The Town of LeRoy, Genesee County, New York as taken from The Gazetteer and Business Directory of Genesee County, N

The Town of LeRoy, Genesee County, New York as taken fromThe Gazetteer and Business Directory of Genesee County, N.Y. for 1869-70;Compiled and published by Hamilton Child, Syracuse, NY, 1869.

LeRoy, was formed from Caledonia (Livingston Co.) as"Bellona," June 8, 1812.  Itreceived its present name April 6, 1813, in honor of Herman LEROY, one of theoriginal purchasers of the "Triangle Tract."  A part of Stafford was taken off in 1820 anda part of Pavilion in 1842.  It is thecentral town on the east border of the County. The surface is high or gently undulating.  A limestone ridge, from 40 to 100 feet high, extends through thenorth part of the town.  Oatka Creek,the principal stream, enters the town near the south-west corner and flowsnorth-east to a point a little north of the center, then turns and flows in asouth-easterly direction, leaving the town near the center of the eastborder.  The creek flows over thelimestone ridge in a beautiful cascade ninety feet in height .  When the water is low it disappears in thebed of the stream about two miles above the falls, passes through asubterranean channel and appears again below the falls.  The soil generally is a sandy and gravellyloam.  Gypsum and Onondaga Limestone,for building purposes, are obtained at various points in the town.  In the east part, south of Oatka Creek, isan extensive tract of oak openings; it is very stony and hard to cultivate.

LeRoy,  (p. v.)situated on the Oatka Creek, was incorporated May 5th, 1834.  It contains seven churches, viz., MethodistBaptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Roman Catholic andUniversalist; the Ingham University, Academic Institute, a newspaper office,two banks, two flouring mills, a tannery and several other manufactories, agood number of hotels and stores, and about 3,000 inhabitants.  The Canandaigua & Niagara Falls R.R. andthe Buffalo, N.Y. & Erie R.R., extend through the village. The streets arebordered by beautiful rows of shade trees and the plank side walks are givingway to substantial flag stone.  Theeducational facilities of the place, added to the other attractions, render itone of the most desirable residences in Western New York.

The LeRoy Flouring Mills have a capacity of about 150 barrels per day.

The LeRoy Malt Houses consist of three stone buildings, 300by 40 feet, with a capacity of 100,000 bushels during the season.  These buildings were erected by Hon. A. S.UPHAM in 1853-54, for the manufacture of cars for the N.Y.C. R.R.  In 1857 the Company withdrew their patronageand the buildings were unoccupied until 1863, when they were converted intomalt houses and have been used for that purpose since.

The Genesee Co. Paper Mill is located about half a mile north of the railroad depot.  It was formerly a flouring mill, but in 1868was converted into a mill for the manufacture of all kinds of wrapping paper.

Ingham University, for young ladies, is located at this place.  The institution was founded by Misses Marietta and Emily E.INGHAM, from Saybrook, Conn., in the year 1835.  After several years of marked growth and prosperity, under theirprivate management, for the purpose of securing it as a permanent publicinstitution, devoted to the Christian education of young ladies, the propertyto the value of more than $20,000 was donated to the Synod of Genesee, upon thecondition that a full collegiate course should be established and a permanentfund raised for its support.  TheInstitution was chartered with University privileges and powers in 1857.  For several years hereafter Rev. SamuelHanson COX, D. D., presided over its interests as its first Chancellor, andvigorously exerted himself to make it the model Institution of the State forthe complete training of woman for her preeminent duties and responsibilitiesin the world.  Col. PhineasSTAUNTON,  the husband of the younger ofthe founders, was its first Vice Chancellor, and he continued an earnest andeffective laborer for its interests until his decease in 1867.  A distinguished artist himself, he elevated theArt Department to a high rank; and the genius with which he wrought has becomea permanent inspiration to move the Department still forward in the directionof the beautiful, the true and the good. The School of Art continues to furnish unusual facilities in all thedepartments of drawing, painting and design, and attracts hither many pupilswho enjoy the advantages of a gallery of many pictures of rare merit, valued atnot less than $20,000.  The Institutionhas adopted three courses of study adapted to the wants of different classes ofpupils.  Special attention is given tothe Department of Vocal and Instrumental Music.  The libraries and cabinet are ample to supply the wants of thestudents.  The Institution has avaluable museum of 700 rare birds and a great variety of curious andinstructive specimens from South America and other parts of the world.  There are two literary societies with theirlibraries and pleasantly furnished rooms. It is in contemplation to erect a fire proof building for an artgallery, that the valuable collection of works of art may be placed in aposition where their merits may be more conspicuous and at the same time beless exposed than now to the casualties of fire.   The people of LeRoy can well afford to bear the expense of asuitable building for the sake of preserving so valuable a collection in theirvillage.  The officers of the Universityare: Rev. Samuel D. BURCHARD, D.D., Chancellor and President of the Board ofCouncilors; Mrs. E. E. INGHAM STAUNTON, Vice Chancellor and Treasurer; Rev. W.L. PARSONS, D.D., Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.  The Faculty consists of twelve professors and teachers.  All needed information is contained in thecatalogue which will be sent on application to the Secretary.

The LeRoy Academic Institute,  boarding and day school, (English and classical) for both sexes,was incorporated at the beginning of the year 1864, the first term ofinstruction commencing January 5th.  Theestablishment of this Institution was the result of an effort to secure asounder and more practical education for the youth of the town and vicinitythan they had before enjoyed. Originating with a few earnest citizens, the movement soon spread,meeting with such encouragement that before many months it assumed definiteform and respectable roportions, the school commencing with a full corps ofprofessional teachers and about one hundred pupils.  It rapidly grew into favor in the community, soon doubling itsattendance and requiring ample accommodations. These were promptly furnished by subscriptions to its stock from thefriends of education throughout a somewhat extended section, the town itself,in recognition of the high character of the school, appropriating, by adecisive vote, $10,000 for the purpose. Thus placed on a permanent footing, it is now in a very flourishingcondition.  Its property is valued atover $35,000; it enjoys a central and beautiful location, occupies a new andcommodious building, and has a well conducted boarding house under the oversightof the Principal.  The pupils, whoseages range from 8 to 25, are divided into four grades; the course of study isfull and thorough, embracing the English language and literature, mathematics,natural and mental science, Latin and Greek, French and German, together withdrawing and vocal and instrumental music; the discipline is strict, though theend in view is to teach the pupils self-government.  The Principal, Mr. E. H. RUSSELL, has been in the school from itscommencement, with a brief  interval ofabsence, and has the assistance of five experienced teachers.  Mr. Chauncey L. OLMSTED is President of theBoard of Trustees, and Lucius N. BANGS, Esq., Secretary.

The first settlement of this town was commenced in 1797, byCharles WILBUR, about a mile east of the village.  He opened an inn here and the next year sold out to Capt. JohnGANSON, who removed with his family, among whom were three sons, John, Jamesand Benjamin.  The place was called"Ganson's Settlement," and the hotel was for many years consideredthe best on the Albany and Buffalo Road. Joseph HEWITT, Samuel DAVIS, ____SCOFIELD and Jesse BEACH came in aboutthe same time.  Scofield was the pioneershoe maker and Beach the first blacksmith. They settled near the present residence of Dr. SHELDON.  Cyrus DOUGLASS located on the west side ofMad Creek, and Amaziah STOUGHTON on the east side.  Friend Hall settled opposite the stone school house.  Gilbert HALL, from Bloomfield, came in 1799;he had an unfinished house on the Phelps farm. Daniel DAVIS and Philemon NETTLETON located on the farm now owned by_____ ANDROSS.  Capt. Jotham CURTIS,from Albany Co., settled on the farm now owned by S. L. DIX, and Gardner CARVERsettled the same year.

The first marriages were in the fall of 1800, when DanielDAVIS and Naomi LE BARRON, and Gardner CARVER and Lydia DAVIS weremarried.  The first house, erected onthe place now owned by Dr. SHELDON, was built by Hinds CHAMBERLAIN, who openedan inn about Christmas, 1799, and in 1801 sold out to Asher BATES,  of Canandaigua, who kept a public house forseveral years.  James FOX and AbelNETTLETON came in in 1802, and James DAVIS, Jr.,  in 1803.  In 1801 RichardM. STODDARD became the agent for the Triangle Tract, and Dudley SALTONSTALLbecame associated with him in the purchase of 500 acres, embracing most of thevillage site.  Saltonstall soon aftersold his interest to Ezra PLATT, of Canandaigua, who came here in 1802.  Richard WAITE, from Bloomingfield, cameabout the same time.  Thaddeus KEYES wasthe first tanner in the town.  In 1801 abridge was built over Oatka Creek, where the present Main street bridgeis.  John GANSON, Charles WILBUR andJotham CURTIS were the commissioners to build the bridge, and James GANSON thebuilder.  A shanty was built on the eastside of the creek to accommodate the workmen. It required five days to raise the frame work of the bridge.  Mr. Stoddard erected a land office, andsubsequently a house, on the site of the Eagle Hotel, and opened an inn.  In 1803 Ezra Platt built a framed house onthe corner of Main and Church streets, and in 1804 S. A. WOLCOTT built a smallframed house on the site of the University. The first grist mill was built in 1803, by Stoddard and Platt, on thesite of the LeRoy Mills.  Previous tothis the inhabitants were compelled to go to the Genesee River for theirmilling.  Solomon BUNNELL, from GrandIsle, in Lake Champlain, was the millwright, and James AUSTIN the first miller. Doctor William COE was the first physician, in 1803; Dr. FITCH  came in 1808.  Dr. William SHELDON came from Bennington Co., Vt., in 1810.  He informed the writer that he came onhorseback with his saddlebags and a small quantity of medicine, a lancet and aninstrument for extracting teeth.  He wasseeking an eligible site to locate for the practice of his profession.  His money was nearly exhausted when hearrived at "Ganson's," where he put up, turned his horse out tograss, made a supper of bread and milk and retired not knowing how he was toraise the money to pay his bill in the morning.  Fortunately for him, Mrs. GANSON had an attack of colic in thenight, and as there was no other physician in the place, Dr. Sheldon was calledon to prescribe.  A dose of calomel andjalap restored the good lady so that she resumed her duties in themorning.  The professional call ofcourse paid his bill and served as an introduction, and he was invited tosettle as there was a great deal of sickness and no physician in the place.  He accepted the invitation and for manyyears enjoyed an extensive practice. During the war of 1812-15, he was the captain of a military company andserved his country during the greater part of the war.  He participated in seven battles, was takenprisoner at Black Rock, and carried to Montreal, where he remained until he wasdischarged in Mary, 1814.  He wasafterwards Sheriff of the County and filled other positions ofresponsibility.  He is now hale andhearty and though over eighty years old, looks as though he was good foranother score of years.  He receives apension of $20 per month for services rendered to his country.

Uni HURLBURT, one of the oldest residents of the village,came here in 1819 and engaged in farming and brickmaking, which he continuedfor forty-nine years.  He made the brickfor the first buildings in the village constructed of that material, some ofwhich are still standing, among them the Methodist church, Eagle Hotel andother public and private buildings.  Heis now in the 84th year of his age.

In 1801 a log school house was erected opposite the presentresidence of Dr. SHELDON, the school was taught by Miss Luseba SCOTT. In 1802Phebe BATES taught the school, and in 1803 Mrs. Stephen WOLCOTT.  In 1804 Mrs. Wolcott taught the first schoolin the village.  The first framed schoolhouse in the town was erected a little east of the log one in 1804.  It was erected by a stock company; theshares were four dollars each.  Thelargest purchaser took four shares and the smallest half a share.  The number of stock holders was thirty.  The bachelors manifested their interest inthe education of the rising generation, by taking one share each.  The first teacher to occupy this buildingwas _______ POMEROY, from Albany.  Thefirst school house in the village was erected in 1810.  A singing school was taught in 1808 and thefirst tune learned was Concord.  Thefirst military training west of the Genesee River, was at GANSON's in1801.  J. HEWITT was captain; DanielDAVIS, Lieutenant, and J. GANSON, Ensign; there were ten privates.  Phineas P. BATES carried the mail fromCanandaigua to Fort Niagara in 1800.  Afew copies of the Ontario Gazette and Genesee Advertiser were left at LeRoy,but the mail was not very extensive.

Among the early settlers not already mentioned were E.SMITH, J. BLODGETT, J. HASKELL, R. NESBIT, Jacob McCOLLUM, David SCOTT, PhiloPIERSON, Gideon FORDHAM and Alexander McPHERSON.  Thomas TUFTS, agent of the Cragie Tract, came in 1810.  The first store was kept by George A.TIFFANY in 1806, though previous to this Mr. STODDARD used to keep a few goodsin his Land Office.  J. ANNIN and H.JOHNSON were early merchants. Levi FORDHAM erected the first clothing works in1811.  The first death was that of an immigrant,at the house of Captain CURTIS;   S. B.WALLY was the first settler who died. They were both buried in the same lot, on Mr. Curtis' farm.

The first Town Meeting was held in 1813.  Thomas TUFTS was chosen Town Clerk, and Dr.Wm. SHELDON, Supervisor.  The other townofficers were David LE BARRON, Philo PIERSON, Benj. GANSON, Asa BUELL, SalmonTURRELL, David BIDDLECUM, Harvey PRINDLE, R. WAITE, L. FOWLER, G. NEWELL, G.TERRY, A. HASCALL, J. HASCALL.

The first religious services were held in barns and schoolhouses. In the summer of 1800 Rev. David PERRY, a missionary from Massachusetts,visited the town and preached.  Hotchkinin his History says: "He probably preached the first sermon ever deliveredin the place.  The settlement at thattime consisted of about sixteen or eighteen families, and was the most westernsettlement in the State of New York." In 1802 Rev. Davenport PHELPS, of the Episcopal Church, held services inthe village.  The place was visited bymissionaries occasionally, previous to 1812, when a Congregational Church wasorganized and soon after became connected with the Presbytery.  Rev. David FULLER was the first residentclergyman.  The present church edificewas erected in 1825.  As early as 1807,Rev. Cyrus STORY, a local preacher of the M. E. Church, visited the town andpreached.  The writer has not been ableto give the date of the formation of the first class, but the town was visitedby itinerants for several years previous to the organization of a Church.  The church edifice was erected in 1828.  In 1806 Elder PECK, of the Baptist Church,preached in LeRoy, and the Rev. Donald MANN often preached, walking from hisfarm in Caledonia and returning the same day, making twenty-two miles travel.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1819, and united with the Association in October, 1820,having at that time a membership of 43. The first delegates to the Association were Elder E. M. SPENCER, DeaconH. CHAMBERLAIN and T. DRAKE.  DeaconChamberlain served the church for fifteen years, when he resigned hisoffice.  He died in 1848 at the age of83 years.  His wife was the first memberof the Church baptized in LeRoy. The present house of worship was commenced in1823 and completed in 1834. It was subsequently removed from the easternextremity of the village to its present location.  In 1829 Elder N. WILLEY became the pastor.  May 2d, 1840, the Church passed a resolutionof dis-fellowship for those who use or traffic in intoxicating liquors as abeverage.  The parsonage was erected aboutthe year 1854, at a cost of $1,800.  Thewhole number baptized during the last thirty-one years is 335; the presentnumber of members is 250.  W. F. BASTENis the present pastor.

St. Mark's Church (Epis.) was organized in 1817 by Rev. Samuel JOHNSON. Timothy HATCH andHugh MURPHY were the wardens; Abel NOYES, Solomon ROOT, George A. TIFFANY, EzraPLATT, Thaddeus STANLEY, Elisha STANLEY, Manly COLTON and Graham NEWELL,vestrymen.  The present officers areElisha STANLEY, who has been a warden over 40 years, and Albert HILL, juniorwarden; F. C. LATHROP, M. F. BIXBY, A. F. BARTOW, A. O. COMSTOCK, C. F.BISSELL, Wm. LAMPSON, W. D. OLMSTEAD and J. W. SHEDD, vestrymen; E. H. MARTIN,clerk.  The church was commenced in 1826and completed the next year.  Rev. SethW. BEARDSLEY was the first rector to occupy it.  During the three years of his ministry thirty were baptized andtwenty confirmed. Herman LEROY donated the site of the church and $1,000towards its erection, and Jacob LEROY gave $1,500, to be invested for thebenefit of the rector.  On the 24th ofApril, 1869, the corner stone of a new stone church was laid with appropriateceremonies by the Right Rev. A. CLEVELAND D.D., Bishop of the Diocese ofWestern New York.  The church is ofstone and under contract to be finished November 1st, at a cost of$25,000.  Rev. J. H. WATERBURY is thepresent rector.

The Universalist Society of LeRoy  was organized in July, 1859, under the ministry of Rev. C.CRAVENS.  Services were held in StarrHall at first, and measures were immediately taken to erect a church edifice,which was completed and dedicated in April, 1860.  The dedicatory sermon was preached by the pastor, Rev. C.Cravens.  The house is a substantialbrick structure, 44 by 60 feet, and contains 60 pews.  The original cost of lot and edifice was $5,000, valued atpresent at $12,000.  In the summer of1861 Rev.  F. E. HICKS was called to thepastoral charge of the Society.  In 1863Rev. C. Cravens again became the pastor and continued until the spring of 1867,when Rev. C. H. DUTTON, the present pastor, accepted the position.

Mr. R. M. STODDARD's first residence at LeRoy, was a loghouse on the banks of the creek.  Duringthe first winter he was engaged in tending the saw mill one night, when a partyof intoxicated Indians came into the kitchen, built a fire and commenced makinga pow-wow, as if they were masters of the premises.  Mrs. Stoddard was abed in another room, and on learning the stateof affairs, put a little girl out of the window and sent her to the mill tonotify Mr. Stoddard.  The Indiansattacked him as he came into the house and a severe fight ensued, but Mr. S.came off victorious, expelling the savages from his dwelling.  The Indians had several camps in thevicinity of Leroy, where they were accustomed to resort for hunting.  They were generally peaceable, and had greatrespect for Mr. S., who was often consulted by them.  It is related that on one occasion when Mr. Stoddard's wholefamily were sick with a prevailing influenza, a party of Indians and Squawscame to his house and gave them an "Indian sweat," which greatlymitigated the disease.  They dug holesin the earth, put in hot stones and then poured water on them, placing thepatients under the influence of the hot steam, covering them with blankets andgiving them hot drinks.

The population of the town in 1865 was 4,304, and its area26,900 acres. The town contains thirteen school districts, employing the samenumber of teachers.  The number of theschool population is 1,371; the number attending school, 769; the averageattendance, 346, and the amount expended for school purposes during the yearending September 30, 1868, was $8,411.06.