BEERS Part 1

GAZETTEER and BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of GENESEE COUNTY, N. Y. 1788 - 1890 Edited by F. W. BEERS SYRACUSE, N. Y. J. W. VOSE & CO. PUBLISHERS June 1890

Transcribed Feb. 2000 by Joan Hall - Oakfield, NY

Page 117 GAZETTEER OF TOWNS - ALABAMA ALABAMA, the northwest town in Genesee County, was erected from Shelby, Orleans County, April 17, 1826, and originally called "Gerrysville," in honor of ELBRIDGE GERRY, ex-vice-president. The name was changed to Alabama (signifying "here we rest"), April 21, 1828, and in 1832 a portion of the town of Wales, Erie County, was annexed. The Tonawanda Creek flows through the southwest and west portions of the town, from which a feeder of the Erie Canal is taken. This creek also runs through the lands of "the Reservation of the Tonawanda band (or tribe) of the Seneca Indians," occupying a strip of land two miles wide, and comprising about one-fourth of the area of this town. A portion of the well-known Tonawanda swamp also skirts the northwest portion of the town, which by modern drainage has been made some of the most productive land in that section. Oak Orchard Creek is in the northeast portion. The same vein of limestone that runs in Oakfield also forms a portion of the lower part of this town.

"Alabama Sour Springs," also called "Oak Orchard Acid Springs," celebrated for their medicinal purposes, are located on road 7, in the northern part of the town, in the "swamp," on a little elevation two and a half to four feet above the surrounding surface, within a circle of 50 rods, and no two alike; eight in all have been discovered and analyzed, three of which are of an acid nature, one sulphur, one magnesia, one iron, and one of a gaseous nature, affording gas enough to light 50 ordinary gas burners. In one instance three of them issue from one mound within a few feet of each other. An hotel has been erected on road 8, one-half mile from the springs, and the water conducted by pipes to that building.

The earliest settlement in the town of which we have any record is that of JAMES WALSWORTH, in 1806, who also kept the first tavern, whose children, twins, were the first born in the town. Page 118 Other early settlers are enumerated, as follows, as near in the order of their advent as can be ascertained:

In 1814 JOHN and JAMES RICHARDSON, JR. and HANNAH CARR and SAMUEL SHELDON in 1815 WILLIAM DANIELS in 1817 JONES KINNE and BENJAMIN GUMAER, and HENRY HOWARD, who taught a school in a log house. E. F. NORTON located in 1819; ROBERT HARPER, JAMES PETER, and JOSEPH HOLMES about 1821; JAMES GARDNER in 1822; ELDER SAMUEL WHITCOMB in 1824, who erected the first saw-mill; SAMUEL BASOM in 1825; SELAH VOSBURGH in 1826; and THOMAS R. WOLCOTT in 1827. JESSE LUND, GIDEON M. TAYLOR, DAVID WEBSTER and brother LEONARD, AND NAHUM LORING, who opened an early store, came in 1828; STERLING HOTCHKISS came in 1829; DANIEL THAYER in 1830; and also RYAL INGALSBE and ELIJAH BROOKS INGALSBE. GIDEON HOWLAND and PARLEY V. INGALSBE came in 1832. ELIJAH and EBENEZER INGALSBE in 1834; and SAMUEL BURR, JAMES BURR, and ISAAC DUAL the same year. N. BAKER, JR. was an early merchant, in 1834. JACOB and DAVID MARTIN located in 1835; ANSON NORTON in 1836; and JAMES FILKINS, GEORGE WIGHT, and ABBOT WIGHT in 1837.

A JOHNSON came in 1840, was a postmaster, kept hotel in one of the old-time taverns at the Center and was a prominent man in the town. He had four daughters, one of who married the HON. ALBERT ROWE, of Alexander, and one married HON. ROBERT W. NICHOLS, of Alabama. Later settlers and business men were the PIERSONS; also WILLIAM PRICE, who built a steam saw-mill in 1861. S. C. BATEMAN, who was druggist and physician, and DR. PETTIBONE came about 1840, and ROGERS MACUMBER in 1841.

The first annual town meeting was held April 17, 1826, and the following officers chosen: BENJAMIN GUMAER, supervisor; CHESTER WOLCOTT, town clerk; DAVID GOODRICH, CHARLES P. BROWN, and ELIJAH CRAIG, assessors. At this meeting $25 was voted for roads and $50 for schools. Seven road districts were established, and JOHN S. WOLCOTT, JOSEPH HOLMES, and EPHRAIM DIVINNY elected commissioners of highways, by whom over-seers of roads in the districts were appointed to work them. The total number of persons assessed at this meeting were 73. The supervisors for the town have been as follows: BENJAMIN GUMAER, 1826-28; CHARLES P. BROWN, 1829-30; GEORGE F. DINSMORE, 1831-32; GUY B. SHEPARD, 1833-35; THOMAS R. WOLCOTT, 1836-37; ABRAHAM BOLTON, 1838-39; OREN DENSMORE, 1840-41; CHARLES P. BROWN, 1842; JOHN CROMBIE, 1843-44; WILLIAM MC COMBER, 1845-46; CHARLES P. BROWN, 1847; JACOB WINSLOW, 1848; CHESTER CABOT, 1849-50; JACOB WINSLOW, 1851;

Page 119 CHARLES P. BROWN, 1852-53; E. B. WARREN, 1854; JACOB WINSLOW, 1855-56; CHAUNCEY WILLIAMS, 1857-58; B. R. WARREN, 1859; EDWARD HALSEY, 1860; CHAUNCY WILLIAMS, 1861-64; ADEN G. GAGE, 1865-67; VOLNEY G. KNAPP, 1868-69; JOSEPH W. HOLMES, 1870-74; VOLNEY G. KNAPP, 1875-76; SABERT H. BASOM, 1877-78; R. W. NICHOLS, 1878-81; CHARLES W. ROBERTS, 1882-83; SABERT H. BASOM, 1884-88; AUGUSTUS T. G. ZURHORST, 1889. About the years 1848 to 1856 Alabama Center was the scene of a crime committed by a woman, POLLY FRANKLIN, who married HENRY HOAG, about 1844. Their children, ROSA and VIOLA, died suddenly, and soon the father died, then another child, FRANCES, followed him. After the death of MR. HOAG his widow married OTTO FRISCH, but soon was deserted by him. About this time suspicion was aroused, and S. E. FILKINS, (counselor) caused an investigation to be made, which revealed the fact that some of her family had died from the effects of poison, large quantities of arsenic having been administered to them. She was arrested and tried three times, and being finally found guilty was sentenced to be hung, but eventually was imprisoned for life.

"In 1866 a very large white oak tree was cut down upon the farm of Mr. TRUE, which was evidence of the wonderful strength and fertility of the soil of that section. It measured four feet through at the butt, was straight for 60 feet to the first branch, where it was three feet in diameter. It showed, when cut, 12 circles, or years' growth, to the inch, thus making it about 504 years old. The most remarkable feature on splitting up one of the cuts about 20 feet from the butt was a cavity in the heart, containing about one pint of sound beech nuts. How long they had been deposited there must be left to conjecture. The trunk was split up, and 1,200 fence stakes, 500 other pieces, and eight cords of wood were chopped from the tree." In the town are the villages of Alabama Center, Wheatville, Smithville, and Basom, a post office on the West Shore Railroad.

ALABAMA CENTER, situated north of the center of the town, is a pleasant and enterprising village, on the main road leading from Batavia to Lewiston, one of the earliest laid out roads on the Holland Purchase. Soon after the town organization, in 1826, HIRAM DUAL opened up a general store, and, though small, it was a great convenience to the settlers in that locality. Soon after JAMES FILKINS built the store on the site of ZURHORST HALL. The early blacksmithing was attended to by SAMUEL WINCHELL and SHUBAEL FRANKLIN. JAMES FILKINS was a shoemaker, and also

Page 120 a tanner and currier for a large section of country, DAVID GARRY kept a tavern about one and one-half miles east of the Center, where the first town meeting was held. The village contains two churches (Methodist Episcopal and Baptist), one store, one hotel, and post office (Alabama), and there is a daily line of stages from Batavia to the Center, and also a line to Medina. In the vicinity of the Center is a fruit evaporator, operated each year, and a creamery. There are two steam saw- mills, one three-quarters of a mile west, run by WILLIAM PRICE, built in 1861, and burned in 1872 and rebuilt by him the same season, with a capacity of 150,000 feet of lumber annually. There are also a cheese factory, a heading-mill, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, about 50 houses, and 400 inhabitants. The Model Creamery was built in 1888, by S. S. PARKER. It takes the milk of 400 cows, and makes both butter and cheese.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1832. ELDER AUGUSTUS WARREN was the first minister in charge, and continued as such nearly all of his long and well-spent life, or until 1876. The edifice was erected in 1850, at a cost of $2,000, and rebuilt, enlarged, and greatly improved in 1880, the seating capacity being for 200 members. The valuation of the church property, including parsonage, is about $5,500. In 1877 Rev. L. L. STOWELL was in charge, followed in 1879 by REV. MERRILL FORBES, who served till 1884. REV. H. H. THOMAS served in 1885-86, and REV. J. B. LENION in 1887. At present the REV. INCREASE CHILD is the minister, and the acting deacons are RYAL INGALSBE, CHARLES BLOOMINGDALE, GEORGE HOTCHKISS, and ALBERT P. TUTTLE. Connected with the Baptist Church organization is the Ladies' Home and Foreign Missionary Society. FLOR ST. JOHN is president; SARAH BLOOMINGDALE, secretary; and CARRIE DEWEY, treasurer.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Alabama Center was rebuilt in 1882. It is a frame building capable of seating about 200 persons. They have a membership of 75, and their property has a valuation of about $4,600. Sunday-school services are held every Sunday. The Baptist Church of Oakfield and Alabama, located at South Alabama, was organized about 1839, when a frame building for worship was erected, seating about 250 persons. The REV. J. C. NEWMAN is in charge, with a membership of 50 persons. The church property is valued at $4,000. Excelsior Lodge, No. 638, I. O. G. T., was organized in March, 1887. The officers are ALLEN NORTON, EVELYN EATON, DANIEL BALLOU, MATIE EATON, WILLIAM JONES, MINNIE JONES, MRS. S. C. BATEMAN,

Page 121 ABIAH JONES, ANNA BALLOU, WILLIAM COTTRINGHAM, SEWARD TUMALTY, and WILLIAM PHILLIPS. They meet weekly. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Alabama Center was organized in 1886. Its officers are Mrs. ALBERT TUTTLE, president; MRS. J. P. WIILIS, vice-president; MRS. L. EATON, secretary; MRS. WILLIAM COTTRINGHAM, corresponding secretary; and MRS. C. R. PHILLIPS, treasurer. They meet each week.

WHEATVILLE, situated two and one-half miles east of Alabama Center, is located on the Batavia and Lewiston road, in a splendid farming section. There are about 40 houses and 200 inhabitants. Its settlement is co-existent with that of the town. ELDER WHITCOMB built the first saw-mill in the vicinity, which was previous to 1820. Mr. PARRISH and LEVI LEE were early merchants, and AARON LANCKTON carried on business as a tanner and currier in 1838. JOHN WOLCOTT kept a tavern here as early as 1822. A. MR. YOUNG was the early blacksmith, MR. UPTON a shoemaker, and a DR. SHEPARD looked after the physical wants of the people and ELDER WHITCOMB the spiritual. The village contains a store, post office, two churches (Freewill Baptist and Roman Catholic), and two blacksmiths. The Freewill Baptist Church was organized in 1824 by ELDER SAMUEL WHITCOMB, who was also its first minister, and for a long time he was the only minister in the town. The valuation of the church property is about $4,000. REV. S. R. EVANS is the present pastor.

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.--There is a small church of this denomination in Wheatville, presided over by FATHER CONNERY, who is located at East Pembroke. When FATHER BARRETT was stationed at East Pembroke, about four years ago, he began services in Wheatville, which finally resulted in a building being erected and a continuation of the visits of the priest who may be in charge in several places in the vicinity. The building will seat 150 persons, and cost $2,000. SMITHVILLE (South Alabama p.o.) contains a Baptist Church, a store, and a post office, and is a station on the West Shore Railroad. The station is called Alabama. A hotel was built by HENRY CEDER in 1884, who is the present proprietor. He has lately newly refurnished the hotel, and is prepared to accommodate an extensive travel.

The I. O. of O. F. of Alabama, No. 496, was organized several years ago. Its present officers are: L. B. FISK, M. G; WILLIAM COTTRINGHAM, V.G.; FRANK VAIL, R.S.; CHARLES DRAKE, P.S.; M. MEAD, treasurer. They meet weekly. Page 122 BASOM post office was opened October 25, 1889, by JULIUS INGALSBE, postmaster. It is a station on the West Shore Railroad, has a hotel, two stores, ROWLEY & EDDY'S lumber yard, and one blacksmith shop.

THE TONAWANDA RESERVATION is located in Erie and Genesee counties, and originally contained over 45,000 acres, but has been reduced until now it embraces a tract of 7,547 acres, of which about 3,000 acres are cultivated to some extent, and of this amount one-half is leased to white men. The Indians have occupied and owned this land for more than 100 years; and we quote here an extract from an article furnished to the Batavia Times in 1874 by DAVID SEAVER, who had access to an old work published in London in 1799, written by the DUKE ROCHEFOUCAULD LIANCOURT, describing a journey taken by him from Philadelphia to Niagara Falls in 1795, as follows: "From Canawango (near Avon, and latterly called Canawaugus) to Buffalo and Niagara Falls the journey was made via Tonawango Indian Village, under the guidance of one POUDRIT (POUDRY), a Canadian Frenchman, who, deserting from the English Army at the close of the Revolution, married a squaw, settled at Tonawango, became a trader, and lived in genuine Indian style."

Extract from the diary of JOHN MAULE, a traveler, in 1800: "At Tonawautee reside from 15 to 20 families of Seneca Indians, who are well supplied with fish from the creek. Here also has been settled from the year 1794 POUDRIT (POUDRY), a French Canadian; he very cheerfully gave such refreshments to ourselves and horses as his slender means would afford. He converses in very good English, and is well acquainted with the Seneca language." Thus is verified the inhabiting of this section by the Indians long before the advent of our early pioneers.

The Indians number at this time about 560 persons, including 32 chiefs. The population increases slowly. The tribe has two sources of revenue: one from the "National farm, " the land set apart for the manual labor school, which is leased to individual Indians; and the other is rent received from white people for pasture land. From these two sources the nation derives about $150 per year. The individual Indian also leases land to white men, which is cultivated, but not occupied, by them. The nation also receives an annuity of about $6,500 from the general government. Politically these Indians have two parties, Pagan and Christian, the former being largely in the majority and govern the tribe. The law provides for the election of a president (for the tribe), who must be a chief, and a clerk, marshal, and peacemakers.

Page 123 WILLIAM PARKER, a chief, died in 1864. He was in the War of 1812. His wife was a niece of RED JACKET. GENERAL ELY S. PARKER, one of GENERAL GRANT'S staff, was born on the Reservation. There are two mission schools upon the Reservation, one a Baptist and one a Presbyterian. There are also district schools taught by competent teachers. HON. T. W. JACKSON is the Indian agent for the Six Nations. JAMES PAXTON is the assistant Indian agent, and WILLIAM PAXTON, superintendent of Indian schools. In 1825 the Baptist organized a mission church on the Reservation, and built a log chapel. The REV. MR. BINGHAM had charge. At present their denomination has a brick church, which cost $4,000, seating 300 people, and a membership of 32. The REV. JOHN GRIFFIN is pastor. The Presbyterians, under ASHER WRIGHT, in 1870 started a mission. Their church cost $2,000, will seat 200 persons, and has 40 members, under the charge of Rev. JOHN MC MASTER.

The REV. S. S. BALLOU, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1888 organized a mission under the auspices of the missionary board. Their house of worship, built of wood, will seat 100 persons, cost $400, and they have 18 members, now under the care of REV. T. C. BELL, who officiates at Alabama Center. SAMUEL BASOM, son of PETER, born December 12, 1806, came to Alabama about 1825, settling on road 52, on the farm now owned by his son HARRISON S. He made the first clearing on the farm and built a log house. About 1834 he married MATILDA PIPER, who bore him four children, SABERT H., CHARLES W., HARRISON S., all of Alabama, and M. LOUISE, wife of WILLIAM B. CHAPMAN, of Ontario County. MR. BASOM died 1875, and his wife, (born 1811) March 3, 1880.

SABERT BASOM was born February 21, 1835, was always a resident here, and married ARAMINTHA STARKWEATHER and has three children, GENEVIEVE, MABEL, and CLARE. MR. BASOM has served two terms as justice of the peace, one year as highway commissioner, supervisor of the town nine years, and one year chairman of the board. He has also been a notary public, and since he was 25 years of age has been called upon to settle estates, having the reputation from the county judge of satisfactorily settling more than any other man in this part of the county. HARRISON S. BASOM was born April 30, 1840, on the farm where his father settled, residing there ever since, and of which he became sole owner in 1880. He married ELEANORA NOBLE of Alabama. He is a farmer, and has been town assessor since 1884. CHARLES W. BASOM was born July 8, 1836, and always resided in the town. He married SARAH A. CHAMBERLAIN.

Page 124 TITUS BEMENT, born 1771, married EUNICE LYKE in 1795, and they were parents of nine children: MAHALA, DAVID, OLIVE, who married JOEL HILL, DELINA, EDWARD, EUNICE, WILLIAM H., who died young, ANDREW Z., PHILETUS, who lives in Chautauqua County, and Edward, who was born in Ontario County and learned the wagon and blacksmith trade. He married LYDIA, daughter of JOHN and DEBORAH (BATES) BIRD, located in Mayville, and engaged in business. Their children were LAURA A., who married JAMES D. GREGORY, of Oakfield, 1851; WILLIAM, who died 1839; EMILY, who died 1841; and ALPHA E., of Alabama. TITUS BEMENT came to Alabama in 1852, and located on the farm now occupied by his son ALPHA E. He died March 22, 1866, and his wife March 18, 1874. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ALPHA E. BEMENT, born December 16, 1844, learned the carpenter and builders' trade, and married, January 10, 1866, OLIVE D., daughter of SCHUYLER and MARY A. (WINCHELL) STARKWEATHER, of Alabama. Their children are MYRON E., born August 8, 1869, who is now assistant cashier and telegraph operator in the W. S. R. R. freight office at Buffalo, and is married; and EMMA ELIZABETH, born January 12, 1876. Mr. BEMENT is a justice of the peace and resides at Alabama station.

JAMES GARDNER, born in Tompkins County in 1800, a farmer by occupation, came to Alabama in 1822. He married BETSEY, daughter of WILLIAM and SABARA (ADAMS) WOOD, in 1831, and they had one daughter, SABARA ANN. Mr. GARDNER was a hard working, industrious man. He died in 1853. His wife died in 1871. SABARA ANN married JEREMIAH S. BEALS in 1848. He was the son of SETH and CHLOE (MILLON) BEALS, who was born in Skaneateles, N.Y., in 1826, and came to Alabama in 1847. He taught school several terms. Their children were J. ADELBERT, of Alabama; ALBERT G., also of Alabama; and GRACE ANNA, born 1868, who died 1879. J. ADELBERT BEALS was born 1849, married, January 3, 1871, MARY ELIZABETH VOSBURGH, and they have two sons and three daughters, vis.: MATTIE EDITH, born September 5, 1872; JOHN A., born September 9, 1874; DAISY ESTELLE, born December 1, 1876; LILLIE MAY, born June 27, 1882; and LESLIE E., born April 21, 1885. ALBERT G. BEALS was born 1857, and married, in 1874, HANNAH, daughter of JOSEPH SAFFLIN, and their children are NORA INEZ, born 1876; ARTHUR G., born 1877; JEREMIAH S., born 1879; ESTELLE, born 1882; FANNY L., born 1884; and MAY, born 1885. The wife died December 13, 1887. JEREMIAH S. BEALS is a farmer and resides on road 8. J. ADELBERT BEALS lives on road 15, and ALBERT G. resides on the GARDNER homestead on road 14.

Page 125 WILLIAM F. BELL, M. D., was born in Westfield, Mass., in 1857. He was a graduate of the medical department of the Albany Medical College in 1880. He settled in Alabama in 1881, and died in 1890. HENRY CEDER, son of JOHN and MARY (BLOCK) CEDER, was born in Buffalo, 1856. At the age of 13 years he worked out among the farmers. When 20 years of age he worked a farm in Erie County. He came to Alabama in 1888 and bought the hotel (called Ceder Hotel) at the station, of which he is the proprietor, and also carries on a livery business. He married AUGUSTA C., daughter of JOHN and ELIZABETH (SCHRADIER) SEE, and their children are BELLE MARY, born March 30, 1881; EDNA, born December 22, 1883; and HENRY, Jr., born August 29, 1887.

RODMAN CLARK was born in Rhode Island, and married RUTH LEMON. Soon after marriage they came to Geneseo, Livingston County, and built a log house, in which most of the family were born. Of the children born there RODMAN and GARDNER died on their way to Salt Lake city to join the Mormons; CHRISTOPHER died on the farm; RUTH married DAVID ORTON, and died in Illinois; HULDAH married WILLIAM BRYANT, and died in 1886; and WILLIAM resides in Oregon. RODMAN, Sr., for his second wife married RHODA MARKHAM.

AARON CLARK, son of RODMAN, was born 1803, and died 1869. He married, in 1821, MARY JANE, daughter of HUGH and JANE (MC BRIDE) GRAY. He farmed several years in Niagara County, and located in Alabama in 1844 and bought the hotel at the Center. Their children were LOUISA, who married LEANDER DUTTON; GARDNER, of Nebraska; WILLIAM, of Tonawanda; JANE, who married EZRA DUTTON, of Shelby; RODMAN, who died in Shelby, 1870; HENRY, of Nebraska; JOHN, who died in infancy (1840); and AARON, of Medina. SARAH JANE, wife of AARON, SR., died in 1840, and he married for his second wife SARAH TOTTEN, widow of SYLVANUS PARKER, by whom he had children as follows: MARIA, who married CYRUS HAMILTON, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; ALICE, who owns and occupies the homestead in Alabama; and CHARLES, who married SUSIE PHILLIPS, of Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

AARON CLARK was born in Geneseo, October 7, 1827, came to Alabama when a young man, and married ELSIE JANE, daughter of GIDEON and MARY (SNYDER) HOWLAND, of Alabama, October 4, 1856. Soon after he located in Medina, and built the hotel which he occupied up to 1884. He was a kind and genial landlord, and justly entitled to the name "Old Sport" given him. There were four children born to them, viz.: ADELBERT and IRA, who died in infancy; CARRIE E., born 1861, Page 126 married ROBERT MC CONNELL, in 1880, and has a son, CURTIS, born November 15, 1882; and MARK, born 1866, who is a noted horse trainer. AARON CLARK'S wife died in 1880. He married, second, BELLE LYON, widow of JOHN MONTGOMERY. MR. CLARK is fond of horses, and resides on West street, Medina.