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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.
By Prof. W. W. Clayton.
Philadelphia: Lewis, Peck & Co. 1879.  Press of J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia
*Transcribed by Jennifer Morse,  2008*
{Coverleaf: April 1908 Presented to Edward Carter By his Mother B. M. Carter, Canisteo, NY}

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PREFACE.
        The History of Steuben County is made up chiefly of local annals. There is little in which reaches back to the Colonial or even to the Revolutionary period. In the preparation of the following pages, everything known to the writer as furnishing any information respecting the state of this locality in the time of the Colonies and during the Revolution, has been carefully sought out and embodied in a few preliminary chapters.
        For our earliest geographical knowledge of this portion of the State of New York, we are indebted to the French military authorities at Fort Niagara, who, during the old contest with the English for supremacy over a large portion of this country, built and occupied that important garrison. Captain Pouchot, a French engineer at Fort Niagara, made the first map in which the principal streams of this county are indicated, deriving his information of the topography of the country from the Indians, whose knowledge appears to have been remarkably accurate. This map is found in the "Paris Documents," and was published in Paris in 1758.
        The history which we have given of the aboriginal inhabitants of this county has not been confined to the fragments of tribes who inhabited it at the time of its first discovery by Europeans, but has taken a wider range, embracing a general account of the Indian nations from which they sprang, and, especially, of the Iroquois, who were the dominant race throughout this region of country. The rivalry and mutual conflicts between these and the Andastes and Delawares, leading to the final conquest of the latter and the colonization of a mixed remnant of the broken tribes within the territory of Steuben County, have also been brought to view, and the general subject, thus presented, has been supplemented by a chapter on the Indian occupancy of this county prior to and during the period of the Revolution. This has been followed by an account of the general condition of the Indians subsequent to the Revolution, and the extinguishment of their title to lands in the State of New York.
        The various documents, journals, and reports of the campaign of General Sullivan in 1779, and the histories and reminiscences of the Wyoming massacre, furnish us with the only knowledge we have of this locality during the struggle of the Colonies for independence. Happily, for our later history, the pre-emption right of the State of Massachusetts, the purchase of these lands by Phelps and Gorham, and the transmission of their title to the present inhabitants, are matters of public record. We have largely in this department availed ourselves of the excellent work of Mr. Turner, entitled "Phelps and Gorham's Purchase," and, in the later phases of the Pulteney Estate, of the researches and conclusions of some of the most eminent legal minds in the county. It is unnecessary here to enumerate the authors we have consulted in the preparation of this volume, as they are generally referred to in the foot-notes or in the text of the work.

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        Steuben County has had an organic existence of eighty-three years. It was settled originally by a hardy and enterprising class of people. It would be strange if such a people, and their intelligent and progressive descendants, during a period of nearly a century, had not made history enough to fill one volume, to say nothing of the doings of their savage predecessors, or of the discoveries and military expeditions which prepared the way for their advent to these hills and valleys. The history made by the settlers and their descendants, the local annals of town and village, with which the work chiefly abounds, the recital of thrilling incidents of border life, the privations and hardships of the pioneers, the rehearsal of the rude and quaint manners and customs of the "olden times," will have much more of interest for the general reader than the most profound and labored discussion of antiquities remote from actual life.
        The history contained in the present volume has been compiled with a great deal of labor; yet, it has been a pleasure to the writer. The citizens of the county, in every locality, have manifested an interest in the work, and many have freely and cheerfully aided in the collection of materials. The arrangement of the work is such as is deemed, upon the whole, best adapted to the orderly classification of the large amount of matter which such a county must necessarily furnish, the plan being, first, a general history of the county at large, and then a history of each separate town and village. The biographies, for the most part, whith their accompanying portraits and views of residences, are placed in the several towns to which they belong, and the whole is carefully indexed, so as to facilitate reference. We have deemed it most in harmony with common usage, as well as best adapted to give general satisfaction, to arrange the towns in alphabetical order.
        Among those whom the writer and publishers desire especially to thank for valuable assistance rendered in the compilation of the work, are Hon. Guy H. McMaster, Ansel J. McCall, Esq., Hon. David Rumsey, R. E. Robie, Esq. Rev. James M. Platt, and Rev. O. R. Howard, D. D., of Bath; Charles H. Erwin, of Painted Post; Wm. H. Bonham, I. W. Near, and Miles W. Hawley, Esqs., of Hornellsville; C. H. Thomson, Esq., Hon. George T. Spencer, Dr. G. W. Pratt, Gen. J. H. Lansing, and C. D. Baker, Esq., of Corning; L. D. Hastings, T. M. Younglove, and G. W. Nichols, Esqs., of Hammondsport; Hon. Jeremiah Baker and Joshua C. Stephens, of Canisteo; Thos. S. Crosby, Valentine Van Wormer, and Thomas Warner, Esqs., of Cohocton; William B. Pratt, Paul C. Howe, and J. H. Hotchkin, Esqs., of Prattsburgh. Besides these, many other gentlemen have aided us in procuring matter for our local histories of towns and villages, whose names are too numerous to mention in this connection. We are indebted to the editors of the county press, to the county clerk and his assistants, to the town clerks of the various towns, to many clergymen and church officials, who have courteously and freely rendered assistance in various ways.
        That the work we have compiled is perfect in every respect we do not pretend. But we have aimed to make it as complete as possible under the circumstances, and such as it is we submit it to the candid judgment of our readers.
    W. W. C.
        April 1, 1879.
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CONTENTS.

HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
CHAPTER PAGE PAGE
I. - Baron Steuben 9 Addison 138
II. - The Indians 15 Avoca 154
III. - Indians of the Susquehanna Valley 19 Bath 160
IV. - Indian Occupancy of Steuben County 22 Bradford 191
V. - Period of the Revolution 25 Cameron 201
VI. - Extinguishment of the Indian Title 30 Campbell 207
VII. - Treaty of Oliver Phelps with the Seneca Indians 37 Canisteo 217
VIII. - The Phelps and Gorham Purchase 40 Caton 229
IX. - The Pulteney Estate 44 Cohocton 237
X. - Early Settlement of the County 46 Corning 252
XI. - Ontario County 50 Dansville 278
XII. - Organization of Steuben County 52 Erwin 286
XIII. - Geography, Topography, and Geology 54 Fremont 298
XIV. - Steuben County Civil List 59 Greenwood 302
XV. - Bench and Bar of Steuben County 64 Hartsville 309
XVI. - The County Press 76 Hornby 313
XVII. - The Land Controversy 81 Hornellsville 318
XVIII. - Societies 86 Howard 337
XIX. - New York State Soldiers' and Sailors' Home 91 Jasper 342
XX. - Grape Growing and Wine-Making 95 Lindley 350
XXI. - Statistics of Population, Agriculture, Churches 99 Prattsburgh 355
XXII. - Military History - War of 1812 - Mexican War 103 Pulteney 377
XXIII. - Military History Continued - War of the Rebellion -   105 Rathbone 381
             23d New York Infantry - Battery E, 1st N.Y. Light Artillery  Thurston 386
              - 34th Regiment Infantry Troupsburgh 392
XXIV. - Military History Continued - 86th Regiment 110 Tuscarora 402
XXV. - Military History Continued - 107th Regiment 120 Urbana 407
XXVI. - Military History Continued - 141st and 161st Regiments 127 Wayland 420
XXVII. - Military History Continued - 189th Regiment 134 Wayne 425
Statistical Directory of Steuben County 452 West Union 434
Wheeler 440
Woodhull 445
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Portrait of Baron Steuben facing 9 Portrait of David Robords between 156, 157
Map of Steuben County facing 54 Portrait of N. B. Chase facing 157
Pencil Sketch of Ravine at Hammondsport 58 Portrait of Christopher Patterson, M.D. facing 158
Portrait (steel) of Hon. Thos. A. Johnson facing 68 Portrait of Alexander Arnold facing 159
Portrait (steel) of Hon. David Rumsey facing 70 Portrait of H. H. Bouton 159
Portrait of Hon. David McMaster 72 BATH.
Portrait of Hon. George T. Spencer between 72, 73 Village of Bath in 1804 facing 160
Portrait of Hon. W. M. Hawley between 72, 73 Views of Bath, New York facing 160
Portrait of (steel) of Hon. Harlo Hakes facing 74 Portraits of John L. Smith and Wife between 162, 163
New York State Soldiers' and Sailors' Home 94 Residence of John L. Smith between 162, 163
Portrait of Gen. J. H. Lansing facing 110 Portrait of Lay Noble facing 167
Portrait (steel) of Gen. N. M. Crane facing 119 Portraits of George S. Haverling and Wife between 168, 169
Residence of George S. Haverling between 168, 169
ADDISON. Portrait of Hon. L. N. Rider facing 173
Portrait of William Wombough facing 141 Portrait of Lansing D. Hodgman facing 175
Portrait of J. H. Miles 150 Portrait of William B. Ruggles facing 176
Portrait of Joel D. Gillet 151 Portrait of Addison F. Ellas facing 182
Portrait of Dr. Bradley Blakslee 152 Portrait of Monroe Brundage facing 183
Portrait of Dr. Reuben P. Brown 153 Portrait (steel) of Col. Ira Davenport between 186, 187
AVOCA. Davenport Home for Orphan Girls (steel) between 186, 187
Portraits of Thomas Cotton and Wife facing 154 Portrait of Hon. John Magee (steel) facing 187
Residence of Thomas Cotton facing 154 Portrait (steel) of Hon. Constant Cook facing 189
Portrait of Oscar S. Smith facing 156 Portrait of John A. Bowlby and Wife facing 190
Residence of John A. Bowlby facing 190
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BRADFORD. Portrait of William Walker between 276,277
Portraits of John Kishpaugh and Wife facing 192 Corning Free Academy 262
Portaits of B. B. Switzer and Wife facing 198 Portrait of W. W. Wormley between 264, 265
Portait (steel) of Jesse Munson facing 200 Residence of W. W. Wormley between 264, 265
Portait of William Hodges 201 Portrait of Joshua B. Graves, M.D. facing 267
CAMPBELL. Portrait of Chas. H. Thomson facing 268
Residence of J. D. Hamilton facing 207 Portrait of Alonzo H. Gorton facing 269
Portrait of Geo. W. Campbell facing 208 Portrait (steel) of Hon. John N. Hungerford facing 272
Portraits of Jonas Stevens and Wife between 208, 209 Portrait (steel) of Hon. C. C. B. Walker facing 273
Portraits of Decon Jacob Woodward and Wife facing 209 Portrait (steel) of Hon. George B. Bradley between 274, 275
Portraits of W. W. Bartlett and Wife between 210, 211 Portrait (steel) of Franklin N. Drake between 274, 275
Portraits of Abram Hollenbeck and Wife between 210, 211 Portrait (steel) of Ellsworth D. Mills facing 275
Portraits of John P. Knox and Wife facing 213 Portrait (steel) of Austin Lathrop, Jr. facing 276
Residence of D. B. Curtis facing 214 Portrait of Henry Goff between 276, 277
Portrait (steel) of J. D. Hamilton betwen 216, 217 Portraits of John Storms and Wife facing 277
Portrait (steel) of Daniel B. Curtis between 216, 217 Residence of John Storms facing 277
CANISTEO. DANSVILLE.
Residence of A. J. Carter facing 217 Portraits of John P. Faulkner and Wife facing 278
Canisteo House, Canisteo, N. Y. facing 217 Residence of Joshua Healey facing 279
Portraits of George H. Stephens and Wife facing 218 Portraits of Jarvis P. Case and Wife between 280, 281
Portraits of Nathan Crosby and Wife between 218, 219 Portraits of Morgan H. Carney and Wife between 280, 281
Portrait of Mrs. Rhoda Stephens between 218, 219 Portraits of Philetus Allen and Wife between 282, 283
Portrait of George J. and Elizabeth Stephens between 218, 219 Portraits of J. A. and Spencer B. Jones between 282, 283
Portraits of M. H. Stephens and Wife facing 219 Portraits of Michael Weber and Wife facing 284
Portrait of Hon. Jeremiah Baker facing 220 Residence of Michael Weber facing 284
Portrait of Lyman A. Cook facing 221 Portraits of Isaac Shipman and Wife facing 285
Portraits of Thomas Hallett and Wife between 222, 223 Residence of Isaac Shipman facing 285
Residence of Thomas Hallett between 222, 223 ERWIN.
H. Carter and Sons, Canisteo Iron-Works between 224, 225 Portrait of Edward Townsend facing 286
Bank Block, Canisteo, N. Y. between 224, 225 Portraits of John M. Patterson and Wife facing 287
Sash, Door, and Blind - Factory, A. B. Vorhis between 224, 225 Portraits of Lyman Balcom and Wife between 288, 289
Portraits of C. B. Travis and Wife facing 226 Residence of Lyman Balcom between 288, 289
Portrait of Nathan Stephens 228 Portraits of Calvin Lovell and Wife between 290, 291
Portrait of Joshua C. Stephens 228 Portrait of Willis J. Savory between 290, 291
Portrait of John Carter and Wife facing 229 Portrait of W. S. Hodgman between 290, 291
Residence of John Carter facing 229 Portraits of Peter Covenhoven and Wife between 290, 291
CATON. Portraits of Isaac P. Goodsell and Wife between 292, 293
Portraits of Philip Hubbard and Wife facing 230 Portraits of Philo Campbell and Wife between 292, 293
Residence of Philip Hubbard facing 230 Portrait (steel) of Gen. Francis E. Erwin between 296, 297
Portrait of John Gillett facing 232 Portrait (steel) of Arthur H. Erwin between 296, 297
Portrait of William D. Gilbert facing 234 FREMONT.
Portraits of Lucius J. and Benoni Johnson facing 235 Portrait of Elisha G. Stephens facing 298
Portraits of Deacon Titus Smith and Wife facing 235 Portraits of Henry Cotton and Wife facing 300
Portraits of Col. Frederick Barnard and Wife facing 235 GREENWOOD.
COHOCTON. Portrait of Jesse T. Atkins facing 304
Portraits of V. Van Wormer and Wife facing 240 Portrait of Alexander H. Stephens 306
Portraits of Lewis and Smith Clayson facing 244 Portrait of Asa H. Stephens 307
Portrait (steel) of George W. Drake facing 249 Portrait of Levi Davis 308
Portrait of Thomas C. Armstrong 250 HORNBY.
Portraits of David S. Wait and Wife 251 Portraits of Deacon John St. John and Wife facing 313
CORNING. Portraits of Col. N. B. Stanton and Wife facing 314
Pinewood Cure, Dr. A. J. Ingersoll facing 252 Portraits of Daniel Goodsell and Wife between 314, 315
Portraits of Rev. B. F. Balcom and Wife between 252, 253 Portraits of Geoge Goodsell and Wife between 314, 315
Portrait of John McBurney between 252, 253 Portraits of Samuel Lilly and Wife facing 316
Residence of John McBurney between 252, 253 Portraits of J. B. Wasson and Wife facing 317
Portraits of Hiram Pritchard and Wife facing 254 Residence of J. B. Wasson facing 317
Portrait of H. W. Bostwick facing 255 Portraits of Theodore Hendrick and Wife 317
Portrait (steel) of Henry B. Noyes between 256, 257 HORNELLSVILLE.
"Evergreens," Residence of H. B. Noyes between 256, 257 Portrait of Hon. Asa McConnell facing 318
Portrait of Stephen T. Hayt facing 259 Portrait of Christopher Hurlbut facing 320
Corning Glass Works facing 260 Portraits of Francis Colgrove and Wife between 320, 321
Steam Granite - and Marble - Works facing 260 Portrait of John S. Sharp between 320, 321
Portrait (Steel) of Q. W. Wellington facing 261 Portrait of William Woolever facing 322

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Portraits of George Davenport and Wife between 322, 323 Portrait (steel) of G. R. R. Ainsworth facing 371
Residence of George Davenport between 322, 323 Portrait of Hon. Charles G. Higby 371
Portrait of Walter G. Rose facing 324 Portraits of Aaron Pinney and Wife 372
Portrait of James Alley facing 325 Residence of Wm. B. Pratt facing 373
Portrait of D. K. Belknap 325 Portrait of Wm. B. Pratt 373
Portrait of N. B. Haskell between 326, 327 Portraits of Otis Waldo and Wife facing 374
Residence of N. B. Haskell between 326, 327 Residence of J. A. Waldo facing 374
Portrait of Alanson Stephens facing 327 Portrait of J. M. Hopkins facing 375
Portrait of Dr. John S. Jameson facing 328 Residence of J. M. Hopkins facing 375
Portrait of Dr. S. E. Shattuck between 328, 329 Portraits of John Van Housen and Wife 376
Portrait of Dr. L. A. Ward between 328, 329 PULTENEY.
Portrait of Rufus Tuttle between 328, 329 Portrait of John Coryell facing 378
Portrait of Martin Adsit facing 329 THURSTON.
Portrait of Charles N. Hart between 330, 331 Portraits of Judge L. H. Phillips and Wife 391
Portrait of George W. Terry between 330, 331 TROUPSBURGH.
Portrait of Charles Hartshorn facing 333 Portraits of Hon. Samuel Griggs and Wife facing 392
Portrait of Hiram C. Orcutt 333 Portrait of Dr. N. M. Perry facing 396
Portrait of Michael Crotty between 334, 335 Portrait of James Carpenter 401
Residence of Mrs. Michael Crotty between 334, 335 URBANA.
Portrait of W. L. Sutton 336 Portrait of Dr. M. T. Babcock facing 408
Portrait of Dr. C. D. Robinson facing 337 Portrait of John W. Taggart between 408, 409
Portrait of Dr. J. W. Robinson 337 Residence of John W. Taggart between 408, 409
HOWARD. Portrait of William Hastings 412
Portrait of Dr. Abijah B. Chase facing 338 Portrait of L. D. Hastings 412
Portrait of Seth H. Rice facing 339 Portraits of Benjamin Myrtle and Wife facing 412
Portraits of Joel Russel and Wife between 340, 341 Portraits of David Bailey and Wife facing 414
Portraits of Joel Bullard and Wife between 340, 341 Residence of Adsit Bailey facing 414
JASPER. Portraits of Charles L. Bailey and Wife facing 419
Portraits of Amos F. Woodbury and Wife facing 342 Residence of Charles L. Bailey facing 419
Portraits of Allen Drake and Wife facing 343
Portrait of Solomon Deck facing 346 WAYNE.
Portraits of Henry Stearns and Wife facing 349 Portraits of Joel Wixson and Wife facing 425
Portrait of Deacon Thomas Whiting facing 349 Residence of Joel Wixson facing 425
PRATTSBURGH. Portraits of M. V. Knapp and Wife facing 426
Portrait of Dr. Philo K. Stoddard facing 356 Residence of M. V. Knapp facing 426
Portraits of Charles Waldo and Wife between 356, 357 Portrait of Francis M. McDowell facing 428
Portraits of Lucius Waldo and Wife between 356, 357 Portraits of Lewis V. Houck and Wife facing 430
Portraits of Luther Graves and Wife between 358, 359 Portrait (steel) of Samuel Hallett facing 433
Farm Residence of Luther Graves between 358, 359

Portrait of Joseph G. Sturdevant facing 360 WEST UNION.
Portraits of E. A. Hubbard and Wife facing 362 Portraits of David Sherman and Wife 439
Portraits of Harry Godfrey and Wife facing 364
Portraits of Ira C. Williams and Wife facing 366 WHEELER.
Portraits of Benjamin Cook and Wife facng 369 Portrait of Gen. O. F. Marshal 441
BIOGRAPHICAL.
NAME PAGE NAME PAGE NAME PAGE
Hon. Vincent Matthews 64 Hon. S. H. Hammond 73 Joseph Herron, John Maynard 75
Gen. Daniel Cruger 65 Hon. Washington Barnes 73 Henry G. Cotton, Henry Sherwood 75
Judge Welles 67 Hon. Guy H. McMaster 73 Gen. J. H. Lansing facing 110
Hon. Thomas A. Johnson 68 Ansel J. McCall, Esq. 73 Gen. Nirom M. Crane 119
John Baldwin 69 Alfred P. Ferris, Esq. 74
Hon. David Rumsey 70 Charles F. Kingsley, Esq. 74 ADDISON.
Hon. Edward Howell 71 Hon. William E. Bonham 74 William Wombough facing 141
William Howell, Esq. 71 Hon. L. H. Read 74 J. H. Miles 149
Hon. Robert Campbell 71 Hon. Ziba A. Leland 74 Major Rufus Baldwin 150
Hon. William Woods 72 Hon. Andrew G. Chatfield 74 Joel D. Gillet 151
Hon. William B. Rochester 72 Hon. Harlo Hakes 74 Dr. Bradley Blakslee 152
Hon. David McMaster 72 R. L. Brundage, Esq. 75 Dr. Reuben P. Brown 153
Hon. George T. Spencer between 72, 73 Hon. John K. Hale 75
Hon. W. M. Hawley between 72, 73 Thomas J. Reynolds 75 AVOCA.
Hon. Joseph G. Masten 73 Hon. Horace Bemis 75 Oscar S. Smith facing 156
Henry W. Rogers, Esq. 73 James H. Stephens, Esq. 75 David L. Robords between 156, 157
Vincent M. Coryell 73 I. W. Near, Esq. 75 Nathaniel B. Chase facing 157
Schuyler S. Strong, Esq. 73 Hon. William Irvine 75 Christopher Patterson, M.D. facing 158
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Alexander Arnold facing 159 Alonzo H. Gorton facing 269 Rufus Tuttle between 328, 329
Hon. H. H. Bouton 159 Hon. John N. Hungerford 272 Martin Adsit 329
Thomas Cotton 159 Hon. C. C. B. Walker 273 Charles N. Hart between 330, 331
BATH. Hon. George B. Bradley 275 George W. Terry between 330, 331
John L. Smith between 162, 163 Franklin N. Drake 275 Charles Hartshorn facing 333
Lay Noble facing 167 Ellsworth D. Mills 275 Hiram C. Orcott, M.D. 333
George S. Haverling between 168, 169 Austin Lathrop, Jr. 276 Michael Crotty between 334, 335
Hon. L. N. Rider facing 173 Quincy W. Wellington 276 William L. Sutton 336
Lansing D. Hodgman facing 175 Henry Goff between 276, 277 C. D. Robinson, M.D. facing 337
William B. Ruggles facing 176 William Walker between 276, 277 HOWARD.
Addison F. Ellas facing 182 John Storms 277 Abijah B. Case, M.D. facing 338
Monroe Brundage