A retrospection extending over three-quarters of a century carries us back to the time when the first settlement was made at “Olean Point,” which also constituted the first permanent settlement effected within the present limits of Cattaraugus County. Seventy-five years, with their momentous events and changing vicissitudes, have passed into the silent night of eternity since the first white settler made his permanent location within the present corporate limits of the village. Although there are none now living, within the scope of our work, who remember that time, yet there are those whose years antedate the first settlement of Olean. Some there are whose memories extend back to the time when the log cabin constituted the only habitation of the pioneer, and not a semblance of the present progress and development existed. To these is left the recollection of the hardships and privations they and their families had to endure in order to effect the marvelous change their industry has wrought. Yet, blended with the remembrance of their early trials are memories of the broad hospitality, the Christian fortitude, and the cheerfulness under difficulties that characterized the pioneers.  Indeed, as the poet has happily said,

“There are moments in life that we never forget,
Which brighten and brighten as time steals away;
They give a new charm to the happiest lot,
And they shine in the gloom of the loneliest day.”

    The imagination can scarcely depict  the realities of those “days of the past,”―the unbroken wilderness, which presented a wildness in every object upon which the eyes rested, except the sky o’erhead. The only marks in all this region that gave any evidence that the foot of civilized man had trodden the soil were the blazed trees that denoted so indefinite pathway. Such was this village and town when the youthful Benjamin VAN CAMPEN came hither, in the service of Adam HOOPS, to survey the lands at and about Olean Point. True, a permanent settlement had been made at Almond, Allegany County, as early as 1796, by half a dozen emigrants from Luzerne County, PA, two of whom were Moses and Benjamin VAN CAMPEN, uncle and father of George VAN CAMPEN, Esq., now well known as an active and prominent citizen of the village. There was also one John KING, and his family and servants, who settled on Oswayo Creek in 1798; and still another Quaker settlement established on Tunessassa Creek (better known as Quaker Run), in South Valley township, this county.

    It was in November, 1802, that young VAN CAMPEN, Esq., was delegated by Adam HOOPS and David HEUSTON top make an examination of the lands in this vicinity. He made his headquarters at King’s, on Oswayo Creek, and spent two months in making his examination.

    On the favorable report of Mr. VAN CAMPEN, Messrs. HOOPS and HEUSTON purchased of the HOLLAND Land Company, a tract of about 20,000 acres, and in the spring of the year Enos KELLOGG was sent on to locate and survey the tract. In the year 1804, Robert HOOPS, a brother of Adam, came to the location as agent for the lands. He erected a double log house, which was the first building erected in the town. It stood upon the river bank, almost exactly in the rear of the present MARTIN farm, and in close proximity to an Indian mound. Some of the trees of the orchard still remain, the venerable landmarks of “ye olden time.” The old log house is no more. Time and the vandalism of the age have conspired to remove the only vestige of the past, which should have been preserved with jealous care, as the sole link between days long since departed and the present, and as a historic monument of primitive architecture.

    The origin of the name of the village offers an interesting item of history. It appears that up to 1804, the stream went by the Indian name of Ischue or Ischua. From a letter written by Adam HOOPS to Joseph ELLICOTT, it appears that the former gentleman wished to change the name from Ischua to Olean. The subjoined copy of the letter, furnished by Hon. George VAN CAMPEN, is the most authentic document bearing upon this subject now in existence:³

    Whether or not Mr. ELLICOTT acted on the request of Adam HOOPS is not shown, but from careful research, we find no definite use of the name “Olean” to the village property until 1823. In his admirable series of articles on the early history of Olean, James G. JOHNSON, Esq., says:

    “When the village was first laid out it was called ‘Hamilton,’ in honor of the great and popular statesman, Alexander HAMILTON, but the local designation of ‘Olean Point’ was generally used, and in course of time entirely supplanted the name of Hamilton. There never was any formal change of names, the substitution of one for the other being made by common custom and consent. I think the first semi-official abandonment of Hamilton and adoption of Olean was in the authorized village map, published in 1823.”

    In a communication touching the establishment of the post office at Olean, Acting Assistant First Postmaster-General James H. MARR states that the post office was never officially named Hamilton, but was established as Olean in 1817. ⁴

    The settlement of the village proper was commenced in 1808, by James G. JOHNSON, father of the well-known citizen of the same name. Mr. JOHNSON came from Canandaigua. He died early in 1811, and was the first interment in the present beautiful village cemetery. Sylvanus RUSSELL and Bibbius FOLLETT came at the same time Mr. JOHNSON did.  He (Russell) came from Angelica. He kept a tavern on the site of the present residence of George CHAMBERLAIN. He was the father of the venerable Mrs. Seymour BOUTON, now residing in the town of Allegany.

    Speaking of Adam HOOPS and his settlement here, Hon. D. H. BOLLES, in his excellent address delivered at the Centennial Anniversary of American Independence, July 4, 1876, says:

    “In 1804, Adam HOOPS, who had acquired some distinction by his Revolutionary services, and had at one time been a member of Washington’s staff, in conjunction with Ebenezer F. NORTON, Birdseye NORTON, and Joel STEELE, purchased from the HOLLAND Land Company a tract of twenty thousand acres where Olean now is. The project originated with HOOPS, who believed that his purchase would derive important and permanent advantages from its location on the Allegany River. His theory was that the river was navigable at all seasons, except when closed by ice, and that the locality would become in time a stirring commercial depot, connecting the State with the west and Southwest. Although that dream was never realized to the extent of his anticipations, it was by no means at that time so visionary as it now would seem. Independently of the fact that at the period of his purchase, the means of accurate information as to the habits and capacity of the river were not accessible, it is to be remembered that in that early day, while the whole watershed tributary to it was densely covered with forest, the streams were much deeper and more capacious the year round than they have been since the country has become cleared. But his immediate enterprise did not prosper. He was unable to complete his payments for the purchase, the mortgage he had given was foreclosed, and the greater part of the tract reverted to the company, a portion of it subsequently passing into the ownership of Norton (Ebenezer F.), his coadjutor. HOOPS eventually retired, a ruined and disappointed man, to West Chester County, in the State of Pennsylvania, where he lived in poverty, subsisting on his Revolutionary pension, and there died in 1845

    “But prior to this catastrophe, he had made considerable progress with his design. In 1804, he commenced a settlement here and laid out this village, which he called Hamilton, after his compatriot in the Revolutionary service, the distinguished soldier and statesman of that name.”

    Robert HOOPS, who came here in the interests of his brother, Major Adam HOOPS, in 1804, was a widower, and died in the village in reduced circumstances, about 1816, and his remains are interred in the village cemetery, the ground comprising which he donated nine years before. After his death, his housekeeper, a maiden lady named Nancy FURBELOW, kept house for John FOBES for a few years. Afterwards, being quite aged and left totally unprovided for, she went to live with a Mrs. CAMPBELL in Pennsylvania, her board being paid by the town. She thus became the first pauper in the county.

    The most rapid influx of settlers to the village occurred between the decade commencing in 1810 and ending in 1820, and the place began to assume a numerical importance that led the proprietors to form visionary ideas as to its future growth and ultimate progress. One of the greatest impediments to its permanent development was the existence of the mortgage held by the Holland Land Company, which debarred HOOPS or his agent from giving a clear title to purchasers; hence few, comparatively, could be induced to buy except on contracts, many of which fortunately, were recognized and honored by Ebenezer F. NORTON and his co-purchasers of the foreclosed mortgage of Adam HOOPS, in 1821.

    Prominent among those who settled in the village previous to the year 1820, the following are deserving of mention. It is impossible to obtain the exact dates of the arrival of these pioneers in the various interests represented by them severally, but we subjoin a brief notice of the most important personages among them, as a part of the history of the community in which they lived and labored.

    Judge F. S. MARTIN ⁵  arrived in 1819, and became one of the leading men of the place. He was born in Rutland County, VT., April 25, 1794. In December, 1830, he was appointed postmaster at Olean. He was appointed judge of Cattaraugus County, by Gov. SEWARD, in 1840. He was elected State Senator in 1847, and remained in the Senate and House of Representatives until 1850, when he was elected to the Thirty-Second Congress. He died in Jun, 1865.

    Hon. Timothy H. PORTER was the first judge of the county, appointed in 1817. By profession, he was a lawyer, but gradually withdrew from the practice of law and finally settled on his farm, the next north of Judge BROOKS, where he died about the year 1840, leaving an interesting family of six sons and one daughter. At various times, he was chosen a member of either branch of the State Legislature, and latterly was a member of Congress from this incipient and widely-extended district.

    Henry BRYAN, one of the earliest lawyers of the place, and an inveterate practical joker, will be remembered by the few remaining early settlers, particularly as his memory has been immortalized in the annals of local history in the series of articles entitled “Fun, Fact, and Fancy,” from the pen of Col. James G. JOHNSON ⁶. In this connection might be mentioned the pioneer “merchant tailor,” H. L. OSBORN who was the counterpart of BRYAN, and the practical jokes perpetrated by each upon the other―in which, by the way, Judge PORTER usually took an active part―forms the most interesting item in the humorous history of the county. The following is quoted from a local writer:

    “Ón a certain occasion BRYAN wanted to have his hair cut, and as barbers were not as numerous in those days as they are here now, he was innocently inquiring for someone who could do the job for him. OSBORN heard his inquiry, and was not long in discovering a chance for a joke. So he promptly spoke up, ‘I’ll cut your hair, if you’ll go over to my shop;’ and seeing a look of incredulity on BRYAN’s face, quickly dissipated it by stating, ‘I used to cut hair a good deal before I came here, and don’t think I have entirely forgotten how, yet.’ ‘All right:’ and they forthwith repaired to OSBORN’s shop, where he was speedily put in a chair and his shoulders enveloped in a dirty towel. OSBORN got a comb and combed BRYAN’s hair down over his eyes, and getting his big shears, began clipping away. At the same time, he kept up a ‘perfect stream of talk,’ telling some ludicrous tale and snapping his shears to the time of his voluble music. He kept on until BRYAN began to think he had been working on one side of his head long enough. As soon as he remarked this it struck him forcibly that the entire performance of OSBORN was quite unusual, and he quickly clapped his hand on the side of his head where the tricky tailor had been so persistently clipping away. To his horror, he found that that side of his head was cropped close down to the scalp. Without waiting a moment for explanation, BRYAN leaped down from the chair, and catching OSBORN by the throat, landed him squarely on his back on the floor, sat upon him, and began pounding him and pulling his hair and ears, and tumbled him around generally, until he was complete exhausted. Meanwhile, all the hands in the shop were convulsed in laughter, and ever poor OSBORN laughed and screamed with mirth between the blows and pulls of the irate BRYAN. After fining there was nothing but fun to be pounded in or out of the tailor, BRYAN left to find some more reliable hand, or at least equalize the damage as best it could be done.

    “Something more than a year afterwards BRYAN discovered OSBORN coming out of the tavern, bent over sideways, with his hand up to the side of his face, groaning, apparently as if in great agony of pain. With a feeling of honest solicitude, BRYAN inquired what was the occasion of the trouble. OSBORN replied that it was a terrible toothache, which had kept him awake all night. ‘Why don’t you have it out?’ inquired BRYAN. ‘I can’t,’ said OSBORN; ‘Dr. MEAD and Dr. SMITH are both out of town.’ Quick as lightning BRYAN saw his chance to repay the old haircutting score, but without betraying it by look or word he said, ‘Come over to my office; I’ve got a pair of turn-keys’ and will jerk it out for you in a minute;’ and then, with a malicious repetition of OSBORN’s specious statement, he continued, “I used to pull teeth a good deal before I came here.’ Over they went to BRYAN;s office, OSBORN groaning and moaning, and BRYAN chuckling over his long-desired opportunity for retaliation. Getting into the room, OSBORN was seated in a chair while BRYAN pretended to be rummaging in the back room for the turn-keys, and soon managed to slip out of the rear door, run to Dr. MEAD’s office (which was nearby), and getting in through a back window, soon got hold of a pair of turn-keys, and quickly returned. Placing himself before the tailor, and speaking a few encouraging words, he began winding a handkerchief around the stem of the instrument, to prevent it hurting the mouth. Having made a roll sufficiently large to fill OSBORN’s mouth, he carefully hooked on to the troublesome tooth, and getting all ready he gave it a little twist, just enough to break the connection but not to remove the tooth, and then stopped! OSBORN was in a perfect agony of pain, but in consequence of having his mouth full of handkerchief and turn-key was unable to utter a word of remonstrance, though his smothered groans could be heard out in the street. He leaped to his feet and struggled desperately, but BRYAN, being the strongest, held his head in a fixed position, the same as one would hold a newly-hooked fish, while, like the fish’s tail, OSBORN’s legs gyrated in every direction, doubling and twisting in more grotesque shapes than were ever attributed to the elongated pedestals wherewith NAST elevated Carl SCHURZ into notoriety. Holding him securely, BRYAN began to talk to the writhing cabbage-maker:  “You cut hair, don’t you? Dash you, how long did you cut hair before you came here?  You’re a dashed good hand at cutting hair, aren’t you? You cut it all on one side, don’t you?’ and so he continued holding him up by the aching tooth, and reminding him of the hair-cutting exploit. Poor OSBORN wriggled and squirmed like a worm on a hook, and vainly essayed to beg for mercy and relief from his torture, but the handkerchief prevented everything but a horrible muffled groan. BRYAN continued to exercise him thus until, out of sheer pity and fear of consequences, he gave the keys another turn and brought out the tooth, while OSBORN dropped into a chair without the least effort on his part. BRYAN had at least got even with him and the account was square again.”

    OSBORN removed to Peru, ILL., some time in 1830, where he died about fifteen years later, leaving a wife and several daughters. Another noted character in the early history of the village was Sylvanus RUSSELL. As a means of perpetuating the memory of this pioneer, we mention a personal incident which is typical of the character of the man. He was prominent among the best men of his day; prompt, active, decided, and exceedingly resolute, especially in his adherence to his opinions. The anecdote we refer to is as follows:

    Benjamin SEELEY had just come into the country. He was a large, strong, bony, active laboring young man, and among other things in which he excelled was the then not uncommon art of chopping cord wood. He boarded with RUSSELL, and soon engaged with him to chop some wood at a given price per cord, board included. After breakfast each morning SEELEY would take his axe and go to the woods. The scene of his labors covered a part of the public square, and to and beyond the present site of the Episcopal Church. Returning for dinner, he would always go into the bar room playing at checkers, as was a favorite and common practice. After a week or ten days of this kind of work, RUSSELL became uneasy and surly. He was positive SEELEY was not fairly earning his board. Accordingly, one afternoon, when SEELEY was seating himself for his regular pastime, RUSSELL approached him, and roughly said, “Young man, I think it about time we measured up what little wood you have cut, and have a settlement.” “All right,” answered SEELEY, quietly, and out to the woods they went. After they had taken the dimensions of the various piles, they returned to the tavern and “figured up” the total. To RUSSELL’s surprise, they ‘figured’  that SEELEY had cut an average of three cords per day. Without hesitation RUSSELL handed him the balance due, and then said, “Young man, you can leave now.  I’ll be d—d if I’ll have a man around me who will put up three cords of wood a day, and spend half of the time playing checkers in the house.” And SEELEY had to leave. Mr. RUSSELL died about 1840, respected by all who knew him in the years of his prominence and prosperity. Seven of his children are still living,―five daughters and two sons. They are,―Jane, widow of Leander KIMBALL of Jackson County, Mich.; Evert, a farmer, residing in Farmersville; Catharine, now the wife of Seymour BOUTON, of Allegany; John N., of Hamilton County, Ohio; Harriett, widow of William SMITH of Westfield, Chautauqua Co., N.Y.’ Mary, wife of Luke B. LATIN of Great Valley; Esther C., widow of Wm. HARNS of Ellicottville.

    Ebenezer REED, who, with his numerous family, arrived about 1815, and soon thereafter became proprietor of that historic hostelry, the ‘Old Boat House.” He had a family of twenty-four children, of whom more than a score were by his first wife. He resided here about thirty-five years, and then died, acknowledging a readiness to “shuffle off the mortal coil.”

    Luman RICE was a prominent citizen, coming here in 1818. He was born at Blastenbury, Conn., January 18, 1787, and married at Homer, Cortland County, N.Y., December 2, 1810. On arriving here, he kept the old tavern, built partly of logs, with a frame wing at each end, that occupied the present residence of Hon. D. H. BOLLES, south of the Moore House. In 1819, he purchased the tavern, then in an unfinished state, now forming part of the Olean House, and kept a hotel in it until 1822, when he moved to Portville, and became owner of about 300 acres, including the site of the present village. He there erected a sawmill, a store, and subsequently, in 1826, a hotel, which was burnt in 1831. He had seven children, namely: Deila A., married Alfred WRIGHT of Portville; Marcia P., married O. P. BOARDMAN of Olean; Luman E., married Sallie HARRISON, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Ambrew D., married Sarah S. SMITH, now postmaster at Portville; Harriet L., married a Mr. SMITH of New Orleans; Susan B., married John D. PARK of Cincinnati; and Malvene M., married Harvey SCOVIL of Chicago, Ill. Mr. RICE, notwithstanding the fact that he lost his arm at an early day, while landing an ark laden with plaster, was quite an energetic and enterprising man, and one of the most prominent pioneers of Portville. He died June 18, 1874, at the advanced age of eighty seven years.

    David BOCKES was an early merchant and hotelkeeper. He came in about 1817 from Albany, N.Y. He frequently held various town offices, which he filled with fidelity and remarkable ability. He became quite wealthy. He died some twelve years since, and his family have all moved to the West.

    David DAY was a highly-respected citizen for nearly half a century. He represented his district in the Legislature in 1835. He held the office of postmaster from 1839 to 1849, and from 1853 to 1857. He died about 1862. His only daughter now lives in Corry, Pa.

    Col. James G. JOHNSON came in 1819, and has resided in the village ever since, with the exception of twelve years which he spent in the town of Allegany. He has been engaged in mercantile and lumbering business, and latterly as an oil producer.

    Among other early settlers who arrived prior to 1820, might be mentioned Jacob DOWNING, an old hotel man’ Samuel BRONSON, father of Mrs. Samuel OOSTERHOUDT; James BRONSON, a brother of Samuel; Judge James ADKINS; Henry MILLER; Milton B. CANFIELD, a prominent ex-sheriff; Samuel BARROWS, lawyer, who left about 1823; John BOARDMAN; Henry L. KINSBURY, an early schoolmaster; Master MORRILL, an eccentric justice of the peace, who kept his docket chalked on the side of his log house; Allen RICE; John ROBES, father of Milton B. and George N. FOBES; and others.

    The influx of immigration during the decade ending in 1840 was not very extensive. Among those who arrived within the period indicated, who subsequently became prominent citizens, were Lambert WHITNEY, M.D., in 1833, who still resides here, having practiced medicine for forty-five years; James SENTER, mechanic; Norman BIRGE, the well-known harness maker; Ansel ADAMS, at one time a merchant, now a landowner; C. H. THING, a prominent merchant, who died in 1865. After the passage of the notorious “Stop Law” of 1842, work was abandoned on the Genesee Valley Canal and the New York and Erie Railroad, and for about ten years remained unfinished. On the completion of these enterprises, several persons of means, mentioned hereafter, came in and permanently located.

    The period embraced within the years 1849 and 1865 witnessed the greatest acquisition of capital to the village, particularly during the decade ending in 1860, which included the completion of the New York and Erie Railroad, and the Genesee Valley Canal, which gave an impetus to commercial and manufacturing enterprises, the beneficial effect of which is one of the most prominent features of today. During the period above named (1840-1865) the following capitalists and business men arrived, namely: C. V. B. BARSE and A. BLAKE, hardware merchants; N. S. BUTLER and R. O. SMITH, the principals in the general mercantile line; W. H. and D. C. CONKLIN; the MYRICK Bros.; Jacob COSS; Charles GILLINGHAM and the BRICKELL Bros., prominent manufacturers; Drs. John L. EDDY, Charles HURLBURT, and Charles A. WOODRUFF, prominent physicians; H. C. and M. A. BLAKESLEE; H. S. MORRIS, oil speculator; C. S. CARY and H. Harper PHELPS, lawyers; George VAN CAMPEN and M. V. MOORE, hotel proprietors; Hollis W. MORE, carriagemaker; Wm. B. PIERCE, grocer, baker, and provision merchant; Charles DOTTERWEICH, brewer; George W. DICKINSON, the present publisher of the Times, succeeded his brother C. F. DICKINSON, in 1872; H. MC KENZIE became publisher of the Record in 1877; Amos BRONSON, druggist, now retired from business, came to Olean in 1858.

THE MURDER OF A SQUAW

         One of the chief characteristics of the Indian is superstition, which, added to his natural ferocity of disposition, combines to constitute a nature which, from the earliest knowledge of the race, has distinguished them as savages. The ancient and foolish belief in witchcraft was a predominant trait in the aborigine. As late as 1807, and within the present corporate limits of Olean village, was enacted the execution of an Indian squaw, whom the Indians accused of being a witch. It appears from various narratives of the circumstances that during the earlier part of the year 1807, a terrible sickness prevailed, which in its ravages became epidemic. Indians and whites alike were attacked. The squaw who was the victim of her people’s barbarity had been absent in Buffalo, and on her return she visited some of her friends who were afflicted, and foretold their death, evidently basing the prediction on the general fatality of the disease. For this she was denounced as a witch, and was sentenced to death, as many in so-called civilized communities had been, less than a century before, the cruelty of the mode of death being the only distinguishing feature in otherwise parallel cases. The death sentence was carried out in a manner, the extreme cruelty of which was typical of their savage rites. She was tortured to death by the thrusting of burning sticks down her throat, the operation being continued until death ensued and put an end to her excruciating agonies. It is said that the execution took place in the presence of several whites, who allowed the sentence of the Indian tribunal to take its course, that perhaps being the wisest policy to pursue under then existing circumstances. Mrs. HICKS, a venerable pioneer of Portville, relates that some time subsequent to the execution of the squaw, she endeavored to convince an old Indian, Sam PARKER by name, of the folly of a belief in witchcraft. The only reply she could elicit from his was, “Squaw bad woman; poison Indians; ought to die.”

    This was followed by the accidental drowning of  four persons in the spring of 1820. Their names were Dr. BENNETT, Jeremiah OSBORNE, Joseph LOCKWOOD, and a young emigrant named KIBBEY. How the accident happened was never positively known, but it was generally supposed that in going down the river (the accident occurred down near Plum Orchard Bend) their boat became entangled in an old treetop, was upset, and the whole party unaccountably drowned. They were on the way to Ellicottville to attend court. The usual route was down the river to Great Valley, and thence up the creek to the then county seat. The bodies of Dr. BENNETT, OSBORNE, and KIBBEY were recovered after long search, but that of LOCKWOOD was never found. The others were buried, and their remains are still in the village cemetery. Originally, a wooden slab or board was set up at the head of each grave, and the name, age, and circumstances of death was painted thereon. In time, these planks rotted away, were buried in the earth, and for a long period lay flat, each on the grave of the man whose name it commemorated. One of them finally disappeared, but the other was reset, and can be seen today a short distance to the left of the cemetery entrance. There is nothing left now but a weather-beaten plank, rounded at the top, having on one side some ridges and elevations, slightly suggestive of lines and letters. These are occasioned by the better preservation of the wood where the black lettering covered the original white ground, the double coating of paint much better resisting the action of summer’s heat and winter’s storm. It is nearly sixty years since the accident occurred, yet the consternation which it created in the little community will rise fresh in the minds of the few yet left who can recall the period of the occurrence of the accident.

THE GREAT TORNADO

    Those of the old settlers remaining, who were here in 1834, will remember with feelings of awe, which forty-five years have failed entirely to efface, the terrible tornado that passed over this village and town in March of that year. O. P. BOARDMAN relates vividly the way in which it came near demolishing their house, and how people being caught in the current of the wind wave whirled around like feathers in a fitful breeze; and how their unfinished barn was devastated, the awful force of the tornado breaking off six-inch joists as though it was done by mechanical skill, under human agency. A regular opening was made in the forest, which remained visible for years, and until obliterated by pioneer development was known as the “fallen timber.” Rollin PRATT also relates the sad catastrophe that befell Mrs. ORTON, in which, for obvious reasons, he was incapable of rendering her assistance.

    In 1830, a steamboat named the “Allegany,” came up from Pittsburgh to Olean. Judge James BROOKS acted as pilot from Warren. It was a difficult undertaking, owing to the number of mill dams and other obstructions that impeded the progress of navigation on the Allegany River. The old citizens had quite an enthusiastic time over this event, looking to the possibility of making the river permanently navigable.

    From the time of the establishment of the first store in Olean to the present time, the mercantile and business interests of the place have prospered. The first store was opened by Levi GREGORY in 1811. It was situated on the lot now occupied by the Baptist church. “For many years,” says one who knew him well, “he prospered and did a good business. He built and lived in the house now occupied by Hon. C. V. B. BARSE. His store building now forms the rear part of the house known as the residence of Seth WARREN. Some time during the latter part of 1818, GREGORY’s finances became disturbed and after much unavailing effort, the sheriff sought him on a civil process; but GREGORY successfully barricaded himself in his house, and the officer could not get service on him. On Sunday morning, however, he came boldly out, took a boat, and hired several men to row him beyond the State line before the day expired.”

    Following GREGORY, and contemporarily with him in some instances, came G. E. WARNER, William DE FOREST, Hoyt WEBB, Joseph and Odell LOCKWOOD, and Ebenezer LOCKWOOD, David JONES, Henry MILLER, Samuel MC CLURE, and many others, who flourished in the place in early days.

    As mentioned in the history proper of the town, Sylvanus RUSSELL kept the first tavern, and among his contemporaries and followers in that business were Ebenezer REED, Luman RICE, Jacob DOWNING, Jehiel BOARDMAN, and others. Both RUSSELL and REED were also engaged in building flat boats for navigation on the river.

    Among the first physicians were Drs. EASTMAN, SMITH, BENNET, MEAD, and FINN, who each practiced their professions here prior to 1825. In 1833, Dr. WHITNEY arrived.

    In the list of early lawyers, we find the names of John A. and Henry BY\RYAN, Timothy H. PORTER, Squire HAZEN, Roderick and Justus WHITE, and  others.

    In “Williams’ Register,” for 1837, is contained the following notice of Olean:

    “The village of Olean is situated at the point formed by the union of the Olean Creek with the Allegany River, and contains at present about 70 dwelling houses, 5 stores, and 3 public houses. On the creek at the village are several mills, 1 tannery, and 1 iron foundry. The Allegany is here fifteen rods wide; the north bank of the river rises gently, and forms a beautiful site for a town.

    “The village was laid out thirty years since, and before the construction of the Erie Canal, was the deposit for all the property sent from that part of the country down the Allegany, and the place of embarkation for the emigrants who annually embarked for the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi. The construction of that canal temporarily changed the line of travel; but of late years, Olean has again attracted public attention. The population of the town increased between 1830 and 1835, from 561 to 830, of which about 500 are in the village. At the junction of the creek with the Allegany is a level plat, where the village is located, running from 20 to 60 feet above the level of the river, which affords hydraulic power sufficient to propel extensive manufacturing establishments.

    An act was passed by the Legislature in 1847, empowering any hamlet, not already incorporated by special law, containing a population of 300, and having an area of one square mile to become incorporated. Under this law, Olean was incorporated in 1854. The trustees elected at the first town meeting were Lambert THITNEY, M. D., C. B. B. BARSE, Charles H. THING, and John K. COMSTOCK. Enos C. BROOKS was appointed clerk. The village existed under this municipal arrangement until April 1, 1858⁷, when a special act was passed by the Legislature, the first two clauses of which read as follows:

1.  “The territory within the following limits in the town of Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York, shall constitute the village of Olean, to wit:     “Beginning at the north bank of the Allegany River, at the north end of Fifteenth Street, as described on a map of the village of Olean, made by T. J. GOSLINE; running thence north on the east line of said street, 75 chains and 11 links, to the north line of township No. 1, in the fourth range of the ‘Holland Land Company’s Purchase;’ thence east on the said north line 92 chains and 128 links to the west bank of the Olean Creek; thence southerly, following the west bank of said creek, to the north bank of the Allegany River; thence westerly along the said river to the place of beginning. 
2.  “The said village shall be divided into four wards, each ward to comprise the territory and be numbered as follows, to wit:    “All that part of said village lying west of the centre of Union Street and south of the centre of State Street shall be the First Ward; all that part lying east of the centre of Union Street and south of the centre of State Street shall be the Second Ward; all that part lying east of the centre of Union Street and north of the centre of State Street shall be the Third Ward; and all that part lying west of the centre of Union Street and north of the centre of State Street shall be the fourth Ward.”

    The first corporation meeting for the election of officers was held in May, 1858; but the records of the village, including the period from 1858 to 1872, having been destroyed by fire it is impossible to give the data ordinarily furnished touching the first meeting, with the presidents for the years missing. Subjoined is a list of the presidents of the village, from 1872 to 1878, inclusive, together with the present corporation officers:

    F. H. MYRICK, 1872; C. V. B. BARSE, 1873-74; C. W. PHILLIPS, 1875; Dr. John L. EDDY, 1876-78.

    The trustees for 1787 are H. W. CHAMBERLAIN, First Ward; D. C. CONKLIN, Second Ward; A. T. EATON, third Ward; Lyman LATIMER, Fourth Ward. George E. RAMSEY, Treasurer; E. C. BROOKS, Esq., Clerk; and John KING, Police Constable.

which was commenced in 1836, and completed in 1856. In alluding to this item of local history, in his Centennial Address, Judge BOLLES said:    “The subject of public improvements attracted the attention of the people at an early day. The Erie Canal commenced under great difficulties and against bitter ridicule and opposition, but completed with vast  éclat and enthusiasm, and crowned with magnificent success, at once gave rise to many projects of that character, the general drift being then in the direction of canals as it now is in the direction of railroads. As we have seen, Major HOOPS selected this locality for settlement, in consequence of being, as he supposed, at the head of navigation on the Allegany River, expecting to make it an important port by connecting the river at this point with the commerce of the State. No sooner was it seen that the Erie Canal was destined to be completed, and likely to prove a success, than an effort was put forth to connect that work with the Allegany by a lateral extension. With that view, petitions were presented to the Legislature from the people of this county, Allegany and Genesee, in 1825, and the Senate at once responded by a series of resolutions, one requesting the canal commissioners to explore the route, and the other referring it to the joint committee on canals, to inquire into the expediency of making a survey of the route from the headwaters of the Allegany to the Genesee River at Scottsville, in the county of Monroe. The agitation of the project was kept up by a series of urgent applications to the Legislature from the citizens of the counties interested, and by the speeches and votes of their representatives, till on the 6th of May, 1836, an act was passed providing for the construction of the work as now located, except that it contemplated the intersection of the work with the Allegany at this place instead of Portville, the distance being 108½ miles. In 1840, it was opened for navigation from Rochester to Squakie Hill, a distance of 36 miles, and in 1853, against many discouragements and drawbacks, it was completed to this point amidst great enthusiasm and celebration. It was an important feature of the original project to render the river permanently navigable to Olean by slack water navigation, and thus connect the canal and river into a continuous water route; but this was never consummated. Pursuant to an act of the Legislature passed in 1856, the canal was extended to Millgrove, and there made to form a junction with the Allegany, its originally-intended junction with the river here (Olean) being abandoned.”

was completed in 1851. The formal opening of the road took place May 15, 1851. The train on that occasion contained the President and his cabinet officers, and was greeted with the booming of cannon and the rolling and continuous shouts of enthusiastic crowds along the line. The route as originally intended would have brought the depot near the present site of ROOT & KEATING’s tannery, but by some adverse influences, it was located without the corporation limits, although the necessary conveniences for conveyance to the central portion of the village are furnished, so that the only annoyance experienced is a ride of about a mile; perhaps not a very good grievance, considering the generally prevailing powers of extensive and wealthy monopolies.

    This important improvement was projected in 1865, and William WALLACE, the veteran civil engineer of Buffalo, was prominently identified with it. The people of Buffalo being somewhat tardy in prosecuting the enterprise, Mr. WALLACE proceeded to Olean, where he quickly sold stock to the amount of $28,000, of which $8,000 was subscribed by C. V. B. BARSE, J. K. COMSTOCK, R. O. SMITH, N. S. BUTLER, Frank L. STOWELL, L. WHITNEY, A. BLAKE, Fred EATON, Bradley E. FAUNCE, and $20,000 by the town of Olean. The road was opened to Olean, July 3, 1872. Its entire length from Buffalo to Emporium is 121 miles. The road has been one of the most beneficial of all the enterprises with which Olean has been identified.

    The project for the construction of a narrow (3 feet) gauge railroad, to open communication with the Bradford oil district, was first considered in 1877, and immediately put into execution. The road from Olean to the State line was completed January 1, 1878, and one month thereafter the extension from the State line to Bradford was in running order. C. S. CARY, Esq., was largely instrumental in the successful issue of the enterprise, aided by C. V. B. BARSE, H. S. MORRIS, J. G. JOHNSON, J. B. STRONG, R. W. EVANS, and others, citizens of Olean.

    Quite an important item in the line of public improvements is that of bridges. The greatest economy is in iron structures. This is, perhaps, a question upon which differences of opinion exist, yet experience and observation have taught the people of different localities that the construction of iron bridges on the most public thoroughfares is the cheapest and best in the end. There are several very obvious reasons why this is so. Among the most pertinent of which are,--first, the durability of iron structures; and second, the fact that the people intending to settle in a community usually take into consideration whether there will be even the remotest prospect of burdensome taxation on account of bridges, particularly where so many are required as in Olean.
    It is flattering to the enterprise of the taxpayers of this town and village that three handsome and substantial iron bridges have been constructed within a few years, at a cost of nearly $20,000; and after the current assessment is collected they will be entirely paid for. One of these bridges spans the Allegany River, at the foot of Union Street, and the other two are over Olean Creek, one near the Olean Mills, and the other near the residence of O. P. BOARDMAN.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS

    The speculations indulged in by the early settlers of Olean as to the future importance of the village as a manufacturing centre were not by any means of a visionary character. The excellent water power and other natural advantages were looked upon by those of the past as items of very considerable value, and these advantages have been largely developed by the utilitarian element that has characterized the citizens of Olean in the various stages of its history.
    Prominent and perhaps chief among the establishments that have added to the name and fame of Olean as the seat of some extensive industrial institutions is

THE CONKLIN WAGON WORKS,

owned and conducted by W. H. and D. C. CONKLIN. It is the largest establishment of the kind in the State of New York, if not in the Middle and Eastern States, and is about the only concern of its character that appears not to be affected by the rivalry of the enormous wagon factories of the Western States. Its reputation holds good, and perhaps with an increased popularity, in neighborhoods where the senior partner sold wagons and carriages more than thirty years ago, and no opposition of interested parties seems to have any effect in counteracting this popularity. It has always been a principle of the firm that to succeed well, an article manufactured should be worth the price asked for it, and by adhering to this principle may be attributed their marked success. The partners superintend personally every department of the works, hence are at all times informed of the quality of the material and the excellency of the workmanship that has won for their wagons such golden opinions wherever introduced; and the capital invested has been earned by them by hard and persistent labor in the business. They keep no traveling agents, believing that an article in use will always reveal its good and bad qualities, and knowing that teamsters and farmers are the best advertisers when an article suits. Their facilities for obtaining good timber are unequaled, and they always have on hand, ready dressed and seasoned, a sufficient quantity to last for a year to two. They employ only sober, skilled, and honest workmen, and their wagons are made to combine lightness, strength, durability, and easy draft. They have machinery requisite to make, if necessary, 3,000 wagons a year, all of which is of the newest and most improved kind. When run to their full capacity, they employ 40 men.
    It is unnecessary to add anything of a laudatory nature concerning their wagons, for they are so extensively used, and so generally known, that further notice of them would be superfluous. The Messrs. CONKLIN understand thoroughly every branch of their business, both having commenced to learn it in early life, each serving his apprenticeship at home, under their father.

THE OLEAN TANNERY

    The Olean tannery was established about 1866, by JEWETT & KEATING of Buffalo, and conducted by them jointly until the former retired and a Mr. ROOT, also of Buffalo, purchased his interest. He, as one of the present proprietors, does not care to have the establishment noticed in the customary manner. We visited the tannery for the purpose of obtaining the necessary data for an extended description, but the requisite information was refused. Appearances would indicate that the establishment was running, however, although no more general activity or enterprise was apparent than at the establishment of Levi BARRETT. There were some men working, perhaps fifty or more, and the movement of machinery was perceptible.

THE TANNERY

    The Tannery of which Levi BARRETT is the proprietor was established by KELLEY & LENHAM of Boston, in 1859, and was conducted by them until 1866, when the present owner purchased it. The old buildings were burned in 1871, and with characteristic enterprise, Mr. BARRETT rebuilt them the same year. He employs 12 hands, tans 14,000 sides, and used 9,600 tons of bark per annum.

THE OLEAN MACHINE SHOP AND FOUNDARY

    This establishment was originally started by SMITH & SC CLURE about 1854. It was conducted by them until 1857, when owing to the general depression in financial matters that prevailed that year, they were compelled to succumb, and the property passed into the possession of C. B. V. BARSE, Esq., who disposed of it to EASTMAN & MYRICK. This partnership was formed in 1857, and dissolved in 1864, by the retirement of Mr. EASTMAN. The present style of the firm is MYRICK Bros. & Company; the average number of hands employed is 25; nature of business, the manufacture of various kinds of machinery and agriculture implements. This is one of the solid establishments of Olean.

THE CHAMBERLIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY

    The Chamberlin Manufacturing Company of which George CHAMBERLIN & Sons are the proprietors, was first established by the senior partner of the present concern in 1848, and was at that time located on the site now occupied by Charles GILLLINGHAM. In 1873, the establishment was removed to its present location. Their principal business is the manufacture of stump-pullers and ditching plows. They employ at the work an average of ten men.

THE OLEAN HANDLE MANUFACTORY

    The Olean Handle Manufactory of Jacob COSS & Sons was established by the late Jacob COSS, in the fall of 1868, and is now continued by his sons, Charles G. COSS, Frederick COSS, and Frank COSS, under the style and title of Jacob COSS’ Sons.  They manufacture hoe, fork, rake, and shovel handles, dowels, trunk slats, hardwood lumber, and dimension stuff, also band and ball wheels, and oil tank and sucker rods. They employ an average of 40 hands and do an extensive and profitable business.

THE OLEAN HUB FACTORY

    The Olean Hub Factory was established in 1874 by L. S. WHITNEY. In 1875, R. M. WHITNEY, brother of the original proprietor, was taken into the concern as a partner, and in July 1878, the latter, purchasing the interest of the former, became sole proprietor. The principal articles manufactured are black birch hubs, which have been quite extensively used by STUDEBACKER Bros., the well-known wagon manufacturers of South Bend, Ind., and other large wagon manufacturers. Capacity, 124,000 hubs per annum. Hands employed, 15.

THE OLEAN SASH FACTORY

    The Olean Sash Factory was established in March, 1866, by GILLINGHAM & BAGNALL. In January, 1867, it was destroyed by fire, but the proprietors, with characteristic enterprise, rebuilt it immediately. In August of the same year, Mr. BAGNALL was accidentally killed in the factory while working at a circular saw. The present style of the firm is GILLINGHAM & Co. Besides regular factory work, they contract for the building of public and private structures, churches, schools, residences, etc. They usually employ from 20 to 30 hands, and do a business amounting to from $30,000 to $50,000 annually.

THE PLANNING MILL

    The Planning Mill of BRICKELL Bros. & Co., was established in the early part of 1878, and after running for a short time, was burnt by an incendiary, May 15, of the same year. The firm proceeded at once to erect their present building.  They are largely engaged as contractors, and employ from 20 to 25 hands, doing quite an extensive business in their line.

THE OLEAN BREWERY

    The Olean Brewery, Charles DOTTERWEICH, proprietor, was established by him in 1856. In 1872, it was destroyed by fire, and in 1874, the present substantial brick building was erected. The capacity of the brewery is 3,000 barrels per annum; the number of hands employed, 6.

THE OLEAN POTTERY

    The Olean Pottery was established about 1852 by Isaac H. WANDS, a practical potter and a good business man. He conducted the business for about twenty years. From 1872 until the present proprietor, James H. BROOKS, purchased the concern, Oct. 31, 1877, it changed hands several times.  Mr. BROOKS succeeded JOHNSON & KNAPP, and they CRANE, and he MONTELL. The goods manufactured include all kinds of stoneware, which is made of South Amboy (New Jersey) clay, the best clay in America for the purpose. The capacity of the factory is about $10,000 per annum, and employs 10 hands.

THE OLEAN FLOURING AND GRIST MILLS

    The Olean Flouring and Grist Mills were erected by Judge F. S. MARTIN in 1851, and were conducted by him until his death in 1865, when they reverted to his heirs and from them to a. H. MARSH. In the spring of 1878, the CHESBRO bros. purchased the property and in the winter of the same year, Mr. John SAX, a man of some means and a practical miller, entered a copartnership with them under the style of Frank CHESBRO & Co. The mills have six runs of stones and all the latest improved machinery. Their capacity is about 75 barrels of merchant and 200 bushels of custom work per day.

OLEAN OIL DISTRICT

    Up to 1874, the oil developments in the Bradford district were limited. A few wells on both sides of the State line, in Cattaraugus and McKean Counties, were producing small quantities of what is known as “slush oil’” the third sand oil, up to that time, had not been found. The oil that was produced was in close proximity to the Bradford branch of the Erie Railroad. Some of the oil being of heavier gravity was sold to various parties for lubricating purposes, the remaining portion being shipped over the Erie, by parties loading the car of Mr. PRATT, and consigning the oil to men in New York, and, in the course of a week or ten days, receiving a remittance for the same. About this time (September, 1874), J. H. DILKS came here, and after looking over the ground very carefully, concluded from general indications, that the Olean district would, at no distance day be productive of a large quantity of oil. In consequence of these favorable indications, Mr. DILKS commenced the organization of the “Olean Petroleum Company (limited),” which was composed entirely of Eastern capitalists. Rights of way were obtained, and the construction of a pipeline from a point in Cattaraugus County on the State line was commenced. Stations were erected and terminal facilities provided on the Buffalo, New York, and Philadelphia Railroad, at Olean, and on Thanksgiving Day, 1874, the first oil was pumped through the pipeline a distance of fourteen and a quarter miles, and over an elevation of 968 feet with one pump of 60 horsepower. Naturally enough, the completion of such a project was hailed with rejoicings and demonstrations of pleasure. And as the stations, pipeline, and terminal facilities were all within the limits of Cattaraugus County, the enterprise was claimed as a local affair, to which the people of the county gave their hearty cooperation and support. From a production of a few hundred barrels per day, the district within three years from the starting of the operation, was producing 20,000 per day, and from the loading of 7 cars a day at Olean, it had grown into 150 cars a day. At first, only a two-inch pipe was used; now the line consists of one three-inch and one four-inch pipe with ample tanking facilities. In 1875, the Olean Petroleum Company passed into the hands of the “Empire Transportation Company,” which also controlled the Empire Pipe line. In 1877, the Empire Pipe Line was disposed of the Standard Oil Company through the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. The original pipeline at Olean was constructed at a cost of about $225,000, which with subsequent improvements, has at least doubled in value and capacity. The amount of oil pumped through during the month of November, 1878, exceeded 175,000 barrels.

OLEAN OIL REFINERY

    In the fall of 1876, WING, WILBUR & Co. commenced the construction of an oil refinery at Olean, and completed it early in 1877, at a cost of $22,000, and having a capacity for 500 barrels per diem. After operating it one year, they sold out to the Standard Oil Company, who have trebled its capacity, refining now 1,500 barrels per day. Being situated at the terminus of the pipeline, with the advantage of three railroads for distribution and competition, it is considered one of the best locations in the whole country.
    The oil developments in the immediate vicinity of Olean north and east of the ridge separating it from the Bradford district proper―with the exception of three or four ill-judged experiments which proved failures, made by some piratical parties who, like camp followers and parasites of an army, are a kind of pensioners upon legitimate oil operators―were not commenced until in October, 1875, when J. G. JOHNSON, of Olean, A. MARSH, N. A. DYE, E. C. HOWARD, and W. H. SMITH of Allegany, and R. W. EVANS, then of Bradford, organized a company called the “Allegany Oil Company,” with sufficient capital to make a thorough test of the lands in Olean and Allegany. Their first effort was on the lands of J. g. and E. M. JOHNSON in Allegany, where they obtained a good paying well to the perfect surprise of the whole community, who were waiting for the result, and ready to apply the old maximum, “fools and their money are soon parted.” In little more than two years from the successful issue of their enterprise, more than 150 good, profitable wells are in operation in the vicinity of the visionary project, so called by the knowing ones, and 2,000 barrels of oil flow daily from the great underlying reservoirs, which is to reward the courage and energy of the pioneers in oil within the Olean district, who in face of discouragements and difficulties, preserved on to success.
    Among those residents of Olean who are extensively engaged in oil operations are J. G. JOHNSON and his son, Elisha M. JOHNSON, C. V. B. BARSE and his son Mills W. BARSE, H. C. MORRIS, R. W. EVANS , J. H. DILKS, Joseph N. PEW, and Capt. THOMPSON.

 
RESIDENCE OF R. W. EVANS, Union Street, Olean NY

    The first banking institution having a nominal existence at Olean was the “BUTCHERS’ and  DOVERS’ Bank,” established in 1848 by Rufus HATCH, now of New York with headquarters at Buffalo, and a resident cashier, George W. SMITH, at Olean. This bank loaned its money and transacted its general business in Buffalo, but made its bills payable at Olean on account of the difficulty the redeeming agent of the State had in getting to its so-called headquarters. To get to Olean at this time required a stage journey of three days. The institution died gradually, without doing any good and very little harm.
    In 1860, a private banking office was started by STOWELL CHAMBERLAIN & Co., of which Calvin T. CHAMBERLAIN was manager and F. L. STOWELL, cashier. It quietly ceased its existence in 1866.

    In 1869, there was a deep-felt want of a bank in Olean. At that time, a majority of the business men of the place, and of the towns adjoining, kept their accounts and did their banking business at Cuba. Several attempts were made to organize a bank, but failed to secure the necessary amount of cash capital. About this time, C. V. B. BARSE had returned from Bay City, Michigan, where he had disposed of his hardware business, and with his son and partner, took nine-tenths of the stock of the State Bank, which was organized with a paid-up cash capital of $100,000, and began business in the summer of 1870. Since that time, the bank has been under the personal care and supervision of Mr. BARSE, and has been so soundly and conservatively managed as to secure the unlimited favor and liberal custom of the best business element of the country.
    The first and present officers of the bank were and are C. V. B. BARSE, President; Henry S. MORRIS, Vice President; Mills W. BARSE, Cashier. R. O. SMITH and Charles S. CARY, with the above, are its directors.
    The subjoined is the official statement of the financial condition of the bank at the close of business, December 21, 1878;

    The First National Bank of Olean was organized in September, 1871, with William F. WHEELER as President; Nelson S. BUTLER, Vice President; L. f. LAWTON, Cashier; John E. DUSENBURY, E. G. DUSENBURY, Geo. S. MC INTOSH, Samuel OOSTERHOUDT, James G. JOHNSON, and Asher W. MINER (and the above officers), Directors. This institution was established for the purpose of facilitating the banking interests of the village and vicinity through the medium of a national bank. The gentlemen connected with the establishment are all capitalists and first class business men, and most of them men of considerable financial experience and ability. The First National Bank is a government depository, and at the close of business, December 21, 1878, held $14,606.99 to the credit of the United States.
    The following is the statement of the financial condition of the bank, as per the last official statement:

    One of the greatest obstacles to the progress of Olean has been the frequency and extent of its conflagrations. The most serious visitation of this kind occurred on Monday, January 15, 1866. It commenced in and destroyed George JOHN’s store, and spread with terrible rapidity until all the buildings on that side of the street to the corner above BARSE’s store, were consumed. The lost to the business portion of the village was great, aggregating $250,000, upon which the total insurance was $169,555. In this fire, H. Harper PHELPS lost his life, endeavoring to save his library.
  
      About two years subsequent to the above, namely, on the 10th of March, 1868, the wooden block from the Olean House to the Petroleum Hotel, was destroyed by fire, including in its devastation the Advertiser office. The loss this time was $65,000, and the insurance $30,000. Notwithstanding these calamities the business interests of the village have progressed. The burnt districts have been rebuilt in most instances by substantial brick blocks, which are alike an ornament to the place and a credit to those erecting them, respectively. 

    The first successful attempt at organizing a fire department in the village was made on the 17th of September, 1856, when the old “Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company” was organized with a good working membership. The first officers of this company were J. A. PETRIE, Foreman; William B. BARSE, First Assistant Foreman; J. F. JOHNSON, Second Assistant Foreman; H. Harper PHELPS (who subsequently lost his life in a fire while endeavoring to save his library), Secretary; W. P. WILCOX, Treasurer; Nelson S. BUTLER, Steward; M. A. BLAKESLEE, Axeman; D. T. STRINGHAM, First Assistant Axeman; William BROWN, Second Assistant Axeman. This company was in existence until 1865, when it was allowed to disband, and the village was without a hook and ladder department until December 27, 1877, when
PIONEER HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY, NO. 1
was organized at the office of W. H. MANDEVILLE, at which the following officers were elected:  Charles PHILLIPS, First Foreman; H. PULLMAN, First Assistant Foreman; E. S. ANDREWS, Second Assistant Foreman; J. K. VAN CAMPEN, Treasurer; R. C. HILL, Secretary. The present membership is 24.

EAGLE ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 1

was organized in 1857, with a full complement of working members of 40 men. This company has kept up its existence, sometimes a somewhat feeble one, since its organization. The last election of officers was held May 8, 1877, at which the following officers were elected, namely: M. A. BLAKESLEE, Foreman; E. M. JOHNSON, First Assistant Foreman; S. R. SILL, Second Assistant Foreman; F. W. KRUSE, Secretary; D. C. CONKLIN, Treasurer; C. W. HAVENS, Steward; John WILLIAMS, Nozzleman.

FOUNTAIN HOSE COMPANY NO. 1

was organized in 1857, and has maintained its organization uninterruptedly ever since. It has generally been well officered, and noted for the promptitude with which its members mustered for a fire. The present officers are Fred. D. MAYER, Foreman; Thomas RANDOLPH, First Assistant; W. D. HATCH, Secretary; Herman SCHUTZ, Treasurer. Present membership, 25. The present fire department consists of a Chief Engineer, W. H. MANDEVILLE, and Assistant Chief Engineer, Chas. H. EMERSON; a Treasurer, A. H. ABBEY, and three other members, ―Fred. C. MAYER, C. H. PHILLIPS, and M. A. BLAKESLEE, who each occupy the position of foreman of the respective companies.

THE POST OFFICE AT OLEAN

    The official establishment of the Olean post office was effected November 10, 1817. Prior to this date, a weekly mail was carried from Olean to Moscow by Calvin ABBOTT. In the latter part of the decade ending in 1830, Stephen OLNEY carried a mail between this place and Warren, Pa. Moses HANEY, now of Hinsdale, was another early mail carrier. The late John MAGEE, of Steuben Bank memory, together with his brothers, T. J. and Hugh MAGEE, were the first contractors for carrying the eastern mail between Olean and Bath in stages. In writing on this subject, Col. James G. Johnson says, “It is undoubtedly best to state in this connection, that the principal routes of travel from the east to the west led to Olean, and thence by the river. One of these routes was from Canadaigua through Geneseo, Moscow, Perry, Pike, Rushford, Cuba, and Hinsdale. Another was through Dansville, Almond, Angelica, Friendship, Cuba, and Hinsdale. There was also a turnpike road beginning at Bath and terminating at Hinsdale, which was a toll-road, and within my recollection there was a toll-gate on it at what was then know as the Howe Farm, two and a half miles from Hinsdale”

     From a communication received from the post-office department at Washington, we are enabled to give the list of  the postmasters at Olean; together with the dates of their appointments respectively. They are as follows, namely: Horatio Orton, appointed Nov.10, 1817; Sylvanus  Russell, July 20, 1820; Henry Bryan, May 26, 1824; Darrar Swain, Oct. 26, 1829; Frederick S. Martin, Dec. 25, 1830; David Day, Nov. 14, 1839; Olcott  P. Boardman, July 11, 1849; David Day, May 23, 1853; Henry W. Fish, Dec. 19, 1857; Rufus L. Page, March 27, 1861; James G. Jahnson, Oct. 25, 1870; George N. Fobes, May 28, 1878.

RELIGIOUS

      The religious history of a community constitutes one of the principal and most important features of its social civility. Liberty of conscience in religious matters is one of the chief traits of American freedom. Nor was it in indifference to religious convictions that this religious liberty originated, but in the finally well-understood and well applied principle of the freedom and equality of moral as well as of political rights. Religious freedom and independence were almost paramount to all other aims and objects which were had in view by the primitive emigrants to America; and those of all creeds came here with the purpose of establishing and enjoying the freedom of religious convictions. Intolerance and persecution stained, however, even in this land, the first pages of Puritanic establishment. It was the momentary victory of the dark spirit of the past overpowering at times the bight coruscations of truth. Big bigoted ferocity finally yielded before the light of reason, before the vital and all-absorbing force of principles. And the justice of religious tolerance had been handed down from father to son through all the generations succeeding the Pilgrim fathers. In all communities is found not only the innate love of religious equality, but also its full enjoyment. The pioneers of this village, like those of all other localities, were of various religious beliefs, but sectarian prejudices were abandoned, and for a time at least, all worshiped together until the followers of each denomination represented were numerically and financially strong enough to establish religious societies according to the tenets of their faiths, respectively. Thus we find, after some years, churches of each denomination organized, and as soon as circumstances permitted, edifices were erected, used separately by the different sects, or alternately by two or morw of them. Finally, the Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and Roman Catholics severally erected houses of worship in the village, and the members of each now worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and yet remain devoid of intolerant bigotry and sectarian animosity.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF OLEAN

      The first missionary of this denomination in Western New York was Rev. John Spencer, for which his worth and years reverently called Father Spencer. Sent out by the Home Missionary Society of Connecticut in 1809, he received as his field of labor all the tract then know as the Holland Purchase. He probably preached the first regular sermon in this place.

     The first church organization was formed Aug. 28, 1822, by Rev. William Stone, missionary, who came on from the East. The organization and early meetings were held in the chamber of a store, then owned by Hoyt Webb, which stood upon the present site of the hardware-store of C.V.B. Barse. The original documents of this organization - “the confession of faith,” “the covenant,” etc, with names of original members – are still preserved. The original members were Cornelius Brooks, Ahijah C. Warren, Anson King, Norman Smith, John Boardman, Bathsheba Warren, Sophia King, and Abigail Smith. The first church meeting was held the same day, and Anson King, Norman Smith and Ahijah C. Warren were chosen elders. Anson King was elected deacon and Norman Smith clerk.

     This infant society placed itself under the care of  the Presbytery of Bath. The Presbytery of Angelica, which was formed in Angelica, Nov. 25, 1828, has this church enrolled upon the minutes of its first meeting. Weakened by the removal of several of its members, this organization in a few years passed out of existence.

     A second organization took place in the latter part of the year 1838, under the ministerial care of Rev. Reuben A. Willoughby.

     Judge Adkins and family came into town some time before this and held prayer-meetings in their house, and from this influence the organization sprang. The building in which the society was formed – the house of Judge Adkins – is still standing, on the east side of the Olean Creek. Many of the original members are still living. Among those who then became members are Henry Dusenbury and wife, Wm. F. Wheeler, Judge Adkins and his wife and two daughters, Erastus E. Platt, and John W. Mulford. Others afterwards prominent in the society were James G. Johnson, Norman Birge, A. S. Wheeler, Celab Smith, and O.P. Boardman.

   In the spring of 1839 a lot was purchased, which now constitutes a part of the church property, and a wagon-shop upon it was remodeled and repaired for a house of worship. The cost of the entire property was $200.

    On Dec. 9, 1841, there was organized the society in connection with the church. This was done to meet the requirements of the revised statutes of the State. The chosen was most appropriately that one set apart by Gov. Leonard, as the day of thanksgiving. Deacon Henry Dusenbury presided over the meeting. On motion of Erastus E. Platt the society was legally organized. The first trustees chosen were Henry Bryan, Wm. F. Wheeler, Edwin M. Birge, Olcott P. Boardman, James G. Johnson. Rev. John J. Aiken was chosen pastor. Among others than those already mentioned, prominent in the society, were Samuel Bradley and Caleb Smith.

    The present church edifice was built in 1856, under the supervision of Mr. Joseph Ditto, Mr. Flemming being contractor, at a cost of $6000, the Rev. Sylvester Cowles being pastor at this time, and prominent in effecting the organization of the church. The dedication service was held March 7, 1857. Prominent among the subscribers were C.V.B. Barse, N.S. Butler, Jacob Coss, Samuel Bradley, Abraham Merritt. The edifice was remodeled and repaired in 1865, under the supervision of Jacob Coss at a cost of $3500, and a parsonage built in 1870 , costing $3300.

    The following ministers have been engaged in labor by this society: Rev. William Stone, 1882; Rueben Willoughby, 1838;  Charles Hequemberg, 1839; J.J. Aikens 1840-1842; Nathaniel H. Barnes, 1845-47; Jahn Lane, 1848-50; Sylvester Cowles, D.D., 1850-60; Wm. W. Taylor, 1860-61; A.D. Axtel, 1861-62; J.B. Beaumont, 1862-66; G.R. Alden, 1866-69; M.W. Clute, 1869-74. Present pastor, Henry M. Curtis, came Dec. 22, 1874.

     The church building has lately (1878) been greatly enlarged, and is one of the most complete and beautiful church edifices in this part of the state, the cost of improvement being $5000. The work was completed under the supervision of Jacob Coss. The main edifice has a seating capacity of 550. In addition to the audience-room there has been erected a fine chapel and Sunday- school room, with church parlors, dining-room, and kitchen adjoining, all completely furnished.

    The church membership is 240. The average attendance of the Sabbath-school is 165.

    The Session of the church at present consists of F.H. Myrick, Abraham Merritt, James H. Brooks, L.F. Lawton, Nelson S. Butler, Dr. C. H. Bartlett.

    The Board of Trustees is constituted of F. H. Myrick, Charles G. Coss,  Mills W. Barse, Edwin M. Bailey, William G. Collins

    William Wilkinson is Superintendent o the Sunday-school.

    The church has rapidly grown during the last four years. One hundred and four have been added to the membership of the church. The pew-rentals amount to $2400 annually.

    Among those who have died as honored officers of this church are Deacons Isaac H. Wands, John P. Olson, Caleb Smith, and Jacob Coss.

THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF OLEAN

     The history of Methodism in Olean dates back to 1819, in July of which year Olean Circuit was formed, and a minister, named Rueben A. Ailsworth, was appointed to preach the gospel according to the tenets of the Methodist faith within its limits. The circuit remained as originally constituted until the summer of 1823, when it was united with that of Friendship and called Friendship Circuit. In the following summer it was connected with Rushford Circuit, and was part of the latter until 1929, when Friendship Circuit was re-formed, and Olean again became a part of it. They held their first quarterly meeting at Friendship, July 18, 1829.

    At the Genesee Conference, held in October, 1834, the  circuit was devided, and Olean held its first quarterly meeting at Bolivar, October 26, of that year; the second at Cuba, the third at Hinsdale, and the forth at Height, now New Hudson. The next year they were again united with Friendship. There were three preachers who traveled both circuits that year, with a claim of $827. Their deficiency was $244. The next year ( The fall of 1836 ), Olean was again set apart as a separate circuit, and has so continued to the present time. It now has three appointments, viz., Olean, Hinsdale, and Allegany. Portville was taken from Olean at the conference held at Lockport, September, 1852.

     The class at Olean was formed by A.C. Du Bois, Sept. 25, 1836, with twenty-two members, and this is the date of the regular organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the village, and not in 1819, as has been erroneously stated in previous publications. The first gospel sermon preached by the Methodist minister in the territory now included in Olean Curcuit was on the occasion of the funeral of William Shepard, father of Wm. B. Shepard, Sept. 23, 1809, by Josiah Bullard, a local preacher, who had once belonged to the traveling connection.

     The circuit preachers following Rev. Reuben A. Ailsworth have been as follows: Jasper Bennet, Richard Wright, James Hazen, James B. Roach, John Arnold, J. S. Lent, John Hill, Warren Bannister, Elijah Boardman, Jacob Sanborn, Sheldon Doolittle, Jonathan Ramson, William Gordon, Samuel W. Wooster, R. L. Waite, Marshall St. John, John Cozart, E. B. Hill, William Buck, Alvin T. Waller, William McKinstry, Abram C. Du Bois, Francis String, Samuel Pitt, Horatio N. Seaver, Orin F. Comfort, J. D. B. Hoyt, Hugh Ely, Loomis Benjamin, Carlton Fuller, Thomas B. Hudson, Milo Scott, Joseph W. Thins, John Rennard, Gilbert De Lamater ( now a member of Congress from the West ), Schuyler Parker, B. F. McNeal, E. M. Buck, C.P. Clark, A. F. Curry, J. W. Ready ( 4 years ), W. Terry, W.C. Willing, Lambert Newman, M.W. Ripley (4 years ), D.B. Worthington ( died in Olean Sept. 25, 1865 ), G. G. Lyon ( 4 years ), S. B. Dickinson, C.B. Burlingham ( 3 years ), L.A. Stevens, E.B. Williams, present incumbent, appointed 1877.

     The first church edifice was erected in the spring of 1852, and dedicated by a local preacher, who held some position on the Erie Railroad, then recently completed at this point, and who had made a liberal donation towards the new edifice.

     The present trustees are Reuben Brooks, William P. Myrick, George Baker, George Chamberlain, Charles Gillingham, David P. Godfrey, and J.W. Hoyt. Stewarts, Charles Gillingham, George Baker, George Chamberlain, Reuben Brooks, Moses Drake, M.C. Follett, W.C. Myrick ( Recording Steward ), and A. Spreater. The present membership is probatures, 5; full members, 165; number of teachers in Sabbath-school, 22; number of scholars, 160; Superintendent, Charles Gillingham. The church and Sabbath-school are both reported in a flourishing condition.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF OLEAN

      Was originally organized as a conference class about 1830, by Rev. Eliab Going, who was pastor of the church at Hinsdale, who preached at Olean every alternate Sunday. It was about 1839 that the Rev. Mr. Tillinghast, a graduate of Hamilton Theological Seminary, was appointed the first resident pastor, in which capacity he remained until the early part of 1841, when the Rev. Benjamin Thomas succeeded him, and continued in the pastoral relation over the church up to the time of the disbanding of the society, which occurred in 1843. During his pastorate the membership numbered about 50. In 1846 the society was re-organized by Rev. D. W. Titus, now in charge of a Baptist Church in Detroit, Mich. There were about 20 members included in the reorganization, a few of whom, notably Deacon S. W. Warren, Dr. Lambert Whitney, and Ephraim Simmons, were among the constituent members of the original society. These have continued active and zealous members through the entire existence of the church at Olean, and are now among its honored and influential members. Rev. Titus remained in charge about five years, and was succeeded by Rev. Robert Fisher. There were three pastors who remained but a year or two each, among them Rev. William Tilly, in 1856, during whose ministrations the largest revival in the history of the church occurred. In 1860, Rev. L. S. Stowell was pastor, and following him the Revs. Farr, A. N. Tower, W. Mudge, L. W. Olney, and the present incumbent, Rev. D. D. Brown.

     In 1848 the first church building was erected. It was formerly used as a store, and donated to the Baptist society by Dr. Andrew Mead, one of its old active members. This building served the requirements of the congregation until 1860, when the present edifice was erected, during the pastorate of Rev. L. S. Stowell. An addition of 20 feet has recently been made to the main building, intended for the organ, the choir, and church parlors. The building will now seat about 500 persons, and is with the organ and furniture valued at $12,000. A fine new organ has just been purchased at a cost of $1500, of which amount Dr. Lambert Whitney subscribed $500 as a memorial to the choir, of which his daughter, Miss Frances Sarah Whitney (familiarly known to her acquaintances and friends as Frankie), was a member from her early girlhood, and for the twelve years preceding her decease its talented organist. Miss Whitney departed this life in the summer of 1878, to join the celestial choir, and among its angelic voices to sing her Saviour's praise, whom she loved on earth and delighted to devote her peculiar talents to his honor] and glory.
The present officers of the church are S. W. Warren John Gray, and D. L. Simmons, Deacons, and S. K. Hale Clerk. The Trustees are John Williams, George E. Ram sey, and John Pratt, and Dr. Lambert Whitney, Clerk o the Society.
The present membership is 200 ; number of teachers and scholars in the sunday-school, 200; Superintendent, D. L Smith. The church and Sunday-school are both prospering

ST. STEPHEN'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

      at Olean was organized Feb. 22, 1830. Rev. William W Bostwick, missionary at Bath, Steuben County, and adjacent parts, was called to the chair ; Horatio Orton am Ebenezer Lockwood were elected wardens; Sylvanus Russell, William W. Penfield, David Day, David Bockes, William Low, Nathaniel Goodspeed, Henry Stephens, and Horatio L. Osborn, were chosen vestrymen. At this, the first meeting of the society, it was decided that Monday in Easter week should be the day for annual meetings for the election of church officers.
The first rector was Rev. Thomas Morris, who was rector of the church at Ellicottville from 1836 to 1840. Itis successors to the rectory have been Revs. Humphrey Hollis, M. E. Wilbour, Charles E. Beardsley, G. W. Dunbar, Henry H. Loring, John A. Staunton, C. T. Seibt, C. J. Machin, B. D. Borom, M. B. Benton, and John J. Andrew, the present incumbent.
The church edifice (the first erected in the village) was commenced in 1836, and completed Jan. 21, 1839, at a cost of $3882. It was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Wm. H. De Laney, bishop of the diocese of Western New York, on the 17th of September, of the above year.
The present church officers are Ansel Adams, senior warden ; M. A. Blakeslee, junior warden ; C. P. Moulton, Judge D. H. Bolles, H. C. Blakeslee, B. P. Crosby, John Hill, Oscar W. Hamilton, and S. T. Brickell, vestrymen.

     The present communicant membership is about 100 ; the number of teachers and scholars in the Sunday-school, 125 ; the Superintendent of Sunday-school, Rev. John J. Andrew, the rector.
The church and Sunday-school are prosperous.

EMANUEL CHURCH (LUTHERAN)

     was organized on the 2d of January, 1857, by Rev. Adam Ernst, the first pastor. The successors in the pastorate since Rev. Adam Ernst have been as follows: Revs. F. H. Doermann, C. Engelder, and J. Bernreuther, the present incumbent. The first church officers were F. G. Lang, president ; J. Seefried, secretary ; C. Gross and H. Stumpf, church wardens.

     The church edifice was erected in 1857, at a cost of $2100 ; its present value is $3000 ; its seating capacity, 200. The first trustees were J. H. Kuehl, G. Stinz, and H. Stumpf; present trustees, M. Scheiterly, P. Mueller, and C. Alles. The acting church officers are J. Bernreuther, president ; G. J. Rotschky, secretary ; M. Scheiterly and G. J. Rotschky, church wardens. The present voting membership is 20 ; communicants, 87 ; number of teachers and scholars in Sunday-school, 35; Superintendent of Sunday-school and secular schoolmaster, Rev. J. Bernreuther.

SAINT MARY OF ANGELS' CHURCH (ROMAN CATHOLIC).

     The congregation of this church commenced worshiping in 1851, with about sixteen members. Father Doran, the first priest, said mass for these in different shanties about the town, and only six times yearly. Father McGiver followed the same plan a few years, when Father J. McKenna bought a lot from Dr. Lambert Whitney, and built upon it a small structure, which was temporarily used in worship. Bishop Timon appointed Father Pamphelo, O. S. F., pastor; who built a frame church 40 by 60 feet, in 1857, and at-tended it monthly. As the congregation increased, services were held semi-monthly, then weekly. From 1857 to 1876 the church was attended regularly by Franciscan Friars, who resided in Allegany. In 1876, Bishop Ryan appointed Father J. Hamel the first resident pastor of the congregation, under whose charge the church has been enlarged and improved. The congregation, which numbered sixteen families in 1851, now (1878) numbers over two hundred families. The church as it now stands, 110 long by 40 feet wide. The transept is 64 by 31 feet. Seating capacity, including gallery, 800.

     The religious societies of Olean are unusually well sup-ported. The pulpits of the various churches are filled by earnest and eloquent preachers, who very generally receive the hearty and earnest co-operation of the laity in the prosecution of religious duties. A prosperity rarely met with is enjoyed by each denomination, which results in much good to the moral welfare of the village.

EDUCATIONAL AND LITERARY.

     Paramount in importance with the pioneers of Olean was the education of their youth, hence is found in its earliest annals the establishment of schools and the maintenance of a regular system of instruction. The early settlers of this section of country evidently realized the vast and beneficial results that have characterized the American system of education, and the fact that in its public common schools is presented the highest triumph of democracy and self-government. Education had been domesticated among the people in the Eastern States for years, and those who for the betterment of their material positions emigrated to what was then, as it were, the Ultima thule of civilization brought with them the knowledge of systematic general education ; and no sooner did they effect a permanent settlement than schools were inaugurated, and as soon as practicable the excellent common-school polity was established, and ever after sustained.

    Fresh from the eastern schools, young men and women devoted the first years of their matured activity to teach in these primitive schools of the past. They fulfilled their tasks with the unshaken confidence of youth in its energies, and thus not only exercised their intellectual functions in a noble calling, but disciplined their own minds for the rigorous avocations of life in the new country. In the galaxy of the names of those who honored the position of village school-teachers here in the early years of its history that the kindly remembrances of past scholars bring forth from the memories of the "long ago," are Henry L. Kings-bury, Anna Carpenter, Lewis Seymour, John K. Faulkner, Rollin Pratt, all save the latter having passed away. Mr. Pratt survives, a model of old-time chivalry and innate courtesy. He is a man withal, who rightly prides himself on the purity of his language and the dignity of his deportment. When he does an act of kindness he characterizes it with a politeness and suavity that would reflect honor upon Chesterfield himself; and his every action carries the indelible impress of the suaviter in modo. As an example, we quote from one who knows him well the following incident :

A young lady named Sheffield had been out horse-back riding, and returning, found Mr. Pratt just leaving the place where she was about to alight. With a polished bow, stepping forward to assist her, he said, " Miss Sheffield, I hope you do not experience any accession of fatigue from the protracted length of your equestrian excursion ?" During the tornado that visited Olean in 1834, an incident occurred that called forth a grandiloquent display from the worthy dominie, which, from the same reason that debarred him from rendering much-needed assistance, we are compelled to omit.

The public schools sufficed for the purposes of education in the village until 1851, when it was deemed expedient to establish an academy, which was done in the fall of that year. Prefacing a lengthy report on the subject, appears the following note to the editor of the Republican from Rev. S. Cowles, one of the prime movers of the under-taking :

The board of trustees consisted of Messrs. Lambert Whitney, M.D., Henry Dusenbury, James H. Brooks, Olcott P. Boardman, Judge Frederick S. Martin, John Fohes, Abraham Merritt, and Rev. Sylvester Cowles. The first principal was Prof. J. A. Woodruff. The trustees erected a commodious building, similar to the present one occupied by the public schools, in which educational matters flourished until April 1, 1857, when the building was accidentally burned to the ground. The present structure was immediately erected, and the institution conducted with varied success until Oct. 3, 1868, when it was merged into a union public school, with an academic department, and the building purchased by the school district in which it is located. It is now under the control of the village board of education, which consists of Messrs. R. W. Evans, President ; John L. Eddy, Olcott P. Boardman, H. F. Morris, H. W. Moore, Fred. Eaton, M. C. Follett, R. M. Whitney, and C. H. Emerson, Secretary.

    was organized in the spring of 1871 by about twenty prominent citizens, subscribing five years, at $1.50 per year, each in advance. Messrs. Jewett & Keating sub-scribed $100, and several others smaller amounts. The first officers elected were Miles R. Bull, President ; W. H. Mandeville, Secretary ; W. F. Burlingham, Librarian. Those occupying the position of president of the association to the present have been as follows : M. R. Bull, 1871; W. P. Culver, 1872 ; W. H. Mandeville, 1873 ; C. P. Moulton, 1874 ; W. H. Mandeville, 1875 ; Prof. W. H. Truesdell, 1876 ; W. H. Mandeville, 1877-78.
The present (1878) officers are W. H. Mandeville, President; Mrs. D. H. Bolles, Vice-President; Fred. B. Coss, Secretary; Charles Gillingham, Treasurer; Miss Anna Hazlett, Librarian. The managers are Charles H. Emerson, M. A. Blakeslee, and Mrs. Dr. Wilcox. The present number of volumes is 1500. The library is located in the store of J. P. Hastings. The general rules of the institu-tion are, that books can be kept three weeks, and on those retained longer than that a fine of ten cents per week, or fraction thereof, is imposed. The yearly membership-fee is $1.50, payable in advance.

The organization and maintenance of ancient and honor-able secret and benevolent societies constitutes quite an important factor in the history of a community, and one which, despite occasional sectarian opposition, invariably flourish, equally with religious or business enterprises. The village of Olean is admirably well supplied with associations of this character, all of which are in a generally prosperous condition. The societies here represented are Olean Lodge, No. 252, F. and A. M. ; Olean Chapter, R. A. M., No. 150 ; St. John's Commandery, K. T., No. 24; Crescent Lodge, No. 60, A. 0. U. W.; Olean Lodge, No. 417, I. O. O. F. ; and a lodge of I. O. G. T. Sub-joined we give a brief historical sketch of each of these organizations, as forming a portion of the social history of the village.

was instituted by dispensation, in March, 1852, and received its charter from the Grand Lodge in June of the same year. The first chief officers were Andrew Mead, W. M. ; David Bockes, S. W. ; Edwin B. Andrews, J. W. ; Aaron J. Allen, Treas.; David Day, Sec. The present principal officers of the lodge are M. Southeron, W. M.; John L. Eddy, S. W. ; L. M. Crake, J. W. ; William B. Pierce, Treas. ; L. F. More, Sec. The lodge now numbers 90 members, has regular communications every first and third Tuesday in each month, and is in a generally flourishing condition.

was organized March 26, 1855, with John Jakin, H. P. ; Russel Martin, K.; David Day, S.; Samuel R. Homer, Treas. ; and H. S. Shular, Sec. Those occupying the chief offices in the chapter at present (1878) are Milton B. Fobes, H. P. ; L. Durkee, K. ; George Van Campen, Jr., S. ; William B. Pierce, Treas. ; and L. F. More, Sec. The present membership numbers 75. Regular convocation every second and fourth Friday in each month.

received its dispensation Jan. 5, 1854, and worked under the same until Feb. 8, 1856, when it was granted a charter. The first officers were Hiram Turk, E. C. ; C. S. Farnham, Gen. ; James S. Mott, C. G. ; H. H. Nye, S. W. ; W. A. Baldwin, J. W.; D. D. Gardner, Treas ; S. P. Swift, Rec. Present officers, M. B. Fohes, E. C. ; H. O. Wait, Gen. ; M. W. Barse, C. G.; E. M. Johnson, S. W.; G. W. Dickinson, J. W. ; C. V. B. Barse, Treas. ; C. S. Stowell, Rec. There are 121 sir knights, and their regular con-clave is every third Thursday in each month.

There was a Masonic organization in Olean prior to 1819, but the records of its existence have been destroyed, hence no reliable information concerning it can be obtained.

The Odd Fellows had an organization in Olean as early as 1851. We learn from one of the original members of the old lodge that Caleb Jewett was its N. G. ; J. K. Com-stock, V. G.; and T. A. E. Lyman, P. G. It had a good working membership, numbering upwards of 100. The records, regalia, etc., were destroyed in the great fire, and the lodge was allowed to suspend until Aug. 14, 1878, when

was organized by A. Pringle, D. D. G. M., assisted by Brother Norton. The present chief officers of the lodge are A. I. Cotton, N. G.; W. C. Winsor, V. G.; W. Smith, Sec. ; George Brickell, Treas. ; Dr. Lambert Whitney, George Brickell, and George S. McIntosh, Trustees_ The present membership is about 30. Meeting in the hall over Merritt's store, corner Union and State Streets, every Wednesday evening.

was organized Feb. 3, 1877. The first principal officers were William D. Chamberlain, M. W. ; George E. Rumsey, P. M. W.; Myron A. Dodge, F.; H. W. Eaton, O.; E. C. Blighton, Rec. The present chief officers are William D. Chamberlain, M. W.; George E. Rumsey, P. M. W.; D. W. Godfrey, F.; H. W. Eaton, 0.; A. H. Morris, Rec. Present membership, 40.

was organized with 54 charter members, on the evening of Oct. 2, 1878. The officers elected at the first meeting of the lodge were F. W. Marsh, L. D. W. C. T. ; Rev. E. B. Williams, P. W. C. T.; R. A. Rapp, W. C. T. ; Mrs. W. J. Wise, W. V. T. ; W. H. Burroughs, W. S. ; L. A. Washburn, W. F. S. ; Mrs. L. A. Washburn, W. T. ; Rev. D. D. Brown, W. C. ; William L. Myrick, W. M. ; Mrs. Shumway, W. J. G. ; W. J. Wise, W. 0. G. The present number of members is 65.

    In 1807 Robert Hoops donated three acres of land, the present site of the Olean Cemetery, for burial purposes, for which it has ever since been used. The first interment in it was that of James G. Johnson, in April, 1811. Among the old and prominent settlers whose remains re-pose within the hallowed precincts of the old grave-yard are Deacon Anson King and wife, the latter the mother of James G. Johnson, Robert Hoops, Sylvanus Russell and wife, Cornelius Brooks and wife, Judge Timothy H. Porter and wife, Judge Frederick S. Martin, Pardon Thrall and wife, Jehiel Boardman and wife, Zachariah Oosterhoudt and wife, James Brooks and wife, Dr. Bennett, Jeremiah Osborn, and young Kibbey (the three recovered bodies of the four persons drowned in 1820), Ebenezer Reed, David Day, Col. Luke Goodspeed and wife, David Bockes, Dr. Edward Finn and wife, and others.

     The grounds are now inclosed within a neat white fence, the graves are tenderly cared for and tastefully decorated with flowers and shrubs, those emblems of perpetual remembrance and ever-recurring change. Here and there, dotted amid humbler graves, are handsome monuments, erected to the memory of dear departed ones as tokens of affectionate regard and of undying love. But whether lying under marble or only under the cool green sod, faithful hearts and willing hands bring oft-repeated offerings from Flora's treasury to deck the mounds or to ornament the marble shaft. Many whose names we mention left a posterity to mourn them, and all a record worthy the emulation of those who follow. Then let us who re-main endeavor so to live that those we love and those who know us best may in the future deem us also worthy examples for succeeding generations.

     Patriotism is an innate and heaven-born virtue. Next to the love of God and of family comes the love of country. Indeed, he who is naturally the champion of family ties is also the fearless opponent of oppression and the ardent conservator of the national honor. From the inauguration of American independence to the close of the Civil war, and in all intermediate struggles, patriotism has shown itself to be the characteristic trait of the American people. This quality, even in the dark ages of the past, and in the classic history of medieval times, has been the most admirable and the most glorious.

     The citizens of Olean during the Rebellion made an excellent record, and one which will forever remain a bright page in her annals. When the government called for aid many left the peaceful avocations of industry and became a part of that citizen soldiery that soon became alike the wonder and the admiration of the world. And those who, by age or infirmity, could not enter the ranks generally gave of their means to preserve the country's credit and to help sustain the good old flag that their forefathers, many of them, had fought to win.

     In the military history of the county data pertaining to the regiments in which many of the soldiers who went from Olean to the front will be given.
It is right and proper that these things should be pre-served ; for in the future, when the great struggle shall have passed from actual remembrance, when those who participated in it shall have filled honored graves, and when even their children shall have quietly followed them, and only the beautiful offerings of flowers, the lovely feature of our Decoration Day, shall remain,-then on the pages of history, written in letters of gold, shall be the honored list of the gallant ones who gave their best energies, some their blood, and thousands their lives, to perpetuate the Union, and to immortalize the well-earned assumption that our country is "The land of the free and the home of the brave."

     It is but a day in the calendar of Time when the place where Olean now stands was a dense and unbroken forest,-when the towering monarchs, the growth of centuries, waved their green tops in the breezes of summer, and rocked their gigantic arms in the tempests of winter; all was solitude and silence save the voice of Nature and the plash of the beautiful Allegany. Then, as though some spirit of power had arisen in its strength and waved its magic wand o'er this lovely spot of creation, the forest vanished, and in its place this fair village, with its streets teeming with commerce and resonant with the hum of a busy and intelligent population ; its spires glittering in the sunbeams stands forth in the beauty and splendor of material development and intellectual progress.
     To whom is due this wondrous change? Where seek for the untiring energy and the restless enterprise that has caused this growth and prosperity ? To the pioneer and his posterity primarily, and then to the capitalist, the merchant, and the mechanic,-to these various elements belongs the honor of making a city ;" for, ere the future historian shall be called upon to continue Olean's annals, she will be a city in both numerical strength and commercial importance.

THE TOWN OF OLEAN.

     Around the town of Olean cluster the most important events in the history of the settlement of Cattaraugus County. It was within its limits that the original settlements were made, and upon its territory the embryo commencement of the principal factors that have led to the present wealth, happiness, and prosperity of the county originated. Hither the first pioneers came ; here the first mills were erected ; the first white child born ; the first tavern opened ; the first road laid out; and here began the establishment of the elements of culture and civilization that have since developed so materially and progressed so rapidly all over the county.
     The earliest settlement of which any record exists was made 75 years ago, and the redemption of the wilderness from its primitive state to a fertile and productive agricultural condition was a work of considerable magnitude, and fraught with a vast amount of toil and care. But the pioneers of Olean, like those of other new sections of country, were a hardy and industrious class, and sought to establish their homes with the greatest possible expedition. The process was naturally slow and laborious ; but diligence and unremitting labor triumphed, and we behold to-day the magnificent result of the work of their hands and the benefits of their intelligence.
     Olean is geographically located upon the south border of the county, near the southeast corner. As now constituted it is designated on the map as township 1 and part of town-ship 2, in range 4 of the Holland Land Company's purchase.* The surface of the town is hilly upland, separated into two distinct parts by the valley of the Allegany. The highest elevations are 500 to 600 feet above the valley. The soil in some parts is adapted to agriculture, in others to grazing. A large portion of the land is covered with timber, hence lumbering is one of the principal occupations. The principal streams are the Allegany River and Olean Creek, the latter of which flows south through the northern part.

THE SETTLEMENT

at the village of the town was commenced, in 1804, by Robert Hoops, brother of Major Adam Hoops, whose agent he was, and David Heuston, who was accidentally killed, in 1807, while getting out spars, probably to be used as oars for the pioneer rafts made that year. These made their locations near the river. Following them, in 1806, came Cornelius Brooks, a Revolutionary soldier, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island, who made his location this year, but did not permanently settle thereon until 1808. He was quite a prominent man in the history of the town. In 1814-15 he held the office of supervisor, and subsequently several important positions in the town government. His son, James Brooks. who accompanied him here, was appointed the first side judge of the county, and sat at the Court of Common Pleas, held at the home of William Baker. in the village of Hamilton (Olean). the first Tuesday in July, 1817, with Timothy H. Porter, first judge, and Ashbel Freeman, his associate side judge. Several members of the Brooks family still reside in the village and town, notably Col. Enos C. Brooks, a justice of the peace of Olean, and Reuben A., a farmer, who, with the heirs of Amos C. Brooks, resides on the old homestead farm. John Brooks, a brother of Cornelius, accompanied him hither, in 1806.
Judge Brooks was noted for his profuse hospitality, and it is said by one who knew him well, that for several years prior to his death the family scarcely ever sat down to a meal without some visitor. The judge's residence was familiarly known as the " Methodist Tavern and House of Refuge," from the fact that the itinerancy of the Methodist Church of Albany always found a cordial welcome there. Judge Brooks was reverently recognized as the father of Methodism in this section of country. He was also a firm supporter of the temperance cause, and did all in his power for its general advancement, believing that much of the prevailing misery and vice was attributable to intemperance. After an eminently useful life, Judge Brooks died at the old homestead, April 17, 1854, having lived to within a few months of the allotted space. Judge Brooks raised a family of ten children, namely, Polly C., married Jabez C. Percival, resides at Palo, Mich. ; James H., married Harriet L. Hastings ; residence, Olean, N. Y. ; Reuben A., married Eliza Hastings, Olean ; Elizabeth A. (deceased), married Rev. Robert Thomas ; Enos C., married Margaret A. Hill, Olean; Cornelius D., married Harriet A. Minear, Monroe Co., N. Y. ; Amos C. (deceased), married Mary M. Miner, Olean ; Rachel E. (deceased) ; Julia A. (deceased) ; Sarah K., married Rev. W. H. Kellogg ; resides in Wisconsin.
 
     William Shepard, father of William B. Shepard, settled on the farm now occupied by the latter in 1806. Pardon Thrall, father of Willis and Erastus Thrall, arrived in 1806, and settled on the farm on the opposite side of the creek to the Boardman place, upon a portion of which now stands the Olean tannery. James Green moved to and built a saw-mill on Haskell Creek, in 1809, but soon thereafter sold out, and moved to Great Valley, and subsequently re-moved to Golconda, on the Ohio River, where he died. Zachariah Oosterhoudt, father of Samuel Oosterhoudt, now a prominent merchant of Olean, settled just west of Reed's tavern and buildings at an early day.
   
    Just outside the present corporate limits of the village in March, 1814, Jehiel Boardman settled. He was born at Bolton, Conn., Sept. 30, 1761, and died at Olean, in the place where he first settled, July 27, 1834. He had nine children, as follows : Sallie H., married Stephen Eaton, of Derby, Vt. ; Patty, who died at Olean, Nov. 6, 1876, aged eighty-five years ; Orville (deceased), married Catharine Freer, of Albany ; was a prominent citizen of Allegany Co. ; John (deceased), twice married; Polly, married Calvin H. Carner, Olean ; Worcester, died in 1822 ; Emma, twice married ; Roxy, died in infancy ; Olcott P., married Marcia P. Rice, daughter of the late Luman Rice, of Portville, now living on the old homestead. Jehiel Boardman was a man well calculated by disposition and inclination for a pioneer. He was energetic, industrious, and scrupulously honest, and for the score of years he lived and labored in the newly-settled town of Olean, his influence was greatly felt and duly appreciated by his fellow-citizens.
Among other prominent settlers who arrived from 1818 to about 1830, and located permanently within the present limits of the town, the following are worthy of mention, namely :

     Abijah C. Warren, father of Seth W. Warren, Samuel Dickinson, David P. Godfrey, Rollin Pratt, an early surveyor and school-teacher ; Jerome Rose ; ex-sheriff Richard Welch, Ephraim Simmons, Thomas IT. Oviatt.

      Coming several years later than the above, are Asa Burlinghame, Erastus Parker, Samuel R. Homer, and others.

      The primitive events in the history of a community have an interest that forms an important feature, and one which deserves a conspicuous place in its annals. Hence, we present the annexed information, having verified its authenticity by the best existing authorities.
The first birth within the present bounds of the town of Olean, was that of Olean, daughter of William Shepard, May 22, 1807.
The first death was that of William Shepard, who died on the 21st of September, 1809. His remains now repose on the old homestead occupied by his son, William B. Shepard.

      The first house erected was by Robert Hoops, and stood on the farm now known as the Martin homestead, in the summer of 1804.

     The first tavern was kept by Sylvanus Russell, near the " Old Boat-house," at Olean Point, in 1808. In writing of Mr. Russell, James G. Johnson, Esq., has the following : " Sylvanus Russell was from Angelica, and was the first man married in Allegany County. His wife's maiden name was Esther Van Wickle, and the event occurred in 1805. He afterwards kept a tavern on the site of the present residence of George Chamberlain, and was father of the venerable Mrs. Seymour Bouton, now residing in the town of Allegany."

      The first saw-mill was erected by Willis Thrall and William Shepard, on Olean Creek, three miles above its mouth, on what is now known as the Van Dusen farm, in the winter of 1807. The first lumber cut in the county was at this mill, and the first raft was made up. in the spring of 1807, and run down the creek and river by Bibbius Follett, Jedediah Strong, and Dr. Bradley. This mill was of primitive construction, being a single upright saw, yet for many years it was actively engaged, and did good duty as late as 1830, and perhaps a few years later.
The first grist-mill was built by Robert Hoops, at the mouth of Olean Creek, in 1809. It was a small frame building, about 24 by 32 feet, and two stories high. It had a single run of stones, yet for nearly a score of years (until about 1828) it did all the grinding for the entire population, the bolting having to he done by hand.

      The first road authoritatively constructed was by an act of the Legislature, passed April 5, 1810.* The road was to run " from Canandaigua by the head of Conesus Lake, by the most eligible route to the mouth of the Olean River." Messrs. Valentine Brother, of Canandaigua ; George Hornell (afterwards Judge Hornell, of Hornellsville), and Moses Van Campen, of Angelica, were appointed Road Commissioners, and Moses Van Campen, Surveyor. Roads prior to this were little better than bridle-paths, requiring the most careful driving to avoid stumps and other obstacles with which they abounded.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

     The town of Olean was formed at the same time the county was erected, namely, March 11, 1808, and at that period included all the territory now embraced within the present limits of Cattaraugus County. A map of that part of the town containing Hoops' purchase was made July 16, 1805, and designated as townships 1 and 2, ranges 3 and 4 of the Holland Land Company's Purchase. Olean remained as originally created until July 16, 1812, when Ischua, afterwards Franklinville, was detached ; a part of Perry (now Perrysburg), April 13, 1814; Great Valley, April 15, 1818 ; Hinsdale, April 20,1820 ; and Portville, April 27, 1837. At its formation in 1808 the town contained an area of 725,760 acres, which has since been judicially (and judiciously) reduced to 21,846 acres, as at present.

      The first town-meeting held in the town as originally formed was at the house of Joseph McClure, at Franklinville, then the centre of population in the newly erected town in April, 1808. The first town-meeting held in Olean as at present constituted was held in the house of Sylvanus Russell, many years later. After a careful and extended search we found the old town record, from 1809 to 1812 inclusive, which consists of a few leaves from the original book; also in another volume the records from 1813 to 1849; and still in the book at present in use, those from 1850 to 1878. Prior to our investigations, it was supposed by all those who take an interest in the preservation of records and documents relating to events occurring in the history of the town government, that all such antedating 1850 were destroyed in the great fire of 1866, which would have been the case had the book not been borrowed by a person who resided without the burnt district. Subjoined we give a list of the town officers elected in 1809, together with all the supervisors and town clerks from that year to 1878, inclusive, and the justices of the peace from the time the office was made elective by the people (1830) to the present :

      Supervisor, James Green ; Town Clerk, David McClure; Assessors, Ira Norton, Robert Hoops, John McClure ; Constable and Collector, Thomas Morris ; Constable, Willis Thrall ; Poor Masters, Henry Conrad, John Brooks ; Commissioners of Highways, Cornelius Brooks, William Atherton, Joseph Hunter ; Overseer of Highways, District No. 1, Asahel Atherton; Overseer of Highways, District No.
*See Session Laws, 1810, chapter cxlv.
2, William Shepard ; Overseer of Highways, District No. 3, Daniel Cortright ; Overseer of Highways, District No. 4, Ebenezer Reed ; Overseer of Highways, District No. 5, Robert Hoops ; Overseer of Highways, District No. 6, Seth Humphrey ; Pound Masters and Fence-Viewers, William Atherton, Willis Thrall, Josiah Hollister, Jonas Burroughs.

     The subject of this sketch, whose birth was nearly coeval with the organization of the county, and whose retrospect embraces substantially the whole subsequent record of events, is, more emphatically than any other man now living, identified with its history. With mental faculties of a superior order still unimpaired and vigorous, and particularly a memory retentive to a remarkable degree of the scenes and occurrences which have filled up the intervening years, and in many of which he played an active and honorable part, no occupation delights him more, in the mellow evening of his life, than to entertain his friends with reminiscences of incidents long ago transpiring, and of persons who have passed into the world of shadows. Of his early friends and contemporaries but few are left, and the number is fast diminishing. It is well worth while to preserve and perpetuate the names and memories of the worthies who, with toil and sacrifice, laid deep and strong the foundation of the prosperity which subsequent generations have enjoyed.

     James G. Johnson was born at Bloomfield, Ontario Co., on the 13th day of September, 1811. He was the second son of James G. Johnson, a gentleman of English descent, and one of the original settlers in the village of Olean, which, however, at that time and for some years afterwards was called " Hamilton." His mother, whose maiden name was Sophia Stone, was of Scotch parentage, and, on her mother's side, a descendant of the Dudley family. The death of his father, in 1811, led to the return of his widowed mother to her father's house, where she remained until 1819, and then went back to her home in Olean, ac companied in the removal by her infant son. At about the age of eight years he commenced attending school, and continued his attendance about two years, from the end of which time until he reached the age of thirteen his schooling was limited to the winter months, the residue of the year being devoted to work. And this was the sum of his educational opportunities and advantages.

     Of course the institution he thus attended was of the roughest and most primitive description, and yet it is by no means certain but that these schools in the wilderness, which, compared with our modern ample and costly facilities, seem scanty, mean. and inefficient, did not supply a discipline quite as profitable as those of our own day. Certain it is. that the pupil whose honest poverty compelled him to labor nine months in the year, to enable him to spend the three winter months in school, would improve the advantages of instruction with a keener application and prize them with a higher appreciation than one who was obliged to put forth no effort and practice no self-denial to obtain them. Indeed, it may be taken for granted that the stimulus supplied by an ambition so cheerfully submissive to sacrifice much more than overbalanced the splendid opportunities that proffer themselves to the modern scholar. So it is with other things, and the world over. What we gain with toil we prize, while what we win without exertion possesses but slight appreciated value.

     At the age of fourteen, Mr. Johnson left his mother's roof, to provide henceforth for himself. In those days of scanty resources and patient industry young men did not expect to jump into a fortune without an effort, and he was content to give his time and labor for board and clothing. For eight months he performed the duties of a clerk in a little country store at Centerville, in the county of Allegany, at the end of which time the merchant failed, the store was closed, and the subject of our memoir was again adrift. But he was much too ambitious to remain idle, and soon found employment in the store of Ebenezer Lockwood, then a merchant at Olean, in whose service he remained for two years, and until the concern was discontinued. After serving a year in the same capacity with William Bagley, on the same terms of compensation, to wit: board, clothing, and an occasional trifle of spending -money, he entered the store of Osburn & Bockes, where, for the first time, he received a regular stipend, and where he remained a few months. The following year he was out of employment, but being of a jovial and sociable disposition, he spent his time in fun, frolic, and social pleasure, which, while ministering greatly to the enjoyment of himself and others, produced no harm to any.

     Having thus sown his wild oats," which, thanks to a conscientious mother and an old-fashioned New England training at her hands. were still oats with no admixture of tares, and thus prepared himself for the sober duties and responsibilities of active life, he entered into an engagement with the late Judge Martin, as clerk in his store, at a salary of ten dollars a month, besides board and washing. This was in 1831, and he continued the connection with a gradually increasing compensation for five years, and then entered into partnership with his employer, under the firm-name of Martin & Johnson during his clerkship  and under the instruction of Mr. Martin, acquired a complete and efficient mastery of the business in all its aspects and details. During the period of nine years the partner-ship business continued with decided success and to the marked advantage of both. The connection terminated in 1846, when, having purchased a quantity of timber land and a saw-mill in the adjoining town of Allegany (then called Burton), he removed to that place with his family, and entered upon the business of lumbering. In company with Eleazar Harmon, Esq.. of Ellicottville, he laid out the plat where now the village of Allegany stands, dividing the area into lots, which were advantageously sold. As was customary at that time, and indeed to some extent still, he carried on a mercantile business in connection with his lumber enterprise.
   
     In 1851 he added another to his list of occupations by uniting with Gilbert Palen in building and operating the sole-leather tannery which was afterwards owned by Mr. Strong, and which was the first of the kind on the line of the Erie Railway west of the county of Delaware, the pioneer of a countless host of similar establishments waging a war of extermination upon the apparently interminable hemlock forests, that seemed to invite and defy the onslaught.

    The outburst of war, in 1861, found him still in the manufacture of lumber, and for a time effectually wound up the business, prostrating the markets and practically blockading the Ohio River, one side of which was in possession of the Confederates. More fortunate, however, than many other lumbermen, none of his property fell into rebel hands. In the summer of 1862, without his solicitation or knowledge, he was, at the instance of Hon. R. E. Fenton, then member of Congress from his district, and afterwards Governor, commissioned by the President as captain and assist-ant quartermaster, and assigned to brigade duty in the Army of the Potomac. He was present at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, and was with the army under McClellan and Burnside in its march to Fredericks-burg. His health becoming greatly impaired by the hard-ships of army life and the arduous duties of his post, he was detached from field service and stationed at Aquia Creek in the memorable winter of 1863, and subsequently at Harrisburg, where he remained till the close of the war, discharging the duties of his place, although greatly reduced by diseases contracted in the service, from which, indeed, he has never fully recovered. For meritorious service he was promoted to the rank of a colonel of volunteers.

    Returning to Olean in 1865, he became engaged for some years in mercantile pursuits, and established an active, extensive, and prosperous business ; but his health would not admit the attention and activity necessary to its prosecution, and he resigned it to his sons. He took a prominent and active part in the establishment of the First National Bank at Olean, of which he still remains a director, contributing his full share to the sagacity and success that have distinguished that institution. When the oil development be-came an established fact in the Bradford district, and long before any successful experiment had been made north of the Pennsylvania line, Mr. Johnson persisted in the belief and declaration that petroleum would yet be found in pay ing quantities in the towns of Allegany and Olean. He manifested his faith by his works, and the event amply justified his prophetic shrewdness.
     Associating himself with a few enterprising neighbors. a company was formed. The first well in either town was sunk on land leased by him to the company, and the result was the fulfillment of a project which had been generally regarded as chimerical. This enterprise was the forerunner of the whole great and ex-tending development of that vast interest in this locality,-a development which has clothed an immense area of broken, barren, and hitherto seemingly worthless territory with enormous value, and is destined to add millions to the resources of that portion of the State. Since his successful experiment, Mr. Johnson has devoted his time and attention to that business, and is reaping the reward of his prescient sagacity in a steady and handsome revenue from the interests of which he is the fortunate proprietor.

     Although he never has been possessed by any ambition for office, preferring greatly the pursuit of a legitimate business and the quiet enjoyment of domestic life, he has taken, from the outset, a decided interest in politics. It was impossible that a man of his devotion to principle and capacity for business should be overlooked by his party. Entirely against his wishes and his protests, he was nominated by the Whigs, in 1848, for the Legislature, and although his district was Democratic by over three hundred as a current majority, he was elected. It is a singular fact that his brother, Marcus H. Johnson, nominated by the Democrats the same year for the same office in the Second District of the same county, was also elected against a standing Whig majority of about three hundred. In the fall of 1849 he was again nominated by the Whig party for the office of county clerk, and triumphantly elected over a popular Democratic competitor. In 1871 he was appointed .postmaster at Olean, performing the functions of the office most efficiently and acceptably till in the year 1877, when he voluntarily resigned. On repeated occasions and in many ways has he been honored by emphatic evidences of neighborly and popular regard, and it may be said of him, with perfect truth, that he has deserved and justified them all.

     It would be scarcely possible that a life so long as his, though its general tenor has been pleasant and successful, should be without its troubles and its sorrows. His wife, whose maiden name was Clarissa Gaylord, a most estimable lady, whose companionship and love for nearly forty years ministered incalculably to his happiness and well being, left his side a few months ago, and waits a reunion with him in another and a better world. Of his two sons, the elder, Henry, a spirit bright, gracious, and universally beloved, preceded his mother to that inevitable bourne whither we all are tending, and to which in a few short years she fol lowed him in the same path of faith worn by so many Christian feet. At still earlier periods of his history death was busy in his family, taking from his household four of his sons, each bright and full of promise. Mournful as his later life has been made by this domestic desolation, and in spite of failing health, he has borne the heavy burden with the uncomplaining fortitude that forms a conspicuous trait of his character, and he finds with his surviving son a home replete with comfort and kindly ministration. Neither age nor feeble health has quenched his energy or dimmed his interest in the occurrences of the time. None are better in-formed than he as to passing events. In every enterprise conducive to the public advantage he bears an active and influential part. In all the relations that man sustains to his kind, as an associate, a citizen, a trusted adviser, and a friend, he stands high in the general regard. The community in which he lives could better spare many a younger man, and this imperfect sketch will but echo the universal sentiment in closing with the expression of a fervent hope that he may long remain among them, a source of benefit to all around him and an embodiment of the virtue and intelligence of an earlier time.

     This gentleman bears an ancient and distinguished name in the history of Holland. The name in its early application signified land-men,-men of the fields, or camp-men. Van, prefixed, was intended as a designation of distinction or eminence which they, in common with other Dutch families, were supposed to have merited. The name in its early spelling was with " K," and was pronounced " Fon-Kompe."
Three centuries ago the Dutch stood pre-eminently in the front rank of the nations of Western Europe, and among her citizens of note were Jacob Van Campen, Lord of Randenbrook ; Vice-Admiral Van Campen, of the East India Naval Squadron ; John Van Campen, commanding one of Admiral Van Tromp's ships in the war with England ; Lieu-tenant Lambert Hendrickson Van Campen, in the West India naval service ; John Nicholas Van Campen, Governor of Curacoa, one of Holland's West India dependencies ; and among the more recent of Holland's honored names are Nicholas Godfried Van Campen, the son of a florist, who, by his own efforts, rose to the Lecturate of the German Language and Literature in the University of Linden, and afterwards to the Professorship of Dutch History and Literature in the Amsterdam Athenaeum, a celebrated old school, enjoying the same rank as the Linden University. He was a great scholar and a laborious writer, mainly in the domain of history. His historical works enumerate in all nearly sixty volumes, while he translated numerous works from both ancient and modern languages, having a knowledge of seven or eight foreign tongues, and writing French and German equally with his native language. He was a great patriot and a warm admirer of America. He died in 1839, and his son is now an esteemed and influential publisher and bookseller in Amsterdam.
The first of the name in America, John Aerensen Van Campen, farmer, arrived in New Amsterdam (now New York), June 19, 1658, in the ship " Brown Fish," Cornelius Maerten, master. In the month of March, 1662, his wife, Grietje (Grace), and his son, Nicholas, arrived in the ship " Faith." Soon after, John A. Van Campen and other sturdy Hollanders formed that wonderfully prosperous settlement on the Delaware River, above and below the Water Gap, including Minisink. They were followed by a very important and valuable addition composed of French Huguenots. They made treaties with the native races, lived in peace and concord many years, and until disturbed by influences beyond the control of the little colony. They followed with great success the peaceful pursuits of agriculture; they cleared lands and built upon them ; they erected saw-and grist-mills, and operated them ; they opened mines and utilized their treasures; and they constructed macadamized roads for the convenience of travel. For more than three-quarters of a century they lived in peace, and enjoyed the prosperity their industry had wrought, in happiness and contentment.

By the year 1750, such had been the prosperity of the Van Campens that they were the owners of large tracts of land on both sides of the Delaware, in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. In the adjustment, settlement, and disposition of various vexatious questions arising from their Indian neighbors ; the proprietaries ; boundaries, both public and private ; in provisions, both civil and military, the name of Van Campen stands conspicuous. Colonel Abram Van Campen, of Sussex County, who was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas by King George II., was one of the most trusted and honored citizens of New Jersey. His old stone mansion on the Delaware was the seat of unbounded hospitality. It was here that the distinguished patriot, John Adams, notes in his diary, after driving in his coach from home, on his way to Philadelphia, that, "when he arrived on the Delaware, he always stopped several days to rest with 'Squire Van Campen."

On the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware were settled several members of the family,-Jacob, Aaron, John, and Cornelius Van Campen, the latter the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. In the conflicts which Pennsylvania encountered with the Connecticut colony on the Susquehanna all of these brothers were conspicuous, and always as the true, wise, and trusted adherents of Pennsylvania's finally-successful rights. Between the years 1769 and 1773, three brothers of the Van Campens, including Cornelius, were members of the Delaware Company, in opposition to the Connecticut colony, to settle upon the lands and maintain the claims of Pennsylvania under the grant of King Charles II. The fierce strife and often bloodshed between the Pennites" and the Yankees," as they were called, was continued, and only gave way to the all-absorbing struggle of 1776, and was followed by that relentless and barbarous system of warfare adopted by England in employing the savage Indian as her allies.
In common with others, all the resources, tact, courage, and endurance of the Van Campens was offered on the common altar of defense and patriotism.

On the 28th of March, 1780, while Cornelius and his brother were preparing to rebuild their farm buildings, before burnt by the Indians, a party of ten of these savages made a stealthy and sudden descent upon them. First killing Jacob, they secured his young son and Peter Pense, and then cautiously advancing to the farm of Cornelius, who was aided by his elder son, Moses, and younger son, Nicholas, suddenly sprang upon them, running a spear through the father and tomahawking Nicholas. An Indian made a spring at Moses, who dexterously parried the spear aimed at him, and was shielded by one of the Indians, who was attracted by his coolness and skill, his life thereby being
saved. Thus suddenly two families were left fatherless, Cornelius leaving five sons (besides he who was slain) and four daughters. Benjamin, the father of he who forms the subject of this biography, being the youngest. then a little past two years of age. By this catastrophe a happy and united family was broken up, the remaining members never afterwards being united in one household. The mother, with the younger members of the family, returned to the Delaware re, the home of her childhood and of her venerable and respected father, Moses De Pew.
J. F. Meginniss, in his "History of the West Branch," published in 1857, after several references to the exploits of the Van Campens, says, " Nearly all the old people yet living on the West Branch are familiar with the names of Moses and Jacobus Van Campen. They were remarkable adventurers as well as noted Indian killers, and distinguished themselves in many a bard-fought battle. Their services were very valuable in the protection of the frontiers."

In the moving tide of population in the year 1796 was founded that heroic settlement on the western verge of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, in township No. 4 of the seventh and last range west, consisting in that and the following year of fifteen families from Eastern Pennsylvania, in which came Rev. Andrew Gray, a Scotch Presbyterian, and son-in-law of the lamented Captain Lazarus Stewart, who fell at the Wyoming massacre, and his brother William, Major Moses Van Campen, and his brothers Samuel and Benjamin, Captain Henry McHenry and his brother Matthew, Joseph, Samuel, and Walter Karr, George Lockhart, together with other excellent material. Next to the felling of the forest and erecting their own dwellings, they built the school-house, in which they also worshiped God. In this house the aged and scholarly widow Van Campen taught school in the summer, and the Rev. Andrew Gray in the winter, and held stated religious services on the Sabbath. Of this and another settlement Colonel Charles Williamson, in a series of letters published by T. & J. Swords, New York, in 1799, says,﷓
"Of these begun in 1796 there were two worthy of notice : that of the Rev. Andrew Gray, who moved from Pennsylvania, with a respectable portion of his former parishioners, and a Jersey settlement on the head of the Canascraga Creek. Both of these exhibit instances of industry and enterprise rare as uncommon."

It was in the former of the above-referred-to settlements that George Van Campen was born, Nov. 13, 1817. His father beginning on seventy-six acres of land in 1796, with his beloved mother as housekeeper in 1797, with whom she remained until her death. Here he continued to live for more than fifty years, prospering, and accumulating four hundred and forty-six acres of land, mostly productive and adapted to agriculture. The son (George) remembers with pleasure the pride with which his father told him that he had never sued a man nor been sued on his own contract or obligation during a business career extending over fifty years.

His mother, a woman of great energy, industry, and deep piety, was the daughter of George, and the granddaughter of Hezekiah Saunders, of Rhode Island, both of whom served faithfully through the Revolutionary war, and were active in that memorable and closing event that brought joy to the heart of every struggling colonist,-the battle of Yorktown and surrender of Lord Cornwallis. Ile remembers his grandfather relating that so chagrined were the British officers on marching out to surrender that they tore their hair from their heads, and that George Washington's colored body-servant felicitously said of Cornwallis to his master, " Massa, he no more Cornwallis, he Cobwallis."

Here, in the midst of these favorable surroundings, his early years were spent, commencing school in the sixth and continuing until the close of his fifteenth year, and by earnest study and close application laid the foundation for his most cherished purpose, a thorough and liberal education. In the month of November of that year a sad bereavement fell on his father's family. His older brother, the first-born of his mother, aged seventeen, and his sister, next younger, aged thirteen, died within twelve hours of each other.

These melancholy events made necessary a complete change of his youthful plans. He was then the oldest son at home; his father, in addition to his large farm, had, in 1826 to 1828, organized under the post-office department a system of postal service for the easterly part of Allegany, parts of Steuben and Livingston Counties, which contracts he held until 1842. For nearly six years he had charge of this service, its quarterly collections, its reports and correspondence with the department at Washington. During these years all his spare time was devoted to study, mostly under the direction of that celebrated instructor, Rev. Moses Hunter, founder afterwards of a noted school at Quincy, Ill.

These now much-prized engagements brought him largely in contact with the leading business and public men of the time. Spending several years after his majority in a general merchandising establishment, on the 25th day of December, 1843, he made his first engagement in Randolph, in this county, where he continued in the same business until 1851, when he exchanged his real estate for timber lands in Allegany, where he removed and continued his business, adding lumbering and the buying and selling of real estate, succeeding in the year 1856 to the contract of purchase made by Rev. John Doran with the late Judge Benjamin Chamberlain and Hon. E. Harman. of over eleven thousand acres of land, to which afterwards he devoted his time, giving up his merchandising to his ever trusted and respected clerk, partner; and friend, Adelbert EI. Marsh.

On the 1st of March, 1869, he removed to Olean, where he has since continued to reside, continuing the same pursuits ; owning with his sons, James K. and George, Jr., the Olean House, managed by his sons.
In the year 1845 he made the acquaintance of Sophia T. King, then a pupil in the Leroy Seminary, now Ingraham University, to whom he was married on the 4th of August, 1847. She was the daughter of the late Anson and Sophia King, who in their early years came with their respective parents, about the beginning of the century, from the New England States to Ontario County. Her grandfather, Gideon King, from Massachusetts, in company with Zadock Granger, purchased twenty thousand acres of land, which tin sold afterwards successfully. Her grandfather, Isaac Stone, from Connecticut,-her grandmother Parthenia

Stone being the daughter of David Dudley, of Guilford, and sister of Mrs. Rev. Timothy Field, mother of the four well-known brothers, Field ; David Dudley Field being the oldest. They have been blessed with eight children,
-    five daughters and three sons : James King, born in 1851 ; George, Jr., in 1854; Benjamin. in 1866 ; and Josephine Maria, in 1868. Four daughters dying in infancy and childhood. Mrs. King, by her first husband, was the mother of Hon. Marcus H. and Colonel James J. Johnson.
For more than forty years he has been an active and deeply-interested participant in the stirring and momentous events of those years. Always a thorough Democrat in the best sense of that much-abused term,-never a partisan,
-    always asserting the right and exercising the freedom to act with that organization which seemed to him at the time most likely to promote the greatest public-good.

In the struggle of 1860 he took the middle ground, sup-porting the Douglas ticket, but afterwards, when the country was threatened with dissolution and disintegration, his whole energy and efforts were at once and unhesitatingly thrown in favor of any and every sacrifice-to the last man and dollar-for the maintenance of the supremacy and integrity of the Union.

He was, in the early part of 1363, offered a special consulate by the lamented Lincoln, at Liege, Belgium,-a city of over 100,000 inhabitants, manufacturing almost exclusively arms. This he accepted, and was commissioned under date of Feb. 19, 1863, and was accredited by Leopold, King of the Belgians, which position he held until there was no further need of such consular service.
In the spring of 1867 he was elected one of four from the Thirty-second Senatorial District as a member of the convention to revise and amend the constitution. The convention met on the first of June, and continued in session, having two recesses, until the last day of the next February.

The convention took high rank as a learned, laborious, and painstaking body. Almost all its important provisions have since been adopted, becoming a part of the fundamental law.

The Van Campens have been for generations Dutch Re-formed or Presbyterian. Such was the religious denominational conditions surrounding his early years, to which lie recurs with pride and gratitude.

Although such have been his highly-prized associations, yet in no element of his nature is he sectarian, holding firmly to that catholic declaration, that "in every nation, he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness is accepted of Him ;" and, as the sum of Christian philosophy, that "all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."

Finally, the inspirations of his nearly fifty years of active life have not been riches or honor, but those fields offering the greatest opportunity of usefulness, and the labors and duties the most difficult, were to him the most attractive.

     In the various departments of business none require more tact and energy or a closer application than that of which W. H. Mandeville is pre-eminently the representative in this vicinity. The difficulties in the way of success in this line of business are manifold, and to many insurmountable. Among the greatest of these is the competition that characterizes all branches of insurance, which, by unscrupulous and financially worthless companies, is carried to such an extent that it requires the finest sort of executive ability, coupled with shrewdness and an indomitable will, to accomplish results even bordering on success. Therefore, when we encounter a man who has achieved not only more than ordinary success, but also a creditable and extended reputation, it is nothing less than his due to place him in a prominent position among the very best business men in the community in which he lives. Such a position we unhesitatingly assign the subject of this sketch.

     William H. Mandeville was born at Millport, Chemung Co., N. Y., Aug. 15,1841. He is the son of John D. Mandeville, for some years a prominent merchant, and latterly a well-known insurance agent, who died in Olean, in 1867. In 1847, Mr. Mandeville removed with his parents to New York City, and from thence to Belmont, Allegany Co., in 1851. At the public schools of these two places he obtained what little of literary education he ever had, except a brief period at an academy. The requisite general commercial knowledge he has gained by observation and practical application, and by the same means has also added materially to his literary attainments. In 1858 he went to Almond, and entered the mercantile establishment of H. W. Crandall, where he remained for about one year. Returning to Belmont, he entered the store of John Thompson, with whom he stayed two years. In June, 1861, he removed to Hornellsville, and engaged with Martin Adsit, a prominent merchant of that place. This engagement terminated in 1863, and he returned to Belmont and became associated with his father in the insurance business, under the firm-style of J. D. Mandeville & Son. In 1865 they removed to Olean, where they continued a successful and growing business jointly until 1866, when-the firm became J. D. Mandeville & Sons, and so continued till the death of the senior partner, which, as before stated, occurred in 1867. The business was afterwards continued under the name of Mandeville Bros. In September, 1869, his brother retired from the firm, since which W. H. Mandeville has conducted the business alone. He now does the most extensive insurance business in Western New York. He represents fifteen companies, the financial solidity of which is above cavil or doubt. Of this, the promptitude with which they pay their losses is a sufficient guarantee. Mr. Mandeville has paid out for losses by fire more than half a million of dollars, and in the thirteen years he has been doing business in this vicinity he has had but three contested losses, and they were dishonest ones, as one was proven to be at the time; and subsequent developments in the other two showed his status in the suits to have been correct. The Cattaraugus County Board of Underwriters, recognizing Mr. Mandeville's aptitude for the position, elected him their president, which office he has since retained. He was also chosen to the same position in the McKean County (Penna.) Board, and served with eminent satisfaction. At the organization of the Olean Library Association, he was elected secretary; in 1873 he was chosen president; elected to the same office again in 1875, 1877, and 1878, now occupying the position for the fourth time. In 1876 he was made Chairman of the Centennial Committee of Arrangements for the Celebration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence. In 1877 he was elected Chief of the Olean Fire Department, and re-elected in 1878.

On the 22d of August, 1872, he married Miss Helen L. Eastman, daughter of W. W. Eastman, Esq. They have one son, "the image of his father" and the joy of the household.

    Mr. Mandeville is comparatively a young man, who has much of his life's history yet to make. We can say of him, however, and that, too, without undue praise, that he possesses the requisite qualifications for a successful business man, —tact, energy, industry, and, above all, unswerving personal integrity. These, joined to a commendable ambition, never fail of the most flattering ultimate results.

    The subject of this sketch was born in Jerusalem, Yates Co., N. Y., Nov. 14, 1847.   After receiving the rudiments of his education at a common school, he entered the Penn Yan Academy, in his native county, where he remained two years.  He then, in the year 1863, laid aside text-books and engaged as an apprentice in the office of the Yates' County Chronicle, S. C. Cleveland, publisher.

    In March, 1864, he entered the office of the Angelica Reporter, then published at Angelica, Allegany Co., and the following year became  In November, 1870, he became sole editor and proprietor of the Angelica Reporter, and soon after removed the office to Belmont, the “hub” of Allegany County, at the same time changing the name of the paper to The Allegany County Reporter, thereby enlarging its sphere of usefulness.

    Jan. 1,1872, he purchased the office of The Olean Times. and published The Allegany County Reporter and The Olean Times in conjunction until 1874, when he disposed of the Reporter establishment to a stock company, retaining one-half interest, and filling the station of editor-in-chief.

    The same year a consolidation was effected with the Wellsville Times, and the enlarged and improved Allegany County Reporter made its first appearance in Wellsville, January 21 of that year, where it is still published, under the same title.

    In 1875 he fitted and furnished the office of the Northern Tier Reporter, at Port Allegany, now successfully operated by A. J. Hughes, editor and proprietor.

    In July, 1875, he disposed of his interest in The Allegany County Reporter to Enos W. Barnes, since which time The Olean Times has received his personal attention, occupying foremost rank in the field of country journalism.

    As a citizen. Mr. Dickinson has an honorable reputation, and his course as editor and publisher has been such as to entitle him to the thorough confidence and respect  reposed in him wherever his lot has been cast.

    He became a member of the Masonic fraternity at Belfast, N. Y., in 1869, and has attained the rank of J. W. in St. John's Comnandery, No. 24, of Knights Templar.  He is also a member in good standing of Crescent Lodge, No. 60, A. O. U.

    The most pleasurable duty of the biographer is to narrate the principal events in the career of a self-made man, to follow step by step the various interests that, by persistent labor and unremitting energy, have been brought to a successful issue. As in the life of a nation, so in that of an individual, the march of progress is slow, but when founded upon the basis of integrity is sure of ultimate triumph, to the admiration of the world on the one hand, and to that of a community on the other. In the salient points in the life and character of Mr. Butler are presented many features alike worthy of notice and of imitation.

     Nelson S. Butler comes of New England origin, and both of his grandfathers served in the Revolutionary war, both participating in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was born in the town of Sanford, Broome Co., N. Y., Oct. 7, 1829. His preliminary education was received in a select school kept by a Miss Shipman at Binghamton, whither his parents had moved when he was about four years of age. He afterwards attended the public schools, and subsequently completed his studies under Prof.
William Gates, the well-known educator of Maine, Broome Co., this State, to which place his parents removed about the year 1837. Mr. Butler left school in the spring of 1845.

     Alexander Butler, the father of he of whom we write, was a tanner by trade, and later in life became a farmer. He was originally from Connecticut, but immediately from Otsego Co., N. Y. He was a man of eminent respectability, and by example and precept inculcated into the minds of his children the importance and imperative necessity of habits of industry and morality. His mother came from the good old Massachusetts family of Tarbell, and was a lady of great force of character, and admirably aided her husband in the correct training of their children. Under these influences young Butler developed into a stead and industrious youth, and the benefits of his early bringing up have been eminently instrumental in shaping his subsequent career.

     It was on the 12th of November, 1845. that N. S. Butler, then in his seventeenth year, embarked on the sea of life, his first active employment being in the mercantile establishment of H. P. Badger, at Painted Post, Steuben Co., N. Y. In this position he remained until the spring of 1852. During his clerkship he acquired a great deal of practical business knowledge, and by economy saved a small amount of money. When he attained his majority, which was during his engagement with Mr. Badger, he tendered to his father his savings up to that period ($150), as was-the custom with dutiful youth in those days, but his father declined to accept it, telling his son to keep it as a portion of his first capital.
    
      In 1852, Mr. Butler removed to Olean, and entered the store of the Smith Brothers, with whom he remained two years. At this time (1854) he had accumulated $875, with which, and some credit,—which he could readily get, for his honesty and steady habits were well known,—he purchased the stock of goods of C. H. Thing, and entered a copartnership with F. P. Thing, a brother of the former. This business connection lasted three years, when it was dissolved by the retirement of Mr. Thing. In 1857 he entered into copartnership with C. H. Thing, who also conducted a small banking business. During this year the store occupied by N. S. Butler & Co. was destroyed by fire, as also was a large portion of the business part of the village. Nothing daunted by this calamity, they erected a shanty store on the public square with a promptitude and dispatch that was creditable to their enterprise. Here they conducted a thriving trade until I860, the major portion of the business being transacted by Mr. Butler, his partner's attention being required in his banking institution. During the winter of 1859-60, Mr. Butler purchased the old Petrie store, which,. with his characteristic energy, he set about remodeling and enlarging. It occupied a part of the site of his present fine store building, erected by him in 1866. At the termination of the partnership of Butler & Thing (doing business under the firm-style of N. S. Butler & Co.), a copartnership consisting of N. S. Butler, Dr. A. Blake, and L. W. Gifford was formed under the old title. In the spring of 1861, Dr. Blake sold his interest to C. R. Hawley, one of the clerks of the concern, and the business was continued under the latter arrangement two years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent, and the business was conducted by Mr. Butler alone until August., 1866, when he associated with him H. C. Miller, one of his former clerks. The style of the firm was then changed to Butler & Miller, and so continued until 1872, when Mr. Miller retired and removed to Williamsport, Pa. In the spring of 1872. Mr. Butler took Messrs. William H. Stenson and F. C. Burlingham,. two of his clerks, into partnership with him. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Stenson retired, and the business of the establishment was continued by the remaining partners until Sept. 4, 1878, when Mr. Burlingham disposed of his interest to Mr. Butler, who continues the business alone.    
     In the fall of 1865, in connection with C. R. Hawley, he established a dry-goods store at Bay City, Michigan, under the firm-name of C. R. Hawley & Co., and in the winter of 1872 started a branch store at that place, under the style of F. A. Bancroft & Co., and in the fall of 1878 established a branch store at Alpena, Mich., under the firm-name of C. R. Hawley & Co.
     On the 26th of August, 1857, Mr. Butler married Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Aaron Wade, of Portland, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. They have an interesting family of three children.—two sons and one daughter. In religious affiliation Mr. Butler is a member of the Presbyterian Church, having united with the church of that denomination at Painted Post in 1851, and by letter with the First Presbyterian Church of Olean in 1852.
     The first year of his connection with the church at Olean he was elected superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which position he filled faithfully and well for fifteen years. He was re-elected to the same office in 1873, and elected each year successively until 1877, when he declined. In the fall of 1869 he was chosen an elder of the church, and has been elected each term since. In 1874 he received a certificate from the Normal Department of the Chautauqua Sunday-school Assembly, which was a fitting recognition of his proficiency as a Sunday-school teacher.
     Mr. Butler never aspired to any political distinction, his time and energy being required in his extensive business operations. The only office he ever accepted was that of village trustee, which he filled with fidelity to the best interests and to the satisfaction of the tax-payers. He was mainly instrumental in the establishment of the Bank of Olean, now the First National Bank of Olean, of which he has been vice-president since its organization.
During the war of the Rebellion the patriotism of Mr. Butler naturally led his sympathies on the side of the Union. In 1861 his partner. L. W. Gifford. enlisted, and was promoted captain in the Bucktail Regiment of Northern Pennsylvania, and three of his clerks also enlisted, leaving it impracticable for him to go to the front. But he gave freely of his means, and sent a substitute to represent him in the conflict, and his entire support and assistance was rendered in behalf of the Union Government.
     Mr. Butler is now one of the best business men in the county. His industry and enterprise are widely known. His success is due to his own exertions, and the uncompromising spirit of personal integrity that has actuated every movement in his business career. Possessing sound judgment, perfect knowledge of commercial transactions, and a determination to be eclipsed by no competitor, he stands to-day pre-eminently at the head of the mercantile business of Cattaraugus County. He has a true sense of moral obligation, and a due and unswerving faith in providential interposition in the affairs of mankind; hence his domestic as well as business life is above reproach, and as such a record of it ought to be preserved to posterity.

JOHN L. EDDY. M.D.

     was born in Rutland Co., Vt., Nov. 27, 1829. He is the son of Deacon John C. Eddy, who was a native of Rutland, Vt. He received his preliminary education at Ludlow Academy, Vermont, and his medical studies were first commenced at the Pittsfield (Massachusetts) Medical College, and subsequently at a similar institution at Castleton, Vt., from the latter of which he was graduated, with honors, in June, 1854.
    
     The year prior to his graduation he spent in the office of the celebrated surgeon Middleton Goldsmith, M.D., LL.D., of Castleton. In 1854 he entered a medical partnership with J. M. Copp, M.D.,at Machias, Cattaraugus Co., whither he had removed in August of that year. In 1857 he removed to Allegany, this county, and ten years later to Olean. He has practiced his profession in this county for nearly a quarter of a century with marked success, and now enjoys as extensive a practice as any physician within its limits.

     On the 1st of November, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Elvire L., daughter of William Loomis, a prominent farmer and politician of Machias. They have had five children, of whom three—two daughters and one son—survive.
 
    Dr. Eddy entered politics as a Republican, at the organization of that party, in 1854, and has since remained an advocate and supporter of its principles. He has never allowed his name to be put forward for political preferment, rather choosing to devote his time and attention to his profession. Like all patriotic men and good citizens, however, he has taken an interest in local politics, and has evinced an intelligent consideration for the success of his party. In 1876 he was elected president of the corporation of Olean, to which office he has been twice re-elected. Prior to this he was one of the trustees of the village, and is now a member of its board of education. In these various positions, Dr. Eddy has striven to faithfully discharge the duties incumbent upon him, and that he has succeeded is shown by the general popularity he enjoys with all classes of the people.

    At the reorganization of the Cattaraugus County Medical Society he became one of its members, which connection he has since maintained. In religious belief, Dr. Eddy is a Baptist, of which society he is an active and zealous member. For a number of years he held the office of trustee in the society, besides other positions in the church government.

     As a physician and surgeon. Dr. Eddy stands at the head of his profession in Western New York. He has been a careful student, and has kept pace with the advancement in medicine and surgery that has marked the period in which he has practiced. He is rapid and sure in diagnosis, careful in the application of remedial aid, and being of a genial and kindly disposition, his conduct in the sick-chamber is characterized by a gentleness of manner and cheerfulness of mien that is oftentimes as efficacious as medical skill itself. As a neighbor, friend, and citizen, Dr. Eddy bears an irreproachable reputation, and as a Christian he is noted for his charity and benevolence.

     Among the truly representative men of Cattaraugus County, few, if any, have been more intimately associated with the material development of the county than has Hon. C. V. B. Barse, and none occupy a more prominent position in commercial circles, deservedly so, than he. His life offers a marvelous example of what well-directed energy and personal integrity can accomplish, and as such is worthy the emulation of others.

     C. V. B. Barse was born in Manchester, Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1817. He received his education at the public schools of his native town, and at the Penn Yan Academy. His first business occupation was as a clerk in the hardware-store of Morgan & Smith, of Penn Yan, in whose employ he remained about three years. He subsequently filled a similar position in the store of Wood & Seymour, of Geneva, and continued in the capacity of a clerk until he attained his majority. He then left Newark, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he was last thus employed, and came to Franklinville, this county, where he embarked in the general mercantile business on his own account, remaining in that business venture uninterruptedly until 1851. As showing the spirit of enterprise he always possessed, we mention the fact that, while engaged in the hardware business, he thoroughly mastered the tinner's trade, and became quite an expert mechanic. In 1848 he established a branch store at Olean, and on the opening of the New York and Erie Railroad, in 1851, he came himself to this village, and enlarged and otherwise extended his business.

     During his residence at Franklinville he became acquainted with, and, on the 7th of September, 1841, mar- ried, Miss Mary H., daughter of Aaron Wade, a prominent and respectable farmer of that town. This union has been blessed with three children, namely : Frances L., born June 20. 1844, married D. C. Lefevre. an extensive leather merchant of Albany; Mills Wagner, born Dec. 6, 1846; William Claude, born March 11, 1855; the latter of whom is deceased. His son, Mills W. Barse, is now the cashier and one of the directors of the Exchange National Bank, and is quite an active business man.

     In 1864, Mr. Barse visited Bay City, Mich., and while there saw a favorable opportunity to establish a hardware-store, which be did in connection with H. S. Morris, now vice-president of the Exchange National Bank, at Olean. They conducted this business with satisfactory success for five years, during four of which Mills W. Barse represented his father's interest in the store.

     In 1868 he received the Republican nomination and was elected to the State Legislature, and served in that position to his personal credit and to the general satisfaction of his constituents. We quote the subjoined touching his political life, from an article written by Colonel James T. Henry, who was, perhaps, the most impartial and best informed political writer of the county:

" We never regarded Mr. Barse as a successful politician. He had all the requisite ability to become a conspicuous leader, but, whether from timidity or an aversion to the ways and modes of politicians, we never clearly understood. We always gave him credit for an obstinate contempt for the tricks and devious manipulations of the active managers of his party in dealing out political preferment. His first political office—that of the Loan Commissioner of the county—was conferred upon him by Governor John Young, in 1847. He was subsequently re-appointed by Governor Hamilton Fish, and thus held this important position for four years. He discharged his duties faithfully, honestly, and well. Mr. Barse was appointed the first Canal Collector at Olean, in 1857."

"As member of the Assembly, in 1869, he took high rank as an incorruptible legislator, free from every suspicion of jobbery or class legislation. The two years he was in the Assembly—for he was re-elected—' The Tweed Ring' reigned supreme. All the measures for robbing the city of New York were perfected and became laws; but Mr. Barse opposed them all. While hundreds of thousands of dollars were prodigally paid to members of the House and Senate for their support given to these plundering enactments, Mr. Barse voted steadily with the minority against them. He obtained prominence as a conscientious, upright law maker, absolutely free from taint of corruption or the suspicion of it. During his service in the Legislature he was a member of the committee of ways and means, and notwithstanding the fact that the House was the second year Democratic, he retained his position on that committee, a very sure evidence of his fidelity to his duties thereon. After the close of his second term in the Assembly he retired to private life. In 1871 he was nominated by an irregularly-constituted senatorial convention for senator, and declined it; why, we have never been able to ascertain. Judge Allen D. Scott was nominated by the same convention, and by the same vote given Mr. Barse, and was elected."

     Another important enterprise which owes its establishment to Mr. Barse was the organization of the State Bank, in 1870. The bank begun business in the summer of 1870. with a paid-up cash capital of $100,000, of which six-tenths was owned by Mr. Barse and his son, Mills W. Since that time the bank has been under his personal care and supervision, and has been so soundly and conservatively managed as to secure the unlimited favor and liberal patronage of the best business element of the country. On the 1st of January, 1878, to accommodate its increasing business, and to conform to the popular desire for a uniform and national banking system, the capital stock was increased, and the State Bank merged into the Exchange National Bank, of which Mr. Barse is the president, and his son. Mills W. Barse, is the cashier and one of the directors.

     The general good fortune that has attended Mr. Barse in most of his business transactions, while bearing on their ever-successful issue the imprint of good luck, was not in any way accidental. It was rather the necessary consequence of untiring industry, good management of his interests, and. above all, a firm, uncompromising spirit of personal honor and integrity. When he began trade, the speculative tendency which has so conspicuously marked the conduct of mercantile pursuits in this country of late years was comparatively unknown. Capital was limited, business principles few and simple, and the standard of individual rectitude severer than we find them to-day. Hard and persistent labor, diligence, punctuality in fulfilling engagements, were the prime—we might almost say the only—factors of success. These Mr. Barse possesses in a marked degree. From his embarkation in business to the present his name has continued a synonym for excellent judgment and fine business qualifications.

was born in Chittenden County, Vt., July 1,1825. When about fourteen years of age, his parents removed to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and he attended the St. Lawrence Academy (now the State Normal School) at Potsdam, procuring his education with his own earnings. His father, John B. Blake, was a native of New Hampshire, from whence he emigrated to Vermont, and from there to St. Lawrence County, in 1839, where he died in 1840, leaving the duty of taking care of the widow and daughter incumbent upon his son, which duty the latter faithfully and cheerfully performed for three years.

 After leaving school, young Blake removed to Orleans Co., N. Y., and studied dentistry at Allison, where he practiced that profession about three years. He then moved to Buffalo, and established a route which included Aurora, Sardinia, and Olean, and traveled that, visiting the places named, as a dentist for about fifteen years. In 1859 he made his permanent residence in Olean, where he formed a partnership with Nelson S. Butler in the dry goods business, and remained in that about two years. He then purchased the mercantile establishment formerly conducted by Fred Eaton, in which he remained until 1864. During the latter year he purchased a hardware stock and commenced in that business, in which he is still engaged, in connection with a large furniture business, which he added in 1875.

In I874 he erected “Blakes Opera House,” at a cost of about $20,000. It is a fine building of brick, and is in every sense an ornament to the village and an enduring monument to the enterprise of its builder and owner. Its entire construction was superintended by Dr. Blake, and as a result of his industrious supervision it was completed and an entertainment given in it eight months from the time its foundation was laid. Dr. Blake has been actively engaged in building and real estate transactions from the time he first settled in 0lean to the present, and has done much towards the material development of the place.

In the great fire of 1866 Dr Blake lost $18,000, on which he had insurance of but $7000, of which he owed $3500 for goods, etc. At the end of thirty days after the calamity he had paid up everything, dollar for dollar, and had but a small capital with which to commence business again. Notwithstanding this misfortune, Dr. Blake has succeeded in establishing himself on a firm basis On the 1st of September 1858 he married Miss Anna M., daughter of George Bigelow, Esq., of Erie Co., N. Y. They have had four children, of whom but one --a daughter --survives The general characteristics of Dr Blake are his enterprise and personal integrity. He has always been faithful in the discharge of his business obligations, hence he enjoys an excellent credit and a good reputation as a successful business man. A fine illustration of the Opera House can be seen elsewhere in this volume.

     OLCOTT P. BOARDMAN, youngest son of Jehiel and Sallie (Hatch) Boardman, was born at Derby, Oleans Co, Vt., March 28, 1810, and at the age of four years his parents emigrated to and settled in Olean, N. Y., purchasing from Adam Hoops lot 1, section 5, town 2, range 4 of the Holland Land Company Survey, where his father commenced to clear and make a home in the dense pine forest that then existed on the north bank of Olean Creek, where his boyhood was spent.  He experienced all the hardships and privations of a wilderness home, which experiences had an admirable effect on his after-life and character.  He obtained a limited education by attending the district school a few months now and then, as opportunity and circumstances would admit.
    At the age of nineteen he engaged for one year as a clerk in the employ of Hon. F. S. Martin, who then kept the “Olean House” and was partner in a store of general merchandise.
    His next engagement was with G. E. Warren, a lumber dealer, of Pittsburgh, PA, during which he spent the spring and summer seasons in Pittsburgh, and the winters in the lumber districts of the upper Allegany, purchasing lumber.  In 1832 he repurchased the old homestead (hif father having lost title by the failure and bankruptcy of Hoops) from Frederick A. Norton, who had become land proprietor of part of the “Hoops’ Purchase” derived from the Holland Land Company.
    He was married Oct 3, 1833, by the Rev. Alexander Frazer, to Marcia P. Rice, second daughter of Luman Rice, of whom mention is made in the general history of this village.  She was born at Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y. May 8, 1815.
    They have one son only, Luman Olcott Boardman, born at Olean, Dec 16, 1835; married at Ellicottville, Sept 5, 1867, to Miss Emeline C. Bartlett, born at Olean, Sept 7, 1837, daughter of Joshua N. Bartlett, Esq.  They have had two children: a daughter, Marcia Rice, born at Olean, Sept 4, 1868, living; a son, Olcott P., born at St. Clout, Minn., Jan 24, 1871; died ug 1, 1871.  In the spring of 1870, Luman O. Boardman moved to Minnesota, where he extensively engaged in farming.
    Having made extensive repairs upon the premises re-purchased from Norton during the season of 1833, all was destroyed by the notable tornado of March 20, 1834.  With all his timber, of over two hundred acres, there was scarcely a tree left standing.
    The catastrophe left him comparatively penniless; but being neither daunted or discouraged, he rebuilt and repaired his premises, his parents, brother-in-law, and others residing upon it until 1849.
    From 1834 to 1849 he was engaged in the lumber trade, residing a part of the time in the town of Portville, purchasing lumber and running to the Ohio River markets, - Pittsburgh, Pa, Cincinnati, O., and Louisville, Ky., being the most important ones - and entirely supplied from the pineries of the Allegany River and its tributaries.
    Then in 1849 he moved on to his homestead premises, repairing and making it his home, farming and continuing in active enterprises as had always been his custom, and filling various public offices of trust.  In 1851 he was elected justice of the peace, and to other town offices at different times.
    From 1849 to 1853 he was postmaster; 1860-62, collector of tolls on Genesee Valley Canal, at Olean; 1862-66 assistant assessor of United States Internal Revenue.
    In the fall of 1867, with Hon. H. Van Aernam, the made a partial tour of the “northwest”, purchasing considerable tracts of agricultural and pine-timbered lands in the State of Minnesota, situated on the head-waters of the “Red River of the North”.
    He was an early advocate of iron bridges, (of which the town has three).  The first one was built over Olean  Creek in 1871, under his supervision as highway commissioner, at a cost of $5000.
        Mr. Boardman has always maintained and advocated temperance principles; has been a professed Christian and member of the Presbyterian Church nearly forty years; is now in his sixty-ninth year, and owing to an industrious and temperate life, bids fair to exceed the allotted span.
    He is now one of the town assessors, and also a member of the board of education.
    In the various stages of life, from his youth up, Mr. Boardman’s career has been marked by an enterprising spirit of progress and development; by a desire to promote the best interests of the town in which nearly all his life has been spent; by a firm and resolute will; and by an individual rectitude and integrity that leaves him an untarnished reputation and an exalted position in the estimation of his fellow-citizens.

 

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LAMBERT WHITNEY. M.D

JAIRUS BISSELL STRONG  

ANSEL ADAMS

REUBEN O. SMITH