George, John, Daniel, Christian, Samuel, Edwin, Magdalene, Louisa, Caro- line and Catharine. Parents, Diebold and Catherine (Wagner) Heinrich, of Alsace, France, who came to county in 1831. Grandparents John and Eve Sutter, carne to county in 1830. The former died in 1833, aged eighty, the latter in 1847, aged eighty-seven. Keller Martin, p o North Boston, merchant and farmer, born in Alsace, France, December 26, 1817, settled in county in 1830, has been highway commissioner six years, supervisor seven years, assessor six years, and superintendent of poor from 1871 to '73. He began keeping a general store about 1848, and has extended it to meet the increase of population and wants of his customers; wife Magdalena Lamy, of Alsace, born in 1820, married February 18, 1840, children eight-Henry D., resides in Buffalo, and was city treasurer in 1876 to '77. Jacob F., of Buffalo, was assessor and collec- tor in Boston, George M., collector two years, in Boston, and Edwin F., and William M., are notary publics. Parents, Henry and Magdalena Keller, of France, who came to county in 1830. cheese factory, born in Hesse, and has held the office of Alsace, France, in 1838, mar- Lehning Frederick, p o Patchin, farmer, dairy and Germany, in 1840, has been highway commissioner assessor three years wife Elizabeth Ketterer, born in ried in 1861, children ten-five living--Emile, Henry, Caroline, Johanna and Matilda. Parents Christian and Louisa Scheffer Lehning. Lockwood Seymour J., p o Patchin, general farmer, and dealer in dairy produce, born in Boston in 1855, has been justice of the peace; wife Clara Wandel, daughter of Charles and Catharine Wandel, born in 1855, married in 1879, children two--How- ard and Mary. Murray Peter, po Boston, merchant, dealer in fancy goods, groceries, flour, feed, etc., has been deputy postmaster two years and appointed postmaster November 16, 1882; wife Annie Kelso, born in Ireland in 1840, married in 1866, children three- Jennie S., Lizzie M., and Mark E. Parents Henry and Nancy (Kelly) Murray, natives of Ireland, who came to county in 1835. The former died in 1854. Schneider Louis, p o Patchin, farmer, butcher and stock dealer, born in Ger- many ir. 1834, came to county in 1857, and settled in Boston in 1877; wife Wilhel- mina Schlanderaff, of Germany, married in 1857, children seven--four sons and three daughters. Parents Matthias and Christina Schneider, the former died in Germany, and the latter emigrated to this country with her children. Theis Rev. P., po Boston, pastor Roman Catholic Church, born December 6, 1852, in Dickirels, Grand Duchy of Luxumbourg, Europe. 724 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. CHEEKTOWAGA. Adams Elisha P., p o Cheektowaga, farmer and stock grower, born in Pittsfield, Vt., in 1808, settled in Erie county in 1828, has been town clerk, supervisor, and jus- tice of the peace; wife Fanny Grider, born in Buffalo in 1825, married January 15, 1854, children three--George W., born in 1854, Francis M., born in 1857, and Will- iam H., in 1860. Parents Ezra and Ruth (Rich) Adams, natives of Connecticut, came to Erie county in 1828, children twelve--living two. Bartholomew Chauncy, p o 93 Washington street, Buffalo, retired contractor, born in Onondaga county in 1800, settled in Erie county in 1828, was assessor for three years; wife Adaline Rhines, of Salina, Onondaga county, married in 1824, and died in 1846, children ten--one now living Mrs. Damaris Campbell, second wife Phebe Ann Powell, born in Greene county in 1821, and married in 1848, children two— Chauncy D., and Mrs. Phebe Bruce. Parents Chauncy and Annie Scofield, of Onon- daga county, he died in 1861, aged sixty-one; she was born in Greene county and came to Erie county in 1845, and died in 1877, aged seventy-nine. Chauncy D., married Mary J. Gibson, of Canada, in 1870; children one-Chauncy H. Beach William H., p o Williamsville, farmer, born in Erie county in 1849, was highway commissioner for three years; wife Fanny L. Lutz, born at Amherst in 1857, married in 1875; children three-Gracie F., born in 1875, Clarissa L., in 1878, Emma F., in 1881. Parents E., and Julia (Wendell) Beach, he born in Ohio in 1818, she born in Ohio in 1815, married in 1835, died in 1843; children three-Emily L., born in 1836, Charlotte J., in 1839, and Clarissa in 1841; second wife Clarissa Wendell, married in 1844; children two-William and Louisa. Bennet David Chapin, p o Cheektowaga, farmer, born at Cheektowaga, Erie county, December 25, 1823, has been assessor and excise commissioner; wife Mary A. Winspear, born in England in 1824, married June 7, 1863, and died November 17, 1880; children two-Leonard W., born in 1865, and Frank C., born June 27, 1866. David's mother was a teacher in Buffalo for eight years and at other schools for twenty-one years. Boothroy George, p o Cheektowaga, farmer and milk dealer, one hundred acres, born in Yorkshire, England, in 1812, came to Erie county in 1835, has held the office of town auditor; wife Mary Gardner Colsworth, of England, born in 1814, married in 1837, and died in 1852; children four-Mary H., William James, George and Joseph B.; second wife Elizabeth Jefferson, of England, married in March, 1854, and died in September, 1872; children five—Thomas J., Hannah E., Julia I., Martha J., and Franklin E. Brennison Frederick, p o Lancaster, grocer and saloon, born in Baden, Germany, in 1823, came to Erie county in 1862, has been highway and excise commissioner; wife Anna Rebecca Kiser, born in Germany in 1840, married in 1861; children one -Frederick Jr. Parents George and Magdalena (Garlach) Brennison, of Germany, the former died in South America in 1828, leaving wife and three children—Jacob, Jo- hanna and Frederick; they came to New York in 1852, and the mother died there in 1861; Jacob died in 1877; Frederick enlisted with Company Twenty-eight of the Brooklyn militia. Bruce Solon, po Lancaster, general farmer, born in Vermont in 1819, came to Erie county in 1837; wife Lydia M. Robinson, born at Cheektowaga, January 11, 1826, married in 1844; died November 24. 1855; children three-Mary M., born in 1846, Ellen A., in 1849, and George S., in 1852; second wife Mrs. Helen (Robinson) Learned, born in Vermont in 1825, and married in 1856; children two-Sarah P., and Chandler L. Parents John and Abigail (Chafen) Bruce, the former born in Massa- chusetts in 1778, and died in Erie county in 1866; the latter born at Windham, Vt., May 28, 1783, and died in Vermont in 1826; children five. Campbell Jerome M., Bowmansville, general farmer, born at Cheektowaga in 1837; wife Mary A. Wellock, born at Troy in 1842, married in 1869. Parents John BRIEF PERSONALS. 725 B., and Fanny (Baker) Campbell, he born in Pennsylvania in 1812, came to Erie county in 1824, was assessor, justice of the peace, and held many other offices and died in 1875; she born in Lancaster county in 1815, and died in 1875; children one. Mrs Campbell was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Wellock, who came to Erie county in 1849, the former died in 1877; children two. Daigler Adam, p o Williamsville, general farmer and stock dealer, born at Clar- ence, Erie county, in 1849; wife Mary Smith, born at Amherst in 1852, married in 1874; children eight-three sons and five daughters. Parents George and Mary (Schefter) Daigler, of Alsace; the former born in 1806, and died in 1877, the latter born in 1810, came to Erie county in 1828, married in 1833, and died in 1873; chil- dren five. Dunn A. M., p o Cheektowaga, farmer and retired merchant, born in Amherst in 1814, was justice of the peace five years, and assessor three years; wife Mary Hitchcock, born in Buffalo in 1821, married in 1841; children six, living four-Sarah, Clarence L., Annis C., and Mary E. Parents Malcom and Annis (Moore) Dunn ; the former born in Massachusetts in 1780, and died in 1823; the latter born in Connecti- cut in 1784, married June 28, 1804, and died in 1823; children eight. Duringer Joseph, p o Cheektowaga, farmer and saloon, born at Cheektowaga in 1839, has been supervisor, justice of peace and collector for a number of years; wife Margaret Bub, born at Bavaria, Germany, married in 1862; children two-Tillie M., and Arthur G. Parents Appolos and Catharine Duringer, of Alsace, came to Erie Co. in 1830; he died in 1880, aged seventy-seven years, leaving a wife and eight children. Mrs. Duringer was the daughter of Henry and Barbara Bub, of Germany, who came to Niagara county in 1847. Eggert John, po Williamsville, farmer, 75 acres, born in Erie county in 1838, was assessor in 1881; wife Margaret Andrews, of Erie county, married in 1861; chil- dren one—Ellen, born in 1863. Parents Joseph and Mary (Debold) Eggert, of Ger- many, who came to Erie county in 1830; the former died in August, 1878, aged eighty- four; the latter died in 1862, aged sixty-six; children six. Mrs. Eggert was the daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Andrews, of Germany; came to Erie county in 1832. Ely Enoch Selden, p o Cheektowaga, farmer, born at Sharon, Conn., in 1810, came to Erie county in 1818, was supervisor ten years, and superintendent of school four years, and held various other offices; wife Mary Wipperman, married in 1860, and died in 1863; children one. Second wife Elizabeth B. Miller, married in 1875; children two-Emma and Grace. Elizabeth Ely is the daughter of Daniel and Re- becca Miller; the former born in Pennsylvania, and the latter in Canada. Enoch Selden was the son of Israel and Eunice (Noyes) Ely, of New London county, Conn.; the former died in 1855, aged eighty-four, and the latter in 1860, aged ninety-two; children nine, living two. Fogelsonger Elijah, po Pine Hill, general farmer, born at Amherst in 1830; wife Nancy A. Long. born in Erie county in 1834, married in 1851; children two, both dead Parents George and Rachael (Long) Fogelsonger, of Pennsylvania, came to Erie county in 1828; the former died in 1875, and the latter in 1880; children twelve. Mrs Fogelsonger was the daughter of Joseph and Mary Long. ་ Frost Michael, p o Gardenville. Gates Godfrey, p o Buffalo, general farmer, born at Alsace, in 1825, came to Wyoming county in 1840, and settled in Erie county in 1868, was justice of the peace and assessor; wife Christina Smith, of Wyoming county, married in 1846, died in 1867; children six-three sons and three daughters; second wife Esther Anna Mayer, born at Baden 1846, married in 1867; children seven; she was the daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Halo) Mayer, of Baden, came to Erie county in 1849; children six. Parents Jacob and Margaret (Hahn) Gates of Alsace, the latter died in France in 1828; he then married Sarah Phillips, of Alsace, born in 1829, came to Wyoming county in 1840. 47 726 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Gerber Alois, p o Williamsville, farmer, born at Alsace in 1824, settled in Erie county in 1832, he was engaged on the lake for ten years as commander of tugs, etc.; wife Mary Demert, born at Alsace in 1832, married in 1851; children twelve. Parents John and Catharine Gerber, of Alsace, came to Erie county in 1832, he died in 1854, and she in 1872; children seven. Mrs. Gerber was the daughter of Anthony and Catharine Dembert, of Alsace, she died in Amherst in 1865, and he in France; they came to Erie county in 1849. Groell Blasius, p o Gardenville, general farmer, born at Alsace in 1813, came to Erie county in 1832; has been assessor and commissioner for several years; wife Magdalena Hell, born in France in 1815, married in 1835 and died January 10, 1870; children nine-five sons and four daughters; Anthony born 1844, Frank in 1848, John in 1851, Joseph in 1854, Edward in 1855, Magdalena in 1835, Catharine in 1840, Mary Ann in 1842, and Theresa in 1846; the four daughters were volunteers in the rebellion as nurses for soldiers at the hospital in Washington; second wife Barbara Edl of Germany married in June, 1879. Parents Joseph and Theresa Groell of France. Hinchy John, p o Cheektowaga, tailor and farmer, forty-eight acres. born at Darmstadt, Germany, in 1834, settled in Erie county in 1854; wife Christina Seitz, born in Germany in 1843, married in 1859; children six-Ferde Emiline, Christina E., Amanda L, John August A., Adaline Margaret and Ernstein; John is the son of John and Catharine Hinchy, of Germany; Mrs. Hinchy is the daughter of George and Margaret Seitz, he died in Germany and she came to Erie county in 1854. Hitchcock James H., p o Cheektowaga, general farmer and dairy business, three hundred acres ; wife Patience B. Sanford, of Berkshire county, Mass., married in 1848, died in 1859; children two-second wife L. Eliza Ladd, born in Amherst, daughter of Grant and Lydia (Brewster) Ladd, of Connecticut, who came to county in 1828, married in 1871, children one. Parents Apollos and Roxanna (King) Hitchcock, of Connecticut, who came to county and purchased three hundred acres in Cheektowaga in 1808, he died in 1822, aged sixty-three years, and wife died in 1830 aged sixty- eight years; children eight, one living. Hitchcock Mrs. Celia, p o Cheektowaga. Long Anna Maria, p o Cheektowaga. Long Joseph, po 569 Washington street, Buffalo, gardener and farmer, born at Cheektowaga in 1837, was town collector three terms; wife Eva Dechert, of Erie county, married in 1865; children three-Mary E., Anna C., and George B. Parents Joseph and Mary (Grider) Long, of Pennsylvania, who came to county in 1812; the former born in 1794 and died in 1858; the latter born in 1809, married February 22, 1833; children eight. Lux Peter, po Williamsville, general farmer, born at Cheektowaga in 1834; wife Barbara Storm, of Baden, born in 1825, married in 1856; children three-John E., Louisa and Bertha. Parents Martin and Catharine (Braumer) Lux, born in Alsace, came to the county in 1833; the former died in 1868, aged seventy-two; the latter died in 1872, aged seventy-four; children six. Mrs. Lux is the daughter of George and Anna M. Storm, of Baden. Nagel Alexander G., p o Cheektowaga, wagon works and repair shops, born at Alsace in 1827, came to Erie county in 1835; wife Margaret Schoening, born in Bavaria, married in 1853; children nine, seven living-Alexander G., Frank, Charles, Jacob W., Peter, John and Albert. Parents Anthony and Mary Nagel, of Alsace, who came to the county in 1835; the former died in 1871, aged ninety-one years, the latter in 1840. Pittz Phillip, p o Gardenville, farmer and retired butcher, born in Germany May 22, 1811, came to Erie county in 1843, has been highway commissioner and road- master; wife Catherine Helwick, born in Germany in 1810, married in 1833; died in 1849; children five ;, second wife Johanna Heil, born at Baden, in 1825, married in BRIEF PERSONALS. 727 1849; children five; she was the daughter of Christopher and Catharine Heil, of Baden, who came to Erie county in 1847, the former died in 1866, aged sixty-seven, and the latter died in 1873, aged sixty-seven; children nine. Parents Peter and Charlotte Pittz, of Germany, who came to Erie county in 1843; the former died in Iowa in 1859, aged eighty-two, the latter died in 1851, aged seventy-nine. Rapen Samuel, po Cheektowaga, born in Switzerland in 1817, came to Erie county in 1847, was assessor and held other town offices; wife Louisa Monier, born in Niagara county in 1832, married in 1849; children three-Sophia, Edward, Louis. Parents Theodore and Sophia Rapen, of Switzerland, who came to the county in 1853; the former died in 1863, aged eighty-four, the latter died in Switzerland. Reisch John, po Williamsville, farmer, born at Cheektowaga in 1841; wife Rosa Young, born in 1840, married in 1863; children three, adopted-Amelia; Frances Y., and Edward. John enlisted in the 108th Vols. at Rochester, in 1862; during the engagement he was wounded and honorably discharged; he now draws a pension. Parents Peter and Barbara Reisch, of Alsace, France, came to Erie county in 1828; she died April 11, 1862; children nine. Schoenacker William, p o Cheektowaga. Stephan Frederick, p o Cheektowaga, farmer, was supervisor in 1883; wife Mary E. Bale, born at Cheektowaga in 1851, married in 1879. Parents Philip and Caro- line (Smith) Stephan, of Germany; the former came to Erie county in 1830, and the latter in 1842; married in 1843; children eight. Trust Michael, p o Gardenville, farmer, born in Bavaria in 1820, settled in Erie, county in 1862; wife Elizabeth Wolz, born March 13, 1832, married in 1862 and died in 1880, children three-Catherine, Edward and William. Parents of wife Jacob and Catherine Wolz, of Germany, who came to Erie county in 1852. Voegele Joseph, p o Lancaster, farmer and stone dealer, born in Alsace in 1823, settled in Erie county in 1843; wife Catherine Ott, born in Alsace in 1826, married in 1859, children four- Mary, Joseph F., Henry and Frank. Parents Joseph and Catherine (Miller) Voegele, of France, who came to Erie county in 1847, the former died in 1868 aged eighty, the latter in 1867 aged sixty-eight; children seven. Werick Henry P., p o Pine Hill, Cheektowaga, farmer, painter and hotel keeper, born at Cheektowaga in 1847; wife Regina Schaeffer, born in Europe in 1850, mar- ried in 1868; children two- Edward W., and Charles H. Parents Joseph and Mary (Housinger) Werick, of Alsace, who came to Erie county in 1845; children three— Joseph, John and Henry. Willyoung John, p o Bowmansville, general farmer, born in Alsace in 1820, set- tled in Erie county in 1840; wife Eva Fink, daughter of Michael and Mary Fink, born at Alsace in 1818, married in 1841; children seven, living four-John, Margaret, Samuel and Michael. Parents Michael and Margaret (Woolf) Willyoung, of Alsace, who came to Erie county in 1840, the former died in 1877, aged eighty-one, and the latter in 1834; children five, three living; second wife Mary Miller, married in 1835; children three-Mary, Catherine and Christian. Michael married Elizabeth A. Baker, of Cheektowaga; children three-Cora B., Franklin H. and Harry W. Sam- uel married Matilda Sommer, of Baden, children six. John married Maria Kittenger, of Niagara county, children three. Margaret married J. C. Fisher, of Amherst, chil- dren five. Winspear Pennock, p o Cheektowaga, farmer, born at Yorkshire, England, in 1822, settled in Erie county in 1832, has been supervisor and commissioner; wife Einma Watts, born in Sussex in 1828, married in 1852, died in 1863; children two— Ada E. and Clara J. Ada married George Urbane, of Erie county in 1875; children two-George P., and Emma M. Parents James and Mary (Brenneson) Winspear, of Yorkshire, England, came to Erie county in 1832, and both died in Cheektowaga, the former in 1849, and the latter in 1862; children nine, five sons and four daughters. Wurst John, po Cheektowaga, general farmer, born in Germany, in 1835, came to county in 185; wife Clarissa Hall, born in Wyoming county in 1842, married in 728 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. 1862, children two-Hattie born in 1872, and Edward born in 1876. Parents Jacob and Margaret E. Wurst; the latter was the daughter of Frederick and Louisa Hall, of Germany, who came to Wyoming county in 1834, and to Erie county in 1858; chil- dren seven, three sons and four daughters. Zimmerman Godfrey, p o Buffalo, fruit grower and farmer, born in Alsace in 1815, came to Erie county in 1833, commenced the nursery business in 1843, and now devotes about 40 acres to that culture; his returns in 1879 were over $1,200.; has been assessor, commissioner and justice of the peace; wife Louisa Diehl, born in Alsace in 1815, married Jan. 12, 1837; children seven-three sons and four daugh- ters, William, Fred., Charles, Louisa, Caroline, Emily and Fanny. Parents Adam and Elizabeth Zimmerman, of Alsace, who came to Erie county in 1833; the former died in 1862, aged eighty-four years, and the latter in 1843, aged sixty-five years; children two-Godfrey and Salome. Zurbrick John, p o Lancaster, general blacksmith and carriage works, born in Cheektowaga in 1840; wife Malissa Stevens, born at Indiana in 1851, married in 1872; children four-John L., Estella, Bell and Fanny. John Zurbrick, Sr., enlisted in 1861, company G, Thirty-seventh infantry, at Indianapolis, and served three years. Parents Michael and Saloma (Deffenbach) Zurbrick, of Alsace, who came to county in 1830; the former died in 1848, aged thirty-seven; children three-John, Henry and Elizabeth. Zurbrick Peter, p o Lancaster, general farmer and cattle dealer, born at Alsace in 1820, came to county in 1830; wife Christiana Zurbrick, born in 1832, married in 1852, and died in 1874; children eight-George P., Henry W., William, Levy, Eliz- abeth, Edwin, Mary and Anna L. Parents Nicholas and Elizabeth Zurbrick, of Alsace, who came to county in 1830; the former was born in 1780, and died in 1844; the latter born in 1785, married in 1806, and died in 1860; children six. Zurbrick Philip, p o Cheektowaga, miller, born in France in 1815, came to Cheek- towaga in 1830; wife Fanny Geckler, of Lancaster, daughter of John and Anna M. Geckler, of Germany, who came to county in 1825, born in 1826, married in 1848; children seven-three sons and four daughters. Philip built his present flour mill in 1874, it is a three-story building, located on Cayuga creek, on the Buffalo plank road. Parents Nicholas and Maria E. (Garber) Zurbrick, of France, who came to county in 1830; children six. CLARENCE. Biocher Daniel, p o Clarence Centre, miller and lumber manufacturer, born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1818, came to Erie county in 1826, was collector, justice of the peace, poor-master and constable; wife Elizabeth Metz, born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1818, married in 1845; children six, four living--Harriet M., Amelia M., Maria M., and Ida M. Parents John and Catharine (Bombavier) Blocher, of Pennsylvania, who came to Erie county in 1826; children three-Henry, Daniel and John. Mrs. Blocher was the daughter of Christian and Barbara (Kaufman) Metz, of Pennsylvania, who came to Erie county in 1829. Burns Alexander, p o Clarence Centre, miller and grain dealer, purchased the Clarence Centre flouring mill in 1872, having then but two run of stones which he has increased to five runs also increased size and capacity from eighty to one hundred barrels per day, the mill was built by Mr. Robert Brown in 1842, was fed by Ransom creek, and has a thirty-five horse power steam-engine and boiler. Alexander was born in Montgomery county in 1826, came to Erie county in 1844; wife Rhoda F. Jones, born in Erie county in 1826, married in 1848, died in 1879, children three-Charles, Peter, and Franklin, second wife Carrie Daucer, married in 1880. Charles married Josephine Vantine, and Peter married Sarah Weber, of Canada. Carr James, p o Clarence Centre, general farmer, born at Clarence in 1817, was assessor, highway commissioner, and overseer of the poor; wife Eliza A. Brown, born BRIEF PERSONALS. 729 ; in Erie county in 1820, married in 1843, died in 1863, children five-Bartlett, Laney L., Harrison, Philo V., and Elizabeth ; second wife, Rachel Heine, of Germany, mar- ried March 18, 1864, children four-George, William, Mary J., and Catharine. Parents Frances and Catherine (Fite) Carr, the former born in Vermont, came to Erie county in 1810, died in 1831, the latter born in Pennsylvania, and died in 1861, children five. Cramer Sarah, po Clarence Centre, farmer eighty acres, born in Clarence in 1810, husband, John Cramer, born in Cayuga county in 1806, married in 1831, and died in 1859, children three. Drudge Uriah A., p o Clarence Centre, farmer, fifty-eight acres, born in Clarence, in 1852; wife Ruhama A. Dilla, born in Ohio in 1859, married in 1882. Eldred H. B., po Clarence Centre, general farmer and capitalist, born in Clar- ence in 1823, was assessor; wife Ann Eliza Bilyard, born in Onondaga county in 1825, married in 1844, one daughter--who married W. F. Boland, of Wisconsin, in 1879, one child-F. E. Boland. Parents Almon and Hannah (Baker) Eldred, both born in Otsego county, and came to Erie county in 1821, he died 1842, and she in 1877, children two—H. B., and D. W. Eldred, Mrs. Eldred was the daughter of Ed- ward and Martha Bilyard, of Onondaga county, came to Erie county in 1825. Eshleman Jacob, p o Clarence Centre, farmer, born in Pennsylvania, in 1818, settled in Erie county in 1826, was supervisor eight years; wife, Catherine Rhodes, born in Pennsylvania in 1813, married in 1837, children ten--five living. Eshelman John, p o Clarence Centre, general store, born in Pennsylvania in 1826, has held the office of postmaster; wife, Anna H. Hershey, of Pennsylvania, married in 1850, and died in 1862; second wife Catherine M. Dessing, born in Penn- sylvania, in 1825, married in 1863, children three. Eshleman Levi F., p o Clarence Centre, farmer, two hundred and forty acres, born at Clarence, in 1841; wife, Mary Lewis, born in Ontario county in 1835, married in 1864, children four--Ada J., Edwin L., Alice C., and Mary E. Fisher Henry, p o Clarence Centre, farmer, eighty-five acres, born in Germany in 1838, came to county in 1853; wife Charlotte Castle, born in Clarence in 1844, mar- ried in 1867; children two-Libbie and Fred. Frick Henry, p o Harris Hill. Gallup George, p o Clarence Hollow, general farmer, born in Clarence in 1820; wife Louisa M. Boyer, born in Newstead in 1819, married in 1842; one adopted daughter-Ellen M. Parents Asa and Laura (Pond) Gallup, who came to Erie county in 1820; he died in 1881, aged eighty-eight; she died in 1834; children seven. Mrs. Gallup was the daughter of John and Olive (Smith) Boyer; they were early set- tlers and died in Erie county. Gunn Jefferson S., p o Harris Hill, general farmer, born in Darien, Genesee county, in 1844, was a teacher twelve years; wife Emeline Rearick, born in Alden in 1825, married in 1848, and died March 23, 1876; second wife Caroline Zimmer, daughter of Gideon and Catharine Zimmer, of Franklin county, Pa., born in Ohio in 1829, married in 1877. Parents Aaron D., and Philinda (Stratton) Gunn, of Genesee county; the former was one of the early settlers of Erie county, and died in 1834, aged forty-seven; the latter died in 1848, aged forty-three; children four-Spencer C., Jefferson S., Cyrenius C., Cornelius C. Cyrenius was a graduate of the Albany State Normal School in 1846; he died of consumption at the age of twenty-four. The teachers of Erie county caused a monument to be raised to his memory, at Lan- caster, Erie county. Hershey Elizabeth, p o Clarence, farmer, 72 acres, born in Canada in 1813, came to Erie county in 1816; husband Jones Hershey, born in Canada in 1809, married in 1832, and died May 13, 1882; children two. Hunt G. B., po East Clarence, farmer, 700 acres, born in Rensselaer county in 1819, came to Erie county in 1825; wife Eliza Parker, born in Rensselaer county in 1821, married in 1845; children four-Margaret, Caroline, Warren and Ellen. 730 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Humbert J. F., p o Clarence, merchant, born in Amherst in 1845, is excise com- missioner for the town; wife Louisa E. Kibler, born in Erie county in 1847, married in 1869; children four. Father, Sebastian Humbert, who came to Erie county in 1832. Kraus John, p o Clarence, farmer, 340 acres, born in Lancaster in 1830, was supervisor, loan commissioner, and is now president of the agricultural society, of Erie county; wife Anna Bixler, born in Clarence in 1832, married in 1859; children six. Father, Melchior Kraus, who came to Erie county in 1828. Mrs. Kraus' father came to Erie county in 1809 or '10. Laraway J. F., p o Rapids, Niagara county, general farmer, born in Prattsville, Greene county, January 17, 1820, was assessor six terms and elected justice of the peace, in 1881. Parents Sarah and Martin (Decker) Laraway, of Greene county. Lehman Peter, p o Clarence Centre, farmer, ninety-five acres, born in Clarence in 1828; wife Mary Moyer, born in county in 1833, married in 1853; children four living, one dead. Mrs. Lehman's father came to Black Rock in 1811. Leopard William, p o Clarence Centre, farmer, born in Pennsylvania in 1814, came to Erie county in 1815; wife Elizabeth Croop, born in Pennsylvania in 1813, married in 1840, children five. Lusk William Henry, p o Clarence, born in Vermont, August 13, 1813, settled in Erie county in 1835, was justice of the peace, and held other town offices; wife Lavina A. Johnson, born at Newstead in 1826, married in 1847; children three-Dr. Z. J., of Warsaw, Adell E., and Jennie L. Parents William and Altha (Sanford) Lusk, born in Vermont, came to Erie county in 1823, came to Erie county in 1832; wife Catharine Leib, born in York county, Pa., in 1835, he died in 1870 aged eighty- five; children four-Mrs. Lusk is the daughter of Zera and Eunice (Hale) Johnson, of Livingston county. Martin David, p o Clarence Centre, farmer, two hundred and fourteen acres, born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1823, came to Erie county in 1832; wife Catharine Leib, born in York county, Pa., in 1823, married December 1, 1841 ; children seven, six living. Martin E. L., p o Clarence Center. Martin M., p o Clarence Centre, farmer, two hundred and forty acres, born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1831; wife Leah Eshelman, born in Clarence in 1831, mar- ried in 1856, and died in 1861; second wife Anna Richards born in Canada in 1840, married in 1869, children nine. Metz Andrew, p o Clarence, general merchant, born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1820, settled in Erie county in 1829; wife Mary A. Grider, born in Pennsylvania, married in 1850; children three-Benjamin F., Mary A., and Laura A. Mary A., married John T. Richardson, a partner of the firm of Metz & Richardson, dealers in dry goods, hardware, etc. Parents Christian and Barbara (Kaufman) Metz, of Penn- sylvania, married in 1812, came to Clarence in 1829; children fifteen, seven living- Jacob, Andrew, Abraham, Benjamin, Levi, Betsy Maria, and Mary A. Parker Dr. J., p o Clarence Hollow, retired physician, one hundred acres, born in Oneida county in 1803, settled in Erie county in 1833, was justice of the peace; Dr. wife Laura Parker, born in 1803, married in 1830; children two, both dead. Parker endowed the Parker Union School, at Clarence Hollow. Rodes Daniel, p o Clarence Centre, farmer, one hundred and sixty acres, born in Clarence in 1826; wife Elizabeth Hiser, born in Ontario, Canada, in 1825, married in 1853, children five. Rodes Rev. Peter, p o Clarence Centre, farmer and clergyman, born in York county, Pa., in 1818, settled in Erie county in 1825; wife Elizabeth Martin, born in Lancaster county. Pa., in 1826, children fifteen--eleven living. Root John C., p o Clarence Centre, general farmer, born in Clarence, in 1813, was postmaster four terms; wife, Margaret Croop, born in Pennsylvania, in 1814, married BRIEF PERSONALS. 731 in 1836, and died in 1880, children two—-Jacob and Mary; second wife Mrs. Catha- rine Wenner Lepard, born in Pennsylvania, and married in 1882, she had five children by her first husband, Jacob Lepard, Sarah A., John E., Andrew and Barbara. Parents Jacob and Mary (Carpenter) Root, of Lancaster county, Pa., came to Erie county in 1810, he born in 1773, and died in 1829, she married in 1799, and died in 1834; chil- dren five-Elizabeth, Maria, Esther, John C., and Julia. Jacob purchased his farm from the Holland Land Company. Schrader Philip, p o Clarence, farmer, one hundred and thirty-seven acres, born in Germany in 1830, settled in Erie county in 1833; wife Fanny M. Strickler, of Clar- ence, who died in 1868, leaving four children; second wife Lydia Wertman, born in Niagara county in 1846, married in 1875, children six. Shimer John, p o Shimersville, general farmer, five hundred acres, born in Mon- roe county in 1830, settled in Erie county in 1853; wife, Nancy Campbell, born in Erie county in 1834, married in 1851, children one-Edward J., born in 1852, and married Mary Shimer, of Pennsylvania, in 1882. Parents, Jacob and Mary Shimer, who died in Niagara county, leaving two children. Mrs. Shimer was the daughter of John and Fanny (Snider) Campbell, of Pennsylvania, who came to Erie county in 1817, and died in 1836, leaving two children, Mary and Nancy. The father is a Methodist preacher, born in 1809, and is now located in Michigan. Strickler John, p o Clarence, retired clergyman, two hundred and forty acres, born in Canada in 1803, settled in Erie county in 1816, was commissioner of highways; wife Magdalena Martin, born in Pennsylvania in 1812, married in 1832, children eight, six living. Trippensee John C., p o Millersport, general farmer, born in Tornow, Germany, in 1800, settled in Erie county in 1857; wife, Maria Christina Lindike, born in Ger- many, in 1804, married in 1831, children six-Christian, Ernest, Julius, Ferdinand, William and Frederick, who married Maria Lusk, of Clarence. Vantine C. G., p o Clarence Center, farmer, one hundred acres, born in Clarence in 1846, was assessor four years; wife, Mary M. Magoffin, born in Ohio, in 1846, married in 1869, children four-Chas. E., Jas. A., Florence M., and Walter. VanTine George K., p o Clarence, farmer and miller, born in Clarence, in 1831, was deputy sheriff twelve years; wife, Mary Mather, born in Monroe county in 1858, and died in 1878, leaving two children; second wife, Catherine Beier, born in Buffalo, in 1855, married in 1881, children three. Wagner Jacob, p o Harris Hill, farmer, 181 acres, born in Germany in 1827, came to Erie county in 1848; wife Anna Truby, born in Germany in 1827, married in 1850; children eight. Waller Paul, p o Clarence Centre, farmer, 116 acres, born in Germany in 1839, came to Erie county in 1848; wife Catharine Hipmer, born in Germany in 1836, married in April, 1864; children nine-five living. Whipple T. C., p o Clarence, retired farmer, born in Washington county in 1809, came to East Hamburg in 1848; wife Alathea Cole, born at East Hamburg in 1814, married May 5, 1836; one child-born in 1837, and died March, 1838. Parents Job and Sarah (Smith) Whipple, born in Washington county, came to Erie county and set- tled in East Hamburg in 1817, was hotel keeper at Buffalo, and kept what was known for many years as the Bulls Head, and later the Franklin House; he died in Clarence in 1877, aged eighty-six years; his wife died in 1869, aged seventy-three; children seven. Mrs. Whipple was the daughter of Edward and Chloe (Griffin) Cole, who came to Erie county in 1810; children twelve. Williams Wesley, po East Clarence, retired farmer, born in Newstead in 1825, was assessor; wife Beulah Utley, born in Erie county in 1827, married in 1850; chil- dren one-Buel, born in 1851, and died in 1861; they have adopted two-Nellie M., and Laura M. Parents Caleb and Diadama (Sherman) Williams; she of Otsego county; he of Pownal, Vt., born in 1800, came to Erie county in 1813, and died in 732 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. 1873, they were married in 1817; children five. Grandfather, William Williams, born in Vermont, came to Erie county in 1815, and died, aged seventy-two years; children seven; his eldest son was in the war of 1812; was wounded from a shot fired by an Indian warrior; he died in 1870. Wiltse James L., p o Harris Hill, farmer 100 acres, born in Erie county in 1847; wife Annie M. Shiffler, born in Erie county in 1849, married in 1867; children four. Wiltse Livingston G., p o Clarence, general farmer, born in Clarence, Erie county, in 1817, was supervisor seven terms, and justice five; wife Laura Jocelyn, born in Canada in 1825, married in 1844; children five-Samuel J.. James L., Laura A., Sarah A., and Rena. Parents Jeremiah and Sarah (Green) Wiltse; he born in Bennington, Vt., came to Erie county in 1815, was justice of the peace, and assessor, and died in 1844, aged sixty-two years; she born in Berkshire county, Mass., and died in 1876, aged eighty-six years; children eleven. Mrs. Wiltse was the daughter of Samuel J., and Rebecca Teachout, who came to Erie county in 1832. Winborn George, p o Clarence Centre, wagonmaker, born in England in 1825, came to Erie county in 1850, is collector of the town; wife Hannah Simmons, mar- ried in in 1850, and died in 1854; second wife Eliza Gilbert, she died in 1882, third wife Susan Miller born in England, in 1840, married in 1883, Mr. Winborn has six children living. COLDEN. Buffum Oliver P., p o Colden, farmer, born in Colden January 14, 1814, was supervisor two terms and town superintendent of schools for many years; wife Har- riet Gillett, born in 1817, daughter of Joel Gillett who built the first saw-mill in the town in 1810, and in 1817 or 1818 with Jarvis Bloomfield built the first custom flour mill in the town of Colden, which was run by the family until burned; married in 1849, and died in 1883, children three-but one now living Ellen E. Parents Richard and Mary (Wheeler) Buffum, the former a native of Rhode Island, the latter of New Hampshire, who came to county in 1810. Crump Robert G., po Glenwood, farmer and stock dealer, 400 acres, born in Colden in`1845, was justice of peace three terms and still holds that office; wife Jennie Williams, born in 1855, married in 1873; children four-three sons and one daughter. Parents Benjamin and Elizabeth (Lewis) Crump of England, who came to Colden in 1832, the latter died in 1879, leaving eight children, the former is a retired cabinet maker and was justice of peace eight years in Colden. Dietz Fred, p o Colden, farmer, cheese factory and stock grower, born in Meck- lenburg, Germany, in 1839, came to Cattaraugus county in 1861 and in 1864 enlisted in Company E, N. Y., Cavalry under Col. Nelson B. Sweetzer was discharged at close of war, then returned to Cattaraugus county, married in 1866 and settled in Colden in 1871; children six-five sons and one daughter. Gould Amos W., p o Colden, retired merchant and has a flour and lumber mill, born in Colden, November 26, 1822, was town clerk four years and deputy postmaster twenty years; wife Caroline L. Cornell, born at Attica, N. Y., in 1828, married April 22, 1852, one adopted daughter Lillie E. Gould, who married Dr. H. A. Bishop of Collins. Parents John D. and Hannah (Buffum) Gould the former born in Vermont in 1795 and came to Erie county in 1810, the latter born in Rhode Island in`1801, married in 1820 and died in 1856; they had thirteen children, ten living-Asel L., Amos W., Irwin S. W., Joseph C., Catharine L. Mary C., Oliver P., Lynus M., Emily V., and Albert B. Strong Dr. Orvel C., p o Colden, physician and surgeon, born in Cataraugus county in 1834, read medicine with Dr. Allen of Aurora, also with Dr. Ives of Wyom- ing county, and was graduated from the Buffalo medical college, came to Colden in 1868; wife Lydia A. Stevens, born in 1839, married in 1857; one daughter—Jennie. Parents Nelson and Diana (Moon) Strong, natives of Counecticut, who came to Erie county in 1841. BRIEF PERSONALS. 733 COLLINS. Allen Joshua, p o Gowanda, dairy farmer, three hundred acres, born in Erie county March 10, 1826, was assessor ten years; wife Emeline, daughter of Archibald Etsler, married in 1848, children five-Charles E., Myron H., Robert H., Eva C., and Clara. Parents Isaac and Lydia Allen of Vermont, who came to county in 1816. Bates Frank, p o Collins Centre, dairy farmer, 160 acres, born in Collins in 1830; wife Polly Ann Mathews, daughter of Francis Matthews, married in 1856; children two-Bert and Blanche; Mr. Bates was the son of Sylvanus Bates one of the first set- tlers of Collins, he died in April 1882, aged 96. Beverly John, p o Collins Centre, retired farmer, 139 acres, born in Schoharie County June 9, 1797, came to Erie county in 1816; wife Susan Cheteser, married in 1818, died May 14, 1877; children seven-Betsey Ann, David, Mary Jane, John, Matthew, Henry and Thomas. Parents David and Eva Beverly, of Schoharie county. Brown Francis M., p o Collins Centre, dairy farmer, 183 acres, born in Collins, Erie county, in 1839, settled on the farm where he now resides in 1847, is present assessor for the town; wife Lucy J. Matthews, married Feb. 5, 1863; children two- Herman W., and Minnie R. Mr. Brown is the son of Isaac C. Brown, of Vermont, who settled in Erie county in 1820. Cook Norman, p o Collins Centre, dairy farmer, 202 acres, born in Collins, July 18, 1828, settled on the farm where he now lives in 1862; wife Cynthia, daughter of Allen Bartlett, married in 1855; one child--Clara Cook. Norman is the son of Peter Cook, of Danby, Vermont, who came to Erie county in 1824. Gifford Joseph, Collins Centre, dairy farmer, 150 acres, born in Washington county in 1813, held the office of assessor for several years; wife Mary Ann, daughter of John Goodelle, married October 12, 1834; children three-Ruth, Lorinda, and Malinda. Parents Philip and Charity Gifford. Haines Jesse H., Collins, farmer and lumber dealer, 150 acres, born in Ontario county November 15, 1814, came to Erie county in 1870; wife Phebe M. Lawrence, married in 1841; children three—Mary L. H. Clark, Anna H. Jackson, and Alice E. Cooper. Jesse H., son of Reuben Haines, of Chester county, Pa., who settled in Erie county in 1812, and was a minister of the Society of Friends. Johnson J. H., p o Collins Centre, farmer, 250 acres, born in Collins, May 29, 1835, settled on the farm where he now lives in 1859, was assessor for nine years; wife Helen White, daughter of Isaac White, married January 20, 1858; children two —Daniel and Frank. Father, John T. Johnson, was a soldier in the war of 1812, came to Erie county in 1825. Palmerton Joseph A., p o Collins, grain and dairy farmer, 118 acres, born in Col- lins, October 8, 1824, settled on the farm where he now resides March 25, 1868, was commissioner of highways three years; wife S. Ruth Allen, daughter of Isaac and Lydia Allen; married December 25, 1854; children three-Duran A., Eunice A., and Frank. Parents Joshua and Hannah Palmerton. Russell Humphrey, p o Collins Centre, dairy farmer, 330 acres, born at North Collins, February 13, 1829, settled on the farm where he now resides in 1877; wife Ruth A. Knight, married in 1849; children one-Casper L. Parents Humphrey Russell, son of Thomas Russell, who came to North Collins, Erie county, in 1815. Mrs. Russell is the daughter of Nathaniel Knight, who was a Member of Assembly in 1831. Casper L. Russell married Ellen L. Harris; children two-Edwin and Harry J. Shaw Edgar A., po Collins Centre, grain and dairy farmer 50 acres, born in Collins in 1814, settled on the farm where he now resides in November, 1870; wife Bertha Kimball, daughter of Walter Kimball, of Brant, married April 13, 1844; children two-Herbert and Edith. Parents settled in Erie county in 1840. 48 734 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Smith Stephen W., p o Collins Centre, dairy farm, two hundred and ten acres, born in Erie county, September 6, 1829; wife of Lucinda Knight, daughter of Edwin Knight; children five. Son of Augustus Smith, of Vermont, who settled in Erie. county in 1816. Tanner Isaac W., p o Collins Centre, dairy farmer, born in Erie county Febru- ary 24, 1818; wife Betsey Ann Beverly, daughter of John D. Beverly, married November 13, 1839; children three-Warren, Evaline, and Hannah. Isaac is son of Warren Tanner, of Livingston county, who settled in Erie county in 1810. Taylor Enoch, p o Collins, grain, dairy and stock farmer, born in Frederick county, Maryland, January 18, 1809, settled in Erie county in 1841; wife Laura M. Ward, daughter of Elisha Ward, married in 1845; children eight. Parents Joseph and Margaret Taylor. Taylor George W., p o Lawton's station, grain and dairy farmer, 100 acres, born in Essex county, March 27, 1832, settled in Evans in 1836, and on the farm where he now resides in 1864; wife Ann O. Bartlett, daughter of Smith and Sarah Bartlett, married in 1864; children three-Joseph B., Mary B., and Benjamin Grant. Par- ents Samuel and Lydia Taylor, the former of Connecticut and the latter of Vermont. Washburn Elisha, p o Collins Centre, farmer, and owns 400 acres and a saw- mill, born at Wendall, Franklin county, Mass., in 1804, settled in Erie county in 1821, and on the farm where he now resides in 1825; wife Frances Ballard, of Ver- mont, married in 1825, and died February 9, 1880; children four-Mary, Smith B., Ruth and Israel C. Parents Rufus and Mary Washburn. Washburn Smith B., p o Collins Centre, dairy farmer, and cheese manufacturer, born in Collins September 21, 1834, settled on the farm where he now resides March 15, 1877, has been assessor; wife Marinda Wickham, daughter of Hiram Wickham, married September 4, 1853; children two-Louisa F., and George E. Father Elisha Washburn, a native of Massachusetts, settled in Erie county in 1821. Wilber John, po Collins, retired farmer, born at Grand Island September 27, 1802, settled in Erie county in 1810, is present justice of the peace; wife Christina Strong, daughter of John and Elizabeth Strong, married in 1827; children five- Emily, Albert, Mary, James and Eugene. CONCORD. Bement Elmore, p o Springville, dairy farmer 102 acres, born in Concord, in 1834, settled in Erie county in 1873; wife Minnie Spletter, of Germany, married Parents November 2, 1867, children three- Frank C., George L., and Carlotta M. Julius and Sally, (Chaffee) Bement, the former came from Madison county and settled in Concord in 1811. Blackmar Henry M., p o Springville, dairy farmer, 191 acres, born in Buffalo, October 24, 1831, settled in Concord in 1837, was supervisor and on the highway committee; wife, Lydia Ferrin, of Sardinia, married February 18, 1862, children two- one living. Parents William W., and Almira (Chaffee) Blackmar, the former came to Buffalo in 1825, on the first canal boat that came up the Erie canal, he was also turn- key under sheriff Lemuel Wasson. Blakeley W. W., p o Springville, printer. Crump R. G., p o Glenwood. Foote Harry, p o Glenwood, dairy farmer, carpenter and joiner, fifty acres, born in Cattaraugus county, March 22, 1832, settled in Erie county in 1835, and in Con- cord, in 1839; wife, Jennie Calkins, daughter of William and Eliza R. (Rolls) Calkins, of New York, married February 11, 1864. Parents Ramsford and Susan (Atwood) Foote, both residents of Erie county. Melvern & Meyers, p o Springville, Publishers Local News. BRIEF PERSONALS. 735 Moore Norman, p o Boston, dairy farmer, 200 acres, born at Buffalo, November 18, 1842, settled in Concord in 1860, ; wife Fannie J. Trevett, of Concord, married November 22, 1865, children two-George and Fannie. Parents George A., and Catharine Moore, the former settled in Buffalo, about 1830. Pike Uriah D., p o Boston, dairy farmer, 340 acres, born in Concord, August 21 1821; wife Julia Chase, of Pennsylvania, children three-Charles, Isaiah, and Ida Vaughn; second wife, Caroline Trevett, daughter of Lewis and Serepta Trevett, of Concord, married January 7, 1873. Parents Isaiah and Charlotte Pike, who came from New Hampshire and settled in county in 1813, the former was in the war of 1812. Potter H. Evans, p o Boston, dairy farmer, owns fifty acres, and controls 300, born at Concord, April 28, 1844; wife Eunice L. Hale, daughter of Isaac A. and Phebe (Pratt) Hale, of North Collins, married May 23, 1866, children five-Erva, Willie, Beulah, Lizzie and Hugh. Parents Theodore and Naomi (Canfield) Potter. who were among the first settlers of the county. Ransom W. G., p o Springville, miller. Severance Charles C., p o Springville, attorney at law, born at Burlington, Vt., October 17. 1807, was graduated in Vermont, and settled in Erie county in 1833, has held the office of surrogate, and assemblyman, supervisor, and justice of the peace; wife Eliza F. Badgley, of Cortland county, married January 9, 1842; second wife Sabrina Ingalls, of Springville, married February 22, 1849. Parents Consider and Elizabeth (Craig) Severance, natives of Massachusetts. Smith Stephen R., Springville, dairy farmer, and cheese manufacturer, 265 acres ; wife Mary E. Gardiner, daughter of Abraham Gardiner, of Cattaraugus county, married April 26, 1859. Parents Calvin and Harriet (Mayo) Smith, who settled in county about 1809. Trevett Herbert M., p o Boston, dairy farmer, 270 acres, born in East Hamburg, October 23, 1854, settled in Concord, in 1857. Parents J. Hyman and Albina Tre- vett, the former a son of Lewis Trevett, who settled in Erie county in 1810. EDEN. Arlen Martin, Jr., p o Clarksburg, farmer, born in Eden in 1845, was poormas- ter in 1883 and has held other district and church offices; wife Magdalena Henrich, daughter of George and Sally Henrich, born in Eden in 1843, married in 1869; chil- dren five-Emma L., George H., Caroline I., Edward W., and Amelia M. Parents Martin and Barbara (Schrener) Arlen, of Alsace, who came to Erie county in 1836; the former died in Buffalo April 14, 1883, aged 77. Babcock Elias D., p o Eden, retired farmer, born in Eden in 1819; wife Jane A. Blanchard, married in 1844, died January 15, 1865; children two-Hannah M., and Mary Ann; second wife F. Romelia Patterson, born September 7, 1841, married June. 15, 1869, daughter of James and Ann Patterson, early settlers of Hamburg, Erie county. Parents Elias and Hannah (Delaney) Babcock; the former of Connecticut, came to county in 1812, and died in 1844. Mr. Babcock is the possessor of some old relics, among them a table which was probably brought over in the Mayflower. Belknap John, p o Eden Valley, general farmer and gardener, born in Eden in 1823, was assessor seven years and highway commissioner six years; wife Susan, daughter of William Webster, born in county in 1828, married in 1848; children liv- ing four-William E., Catharine E., Herbert J., and Frank W.; Edward E., died when fourteen years of age. Parents Porter and Mary (Edmonds) Belknap, both of Massachusetts, came to Erie county in 1816; the former was Major and Colonel in the old State militia for many years. Belknap Thomas, p o Eden Valley, retired farmer and gardener, has been in the lumber, stock and dairy business, born in Aurora in 1821; wife Paulina, daughter of 736 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. William Webster, born in county in 1821, married in 1846; children four-George, Milan C., Ella, and Hattie; the latter died in 1880. Parents Porter and Mary (Ed- monds) Belknap, both of Massachusetts. Bley George H., p o Eden Valley, born in Alsace in 1833, came to county in 1837, was justice of peace four years, and died January, 1870; wife Sarah Schweickert, married in 1857; children five-Louisa, Mary, Charles, Henry, and Lyman; Mary died in 1879, aged seventeen, and Louisa married Mr. Charles Yeager in 1879. Parents Jacob and Magdalena Bley. Brindley George, p o Eden, retired blacksmith and farmer, born in Derby, Eng- land, in 1812, came to county August 1, 1830; wife Cynthia Burt, married January 26, 1836; children four-Ozias G., George B., Zachariah F., and Robert F. Ozias en- listed in the 116th N. Y. Vols. in 1852, under Colonel Chapin, and served three years; was wounded in the battle at which Colonel Chapin was killed, and was discharged on return of regiment to Buffalo. George Brindley also enlisted in same company in 1864, then under command of Colonel Love, served to close of war, and was discharged with his regiment at Washington in 1865. He was town clerk of Boston eleven years and supervisor four terms, and was appointed recruiting officer by President Lincoln, for the fifth district, and paymaster of the volunteers. In 1867 he moved to Eden, was justice five years and justice of sessions two years, and in 1882 took an active in- terest in the Eden Canning Co., which was organized with a capital of $18,000. Canfield Milo, Jr., p o Eden, farmer, dairyman, and dealer in blooded game birds, born in Boston in 1827; wife Elizabeth Anthony, born in Wyoming county in 1829, married in 1848; children six-three sons and three daughters. Parents Milo and Electa (Landon) Canfield, of Ulster county. Grandfather. Jonathan, came to county with his family about 1820. Case Henry B., p o Eden Valley, farmer and retired merchant, born in Genesee county, N. Y., 1822, came to county in 1829, has been town clerk two terms; wife Emily Webster, daughter of Edwin and Rachel Webster, married in 1845; children three-Albert H., Frank W., and Arthur E. Parents Horace and Amy (Stebbins) Case, natives of Connecticut; the former died in 1869, the latter in 1865. Dole Franklin, p o Eden, born in Eden in 1831, has been assessor nine years, supervisor two terms and held other district offices; wife Julia Ayer, born in 1837, mar- ried in 1855; children two-Charles H., born in 1856, Carrie in 1859, Charles mar- ried Ella Harrington in 1879, and Carrie married Joseph Caskey in 1880. Parents Linus and Esther M. (Vandusen) Dole, the former a native of Massachusetts came to county in 1818 and died in 1881 aged 87, the latter a native of Cayuga county, N. Y., died in 1883 aged 79. Gallmann Christian Jr., p o Eden Valley, general farmer, 107 acres, born in Alsace, France, in 1816, settled in county in 1831; wife Margaret Roha, born in France in 1824, married in 1843; children six-Peter, Jacob, Margaret, Lana, Julia, and Ellen, Jacob died in 1848, and Lana in 1861. Parents Christian and Mary Gallman, who came to county in 1831 and died in Eden. Green James W., p o Eden, born in Eden in 1820, has been justice of the peace two terms, and notary public six years; wife Mary Ayer, daughter of Putnam and Maria (Rathborn) Ayer, the former died in 1870 aged 60. Parents' James and Rosanna (Delong) Green, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Erie county in 1816, the former was justice of the peace and supervisor for several terms and died in June 1861 aged 75 years. Hill John, p o Eden, born in Otsego, N. Y., in 1806, settled in county in 1811, was constable and collector twelve years; wife Evelin Harris, daughter of Joseph and Martha Harris, married in 1831; children seven-Leander born in 1834, Alonzo E. in 1836, John W. in 1831, Marion in 1840, and died in 1845, Wallace in 1842, Martha M., in 1847 and George in 1851. Parents John and Jemima (Welch) Hill, the former was born in Vermont and the latter in Connecticut. They came to Erie BRIEF PERSONALS. 737 14 county in 1811, moving with a yoke of oxen. The father was one of the leading men of his day and was a magistrate for a number of years. Hill Roswell, p o Eden, retired farmer, born in Otsego county in 1802, came to county in 1811, has been constable twenty-five years, and deputy sheriff nine years; wife Harriet Stebbins, married in 1831, and died in 1844, leaving three children; second wife Oril Fuller, married December 1, 1845 and died in 1849; third wife Thankful Lord, married in 1852, and they have one daughter. Parents John and Jemima (Welch) Hill. Hyer Jacob Henry, po Clarksburg, merchant, farmer and tanner, born in Wurt emberg, Germany, in 1822, settled in county in 1847; wife Margaret Eckhardt, of Alsace, married in 1849, children eleven-four now living, Margaret, Willie, Caroline and Henry. Parents John H. and Catharine (Siegel) Hyer, of Germany. Ide Charles H., po Eden, retired, born in Eden in 1839, was justice of peace eight years and school commissioner three terms, wife Eveline Powers, married in 1862, children two-Clement D. and Harriet E. Parents David and Eliza A. (Mills) Ide who name to Erie county in 1830. Jennings David A., p o Eden, farmer, born in Collins in 1853; wife Lodema G. Smith, daughter of Andrew J. and Julia A. (Parker) Smith, married in 1877, one child Bertha. Parents Alfred and Sarah (Parker) Jennings; Grandparents Asa and Sarah Jennings were from Fulton county. Alfred enlisted in 44th Elsworth Co. A. in August, 1861, was wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862 and died Dec. 21, 1862 at Washington. His brother Asa C., enlisted in 1861 under Col. Chapin, and was discharged at close of war. Kromer Christian, p o Eden. miller, flour, feed and grain dealer, born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, January 12, 1842, came to county in 1847, has been collector for two terms and has held other district offices; wife Catherine Henrich, born in 1847, mar- ried in 1873; children five. Parents Alexander and Mary C. (Wirsum) Kromer, of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to Erie county in 1847, and settled in Eden in 1848; the former purchased his mill site in 1848, and completed the structure of 35x46, two stories and two run of stone, fed by the west branch of the Eighteen Mile creek, being in 1850 one of the best custom mills in the town; he died June 25, 1882, and his wife in 1879, leaving two sons. Lachle David, p o Eden, general farmer and dairy produce, 156 acres, born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1832, came to Erie county in 1852; wife Barbara Arlen, married in 1862; children four-Emma, Ida, Carrie, and William. March John, p o Eden, general farmer, and manufacturer of the patent hay press, born in Eden in 1839; wife Emma Rockwood, married in 1867, died in 1869; chil- dren two; second wife Mary Potter, married in 1870, and died in 1872, leaving one child; third wife Hattie Rowley, married in 1876; children three. Parents John and Sophronia (Babcock) March. Grandparents Dr. John and Abigail (Hodge) March, who came to county in the spring of 1810; the former was a graduate of Dartmouth College and practiced medicine for several years, and died in 1834. Norton Joshua F., p o Eden Valley, farmer, gardener, dealer in stock and dairy produce, born in Monroe county in 1837, owns 115 acres of land; wife Anna Trask, born in 1841, married in 1861; children two-Laura, and Anna. Parents Justin and Laura (Fish) Norton; the former of Rutland, Vt., born in 1798, and died in 1882; the latter of Ohio. Parker Harrison, p o Eden, general merchant, born in North Collins in 1840; wife Alice Pratt, daughter of Lyman and Catherine Pratt, born in 1845, married in 1867: one child-Fannie. Parents Aaron and Hannah (Corbin) Parker, natives of Vermont, who came to county in 1816. Paxon Abraham, p o Eden, farmer, born in Pennsylvania in 1787, came to county in 1811, and died Sept. 18, 1865; wife Mary Brooks, born in 1806, married in 1826; children five, three now living--Charles B., Sarah H., and Jane E. Parents James and Amy Paxon, of Pennsylvania. 738 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Rathbun Charles S., p o Eden, farmer and vineyard, born in Cayuga county, N. V., in 1817, came to county in 1826, was supervisor in 1869, has been town superinten- dent of schools, and a member of the town committee on bonds; wife Harriet Newell, married in 1847, and died in 1852; children three-Flora, Louisa, and Charles N.; second wife Anna B. Dean, of East Hamburg; children two-Everett S., and Jessie B. Parents James and Polly (Crane) Rathbun, of Cayuga county. Smith J. H., p o Clarksburg, farmer, and general custom saw-mill, born in Col- den in 1839, was assessor two years, justice of peace eight years, and notary public two years; wife Cynthia Potter, married in 1872; children three. Parents Simon and Hannah Smith; the former from Connecticut; the latter from Rhode Island. Smith Simon, Jr., p o Eden, farmer, born in Pennsylvania in 1831, came to county in 1837; wife Marietta Sherman, born in Eden in 1826, married in 1856; one adopted daughter-Jennie, who married William H. Maplesden in 1879. Parents Simon and Hannah V. (Vaughn) Smith, who came to Erie county in 1828. Thomson Amos F., p o Eden, farmer and retired butcher, born in Dorsett, Ben- nington county, Vt., in 1819, came to county in 1835, was road commissioner eight years; wife Hannah Doan, of Eden, born in 1821, married in 1846; children five-Flu- allen, Jonathan, Hiram, Emogene, and David B. Parents Daniel B., and Abigail M. (Sykes) Thomson, of Vt., who came to Erie county in 1835. Webster Davis, po Eden, general farmer, and fruit grower, born in Eden, in 1829; wife Lucy, daughter of Lewis Gifford, born in 1829, married in 1853. Parents Daniel and Salind (Twining) Webster. The former held the offices of supervisor, assessor, and other town offices, and died in 1869, aged seventy-five, the latter died in 1855, children eight-David L., Hugh, Thomas, Joseph, Aschooly, Daniel, Jr., Mary and Amy. Welch Nelson, p o Eden, retired farmer, merchant, and lawyer, born in Otsego county in 1809, came to Erie county in 1809, was elected justice of the peace in 1838, and has held that office for twenty-four years. was supervisor eleven years, and member of Assembly in 1853; wife, Melissa Doan, of Eden, married in 1843, and died in 1854, children two-Philena and Melissa; second wife, Lucinda Hill, married in 1855, children four-Ellis, Frank, Alice and Irene. Parents, John and Eliza Welch, natives of Connecticut, who settled in Eden in 1809, the former died in Iowa. White George W., p o Eden, general farmer and stock dealer, born in Buffalo in 1841; wife Sarah W. Miller, married in 1863, children two-Fred. C., and Mabel T. Parents H. G. and Ann (Quayle) White, the former born in Vt., and the latter in the Isle of Man. Wightman Heman A., p o Clarksburg, general custom mill, dealer in flour, grain, feed and farm fertilizers, Herman, his twin brother is his partner in business, they purchased the mill located on the Eighteen Mile creek in 1878, which was built in 1820, making it 40 x 30, with three run of stones; wife Alice Brownell, married in 1879, one child-H. Ward. Wightman Herman, p o Clarksburg, dealer in flour, feed, grain, etc., born in, Collins in 1848, twin brother of Heman A.; wife Cordelia Baker, married in 1872; children three-Orson H., Ellen A. and Lettie M. Parents, Daniel and Harty (Smith) Wightman, the former son of George and Phoebe of Vt., who came to Col- lins in 1816. EAST HAMBURG. Abbott Col. Chauncey p o Orchard Park, farmer and fruit grower, born in East Hamburg in 1816; wife Charlotte Brown. Parents Samuel and Sophia (Brown) Abbott. Col. Chauncey Abbott was in the Patriot war, began his military life as sergeant and was promoted to Colonel. At the call of President Lincoln, he responded with his regi- ment at once and was ordered to Harrisburg, Pa., to guard that section, and as soon BRIEF PERSONALS. 739 as arrangements were made by the government, his regiment No. 67 National Guards was returned and discharged at Buffalo, Col. Abbott and his men receiving thanks from their superior officers for their ready response for aid. Abbott Seth A., p o Abbott's Corners, farmer, gardener, and dairy, born in Ham- burg in 1832, was justice of peace, constable and collector two terms each, also jus- tice of sessions; wife Ruth Ann Perine, born at Jackson, Mich., in 1840, married in Parents 1857; children five-George S., William H., Frank A., John P. and Mary E. Chauncey and Mary (Smith) Abbott, the former born in 1802, and came to Erie county in 1808 and now resides in Colorado, the latter died in 1854, aged forty-five years. Grandparents Seth and Sophia (Starkweather) Abbott. Ayer Putman, po Webster's Corners, farmer, born in Vt., in 1807, settled in county in 1816, and died in 1870; wife, Maria Rathbon, born in Cayuga county in 1811, married in 1830; children five-Mary, Julia, Orville D., Ellen and Emmett J. Mary married J. W. Green, Julia married Franklin Dole, and Ellen married Lobeski Trevett. Father, Richard Ayer, was a native of Vi., and settled in county in 1816. Baker Benjamin, p o Orchard Park, general farmer, born in East Hamburg, in 1817, has been supervisor two terms, commissioner and loan commissioner of school funds for fourteen years; wife Anna Freeman, born in 1821, married in 1842. Baker Jerome, p o Orchard Park, farmer, and fruit grower, having 1,200 apple and 900 pear trees, born in East Hamburg in 1834; wife Sarah Webster, of Ham- burg, born in 1842, married in 1880, daughter of Thomas S., and Esther (Wait) Web- ster, the former was born in New Jersey, in 1799, and came to Erie county in 1809 with his parents and died in 1866. Parents Daniel and Naomi (Rhodes) Baker, Daniel is supposed to be the first white child born in East Hamburg, he died in 1873. Boies Dr. Loren F., p o Orchard Park, physician and surgeon, born in Aurora in 1836; wife Caroline M. Perkins, of Aurora, daughter of Waterman and Polly (Darby) Perkins, born in 1838, married in 1870. Parents William and Emily B. Boies; the former was born in Massachusetts, and came to Aurora in 1814, and died in Oneida. Dr. L. F. Boies is a graduate of the Buffalo Medical College in 1868, resided at Grif- fin's Mills for five years and in 1873 settled in East Hamburg, where he is now enjoy- ing an extended practice. Briggs Miles P., p o Orchard Park, farmer and general lumber and timber dealer, born in 1843, has been highway commissioner; wife Antoinette Wheeler, of Hamburg, born in 1843 married in 1867; children four-three sons and one daughter. Parents Benjamin and Ruth (Buffom) Briggs; the former a native of Rhode Island; the latter of Massachusetts. Miles P., enlisted in Co. I, 98th Reg., under Colonel Abbott, was promoted Lieutenant, and discharged at Buffalo at close of war. Chandler Nathan W., p o Hamburg, general farmer, gardener and fruit grower, born in Onondaga county in 1815, came to county in 1816; wife Mary Colvin, mar- ried in 1844, and died in 1861; children three-Almond, Hiram, and Sarah (Rowena) Chandler; second wife Lucinda Skinner, married in 1865, daughter of Aaron W. Skinner; one son-Nathan W. Parents Absalom and Polly (Wood) Chandler, of Onondaga county, who came to Erie county in 1816; the former was residing in Can- ada when the war of 1812 broke out, and was about to be pressed into the service of the British, but he left the country, sacrificing his property and came to Buffalo and joined the American army. Chilcott Edwin G., p o Orchard Park, general farmer and dairy produce, born in East Hamburg in 1833, was assessor several years, and has held other district offices; wife Marion S. Dutton, born in Concord in 1835, daughter of Olivet and Sophia (Wood) Dutton, natives of Rutland county, Vt., who came to Erie county in 1830. Parents Amos and Rachel (Webster) Chilcott; the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of New Jersey, married in 1820. Dye R. J., p o Webster Corners, retired farmer, born in Concord in 1821; wife Olive Churchill, married in 1848, and died in 1867, leaving three children-William 740 HISTORY OF Erie County. E., Harvey M., and Asa R.; Harvey died in 1882, aged 30; second wife Louisa Ab- bott, married in 1871; one child-Avery. Parents William and Betsey (Ingalls) Dye, natives of Brookfield; the former was in the war and drew a land warrant, and died in 1856; wife drew a pension of $96 yearly for some years before her death which occurred in 1883. Freeman Amos, p o Orchard Park, farmer and local surveyor, born in East Ham- burg in 1827, has been superintendent of schools from 1852 to 1856, school commis- sioner two years and supervisor for 1875; wife Mary Thorn, daughter of Joseph and Jane A. Thorn, born in 1834, married Dec. 27, 1862; children two-Elihu, born in 1868, and Joseph T., born in 1870. Parents Elisha and Mary (Varney) Freeman ; the former of Washington county, N. Y., born in 1794, and died in 1865; the latter of Berwick, Me., born in 1797, and came to county in 1816, and is still living. Freeman Elias H., p o Orchard Park, general farmer and fruit dealer, born in East Hamburg in 1832; wife Melinda Kelsy, of Cattaraugus county, married in 1857, died in 1862; second wife Mary Jane Howland, of Monroe county, N. Y., daughter of Solomon and Margaret Kelsy, born in 1838, married in 1864; children three-Louise, Margaret and Josephine. Parents Elisha and Mary (Varney) Free- man; the former was born in Washington county in 1794, and traveled nine times from White Hall to Buffalo on foot, with knapsack on his back, and there worked at his trade in the summer as carpenter and joiner, and returned in the fall, and in 1819 married Abigail Smith; she had two daughters-Anna and Philenda, and died in 1825. second wife Mary Varney, married in 1827; children four-Elizabeth, Mary, Amos, and Elias; the mother is still living; Elisha held many town offices and was appointed loan commissioner of the Erie County Savings Bank, and died in 1865. Gardner Gayer, p o Orchard Park, farmer, born in Buffalo in 1842. Parents Charles and Mary (Patterson) Gardner, native of Columbia county, came to Buffalo in 1828; the former was born in 1802 and died in 1873, the latter died in 1857, leav- ing six children-Robert, Charles, Gayer, Mary, Rebecca and Lydia. Gayer Gardner enlisted in company B. 21st Regt., May 8th, 1861, and served two years under Col. Rogers, was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg and returned as First Lieutenant. Griffin William A., p o Ellicott, florist and gardener, born in East Hamburg in 1821; wife Susan Runyan born in Block Island in 1831, married in 1852; one child Minnie M., daughter of Terrace and Celia (Geneson) Runyan, who came to county in 1837, the former died in 1871, the latter in 1877, leaving fourteen children-thirteen now living. Parents Oliver and Polly (Cook) Griffin natives of Washington county; came to Ērie county in 1809, the former died in 1858, the latter in 1868 leaving four children, Phebe, Seneca, Sally and William A. Hambleton Christopher, p o Orchard Park, merchant and retired farmer, born in Boston in 1824, was highway commissioner two terms assessor two terms, justice of peace two terms and postmaster since 1876; wife Susan J. Hambleton, daughter of William and Olive Hambleton, born in Hamburg in 1824, married in 1847, having one child Herbert E., born in 1861. Parents Samuel A. and Edith (Willet) Hamble- ton, former born in Canada in 1801, wife died in 1838; second wife Elizabeth Hill; he died in 1861 leaving nine children-Christopher was in the mercantile business in Buffalo in 1863-'4 and in 1876 began business in East Hamburg. Hambleton William, p o Orchard Park, retired farmer, born in Lycoming county, Penn., June 23d 1799, came to county in 1809, was justice twelve years, assessor nine years, road, school and excise commissioner three years; wife Olive Cowden of Cazenovia, married Jan. 7, 1821, died in 1851; children seven-second wife Mrs. Mary (Cowden) Montague. Parents Jonas and Anna (Kester) Hambleton, natives of Chester county. came to Hamburg, in 1809, the former died in 1847, the latter in 1842; children thirteen-two living, William and Elizabeth. Hoag Abram, p o Orchard Park, farmer, born in East Hamburg in 1823; wife Sa bina Wasson, born in 1825, married in 1845; children four-Sarah, Phebe, Rosella and George E. Parents Robert and Phebe Sherman (Hoag) natives of Warren county, BRIEF PERSONALS. 741 married in 1820, the former died in 1874 aged 79, the latter is still living aged 81, children five living. Hoag James, p o Orchard Park, farmer born in East Hamburg in 1828; wife Maria L. Smith, daughter of Dr. Elisha and Elizabeth (Howland) Smith, born in East Hamburg in 1835, married in 1856; children two-Charles S. and Ida M. Parents Robert and Phebe (Sherman) Hoag, natives of Queensbury, Warren county, married in 1820; children seven, five living-Abram, James, Anna, Jannette and Maria P. Jones William, po Websters Corners, retired farmer, born in East Hamburg in 1811; wife Julia Paxton of county, married in 1861 and died in 1865; second wife Mrs. Lorinda (Cone) Brady, born in Montgomery county in 1813, married in 1870. Par- ents Ransom and Sarah (Brady) Jones natives of Washington county, the former was born in 1773, came to Erie county in 1808, died in 1850, the latter died in 1838; children twelve-four living. Littlefield Darwin S., p o Hamburg, farmer and dairyman, born in Boston, in 1828; wife Nancy Bently, daughter of Uriah and Almira Bently of Chautauqua county; married in 1853; children three-Dwight born in 1856, Helen born in 1858 and Flor- ence born in 1870. Parents Ledyard and Mary (Reed) Littlefield, the former born in Montgomery county in 1796, came to Erie county in 1811, and died in 1855, the lat- ter died in 1860; children four. Meatyard Robert, p o Ellicott, farmer and fruit grower, born in Hamburg in 1833; wife Ruth A. Eddy, born in 1842, married in 1865. Parents Charles and Mary (Storres) Meatyard, natives of Salsbury Plains, England; the former born in 1798, came to Erie county in 1830, and died in Hamburg; children five-Charles, Robert, Henry, Mary and Phebe. Miller John H., p o Orchard Park, farmer, fruit grower, dairy and retired black- smith, born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1827, came to county in 1848; wife Janette Oakes, daughter of Samuel and Esther (Albee) Oakes, born in East Hamburg in 1831, married in 1854; children three-Ellen Letitia, Myron Eugene, and Silas Samuel. Parents Nicholas and Margaret (Mayer) Miller, natives of Bavaria, came to Pennsylvania in 1840; the former settled in Whites Corners in 1860, and died in 1867, aged 73; the latter died at Girard in 1841; children two-John H., and George H. Moore Alfred, p o Orchard Park, born in East Hamburg in 1825, was highway commissioner one year, and held other district offices; wife Louisa N. Baker, born in East Hamburg in 1824, married in 1847; children three-Ella, Mary and Frances; wife daughter of Stephen and Mercy (Sprague) Baker, natives of Vermont; the former born in 1802; the latter in 1804, died in 1876. Parents Reuben and Sally (Ferris) Moore; the former born in Saratoga county, and settled with his parents Obadiah and Sarah Moore in 1808; children five. Perkins Spencer L., p o Webster's Corners, farmer, and formerly hotel keeper in Buffalo, born in Washington county in 1831, settled in Boston in 1835; wife Jane Runyan, born in Penn Yan, Yates county, Aug. 24, 1830, married in 1855; one daugh- Parents Zenas and Sally (Whaley) Perkins, natives of Vermont, settled in Boston in 1835; the former died in 1861, aged 86; the latter died in 1860, aged 77; children nine, four now living-Almond, John W., Spencer L., and Adaline. ter. Potter Gilbert, p o Orchard Park, retired farmer and stock dealer, born in East Hamburg in 1809; wife Phebe C. Chidster, born in Cayuga county in 1827, married in 1846, and died in 1877; children four-Gardner B., Sarah E., Julia A., and Helen S. Parents Joshua and Judah (Parmer) Potter, natives of Rutland county', came to county in 1806; the former died in 1860, the latter in 1875; children seven-four now living. Reed Samuel S., p o Orchard Park, farmer, dairy and stock grower, born in Mad- ison county in 1819, came to county in 1823, was loan commissioner of Western New York; wife Tryphena Laire, born in Aurora in 1816, married in 1843; one child- Emma, born in 1844. Parents Tunis and Anna (Salsbury) Reed; the former died in 49 742 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. 1823; the latter of Vermont, came to county and died in 1832; children seven—one now living. Smith Charles I., p o Orchard Park, assessor and farmer, born in East Hamburg in 1828, was assessor 19 years, and president of the Plank Road Co., and held other district offices; wife Laura A. Heath, born in 1834, married in 1855, and died in 1867; children two; second wife Hattie H. Sisler, daughter of John and Sarah Sisler, born in Canada in 1845, married March 4, 1868; children four. Parents Dr. Elisha and Elizabeth (Howland) Smith; the former a native of Vermont, came to county among the early settlers, and died in 1865; the latter of Massachusetts, died in 1876; chil- dren ten-seven now living. Smith Mortimer F., p o Orchard Park, farmer, dairy and stock grower, born in East Hamburg, in 1832; wife Nancy Saunders, daughter of Atwell and Rhoda Saun- ders, born in Hamburg in 1835, married in 1852, children seven-Albert, Ira, Edward, Mortimer, Carrie, Rhoda and Bertha. Parents Dr. Elisha and Elizabeth (Howland) Smith. Sweet Charles H., p o Orchard Park, farmer and lumber dealer, of the firm of Briggs & Sweet, born in East Hamburg in 1844, has been town collector and is pres- ent supervisor; wife, Emma Chilcott, daughter of Eben and Martha Chilcott, born in 1843, children four-George, Cora, Adele and Alice. Parents, Chester and Abigail (Baker) Sweet, the former born in Colden, the latter in Hamburg, both died in Erie county. Thorn Frank M., p o Orchard Park, fruit grower and assistant superintendent of the East Hamburg Canning Co., born in Collins, December 7th, 1836, was supervisor from 1871 to '74, and 1876 to '79; wife, Eola W. Smith, born in East Hamburg, in 1849, married in 1867, children four-parents, Abraham and Phila N. (Pratt) Thorn, the former of Eden was justice of the peace and surrogate for several years in county, the latter of Wayne county. Utley William H., p o Orchard Park, born in East Hamburg, in 1815, and died September 27th, 1882; wife Olive R. Conklin, daughter of William and Hen- rietta (Patton) Conklin, born in Aurora in 1820, married in 1840, children three— Mary B., Henrietta M., and Frank. Parents, Charles B., and Mary (Ball) Utley, the former of Vermont, came to Erie county in 1810, was justice of peace many years, the latter of New Hampshire, children nine-three living. Wasson Thomas W., po Orchard Park, owner and proprietor of East Hamburg Hotel, born in Buffalo, in 1845; wife Lavina Tillon, daughter of Henry and Olive Tillon of Elma, married in 1874. Parents Thomas and Julia (Hibbard) Wasson, the former born in Hamburg, and died in 1880, the latter born in Tonawanda, in 1815, one child-Thomas. Wheeler Stephen Jr., p o Webster Corners, farmer, born in Worcester county Mass., in 1815; wife, Polly M. Treat, born in Aurora, married in 1850, children three-Minerva, Frank S., and H. Beecher. Parents, Stephen and Susan (Aldrich) Wheeler, the former from Worcester county, Mass.; walked in the spring of 1820 to Buffalo, and purchased a farm in Hamburg, moved his family in the fall of same year, died in 1829, aged 42, the latter died in 1877, aged eighty-eight years; children three-Paul, Stephen and Phebe. White John W., p o Orchard Park, farmer, and stock grower, born in East Ham- burg, July 29th, 1843; wife Rosa M. Clark, born in Hamburg, in 1849, married in 1879, one child-Belle. Parents of wife, John and Martha L. (Wood) Clark, the former was member of Assembly, supervisor and justice of the peace, and died in 1883, chil- dren four. Parents Albert A., and Nancy (Webster) White the former born in Colum- bia county, June 1, 1813, married in 1841, the latter was born in Harrisburg, Jan. 17, 1815, children three-Kate E., Ellen M., and John Webster. BRIEF PERSONALS. 743 ELMA. Adams John Quincy, p o East Aurora, retired farmer, born in Aurora in 1823; wife Eliza Wiley, born in Ireland in 1838, married in 1857; one son-Alvin H., born in 1861, and died March 28, 1878. Parents Luther and Azuba Adams, natives of Massachusetts, who came to county in 1804. Allen H. D., po East Elma, manufacturer of woolen yarns, born in Saratoga county in 1853, came to Erie county in 1867; wife Nettie Spencer, of Wyoming county, married in 1880; one child-George. Parents E. S. and Emily (Lawton) Allen, natives of Saratoga county, who came to county in 1867; the former died Jan. 12, 1883, aged 57 years; children five-Hattie, H. D., Henry L., Walter E., and Bertha. Arnold Silas H., p o Willink, merchant and farmer, born in Hamburg in 1829; wife Harriet Davis, born in Collins in 1843, married in 1860; children three-Clara, Fred and Harry. Parents Oliver H., and Ruth Ellen Arnold; the former born in Wallingford, Vt., in 1803, married in 1826, died July 3, 1883; children five. Bancroft Alonzo Clinton, p o Elma, farmer, born in Windham county, Vt., in 1826; wife Jane A. Sleeper, born in Canada in 1828, married in 1850; one child- Mary E. Parents Eleazer and Claudice (Webb) Bancroft, natives of Vermont, mar- ried in 1823; Eleazer Bancroft built the second saw-mill in Elma. Grandparents James and Fanny (Kendall) Bancroft. Briggs Joseph Benson, p o Elma, capitalist, retired farmer, lumber manufacturer and land dealer, born in Woodstock, Vt., Nov. 8, 1812, came to county in 1829; wife Altha Wilbor, born in Genesee county in 1822, married in 1841; children seven Albert H., Wilbor B., George D., Helen, Lucelia, Joseph E., and Charles S. Parents Joseph and Hope (Benson) Briggs, natives of Cape Cod, Mass., who came to Erie county in 1829; Joseph served several years as Captain in the old militia and was appointed Major by Governor Marcy, which office he held several years. Bullis Frank G., p o Marilla, farmer, born in Hamburg in 1848; wife Ella C. Hathorn, born in Vermont in 1852, married in 1870; one child-Birdie C., born in 1878. Parents Lewis M., and Phebe (Griffin) Bullis; the former, born in Plattsburg in 1804, came to Erie county in 1836, was supervisor at Hamburg and Elma, and held several other town offices, died in 1869; the latter born in 1807. Ella C., was daughter of Verenus and Annis Hathorn, natives of Vermont, who came to Erie county in 1857; the former died in 1871, aged 61. Davis Albert, p o Spring Brook, farmer, 100 acres, born in Aurora (now Elma) in 1840, held several district offices; wife Jane Bowie, born in Aurora in 1849, married in 1871; children five. Parents Jacob R. and Harriet (Henshaw) Davis; the former born in Cayuga county in 1797, died in 1875; the latter died in 1856, leaving three children-William H., George and Albert. George enlisted in the late war and has since died. Davis James C., p o Spring Brook, farmer, born in Wales in 1830; wife Harriet E. Harvey, daughter of Sylvanus and Rhoda (Derby) Harvey; the former of Wash- ington county, came to Erie county in 1825; born in Aurora in 1839, married in 1872; children three-Ada M., Grace E., and Alice M. Parents James, Jr., and Caroline (Chadwick) Davis; the latter was born in Schoharie county in 1811; the former born in Ulster county in 1806, came to Erie county at an early date. Grace James J., po Spring Brook, farmer, born in Colden; wife Clara E. Adams, daughter of Samuel and Nancy M. Adams, of Aurora, married in 1870, chil- dren three-Hattie, Howard and Joseph. Parents Joseph and Jane (Kinsey) Grace, of Aurora. Grandparents were among the first settlers in the town when it was a wilderness. Grace William W., p o Spring Brook, farmer, born in Colden in 1842, was town clerk in 1870, and assistant keeper of Almshouse in 1872; wife Ellen Ward, daugh- 744 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. ter of James H., and Jane (Morse) Ward, born in Erie county in 1841, married 1865. Parents Joseph and Jane (Kinsey) Grace, of Oneida county the former born in 1820, married in 1839, the latter born in England in 1818, and died in 1846, Will- iam W. Grace enlisted in Co. I, 116 N. Y., Vol., in July 1862, was promoted to First Lieutenant of Co. F, of 116 N. Y., served until September 22, 1864, was sent to Maine by the government as recruiting agent, receiving and forwarding substitutes until the close of the war, when he was mustered out in August 1865, and since that time has served as delegate to the State convention, and was one of the Tilden representative men. Griffin John W., p o East Elma, farmer 150 acres born in East Hamburg, 1828; wife Rachel Hambleton, born in 1830, married in 1851, children four-Ellen, Addie, Emma and Susan. Parents James and Anna (Eddy) Griffin, the latter was born in Greenfield, Mass., died April 22, 1865, the former was born in Vermont, came to Erie county in 1804, he was a pensioner and an active man in the war of 1812, died in 1875. Griggs Alonzo M., p o Willink, farmer, born in Springfield, Otsego county, in 1826, settled in county in 1833; wife Phebe M. Brush, of Buffalo, married in 1858, one child, Sarah P. Parents, Ichabod and Sarah (Abbott) Griggs, the former born in Shaftsbury, Vt., in 1794, came to county in 1833, died in 1843, latter died in 1883, aged eighty-one, children thirteen-eight residing in county. Grise Michael, po Blossom, farmer, born in Elma, in 1855; wife Frank Harlan, born in Canada, 1858, married in 1878, died February, 1882, children two-Lia and Daniel. Parents Michael and Anna (Margrata) Grise, the former born in Cheekto- waga, in 1832, married in 1853, died in 1878, the latter was born in Baden, in 1833, children three--Grandparents, Jacob and Barbara, came to Erie county before the war of 1812, went to Ohio in 1875, children four. Hall Otis A., p o Lancaster, farmer, born in Lenox, Madison county, in 1819, came to county in 1850; wife Julia A. Van Epps, born in Madison county in 1816, married in 1847; children two-Charles R., and Emma G.; the latter married George Bronk in 1878; one child. Parents Solomon and Lucy Hall, of Madison county. Hensel Conrad C., p o Blossom, farmer, 50 acres, born in Prussia in 1835, came to county in 1854, was postmaster eleven years, assessor two terms, and held other district offices; wife Salome Sand, born in Cheektowaga in 1837, married in 1863; children seven-Matilda, Emma, Sarah, Carrie, George, William and David. Parents Conrad and Barbara (Bowman) Hensel; the former born in Prussia in 1808, married in 1832, came to Erie county in 1854; the latter born in Prussia in 1802; children three-Conrad, Philip and Minnie; Philip died in 1869. Hopper James, p o East Elma, farmer, born in Schoharie in 1815, came to county in 1823; wife Amanda Eldridge, daughter of William and Sally (Rhodes) Eldridge, natives of Saratoga, came to county in 1830, born in 1835, married in 1856; children ten-Elma L., Sally M., Mary S., Amanda A., Jettie, Ada and Amy, (twins) William E., Jacob and James L. Parents Jacob and Mary (Smith) Hopper, natives of Schoharie county, came to county in 1823. Hurd C. W., p o Elma, farmer, stock grower, real estate dealer, capitalist and retired lumber manufacturer, came to county in 1824, was highway commissioner of Lancaster; wife Dulcena Clark, daughter of James Clark, of Vermont, who came to county in 1832; born in Vermont in 1813, married April 4, 1836; children six— Parents Thad- Ross C., Hiram D., Charles A., James F., Harvey J., and Harriet. deus and Sarah Hurd; the latter born in Vermont in 1776, died in 1871; children seven-one living; the former was born in Roxbury, Conn., came to Erie county in 1824, was in early life a teacher, died in 1841. C. W. Hurd was Captain in the old militia. Hurd Cyrus, p o Elma, farmer and stock grower, born in Alden in 1826; wife Cordelia Hill, born in Holland in 1827, married in 1848, died June 30, 1853; chil- dren three, one living-George W., born in 1849; second wife Alma S. Ashman, mar- ried in 1854; children three-Lillie H., Cordelia A., and Emery B. She was daughter BRIEF PERSONALS. 745 of Amaziah and Thankful (Curtis) Ashman, natives of Massachusetts, who came to county in 1808; the former was a pensioner of the war of 1812. Parents Russel and Abigail (Boyd) Hurd, who came to county in 1812; the former of Vermont, the latter of Massachusetts; came to Alden and died in county; children four. Jerge Jacob, p o Elma, wagon and carriage manufacturer, tinsmith and black- smith, born in Germany in 1830, came to county in 1848; wife Josephine Hess, native of Germany, married in 1853; children ten. Parents Philip and Barbara Jerge, who came to Erie county in 1848. Jacob Jerge purchased his interest of W. Bancroft in 1856, and now gives employment to eight or ten hands. Kyser Horace, po Spring Brook, formerly farmer, contractor, builder, lumber manufacturer and dealer, born in Pike, Wyoming county, 1824 and died April 10,1880; wife Jane E. Northrop, born in Niagara county in 1824, married in 1844; children three-Hattie E., George E. and Nettie. Mrs. Kyser was daughter of Lewis and Jane (Warner) Northrop, came to county in 1820, the former born in Duchess county in 1801, died in 1882, the latter born in Massachusetts in 1799, married in 1823 and died in 1881, children five. Marvel Alfred, p o Spring Brook, farmer, and dairyman born in Genesee, (now Wyoming county) Oct. 3, 1820, was supervisor seven years, highway commissioner for six years; wife Lena Davis, daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Clearwater) Davis of Aurora, born in Aurora; in 1820, married in 1846; children two-Jane and Laurette. Parents John W. and Lavina (Maynard) Marvel, the latter born in Mass., the former in Rhode Island, came to Colden in 1838; children eight. In 1843 John W., moved to Ill. with his family, Alfred then purchased a farm of 200 acres which was at that time a forest, and now deals largely in stock and in 1872 assisted in building a cheese factory which uses the milk of 200 cows, he has also a farm of 300 acres in Aurora. Ostrander John W., p o East Elma, farmer, born in Boston in 1827, was assessor six years; wife Mary A. Oberhalser, born in county in 1828, married in 1854, and died in July 1862, one child—Anna; second wife Elizabeth Whitmer of Niagara county, married in 1865, one child--Ira W. Parents Thomas and Phebe (Wasson) Ostran- der, the former was born in Rensselaer county in 1807, came to Erie county in 1824, the latter born in Saratoga county in 1807, came to Hamburg in 1810 with her par- ents, married in 1827 and died in 1866. Ott Louis J., po Blossom, miller and farmer, born in county in 1856; wife Catharine Sebald, born in Buffalo in 1864, married in 1880, one child-Louis F. Parents Louis and Mary Ann (Hines) Ott, the former born in Alsace, the latter came to Erie county in 1830 and died in 1863; children four-Louis L., Jane Mary, Helen and Matilda. Palmer Harvey C., p o East Elma, assessor and farmer, born in Day, Saratoga county in 1831, came to county in 1867, was assessor two terms and justice of peace. four years; wife Ann Lawton, born in Saratoga county, married in 1853; one child— Edwina K., who was born in 1855 and married James P. Allen of Erie county in 1881. Parents Eli and Phebe Palmer. Schmalz John J., p o Blossom, retired farmer, 93 acres, born in Alsace in 1819, came to county in 1837; wife Mary Eve Hintz, born in Wittenburg in 1824, married in 1847; children five-Sophia, Mary, John J., Magdelena and Emma. Parents of Mrs. Schmalz, Rynard and Chrissena (Wagner) Hentz, natives of Wersburg, Germany, who came to Erie county in 1835 and settled in Sheldon, the former died in 1859, the latter in 1855; children nine. Parents Frank and Ietha Schmalz, natives of Alsace. Stitz Henry W., p o Elma Centre, farmer, 207 acres, born in Prussia in 1834, came to county in 1854, was assessor three years and held other district offices; wife Lina Gentsh a native of of Saxony, Germany, married in 1861; children seven -parents John and Teresa Stitz, natives of Prussia, came to Erie county in 1854, the latter died in 1881; children six. 746 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Tillon James, p o Spring Brook, farmer, born in Aurora in 1828, was supervisor in 1883; wife Lucy Harris, married in 1857; children two-Joseph and Alpheus. Parents Joseph and Hannah (Filkins) Tillon, natives of Duchess county, came to Erie county in 1816; the former served in the war of 1812, drew a pension and died in 1876; the latter died in 1879; children eight. Wier Thomas E., p o Spring Brook, farmer, and assessor, born in Ireland in 1831, came to county in 1848, has held the office of assessor and poormaster two years; wife Elizabeth Ried, born in Ireland in 1837, married in 1860, died in 1872; children three-Willie, Jane Adele and Letitia; second wife Sarah Ried, married in 1873; children two-Edmonson and Jarvis. Parents William and Elizabeth Wier, natives of Ireland. Wilson Denison L., p o Spring Brook, farmer, born in Rutland, Windham county, Vt., in 1833, came to county in 1835; wife Mary Northrup, born in county in 1831, married in 1863; one child-Fred L. Parents Lewis and Jane E. (Warner) Nor- thrup; the former was an energetic business man, built and run the Spring Brook mill until his death which occurred in 1881; children five. Parents Ezekiel and Car- oline Wilson, natives of Vermont, who came to Erie county and settled in 1835; children five. Woodard E., p o Elma Centre, farmer, lumber and shingle manufacturer, born in Champion, Jefferson county, in 1820, came to county in 1834; wife Martha Bostwick, daughter of Charles and Mary Bostwick, natives of Jefferson county; born in Gouv- erneur, Jefferson county, in 1829, married in 1850; children four-Erin, George, Emma and James A. Parents Epsom and Polly (Storz) Woodward, natives of Jeffer- son county, who came to Erie county in 1834; the former died in 1842. Young Jacob, p o Elma, farmer, born in Alsace in 1822, came to county in 1842; wife Laura M. Standart, born in county Aug. 8, 1828, married March 18, 1847; chil- dren five-Edson J., George W., Jasper H., Ella L., and Nellie M. Parents of Mrs. Young, George and Bethia Standart; the former was an early settler in the county, and did active service in the war of 1812. EVANS. Ayer Colonel Ira, po Angola, retired farmer, 80 acres, born at Haverhill, Mass., Dec. 6, 1802, came to county in 1811, was supervisor two years, and has held other district and military offices; wife Julia M. Wadsworth, born in 1806, married in 1828, and died in 1861; children four-Ira Jr., Lavena, Sarah C., and Julia H.; second wife Bessie Conkright, married in 1868; one adopted child. Parents James and Sarah (Bradley) Ayer, natives of Massachusetts, who came to county in 1811. Blackney Roselle U., p o Angola, general merchant, born in Cattaraugus county in 1849, came to Erie county in 1856, has been president of Board of Education, and treasurer of Corporation; wife Achsah M. Dye, born in 1855, married in 1875; chil- dren two-Ralph R., and Roselle U., Jr. Parents Seeley and Louise (Leonard) Blackney, who settled in Erie county in 1857, and began mercantile business in 1867. Brown Orlin C., po Angola, merchant, born in Eden, in 1847, has been super- visor since 1878, and town clerk for one year; wife, Phebe A. Stone, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Stone married September 22, 1869.. Parents, William and Sarah D. (Hawley) Brown of Glens Falls, N. Y., who came to Erie county in 1842. Bundy Henry H., p o Angola, steam custom flour and grist-mill, born in Evans in 1843; wife Clara N. Dibble, married in 1875, children two-twin brother Horace H., married Carrie M. Hawks in 1876. Parents, Henry and Sarah (Hurd) Bundy, the latter died in 1848; second wife Lucy Hall, who died in 1869, leaving one son Milan J., who married Ida Allen, of Collins. Carpenter Hiram, p o Farnham, general farmer, born in Paris, Oneida county, N. Y., June 21, 1821, settled in county in 1848, and died March 20, 1876; wife Helen BRIEF PERSONALS. 747 A. Cash, born September 22, 1828, married October 19, 1843, one son-Frederick W. Carpenter, born in 1846. Parents David and Polly Carpenter, natives of Connect- icut, who died in Wyoming county. Parents of Mrs. Carpenter, Ambrose and Eliza A. (Cook) Cash, of Evans, the former came to Erie county from Duchess county, with his parents in 1812, and died in county leaving one daughter, Helen A. Carpenter Fred, p o Farnham. Catlin Mrs. Harriet, p o Derby, owns 150 acres, born in Ontario county, in 1824, husband Philander Bert Catlin, born in Evans, in 1822, and died in 1865, married in 1845; children six-one son and five daughters. Parents, Nathaniel and Jerusha (Hoyt) Bassett, who came to county in 1828, husband's parents Elisha and Paulina (Wells) Catlin, who came to county in 1820. Dole Josiah W., p o Eden, farmer, 50 acres, born in Eden in 1832, has been assessor for one term, highway commissioner seven years, and was excise commissioner for 1881; wife, Harriet Amelia Belknap, born in 1843, married in 1862; children four—one son and three daughters. Parents, Linus and Esther Maria (Van Dusen) Dole, the former a native of Massachusetts, and died in 1881, the latter of Cayuga county, who died in 1883, leaving six children. Hurd Cloys R., p o North Evans, retired carpenter, builder and farmer, born in Bennington county, Vt., in 1832, came to county in 1832, has been assessor three years, and was highway commissioner in 1883; wife Elizabeth Garrett, married in 1859, and died in 1863, leaving one son, Henry C., born in October, 1862. Parents, Sheldon and Rohena (Frost) Hurd, who came to Evans in 1832, their children were Russell, Cloys R., Horatio S., Sophia, Harriet and Rohena. Imus Sidney P., p o Angola, hotel and livery stable, and retired stage agent of the Buffalo & Ohio stage company, born in Plattsburg, N. Y., in 1819, came to county in 1845; wife, Ann Pender, of Watertown, married in 1843, children eight- five now living. Ingersoll Malcom G., p o East Evans, farmer and gardener, born in Evans in 1837. Parents, Josiah and Emeline C. (Tucker) Ingersoll, the former born in 1803, and married in 1829, and died in 1860, the latter was born in 1808; children five— Malcom G., Gardner, Thaddeus, Harriet and Robert M., who enlisted in an Iowa company, and served three years and three months. Ingersoll Nelson P.,p o East Evans, farmer, born in Evans, in 1832; wife, Phebe L. Joy, born in Buffalo, in 1831, married in 1854; children four-George W., Walter J., Jennie M., and Julia L. George married Lizzie Sweetland, in 1882. Ingersoll William H., p o East Evans, retired farmer, born in Cayuga county in 1801, came to county in 1808; wife Sophia May, born in Cazenovia, Madison county in 1811, married in 1829, and died in 1866; children nine-four now living. Second wife, Mrs. Mary H. (Secor) Ingersoll, born in Putnam county, N. Y. Parents Ebenezer and Anna (Secor) Ingersoll, who came to Erie county in 1808, and settled on the banks of Eighteen Mile creek, where they were much annoyed by the British and Indians. Newton J. R., p o Angola, claim agent of the Lake Shore & Michigan South- ern R. R., born in Suffolk county in 1821, came to Erie county in 1831; wife Cor- delia Earl, born in 1827, married in 1845. Paul Charles F., p o Angola, tin and hardware dealer, born in Germany in 1846, came to county in 1856; wife Freda Miller, of Rochester, N. Y.; children four- Cornelia, Louis, Carl and Freda. Parents Frank and Renora (Schriver) Paul, who came to Erie county in 1856. Penfold Henry J., p o Angola, druggist, prescriptionist and editor of the Angola Record, and has recently established a private banking business, the only one in town, born in Lockport, N. Y., February 22, 1854, came 22, 1854, came to county in 1871, is treasurer of the Angola Academy, and has held several corporation offices; wife Ella F. Butts, of Brant, married in 1874. 748 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Raymond Lyman R., p o Angola, physician, surgeon and druggist, born in Che- nango county in 1821, came to Erie county in 1825, is present town clerk; wife Rosella Ryneck, married in 1870; children six. Parents Irad and Caroline (Jones) Raymond, the former died in 1871. Reeve John, po Angola, farmer, 100 acres, born in Kent, England, in October, 1821, came to county in 1831; wife Dorcas R. Blote, married in 1854; children two- Aaron G., and Betsey Maria. Aaron married Susan Tuller, of Erie county in 1875; children two. Betsey M., married Luther H. Holland in 1877; one child. Ryneck W. H., p o Angola, dealer in tin and hardware, and all farming tools and makes a specialty of the Buckeye reapers and mowers, born in Evans in 1836; wife Ellen Mundhenk, born in Pyrmont, Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1842, married in 1865 one child-Rosella W., born in March, 1866. Parents William A. and Rosetta (Wells) Ryneck, the former a native of Chenango county, came to Erie in 1820, and died in 1844, the latter born in 1809, and died in 1842; children two-W. H., and Rosella, wife of Dr. L. R. Raymond. W. H, Ryneck commenced the general hardware business, the stand one of the oldest in that section of country, being estab- lished over twenty-five years, by Mr. Charles A. Kinsley, and afterward conducted by Mr. John Martin, and in 1877. Mr. Ryneck purchased the establishment and has largely increased the stock and trade. Smith Elijah P., p o Angola, farmer and proprietor of the Union Hotel of Angola, born in Burlington in 1817, came to Erie county in 1838, has been assessor, president of corporation and highway commissioner, he enlisted in the 116th regiment, under Colonel Chapin, August 25, 1862, and served for three years, was appointed orderly, then served in the commissary department until discharged, June 14, 1865, he was also a Lieutenant in the McKenzie war, and was a brave soldier, and always found at his post of duty; wife Martha Colvin, daughter of Israel and Valeriah (Fisk) Colvin, born in 1824, married in 1843; children eight. Parents Nathaniel and Sally (Porter) Smith who came to county in 1835. Southwick Edmund Z., p o Angola, farmer, born in Collins in 1823; wife Mary Etta Clough, born in 1825, married in 1850; children four-Frank, Idan, Ernest and Lawrence. Parents Job and Sophia (Smith) Southwick, the former born in Washing- ton county in 1796 and died in 1882, the latter born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1798 and died in 1871. Southworth John H., p o Angola, retired carpenter, builder and farmer, and now keeps a general store of groceries and provisions, born in Concord, Feb. 12, 1818, has held several district offices; wife Mrs. Lydia Harrison, born in Bethlehem in 1831, married in 1854; children five. Parents William and Electa (Fuller) Southworth the former aged 96 lives with his son Lyman in Chautauqua county. Southwick Joseph, p o Angola, farmer and dairyman, born in Evans in 1828, was revenue assessor, justice of the peace for twelve years, and supervisor in 1877; wife Hulda, daughter of Salna F., and Jane (Husen) Hawley, born in 1834, married in 1850; children five-Richard E., born in 1852; John J., born in 1856; Wilfred W. born in 1859; Lillian born in 1864; Sophia I., born in 1872. Parents Job and Sophia Smith) Southwick,) natives of Glens Falls, N. Y., who came to county in 1810. Sweetland George, Jr., p o East Evans, farmer, born in Evans in 1823, was col- lector from 1846 to '47; wife Emily Jane Salsbury, married in 1849, and died 1857, left one son George L., born in 1855, second wife Harriet Abbott of Hamburg, born in 1822, married in 1858, one child-Thad. C., born in 1859. Parents Dr. George and Abigail F. (Beard) Sweetland, the former a native of N. H., and the latter of Conn. Turnbull Mark, p o Eden, farmer and retired tailor, born in the highlands of Scotland in 1822, came to America in 1851, and lived in New York city for four years, and settled in Evans on a farm of 50 acres in 1855; wife Mary Southwell, born in England, in 1818, married in 1853; children eight-four now living, Martha, Helen, George and Mary; Martha married Mr. John S. Peck, of Eden, and George married Alcy Brown, of Chautauqua county, and Mary, D. W. Fairbanks of Evans. BRIEF PERSONALS. 749 HOLLAND. Bucknam John H., p o Holland, farmer, born in Massachusetts in 1811, went to New Hampshire in 1828, and settled in Erie county in 1841; wife Caroline Baker, born in New Hampshire, married in 1832; children eleven-living nine. Parents Spencer and Mary Bucknam of Massachusetts. Button C. A., p o Holland, druggist, grocer, etc., born in Holland, Erie county in 1853, appointed postmaster in 1881; wife Eliza J. P. Black, born in Bellmont, Mass., in 1851, married in 1877. Parents Charles T., and Samantha (Burlingame) Button, the former born in Cattaraugus county in 1818, the latter in Aurora in 1819, married in 1841; children two-Russell W., born in 1843, and C. A. in 1853, grand- father Charles Button came to Erie county in 1815. Button R. W., p o Holland, farmer and stock grower, born in Holland, Erie county in 1843; in August 1862 he enlisted under Col. Chapin, in company I, of the 116th N. Y. Vols., and served through the war; wife Emma D. Burlingame, born in Cattaraugus county in 1845, married in 1866; children two-Lawrence P., and Clar- ence E. Parents Charles F., and Samantha (Burlingame) Button. Colby Jefferson, p o Protection, general farmer, born in Holland, Erie county in 1851, married in 1873; children two-Iva May and Clara H. Parents Jonas S., and Sally Colby of Holland. Colby Jonas S. p o Holland. Cooper Paige E., p o Holland, farmer, born in Holland in 1831, has held the office of justice; wife Valona G. Sweet, born in 1838, married in 1860; children five. Parents Samuel and Sally Cooper, of Vermont; the former came to Erie county in 1810, and the latter in 1815, married in April, 1829. Grandparents Joseph and Dolly (Paige) Cooper. Curtis Sylvester, p o Holland, farmer, stock grower and dairyman, born in Wyom- ing county in 1813, came to Erie county in 1842; wife Betsey Sherwin, born in Cov- ington, Genesee county, in 1821, married in 1838; children one-Herman S., born in 1840; he married Mary E. Van Slyke in 1864; children one—Cortland H. Par- ents John C., and Lucy (Craft) Curtis; the former born in Otsego county, and the latter in Massachusetts; came to Erie county in 1843. Mrs. Curtis was the daughter of Bissel and Experience (Whitney) Sherwin. Cutler S., po Holland, farmer and dairyman, born in Windham county, Vt., in 1815, came to Erie county in 1816; wife Roxana Bump, born in Vermont in 1816, married in 1841; children seven. children seven. Parents Caleb and Ede (Parkhurst) Cutler, both of Massachusetts, and came from Vermont to Erie county in 1816, with a yoke of cattle, one horse, and three cows; they brought their pans and churn and made butter on the way; they were twenty-two days making the journey. Caleb was ever active and ready in performing acts of kindness, and he held many town offices; they had eleven children-four now living. Day Benjamin F., p o Holland, general farmer, dairyman, and stock grower, born Canada in 1829, came to Erie county in 1834; wife Dolly Colby, born in Holland in 1836, married in 1859; children five-Orin, Elmer, Howard, Florence and Carrie. Parents Dr. Ithaman, and Malissa (Colman) Day, both of Vermont, came to Erie county in 1819, and in 1820 went to Canada; the former died there in 1834, and in 1834 the mother and six children returned to Erie county. one- Dickerman M. L., p o Holland, capitalist and farmer, born in Rutland county, Vt., in February, 1826, came to Erie county in April, 1829, was justice of the peace for two terms; wife Almeda Stiles, born in Aurora in 1831, married in 1855; children -Hattie M., born in 1858, and married Herbert Booth, of Buffalo, in June, 1881. Parents Isaac and Mary (Barber) Dickerman, of Vermont; the latter died in 1826; children three; second wife Lucinda Crowley; they came to Erie county in April, 1829, where they lived until 1865, then moved to Ottawa county, and Isaac died in 50 ·750 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. 1872; children nine-living seven; one son enlisted in the rebellion, under Captain Nash, and was killed in the battle of Fort Wagoner. Mrs. Dickerman was the daughter of Daniel D., and Harriet (Wolcott) Stiles. Dustin Freeland, p o Holland, general farmer, born in Holland, Erie county, in 1822; wife Diantha Hinman, born in Cattaraugus county in 1826, married in 1856; children one-Milton E. Parents John and Sally (Farrington) Dustin; the former died in 1868; the latter in 1876; children six, John came to Erie county with his parents, Timothy and Sally (Little) Dustin, in 1811, and settled in Holland. Farrington Burt E., p o Holland, farmer and dairyman, born in Holland in 1838, was collector and held several district offices; wife Mary J. Crosby, born in Holland in 1844, married in 1864; children six-Dell, Dora, Alice, Myrtie, Lina and Hattie. Parents Jacob and Diana (Davis) Farrington, of France, came to Erie county in 1810; the former was born in 1803, and died in 1848; the latter born in 1805, and died in 1880; children four. Ferrin Josiah T., p o Holland, general blacksmith, wagon and carriage manu- facturer, born in Wyoming county in 1848, enlisted in the 24th New York Battery, September 18, 1861, under Captain J. E. Lee, and boarded with Jeff. Davis at the Andersonville Hotel, for eight months, there the accommodations were so poor that many of the prisoners died; wife Helen M. Cheney, born in Holland in 1846, married in 1865; children one-Lena A., born in 1876. Parents Nathan H., and Harriet (Thompson) Ferrin, born in Erie county. Grandfather, Ebenezer Ferrin, came from New Hampshire, and settled near Springville, being one of the first settlers of Erie county; Mrs. Ferrin was the daughter of Joshua and Armena H. Cheney. Fisher Philip, p o Holland, general farmer, born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1827, came to Erie county in 1847, was assessor three years, and held several other offices; wife Mary Riber, born in Germany, married in 1854; children six-Francis, Philip Jr., Joseph, Robert, Sarah and Emma. Francis married Carry Pickel in 1881, and Sarah married Paul Euchner in 1880. Parents Philip and Rosena Fisher, of Germany, came to Erie county in 1847, and the former died in 1867; widow resides in Buffalo; children four. Gould Merritt, p o Protection, retired farmer and dairyman, born in Holland in 1835, was assessor for three terms; wife Elvira, daughter of Harrison and Arsela Kimball, born in 1837, married in 1855; children three-Garett, Ray and Arsela. Ray, born in 1860, married Netta Healy, of Wyoming county in 1882. Parents Amos and Betsey (Farrington) Gould, the former of New Hampshire, and died in 1863, the latter of Vermont, came to Erie county in 1817, married in 1819, and died in 1871; children three-Merritt, Alden and Sophronia. Griggs Ichabod Newton, p o Holland, flour, feed and grain dealer and lumber manufacturer, born in Erie county in 1836; in 1878 he built a flour and feed mill, sixty-four by thirty-four, and three stories high, with a saw and lath mill attached, and fed by the Cazenove creek; he also deals in flour, feed and grain. Parents Ichabod and Sarah (Abbott) Griggs, the former of Vermont and the latter of Albany county, they came to Erie county in 1833; children thirteen--David, Julia A., Alonzo M., Jerusha, Sylvester, Marilla, Martha M., John A., Adaline, Ichabod N., Esther, Albert and Harriet; Mrs. Griggs' grandparents were among the first settlers of Hamburg, Erie county. Hawks Avertia, p o Protection, general farmer, born in Sardinia, Erie county in August, 1838; wife Mary E. Childs, born 1841, married in 1860; children five- Floyd, Luella, Ruie, Cleo and Leah. Mrs. Hawks was the daughter of Stephen and Cynthia (Pomeroy) Childs, of Vermont; the former died in 1876, aged seventy-one, the latter is still living, aged seventy-five; children four. Hawks Lawrence W., p o Protection, farmer, born in 1829; wife Martha Maria Smith, of Washington county, married in 1849; children five-Druzella, Lucy E., Ella S., John C., and Newman C.; one living, Lucy E., who married Friend J. Far- rington, of Holland, in 1875. Parents Rufus and Polly (Ward) Hawks, the former BRIEF PERSONALS. 751 born in Massachusetts and the latter in Jefferson county, N. Y., came to Erie county in 1820. Hawks Lewis, p o Protection, general farmer and merchant, born in Sardinia in 1827; wife Harriet Thomas, daughter of Jonathan Thomas, of Jefferson county, born in Sardinia in 1824, married in 1849; children seven-Sarah E., Philena, Charles E., Rufus E., George W., Homer and Flora M. Parents Rufus and Polly (Ward) Hawks, the former born in Massachusetts in 1862, the latter in Jefferson county and died in 1860, aged fifty-four years; children seven. Hawks Orlando, p o Protection, general farmer and merchant at East Holland, born in Sardina in 1843, was justice of the peace in 1879, and highway commissioner three years; wife Merrill I. Johnson, of Erie county, married in 1867; children two— Kate V., and Rose E. Orlando and Lewis Hawks are the proprietors of the general country store, known by the name of Hawks Brothers. Parents Rufus and Polly (Ward) Hawks, the former of Massachusetts and the latter of Jefferson county, N. Y., came to Erie county in 1820. Hawks Porter, p o Protection, farmer and speculator, born in Sardinia in 1841, was assessor in 1882; wife Hattie, daughter of Ira Blair, born in Ohio in 1843, mar- ried January 23, 1870; children two—Ada G., and Newman L. Parents Rufus and Polly (Ward) Hawks, the former born in Massachusetts in 1802, the latter in Jefferson county and died in 1860, aged fifty-four years, came to Erie county about 1820; children seven. Hayes Burrit, po Holland, general farmer, born in Wales, Erie county in 1827, was constable and held several district offices; wife Almira McKean, married in 1857 and died in 1874; children two-Charles E., and James Arthur; second wife Mary, Mahle, married in 1874; children four--Howard A., Elmer G., Riley B., and Ora J. Parents Jonathan and Mary (Wood) Hayes, of Vermont, who came to county about 1822, the former died in in 1877 and the latter in 1880; children four-William B., Burritt, Corlestz and Andrew. Jackson William B., p o Holland, general merchant, has a large store in Holland, and a branch one at Protection, born in Holland in 1858; wife Alzina Vaughan, of Erie county, married January 12, 1881. Parents Saxton K., and Roxana H. (McArthur) Jackson, the former died in 1866, leaving five children. William B., is successor to Stickney & Jackson, purchasing the entire interest of the firm in April, 1883. Kimball Deloss W., p o Holland, general farmer 260 acres, born in Holland in 1832, has held several district offices; wife Lucretia Davis, born in Erie county in 1831, married in 1854 and died in 1855; children one-Frank M., and an adopted daughter, Grace B.; second wife Marintha Hall, married in 1865. Parents James and Esther (Wheelock) Kimball, the former of New Hampshire and the latter of Massachusetts, came to Erie county in 1816 and died in 1840, leaving five children; third wife Julia A. Case, of Herkimer county; children one-Esther L. Lowry C. C., p o Holland, proprietor and owner of the Lowry Hotel, he first commenced the general merchandise business in 1872, and in 1876 sold his stock and opened a hotel, his house is known by the traveling community as the Lowry House of Holland. Mabon William, p o Holland, mason, farmer and stock grower, born in Sche- nectady, N. Y., settled in Erie county in 1837, served as apprentice to his trade seven years; wife Agnes Parren, born in Nova Scotia in 1823, married in 1844; children two-Stephen and Lydia-Stephen married Flora Wanenacher in 1879; one child. Parents John and Elizabeth (McGill) Mabon, of Scotland, settled in Schenectady county in 1816, came to Erie county in 1837, the former died October 22, 1851, aged sixty-eight, and the latter died in Niagara county, aged sixty-eight. Northrup Charles, p o South Wales. Rich Charles S., p o Holland, general farmer, born in Holland, Erie county, in 1850; wife Abby M. Day, born in Holland in 1858, married in 1880; children two- 752 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. William, H. H., and Albert L. Parents Israel and Hannah C. (Dustin) Rich, the former born in Massachusetts in 1808, came to Erie county in 1816, and died in 1842, the latter born in Erie county in 1812, married in 1830; she was the daughter of Timothy and Sally L. (Little) Dustin, who were among the early settlers of Erie county. Riley Philip D., po Holland, capitalist and retired farmer, born in Litchfield county, Conn., April, 1810, came to Wyoming county in 1818, came to Erie county in 1825, was supervisor eight years, postmaster and town clerk; wife Elsie Peck, born at Lima, Livingston county in 1814, married in 1835; one child-William H., born in 1837, he married Julia A. Ryther in 1862, she died in 1871, children four. Parents James and Anna (Osborn) Riley, the former born in New Jersey and the latter in Connecticut, they came to Wyoming county in 1818, with an ox team, being twenty-nine days on the road, two of their sons, Dayton and Aaron, had come to the county two years before, she died in 1809; children six-Dayton, James, Joseph, Aaron, Philip D., and John O.; the father returned to New Jersey, where he died. E. Rosier Jonathan H., p o Holland, general farmer, born in Vermont in 1823; wife Calphurnia E. Johnson, born in 1828, married in 1869; one child-William Parents Asa and Anna (Hayes) Rosier; the former born in Massachusetts, and the latter in Washington county, married in 1816, came to Erie county in 1828; he died in 1867, aged 79, she in 1851, aged 66; children five-living four. Mrs. Rosier was the daughter of John and Esther (Farqhuarson) Johnson, who came to Erie county in 1818; he from New Hampshire, and she from Otsego county, N. Y.; they went to Cook county, Illinois, where they died; children five-living three. Selleck Horace, p o Holland, farmer, and proprietor of the Holland Agricultural Works, built factory in 1875, which is eighty-eight by fifty-four, and run by steam, he manufactures all kinds of farm implements, is also agent for the chilled plow, cultiva- tors, wheelbarrows and porcelain-lined pumps with Lamb's vulcanized rubber buckets, he was born in Warren county in 1851, settled in Erie county in 1868, was elected assessor in 1879, and again in 1882; wife Delia Hunt, born in Holland, married in 1870; children two. Parents Jonas and Anna (Randall) Selleck, of Luzerne, Warren county, came to Erie county in 1868, and purchased the old Humphrey farm in Holland. Selleck Jonas, p o Holland, general farmer and dairyman, born at Luzerne, War- ren county, N. Y., in 1810, came to Erie county in 1868; wife A. Stone, of Warren county, married in 1835, and died in July, 1845; children three-Jerome B., Eugene E, and Fayette D.; second wife Annis C. Randall, of Warren county, married in 1847; children two-Horace and Randall J. Parents Miles and Jeremiah Selleck. Sergel Leonard, p o Holland, farmer and retired boot and shoe manufacturer, born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 29, 1830, came to Erie county in 1854, was overseer of the poor and held other offices; wife Mary Yager, born in Switzerland in 1838, came to Erie county in 1848, married Nov. 14, 1858; children eleven. Parents John and Anna (Hamer) Sergel, born in Bavaria in 1811, came to Erie county in 1854; they reside in Holland; children four. Sleeper Sidney S., p o Holland, apiarist and general farmer, born in Holland in 1832, was justice of the peace eight years; wife Emily Wright, of Wales, married in 1857, and died December 25, 1868; second wife Roxana Jackson, married October 12, 1882. Parents John and Julia (Sale) Sleeper, of Vermont, settled in Erie county in 1817, the former born in 1790 and died in 1855, the latter born in 1797 and died December 14, 1881. John S. Sleeper, with his brother Rufus and Winthrop Jack- man, visited Western New York in 1816 on horseback, the brothers purchasing a large tract from the Holland Company, taking the article for the land from John French; he was a great hunter and named Hunter Creek; he died in 1825. Rufus was assessor for twenty years, resided in Erie county, born in 1792 and died in 1869. Stanton James M., p o Protection, general farmer, born in Buffalo May 2, 1819. Parents Joseph and Lodisa (Barnes) Stanton, the former born in Fairfield, Vt., came BRIEF PERSONALS. 753 to Erie county in 1815, and died April 11, 1868, the latter born at Bradford, Vt., came to Erie county in 1816, taught the first school in Holland, married in 1818, and died in 1876; children four-James M., Lucy R., who died in June, 1877, Joseph, Jr., who died in 1877, and Sophronia L., who married Richard R. Parker in May, 1877. Stickney Austin A., p o Holland, capitalist and retired merchant, born in Sar- dinia, Erie county, in 1840, elected supervisor in 1877, and was one of the purchas- ing committee for the County Work House; wife Martha Mattison, married in 1863 ; one child-Floy B. Parents David and Hannah (Hopkins) Stickney, the former born in Vermont, and the latter in New Hampshire, came with their parents to Erie county and were among the first settlers; they then removed to Illinois, where they died with cholera. Mrs. Stickney was the daughter of Charles and Diana (Briggs) Mattison, of Sardinia, her grandparents were early settlers from Rhode Island. Taber Brightman, p o Buffalo, general superintendent and manager for the B · C. Rumsey Company, born in Erie county in 1822; wife Mary A. Higgins, of Buffalo, married in 1847; children two-Sarah and Aaron Á. Father Jesse Taber, of Sara- toga county, came to Erie county in 1800, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Taber W. J., p o Holland. Wagoner George, farmer, stock grower and dairyman 100 acres, born in Holland in 1827 wife Roxana Hopkins, born in Fredonia in 1832, married in 1852; children three-Annie E., Eva Jane and Clinton D. Parents Jacob and Anna (Van Valken- burgh) Wagoner, of Schoharie county, came to Erie county in 1824; children seven, four sons and three daughters. Mrs. Wagoner was the daughter of David and Barbara Hopkins, the former of New York and the latter of Connecticut. Ward Ira, p o Protection, farmer and lawyer, born in Holland, Erie county, in 1837, was justice of the peace, poormaster and collector; wife Eunice Sillaway, daugh- ter of Harvey and Eunice Sillaway, born in Ohio in 1838, married in 1856; children one-Narcissa. Parents William and Druzilla (Ballard) Ward, the former born in Jefferson county January 3, 1810, and the latter in 1812, married January 15, 1835; children two-Ira and Matilda M., who married Edwin Jackson in 1859. Mr. Ward was the first settler in Erie county from Jefferson. Ward Roger D., p o Protection, retired farmer and dairyman 183 acres, born in Champion, Jefferson county, in June, 1816 settled in Erie county in 1819, was high- way commissioner for ten years; wife Lurinda Avery, born in Corinth, Vt., in 1819, married in 1838; children four-Angeline, Thomas, John E., and Louisa. Parents. Thomas and Susanna (Kellner) Ward, the former born in Ireland in 1779, and the latter in Germany in 1819; they went from Jefferson county to Erie, and then to what is known as Hard-Pan Hill, in Sardinia, with an ox-team; he died in 1847, and she in 1853; children ten, living five. Mrs. Ward was the daughter of John and Ruth (Davis) Avery, of Vermont, who came to Erie county in 1828, and in 1850 moved to Michigan; children four. Ward Thomas, po Protection, general farmer and dairyman, born in Wyoming county in 1842, came to Erie county in 1844, was collector for two terms; wife Juliet Crawford, married in 1867; children three-Lena, Jesse and Clyde. Brother J. Edwin Ward, married Sarah Orr in 1868; children one-Ina. Parents Roger P., and Lurinda (Avery) Ward, the former of Jefferson connty, N. Y., the latter of Vermont, married in 1838 children four-Angeline, Thomas, John E., and Louisa. Wilson Millard F., p o Holland. Wurst Jacob, p o Holland. HAMBURG. Amsdell Abner, p o West Hamburg, retired farmer 175 acres, born in Deerfield, Mass., August 11, 1794, came to county September 20, 1806, was justice of the peace, 754 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. and served in the war of 1812; wife Nancy Steward, of Cayuga county, married July 4, 1816; children four-Dexter, Nelson, Francis and Almira. Father Abner Amsdell served seven years in the war of the Revolution, and assisted in taking two British armies. Dart Moses, p o Hamburg, grazing farmer 130 acres, born in Hamburg June 4, 1840, is present assessor for the town; wife Abby Knapp, daughter of Henry Knapp, married July 4, 1876. Father Moses Dart, of Vermont, came to Erie county in 1805. Dorst John V., p o Hamburg, dairy and grain farmer 75 acres, born in Germany April 23, 1823, came to Erie county in 1841; wife Sophronia Ziegler, married in 1847 ; children four-Julia Ann, William, Henry and Helena. Father Johanes Dorst. Graham Charles, p o Lake View, gardener and farmer 6 acres, born in Hudson in 1814, settled in Buffalo in 1835, and on the farm where he now resides in 1868; wife Elizabeth Ames, daughter of Stephen Ames, married in July, 1847; children. two-Rachel Storrs and Spencer. Father Curtis Graham, of Connecticut. Kast George, p o Hamburg, farmer 51 acres, born in Hamburg November 19, 1842, settled on the farm where he now resides in 1869, is trustee of the village; wife Catherine Keller, daughter of Martin Keller of Boston, married in 1869; children four —Lewis H., Willie E., Henry D., and Libbie. Father George Kast, settled in Erie county in September, 1832. Kast Peter, p o Hamburg, farmer, and has a cider mill, 100 acres, born in Hamburg Jan. 12, 1847; wife Catharine Stanler, married in 1880; children one-- father Henry Fred Kast, settled on the farm where his son now resides in 1831, and died May 9, 1873. Myer Mrs. A. J. p o Lake View. Ostrander Amasa K., p o Hamburg, farmer, 66 acres, born at Hoosic, Oct., 1811, came to Erie county in 1836, has been justice and conmissioner; wife Tirziah Garfield, married in 1837; children three-Mary E. Weld, Vashta R. Swift and John Z. Father Hosea Ostrander, of Rensselaer county. Perley T. M., p o Hamburg. Potter John, po Hamburg, gardener and farmer, 23 acres, born in England, May 9, 1817, came to Erie county in April, 1853; wife Sarah Kitchen, married in 1842; children nine-James, Mary A., Sarah, John, Jennie, Lucy, William, Nettie and George. Father John Potter, Sr. Potter Joseph, po Lake View, grass farm, 147 acres, born in Erie Co., Dec. 1, 1833; settled on the farm where he now resides in 1859, has been assessor five years; wife Julia Ann Swain, daughter of Daniel G. Swain, married Jan. 4, 1859; children two— Clara R. and Ada I. Father Reuben Potter of Vermont, came to county in 1832. Potter Reuben, po Lake View, grain farmer, 116 acres, born on the farm where he now resides, April 22, 1855; wife Ida Buxton, daughter of Captain Buxton, mar- ried in 1875; one child-Herbert V. Father Reuben Potter of Vermont, came to Erie county in 1832. Rittman Abram, p o Hamburg, farmer, 44 acres, born in Hamburg, Dec. 3, 1836, settled on the farm where he now resides, in 1871, is present overseer of the poor; wife Kate Spittler, daughter of Jacob Spittler, married in 1863; children two- George A. and Irene Rittman. Father Mathias Rittman, came to Hamburg in 1832. Siegel John P., p o Hamburg, tanner of sole leather, 138 acres, born in Erie county. Sikes George W., p o Lake View, farmer and fruit grower, 135 acres, born at Evans in 1830, settled on the farm where he now resides in 1837; wife Ellen Sikes, daughter of Freeman Sikes of Manchester, Vt., married in 18543 one child—Will F. Parents Simeon and Elizabeth (Dunton) Sikes, the former of Vermont, came to North Evans, and built one of the first houses in that town. BRIEF PERSONALS. 755 Spaulding John P., p o Big Tree, proprietor of the Bay View House, born in Addison county, Vermont, came to Erie county in 1851, has been a fireman for four- teen years; wife Mary A. Wall, of Janesville, Wis., married in 1856; children one- Ella. M. Rosenblatt. Father Thomas Spaulding of Vermont. Stewart Elliott W., po Lake View, farmer and lawyer, 210 acres, born in Madison county, July 14, 1817, came to Erie county in 1846, and on the farm where he now resides in November, 1852, was professor of the principles of agriculture, at Cornell University; wife Marion Jameson, of Oneida county, married in November, 1845; children three-John J., Lillian and Alvan. Father, Philetus Stewart, of Vermont, settled in Madison county about 1807. White Horace W., p o Hamburg, farmer, 89 acres, born at Hamburg, Erie county, August 23, 1839, settled on the farm where he now resides in 1870, was supervisor for three years; wife Jane Wheelock, married in 1859, and died May 5, 1882; chil- dren three-Henry Ellsworth, Sara M., and Leroy. Father, Horace White, one of the early settlers of Hamburg, died in 1845. Williams Addis E., p o Hamburg, farmer, and dealer in agricultural implements, 951 acres, born in Hamburg, Erie county, May 9, 1826, settled on the farm where he now resides in 1828 was assessor and deputy sheriff; wife Adaline C. Thomas, married in 1854, and died in 1857; children two—Frank W., and Carrie E.; second wife Mary A. Hoover; children six-Sanford A., Katie, Leopold E., Ella, George W., and Libbie. Father, Sanford Williams, was a soldier in the war of 1812, settled in the old town of Hamburg in 1815. LANCASTER. Adolph Simon, p o Lancaster, general merchant, and lumber dealer, born in Alsace, France, in 1831, came to county in 1846; wife Magdalena Paulter; children three-Simon Jr., Frank and Magdalena; second wife Mary Nagle, born in Erie county, in 1843, married in 1872; children four-William, Mary, Joseph and Edwin. Parents, Place and Teresa Adolf, natives of France, the former born in 1789, and died in 1865, the latter was born in 1792. Boshert George, p o Lancaster, farmer, born in Alsace, in 1810, came to county in 1827; wife Mary Simmet, born in Alsace, in 1821, married in 1843, and died in 1855; children three-Josephine, John and Frank; second wife, Mary Kunz, of Baden, Germany, married in 1857; children three-George, William and Albert. Bissell A. G., p o Lancaster, farmer, born in Lancaster, in 1839; wife Lenora Ladd, of Amherst, married in 1877; children three-Eleanor, Harry B., and Harvey. Parents, Elias and Lucy (Graves) Bissell, the former born in Randolph, Vt., in 1795, came to Erie county in 1808, and died in 1880, his father was in the war of 1812, set- tled in Erie county in 1808, and died in Connecticut. Bowman Palmer S., p o Bowmansville, farmer, born in Lancaster, in 1823, was associate judge, collector and justice of the peace; wife Azuba M. Joselyn born in Vermont in 1823, married in 1844, and died in 1853; children two-Lucius J., and Almon B.; second wife Maria E. Wiltse, of Clarence, married in 1854; children two- Dr. Charles E., and Clarence W. Parents, Benjamin and Mary (Snively) Bowman, of Lancaster county, Penn.. came to Erie county in 1810, the former died January 9, 1854, and the latter in 1850; children eight-living four. Cooper LaFayette, p o Looneyville, farmer, 70 acres, born in Erie county in 1824, present justice of the peace; wife Frances Kidder, born in Vermont in 1828, married in 1848; children six. Dexter Mrs. C. M., p o Lancaster. Dykstra John G., p o Lancaster, retired farmer and brick manufacturer, born in Holland in 1813, came to Erie county in 1849, was justice of the peace twenty-four years; wife Catharine Stelmsma, of Holland, married in 1853; children nine-Sarah, 756 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Garret, Frances, Yme, Delia, Flora, Peter, Frank and Jane. Parents G. J., and Sarah Dykstra, of Holland; the former came to Erie county in 1849, and died in 1850, aged 71. Greis Jacob M., p o Lancaster, wood and coal dealer, born in 1859; wife Amelia P. Nauert, born in county in 1856, married in 1878; children two-Henry N., and Oscar N. Mr. Greis' grandfather was among the first settlers of the county. Haskell John, p o Bowmansville, farmer, born in England in 1831, came to county in 1832, has held several town offices; wife Sarah E. Heacock, born in Buffalo in 1838, married in 1855, and died in 1876; children five-Hiram M., Alvin W., Carrie S., Hattie E., and John C. Parents Williain and Rachel Haskell, of England, came to Connecticut in 1832; the former died in 1869, aged 74; the latter died in 1866, aged 72; children five. Mrs. Haskell was the daughter of Manson and Eliza- beth (Wood) Heacock, of England. Hutchinson Thomas, p o Bowmansville, general farmer, born in Lancaster, Erie county, in 1833; wife Elizabeth Morton, born in Clarence in 1840, married in 1862; children four--May, Emma, Jessie and Morton. Parents Rev. John and Hannah (Heborn) Hutchinson, of Yorkshire, England, who came to county in 1830; the former died in 1871, aged 76, and the latter in 1856; children three-May, William and Thomas. Kidder H. B., p o Town Line. Knoornschild Christopher, p o Lancaster, baker, born in Germany in 1843, came to Erie county in 1865; wife Theresa Snyder, born in Germany in 1841, married in 1871; one child--Mary. Knauber Joseph, p o Lancaster, planing mill, born in Lancaster, Erie county, in 1831, is present trustee of the village; wife Mary Ann Amann, born in Germany in 1832, married in 1853; children seven. Kurtz Charles, p o Lancaster, retired from business, born in Bavaria in 1823, came to Erie county in 1830, was justice of the peace, and held several other offices; wife Barbara Walterin, married in 1849, and died in January, 1879, children three; second wife Jacobina, born in Bavaria in 1833, married in 1872. Leininger John, p o Lancaster. Leininger John G., p o Lancaster, farmer and grocer, born in Alsace in 1828, came to Erie county in 1843, has been town collector two years; wife Rosena Sufest, born in Buffalo in 1833, married in 1857; children seven-John, George, Andrew, Barbara, Rosa, Louisa and Catharine. Parents Henry and Margaret (Weber) Lein- inger, of Alsace, who came to county in 1847; the former died in 1880, and the latter in 1860; children two. Leininger Henry, p o Lancaster, general farmer, born in Alsace in 1829, came to Erie county in 1847; wife Barbara Kable, born in Erie county in 1828, married in 1852, and died in 1858; children two- Helen and Barbara; second wife Margaret Kable, born in Germany in 1825, and married in 1860; children four-Elizabeth, Anna A., Michael H., and Amelia. Margaret and Barbara were daughters of Michael and Margaret Kable, of Germany, who came to county in 1828. Miller John G., p o Lancaster. Mook Philip, Jr., p o Lancaster, miller, born in Lancaster in 1849, is present trustee of the village; wife Eva Helwig, born in Lancaster in 1851, married in 1876; children four-Emma A., Lydia F., Caroline L., and Anna R. Oehm Engelhard, p o Lancaster, planing mill, born in Ohio in 1835, came to county in 1866, was supervisor and commissioner; wife Catharine Kolb, born in Parents Bernhard and Cheektowaga in 1841, married in 1864; children eight. Christina (Steppith) Oehm, of Germany, came to Ohio in 1851, and the latter died there. Mrs. Oehm was the daughter of Jacob and Rose Kolb, of France, who came to Cheektowaga in 1820. BRIEF PERSONALS. 757 Richardson H. A., p o Lancaster, brick manufacturer, born in Erie county in 1838, is trustee of the village; wife Fanny Brunck, born in Erie county in 1838, mar- ried in 1863; children four. Richardson W. H., p o Lancaster, farmer, born in Lancaster, Erie county, in 1859; wife Lula E. Bixby, born in Erie county in 1860, married in 1880; one child -Edward H. Romer Alexander, p o Lancaster, retired carpenter and builder. born in Greens- bury, Westchester county, in 1800, came to Erie county Aug. 16, 1830,; wife Henri- etta D. Crane, born in Montgomery county in 1800, and died in 1839; children three -Isaac J., Washington Irving and Martin Van Buren; second wife Caroline C. Lock- wood, born in Canada, married in 1845; children two-John L., and Carrie E. Parents John and Leah Romer, were descendants of the first settlers of Holland who came to the United States. Sanford Anson, p o Bowmansville, retired farmer, born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1815, came to Erie county in 1844, was assessor and commissioner for a number of years; wife Fanny J. Edgerly, of Berkshire county, born in 1823, married in 1842, children four-three living. Parents Elihu and Penelope (Beckwith) Sanford, of Massachusetts; the former born in 1788, and died in 1861; the latter born in 1785, married in 1810, and died in 1854; children five. Scheu Charles, p o Lancaster, malster, born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1838, came to Erie county in 1873. Parents Solomon and Sophia Scheu. The Scheu brothers purchased their malt house in Lancaster Village in 1873. Schrankel John, p o Lancaster, roller flour mill, born in Germany in 1838, came to Erie county in 1847; wife Mary Irgel, born in Erie county in 1845, married in 1862; children eight. Schwartz Matthias, p o Lancaster, general store, born at Strausburg, in 1827, came to Erie county in 1833, is trustee of the village; wife Catharine Matter, married in 1853, and died in 1877; children eight-Catharine, Josephine, Adelaide, August, Edward, Helen, Eugene and Matthias; second wife, Elizabeth Nagel, of Erie county, married in 1879; two children-Frances and Mary. Sester Rev. F. N., p o Lancaster. Smiley Benjamin D., p o Bowmansville, general farmer, born at Lancaster, Erie county in 1832, was assessor and commissioner of highways; wife Allie M. Bedell, daughter of Norman and Amanda Bedell, born in Albion, Orleans county, married in 1868; children one-Norman B. Parents Samuel H., and Amelia (Stephens) Smiley, the former born in Herkimer county, came to Erie county in 1832, and died in 1857, the latter born in Steuben county and died in 1871; children two. Soemann Charles J., po Lancaster, malster and brewer, born in Germany in 1838, came to Erie county, July 4, 1849; wife Margaret Schleyer, born in Buffalo, married in 1863, children thirteen, eight living-Peter, Charles, John, Joseph, Caroline, Bar- bara, Anna and Margaret. Parents Francis J., and Theresa Soemann, of Germany, came to county in 1849, the former died in 1869, aged 62 years. Stephan Jacob, p o Lancaster, general farmer, born in France in 1840, came to Erie county in 1847, he now holds the office of assessor; wife Salissa, daughter of Frank and Carberine Nuver of France, born in Lancaster in 1843, married in 1866; children eight-Frank, Jacob, Peter, George, Magdalene, Catharine, Mary and Rosa. Parents Peter and Lanie (Hipch) Stephan of France, who came to county in 1847, the former died in 1880, aged 70 years, and the latter in 1879, aged 70; children, seven. Stutter George, p o Lancaster, general farmer, born in Alsace, in 1827; came to county in 1832; wife Ellzabeth Keffer, born in Prussia in 1829, married in 1849; chil- dren nine-Anna C., Elizabeth, Louisa, Mary Magdalena, George, John, Jacob, Henry O., and Charles F. W. Parents, George and Catharine (Kitterer) Stutter, of France, came to Erie county in 1830, the former died in 1843, aged fifty-three, the 51 758 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. latter died in 1869, aged seventy-nine; children three. Mrs. Stutter was the daughter of John H., and Anna M. (Schneeder) Keffer, came to Erie county in 1847, the former was born in 1800, married in 1823. Walter John, p o Bowmansville, retired farmer, born in Lancaster county, Penn., in 1802, came to Erie county in 1828; wife Barbara A. Shaffer. born in Germany in 1804; married in 1828; children eight-Jacob, David, Henry, George, Samuel, Theodore, Ellinor and Elizabeth. Parents, David and Barbara (Graybel) Walter, of Pennsylvania, who came to county'in 1828, the former died in 1850, aged seventy-five years, the latter in 1872, aged ninety-three; children five-John, Elizabeth, David, Barbara and Samuel. Wheelock Jesse, p o Bowmansville, gardener and farmer, 105 acres, born in Ver- mont in 1804, came to Erie county in 1833; wife Anne Youngs, born in Erie county in 1809, married July 22, 1848; children three. Mr. Wheelock invented the boat which carried the cars at Black Rock, across the Niagara river, and obtained a patent thereon. Willis O. E., p o Town Line, farmer, 50 acres, born in Erie county in 1825, was postmaster and assessor for the town; wife Julia Moore, born in Lancaster, Erie county; children four. Young Jacob, po Bowmansville, general farmer, born at Alsace, in 1825, came to Erie county in 1830; wife Elizabeth Mann, born in New York in 1830, married in 1848; children six-Magdalena, Elizabeth M., Anna R., Loren P., Jacob and Michael. Parents Jacob and Magdalena Young, of France, came to county in 1830, the former died in 1880, aged eighty-one, and the latter in 1861; children three. Mrs. Young was the daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Mann, who came to county in 1830, he died in 1835, and she in 1845; children three. Young J. H., po Lancaster, retired from business, 91 acres, born in Buffalo in 1851; wife Fannie A. Richardson, born in Erie county in 1851, married in 1876; chil- dren three—Frank J., Ralph R., and Nina A. Zurbrick John, p o Lancaster. MARILLA. Adams E. R., p o Potterville, merchant and miller, born in Erie county in 1839, has been supervisor, and held several other offices; wife Orandu Hall, born in Madi- son county in 1843, married in 1863; children three-Cora M., Howard and Lillie. Asmus Philip, p o Marilla, farmer, 68 acres, born in Germany in 1839, came to county in 1856; wife Caroline Zimmerman, born in Erie county in 1845, married in 1865; children three; W. G., Caroline E., and George W. Bartoo L. A., p o Marilla, farmer. 46 acres, born in Wyoming county in 1827, came to county in 1828, was commissioner of highways; wife E. A. Grose born in Germany in 1837; married in 1860; one child-Jesse G. Brooks J. H., p o Marilla, farmer and merchant, born in Erie county in 1834; wife Harriet N., Marvin, born in Livingston county, in 1832, married in 1860; chil- dren two--Frank E., and Harry L. Campbell John A., po Alden, farmer, 105 acres, born in Erie county in 1833; wife Eliza Patterson, born in Wyoming county; children two--one by adoption. Mr. Campbell's father was among the first settlers in Marilla. Daley John F., po Marilla. Eldridge George, p o Marilla, faimer, 190 acres, born in Erie county, in 1845; wife Adaline Morell, born in Erie county in 1849, married in 1867; children seven-- five now living. Foster H. T., p o Marilla, merchant and farmer, 90 acres, born in Genesee county, in 1827, came to county in 1848, was supervisor and justice of the peace; wife BRIEF PERSONALS. 759 Clarissa Strickland, married in 1846, and died in 1870; second wife Lydia Ann Car- penter, born in Erie county in 1832, married in 1870, they have two children by adoption. Hoffower George, p o Alden, farmer 80 acres of land, born in Erie county, in 1848; wife Nellie A. Blaisdell, born in Erie county, in 1852, married in 1872, and died September 2, 1881; children two--Homer and George Ervin. Mason R. B., p o Marilla, farmer, 77 acres, born in Cattaraugus county, in 1834, settled in Erie county in 1846, was commissioner for town; wife Margaret Adams, born in Erie county, in 1834, married in 1855; one child--Adolph C. Mills Cyrus, p o Williston, retired, 60 acres, born in Hamburg, Erie county, in 1816, was justice of the peace, and overseer of the poor; wife Fidelia Austin, born in Erie county in 1819, married in 1856; one child.-Alonzo W. Father, settled at White's Corners, in 1807. Pless Fred, po Marilla, farmer, 51 acres, born in Germany in 1824, came to county in 1852; wife Caroline Shultz, born in Germany, in 1828, married in 1852; children seven. Stedman James P., p o Marilla, farmer, 186 acres, is present justice of the peace; wife Elizabeth E. Hunt, born in Wyoming county in 1847, married in 1865; children two-James E., and Francis M. Taber N. C., p o Marilla. Willis R. G., p o Marilla. NEWSTEAD. Beeman Caleb R., p o Akron, farmer, born in Erie county, in 1852; wife Jane Vedder, born in Niagara county, 1855, married in 1873; children three--Samuel, Frank, Ralph R., and Lloyd A. Bell F. N., Akron. Connery Rev. M. P., p o Akron. Crane O. P., M. D., Akron, physician, born in Cattaraugus county, in 1827; wife Persis Rodgers, born in Wyoming county in 1827, married in 1849; children four— Alvira A., Lucian D., Delbert P., and Edwin F. Davis William, p o Akron, retired from business, 240 acres, born in England in 1799, came to county in 1843; wife Sarah Morgan, born in England in 1799, married in 1829; children three--David, William and Sarah. Dunham F. E., p o Akron. Earl O., p o Akron. Graves J. S., po East Clarence, farmer 80 acres, born in Cortland in 1822, set- tled in Erie county in 1869; wife Maryette Peckam, born in Cortland in 1827, mar- ried in 1846; children six. Hawkins Edwin, p o Crittenden, farmer and lime manufacturer, 130 acres, born in Erie county in 1837; wife Emily Grimes, born in Livingston county in 1841, mar- ried in 1863; children five. Mr. Hawkins' father came to Erie county in 1810. Hoag W. N., p o Akron. Johnson David, p o Clarence. Magoffin F. J., p o Akron, merchant, born at St. Johns, Mich., in 1857, came to Erie county in 1864, was deputy postmaster; wife Marion E. Little, born in Erie county in 1856, married in 1876; one child-Lulu M. Merritt S. J., p o Akron, farmer 69 acres, born in Erie county in 1856; wife Helen E. Pratt, born in county in 1849, married in 1881. Father came to Newstead in 1857. Mrs. Merritt's grandfather was among the first settlers of Newstead. Morgan John F., p o Akron. 760 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Moon Asher, p o Akron, farmer 106 acres, settled in Erie county in 1844, was assessor for his town; wife Cordelia Able, born in Vermont in 1811, married in 1843; one child- Mary M., now widow Sage. Newton H. H. & Son, p o Akron. Pardee Clark, p o Akron, farmer 122 acres, born in Erie county in 1839, is pres- ent excise commissioner; wife Mary Jane Johnson, born at Newstead in 1846, married in 1865; children one-Harriet A. Wheeler Asher, p o Akron, farmer 90 acres, born in Genesee county in 1832, came to Erie county in 1835, is present director of the Erie and Niagara Farmers' Association; wife Helen A. Boardman, born in Ohio in 1838, married in 1858; chil- dren four-Hattie S., Manly A., Mary E., and Raymond J. NORTH COLLINS. Belknap George W., p o North Collins, dealer in building lumber, and door, sash, blind and box manufacturer, born in Eden in 1848. Parents Thomas and Paulina (Webster) Belknap, who were among the first settlers of Eden. George W., erected his mill and factory in 1882, and is a general jobber and builder. Foose Martin, p o North Collins, furniture dealer and manufacturer, born in North Collins in 1858; wife Carrie Huber, born in Buffalo in 1854, married in March, 1882; children two-Clara and Dora (twins), the latter died, aged four months. Parents Victor and Margaret (Cook) Foose, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Prussia and died in 1880, leaving four children. Martin succeeds his father in the furniture business, which was started in 1855, purchasing the interest in 1882, and carries a large supply of goods fully equal to the wants of the town. Hibbard Enos S., p o North Collins, farmer and capitalist, born in North Collins in 1840; wife Josephine Hall, born in Rochester in 1845, married in 1868; children six, four sons and two daughters. Parents Thomas Scoville and Clarinda B. (South- wick) Hibbard, the former died in 1881, aged sixty-eight years, and the latter died April 21, 1848. Enos S., enlisted in Company D, New York Volunteers, in 1861, and served two years, and afterwards re-enlisted, and served three years and ten months in all. Kirby Charles C., p o Shirley, farmer and stock dealer, dairy produce and cheese manuf'r, 400 acres, born in Scipio, N. Y., in 1823, came to county in 1829, has been supervisor five terms, justice of the peace six terms and still holds that office; wife Alice Patience G. Sissen, born in 1824, married in 1846; children three-Charles W., J., and Carrie May. Charles W., married Estella Leach in 1883. Parents Silas and Deborah (Crapo) Kirby, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Cayuga county in 1821, and moved to Erie county in 1829. Silas was for many years a merchant and tavern-keeper, and his son, Charles C., succeeded him in that business until 1860, when he retired and has since been engaged in the manufacture of cheese, etc. Lawton E. H., po Lawton Station, farmer, stock and dairy produce and merchant, has been postmaster from 1853 to '56 and from 1873 to the present time at Lawton Sta- tion; wife Lydia M. Sisson, born in 1829, married in 1850, children three-Clarence F., born in 1853, Willie S., in 1860, Florence, in 1866. Clarence F. married Ella Sperry in 1881, daughter of Dr. M. M. Sperry of Monroe county, now of Springville. Parents John and Eunice (Kimball) Lawton, both of Schoharie county, who came to Erie county in 1813, the former was supervisor and held other town offices, and built the first custom mill in the south part of county in Lawton Hollow. E. H. Law- ton established the general store at Lawton Station in 1875 and deals in all the leading articles of a country store. Palmer A. M., po North Collins, farmer, born in North Collins in 1857; wife Clara Wood. Parents Joseph and Lydia (Sherman) Palmer the former came to North Collins in 1827, married in 1851; children two-A. M. and Charles S., the latter born in 1852 and married Emma D. West in 1881. BRIEF PERSONALS. 761 Pickens Joshua J., p o Lawton Station, farmer and dairy, born in North Collins, Sept. 28, 1829, was constable, collector and commissioner; wife Mary Ellen Sherman, daughter of Joseph S. and Mary A. (Willet) Sherman, natives of Massachusetts, born in 1838, married in 1858; children two-George S., bɔra in 1868 and Clarence born in 1873. Parents Joshua and Phebe (Jennings) Pickens, natives of Massachusetts, married in 1828, the former died in 1875, the latter in 1877; children two—J. J., and Phoebe H., who married Alfred G. Allen. Grandparents William and Edith Pickens came to Collins in 1815. Sherman Mordecai E., p o Lawton Station, general farmer, born in Dartmouth, Mass., May 27, 1807, came to county in 1835; wife Isabella Buffinton, born in 1805, married in 1833; children three-Mary E., born in 1834, Sarah E., in 1837, Rebecca in 1839. Parents John and Abigail (Ellis) Sherman, natives of Massachusetts, who came to county in 1812, the former was in the war of 1812; children twelve-five now living. Sherman Reuben C., p o Lawton Station, farmer and dairy produce, and retired carpenter and builder, born in 1826, has held several district offices; wife Phebe Jane Tucker, born in 1833, married in 1854; children six-Lucy A. born in 1856, Leroy B., in 1860, Elihu R., in 1865. Arthur born in 1868 and died in 1877, Mary I., born in 1871, and Alice D., in 1875. Parents Job, Jr., and Maribah (Russell) Sherman, the former born in 1791 and died in 1866, the latter born in 1793 and died May 19, 1857; chil- dren seven-two now living, R. C., and Mary A., who married Barnabas Smith. Grandparents Job and Zuba Sherman, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Erie county in 1823. Southwick Job, Jr., p o North Collins, merchant, farmer and stock grower, born in Brant, in 1831, was member of Assembly in 1881, and has been deputy city clerk; wife Arabella P. Smith, born in 1839, married Jan. 14, 1863; children three-Grace Georgiana and Lyman. Parents Job and Sophia (Smith) Southwick, the former of Washington county, born Feb. 12, 1792, the latter was born in 1798 and died in 1871 leaving eight children-Phebe. Richard, Wheeler, Edmond, Priscilla, Sophia, Job and Josiah. Mr. Southwick, began merchandizing in November, 1883, under the firm name of Southwick & Smith. Stanclift Edward W., p o North Collins, farmer, deals largely in blooded stock, and has over 6,000 fruit trees, was assessor two terms and justice of the peace one term; wife Elizabeth Hale, born in 1828, married in 1848; children four--John W., Fannie I., Jennie and May. Parents Jesse and Phebe (Wood) Stanclift, the former was born in Conn., and settled in Collins with his brother Willard, in 1814, and in 1815, with his parents and brothers settled on Lots 63 and 64. Grandfather John was a revolutionary soldier and the first man in Collins to open a tavern for the accomoda- tion of travelers. Willett Elijah P., p o Lawton Station, general farmer and dairy produce, born in Collins in 1829; wife Sylvia Bartlett, born in 1832, married in 1850; children five- Docia W., Robert F., Prince A., Paul and Grace; Docia W., married Benedict Law in 1878. Parents William R. and Alathea (Pratt) Willett, natives of Mass., married in Wayne county, N. Y., and came to Collins in 1821, children six. Grandparents Elijah and Beulah Pratt, came to county early with their family of ten children. Wood Charles H., p o Marshfield, farmer, stock and dairy produce, born in Col- lins in 1848, was supervisor in 1881-'82; wife Leurania Goodell, born in Collins in 1849, married in 1869; children two-Mabel E., and Wealthy L. Parents Chilion and Wealthy M., (White) Wood, the former born in 1820, the latter in 1829, married in 1845, and died in 1880. Grandparents Charles and Sarah Wood, natives of Mass., who came to county about 1815. Wood Chilion, p o North Collins, retired farmer, born in North Collins in 1820; wife Wealthy White, born in 1829, married in 1845, and died in June, 1880; children three--Charles H., Clara and Florence L., the latter married Anthony Wayne Knapp; children three-Clara L. and Carrie G. (twins) born in 1878 and Hiram Lynn born 762 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. in 1883. Mr. Knapp was a school teacher for fourteen years, and mail clerk from New York to Chicago. SARDINIA. Cornwell Hiram D., p o Sardinia, farmer, born in Concord in 1823, was supervisor and has held other district offices; wife Martha J. Wetherlow, daughter of Samuel and Lavina (Daily) Wetherlow, who came to Sardinia in 1834, born in Seneca county in 1822 and married in 1855; childrensix-three sons and three daughters. Parents Levinus and Louisa (Wheat) Cornwell, who came to Erie county in 1822, and settled in Sardinia, the former died in 1878, aged 87, the latter in 1871. Cutler Asher, p o Holland, farmer, born in Sardinia in 1842, was justice of the peace two terms; wife Abbie Talbot, of Cattaraugus county, born in 1841, married in 1864. Parents Caleb and Cynthia (Briggs) Cutler, the former a native of Vermont, came to county in 1816 and died in 1876, the latter a native of Rhode Island, came to county in 1820; children three-Asher, Beattie E., and Eliza. Beattie married E. W. Casey, who is present assessor and has been collector. Russell Charles B., p o Sardinia, farmer, and dairy produce, born in South Wales in 1846, was assessor and collector; wife Sarah Ricketts, daughter of Eli and Jane (Brake) Ricketts, natives of England, born in Aurora in 1847, married in January, 1870; one adopted child—Mike Losel, born in Germany in 1873. Parents, William C., and Calista (Norton) Russell, the latter a native of Vermont, born in 1813, and died leav- ing five children--Bettie M. Story, R. E., C. B., M. F. and Howard A. Wheelock Addison, p o Sardinia, farmer and stock grower, born in Oswego county, in 1824, came to county in 1838; wife Minerva Park, born in Boston, married in 1847; children two-Lucy A., born February 9, 1854, and Willian A Wheelock, born No- vember 8, 1863, and died October 6, 1883. Lucy A. married Cyrus Holmes, in 1873. Parents Eliza and Lucretia (Taylor) Wheelock. TONAWANDA. Ackerman Gottlieb, p o Tonawanda, farmer, and stock grower, born in Germany, in 1826, came to county in 1831; wife Christiana Moyer, born in 1839, married March 6, 1860, and died in 1868; children four. Parents Christopher and Agnes Acker- man, of Germany, the former born in 1797, came to Erie county in 1831, and died in 1876, the latter born in 1798, and died in 1876. Ballard Fayette A., p o Tonawanda, brick manufacturer, born in New Orleans, January 24, 1856, came to county in 1872, was elected town clerk in 1883; wife Ella Huff, born in Erie county, in 1855, married in 1880; one child-Francis F. Parents Lansing and Agnes (Honey) Ballard. Bellinger A. A., p o Tonawanda, lumber dealer, born in Erie county in 1850; wife Sarah M. Spaulding, of Lockport, Niagara county, married in 1875; children three. Parents, Daniel and Roxy A. Bellinger. Bellinger Simon, p o Tonawanda, born in Madison county in 1817, came to county in 1838, was elected justice of peace in 1872, and re-elected in 1882; wife Lorinda Noble, married in 1844; children seven. Parents Jacob and Nancy Bellin- ger, came to Erie county in 1868. Mrs. Bellinger, was daughter of Major Noble, one of the Holland land purchasers. Betts Benjamin F., p o Tonawanda, civil engineer, born in Orleans county in 1828, came to county in 1850, has held several town offices, was superintendent of documents of Assembly, State department; wife Mary F. Crandall, born in Massa- chusetts in 1830, married in 1849; children three-Frank M., Myron C., and Ed- ward W. Parents, Andrew and Rebecca Oliver Betts, of Duchess county. BRIEF PERSONALS. 76 Bush Joseph T., p o Tonawanda, retired merchant and farmer, born in Fort Ann, Washington county, January 28, 1798, came to county in 1823, has been custom house officer and postmaster. Parents Lemuel G. and Mary Jane Bush, both born in Ger- many, and died in Washington county. Carney Horace, p o Tonawanda. Christ G. C., po Tonawanda, painter and insurance agent, born in Germany in 1839, came to county in 1865, was town collector in 1879; wife Catherine Schaeffer, born in Germany in 1837, married in 1864; children seven. Father, Bartholemew Christ. Cramer John W. Capt., p o Tonawanda, mariner, born in Canada, in 1830, came to county in 1848, was master of a vessel eighteen years, inspector of customs, and a member of the school board; wife Maria Cottier, of Erie county, married in 1859; chil- dren six-Robert W., Helena K. P., John W., Mary L., Oscar and Alonzo. Parents William and Mary Cramer, he born in New Jersey, in 1787, and died in 1880, she born in Vermont in 1792, and died in 1844. DeGroff James H., p o Tonawanda, banker and lumber dealer, born at Dewitt, Onondaga county, January 22, 1834, came to county in 1853, has been supervisor three terms, and is president of the Tonawanda bank; wife Mary Simson, married May 4, 1859; children three-Louis A., Lydia and Legrand L. Diedrich Christian, p o Tonawanda, merchant and tailor, born in Germany in 1834, came to Erie county in 1857, is treasurer of corporation; wife Dorothy Willast, married in 1859; children ten-living four. Parents Charles and Louisa (Abrahamer) Diedrich. Diedrich Henry, p o Tonawanda, grocer, born in Germany in 1841, came to Erie county in 1857, has been town assessor; wife Caroline Riebe, of Prussia, married in 1867; children five. Parents Charles and Louisa Diedrich, of Germany; the latter died in 1857; children four. Driggs Uriel, po Tonawanda, coal and real estate dealer, born in Onondaga county, Nov. 15, 1802, came to Erie county in 1816, was canal superintendent four years; wife Lucy A. Wait, born in Vermont, married in 1827, and died May 23, 1868, aged 71; children two-Amanda L., and Roswell; second wife Anna M. Bacon, of Cayuga county, married Nov. 23, 1868, and died Sept. 12, 1882, aged 77; married third wife in April, 1883. Faling David R., p o Tonawanda, farmer and stock grower, 150 acres, born in Erie county in 1819; wife Mary Griggs, born in Steuben county, married in 1852; children four-Matthew L., Archibald, Truman M., and Ulysses Grant. Parents Richard and Catherine (Zimmerman) Faling; he born in Montgomery county in 1787, came to Erie county in 1817, and died in 1868; she born in 1793, married in 1813, and died in 1867. Richard was commissioner and supervisor of Buffalo. Faling Jeremiah, p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Montgomery county, in 1815, came to Erie county in 1817; wife Emeline Zimmerman, daughter of William and Mary Zimmerman, born in Herkimer county in 1821, married in 1838; children nine, five living—Hezekiah, Charles H., Richard E., William H., and Adaline Z. Parents Richard and Catherine Faling. Horace Faling enlisted in Company H, Forty-ninth regiment, in 1861, and died in Maryland in 1862. Frankhouser Fred., p o Tonawanda, born in Germany in 1851, came to Erie county in 1872; wife Caroline Enswinger, daughter of George and Lanie Enswinger, born in Erie county in 1853, married in 1878; children two. Parents Fred. and Eliz- abeth Frankhouser. Fries George, p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Erie county in 1851; wife Eliza- beth Muck, born in Erie county in 1844, married in 1876; children two. Parents Jacob and Elizabeth Fries, of Tonawanda. Mrs. Fries is the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Muck; the former born in Germany, and came to Erie county in 1827, married in 1849, and died April 16, 1880. 764 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Fries Jacob, p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Germany, July 7, 1827, came to county in 1828, was assessor and excise commissioner; wife Elizabeth Wolf, daughter of Adam and Catharine Wolf, who came to Erie county in 1834, born in Germany, February 28, 1828, married April 16, 1850; children five-four living, George, Louisa, Elizabeth and Catharine. Parents, Jacob and Catharine (Fisher) Fries, of Germany, the former born in 1799, and the latter in 1799, came to county in 1828, he died in 1876, and she in 1872. Fries John Adams, p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Erie county, October 4, 1840; wife Eva Pirso, born in Erie county in 1843, married in 1864; children five. Parents, Peter and Magdalena (Person) Fries, both born in Germany, the former born in 1894, the later in 1811, married in 1833,he came to county in 1828, and she in 1830. Jacob Fries was the grandfather, born in Germany in 1780, came to county in 1828, and died in 1854. Gillie William M., p o Tonawanda, foundry and machine shop, born in Shetland Isles in 1852, came to county in 1882; wife Mary Campbell, of Niagara county, mar- ried in November, 1878; children two. Parents, J. B. and Ann Jane Gillie, of Scotland. Gossman Fred, p o Tonawanda, saloon and concert hall, born in Germany in 1849, came to county in 1877, the concert hall was erected in 1883, which is the first hall built in Tonawanda; wife Josephine Houck, born in Jefferson county in 1850, married in 1872, childreń five. Parents, Adam and Mary A. Gossman, of Germany, who came to Oneida in 1852, and to Erie county in 1875. Gruen Louis, po Tonawanda, grocer, butcher, etc., born in Heidleburg, Germany, in 1843, settled in county in 1866, is trustee of corporation; wife Anna Bollier, of Niagara county, married in 1868; children three-Anna, Katie and Clara. Parents, Henry and Philippena Gruen, of Germany. Hepworth W. H.. p o Tonawanda, general dry goods, and carpets, born at York- shire, England, in 1832, came to county in 1854; wife Anna Hepworth, born in England in 1833, married in 1867; children four-John T., Lillian M., Charles C., and Florence M. Hinkey Louis, p o Tonawanda, general hardware merchant, born in Mecklen- burg, Germany, in 1835, came to county in 1849; wife Mary Nice, born in Erie county in 1845, married in 1867; children seven. Holway Joseph R., p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Ireland, in 1829, came to county in 1848, has been town clerk, president of corporation and supervisor; wife Ellen Neagle, born in Ireland, in 1830, married in 1847, and died in 1878: children seven; second wife Margaret Sanott of Genesee county, married in 1880, and died in same year, aged thirty years. Hoyer Frederick F., M. D., p o Tonawanda, physician and surgeon, born in Herkimer county in 1822, came to county in 1849, graduated at the Buffalo Medical college in 1849, was canal collector and president of Erie County Medical Society;, wife Pauline Town, of Niagara county, married in 1846; children three-Emma, T., Minard T., and Josephine. Huff James B., p o Tonawanda, general store, born in Erie county in 1857, was clerk of corporation and assistant chief of fire department; wife Etta M. Long, born in Erie county October 24, 1862, married December 21, 1881. Parents David and Catharine Huff, of Schoharie county. Humphrey Paschal S., p o Tonawanda, insurance agent, born in Tonawanda in 1851, has been corporation officer and collector of port. Johnson Selden G., p o Tonawanda, merchant, born in Connecticut in 1818, came to Erie county in 1848, was superintendent of Buffalo hospital, town clerk, justice of the peace, and held other offices wife Eliza Van Stenburgh, of Duchess county, married in 1844, and died in 1869; second wife F. M. Joyce, married December 1, 1869; children one-Hiram S., born in 1872. Parents Daniel H., and Mehitable (Huntley) Johnson, of Connecticut. BRIEF PERSONALS. 765 Kibler Charles F., p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Erie county November 27, 1852. Parents Godfrey and Frederica (Striker) Kibler, both born in Germany, the former in 1811 and the latter in 1815, came to Erie county in 1832, married in 1840, he died in 1859 and she in 1880; children eight, six living. Kibler Christian H., p o Tonawanda, saloon, born in Erie county November 30, 1837, has held several town offices; wife Julia G. Humbert, of Amherst, Erie county, married in 1865; children three-Emma, Mary and Eugene. Parents God- frey and Betsey Kibler, the former of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. Koenig H. J., po Tonawanda, general grocer, born in Germany in 1850, came to Erie county in 1867; wife Louisa Koenig, of Erie county, married in 1875; children three. Parents George J. and Catharine Koenig, of Germany. Mrs. Koenig was daughter of Henry and Sophia Koenig, of Baden, who came to county in 1846. Kohler Charles, p o Tonawanda. saloon, born in France in 1816, came to Erie county in 1835, has been town collector and poormaster; wife Catharine Garney, of Germany, married in 1846; children three. Parents Charles and Sophia Kohler, who came to county in 1837. Koch Robert L., p o Tonawanda, farmer and postmaster, born in Germany in 1829, came to Erie county in 1851; wife Elizabeth Kibler, of Erie county, married in 1852; children seven. Father Martin L. Koch, of Germany. Landel Frederick, p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Germany in 1831, came to Erie county September 10, 1847, has been assessor and poormaster; wife Catherine Klingenschmith, born in Niagara county in 1838, married in 1858; children nine. Parents Philip and Phillipine Landel, of Germany, came to Erie county in 1847, the former died in 1873, and the latter in 1852; children ten. Lawson George D., p o Tonawanda, dealer in stoves and hardware, born in Ton- awanda in 1862. Parents Conrad and Jennie Lawson, the former of Buffalo, and the latter of St. Catherine's, Canada. Mrs. Lawson is the daughter of George and Ann Goodwin; he born in Spain in 1807, and she in New Jersey in 1804. Misner Peter, p o Tonawanda, lumber and timber business, born in Canada in 1818, came to Erie county in 1853, has been custom-house officer and canal collector; wife Rosetta Cronkhite, of Canada, married in 1844; children four-two living. Munch Frederick, p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Tonawanda in 1836; wife Mary Knor, born in Germany in 1841, came to Erie county in 1849, married in 1858; children nine-living eight. Parents Nicholas and Christina Munch. Mrs. Munch was the daughter of Henry and Margaret (Shaver) Knor, of Germany, came to Erie county in 1849. Munch Nicholas, p o Tonawanda, farmer and stock grower, born in Baubach, France, in 1807, came to Erie county in 1835, has been assessor and poormaster; wife Christina Meyer, born in France in 1812, married in 1832, died in 1871, children nine, four now living-Fred, born in 1836, Christina born in 1840, Nicholas born in 1843, and Henry born in 1846; Christina married Henry Litz of Buffalo in 1875; children three. Parents Peter and Catherine Munch, born in France; he died in France; she came to Erie county in 1835, and died in 1853, aged 74; children two- Peter and Nicholas; Peter was born in 1801 and died in 1877. Nice John, po Tonawanda, farmer and capitalist, born in Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 13, 1813, came to county in 1836, has held various town offices; wife Mary A. Pfitfewmeyer, born in Bavaria in 1826, married in 1844; children eleven. Parents Philip and Elizabeth Nice, of Bavaria, came to Newstead in 1836. Parker William W., p o Tonawanda, grocer, and boat builder, born in Cayuga county in 1815, came to Erie county in 1874, is assessor for the village; wife Pamelia Cornwell, of Chenango county, married in 1843, and died in 1867; children three; second wife Octavia A. Dutcher, of Oswego county, married in 1881. Parents John and Asenath Parker. 766 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Payne Garret W., p o Tonawanda, farmer and stock grower, 140 acres, born in Herkimer county in 1824, was justice of the peace two terms; wife Eliza A. Strong, born in Schenectady county in 1825, married in 1848. Parents Chester and Eliza Wyckoff Payne; she of Otsego county; he born in Connecticut in 1792, and died in 1851. Mrs. Payne was the daughter of Morgan and Eleanor (Vedder) Strong; the former of Albany county; the latter of Schenectady. Phanner Frederick, p o Tonawanda farmer and cider manufacturer, born in Erie county in 1840; wife Margaret Yockey, born in 1843, married in 1863; children ten. Parents Conrad and Barbara Knoche, of Germany, married in 1827, came to Erie county in 1830; they were ninety-three days on the passage from Havre to Philadel- phia; went to Erie county by wagon and were seven weeks making the trip from Philadelphia to Buffalo. Phillips John H., p o Tonawanda, farmer, 62 acres, born in Rush, Monroe county, Feb. 8, 1807, came to Erie county April 8, 1820, has held several town offices; wife Mary Best, born in Erie county in 1811; children three-Jesse A., William A., and Caroline. Parents Jesse and Alice Phillips; she of Columbia county, and he of Connecticut, married in 1806, came to Le Roy in 1815, and to Erie county in 1820. Pirson Philip, p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Erie county in 1837, was highway commissioner for three terms; wife Magdalena Fries, born in Tonawanda in 1836, married in 1858, and died in Oct., 1867; children three-Caroline, George H., and Annie; second wife, Mary Kibler, born in France, married in 1868; children four. Parents John and Eve (Knoche) Pirson; the former born in France in 1812; the lat- ter in Germany in 1816, they were married in 1836, came to Erie county in 1830; he died in 1881; children nine. Rinebolt Alsace, p o Tonawanda, farmer, 89 acres, born in Germany in 1832, came to Erie county in 1834; wife Laney Michler, born in Germany in 1837; chil- dren six. Parents Ignatius and Laney (Koever) Rinebolt of Germany, came to Erie county in 1834, she died in 1835, and he in 1873, aged sixty-six ; children nine. Riesterer Martin, p o Tonawanda, farmer, brewer and real estate dealer, born in Baden, Germany, in 1832, came to Erie county in 1852; was town assessor for some twenty years; wife Theresa Diebold, born in Erie County in 1839, married in 1858, chil- dren four-John M., Edward G., Emma E. and Ubert. Parents Austin and Agnes (Brendle) Riesterer, of Germany, came to Erie county in 1853, the former died in 1881 aged 82 years. Risius J. H., p o Tonawanda, dealer in paints, oils and wall paper, born in Ger- many in 1850; wife Kate Hardtleben born in Erie county in 1857, married in 1878; one child. Parents Henry and Margaret (Alberts) Risius of Germany; children two-Mary and J H. Rogers E. H., po Tonawanda, lumber and timber dealer, born in Duchess county, in 1831, came to Erie county in 1844, has held various corporation offices; wife, Lucinda Tripp, born in Erie county, married in 1857; children five. Seib Jacob, p o, Tonawanda, farmer and shoe manufacturer, born in Bavaria, Germany in 1816, came to county in 1835, was assessor eleven years; wife Sophia Schuhmacher, born in Germany in 1816, married in 1840; children four-two living, Henry P. and Louise. Parents George and Mary Sieb, of Germany. Mrs. Sieb was the daughter of Conrad and Catharine F. Schuhmacher, came to Erie county in 1835; children four. Schuler Adam, p o Tonawanda, agent for flour and feed and grain store, born in Weedenburg, Germany in 1836, settled in Erie county in 1855, has held several county offices; wife Margaretta Smith, born in Bavaria Germany, in 1836, married in 1859; one child, Matthew. Parents, Andrew and Magdalene Schuler. Schuhmacher Conrad, p o Tonawanda, farmer, 115 acres, born in Bavaria, Ger- in 1824, came to Erie county in 1835, was commissioner of highways; wife Charlotte Zackey, born in France in 1830, came to county in 1847, married in 1849; many, BRIEF PERSONALS. 767 one child-Catharine Louise. Parents Conrad and Catharine T. Schuhmacher of Germany, the former born in 1790, and died in 1875, she died in 1856; children five. Mrs. Schuhmacher, was the daughter of Henry and Sophia (Miller) Zackey of Germany. Schwinger C., p o Tonawanda, merchant and president of Niagara brewing com- pany, born in Germany in 1825, came to Erie county in 1840, has been supervisor several terms; wife Sarah Kopf of Germany, married in 1845, and died in 1852; chil- dren three-one living; second wife, Susan Kopf of county, born in Germany in 1831, married in 1856; children three-one living. Schnitzer Emil, po Tonawanda, hotel and saloon, born in Germany in 1837, came to Erie county in 1854, has been assessor and auditor; wife Philipena Deanuew, born in Germany in 1839, married in 1861; children six. Parents Frederick and Margaret Schnitzer, of Germany. Stegmeier J. J., p o Tonawanda, painter, born in Erie county in 1851; wife Parents Andrew Amelia Adams, of Erie county, married in 1873; children three. and Sophia Stegmeier, of Germany, the former of Wittinburg and the latter of Bavaria. Schneider Theodore, p o Tonawanda, born in Germany November 8, 1822, came to Erie county in 1847, has been justice of the peace, assessor and police jus- tice; wife Sophia Kohler, married August 12, 1849, and died March 27, 1880, aged fifty-eight years; children four. Simson John, p o Tonawanda, retired lumber dealer and farmer, born in Coopers- town, Otsego county, in May, 1803, came to Erie county in 1811, was Assemblyman in 1872, and has held several town offices; wife Frances M. Long, born in Pennsyl- vania August 3, 1814, married in 1834, died March 24, 1881; children eight, four living-Mary, Francis M., Josephine C., and Everett B. Simson William B., p o Tonawanda, attorney and brick manufacturer, born in Erie county in 1853. Parents William T. and Harriet (Shell) Simson, both born in Erie county; children four-Volney, John R., William B., and Hattie A. Volney is an attorney at Lockport. John R., a graduate of the medical college at Cleveland. Taylor David, p o Buffalo. Trew Andrew R., p o Tonawanda, civil engineer, born in England in 1825, came to Erie county in 1852, is chief engineer of Canada Southern Railroad; wife Martha Fanning, of Lewiston, Niagara county, married in 1856; children four. Parents John and Anne Trew, of England. Mrs. Trew was the daughter of Rufus and Mary Fan- ning, who came to Erie county in 1835. Ultsch Andrew, p o Tonawanda, general grocer, born in Erie county in 1852; wife Anna Schuchert, born in Erie county in 1856, married in 1876. Parents Andrew and Mary Ultsch, of Germany, came to Erie county in 1824. Van Brocklin S. A., p o Tonawanda, foundry and machine shop, born in Orleans county in 1827, came to Erie county in 1850, has been town assessor and held sev- eral village offices; wife Sarah G. Hill, born in Maine in 1832, married in 1855; children three-Cora, Rollo and Frank. Parents John and Delilah (Bentley) Van Brocklin, the former of Montgomery county, and died January 27, 1883, and the lat- ter of Onondaga. Webb T. E., po Tonawanda, carriage manufacturer, foundry and sale stables, born in Buffalo in 1852, is now erecting a carriage and wagon factory, general smith- ing shop, livery sales stable and foundry, on the same grounds where stood the factory that was destroyed by fire in 1882, which he purchased as successor to W. H. Birker, in 1874, and will give employment to some twenty hands; wife Diana N. Pickard, born in Erie county in 1850, married in 1879; children two-Mabel and Harry S. Parents Henry and Margaret (Wellbank) Webb, the former born in Scotland in 1825, the latter in Ireland in 1826, married in 1847, came to Erie county in 1852; children six. 768 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Wendel Philip, p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1825, came to Erie county in 1843, was overseer of the poor, supervisor and collector; wife Elizabeth Klingenschmith, born in Germany in 1829, married in 1849; children eight. Parents Philip and Agnes (Brower) Wendel, of Germany, came to Erie county in 1843, the former died in 1849, aged fifty-eight, and the latter one week afterwards, aged forty-eight years. Williams A. B., p o Tonawanda, lumber, timber and steam planing-mill, born in Lancaster, Erie county, in 1836, was supervisor two years; wife Fannie Simson, daughter of John and Frances Simson, married in 1871; one child-Helena. Parents Clark S. and Sarah Williams, the former of Otsego and the latter of Cattaraugus county, came to Erie county in 1820. Wolf Joseph, po Tonawanda, merchant and contractor, born in Germany in 1836, came to county in 1856; wife Dorothy A. Demlon, born in Prussia, in 1832, married in 1856; children six- Henry H., George, Charles T., Sophia M., John D.,* and Minnie. Parents, Teal and Dorothy T. Wolf, of Germany. Zimmerman James B., p o Tonawanda, farmer, born in Tonawanda, Erie county, in 1847; wife Francis E. Ames, born in Orleans county, in 1849, married in 1878; children two-Gertrude E., and Eugene L. Parents, Levi and Elizabeth Zimmerman. Mrs. Zimmerman was daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth (Norton) Ames, born in Her- kimer county, came to Niagara county in 1832. Zimmerman Martin J., p o Tonawanda, farmer and saloon, born in Erie county in 1848, was elected assessor in 1883; wife Sarah Spice, born in Erie county in 1830, married in 1870; children two. Parents, Martin and Maggie Zimmerman, of Ger- many, came to county in 1830. Zimmerman Mary Mrs. p o Tonawanda. WALES. Barber Chandler, p o Strykersville, farmer and surveyor 40 acres, born in Massa- chusetts, in 1823, came to county in1 833, is notary public; wife Alma Balcom, born in Massachusetts in 1826, married in 1844; children three-Mary E., Willard S., and Amy J. Brayton Charles N., p o South Wales, farmer 274 acres, born in Herkimer county, in 1849, came to county in 1852, has been supervisor for five terms, wife Fanny Reed, married in 1876; one child—Mary M. Bullard Charles, po Wales Centre, farmer 150 acres, born at Saratoga Springs, in 1826, come to county in 1844, is commissioner for the town; wife Lovena Failing, born in Montgomery county, in r827; married in 1849; children three-Mary H., Aurelia E., and George A. Cadugan John, p o Wales Centre, farmer 148 acres, born in Montgomery county, in 1798, came to county in 1857, is overseer of the poor; wife Mary Hall, married in 1857; children seven. Chalmers James, p o South Wales, farmer, 190 acres, born in Canada, in 1831, came to county in 1849, has been assessor and commissioner; wife Susan J. Tanner, married in 1852-children two. Dimon Ella J., p o Wales Centre. Hall Harding W., p o Wales Centre, farmer, 80 acres, born in Erie county in 1814; wife Abigail M. Gurney, born in Massachusetts in 1817, married in 1836; chil- dren three-Harrison H., Mary A., and Lydia L. Hall S. R., p o Wales Centre, farmer, 116 acres, born in Erie county in 1826, holds the office of assessor; wife E. C. Gale, married in 1849; children five. BRIEF PERSONALS. 769 Hall W. A., p o Wales Centre, merchant and farmer, 248 acres, born in Wyom- ing county in 1827, came to Erie county in 1867, has held the office of deputy post- master; wife Libbie Wilcox, married in 1866; children six-Frank W., Grant B., Bert A., Ray V., Nettie A., and an infant. Hausauer Michael, p o Wales Centre, farmer, 122 acres, born in Wyoming county in 1838, came to Erie county in 1850, has been overseer of the poor and collector; wife Elizabeth Hofman, born in Germany in 1840, married in 1863; children three- Frank C., Julia M., and Minnie. Havens E. G., p o Wales Centre, farmer, 120 acres, born in Oneida county in 1817; wife Minerva Ticknor, born in Erie county in 1819, married in 1840; children four-Lydia Ann, Julia Augusta, Charles B., and Edwin E. Keem Martin J., p o Wales Centre, farmer, 208 acres, born in Erie county in . 1835; wife Catharine Snyder, born in Wyoming county in 1840, married in 1860; children five—George C., Mary M., Lucy, Freddie and Catharine. McBeth J., po Wales Centre, physician and surgeon, born at Quebec in 1822, came to Erie county in 1843, has held the office of supervisor two terms; wife Polly C. Taylor, married in 1871; one child—Clara. Merlan Philip, p o Wales, farmer, 100 acres, born in Wales in 1841, has been col- lector and highway commissioner; wife Mary Faulding, born in Europe in 1839, mar- ried in 1863; children four-Clara C., John P., Helen E., and Charles V. Moore Welcome, p o Strykersville, farmer, 175 acres, born at Wales in 1814; wife Melinda Bush, born in Wyoming county in 1822, and died Jan. 12, 1863; second wife Paulina Wells, born in 1818; children five. Norton E. D., p o Wales Centre, merchant, born in Erie county in 1861. Father E. S. Norton, who died May 13, 1882, aged fifty years. Osborne F. G., p o South Wales, physician and surgeon, born in Erie county in 1849, is now supervisor; wife Maria Warner, married in 1869. Smith Frank N., p o Wales Centre, farmer, 50 acres, born in Erie county in 1849; wife Susan Simmons, born at Wales in 1852, married in 1871; children three-Clar- ence, Frank and Lizzie A. Stevens H. A., p o Wales. Stokes Thomas, p o Wales, farmer, 170 acres, born in England in 1818, came to Erie county in 1850; wife Dora Wightman, born in Wales, Erie county, in 1825, mar- ried in 1865, and died in March, 1878; children three-none living. Sullivan Dennis, p o Strykersville, farmer, 130 acres, born in Ireland in 1843, came to Erie county in 1851; wife Salome Wosters, born in Wyoming county in 1843, married in 1878; one child--Frank. Waters J. W., p o Wales Centre, dealer in horses, born in Erie county in 1827; wife Emma Wood, born at Poughkeepsie in 1832, married in 1853; children eight- Harriet E., Mortimer S., Gertrude A., Martha A., Sarah C., Robert T., Sidney W., and Archy R. Weaver John, p o Wales Centre, farmer, 240 acres, born in Cattaraugus county in 1827, came to Erie county in 1837; wife Phebe R. Crosby, born in Erie county in 1834, married in 1854; children three-William, George B., and Nettie. INDEX. Abbotts Corners, 522. Adams and Caledonia Taken, The, 129. Agrarian Convention, An, 213. Agricultural Society, 321. organization of, 321. first officers of, 321. first fair of, 322, 323. second fair of, 323, 324. growth of, 329. present officers of, 331. Aix-la-Chapelle, Treaty of, 41. Akron, 369, 370. name of, adopted, 370. manufacturers of, 371, 372. population of, 372. merchants of, 373. hotels of, 374. physicians of, 374. churches in, 374-378. Lodge No. 527, F. & A. M., 378. Breeze, 374. Alden, boundary and area of, 438, 439. soil of, 439. first settlers of, 117, 439. in the War of 1812, 440. early merchants of, 441. railroads in, 442. list of supervisors in, 443. list of present officers, 443. Alden Centre, 443. church of, 448. Alden Village, 448. name and formation of, 443. first officers of, 444. present officers of, 444. population of, 444, physicians of, 444. merchants of, 444. Gazette, 445. newspapers of, 445. churches of, 445, 446. Allen, Ellery S., biographical sketch of, 496. Allen, Jabez, M. D., biographical sketch of, 558. Allen, Lewis F., biographical sketch of, 701. Allen, Orlando, 322. biographical sketch of, 666. Alms House, County, 335. Amherst, 396. area and boundary of, 396. geological formation of, 397. settlement of, 397. early settlers of, 397, 398. during the war of 1812, 399. reorganized in 1808, 400. officers of, 401. Bee, 404. Ancient Fort, location of, 89. Angola, 579. merchants of, 580. Record, 581. Union School, 581. churches in, 581. Ararat, City of, projected, 432. Area of Erie County, 14. Athol Springs, 523. Attorney General, 341. Aurora, topography of, 535. early settlers of, 536. in the war of 1812, 539. formation of, 541. manufactories of, 542. manufacture of cheese in, 543. supervisors of, 545. officers of, 546. Standard, 548. Academy, 551. Advertiser, 552. Baker, Benjamin, biographical sketch of, fac- ing 534. Bartholomew, Chauncey, biographical sketch of, 471. Batavia, division of, 89. Bay View, 523. Bigelow, Harry F., biographical sketch of, 406. Big Tree Corners, 523. Bird Wm. A., biographical sketch of, 699, 701. Black Rock incorporated with Buffalo, 230. Blossom, 496. church of, 496. Boston, situation of 592. first settlement in, 592, 593. formation and boundary of, 594. murder by the three Thayers in, 595. supervisors and town clerks in, 597. INDEX. 771 Boston Corners, 598. churches in, 598, 600. Boston Centre, 600. church in, 601. Boundaries of Erie county, 14. Bowmansville, 464. Clarence, list of supervisors of, 384. Clarence Centre, 388. first store in, 388. physicians of, 388. hotels of, 389. churches in, 389. Bowman, Palmer S., biographical sketch of, 465 Clarence Hollow, 385. Bradstreet, General, 47. Brant, area of, 617. situation and boundary of, 623. surface and soil of, 624. name and formation of, 221, 626. early settlers in, 624, 625. railroads in, 626, 627. physicians in, 627. supervisors and town clerks of, 627. Brant Centre, 627. churches of, 628. Brant, Joseph, 50, 61. Briggs, Joseph B., biographical sketch of, 499. British repelled by the Americans, 143. British vessels on the lake, 1812, 126. Brock, General Isaac, 125. Brown, James Malcolm, 260. Buffalo Creek Reservation, 74. Buffalo incorporated a city, 210. origin of the name, 57. in flames, 154, 155. incidents of the flight from, 152. the name first legally applied, 116. burning of, events preceding, 148. Buffalo Convention, The, 225, 226, 227. Buffalos, probability of in Erie Co., 18, 24, 56. Butler, Colonel John, 62. Campbell, John B.,biographical sketch of, 472. Campaign of 1813, 136. Campaign of 1814, 160. Canada, invasion of, 131. Canal Appraisers, 342. Canal Commissioners, 342 Canandaigua, treaty at, 73. Caroline, destruction of the, 215. Cattaraugus Reservation, 655, 656. Cazenove, Theophilus, 77. Chaffee, 623. Chapin, Colonel, 138, 139. killed at Plain Store, 279. Chapin, Dr. Cyrenius, 87. Cheektowaga, boundary of, 466. surface and soil of, 466. first settlers of, 466-467. bears and wolves in, 467. Germans in, 469. name and formation of, 469. railroads in, 470. churches of, 470. officers of, 471. first permanent settlement in, 114. Chippewa, Battle of, 163, 164. Circuit Judge, 342. Clarence, first town meeting, 114. Clarence, 379. location of, 379. geological formation of, 379. first settlement in, 379. early settlers in, 381, 382. population of, 383. reorganization of in 1808, 384. population of, 385. physicians of, 385. hotels of, 385, 386. merchants of, 386. churches in, 386-388. Clarksburg, 591, 592. Clerks of the District Court, 339. Cloverfield Combination, 543. Coasting trade in 1770, 48. Colden, 601. surface and soil of, 601. first settlers in, 118, 602, 603. officers of, 604. Colden Village, 604. early merchants and manufacturers, 604, 605. churches of, 606. Colden Centre, 607. Colegrove's Corners, 623. Cold Summer, 178. Collins, area of, 645. boundary of, 645. topography of, 645. first settled by the Friends, 646, 648. early settlers in, 647. name of, 648. in the war for the Union, 649. manufacture of cheese in, 650. supervisors and town clerks of, 650. present officers of, 651. name and formation of, 654. Collins Centre, 651. merchants of, 651. physicians of, 652. churches in, 652. Collins Station, 654. Comptrollers, 341, Concord, area and boundary of, 630. topography of, 630. first death in, 630. first birth in, 630. name and formation of, 633. soil of, 634. in the Rebellion, 635. railroads in, 635. supervi-ors of, 635. present officers of, 636. Conflict, first in Erie county, 46. Conjockety Creek, battle of 169. Constitution of 1846, 224. Corn Planter, 65. Council with Indians, 185, 186. County clerks, 347. County Judges,346. County superintendent of schools, 349. County treasurers since 1848, 349. Court house first, 334. second, 335. third, 335. present, completed in 1876, 336. description of present, 337, 338. #2 772 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Court house built in 1816, 177. Court house, first erected in Buffalo, 100. Court, first held in Buffalo, 100. Crittenden, 449. merchants of, 450. church of, 450. Cuyler, Major William Howe, 130. Daillon, Father De la Roche, 23. Derby, 582. Detroit founded, 40. Devil's Hole. Massacre of, 46. District Attorney, District of Northern New York, 339. District Attorneys, 348. Dodge, J. Wayne, biographical sketch of, 409. Driggs, Urial, biographical sketch of, 424. Duel fought, 134. Dueling in Erie county, 96. Dunn, A. M., biographical sketch of, 473. Dutch settlement upon the Hudson, 23. East Aurora, 546. fires in, 550. merchants of, 551. manufactories of, 551. physicians of, 551. churches of, 552, 555. East Concord, 643. East Eden, 591. East Elma, 495, 496. East Evans, 582. East Hamburg, area of, 524. early settlers in, 88, 525, 527. during the rebellion, 530, 531. manufacturers of, 531. physicians in, 532. post-office changed to Orchard Park, 531. supervisors and town clerks, 532, 533. churches of, 533. East Transit Line, 78. Ebenezer Society, The, 228, 229, 505, 508. Eden, 583. situation and boundary of, 583. first settlers in, 115, 584. name and formation, 587. railroad in, 587. supervisors in, 588. Eden Centre, 588. early merchants of, 588. Preserving Company of, 588, 589. physicians of, 589. churches of, 589, 590. Eden Valley, 591. Eggertsville, 406. churches of, 406. Eleventh Cavalry, 291. Ellicott, Joseph, 77. Elma, surface and soil of, 489. early settlers of, 489. railroads in, 491. murder in 1878 in, 491. name and formation of, 233, 492. officers of, 493. Elma Village, 494, 495. M. E. church of, 495. Elma Centre, 494, 495. Erie Canal, The, 182. first projected, 307. Erie Canal, first survey, 308. commenced, 309. completed, 310. enlarged, 312. made free, 313. Erie county in Congress, 235, 236, 237. Erie county in 1821, 190. Erie, Pa., expedition to, 217.' Eries, destruction of, 26. Erie, organization of the town of, 91, 92. obliteration of the town of, 98, 99. Erie Preserving Company, 628, 629. Eshleman, Jacob, biographical sketch of, 391. Eshleman, John, biographical sketch of, 395. Evans, area and boundary of, 571, 572. first settlements in, 115, 572. during the war of 1812,573, 574. name and formation of, 574. in the Rebellion, 575, 576. railroads in, 575, 577. physicians in, 577. supervisors and town clerks in, 577,578. first tavern in, 93. Evans Centre, 578. churches in, 579. Execution, second in county, 187. Fair, first held in county, 189. Farmers Brother, 64, 110, 111, 142. Farnham, 629. churches in, 629. Farnsworth, Jerry, biographical sketch of, 450. Fillmore, Millard, 197, 227, 547, 548. biographical sketch of, 689. Fillmore, Rev. Glezen, 115, 116. Financial depression, 211, 212. First bank organized, 177. First black settler, 68. First Erie county regiment, 235. First hotel, 73. First Judges of the Common Pleas, 346. First Justice, 83. First murder, 84. First physician, 87. First postoffice, 91. First purchaser of land, 82. First ship built in the county, 87. First wheat raised, 81. First white child born, 74. First white settler, 67. Flight of Buffalo's defenders. 151. Flood, Joseph P., biographical sketch of, 484. Foster, Harrison T., biographical sketch of, 485. Fort Erie captured by Americans, 161. Fort Erie besieged by the British, 171. Fort Erie, the besiegers defeated, 173. Fortification, ancient in Lancaster, 114. Fort Niagara, capture of in 1759, 43. Fort Stanwix, treaty of, 55. Fourteenth Cavalry, 292. Forty-fourth Infantry, 249. Forty-ninth Infantry, 250. Friends meeting, 94. Gardenville, 507, 509. churches of, 509. Gazette, The Buffalo, 119. Generals of the Regular Army, 341. Genesee county erected, 84. Geology of Erie county, 350. INDEX. 773 Getzville, 406. churches of 406. Gilbert Family, The, 52. Glenwood, 606. churches of, 607. Good Templars Order, 629. Governor of New York, 341. Gowanda, 652. name of, 653. manufactories of, 653. lawyers in, 654. churches in, 654. Grand Island, area of, 426. squatters of, 427, 429. Holland Purchase, first State election in, 86. system of survey, 77. Holmes, Ebenezer and John M., 95. 'Horn Breeze,” 116. Hopkins, General Timothy S., biographical sketch of, 410. Hopkins, Timothy S., 8`. Hundred Partners, Company of, 23. Hopkins, Hon. Timothy A., biographical sketch of, 411 Hunt, Garret B., biographical sketch of, 392, 393. Hurd, Clark W., biographical sketch of, 497. Indian Captives at Buffalo Creek, 54. laying the corner-stone of the city of Indian Council at Buffalo Creek, 61. Ararat on, 433. organized as a town, 230. Grand Island War, 187, 188. Granger, Erastus, 87. Greenbacks," Father of the, 236. Greenhalgh, Wentworth, 34. Griffin, building of the, 35. Griffin's Mills, 555. churches in, 556. Grouchy, Marshall, visit of, 179. Hamburg, boundary of, 511. soil of, 511. early settlers of, 90, 511, 512. formed from Willink, 513. during the War of 1812, 514, 516. railroad in, 516. supervisors and town clerks in, 516. cheese, 529. Hamburg Village, 517. first school in, 517. physicians of, 519. lawyers of, 519. newspapers of, 519. Journal, The, 519. bank, 520. bank, officers of, 520. churches of, 520, 521. Harris Hill, 158, 389. churches of, 390. Haven, Solomon G., biographical sketch of, 670, 674. Hawley, Jesse, 306. Hitchcock, Apollos, biographical sketch of, 473. Hitchcock James, biographical sketch of, 474. Hoag, Wilber N., biographical sketch of, 378, 379. Hodge, Joseph, 68. Holland, 607. situation and boundary of, 607. first settlers in, 95, 608, 609. formation of, 609, 610. German immigration in, 611. supervisors of, 612. present officers of, 612. Holland Village, 612. early merchants in, 613. physicians in, 614. manufacturers of, 614. churches in, 615. Holland Land Company, 75. Indian Council, a typical, 58. Indians enrolled in the U. S. service, 140. Indians at Chippewa, 165. Indian Village, 69. Inspector of State Prisons, 342. Iroquois, 19, 27-32. Iroquois declare war against the British, 128. Jail, county, 334. Jemison, Mary, 208. Joliet, Father, 34. Joncaire, Chabert, 41. Johnson, Dr. Ebenezer, biographical sketch of, 674, 676. Johnson, Sir William, 42. Johnston, Lieutenant, 53. Judge, first in Erie county, 92. Judge of the Court of Claims, 342. Judge of the District Court of Northern New York, 339. Judges of the Supreme Court, 342. Kirkland, Rev. Samuel, 63. Kraus, John, biographical sketch of, 391, 392. Kremlin Junta, 183. LaFayette, visit of, 199. Lake View, 523. Lancaster, area of, 452. soil of, 452. first settlers in, 87, 452. first church of, 455. railroads in, 456. list of supervisors in, 457. list of present officers of, 457. Lancaster Village, formed, 211. first teachers of, 457. merchants of, 460. manufactories of, 460. physicians of, 461. officers of, 461. churches of, 461-464. Land purchased of the Indians, 200. Lane Ezekiel, 73. Langford, 665. church of, 665 La Salle, Robert Cavelier de, 34, 37. Lawton Station, 664. Lawyer, first in Erie county, 96. Liancourt, De La Rochefoucauld, 73. Long, Isaac, biographical sketch of, 523. Lundy's Lane, Battle of, 167. McBeth, Dr. John, biographical sketch of, 570. Holland Purchase, change of municipal organi- McClure, General, inefficiency of, 147, 148, 156. zation, 98. first town meeting in, 85. Marilla, boundary of, 476. first settlers of,476, 477. 774 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Marilla, first roads laid out in, 477. formation of, 231, 478. list of supervisors of, 479. present officers of, 479. Marilla Village, 479–480. early residents of, 479–480. hotels of, 480. merchants of, 481. physicians of, 481. Record, 482. churches of, 482, 483. Marshfield, 665. churches of, 665. Marvel, Alfred, biographical sketch of, 498, Masonic Societies, see Volume II. Massachusetts and New York, claims, 59. Massachusetts Bay, province of, 24. Marquette, Father, 34. Members of the Assembly, 343. conflicting Members of Constitutional Conventions, 346. Members of the Council of Appointment, 342. Members of the House of Representatives, 340. Methodist organization, first on the Holland Purchase, 95. Michigan, singular voyage of the, 202, 203 Middaugh, Martin, 73. Militia, early organizations, 296, 297. officers of, 298, 299. Sixty-fifth Regiment, 302. Mill, first in Collins, 115. · Mill Grove, 449. church of, 449. Mill, raising of the first in Hamburg, 93. Mills, first in Clarence Hollow, 92. Mills, first in East Hamburg, 92. Ministers in Foreign Countries, 339. Montgomery county, 57. Morgan, Camp, 260. Morgan Excitement, The, 201. Morris, Robert, 68. Morton's Corners, 644. churches of, 644. Mounds and Earthworks, Indian, 20. Murder, first trial for, 177. New Oregon, 366. New York and Genesee Land Company, 60. Newspaper, first in county, 119, 120. Newstead, first Tavern in, 85. Neuter Nation, 18. destruction of, 25, 26. Newstead, area of, 359. geological formation of, 360. early pioneers of, 360, 361. first railroad built in, 367. officers of, 369. opened for settlement, 83. Niagara, Fort, first fort erected, 39. rebuilt, 41. Niagara and Genesee Land Company, 50. Nonville, Marquis de, invades the Seneca country, 39. New Amsterdam, 80. Nice, John, biographical sketch of, 438. Noah, Major Mordecai Manuel, 429, 436. North Boston, 601. North Collins, area of, 656. situation and boundary of, 656. North Collins, topography of, 656. early settlers in, 657. first marriage in, 657. wild animals in, 658, 660. name and formation of, 660, 661. in the war of the Union, 661. manufacture of cheese in, 661. supervisors and town clerks in, 661. North Collins Village, 662. manufactories,662. physicians of, 662. churches, 663. North Evans, 582, 583. Noyes, Post, G. A. R., 664. Ogden Company, The, 117. Oldest building in Erie county, 83. One Hundred and Sixteenth Infantry, 274. One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infantry, 286. One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Infantry, 287. One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Infantry, 288. One Hundredth Infantry, 259. organization of, 260. Ontario county formed, 67. Orchard Park, 533. Parker, Dr. Jared, biographical sketch of, 393, 394 Patriot War, The, 215. attempt to invade Canada, 218, 219. Penfield, Henry F., biographical sketch of, 676, 677. Penitentiary, 355. Perry, Commodore, 136. Perry's victory, 146. Peters' Corners; 449. Phelps and Gorham's purchase, 60, 66. Phelps, Oliver, 63. Pioneer incidents, 101. Political changes, 238. Pontiac's league, 45. Population in 1810, 116. in 1820, 189. in 1825, 199. in 1840, 221. in 1845, 223. in 1850, 228. in 1860, 233. Porterville, 483. Porter, Barton & Co., 116. Porter, Peter B., 117. Potter, Samuel, M. D., biographical sketch of, 466. Port of entry, located at Black Rock and 'Buffaloe" in 1810, 119. Postmaster-General, 339. Postoffices in 1830, 205, 206. Post Route established, 91. Powell, Captain, 53. Pre-emption rights of the Holland Company, sale of, 117. Presidential electors, 341. President of the United States, 339. Proctor, Colonel Thomas, his council with the Senecas, 69. Protection, 615. Putnam, Israel, 48. Queen Anne's War, 40. Queen Charlotte, The, 126. Raid of the British, 141. INDEX. 775 Railroads : Buffalo & Black Rock, 314. Buffalo & Brantford, 316. Buffalo & Jamestown, 318. Buffalo & Lake Huron, 317. Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia, 317, 320. Buffalo & Niagara Falls, 314. Buffalo, Pittsburgh & Western, 318. Buffalo & Southwestern, 318. Buffalo & State Line, 315. Canada Southern, 317. Genesee Valley Canal, 319. Grand Trunk, 316. Kendall & Eldred, 319. Seneca, formation of, 230. Senecas, first permanent settlement in Erie county, 52. Seventh Battery, N. G., S. N. Y., 305. Seventy-eighth Infantry, 258. Seventy-fourth regiment N. G., S. N. Y., 304. Shirley, 664. Town of formed, 230. Sheriffs, 347. Silver Greys," The, 125. Simson, John, biographical sketch of, 425. Six Nations, 19, 27, 32. Sixteenth Cavalry, 292. Sixty-fourth Infantry, 257. Slaves in Erie county, 189. Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, 315. Smith, Dr. Elisha, biographical sketch of, McKean & Buffalo, 319. Mayville Extension, 319. New York Central, 316. New York, Chicago & St. Louis, 318. New York, Lackawanna & Western, 319. New York, Lake Erie & Western, 318. New York, West Shore & Buffalo, 320. Niagara Bridge & Canandaigua, 316. Olean & Bradford, 319. Rochester, New York & Philadelphia, 319. Suspension Bridge & Erie Junction, 318. Randall, Rev. Wm. H., biographical sketch of, 412. Ransom, Asa, 74. Red Jacket, annecdotes of, 64, 72, 112. impeachment of, 204. death of, 206, 207. Regents of the University, 342. Revolutionary War, 49. Senecas join the British, 50. Rich, Charles S., biographical sketch of, 616. Riley, General Aaron, biographical sketch of, 558-560. Roads, first one opened, 79. facing 534. Smyth, Brigadier-General Alexander, 131. cowardice of, 133, 134. Snyderville, 406. So-onongise and Kauquatau, 193, 194. South Wales, 569. physicians in, 569. church of, 570. Spaulding, Elbridge Gerry, biographical sketch of, 677, 682. Spring Brook,493. first store in, 493. churches in, 494. Springville, 636. merchants in, 636, 637. first hotel in, 637. newspapers of, 638. Journal and Herald, 638. Local News, 638. lawyers in, 638, 639. physicians in, 639. banks of, 639. manufactories of, 640. incorporated, 641. Academy, 641. Griffith Institute in, 641. churches in, 642, 643. Robinson, William, biographical sketch of, 451. State Treasurers, 341. Royal Templars of Temperance, 629. Ryswyck, Treaty of, 40. St. John's Protectory, 510. St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum, 510. Sale of the Buffalo Creek Reservation, 223. Sanford, Anson, biographical sketch of, 464. Sardinia, area of, 617. situation and boundary of, 617. first settlement in,. 617. early settlers of, 618. railroads of, 620. churches of, 620. name and formation of, 620, 621. supervisors of, 621. present officers of, 621. Sardinia Village, 621. churches in, 622. Scajaquada Creek, skirmish of, 141. Scalps, bounty paid for, 50. School commissioners, 349. Scott, Winfield, 159. Second Mounted Rifles, 293. Secretary of State, 341. Secretary of War, 339. State Senators, 342. Steamboat, first, 184. Stedman, Jonathan, biographical sketch of, 488. Sullivan's Expedition, 51. Superintendent of Public Instruction, 342. Superintendent of the Public Printing Office, 340. Surrender at Beaver Dams, 139. Surrogates, 348. Swift, Colonel, 124. Tenth Cavalry, 290. Thayers, execution of the three, 198, 199. Thirty-third Infantry, muster out, 249. Thirty-third Light Battery, 296. Tonawanda, area of, 412. soil of, 413. first settlement in, 413. early settlers of, 413. during the War of 1812, 414, 416. railroads of, 416. list of supervisors of, 417. Tonawanda Village, 417. manufacturers of, 418, 420. lawyers of, 419. 776 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY. Tonawanda Village, physicians of, 419. press of, 419. State bank of, 420. merchants, grocers, etc., 420. government of, 421. churches of, 422, 424. first settlers of, 113. Tonawanda Reservation, 74. bought and given to Indians, 223. Tonawanda, skirmish at, 149. War of 1812, skirmishes, 132. War of the Rebellion, commencement of, 234. War, preparations for, 122, 123, 124. Warren, William, 93, 94. Water courses, 16. Wiedrich's Battery, 294. Wende Station. 449. West Alden, 447. Methodist Church of, 447. West Falls, 556. Topography of Erie county, 15. Town Line, 447, 464. churches of, 447, 448. Trial, a remarkable, 195, 196. Tryon county, 49. Tuscaroras adopted by the Iroquois, 40. Twelfth Cavalry, 291. Twenty-first Infantry, 240. Twenty-fourth Cavalry, 293. Twenty-seventh Light Battery, 295. Vandenventer, Peter, 361, 362. Vaughan, Jesse, biographical sketch of, 475. Vessel captured by the British, 124. Vice-President of the United States, 339. Walden, Ebenezer, 96. Wales, area of, 561. boundary of, 561. first settlement in, 561, 563. supervisors in, 566. present officers in, 566. Wales Centre, 566. first physician, 567. churches of, 567, 568. Wales Hollow, 568. first settlers, 568. churches in, 569. Wales, first settlement in, 95. Water Valley, 521. War of 1812, first capture by the British, 124. churches of, 558. name of, 557. West Hamburg, 523. West Seneca, area of, 501. boundary of, 501. list of supervisors and town clerks in, 508. West Transit Line, 78. Wild Pigeons, 70. Wilkeson, Samuel, biographical sketch of, 682, 689. Williams, John Wesley, biographical sketch of, 394, 395. Williams, Jonas, 93. Williamsville, 401. early merchants of, 403. physicians, 403. first school house built in, 403. churches in, 404, 405. Willink, organization of, 91. division of, 121. town of abolished, 183. boundaries of, changed, 537, 541. Wiltse, Livingston G., biographical sketch of, 395, 396. Winne, Cornelius, 67. Williston, 483. churches of, 483. Woodward's Hollow, 644. UNIV. OF ONIGAN, DEC 221911 شكرا 564 94 Le F 127 IN H