Historical Wyoming County July 1958 - Old Fulton History

i STRyKERSVILLE SKETCHES
-Harry S. Douglass-
STRYKERSVILLE BREWERY
Scene in the 1880's. Destroyed by fire, 1909.
Where the headwaters of Buffalo~ Creek begin their north and
westward flow from the township of Java into Sheldon, the village of
Strykersville spreads its mile-long street along Route 78. A community
of some 500 persons today, in name, a memorial to a pioneer
who first cleared the forest at the site 150 years ago.
(continued on page 98)

Page 98 July 19 58
HISTORICAL WYOMING
Published quarterly at Arcade, New York, under sponsorship of the
Wyoming County Board of Supervisors, by Harry S. Douglass, County
Historian; Robert W. McGowan, Associate Editor, and Students of the
Arcade Central School Commercial Department.
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
Garrett Stryker came in the year 1808 from Richfield, Otsego
County, Y„, purchased from the landed proprietors of Sheldon a
lot of land containing 360 acres at $2.25 per acre. This plot was
in the extreme southwestern portion of the township along the present
Factory Road, running west from the village, and included portions
of the Charles Keem farm and westward„ By means of an axe he
cut a tiny opening in the forest where he built a shanty on the bank
of Buffalo Creek, north of where the Strykersville Cheese factory
later stood. In 1810, so states the family record, he moved with
his family, consisting of a wife and eight children. The youngest
child, called Martin, was carried by his mother on horseback a part
of the way. After preparing a small piece of land the father was
taken ill and his wife sowed it to wheat, harvested it with a sickle
and threshed It on a blanket,,
One morning the ring of an axe sounded through the vast forest,
a welcome break in the stillness and loneliness of the wild^frontier.
Upon following the sound to its source, Mr0 Stryker found he had a
neighbor, a Mr. Clifford, on the present farm of Elmer Torge, on
Route 78, about miles to the west. At the site of the village
that same year, I808, William Richardson and Philo Stephens are
listed as the only other resisents. Stephens lived opposite to the
Strykers on the west side of the road about one-fourth mile north of
the center of the village,, Mr. Richardson located his home where
Leonard Holmes now resides at the south end of the community. Timothy
Kirby, a very early arrival,located about one-fourth mile south
of the Baptist Church on the west side of the road. Calvin Rogers,
another pioneer, came in l8ll„
Garrett, founder of the settlement, found it necessary to go to
mill at present Griffin's Mills In Erie County, a distance of 15
miles, marked partly by blazed trees. This was a four-day trip.
During one of his early trips to mill, provisions gave out at home
and the mother curdled milk and crumbled in maple sugar to appease
the hunger of her little ones. Religious meetings were held in their
log house and she and her son Joseph were baptized In 1819 by the
Rev. Harmon, the first baptism that was administered in Strykersville.
Saloma Stryker, the mother, was the . "ministering angel" to
the sparsely settled region; it was she who nursed the sick, encouraged
the fallen, and assisted when death visited a cabin home0
When the Sheldon militia was alerted into active duty during
the War of 1812, Garrett Stryker marched with his neighbors to the
defense of the Niagara frontier. For years after the war the family
(continued on page 99)

July 19 56 Page 123
STRYKERSVTLLE SKETCHES (contj
ST. MARY'S R. Co CHURCH
Erected during 188 6
preserved a cannon ball which Stryker picked up at Buffalo the time
it burned0 He saw it rolling on the ground, it having been shot over
from Canada0 When the first postoffice was established in the new
settlement, the village and office took the name of its pioneer0 On
his stone, now fallen, it says of him, "The first settler of this
village upon which he had the honor of conferring his name0" He died
June 16, l8i|5, at the ripe age of 77o Mrs0 Stryker died February 26,
181+1, aged 64 years0 Beside them, in the pioneer burying ground,
were" buried three children, two daughters a nd the son, Joseph, who
died June 26, 1828, when but 31 years old0 His epitaph, reflecting
the sentiments of the bereaved, states
"This to the tomb her dearest half consigned
Two tender pledges by his side resigned
Afflicting is the widowed mother"s fate,
Alas to mourn her offspring and her mate0"
Of a family of twelve children b orn to Garrett and Salmoa, the
last surviving son was Martin, almost a life-long resident of the
community who lived just west of the creek beyond his father 8 s old
home0 Martin's wife was Cbloe Sykes, a native of Rutland, Vta, who
came to a farm north of Strykersville with her parents in l8l60 Her
family suffered the privations of pioneer living; the mother died
when Chloe was seven years old, one of six children of whom the oldest
was but twelve years, and the youngest three months of ageB
Neighbors furnished milk for the babe and if this WPS likely to fail
they substituted the Indian crust toasted and dropped in water.
Their beef was venison, when they were fortunate enough to kill a
deer, their mutton was the racoon, their veal the woodchuck, their
preserves were thorn apples and mandrakes0 When Martin and Chloe
were married in l835s they began housekeeping in a log home,replaced
six years later by a frame house,,
(continued on page 100)
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Page 100 July 1958
: — — —
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
f The Chansing Scene
Only fragments of information survive relative to _StryJcera(?ville's
formative years. According to the 1810 census;, but thrfie.
were living at the site, namely Mr. Stryker, Daniel H. Woos'ter and.
Lemuel Castle. It is known that Shadrack Harris was postmaster in
1830p and three years later total receipts at the office were $9,03
for a twelve-month period. It is said that the first grist mill,
erected on the west side of the village and run by water power was
built in 1820 by James Arnold, Calvin Kelsey, and John Wares. Back
in I81I4., Calvin Rogers and Jacob Turner had erected a sawmill. The
first distillery, operated by Mr. Richardson, stood opposite his old
home, while the first stock of goods was brought in during l8'2.7 by-
Isaac Bronson.
In 1836, it is stated the community had a grist mill, a carding
and cloth dressing mill, tavern, two stores and 15 dwellings. Seven
years later the Congregational and Baptist churches had been erected,
and the saw mill was in operation.
By the midcentury, the community included more than a score of
homes along its main street, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop,
three saw mills at water sites in the vicinity, a store at the corner
of Plant Road and Main, a grist mill in operation at the foot of
the hill on the road to the present cemeteries, a tannery, a school
at the site of the present building, two churches with parsonages,
and a postoffice. Strykersville became a busy trading center by the
Civil War days, had added a brewery and hotel to its business estab-
— lishments, offered the products of a shoemaker, cooper shop, harness
shop, and three emporiums offered wares.
The late Howard B. Bennion, Arcade, who lived in the village
from 1876 to 1919, prepared a memo of recollections some years before
his death in 1951. Then, as now, the village limits extended
about a mile, going south into the Town of Java about one-fourth of
^ mile;,,,the center being at the location af~dis-tri-et scho-ol an'd
the two portions being known as Up Town and r Down Town. Therpriginal '
frame school, long inadequate, was replaced by the present, .two-room
building, the old building was .sola at auction and bought by the Independent
Order of Good Templer's, ^BV^.^Vom^them passed int.o the possession
of the Odd Fellows. Several' years later ,r.:$he store keeper
at East Arcade purchased the building, demolished it 'and rebuilt
there and donated the Stryker svlOafr^ l^frld cfeo Mary's Church. Mr.
Bennion remembered that the site ®f a(?-ath

July 19 56 Page 123
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
OLD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Society organized 1825. Building dedicated
in 1835, Torn down during 1914
property was used, by several enterprises after Mr. Clapp, and wound
up also as a cider mill. By the Civil War period, Thomas Battendorf,
8 brewer from Prance, established a beer-making business at the north
end of the village. On April 10, 1870, the brewery, and adjacent
house burned at a loss of $7,000. It was rebuilt soon after by John
Metzer or Frank Glaser at a cost of more than $9,000 for a hotel,
barns and other buildings. There was a large hop yard on the property.
Beer was peddled in eights, quarters and halves as far east
as Hermitage, north to Cowlesville, south to Arcade, and west to Sardinia®
The product was aged in large hogsheads in deep cellars, some
one-half mile in length; ice was always put up in the winter in ice
houses, packed in sawdust, and when the season was mild with little
ice forming, the brewery would cut snow banks into squares to.store
in the cellars to save the ice crop. Mr. Glaser continued operation
of the brewery until August 13, 1909, when again fire swept the large
hotel and brewery; nothing remained but the hotel sign. The brewery
(continued on page 102)

Page 102
STRYKERSVTLLE SKETCHES (contj
was rebuilt and flourished but a brief time until Prohibition closed
its doors forever. Lastly, the buildings were used as a GLF branch
of the Java Village feed mill, then closed0 Cider was made there
seasonally alsoc Today, the edifice remains untenated, a mute reminder
of a colorful local industry,,
Richardson, Beebe Co„, East Aurora, erected a large cheese factory
by the l880"s, and was reported to have made 55 tons of cheese
soon after it was put into operation0 It was then one of six such
factories in Sheldon,, The Strykersville plant was quite properly
located on the north bank of Buffalo Creek on Plant Street (named
for a pioneer family)0 The old store at the corner of Main and Park
(now Perry), was first run by Hall & Stephens (within Mr0 Bennion's
memory), then by Joseph Stanton, a former Supervisor, next by Avery
& Fisher, John J0 Challis and others0 This store carried a general
line of dry goods and groceries and ran a peddling cart on the road
four days a week summers only0 Up Town had an undertaker and cabinet
maker by the name of' Philip Humbert, who looked after Catholic
people mostly,, On April 2i|, I883, a fire broke out in his place of
business„ Mr„ Humbert helped his wife and two small children from
the second floor, went back to get his papers, and fell, through the
floor and was burned to death„ During the same blaze the harness
shop and barn of Bc M„ Warner were destroyed,,
Joseph Fisher's boot and shoe shop was a busy place in those
days and he employed two or more helpers; Mrs. S„ A. Case made hats
and bonnets for the ladies; Truman Royce ran a marble shop, no granite
was used but marble and grey stone for bases and slabs; Amos
Fuller's blacksmith shop, about where the Legion building now stands,
had stocks for shoeing oxen as those animals had to be lifted by
these timbers in order to shoe themc An apple evaporator works was
put into operation on Plant street just west of the corner; it was a
sort of stock company and survived many years; in l88l, for example,
it took in twelve tons of dried apples0 Just east of Pioneer Cemetery,
on Perry Road, was a marble shop owned by a German,, North of
the village is Dutch Hollow Creek, which makes picturesque Johnson's
Falls, and here was located an important shingle mill„
The Town Hall
Residents of the village decided to build a Town Hall, funds
being raised by subscription and stock was given to subscribers at
the value of $10„ per share„ The building became a two-story affair,
the first floor was rented to any and all kinds of shows and entertainments;
the upper floor was rented to the Good Templers until
they bought the old school house, then the Macabees moved in to be
followed by the Odd Fellows until they too moved to the old school„
The Hall did not succeed and was sold for debts, and a part made into
the apple evaporator and other buildings„ Across the street was
the community's tin shop, started by X„ Marzolf, and in the upper
floor a photographer made tin types and other photos; the building
became a dwelling and meat market0 Mr„ Bennion remembered many of
(continued on page 103)

July 19 56 Page 123
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
STRYKERSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH
Founded in 1808. Organized as a
Separate Church, 1827. Present
Building Completed 1839
the emporiums of trade in the center of the village opposite the
Baptist Church and extending down Mill street to the cemeteries.
Carriages, sleighs and wagons were turned out by two shops, one run
by L. M. Fox. The Chester W. Davis general store carried a large
stock and did a lucrative business, being successively operated by
W. R. Hoy, Watson Brothers and R. J. Watson. This is now the Dole
store, Main and Mill streets.
On the southwest corner of Main and Mill stood the old Andrew
Kuster hardware and tin shop and Dutch grocery under the same proprietorship
where foods and beer were sold. Mr. Kuster erected a new
store which contained the postoffice, and he was elected as Supervisor
of the town; a son, Andrew J. Kuster, succeeded in business
until he sold his stock to Owen Berrnion, who was conducting a hardware
store opposite the Catholic Church. A new blacksmith shop stood
near the Baptist Church, run by S. Petz and later by Petz & Daniels.
Also opposite the Baptist Church was a saloon and near by a hotel
run by B. Marzolf, later by Michael Kirsch; the saloon was operated
by William Simons. South of the hotel was another carriage shop,
the last place of business until Owen & Howard Bennion built and operated
a furniture store, later selling carriages, wagons, farm tools,
fertilizers, etc. Howard Bennion succeeded as owner and continued
its operation until 1919.
(continued on page IOI4.)

Page 104 July 19 58
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
Mill Street, dropping sharply from Main and going west to cross
Buffalo Creek, was a beehive of industry for several generations.,
Conrad Hyman ran a grist and saw mill near the creek, and during the
early l880«s renovated the establishment at a cost of $5,000 to the
extent that his grist mill had a capacity for grinding liOO bushels a
day, and besides excellent waterpower hdd a steam engine for contingent
use, The Industry was later known as C. Hyman & Sons. Like so
many small town industries, it was burned not many years ago and not
rebuilt due to changing economic conditions. Across the creek was a
cooper shop whose history went back to Civil War days or earlier,and
one of the best-remembered proprietors was Peter Herrmann.
Some Lore of the Village
Every village has a history of humor and pathos, and an event
which Mr. Bennion well remembered occurred in a little Dutch grocery
up on Plant Street. The proprietor was Henry Mertges. This was a
favorite hangout for men who had time to spare, time to speculate on
the problems of the day, ears to catch the latest bit of gossip, and
inclinations to hatch plots on innocent victims. The story is that
the grocer got in a nice supply of small smoked hams, the aroma from
which was so enticing that aopetfites must be satisfied by hook or
crook. The best approach was deemed to be that of treating the proprietor
to a generous supply of local and Imported brew,and when his
powers of observation were dulled to enjoy a feast. No sooner planned
than accomplished. The hams, crackers and other dainties vanished
while the grocer played an unwitting host.
Recovering from the deception, Mr. Mertges vowed to even things
up. Quietly he bought up a number of dogs, killed them and smoked
the hams. When all was ready, he passed o c word that he had just
gotten in another nice supply of hams. The same gang gathered as
before, the host helped them to generous Dortions, and when all were
congratulating themselves that the fare was as delicious as the
first stolen goods, the proprietor quite casually announced the
nature of the second meal.It is said that he was nearly lynched by
the gang,but it is safe to assume that it was a lesson never forgottenc
In the center of the village lived Deacon Joab Wooster, a good
Baptist and a professional millwright. His labors took him all over
the countryside,his reputation being enhanced by his excellent workmanship
and the fact that he outlived six wives, the seventh having
survived him. His home is the present Kindel residence. Speaking of
deacons also reminded Strykersvilleites of Deacon Melancthon Abbott,
of the Congregational Church, and Deacon Benjamin Rosebrook who came
to town as a Bible tract peddler. Miss Marcia Robinson, a spinster,
decided to take him and he remained to add his voice to the choir of
the Congregational Church. All these men were pillars of their denominations.
Another odd man was Eri Balcom, a retired whaler, a
short fat man, who used to tell some tall stories of his early sea
life. Hiram Cobleigh, one of the men who manufactured carriages,
(continued on page 105)

July 19 56 Page 123
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
I aK BHHBK9HlliHHHH9EF ? JABI / . a* m ».
GRAVE OF STRYKERSVILLE ? S FOUNDERS
Still standing in the Pioneer Cemetery are
these memorials to Garrett and Salmoa Stryker.
used to tell tall stories, and was fond of sponging his tobacco off
his customers. Fred Lutenger, a German photographer, had a farm at
Hunter's Creeks, nearby, and would come to town to take pictures
three days each week, his first shop was Up Town in the undertaking
rooms, later Downtown in the Charles Spitz shoe shop. He must have
gotten discouraged as he hung himself on his farm.
One of the village's wealthiest men was Charles Richardson Sr.,
father of Charles Jr., and grandfather of the Richardson Brothers
who at one time made cheese boxes, apple barrels, etc. at Java Village.
The pioneer Richardson, who died in 186? at the age of 79 years, had
come to the site of the village in 1808, and settled where Leonard
Holmes now lives. He was a devout Baptist, but did "sample" the
product of his distillery occasionally, a practice that was frowned
upon by the members, and did draw official censure for his failings
of the flesh. He owned all the land east of Main Street and north
well beyond the Baptist Church. He gave the land for the church and
parsonage. In granting deeds, he deeded only to the east bounds of
the street from his home to the church whenever he sold off lots for
residences. He said he wanted to be able to walk to church on his
own property, and in addition, each purchaser of a lot had to agree
that he and his successors would keep all fences in good repair. His
distillery was set uo on his farm and there he converted grain into
whiskey which sold for about a gallon. While much of his farm
was in the town o^ Java, he also owned a large tra^t of land on what
was known as Saunders Hill, later as Marzolf Hill. He was so pious
that he would allow no work of any kind on Sundays nor permit anyone
to read except from the Bible or other good works.
(continued on page 106)

Page 106 July 19 58
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
Mr. Bennion also remembered an old Frenchman,Charles DeBancourt
by name, who lived on the Bartz road north of Plant's Corners. He
was a cooper by trade, also ran a small farm,was a tall man weighing
nearly 200 pounds. Every so often he would walk to Strykersville, a
distance of around four miles, and stay all day. He would go marching
home again singing old country marching songs as he was a soldier
when a young man. Amos H, Castle, Esq. was another of the early
settlers, very well off by the standards of those days, and served
as a justice of the peace for many terms. A familiar figure in the
vicinity was Chandler Barber, a surveyor, who traveled about in a
two-wheeled cart and made use of field notes prepared from those of
Joseph Ellicott.
Location of a cabin or home to a good supply of water was most
essential. There was always a good supply of water on the east side
of Strykersville where the first wells were dug and stoned up, about
three or four feet in diameter and some about 25 feet deep. Water
was drawn by an oaken bucket by means of a wooden roll run by a crank
and a two-inch wide strap;at the surface the bucket caught on a trip
that dumped the water through a spout and into the pail,all of which
was attached to an open rank or crib. Later chain pumps were used
with wooden pump logs of cucumber wood, in length around 12 feet,
about ILXIL, and bored with a two-inch hole. The logs were joined by
means of a wooden coupler bound with iron rings. Later, the same
logs were used in a suction pump operated by a handle and were known
as stock pumps. Subsequently, iron pipes were driven for water and
several flowing wells were located, some as deep as 127 feet, all of
which flowed for years. The usual method of locating a well was by
means of a crotch stick plan employed by certain individuals who
made it a business of locating water.
On the Harvey Stevenson farm on the west side of the village
was what was known as the "Robber's Cave," where it was reported a
local tough gang secreted their stolen loot. Mr. Bennion remembered
around the year 1883, it was still visible on the farm on the Creek
Road west of Buffalo Creek. The cave was west of the farm house at
the edge of the woods. It was a dug-out affair with a ledge of rock
overhead, and 75 years ago there remained a door of wood with a hasp
to lock the same; about were bushes which almost obscured the site.
Boys bent on exploring the hideout were shooed away by the owner. It
is said that the gang of thieves used to operate throughout the
vicinity, stealing almost anything that looked like profit to them,
including horses, cattle, clothes from a wash line, and made entry
into houses and nlaces o^ business. One of the gang, the only one
then alive,was one Beebe, an elderly man with a head of red hair and
a long heard. Apparently they were a clever group,able to move goods
rapidly from olace to place, disguise them,and dispose through other
underworld outlets. Whether they were ever successfully apprehended
is not known.
(continued on page 107)

July 19 56 Page 123
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
The Changing Scene
Strykersville was destined never to have a railroad connection
with the outside world, but stood ten miles from a depot in East
Aurora,eight miles from the Pennsylvania at Protection, and miles
from the Tonawanda Valley Railroad (Arcade & Attica) at Java Center.
In 1883, there was strong talk of an electric railroad line from
East Aurora, via Strykersville, Java Village, to Java Center, where
it was to junction with the T. & V. RR. The route was surveyed, and
much preliminary grading done with hand labor and teams and shovels.
It was projected further to Java Lake, where, it was thought, a busy
summer colony could be developed.
In spite of the handicap of no railroad,the community continued
to prosper as a trading center with three churches, a school, and
mercantile enterprises providing the more essential services and
goods. In the early l880's, so a news clipping states, the village
had not a single dwelling of brick or stone, but all frame houses
and except for very few, well painted and in good condition. Daily
papers in English and German, and 601 weekly papers, printed in English,
plus I4.I in the German and French languages were received at
the postoffice. Another contemporary account states that a large
part of the population then were born in the vicinity and resident
more than thirty years. The pioneers were nearly gone but their
original homesites were often occupied by their children. Interspersed
with this New England stock were Germans, many immigrants,
but a majority also natives of the region.
The columns of the Attica News recorded a Cleveland and Hendricks
rally at Strykersville in the autumn of I88J4.. In an apple orchard
adjacent to Frank Glaser's hotel was erected a speaker's
stand and picnic facilities were available. Although it was a chilly
Saturday, between 700-800 men and women rallied to the Democratic
banner. The Strykersville group, known as the "Sheldon and Java
Marching Club," received visiting clubs from Attica, Protection,
Varysburg, Wales Center and Cowlesville. A special train carried the
Attica club to Java Center, from which spot they were conveyed to
Java Village and there met by the Java and Sheldon boys, 80 strong,
which number was increased by visitors. At Java Village began the
march along present Route ?8 to Strykersville. The mounted Cleveland
clubs from Protection and Wales Center made a fine display, it was
said. The entire company moved four abreast to the music of Grover
Barnum's Cornet Band of Cowlesville. The band played during the
evening, and one of the finest things heard was the song, "Sweet
Galilee." Two or three speakers enlivened the gathering by speeches,
and the whole affair was deemed as enthusiastic for "Honest Grover."
That same year, the Olean Times reported "Quite an oil excitement
prevails near Strykersville. A short time ago Quincy Whaley
had a well drilled to the depth of 100 feet and found gas in considerable
quantities, while the wastes smell strongly of oil. There is
talk of organizing a company to put down a test well." We have no
(continued on page 108)

Page 108 July 19 58
STRYKER3VILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
further information on the progress of this "boom" but it is symptomatic
of the agitation throughout the area of Sheldon and Java to
locate oil or gas. Small quantities have been found as far south as
Curriers and in Humphrey's Hollow to the north.
The Germans who settled in Sheldon by the l830's were known as
the "Dutch,"but it was some years before they moved into what is now
the Strykersville area. They were mainly farmers, very thrifty and
excellent citizens. In addition to general farming, they kept sheep
and processed quantities of wool. During the tannery era, they repaired
to the hemlock woods and peeled bark. Their society centered t
about the church at Straub's Corners, at the crossroads store and
tavern, in the parochial school at the Corners,and at festivals and
customs imported from the Fatherland. German Protestants still
people the area north of the village in what is known as "Dutch
Hollow" and there a church, tavern and store existed from the early
days.
In the absence of any records, the earliest German residents of
Strykersville are believed to have included Conrad Hyman, residing
on the Mill Road, or Mill Street, west from Route 78 in the heart of
the village. Mr. Hyman erected a series of mills at a water site on
Buffalo Creek. In the Bartz Gulf, north of the village, and towards
Johnson's Falls, Peter Reisdorf opened a mill for processing timber.
Andrew Kuster was an early merchant and John Metzer was possibly the
first owner of the brewery at the north end of the village. In the
course of time, these families populated many homes and farms,but
they, too, have been replaced by residents whose roots do not reach
back into the historical development of the village.
The name of Col. Arden Woodruff appears among the annals of the
Strykersville area. He attained a reputation as an abolitionist and
was one of the local operators of the Underground Railroad which
aided slaves during their northward journey.His home was a "station"
into which were fed fugitives from stations in Arcade, Warsaw, and
Erie County.
Three cemeteries have been est'ablished within the village. The
Pioneer burying ground on Perry Road was in use as early ais 1811
when a daughter of Garrett Stryker, the pioneer, died Nov. 1st at
the age of three years. It has been said that a daughter of Lemuel
Paul was the first to die in the settlement but no stone remains.
This cemetery,surrounded by a crumbling wall of stone, is completely
overgrown with bushes. All of the pioneer dead were interred here
until the establishment of the present Strykersville Cemetery in
1867• As heretofore mentioned, Garrett Stryker and members of his
family are still' there,as are such families as Baleom,Arnold, Emery,
Farwell, McElwain, Mason, Moore, Olds, Paul, Potter, Proper, Rogers,
and Warner. Omri Warner of Massachusetts who enlisted in April 1777
for nearly eight months, and on several occasions after, is the only
Revolutionary soldier known to have been buried here. His death
occurred in the nearby Town of Wales, Dec. 20, l8i|l. Some bodies
(continued on page 109)

July 19 56 Page 123
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
were removed to the newer grounds and were found to have been contained
in old-style coffins, not caskets, and not in what was later
called an outside or rough box. An association maintains the present
village cemetery on Mill Street while St. Mary's Church uses an
adjacent plot for its dead. These grounds have been given such care
as economic conditions permit.
Strykersville Today
Upwards of 500 persons reside today in what could be called the
village area. Many new homes have been erected in recent years which
gives the mile-long Main Street an air of residential prosperity.
The once thriving shops and stores have yielded to the march of progress
and have gradually dwindled in number and complexion. Among
the enterprises today are a grocery, bowling alley and hotel, the
Hotel Crystal, a hardware in which the postoffice is located, a
garage, four gas stations, a monument sales shop, a radio repair
shop, a bottled gas business and a saw mill. Anton Johnson operates
a welding and tank construction business not far from where Garrett
Stryker first settled;and the Marzolf Manufacturing Company produces
egg washers. Patented in 1953i these "egg scouring machines, "were
the development of Norbert F. Marzolf who devised a novel device
that is sufficiently simple and economical to be employed by small
scale poultrymen. According to information filed at the time of
patent, the machine comprises a suitable housing with inlet and outlet
openings through which eggs are respectively fed and .discharged
one by one. Included are such parts as a conveyor belt, a motor,
and a supply of cleansing solution which drips upon an array of
fabric scrubber discs that act upon the eggs. It handles various
size eggs without sorting, turns them and washes them in a solution
not previously used.
Within the year past, Six Star Post 637 > American Legion,has
erected new headquarters at the center of the village, opposite the A
Baptist Church. Two churches remain, St. Mary's and the Baptist;
a public sschool with two teachers, and St. Mary's School are in
operation. High school students are sent by buses to Arcade and
Holland. The community supports through its Fire Department a " band
known as the "Band Excelsior," which makes appearances in parades in
the neighboring communities. Residents are members of the Java-
Strykersville Kiwanis Club. Michael Valente M. D. and C. J. Holden,
D. V. M. are available for professional work. The community telephone
system includes service throughout much of Java township and
is known as the Gladstone exchange with dial headquarters recently
constructed at Java Village. The Genesee Valley Bus Lines have provided
service along Route 20A for some years.
So continues life at the headwaters of Buffalo Creek at a spot
where a century and a half ago Garrett Stryker, a farmer of German
ancestry, first began to clear the forest on his 360 acre _ farm.
About lay fertile farms and as considerable traffic moves along
(continued on page 110)

Page 110 July 19 58
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
Strykersville 1 s Main Street it is evident that a small-town atmosphere
lends a quiet charm that is characteristic of many western New
York rural communities„ As the community reviews its past in a sesquicentennial
observance this July there will be an awareness that
Change and Progress will come in the tomorrows as in the yesterdays.
Strykersville Baptist Church
As old as the community itself is the Strykersville Baptist
Church, which originated about Sheldon Center the very summer that
Garrett Stryker purchased land in the valley of Buffalo Creek.
Church records open with this statement, "Sunday the 17 July Elder
Joel Butler preach®d and after sermon came Joshua and Susannah Gates
William Stancliff Sally Sanders and was rece'vd after Baptism Communion
in the Church.06 of August 1808 - the Church met inquired and
found the union good."
Sheldon's first and most prominent settlers were among the
founding group that gathered to establish what was called the Second
Baptist Church of Christ in Sheldon. Included were such families as
Marvin and Hannah Brace, Levi and Rhoda Street, he the pioneer mail
carrier; Deacon Seth and Abigail Gates, parents of the Hon. Seth M.
Gates, noted abolitionist and Member of Congress; Edward and Lois
Brau; Lemuel Castle; Sally Sanders; William and Lucy Stancliff;
Joshua and Susanna Gates; Robert and Margaret Carr; Job Matteson;
Catie Turner; Pelatiah and Affa Case; Bela Bibbins; Affa Loomis;
Darius and Elizabeth Cross; Ezekiel and Anna Harris; Ezra Luddon;
Elizabeth Rockwell; William Washburn;Justin Loomis; William Herrick;
Abel Buel; Sary Brau; Rebeccah Wording; Cyrus Andrus; Ammy Scovil;
Susan Dingman; Asahel and Sarah Hurlburt; Elias Gillet; Sarah Noys;
David S. Wooster; Mary Hubbard; Parmela Rawson;Polly Faunches; Capt.
Charles B. Street, members of the Hamilton family and many others.
This organization held its meetings at the schoolhouse situated at
the north end of the present site~of Strykersville and at different
places near Sheldon Center, and in the homes of some of the members.
From its onset,discipline within the group was strict and while
usually they "found the union good" there were discords. Gossiping
members were summoned to prove their charges; Sister Cathie or Cathy
Turner, wife of the first settler at Turner's Corners,was complained
against for allowing balls in her house and for "un-Christian conversation"
against those who leveled criticism concerning her public
character. In the course of the dissension it was thought that Mrs.
Turner, apparently a woman of business capabilities, ought not to
have acted in business affairs "as her husband ought to rule his own
house." She had brought suit against one of the members, an act
which was inconsistent with the covenant of the church. It became
a splendid tradition within this church and the Strykersville body
to encourage young men to enter the ministry. On Sept. 1, 1810, the
record stated "Br. Case Mod0 for the Day Br. Carr was cal'd on to
know his mind with respect to improving in publick 2 the Church gave
him leve to Speak and teach, in publick as his mind should be Led 3
appointed a Conference at his house on the 18 instant..."
(continued on page 111)

July 19 56 Page 123
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES Icont.)
October 6, 1810, at a meeting apparently in the home of Lemuel
Castle, Esq., "a number of Brethren from the first Church (Attica)
met in a General Meeting with us and a refreshing seson it was..."
This was the very first gathering of Baptist churches in western New
York and the initial step in the creation of the Holland Purchase
Baptist Association, which at one time included numerous churches
west of the Genesee River. On Feb. 2, Iftll, Seth Gates was chosen
as deacon and was thereafter, both in Sheldon and Warsaw, known by
that title. On the first Wednesday in June l8ll, at the home of Mr.
Castle, with Messrs. Carr, Case, Stancliff and Gates as delegates
from the Sheldon church, a Baptist Conference was formed, the formal
beginning of the Holland Purchase Association. On August 1, 1812,
the Sheldon Church set the yearly conference at Mr. Castle's in the
month of October. In subsequent months there are references to dealings
with the Attica and Willink (Aurora) churches. In November,
1813, the church met for business,but adjourned to attend the funeral
of Miss Fales. At "Candle light" the meeting resumed.
Military activities incident to the War of 1812 and the invasion
of the Niagara Frontier interrupted the serenity of the Sheldon
settlements. In December, 1813, it was voted that covenant meetings
begin at one o'clock P. M., and that members of the church "are at
Liberty to join in a society by the name of a. baptist religious
society." On January 9, l8li|, the clerk wrote "this Day was a Day
of alarm and greate fear of the British and Indians and no meeting
was attend.." Monthly meetings continued during succeeding weeks of
anxiety but no record was kept other than the dates and the usual
words, "the union good." Throughout the remainder of l8l!(-l5, until
the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, religious activities were at a
low ebb, summed up succinctly in the record (ij. of Novr.l8l5), "the
union good and from this to the 3 of June 1816 the Church was in
fellowship and kepp the stated meeting but reciev'd no Members..."
On May 31, 1817, upon receipt of a letter from the brethren in the
northern part of the Old Town of Sheldon, permission was granted for
them to erect a church by themselves.
Church financing in 1821 was determined by a vote "to estimate
the property of the Brs. of the Chh for the purpose of raising such
sump of money as should be thought proper by an average tax. Appointed
Brs. Buel and Stancliff to make the estimate." This was an
early recognition of the "ability-to-pay" theory of taxation. That
February the church voted to raise $1+5. to be appropriated for the
support of preaching by Elder William Herrick.
On Sept. 17, 1827, and "after hearing the Request of the Brethren
living at the South West Part of this Chh to be Set of as a Distinct
Body. Resolved to call a Council consisting of Eiders and
Brethren from the Chhes of Aurora, 1 & 2 in Sheldon Bennington and
Orangeville for the above purpose." Forty-eight members were granted
dismission, October 7, that year, as constituent members of a new
church to be known as the Wales and Sheldon Church, and with that
action,the Strykersville Baptist Church was born of the parent body.
Frequent meetings of the older church were held through 1836, and
but two items appear thereafter, the last, Jan. JLj., l8l|0.
(continued on page 112)

Page 112 July 19 58
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
From an 1871 historical sketch of the Strykersville Church, it
is stated that the first Baptist settler in the settlement was Deacon
Tilton Eastman, who located on the later Charles Mason farm,
about the year 1818. "he became the originator (under God) of the
first Baptist worship in this community, being a devout man and
fearing God with all his house. The neighbors were collected and
public worship was held in private homes and barns.Garrett Stryker's
barn, on the west side of Buffalo Creek, was used as a place of worship
for some time. Rev. Elias Harmon and Rev. Mr. Goodrich, were
among the first to preach the gospel to the people." The Rev. David
S„ Wooster alternated with the Rev. Harmon and supplied the people
from time to time.
The Baptist Church of Wales and Sheldon (the Strykersville
Baptist Church after Oct. Il|.,l833) was formally organized at a council
which met at the Strykersville schoolhouse with representatives
of five neighboring churches in attendance.Rev. Harmon was moderator
while the Rev. Whitman Metcalf preached the recognition sermon from
Acts 9, verse 31« The following November, the Rev. Daniel S. Wooster
became the first regular pastor. Fourteen males and thirty-four
women constituted the chartering group of the church. They were
Elder David S. Wooster, Tilton Eastman, William Richardson, Dexter
Bolkcom, Samuel Cook,Samuel N. Cook,Norman Besse, Peleg Havens, Jr.,
Charles Reed, Record Reed, Jacob S. Sisco, Martin Stryker, Amory
Barber, and Ithamar Ackley. Also, Salome Stryker, Sally Bennett,
Sibyl Lawrence, Laura Ward, Eliza Mason, Mahala Eastman, Hannah
Stryker, Fanny Richardson, Jerusha Stevens, Margaret Eastman, Lois
Eastman, Anna Wooster, Persis Westcott, Susan Aimes,Candace Godfrey,
Almira Moore, Lydia Havens, Harriet Lee, Sophronia Wares, Mary
Stevens, Betsey Potter, Alzina Potter, Louisa McElwain, Rhoda Lawrence,
Hepsabeth Warner, Fanny Sisco, Anna Stevens, Chloe Cook,
Desire Bolkcom, Susan Besse, Sarah Besse, and Roxana Cook.
At the first meeting of the new church, convened Oct. 5, 1827,
about a mile west of the north end of the present village at a
schoolhouse, five persons were received as members. Church and covenant
meetings were held variously in Wales, in schools in Strykersville
and near the present site of Java Village, known at first as
Gurney's Mills. In the fall of 1827, the church tried affiliation
with the Holland Purchase Association at a meeting in Pike Hollow;
it was also decided that a roll call of members be taken at covenant
and church meetings and those not present were to give a written
excuse for non-attendance. Tilton Eastman was named deacon and Nial
Eastman, clerk, that year. Tithes were levied in proportion to one's
ability, and for the two brethren not in agreement with the plan,
they were; permitted to pay according to their own pleasure. Arrangements
were made for bestowing "a reasonable compensation on Bro.
Havens for bedding and boarding Bro. Townsend while laboring with
them this season." Only male members were allowed to vote and church
business was to be conducted with closed doors. The first pastor,
Rev„ Wooster,was granted a salary of $50 per year for preaching onehalf
the time at "the Center," (schoolhouse), one-fourth time in
Wales and one-fourth in the south school near Java Village.
(continued on page 113)

July 19 56 Page 123
STRYKER SVILLE ^ TT1 ^S (cont.)
The church prospered in membership and Christian influence.
Like the parent church, the Strykersville group had to cope with the
evils incident to intemperance due to the large number of distilleries.
Men, after uniting with the church, fell back into tlieir old
habits and it sometimes became necessary to appoint a committee to
labor with these brethren, and, if possible, persuade them to return
and "Resume their travel with the church." Sometimes this was of no
avail and in a few instances it was the sad duty of the church to
withdraw the hand of fellowship from him.
November 12, 1831, Charles Reed was named deacon, and the next
July, Stephen Emery was chosen to the same office. On March 31, I83J4.,
the Rev. booster resigned, to be followed by the Rev. James Reed,
May I83U- "to May 1836. Levi Reed of the congregation was granted a
"license to improve his gift in word and doctrine." Martin Stryker,
clerk for three years,resigned and he was succeeded by K. B. Rounds,
who held the post from Feb. 17, 1833 to Sept. 17, 1853. In a plain
and legible hand, a r. Rounds kept a complete and illuminating record
throughout a score of years. In 1835, rt ounds was chosen a deacon,
also served as a choir leader and at his death left legacies to the
church and to missionary agencies. Back in 1035, a female "Domestic
and Foreign Mission Society" was aided in educating men for the ministry
and during the Civil .-Jar the group sent aid to the soldiers
and the Freedmen through the "Christian Commission."
Charles Richardson Sr., an early benefactor of the church, also
left legaci es amounting to $>2,500 to different benevolent Baptist
societies, besides giving $1,000 to the University of Rochester in
its early days.
A series of revivals and additions to membership marked the
pastorate of the Rev. Peed, while in March 1836, Articles of Faith
and Practice were adopted, and used for generations of members. In
February, 1836, a society was formed with the following board of
trustees: Charles Reed, Charles Richardson, H. B. Rounds, Dexter
Balcom, Calvin Rogers and James Stryker, The present church site was
agreed upon, Mr. Richardson donating it as his partial gift. Calvin
Rogers was named a committee to circulate a subscription for the
erection of a building, and in January 13-37, he was able to report
the promise of sums amounting to §2,5^-2.It was "unanimously resolved
to give the job of building the said meeting house, or house of public
worship,for the said Baptist Church and Society,to Calvin Rogers
for the sum of twenty-two hundred dollars ($2200),to be built fiftyone
(51) feet long by forty (J4O) feet wide, of good materials, with
a porch, session room, belfry and steeple; the whole to be well finished
and painted, agreeable to a drawn plan and written contract."
During the next two years the work was in progress. Although the
church had applied to the Holland Purchase Association the year of
its formation, it was affiliated with the Genesee River Association
until September 1836, when it was admitted to the Holland group at a
time when it reported 119 members. The Rev. Edward Covel served the
church briefly through 1336-37, when he left and the Rev. Sliada
Blakesley preached for nine months after January, 1838, salary $300
per year.
(continued on page II.L4.)

Page 114 July 19 58
STRYKERSVTLLE SKETCHES (cont.)
Dedication of the Church
The builder,Mr. Rogers, having advised that the church was completed
early in 1839, plans were set for its dedication. It is presumed
that Mr. Rogers followed a usual custom of standing on his
head at the highest part of buildings erected by him; at least that
tradition has persisted concerning other edifices erected by him.
The l8th of April was a day set apart for the consecration of the
church. Rev. Whitman ^etcalf of Sardinia led with the invocation;
and also gave the dedication prayer and sermon from Psalms 26, verse
eight. Congregational singing and group numbers by the choir provided
the ministry of music. It was voted to hold monthly covenant
meetings on the first Saturday before the first Sunday cf each month,
a practice continued well into the 20the century.
With a new church, the congregation was without a pastor until
the engagement of the Rev. Dexter P.Smith during the summer of 1839.
He was a man of strong faith and great zeal and during the six years
of his pastorate, he baptized 132 persons. On a single day, after
revival meetings in neighboring schoolhouses, there were 92 standing
in the aisles of the new church waiting to receive the hand of
fellowship from the pastor. During the winter of I8I4.I-J4.2, Amy J.
Barber described the situation thus: "Sabbath after Sabbath in midwinter
the Buffalo Creek was visited where Elder Smith baptized men
and women, boys and girls, old and young. In order to do this it
was often necessary to cut holefe in the ice, but these people cared
little for the cold,for their hearts were burning with divine love."
Of the converts that season, four were destined to enter the ministry
of the Baptist denomination:Rev, Darius Paul went to the mission
field in eastern Iowa where he served churches i'or more than twenty
years; the Rev. Alfred B. Sai-terlee died in the mission field in
India; Rev. Charles Read served several churches but died young also,
while the Rev. Daniel Read, D.D. became president of Shurtleff College,
Alton, Illinois for several years, was pastor of the Firs.t
Baptist Church, Brooklyn, and churches in Minnesota and Illinois,
and climaxed his career as pastor of the First Baptist Church, Los
Angeles.
Pastors after the resignation of the Rev. Smith were the Rev.
Chauncey Wardner, lol|.5-i(.7, during whose stay ten persons residing at
North Java were received by letter and at their request were then
set off as a branch of the Strykersville Church at North Java, and
Rev. Wardner preached there one-fourth of the time. The Rev. Harvey
Munger labored with the church from September ISI4.7, until December,
I8I4.8, when he left for the West as had Rev. Smith, He was succeeded
for a period of two years by the Rev. C. Garrison, who left the
church in the spring of lB^l. That same spring, Dr. James Ives was
selected as a deacon, an office he held nearly thirty years until
his death. He also served as church clerk and Sunday School head
besides being church treasurer for the last 25 years of his life. In
addition to all these other duties, he found time to take a leading
part in the church choir as a tenor singer. He was the fortunate
(continued on page 115)

STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
Page 115
possessor of a quaint old lap organ, which he carried to and from
each service, and which he pumped with his elbows while he played,
and added his voice to the choir. In l85l, a bell, costing $.300,was
procured from the Troy Bell Foundry and hung in the belfry, and in
September of that year the Holland Purchase Association met in the
churcho During the fall and winter of 1851-52, the Rev0 James Reed
served as supply pas tor„
On June 5 1852, the church extended a call to the Rev. A. S0
Kneeland0 His pastorate was extended to thirteen fruitful years
during which 158 were baptized.Within two weeks after Dec* 2l+, l853.»
$1,000 was pledged to erect a parsonage;the present site was secured
from Mr0 Richardson, and a $700 pastor's residence was put up„
For some years German Protestants hac. lived in the vicinity,,
During 1855, the church persuaded the Rev. Ar.ton Hausler, a young
licentiate, to work among them, and to support him for that purpose
for one year* His labors yielded many converts and the Strykersville
church continued its support until the spring of 1863, when the German
group was recognized as an. independent organization under the
name of "Holland German Church", with a meeting house at Hunter's
Creek near ?trykersvillea
The Rev„ Kneeland resigned in the spring of 1865, closing out a
most successful pastorate during which 151+ were baptized, 1+2 of them
being Germans. He had been assisted after the Rev. Hausler, by the
Rev. C. Rantz, who had immigrated from Germany and labored among his
fellow countrymen on the West Hill and at Hunter's Creek. Meanwhile,
three other Strykersville Baptists entered the ministry, namely the
Rev. Jonathan Harrington,the Rev. R. A„ Shaw, and Rev. Marcus Mason.
The Rev. Mason, together with his wife, went to Assam, where among
uncivilized tribes they erected a mission station. With the help of
another missionary couple, they began the translation of the native
Garc language into writing, and in turn into a native Bible. During
a visit to Anerica, Mrs» Mason died from the effects of her overseas
tenure, and she was buried at Strykersville. Rev. Mason returned to
the mission field with machinery and there established a native industrial
training school; in addition he invented machines adapted
to the needs of the natives. His sister later assisted himD
The successor to Rev. Kneeland was the Rev. Sc Keyes, who came
in May 1865, and after an all too brief pastorate died July 8, 1868.
The church clerk, H. M. Clark, died a few days before and the church
lost faithful pillars,but they had seen the renovation of the building
completed. For a time, there was no pastor, but in succession,
the Revs. George Lewis, J. P. Islip, Rev. P. J. Wardner as supply,
Ae Maynard until I87I1, Rev. R0 H, Colby until 1877 and the Rev0
Thomas Seyse were in Strykersville. September 26-27, l877,were the
dates of a semi-centennial to which former members and pastors were
drawns Record Reed was the only member of the church still in affiliation
after fifty years. In October 1883, the Rev. Seyse resigned
and his successor in l88i+ was the Revc D0 D0 Lowell. During the
(Continued on page 116)

Page 116
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
July 19 58
simmer of 1888, the new Baptist Church at Java Village was completed
and dedicated as a chapel of the parent church on October 25th. In
November 1891, about 50 members took letters from the old church and
organized themselves into the Java Village Baptist Church, and were
so recognized, Dec. 15, 1891. The Java Village church cost $2,500.
In May 1888, the Rev. J. Gilchrist opened a pastorate of nearly
2-g- years, and he was followed by the Rev0 W„ Ae Huntington, who was
the first pastor to be regularly assigned also to the Java Village
churcho After one year, the Rev0 E. H. Hovey served both churches
for two years and was followed by the Rev. J. J. Hammer. Rev. Seyse
came again in September 1897, and continued until his death in 1903.
Recent pastors have been the Rev. Alexander Dewar, 190lj.-08; Rev. F.
J. W. Chubb after May 1909; Rev. Alfred Jeffries around 1915; Rev.
John Bauer; Rev. Benjamin Croft for eleven years; Rev. David Thompson,
and lastly as supply, the Rev. Robert Wacker. In November,
1957, the last regular services were held, and with but fifteen members
left, it is doubted that the 150-year old Institution will ever
reopen. Probably the aggregate membership of the church would
approach 10,000, and few rural parishes can point to a record of
achievement insofar as membership going into the ministry is concerned.
The parent church, formed but five years after the first
settlement in Sheldon radiated an influence that reached into the
lives of many, and it is the painful duty of the present generation,
perhaps, to write the final chapter to a glorious history.
St. Mary's Church
For some four decades following the first residence of German
Catholics in the vicinity they journeyed to Straub's Corners, Sheldon,
to attend nass, and in the churchyard there are buried the pioneers
who left the fatherland to escape military conscription and
political restrictions of despotic governments.
It is written that in the summer of 1865* Bishop Ryan commissioned
the Rev. Martin Phillips to organize a new parish at Strykersvilleo
At that time, he was pastor of St. Vincent's Church,Buffalo,
and was chosen for the task inasmuch as relatives lived in the village
and they promised to board and room and assist him until the new
parish would be able to support their pastor. Father Phillips came
In November of that year and secured the town hall, which had recently
been erected, (no longer standing) for the use of the Catholics
of the area on Sundays. There he said the first mass, Nov. 8, 1885,
The services on this occasion concluded with the singing' of the hymn,
"Holy God, We Praise Thy Name",which expressed the jubilant feelings
of the congregation as they faced the future with the prospect of a
church and pastor of their own. On the following Sunday, Frank Glaser,
Andrew Kuster, Peter N0 George and Martin Winch were elected
trustees and preparations were made to erect a church.
(Continued on page 117)

July 19 56 Page 123
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont0)
The cornerstone of the new and present building was laid on the
23rd of May, l8860 The building was ready for dedication on the lj.th
of September of the same year and the ceremony was performed by Bishop
Stephan Vincent Ryan, DCD. of Buffalo, assisted by Rev0 J. Sorg,
the Rev. Dr. Hoelscher, the Rev. F„ Fromholtz, the Rev. J0 Reilly,
the Rev0 Tc Uhrich, the Rev. T. Voss and the Rev0 P0 Trauscht0
ther Phillips was succeeded by the Rev. Frank Trautlein,who remained
but a short time when he was succeeded by the Rev. Adolfus Bergmanns
and then Father Jac Bubenheim came for a short period,until the Rev0
Anthony Adolph was appointed pastor.
Father Adolph remained pastor until September, 1891, when Rev,
Aloysius Huber was named to the parish. As in nearly all the smaller
parishes, the nastors of Strykersville remained only a short time in
this parish, The.Rev0 John B0 Stemler succeeded Father Huber after
a few months, and then came Rev0 Gerard He Gysen. The Rev. Anthony
Adolph came for a second time,to be followed by the Rev* L0 Bastians
who remained until 1901o The Rev, Jacob Franz arrived that year,
organized several societies in the parish and was the first to advocate
a schoolo Ste Mary's elementary school did not open until the
fall of 1908 after the Rev. Anthony Veit became pastor. The school
came under charge of the Sisters of St. Francis, Williamsville, and
has been under their guidance ever s.ince0 Enrollment averages about
100 and demands a faculty of about three teachers 0 The Rev0 - Francis
Dehlinger became pastor in 1912, and remained until 1920 when his
successor was the Rev. John Marencovick0 During this 21-year period,
Father Marencovick organized the Holy Name Society. He left St.
Mary's in 19l|.X, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Charles G. Gampp,
organizer of the parish's Altar and Rosary Society. Father Joseph
J. Vogel succeeded Father Gampp in 19^6, and then in 19f?l he was
followed by the Rev. Joseph E. Kocher. He served the parish very
ably until his sudden death, Nov. 7, 1957. The Rev. Eugene Wagner
is now serving as parish administrator.
St. Mary's has a churchyard where annual picnics have been an
occasion for the reunion of former residents of the community and
friends of the parish. Doubtless at the formation of the church, a
cemetery was laid out just to the west of the Strykersville community
burying grounds. The earliest tombstone death found is that of
Andrew Kuster, who died October 30, 1885, a few days before the formation
of the parish. For some years the upper floor of the school
was used for public gatherings, dances and social events, but increasing
attendance at the school has necessitated conversion of
this facility into classrooms0
Strykersville Fire Department
At a meeting held in St. Mary's hall, June 11, 1913»the present
Fire Department was organized as a volunteer company to replace an
earlier unofficial fire brigade appointed at meetings of the community.
The first officers elected were James Barber,president; Charles
Kihm, vice-president; L. A. Phillips, secretary; and Howard B. Bennion,
treasurer,,
(Continued on page 11.8)
Fa

Page 118 July 19 58
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
Department officers elected Included David Carter, foreman; Albert
Glaser, William Hersch, Prank Smith and Ivan Richardson, foreman;
Mr. Bennion, Ernest Holmes and Elvan Richardson, trustees;Herman
Fromholzer, fire alarmer; and Rev. Fred Chubb,second fire alarmer.Other
charter members included Roy Watson, Edward Fontaine, Harry
Hersch, Floyd Musty, Jacob Kensinger, Albert Brass, Millard Holmes,
Paul Marzolf, Henry Keyser, Roy Richardson, Roy Carr, Charles
Keem and August Metzer. Early members included Father Dahlinger as
fire alarmer, Jacob Herrman, Charles Stryker, Frank Unger, John Kensinger,
Peter Kihm, Dr. Frank Paul, Herbert Merlau, Earnest Barber
and Maurice Brass. Dues were $1.00 a year.
Committees were appointed to produce a hook and ladder wagon,to
buy ladders, pails, ropes, axe pike and other tools necessarily connected
with the fire wagon. The total cost of these accessories was
not to exceed $60.00. Meetings were set for the first Monday of
each month and the practice has continued these forty-five years.
The salary of the secretary has continued little more than the $2.50
each year since 1913. An alarm system was devised, consisting of a
series of rings on the church bells,the number of strokes indicating
the part of the village where the fire was located. Fire laddies
absent without excuse were fined 10^ for each offense; drills and
marching practices were scheduled; and George Marzolf and Mr. Phillips
were instructed to build something in the shape of a sled to
haul the pump in case of snow. The first alarm answered was to a
fire at the home of Charles Hyman, and so states the records, "the
company gave a good account of themselves."
Beginning in September 1911+, it was decided to construct upwards
of three reserviors about the village as 'fire protection.
Funds were solicited for a downtown reservior.Apparently it was the
fall of the year, three years later,before one was completed between
the parochial school and the parsonage of St. Mary's Church. Meanwhile,
a whistle on the Strykersville Creamery was readied as an
alarm, and Feb. 9, 1917, the company purchased for $300 an American
LaFrance engine No. 10.
Talk had begun that a fire hall should be erected and early in
December, 1918, it was voted to purchase a lot from Frank Brass for
$100. Six days later the Strykersville Evaporator works burned to
the ground after the company had been summoned at 3:00 A. M. The
surrounding buildings were held safe, but the evaporator was beyond
help. Throughout 1919, the department resolved to construct a hall,
but the issue was not resolved. On August 11, 1920, the Wyoming
County Volunteer Firemen's Association held its annual convention in
the village. The ladies auxiliary, known as the "Helping Hknd Society,"
raised funds to purchase land for the fire hall. Finally, in
1921, a purchase was negotiated from Mr. Brass, and work began with
volunteer labor, July 9th. Later these donors were compensated up
to S0% of the usual wage scale, and during 192ij.-25» the upstairs
meeting room was completed. On Dec. 8, 1925, the department purchased
for $5,100 a pumper and chassis,and the hall was wired for electricity
the following year.
(continued on page 119)

July 19 56 Page 123
STrtYK.;RSVILLS blOiTCHES (cont.)
Today, the Department consists of two high pressure pumpers and
an ambulance equipped with an inhalator and respirator, the later
handled by an emergency squad of the 75-man company. A portable generator
is In readiness. The fire district covers all of the town of
Java west of the Cattaraugus Road, the village of Strykersville, and
in Sheldon township south of Ambrust Road and area west of Prink's
Corners, to the Erie °ounty line on Koute 78, and west into the Town
of Holland. At two A. M. one day in 19^9, the Phillip's blacksmith
shop beside the Fire Hall burned and in turn set the hall aflame.
Only by sheer luck was the equipment saved and the damage to the
hall limited to ;,p2,500. Besides the Kihm Evaporator fire, above mentioned,
the destruction of Hyman's feed mill in the village rates as
a major confragation since the formation of the department. A call
was answered at the time of St. Patrick's Church fire in 1923 at
Java Center and to numerous farm fires in the vincinity.
Congregational Church of Strvkersville
Organized on the 3rd day of October, 1825, the Second Church of
Christ of Sheldon became known in later years as the Strykersville
Congregational Church. The society came into being at the request
of members of the Sheldon First Church, at Humphrey's Hollow, who
were resident in the southwest part of the township and desired a
house of worship more conveniently located to their homes. The Presbytery
of Geneva granted its consent and the Rev. Hugh Wallis was
named as commissioner to organize the new church, if thought expedient
to do so.
The Rev. Wallis found that circumstances were such that a new
church should be formed with the following as constitutent members:
Daniel Smith, Omri Warner, Elijah Smith, Social Rolph,Nathan Warner,
Samuel Kelsy, Miio Warner, Justus Ward, Betsey Keisey, Betsey Olds,
Martha Warner, Cynthia Tiim, Lucy Grover, Electa Smith, Candace
Waterman, Mary Loomis and Silence Ward. These persons gave their
assent to articles of faith and a church covenant and were declared
to be a regular church. Milo Warner was selected as deacon and Omri
Warner as clerk. The church conu±u^: to worship in the old. Strykersville
school house and in private home until December 30, 1835,
a day when their new meeting house was dedicated and the church entered
upon a series of daily meetings during which there were a considerable
number added to the membership. Officially, the body was
always known as "The Concord Society of Strykersville," having been
so incorporated, Jan. 11\., 183^.
The church had a half-century of varying success, but beginning
about 1883, there was considerable informal discussion that the
church be removed from Strykersville wiere there had been a decrease
in numbers and a decline in financial support. The regular 1883
annual meeting voted to instruct the trustees to procure a court order
for the sale of the society's property in Strykersville with a
view of removal to Java Village. Due to protests from members in
Strykersville, the matter was placed in the hands of a referee. A
ruling was made that the legal trustees up to Jan. 1, i88if, were
Myron Warner, R. H. Smith, and L, M. Fox and they continued as
(continued on page 120)

Page 120
STRYKERSVILLE SKETCHES (cont.)
July 19 58
trustees into 1885 and their legally elected successors then took
office,, Meetings were held by opposition groups and the matter took
on the complexion of a complicated legal tangle, each side claiming
to be the legally constituted church. The pastor was then the Rev.
William B. Mucklow.
In January 18814.,the trustees posted public notice that services
would be moved to Java Village the .following Sabbath, and on the
20th of that month they were so held by the trustees, pastor and
others on the alleged ground that they were dispossessed of their accustomed
place of worship. A minority continued to sustain worship in
the Strykersville Church, and the membership rolls held names of
persons worshipping at both places0
The matter dragged through the courts and church councils until
July 20, 1886, when an Ecclesiastical Ex-parte Council was convened
to advise on the dispute. The council, represented by clergymen from
churches in western New York advised that the Java Village group be
entitled to the records and all property peculiar to the ch-urch, as
distinguished, from the society0 The Java group was urged to incorporate
, and the parsonage and barn and lot in Strykersville,together
with the Warner Legacy, be their property. The Strykersville group
was to be known as the Congregational Church in Strykersville and
they were to retain the meeting house and lot. It was further recommended
that all suits be withdrawn and that Christian charity be extended
to all factions in the strife. The council did not sanction
some of the methods taken by the minority to achieve their rights.
Necessary enabling legislation to carry out the recommendations was
signed by the Governor more than a year later. It is said that the
parsonage burned. The Java Village Congregational Church was formally
separated from the parent group, January 20, l88i|_.
Following the division of the church, membership in the old
church averaged about fifty. In January 1888, the Concord Society
approved the transfer to the Java Village group of the parsonage,
lot and the legacy. Five years later, Jan. 9, 1893* a new constitution
was adopted. For some years there was Irregular preaching. The
church sheds were used by communicants of nearby St. Mary® s and apparently
by the public, as the records show concern over their care.
During the 1898-1900 period, repairs were made to the interior, the
old organ sold, and new one purchased for $100. The Rev. Edward
Roberts, pastor of the Curriers and Java Village churches supplied
for several seasons. The last meeting of records came January 20,
1906, a time when around thirty-three were on the church roll.
Gradually, we are informed, the congregational body was dissolved
as members died or removed from the community» Services were no
longer held and the sheds were rented for storage. Upon petition to
the courts and by a special act of the Legislature, the trustees, B.
M. Balcom, G. W. Sheering, and Howard B» Bennion, arranged a public
sale, May 15, 1911+, of the church edifice an4 grounds together with
the personal property consisting of an organ, chandeliers, lamps,
and stoves0 The building was sold, demolished, and the site today
on the west side of Main Street is the residence of Joseph Herrman.
The proceeds of the sale were placed in a trust fund for the use of
the Strykersville Cemetery. Thus, in its 90th year ended the career
of the Concord Society of Sheldon0

July 19 56 Page 123
Population of Wyoming County Villages
Compiled, by Lewis H. Bishop
Date of incorporation appears under name of village:
* Indicates number of houses.
PERRY
WARSAW
PIKE
183U
i8j±1
184-8
1830 - 1100 I836 - 60* l84.0"^600
1836 - 200 184.5 - 808 181+8 - 616
1838 - 870 I84.8 - 910 1855 - 581
i8i(.0 - 1200 1850 - 1017 1865 - 567
l8i^ - 739 18$5 - 1200 1870 - 551
1850 - 10714. i860 - 1287 1880 - 61+1+
1855' - 1000 1865 - 1305 1890 - 4.83
i860 - 935 1870 - 1631 1900 - 4.58
1865 - 872 1875 - 2017 1902 - [4.73
1870 - 867 1880 - 1910 1905 - 1+57
1880 - 1115 1885 - 2503
1910 - 1+22
1890 - 1528 1890 - 3120 1915 - 344
1898 - 2214.0 1898 - 3010 1920 - 301+
±900 - 2763 1900 - 304.8 1825 - 335
1902 - 3314-6 1902 - 3226 1830 - 319
1905 - 37l|9 1905 - 3196 191+0 - 307
1910 - i+388 1906 - 335k 1950 - 286
1915 - 5009 1910 - 3205
1920 - I4.717 1915 ~ 314-21+
ARCADE
1925 - 1+636 1920 - 3622
1871
1930 - 4-209 1925 - 31+04: 1836"^" 50*
1914-0 - ii468 1930 - 34-77 18^0 - 300
1950 - 1+533 191+0 - 355k 1850 - 1+56
1950 - 3713 1855 - 637
1865 - 612
188O - 762
1900 - 887
1902 - 920
1905 - 1052
1910 - 1291+
1915 - 1568
1920 - 1609
1925 - 1601+
1930 - 164-3
191+0 - 1683
1950 - 1818
ATTICA
1837
1825 - l+0i|
1836 - 150
184.O - 800
1855 - 118k.
1865 - I14.0
1870 - 1333
1880 - 1935
1890 - 19914-
1900 - 1785
1902 - 1901
1905 - 1816
1910 - 1869
1915 - 2011
1920 - 2015
1925 - 2125
1930 - 2211
1914.0 - 23914.
1950 - 2676
CASTILE
1877
1836 - 25*
184.O - 150
1850 - 586
1855 - 682
1865 - 61+3
1870 - 712
1877 - 869
1880 - 965
1890 - 111+6
1900 - 1080
1902 - 104.8
1905 - 1000
1910 - 104.0
1915 - 968
1920 - 1013
1925 - 91+1+
1930 - 900
191+0 - 904.
1950 - 1072
PORTAGEVILLE
' 1866
181+0 - 300
i860 - 561
1870 - 500
Charter given
up in 187I4-.
GAINESVILLE
1902
184.0~^ _ 150
1850 - 224.
1855 - 330est,
1865 - 250
1902 - 318
1905 - 309
1910 - 327
1915 - 31+0
1920 - 31+1
1925 - 328
1930 - 270
191^0 - 283
1950 - 311+
SILVER SPGS.
1895
l55F^ 20*
1900 - 667
1902 - 777
1905 - 817
1910 - 971+
1915 - 893
1920 - 1155
1925 - 932
1930 - 879
191+0 - 766
1950 - 830
WYOMING
1916
1836 - 100*
184.0 - 600
1850 - 786
1855 - 378
1865 - 1+05
1870 - 319
1880 - 387
1890 - 525
1916 - 392
1920 - 386
1925 - 1+11
1930 - 376
191+0 - 1+30
1950 - 508

Page 122
July 19 58
M I L E S T O N E S
John C. Atwood, native of Perry, has been professor of voice in Virginia
Intermont College, Bristol, Virginia, since 1955.
Jame3 F. Tool®, formerly of Perry, has been elected treasurer of . the
Sperry Rand Corporation and continues as vice-president and treasurer
of the corporation's Sperry Gyroscope Division, Great Neck, New ^ork.
The remaining 8.51 miles of the Cattaraugus Road in the towns of Java
and Arcade will be completed In 1959 according to the State Highway
Department. This is one of the oldest roads in Wyoming County, having
been laid out in 1809 by Roswell Turner, Sheldon, as a link between
the settlements in northern Genesee ^ounty and the Holland Land
Company's sub-agency at Ellicottville.
Rochester's Democrat & Chronicle (Dec. 1, 1957) reported the transfer
to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, of Civil War relics of
the late ij t. Col. Abram Bc Lawrence, Warsaw. Col. Lawrence, then
acting chief quartermaster, was named by General Grant to collect and
take charge of all captured and surrendered quartermaster's property
and stores of the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Lee
A detailed personal record of this enemy property has been turned
over to the U. S. Government together with the 11-inch four-pound key
to the original Appomattox Courthouse,a key to the jail at the court
house, a Confederate flag which flew in Richmond, the Southern capital.
These relics remained in the Lawrence family until 1928 when
they went into the possession of George and Edward Bauer, father and
son of Rochester. Mr. Edward Bauer turned the records and relics
over to the Government.
On April 21, 1958, the Wyoming County Pomona Grange observed the 50th
anniversary of its founding at a banquet at the Wyoming Central
School. Honor was paid to all masters and lecturers of the organization
since its inception, and a program, "Pomona, This is Your Life,"
was featured.
Castile's sesquicentennial observance will be celebrated in a three
day program this month, July 18-20. An historical brochure, an official
postal cachet, a pageant, and a varied round of activities
will feature Mary Jemison's hometown's celebration.
On April 12, 1958, Warsaw's civic, educational and professional
groups paid honor to Dr. Zina G. Truesdell, 8l, who is in his 60th
year of medical practice. For twenty-five years he has served as
school doctor, and I4.O years as a county health officer, and in 1911
helped found with Dr. W. R. Thompson the first hospital at Warsaw
which has been succeeded by the Community Hospital
Associated Press dispatches in April out of Washington revealed how
Dr. Paul rt. Conpoy^ a native of Java Center, serves in a self-styled
"devil's advocate" role in the preparation of young foreign service
and information officers sent out by the U. S. Information Service.
His task is to prepare diplomatic representatives to cope with questioners
in foreign lands who seek explanations for such problems as
(Continued on Page 123)

Pa ee
0 L 0 G Y
July 19
The Right Reverend Prank McElwain, retired Bishop of the
Minnesota diocese of the Protestant Episcopal Church,died Sept. 19,
1957, at the age of 8l in Lexington, North Carolina. A native of
WarsawvBishop McElwain attended Trinity College., and after theological
training was ordained in 1903. He became Suffragan Bishop of
Minnesota in 1912, then Bishop from 1917 until his retirement in
1914-3.Eor a decade he was also president and dean of Seabury-Western
Theological Seminary, Evans ton, 111. Two sons and two daughters
survived him.
A native of Eaglesbut resident of Warsaw more than 70 years,William
D. Campbell, 88, died in that village Sept. 23, 1957. A chemist by
profession,he was postmaster of Warsaw under President Wilson, village
trustee, 1906-12,and an active member of the Democratic party.
Three daughters and a son, the Rev. James Marsall Campbell, dean of
the College of Arts & Sciences, Catholic University of America,survive
„
Homer W. Clough, 88, the oldest alumnus of' Arcade High School and a
nationally known meterologist,died at Richmond Hill,~N.Y., Oct. 28,
1957. His reputation was attained through his research into longrange
weather forecasting at the Washington Bureau of the federal
service. A period of weather activity has been named the "Clough
Cycle" in his honor, and he was named a Fellow of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, and held membership in
other learned societies. Burial was at his native Arcade where his
family were prominent in mid~19th century business activities.
The Rev. Joseph E. Kocher,50, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church,
Strykersville, died at Parry Sound, Ontario, Nov. 7, 1957, while on
a hunting trip. He had been pastor of the Strykersville church
since 1951, and was buried in the parish cemetery.
Mrs. Vivian Arnold King, former Wyoming librarian and civic leader,
died at Lakeland, Fla., Dec. 10. Burial at Rockwood, Pa.
Robert M. Glor, 78, president of the R. M. G-lor & Son, Inc., Attica
farm equipment manufacturers., died at Batavia, Nov. 30, 1957.
Miss Eleanor P. Rudd, 76, also former librarian at Wyoming and secretary
for many years to the late Mrs. Lydia Avery Coonley Ward,
died Dec. 16, 1957, at Wyoming. Burial in Buffalo.
Mrs. Alice H. Belknap,Wyoming widow of Dr. Edward Belknap,died Dec.
5, 1957. She was a real estate broker and formerly co-owner of the
Wyoming Water Works. She was an ardent and skilled shot over the
traps and at one time she shot with the famed Annie Oakley. Mrs.
Belknap was active in numerous civic enterprises. Burial at West
Middlebury.

July 19 56
MILESTONES (cont.)
Page 123
colonialism, segregation and atomic tests. Dr. Conroy entered Canisius
^ollege, Buffalo, at the age of 15, the youngest student in the
history of the college, and for fifteen years was a member of its
faculty.
Warsaw's United Church will hold a one day observance, July 13, in
commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Presbyterian
Church, July I1+, Ib08, the parent body from which the present
church is descended.
The annual meeting of the Wyoming Historical Pioneer Association will
be held in the Log Cabin, Silver Lake, on the traditional first
Thursday in August, Mr. Samuel v e Gayton, Warsaw, is president,and
the usual program of tribute to our pioneer heritage is being planned
On May 6th, residents of former District No. 1, Covington, voted to
close the La Grange district school and transport the pupils to Perry
Central School. The building is a landmark of the Community, having
been erected more than a century ago. Harold Altoft, president of
the Wyoming County Pair Association, completing 57 years of teaching,
has been at the school since 1V25, and on two occasions prior to that
date. His mother attended the same school and his last pupils included
two of his grandchildren.
A Jemison Romance
Not long ago the Pennsylvania folklore Society noted the career
of Jakey Jemison, grandson of Mary, and reputed to have been the
first descendant of an American Indian to hold a commission in the
U. s . Navy. Jakey attended Dartmouth College and later became a
physician, -passing with honors the examination for assistant Naval
surgeon ana was commissioned as a lieutenant aboard the cruiser
Powhatan. The ship was assigned to the Mediterranean area to clean
out the Algerian Pirates, and the story goes that the dark-skinned
daughter of the shiek who ruled Algeria fell in love with Lt.Jemison
on the occasion of the first diplomatic ball held in the British
embassy at Algiers. Coiirt officials soon noted the princesses's
interest ii, the doctor and asked Jemison's commander about his background.
The captain sketched the distinquished heritage of this
descendant of the "original" Americans, and, as a result, Jemison
was permitted to call upon the princesses with the understanding
that marriage would be impossible due to the differences in racial,
religious and political matters.
In due course, the Powhatan's stay in the Mediterranean came to
a close and Jemison came aboard with tear-stained cheeks as the ship
departed for Cyprus. When the ship arrived at that destination, it
was discovered that the princesses had been a stowaway and she was
returned to her father when the ship again paused at Algeria on its
way back to the United States. The story concludes that Lt. Jemison
was unreconciled to the parting, died a short time later, and was
buried at sea. Thus, like his grandmother, the "White Woman of the
Genesee," he drank deeply of the cup of sorrow.

July 19 56 Page 123
NECROLOGY (cont.)
The Very Rev. Msgr, George V. Callahan, 78, pastor of SS. Peter &
Paul's R. C. Church, Arcade, and Dean of the Catholic Clergy of
Wyoming County, died in Buffalo,, Dec0 l8s 19570 He had previously
served as pastor in Bliss and East Arcade and for the past 33 years
at Arcade. In June 19l|i|-, he received his high ecclestlcal honor
from Pope Pius XII.Father Callahan was a leader in all civic enterprises
and was buried in the parish cemetery which he founded,,
A native of Wyoming, Carol1 W, Chamberlain* 72, died in Washington,
Do Co3 Dec0 31s 1957 * A graduate of Middlebury Academy and Syracuse
University, he had been associated with the federal public building
field for J4.I years, and at the time of his death was chief of architectual
engineering for the General Service administration,,
Richard P. Schorenstein, 8JL|., prominent political and civic figure
of Castile, died at his home, Feb. 8, 1958» Secretary of the Wyoming
County Republican Committee for 35 years, he was legislative
clerk for Senators Knight and Hanely, and for Assemblymen Ostertag
and Peet, and during 1.6 of those years he served as secretary of
the legislative committee on Interstate Cooperation. He was vitally
interested in the volunteer fire companies at the state and local
level and for 35 years acted as secretary for the Wyoming County
Volunteer Firemen's Association. He was a leader in the Masonic
fraternity and during more than 50 years residence in Castile was a
promoter of numerous civic projects. He was a native of Gowanda,
N.Y.
A widely respected humanitarian and dean of Wyoming County physicians,
Dr. Mary T. Green, 91, died Feb. 28, 1958. In 1897, she became assistant
to her aunt, Dr. Cordelia Greene, in the management of the
Castile Sanitarium,an institution which numbered among its patients
many of the nation's most famous women. Dr. Greene served in many
capacities in Castile's civic life, was a member of several medical
groups and honorary president of the National Women's Medical Society
and chairman of its education committee for years. She served as a
valued trustee and president of the Wyoming Pioneer Historical Association,
and for several decades donated annually the chair
awarded to the oldest lady present at the Pioneer meeting each
Augus t o
In Washington, D. C., March 11, 1958, occurred the death of Hubert
Keeney Bishop, 87, a native of Warsaw and descendant of its pioneer
settlers. He graduated from Warsaw High School and from Cornell as
a civil engineer. After administrative positions among public and
private groups in this country and Hawaii, Mr. Bishop became chief
of construction, U. S. Bureau of Public Roads in 1921. He had
helped engineer the Alaskan Highway and laid out the Skyline Drive
in Virginia. His burial was at Fairport, N.Y.

Page 126 July 19 58
NECROLOGY (cont.)
Lucius B. Davis, 58,of Varysburg, died suddenly Feb. 21, 1958. His
career as a civil engineer for the N. Y. State Highway Dept. was
supplemented by activity in veteran and fraternal groups.He was one
of the supporters of the Attica Historical Society and for many ysais
carried on historical research throughout that area, and was consulted
as an authority on local history.
Frances Harris Smith, 8l, well known newspaper executive, died at
Perry March 31, 1958. With her late husband, Carl D. Smith, she
became associated with publications at Wyoming,and in recent years
in the Finger Lake region. She was an area correspondent for the
Associated Press.
Alvah B. Davis, 57, supervisor from the Town of Genesee Falls,1956-
57, died at Lancaster, Pa., April 5, 1958. He was a merchant for
several years, operated the Glen Iris Inn, Letchworth Park, and at
the time of his death a motel owner.
William S. Tozier, 66, retired Sheldon dairy farmer, bank and railroad
director, and one of the leading producers of maple syrup products
in the county died May 3$> 1958 in Buffalo. His farm in
Tozier's or Humphrey's Hollow included lands cleared by his grandfather,
Theophilius Humphrey, more than a century ago.
Q U E R I E S
A great-granddaughter, now resident of Virginia, is seeking data on
Asa Curtis, a native of Wellington, Conn., and a nephew of Francis
Curtis, who lived in Warsaw and died there in 1826, In the 1820
census of Gainesville was one Asa Curtis, who may have been the same
Asa Curtis who married (1) Lois Holt, and had a son, William, born
in N. Y. State in 1820. Lois Holt Curtis died Feb. 20, 1821. Within
a few months Asa married (2) Emma . and they were living
in Warren, in October 1821.
A Silver Lake resident would appreciate any information on the
family of Lucy Bebbins (or Bibbins), a daughter of Luther and Hannah
Bibbins, who married Rufus Morris. Rufus and Lucy lived at South
Warsaw on the farm where the thirty-foot falls are located,and there
Lucy bore seven or eight children, of whom Sarah K0 was the youngest.
Lucy Morris died March li]_, 1852 and is buried in Warsaw Village
Cemetery. Nothing is known of the ancestry of Lucy B. Morris except
as indicated above. Three daughters, Laura, Uerissa and Eliza
married and went to Michigan. Another daughter married Alva Baker
of Warsaw;a daughter Ellen married Charles Holly; and a son, Luther,
was father to Mrs. Bertha Rensign of South Warsaw.

July 1958
Two Revolutionary Veterans
Thanks to Donald Foste of Buffalo and Ferry, the following data
has been made available to us concerning two Soldiers of the Revolution
whose graves have not been located within the Town of Gainesville
o
Gad Warriner, son of Benjamin and Fersis (Willardj) Warriner
(brother of "Benjamin of Bennington) , b0 Jan. 29, 1762 in the part of
Springfield, Mass. now known as Wilbraham, d. June 12, 1837 aged 75
at Silver Springs, N.Y. He married Lucy Reed of Springfield, who
died June 13, I8I4.9 aged 85 at Silver Springse They came to Wyoming
County in 1812 and died in Gainesville (later Silver Springs area).
His children were Chester, Willis, Lucy (who m. Aaron Wing), Ezra
Bushnell (who m. Ruth,daughter of Samuel Warriner) and Lydia (who me
Ezekiel Gardner). He was a pensioner for service in Massachusetts®
Samuel Warriner, son of Samuel and Ruth (Bliss) Warriner, first
cousin to Benjamin - of Bennington and Gad of Silver Springs, was born
at Springfield, Mass., May 2\±, 1760, died at Gainesville, N.Y. sometime
during the year l8l20 He married Keziah Pease of Norwich, Conn,
daughter of Job Pease. Their children were Polly (who m. James
Lowing), Keziah (m. Joseph Thayer), Betsey (it, Zephron Broughton)p
Pliny, Samuel, Ruth (who m. Ezra B. Warriner, son of her father's
cousin Gad), Eunice (m. Richard Brownson), Lucy (m. Gordon Kennedy).
According to his grandchildren as quoted in the Warriner Genealogy,
he was a soldier of the Revolution..
Acknowledgments
In the preparation of the history of Strykersville, the compiler
wishes to recognize his indebtedness to Mr.Charles Keem and his son,
Francis Keem for aid In the more recent history of the community;
to Mr. Leon G. Herrmann for a history of St. Mary's Churchjto Mr.Ho
Ernest Barber, Clerk of the Baptist Church, who made its archives
available and loaned a manuscript history of the church written in
1910 by his aunt, Amy J. Barber;and most importantly for the earlier
history to the late Howard B. Bennion, Arcade, who prepared his
reminiscences at our request, and thus preserved aspects of the
community's life that would certainly have been lost. For the story
of the Garrett Stryker family almost all the facts came from Mrs.
Mildred H. Anderson, Castile author, and a great granddaughter of
the pioneer. The history of the Congregational Church was prepared
from notes furnished by Mr. Bennion and from the remaining record
book of the church, now in our possession.
It is also our annual privilege to acknowledge the entergetic
and volunteered labors of Mr. Robert W. McGowan and his class in
Secretarial Practice. Without their assistance this bulletin would
not appear.

Page 128 July 19 58
Subject Index to Volume XI
Acknowledgment ------- 127 Revolutionary Heritage - - 11-15, 127
Allen, Rev, Timothy - - - 50-53 Seaver, Dr. James E. 33,37,1+7-44-9
Anderson, Mildred H, - - - 85,127 Stage Goach Days at Warsaw - - - 1-5
Arcade, history published - - 22' Stebbins, Carlos L., painting of
Arcade j, Time Capsule - - - - 9-10 Mary Jemison - -- -- -- -- - 73
Barber, Joseph - - - - - - - - 1 1 Stone, Truman, memories of Mary
Barnes, Katherine ----- 65,85 Jemison - -- -- -- -- -- 14-5-14-6
Belden, William ----- 11-12 Street, Levi - - - - - - - - - 2,110
Bishop, Lewis H. - - - - - 1,121 Strykersville
Blodget, H0 (of Pike) - - 20=21 Baptist Church ------ 110-116
Brown, P, R, - - - - - - - - - 2 Congregational Church - - 119-120
Campbell, John - - - - - - - - 11 Fire Department ------ 117-119
Castile Sketches of-- ____ 97-120
Chronicles of - - - - - - 65-82 St. Mary's R„ C0 Ch0 116-117
Five Corners Area - - - 93-91+ Sullivan, General - -- -- -- -- 6
Great Slide of 1817 - - - - 8l Taylor, Mr„ & Mrs. Stephen - - - - Sk
Historical Research Center - - Tolles, Amos - - - - - - - - - - - 13
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 85-86 VanDorn,Fred,on Mary Jemison - 58-59
Mary Jemison Pagaent - - - 55 Varysburg & Mary Jemison ----- 6-8
Reminscenses ------ -83-81+ War of 1812 - - - - 71+-77, 111
Water Cure ------- -87-92 Warriner, Benjamin ------- 13-11+
Caswell, Harriet S0 - - - - 1+2-1+3 Warsaw
Cemeteries Pioneer Cemetery - - - 23-32 ,62-61;
Warsaw Pioneer - - 23-32,62-61+ Stage Coach Days ------- -1-5
Douglass, Harry S„ - - - 11,33,97 Whaley, Robert & Janet, Castile
Dudley, Harwood A. - - - - -56-57 Pioneer settlers - - - -66-71+, 79,82
Eisenhower, Dwight D„ - - - - 10 Whaley Tavern, Castile, - - - - -1+8-1+9
Fuller, Lena T. ----- - 93-914- Whelan, Rev. Will -53
Grabeau, Amadeus W, ----- -51+ Willard, Malcolm - -- -- -- -- -6
Greene, Dr. Cordelia - - - -87-92 Willey Genealogy published - - - - 10
Greene, Edward, M.D. - - - -87-92 Willey, Marion P. ------- -10,16
Hadley, Jonathan - -- -- -- 11+ Wyoming Historical Pioneer
Howe, Lt. Darius — - - - - 11-12 Association meeting - —8,16-17,123
Hurd Family, Castile -78-81,81-82
Jemison, Mary - - - 6-8,33-59,123
Keith, 0. G. -------- -3-8
Letchworth, William P„ - - -l+l+,60
Mail Bag---- k6
Marshall, Grace P. S. 83-81+
McElwain, Gen. John ----- 2-3
Merrill, Arch, quoted - - - - 3,5
Milestones - 15,60,81+,86,122-123
Moore, Alice, poem ------ 18
Munson, Wm. B. - - - -57-58
Necrology record - - - 19,12l+-126
Phillipps family, Castile - 83-81+
Pike Classical School - - - 20-21
Population of Villages - - - 121
Post, Aaron - -- - - -12
Poste, Donald 13
Putnam, Julia - -- -- -- - 1+-5
Queries 17,61,95-96,126