Seneca Township (part 8 of 60)

From 1840 to 1845, several physicians settled at the Falls - Dr. L. M. Carson, Dr. Laut, Dr. Dey, and Dr. Van Duyn, but they only remained a few years, when they folded their tents and departed.

The first regular physician to succeed Dr. M. B. Bellows was his son, James Bellows- He was born in the town and obtained his education at the Seneca Falls Academy. He studied medicine with his father and graduated from the Geneva Medical College in 1845. He settled in this county at Canoga, immediately after graduating ; after practicing there two years he returned to Seneca Falls and settled permanently. He married Caroline, daughter of Demming Boardman, and his three daughters are now living in the village. He was considered a man wel) read in his profession, and obtained some reputation as a skillful surgeon.

geon, but in 1862 resigned and came home. The following year he joined the 148th Regiment N. Y. Vols, as its surgeon, and served until a short time before the close of the conflict. His health was quite broken after his return from the war, and he died of typhoid pneumonia, April 15, 1864.

Dr. C. B. Howe began practicing here in 1853, having read medicine with Dr. Robinson, who was then practicing in Seneca Falls. Dr. Howe had a successful practice for many years, but yielded to the inducements which trade offered, and is now a prosperous merchant on our main business street.

H. H. Eddy began the practice of medicine in 1866. He was a graduate of the Geneva Medical College and was young and enthusiastic in his profession. He remained, however, only one year and then left to pursue his medical studies in New York City.

Charles C. Eastman, a son of Prof H. N. Eastman, of the Geneva Medical College, came to Seneca. Falls in 1868 and remained in business for nearly two years. In 1869 he joined the Seneca County Medical Society, but afterwards removed to Owego, Tioga county, where he practiced for some time. He has been for several years the first assistant physician at the Binghamton Asylum for the Chronic Insane.

In 1884 John F. Crosby, a student of Dr. H. J. Purdy, and a graduate of the Burlington University, Vermont, commenced practice. He is a native of the county and is still in practice.

James F. Crowley was born at Leroy, N. Y., November 8, 1859. He was educated in the high school at Batavia, studied medicine under the tuition of Dr. McNamara, and graduated at the University of Buffalo, February 24, 1885. He located in practice at Seneca Falls in 1885, and became a member of the County Medical Society the same year. He still remains in practice.

Willard Asylum For The Insane

[Inasmuch as tne Willard Asylum has been connected with the Seneca County Medical Society for nearly twenty years, through the medical members of its board of trustees and its resident physicians, and as the medical officers of the asylum have always taken an interest in the society of which they have been active members, some account is here inserted of the reasons which led to the location and foundation of the asylum in Seneca county, together with a review of its aims and purposes, which may be of general interest to the profession and to the community.]

* Subsequent to the creation and opening of the State Lunatic Asylum at Utica, in 1843, the subject of increasing and improving the accommodation for the insane of the State of New York, engaged the attention of the Legislature from time to time. In January, 1844, Dorothea L. Dix presented a memorial to the Legislature, representing the condition of the insane in county alms-houses and other places, as she found it on a personal inspection. In 1855, a convention of superintendents of the poor memorialized the Legislature to erect additional asylums. In the year 1856, a special committee of the Senate, created for the purpose, made a personal inspection of the asylums and poor-houses, and presented a report, with recommendations, to the Legislature of 1857. During this period and following it, successive governors of the State, the managers of the State Lunatic Asylum, and its superintendent, Dr. Gray, as well as the State Medical Society, urged upon the Legislature the wretchedness and neglect that existed in the care of the insane in county-houses, and the necessity of enlarging the accommodations for the increasing number of the insane. While these various movements were continuous in respect to time they were not connected. The State did not act, and the various suggestions were unheeded.

In the year 1863, the State Medical Society appointed Dr. Charles A. Lee, Dr. Sylvester D. Willard, and Dr. George Cook, a committee to confer with the medical committees of the Senate and Assembly, on the subject of the " appointment of a Commissioner of Lunacy, . whose duty it should be to examine personally into the condition of the insane confined in the public and private lunatic asylums, almshouses, and report their condition to the next Legislature, with such suggestions for their relief as may be deemed proper." In pursuance of this action, the Legislature, by an act passed April 30, 1864, devolved upon the Secretary of the State Medical Society, Dr. Sylvester D. Willard, the duty of procuring the information desired and furnishing a report. The law directed that a series of questions likely to elicit the greatest amount of information on the subject should be prepared, printed, and transmitted to each County Judge in the State :

* " It directed the County Judge, on the reception thereof, to appoint a competent physician, a resident of the county, to visit the county poor-house, or institution where the insane poor are kept, and to examine into the condition and treatment of the insane inmates, and to transmit the results of the examination. It directed me, thereupon, to condense the information so received, and report the same to your honorable body."

Fifty-two physicians, of as many counties, furnished replies to the questions propounded, and the information received furnished the basis of the report and suggestions of Dr. Willard to the Legislature of 1865. In his message to the Legislature, Governor Fenton, in calling attention to the condition of the insane poor, thus alluded to the forthcoming report of Dr. Willard : " The Legislature of 1864 directed an investigation into the condition of the insane poor confined in the various county poor-houses. A report, by Dr. Willard, will be duly presented, showing the deplorable condition of this most unfortunate class. There are, in fifty-five counties, confined in poorhouses, or poor-house asylums, not including New York and Kings, thirteen hundred and forty-five lunatics, nearly all of whom are incurable ; many have become, and others are fast becoming, incurable from inefficient care and treatment. The time has arrived when legislative provision should be made. The propriety of establishing an institution for incurables - an institution that shall relieve county authorities from the care of the insane - should be deliberately considered.

" More than one-fourth of this number of insane are capable of some labor. To what extent that labor, organized and systematized, might be made productive in the maintenance of an institution, under well-directed superintendence, is likewise worthy of consideration."

A bill was reported by the committee, of which Dr. W. H. Richardson was chairman, creating a second State Lunatic Asylum, to be known as the Beck Asylum for the Insane. Dr. Willard died April 2, 1865. In ^ biographical notice published in the transactions of the State Medical Society for 1866, Dr. Franklin B. Hough pays a deserved tribute to the work of Dr. Willard in investigating the condition of the insane poor, his energy in collecting information, and his zeal in promoting the establishment of a new asylum for their care. His biographer remarks : " His death made a marked impression upon the public mind, and his prominent position (Surgeon General of the State of New York) suggested a further mark of honor." The bill then in the Senate was amended, and became a law with the name changed to The WiJlard Asylum for the Insane.

The title of the bill as passed was : " An Act to authorize the establishment of a State Asylum for the chronic insane, and for the better care of the insane poor, to be be known as the Willard Asylum for the Insane." Dr. John P. Gray, Dr. Julian T. Williams, and Dr. John B. Chapin were appointed Commissioners by Governor Fenton to locate and erect the asylum. In deciding upon a location the Commission was directed to " first seek for and select any property owned by the State, or upon which it had a lien," referring by implication to the State Agricultural College in the town of Ovid. Soon after their organization the Commission adopted a proposition that the plan of the Willard Asylum should comprise a central administration block ; wings for the hospital care of excited patients and such others as required for any reason frequent medical visitation and supervision ; and groups of detached blocks for the reception and care of harmless, industrious and manageable patients.

The Commission having obtained a title to the State Agricultural College in December, 1865, submitted plans to Governor Fenton in January, 1866, which were subsequently approved by him. At this period Dr. Gray withdrew from the Commission and Dr. Lyman Congdon was appointed in his place. During the summer of 1866 a contract was made for the erection of the center building, one section of the north and south wings, the buildings in the rear of the center, and work was commenced.

In accordance with powers conferred upon the governor, James A. Bell, of Jefferson, Judge Allen of Washington, Sterling G. Hadley, John E. Seeley, James Ferguson, of Seneca, and Genet Conger, of Ontario, were appointed trustees of the asylum, in 1867. In January, 1869, Dr. John B. Chapin was appointed Medical Superintendent, and accepted the office April ist.

The title and the several sections of the organic act of the asylum indicate the plain intent of the Legislature to change the system which was then in existence of providing for recent cases in a State asylum, and chronic and incurable cases in poor-houses. The act creating the Willard Asylum required that all cases, both recent and chronic, of the indigent class, needing the treatment or care of an asylum for the insane, should on the completion of the new asylum, be placed under State supervision and custodial care. The Willard law indicated a great advance of public sentiment toward the better care of the insane poor. The plans prepared by the Commission contemplated the segregation of patients and classes according to their condition, and a plant which would permit the economical enlargement of the asylum by the erection of additional blocks. While the State had thus entered upon a comprehensive system for the care of the insane, plans were adopted which were a decided departure from those which, previously, had been regarded as most suitable, and even essential. Three years before the asylum was ready for occupation, the manner in which the purpose of the Legislature was to be executed, was foreshadowed in the following language, which may be reproduced here : " The plan of buildings at Ovid comprises a hospital for the paroxysmal, excited, and grossly demented, with groups of detached blocks, plain and inexpensive in their construction, for those whose condition is such to permit of their being employed in agricultural, horticultural, or other industrial pursuits, with benefit to themselves and the asylum. It is believed that the plan of building here indicated will materially reduce the cost of construction ; allow of a system of classification and general management which will considerably diminish the cost of maintenance ; at the same time that the health and happiness of the patients will be in the highest degree promoted. This plan also permits of expansion in such a manner as to obviate the objections to a large establishment under one roof. The institution is, in short, designed to supersede the miserable system of providing for the chronic insane in the poor-houses, and by placing them in an establishment adapted to their condition, care for them in accordance with medical and humane ideas, develop their industrial capacities, and demonstrate the fact that they can be properly provided for at a cost per week which will place such care within the reach of every county, thus opening the way to the complete abandonment of county-house receptacles for such of the chronic insane as may need the custodial appliances of an asylum for the insane."

to proper care and treatment under state supervision ; and any state which neglects to provide for all of this unfortunate class, by the establishment of a humane, comprehensive system of care, is guilty of injustice and partiality."

First. The care of the insane of the chronic and incurable class in a state institution, and their transfer from county poor-houses to state supervision.

Second. The modification and change of the usually approved hospital plans, so as to reduce the cost of construction materially, and the erection of supplemental or detached buildings for the care of mild and harmless cases ; and,

The Commissioners having reported the buildings in course of construction, so far advanced toward completion'as to be in readiness for occupation during the year, the Legislature in May, 1869, abolished the Commission, devolved its powers and duties upon a new board of trustees, which was created to supersede the board first appointed. The new board consisted of- John E. Seeley, Sterling G. Hadley, Samuel R. Welles, William A. Swaby, of Seneca ; Darius A. Ogden, of Yates ; George J. Magee, of Schuyler ; Francis O. Mason and Genet Conger, of Ontario.

In September, a circular was issued to the superintendents of the poor, announcing that the asylum would be ready for the reception of two hundred and fifty patients on the 12th of October. Applications for more than five hundred patients were received. On the 13th of October the first patients were received, three of whom were brought in chains.

In 1870, the Legislature made an appropriation to extend the south wing, and to alter the Agricultural College building for the accomodation of patients, known thereafter as the Branch. In 1871, the south wing was extended and a group of five detached blocks was commenced, which was completed in 1872. The second group was occupied in 1876 ; the third group in 1877 ; and the fourth group in 1880.

aged the transfer of such cases as would seem to afford the greatest relief to county institutions, there has been, as was to be anticipated, an unusual accumulation of patients in an advanced stage of enfeeblement, epileptics, paralytics, and others bed-ridden from various causes of physical impairment, all requiring much personal attendance day and night. In 1884, the trustees recommended that new buildings be erected for the special and better care of this group of cases, numbering about one hundred of each sex. The Legislature of 1886, authorized the erection of a group of detached blocks as an infirmary for men, and a further modification of the building known as the Branch, to be hereafter used as an infirmary for women. The principal features of the one-story infirmary wards are the allotment of the space to day wards and large dormitories, with a few single rooms, large associate dining-rooms, and an administration block, all calculated to furnish an efficient service both night and day.

Additions of land have been made to the original purchase from time to time. The farm of the asylum now comprises nine hundred and thirty-one (931) acres.

The total expenditure for erection of buildings of all kinds, land, furniture, water works, and all purposes, except salaries and maintenance, has been ;? 1,489,841 .00. The capacity of the asylum is nearly 2,000, and the average cost of construction, equipment, land, improvements, changes and subsequent modifications, has been I827 per patient. The whole number of patients admitted from the opening of the asylum, October 12, i86g, to September 30, 1886, was three thousand nine hundred and sixty-four (3,964).

The following table shows the average cost of support for a period of fourteen years, excluding salaries of the staff of medical officers and clothing. The table is of interest in showing the relation that numbers bear to the cost of support, and how much the products of a large farm, and the labor of patients may reduce it :

Dr. Chapin resigned the office of medical superintendent September I, 1884, to accept the appointment of physician-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, and was succeeded by Dr. P. M. Wise, formerly the senior medical officer.

On the creation of the Willard Asylum, its objects and plans became the subject of wide-spread professional discussion, but its practical results have .taken the place of speculation and theory. It has been demonstrated that it is practicable to reduce the usual cost of construction of asylums for the insane, and their subsequent maintenance ; to abolish all mechanical forms of restraint ; and to enlarge their personal liberty and means of employment. A marked modification of the views that had been entertained in regard to plans of asylums, and the policy of the State toward the indigent insane, has taken place. Not the less remarkable, and among the secondary aspects has been the decided improvement in the condition of county alms-houses, due in part to the removal of a disturbing and troublesome class. While the plans that were adopted may not be exactly such as would now be recommended with the experience of eighteen years, they, however, embody ideas and suggestions which, it will be found, mark a new departure, and will work important changes in asylums to be hereafter erected.

John B. Chapin

John Eassett Chapin was born in New York city December 4, 1829, of William and Elizabeth (Hun) Chapin. His parents early in his life removed from New York to a farm in the town of Milo, Yates county, and his earliest instruction was received in the district schools. In 1840 his parents again removed to Columbus, Ohio, traveling by canal and lake. In 1844 he was sent to Philadelphia, traveling by stage and rail, to attend a public school. He was prepared for college at Hudson, Ohio, and at the age of sixteen entered the Western Reserve College, but soon after, in 1847, went to Williams College, Massachusetts, and graduated in the class of 1850. During the previous year his parents had removed to Philadelphia, where his father assumed the charge as superintendent of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind, a position which he still holds with honor, after nearly forty years continuous service. While at Williamstown, Dr. Chapin entered the office of Dr. Hubbell as a medical student, and in 1850 continued his studies at the New York Hospital, and under the tuition of Dr. John A. Swett, of New York city. In March, 1853, he graduated at the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and afterwards filled successively the positions of junior and senior assistant, and resident physician at the New York Hospital. From 1854 to 1858 he served as assistant physician at the New York State Lunatic Asylum at Utica, when he resigned to assume the superintendency of the Missouri Institution for the Blind at St. Louis, a position he held for two years. The succeeding ten years of his life were spent as resident physician at Brigham Hall, a private asylum for the insane at Canandaigua, N. Y., an institution of which he was one of the founders. During the civil war, in 1861, Dr. Chapin served for a time as a volunteer surgeon for special service.

While at Canandaigua, in conjunction with Dr. George Cook, he agitated the question of caring more humanely for the chronic insane, which were at that time relegated to county alms-houses, and whose condition appealed to the more enlightened people of the State for better treatment and care. This afterwards constituted the great work of his life. In 1865 he was appointed by Governor Fenton as one of the commissioners to locate and erect the Wiliard Asylum for the Insane, and in 1869 he became its medical superintendent, a position which he held for fifteen years ; during which time he beheld the asylum grow to a total population of 1849 insane inmates, and win a position which commanded the highest confidence and respect, and which revolutionized the treatment of the insane not only in this State but throughout the entire country. In 1884, at the earnest solicitation of the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane at Philadelphia, he resigned his position at Wiliard to accept that of physician-in-chief at the former institution, an office which he still holds.

Dr. Chapin has always been an earnest and active worker, and has contributed many monographs to medical literature and to the societies of which he has been a member. Among his publications may be mentioned the following : ,

His whole Ufe has been spent in various positions of public trust, as enumerated here : Commissioner for the location and erection of the Willard Asylum for the Insane ; Superintendent of the Missouri Institution for the Blind ; Member of the State Medical Society, New York ; of the county medical societies of Seneca and Ontario counties ; of the Neruological Society of Philadelphia ; Delegate to International Medical Congress, London ; Member of the Medico-Legal Society, Philadelphia; Medical Superintendent Willard Asylum; Physician-in-chief of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, Philadelphia. Honorary member of the British Medico-Psychological Association.

In 1 88 1 he traveled for four months in England, Scotland and on the continent, visiting various European asylums and hospitals, and at various times he has visited about thirty similar American institu-

Lyman Congdon

Lyman Congdon was born in the town of Venice, Cayuga county, N. Y., December 24, 1823. His parents were natives of the State of Vermont. He was the youngest of a family of eleven children, and was brought up on a farm, where he learned practical farming, in conjunction with attendance at a common school, until sixteen years of age, at which time he entered the Moravia Academy, in Cayuga county, and finally finished his academical education in Groton Academy.

At the age of nineteen he commenced teaching, and continued to teach a greater portion of the time for the next four years ; the last year in the village of Moravia.

He read medicine with Benjamin A. Fordyce, M. D., of Venice, Cayuga county, and graduated from the medical department of the Buffalo University, after having taken two courses of lectures at that college, in the spring of 1852.

He S,t once entered into copartnership with his former preceptor, and practiced medicine for about a year in the town of Venice. "During the winter of 1855 he removed to the village of Jacksonville, N. Y., and there practiced medicine until the fall of 1865.

He was elected and served as supervisor of the town of Ulysses, Tompkins county, in each of the years of 1861-2-3 and 4. It will be noticed that his supervisorship was during the Rebellion, and much of his time was occupied with recruiting and financial matters, connected with bounties, which together with his somewhat extended practice, much impaired his health ; but possessing a good constitution he soon regained his former vigor.

In 1862 he was elected coroner of Tompkins county, and in 1865 was elected member of the State legislature from Tompkins county, and served one year.

In the spring of 1866 he was appointed by Gov. Fenton one of the building commissioners for the construction of Willard Asylum, and was made chairman of the commission. The following year he took immediate charge of the work as building superintendent, and con- tinued to act in that capacity for the next four years, ending his five years' connection with the Willard Asylum construction in the spring of 1871.

In the same spring he located in Syracuse and practiced medicine until the fall of 1872, when he received the appointment of Superintendent of the State Inebriate Asylum at Binghamton, and acted in that capacity until February, 1875, when he was incapacitated for further duty by a severe attack of typhoid fever, and after his recovery removed to Jacksonville, his former place of residence, where he had all these years rhaintained a home.

On the first of June, 1880, he received from Louis D. Pillsbury^ superintendent of State prisons, the appointment of physician to Auburn State Prison, where he continued in uninterrupted seryice in that capacity until the date of his death, which occurred on the twenty-sixth of April, 1886. His remains were buried at Trumansburgh, Tompkins county, N. Y., from the church of the Epiphany. He became an honorary member of the Seneca County Medical Society during his residence in the county as building commissioner of Willard Asylum. For a number of years he was a member of the Episcopal church.

P. M. Wise

He lived upon the farm, and attended the district school until the age of eleven, when he entered the Parker classical school, intending to prepare for college, which design was frustrated by the death of his father. Three years were subsequently occupied as a clerk in a store, two of which were spent in Buffalo, where he was prostrated by an attack of typhoid fever. The following winter he taught a district school, and in the spring of 1869 commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. O. K. Parker, in Clarence, N. Y. ; attended the preliminary course of lectures at Albany Medical College in 1870, and in the same autumn matriculated at the medical department of the Buffalo University, where he graduated in February, 1872.

After graduation he served nine months in the City Hospital at St. Louis, and was then appointed resident physician of the small-pox hospital, and also served as city physician during the small-pox epidemic of 1872-3. In 1873, he located for practice of medicine at

Cheektowaga, a suburb of Buffalo, with a day-office in the city. After remaining in practice a few months, in October, 1873, he was appointed assistant physician at the Willard Asylum, and has since remained in continuous service. In 1883, upon the resignation of Dr. Carson, he was appointed first assistant, and in the succeeding year was advanced to the office of superintendent, made vacant by the departure of Dr. Chapin.

On the si^cth of October, 1875, he married Anna E. Heston, of South Alabama, N. Y., and has three children living - a son and two daughters.

In the spring of 1882, for the purpose of informing himself concerning English methods of administering asylums, he visited eighteen asylums in Great Britain and France, and upon his return published, in October, 1882, the result of his observations, in the Alienist and Neurologist, in a paper entitled "Notes on the Asylums of Great Britain."

" The Relation of the Counties to State Provision for the Insane." Read before the New York Association of the Superintendents of the Poor, at Chautauqua, and published in their Proceedings for 1886.

In 1875, he became a member of the Seneca County Medical Society, and was afterwards its president, in 1878. He is also a member of the New York State Medical Society, and of the Association of Medical Superintendents of Asylums for the Insane. In the spring of 1886, he was appointed by Governor Hill, member of a Commission, created by an act of the Legislature, to prepare plans and to locate a new asylum for the insane in the northern district of the State. Together with the Hon. W. P. Letchworth he prepared a minority report locating the asylum at Ogdeugfeurgh, which report was adopted by the Legislature.

In February, 1887, he delivered, at Buffalo, the annual address before the Alumni Association of the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo on "The Influence of Mind upon Disease." He was appointed, in 1887, as member of the Council in the section on Psychiatry, at the International Medical Congress held at Washington, and presented an essay on " Hospital and Asylum Construction for the Insane."

He was educated in the public schools of Concord, and at Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, N. H., where he graduated in 1871, and entered the classical department of Dartmouth College in the fall of the same year, graduating, after a full course, in the class of 1875. He taught the High School of Hillsborough Bridge, N. H., during the fall of 1875, and attended the full course of lectures and instruction at Dartmouth Medical School during the following years, excepting three months spent in the office of Prof. L. B. How, at Manchester, N. H. He received his medical degree in June, 1878, at Dartmouth Medical College, and located in practice at the Willard Asylum in August of the same year, where he remained until March, 1883. After a course of two months at the Polyclinic in New York city, he entered general practice at Waterloo, where he remained for fourteen months, from June i, 1883, to August i, 1884, when he returned to Willard Asylum, as first assistant physician. On the eighth of October, 1884, he was married to Anna DePuy, of Kingston, N. Y., and has one child, a daughter.

He became a member of the Seneca County Medical Society in 1879, and was elected president of the society in 1886 ; and also the first president of the Seneca County Medical Association. During 1883-4, he was town physician at Waterloo. He is also a member of the New York State Medical Association.

He received his education in the common schools of Amsterdam, and at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, where he graduated in May, 1870. It was his original intention to follow a business career, but in June, of the same year, he entered upon the study of medicine, and registered in the office of Drs. Jacob G. Snell and Wm. H. Robb, of Amsterdam, and in December, 1872, graduated at the Albany Medical College. For nine months after graduation, he served as assistant city physician in the Albany City and County Almshouse and Asylum, and in October, 1873, was appointed assistant physician at the Willard Asylum. Here he remained continuously in service until May, 1880, when he resigned, and took an extended journey through the West and Southwest, visiting the chief cities, and finally located for practice in Denver, Colorado.

Having received the appointment of Surgeon to the Mexican National Railway, then in process of construction, he left Denver, and removed to Corpus Christi, then the headquarters of the railroad, and afterwards went to Laredo, on the Rio Grande. He spent a year on the frontier and saw much of Mexican life, but was called home by the serious illness of his brother, and returned to Port Jackson, N.Y., in December, 1881. In March, 1883, he was re-appointed assistant physician at Willard, where he has since remained.

Dr. Nellis joined the Seneca County Medical Society in 1879, and was elected president in 1885. He is also a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society.

He received his education in the district school and Academy of his native place, and at the age of sixteen went to Buffalo to learn the moulder's trade, and remained there until September, 1862. On September 30, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 27th N. Y. Independent Battery of Light Artillery, and was made a Corporal on reaching Washington. He served with the battery through the war, until the fall of 1864, when he was discharged, to enable him to accept a Lieutenant's commission in the 2d N. Y. Heavy Artillery, which commission bears date of April 25, 1864. In October of the same year he went home, sick with rheumatism and enfeebled by the hardships of a long army service, and in January, 1865, resigned and received an honorable discharge.

For more than a year after leaving the army he was out of health, and a portion of his time was spent in western travel. When sufficiently restored, by the advice of his uncle, a physician, he commenced the study of medicine and pursued it three years, graduating in 1872 at the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo.

Immediately after graduating he began the practice of medicine at Clarence, Erie county, N. Y., which he pursued until June 24, 1874. He became a member of the medical staff of Willard Asylum, July i , 1874. In 1879, he joined the Seneca County Medical Society, and on March 20, 1884, was married to Mrs. Anne M. (Maycock) Smith, of Buffalo.

W. E. Sylvester

William E. Sylvester is a native of New York, having been born at Rouse's Point, on the third day of April, 1856. His parents were Merrick and Maria F. (Gilson) Sylvester.

His preparatory education was acquired in the schools of Bethel, Vermont, to which place his parents had removed ; at Goddard Seminary, Barre, Vt., and gt the Collegiate Commercial and Military In- stitute, New Haven, Conn. After graduating from the Institute, he spent two years in mercantile pursuits with his father at Bethel, and then commenced the study of medicine at Hanover, N. H. He graduated at the Dartmouth Medical School, in October, 1877. A few months of his medical course were spent in the office of Dr. L. B. How, of Manchester, N. H. After graduation he attended an additional course of lectures at the University Medical College of the City of New York, and located in practice at Columbus, Ohio, where he remained until July, 1878, when he received the appointment of acting assistant physician at the Butler Hospital for the Insane, at Providence, R. I. In January, 1879, he went to New York city, and has since served as assistant physician at the New York City Asylum for the Insane, Ward's Island ; Worcester Lunatic Hospital', Worcester, Mass., and at the Willard Asylum, where he still remains in the discharge of his duty.

"An Historical Sketch of Epidemic Yellow Fever in the United States." Read before the Medical Society of the State of Vertnont, October, 1879.

He joined the Seneca County Medical Society in 1884 ; and is also a member of the Vermont Medical Society, and was one of the originators and founders of the White River Medical Society of Vermont, and its ex-secretary. To his efforts, in a large share, is due the origin of this society. On the eighteenth of September, 1886, he married Edith, daughter of Hon. John Raines, of Canandaigua.

G. B. Bristol

Graham B. Bristol was born at Scottsville, Monroe county, N. Y., January 11, 1853. His parents, George T. and Laura A. Bristol, removed to Rochester in 1859, and Dr. Bristol attended the public and private schools of that city until the age of seventeen years.

He subsequently spent two years at the State Normal Scliool of Oswego, and later passed a year at Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H. His attendance at school was interspersed with teaching. At one time he taught at the Canandaigua Academy. He commenced the study of medicine, under the tuition of Dr. M. W. Townsend, of Bergen,

Genesee county, and graduated from the University Medical College of New York city, March 8, 1881. After graduation he located in practice at Churchville, Monroe county, September, 1882, and in the following April he was appointed assistant physician at the Willard Asylum, where he still remains.

On the twenty-third of September, 1885, he was married to Martha, daughter of. J. B. Chapman, of Ovid, N. Y. They have one child, a daughter. He became a member of the Seneca County Medical Society in 1884.

M. D. Blaine

Myron DePew Blaine was born at Romulus, N. Y., August 6, 1859. His parents were James and Amanda (DePew) Blaine, and his youth was passed upon the farm, attending the district school in summers, until the fall of 1876, when he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, where he remained three years.

He commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. D. F. Everts, of Romulus, and afterwards entered the Detroit Medical School, and remained there until February 28, 1883, when he graduated. While in Detroit he was also under the tuition of Dr. N. W. Webber, as his preceptor, and spent sixteen months as an assistant in St. Luke's Hospital. After graduation he became assistant physician at the Willard Asylum, in April, 1883, where he still remains. While here he made extensive observations on bovine tuberculosis, a disease that then affected the asylum herd. In 1884, he joined the Seneca County Medical Society, and is also a member of the New York State Medical Association.

In the winter of 1887, by request, he delivered an address before the New York Academy of Medicine, on " Bovine Tuberculosis ; its Communication by Ingestion, Inhalation and Hereditary Transmission ; also its Dangers to the Public Health ;" a paper which attracted wide-spread attention and which was extensively republished in various medical journals.

the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Clara Marshall. In March, 1884, she received her degree in medicine at the Woman's Medical College at Philadelphia. In the following May, upon competitive examination, she entered the Philadelphia Hospital (Blockley) as interne and served one year.

She commenced the general practice of medicine at Allegheny City, Pa., in August, 1885, and remained there until January, 1886. For three months, from February to May, 1886, she was assistant physician at the New York Infant Asylum, Mt. Vernon, N. Y. Upon the first of October, 1886, she was appointed assistant physician at the Willard Asylum for the Insane.

Dr. Farnham has contributed an article on " Uterine Disease as a Factor in the Production of Insanity," Alienist and Neurologist, October, 1887, and "The Emergencies of Childhood," published in Babyhood.

Theoda Wilkins

Her parents removing to St. Louis, she attended the public schools of that city for a few years, when, in 1868, her parents again removed to Beardstown, Illinois, and she entered the high school of that place. At the age of seventeen she commenced teaching, and continued to do so until her twenty-fifth year, when she commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. W. A. Yohn, at Valparaiso, Ind., beginning in 1881. On the twenty-ninth of May, 1885, she graduatedfrom the Woman's Medical College of the New York Infirmary, and on the first of July of the same year, after a competitive civil service examination at Albany, she was appointed physician at the Willard Asylum, where she remained one year.

During the surnmer of 1883 she was connected with the Seaside Hospital for Children, and also passed three months as nurse, in charge of the Woman's surgical ward of St. Luke's Hospital. She joined the Seneca County Medical Society in 1885.

After leaving Willard, she engaged in the practice of medicine at Omaha, Neb., for a few months, and then removed to Los Angeles, Cal., where she at present resides, in the practice of her profession.

Charles L. Wells

Charles Leonard Wells, Minneapolis, Minn., was bom October 13, 1842, in the town of Pompey, Onondaga county, N. Y., of Russell and Sophrona Patience Wells.

Dr. Wells first attended school at the district schools in the northern part of -the town of Pompey. His education was continued at the academy of Manlius, where his studies preparatory to entering the freshman class were begun, which were subsequently carried on and completed at the academy at Seneca Falls, where he resided temporarily for nearly two years - i86o-'6i.

In the fall of 186 1 he entered the freshman class of Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., in which, having completed a full and regular course of study, he received the degree of A. B. In 1865, soon after his graduation, he was appointed teacher of classics in the preparatory department of Burlington College, N.J. Continuing this work for one year, he then resigned, and commenced the study of medicine at Geneva, N. Y., taking his first course of lectures at the Geneva Medical College, the same fall and winter. On completion of his first term of lectures, he was appointed head teacher in the Geneva Union School, which position he held for nearly three^years. His work during this period was almost entirely the teaching of Latin and Greek. He commenced his second course of lectures and resigned this position, and took his degree in medicine in June, 1869. His medical instructors were Dr. G. N. Dox and H. N. Eastman. In 1869, Dr. Wells received the degree of A.M. from his Alma Mater, Hobart College. In 1869, he served in the New York Hospital as a substitute, and in July of the same year became assistant physician in the Willard Asylum, where he remained from July, 1869, to December, 1873.

Having resigned his position at Willard, he spent the two following winters in New York city in the study of medicine, givmg special attention to the studies of ophthalmology and dermatology, and then removed to Minneapolis, Minn., where he has since remained. As chairman of the section relating to the diseases of children in the Minneapolis State Medical Society, he prepared the report of that committee, which was published in the transactions of that society for the year i884-'8s.

Since entering practice at Minneapolis, Dr. Wells has held the following positions : Lecturer on Dermatology, Minnesota College Hospital, 1881-84 ; is now Professor of Diseases of Children, Minnesota Hospital College, since 1881 ; Lecturer in Training School for Nurses, Minnesota College Hospital, 1884-85 ; Visiting Physician and Surgeon, Minnesota College Hospital ; Visiting Physician to St. Barnabas Hospital ; Consulting Physician for Northwestern Hospital for Women ; Member of Board of Health for Minneapolis, 1884-85 ; Member of Northwestern State Medical- Society ; Member and President of Hennepin County Society ; Member of the " Unity Medical Club," Minneapolis.

For several years he was attending physician to Minneapolis Free Dispensary, being one of the three physicians to organize that institution, which furnished gratuitous medical and surgical services to all deserving poor.

He was for several years vestryman of the Holy Trinity church. East Minneapolis ; junior warden of St. Paul Episcopal church, being one of the founders of that parish, and having been connected with it as a vestryman and warden since that date.

Dr. Wells has always been an earnest and constant worker in the Hennepin County Medical Society, having held all the offices in its gift, and at various times read the following papers : " The Relation of Physician and Druggist;" "New Remedies;" "Some Forms of Arrested Breach Labors;" "Medical Ethics;" President's address, "The Insane;" "The Treatment of Non-puerperal Uterine Hemorrhage."

He was the first to suggest the establishment of a library in connection with the Hennepin County Society. Several hundred bound volumes have already been accumulated, and a number of journals are on the shelves, for the use of the members of the society, and the enterprise has long since passed the period of experiment.

At the formal opening of the new building of the Minnesota Hospital College, in 1886, Dr. Wells was the orator of the evening and delivered the dedicatory address. He still remains in active practice in Minneapolis.

James C. Carson

James Carlton Carson -was born January 23, 1847, at Seneca, Ontario county, N. Y., of Robert and Rebecca (Rippey) Carson. His early life was spent upon the farm, and his education obtained at the district school and at the Geneva and Canandaigua academies. His medical studies were pursued under the tuition of his brother, Dr. M. R. Carson, at Canandaigua, and Dr. Jonas Jones, of Rochester, and at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York, where he graduated in March, 1870. One year of his student life was spent in service at the Rochester City Hospital.

On April i, 1870, he entered Brigham Hall, at Canandaigua, as assistant physician, where he remained until October, 1870, when he became attached to the medical staff of Willard Asylum, and for many years was first assistant at that institution. On the first of April, 1883, after thirteen years' continuous service among the insane, he resigned to accept the superintendency of the New York Institution for the Deaf and Dumb in New York city. He remained there only about a year and a half, when he resigned, to assume, on October 15, 1884, a more enlarged and responsible position as superintendent of the New York State Asylum for Idiots at Syracuse, which position he now holds.

On the thirtieth of April, 1874, he was married to Miss Jennie M. Smith, of Geneva, and of this marriage two sons were born, Tom and Robert.

" Report of a Case of the Opium habit in an Idiot Boy." Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Association of Medical Superintendents of Institutions for the Idiotic and Feeble-minded.

" The Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Annual Reports of the New York State Asylum for Idiots, for 1884-5-6." New York Public Documents.

He was elected a member of the Seneca County Medical Society in 1873, and became its president in 1880. He was also a member of the New York County Medical Society.

E. Wirt Lamoreaux

E. Wirt Lamoreaux is a native of Seneca county, and was born at Lodi, August 7, [854. His parents, William and Susan C. Lamoreaux, were farmers, and his early education was obtained in the district schools and at the Starkey Seminary.

On June 26, 1879, he graduated from the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the Michigan University, and afterwards remained one year, as assistant to the chair of pathology and practice of medicine. In June, 1880, he was appointed assistant physician at Willard Asylum, and remained on the medical staff of that institution until March 15, 1883, when he resigned, to enter the general practice of medicine.

After pursuing a special course of study at the New York Polyclinic, he traveled through the Northwest, in search of a desirable location, and in October, 1883, he settled for the practice of his profession at Battle Creek, Michigan, where he has since remained. On the fourteenth of March, 1883, he was married to Miss Hattie E. Rawling.

Douglas A. Shiley was born a few miles south of the village of Waterloo. He studied m.edicine with Dr. S. R.Welles, and also spent one year at the Medical Department of the Michigan University. He graduated at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and soon after entered the Willard Asylum as assistant physician, where he remained from January 6th, 1873, to October 20th of the same year. He then resigned, to enter private practice. From the asylum, he went to Red Wing ; thence to Missouri Valley, and then to Bedford, Iowa, where he now is.

Source changes here: from Manual of the Churches of Seneca County with Sketches of Their Pastors, 1895-96, by Courier Printing Company, published 1896; 58,791 words in this source stream.

Preface

This sketch of the churches of Seneca county, does not purport to give a detailed history of their organization, growth and present condition. Its modest dimensions and low price preclude anything but the merest outline. The compilers and publishers, however, have endeavored to make it what its title claims, an accurate '-Manual" of the churches and pastors, as they exist at the opening of the year 1896. To the pastors themselves, or some member of the respective churches, we are indebted in some instances for the sketch, and in others for the material from which we have written. Some have given us greater detail than others, and in some cases, as will be seen, the roll of membership has not been furnished ; but from the material at hand the compilers have endeavored impartially to give as full a s3'nyposis of local history as was possible. The sketches, even when edited, are given as from the local writer's standpoint. The large membership of the Catholic churches compelled us ta restrict the list to those renting pews.

In the arr^ingement, we have taken the towns geographically from south to north and the churches in the towns alphabetically by denominational name, except in two or three instances where delay in receiving the sketch or cut compelled a transfer to later space. To the church manual, proper, we have appended sketches of five clergymen of different denominations, whose ministerial work seemed to entitle them to a place in this volume.

The volume, a compilation rather than a written history, is submitted in the hope that it may not be unfavorably received as an effort torescup from that oblivion whose dark mantle overshadows so much of the past, a few of the names and incidents in the pioneer life, and more of the present activities of the Churches of Seneca County.

Introduction

Man has been termed a religious animal. Reverence ior the unknown and fear or hope of the hereafter, characterize him, whether he be a savage or a sage. Wherever man exists, there is found religious worship. The Red men of the forest, who for centuries had inhabited this Lake region, had their religion, and after their own manner worshipped the Great Spirit- When the white settlers came, a century ago, they brought their religion with them. They were a Christian people, and when they built their homes in the wilderness, they endowed tlrem with their Bibles and consecrated them with family altars. They were, at first, too far scattered for religious services, but as their numbers increased, ministers of the gospel, pioneers of the churches, found them out and gathered them together for religious instruction, in dwellings, barns, or the open forest.

In 1787, Job Smith erected his cabin in Seneca Falls, but he was not a settler, only a pioneer of the wilderness, and in five or six years went further west. It was in 1789, that the first real settlers came. They were eleven in all, scattered through different parts of the county : George Faussett, in southwestern and James Jackson in northwestern Lodi, near the lake; Andrew Dunlap, William Dunlap, Joseph Wilson, Peter Smith, and Henry Wharton, along the line of Sullivan's march in Western Ovid ; David Wisher in Romulus ; James Bennett in Fayette, near Cayuga lake ; Lawrence Van Cleef in Seneca Falls ; and John Greene in Waterloo. At the opening of 1790, these eleven scattered men, some without their families, v>ere the entire population of Seneca county ; for the Indians had all fled through terror of Sullivan's army, though some of them returned at a later date. But the tide of immigration set in rapidly. From New England and the east, along the present line of the Erie canal, and from Pennsylvania and the south, by the valley of the Chemung and Seneca lake, settlers came pouring into this fertile territory.

In 1794, the first formal religious services ever held in the county, were conducted at the house of Abraham Covert in the town of Ovid. In 1797, Methodist Episcopal itinerants held services in Seneca Falls. The first settled preacher in the county wiis Rev. John Lindsley, of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, who was called to Ovid in 1800. Baptist Churches were formed both in Covert and Tyre in 1805, Elder Thomas being pastor of the former and Elder Dan Ralph of the latter. The first regular minister in

Seneca Falls was a Presbyterian, Rev. Matthew Stewart, in 1804. A society of Friends was organized in the town of Junius and flourished for many years, but the Q^iaker Meeting House has been abandoned to other purposes, and such members of that society as remain, worship in other places. The further history of the churches and the tinie of their establishment will be found in their respective sketches.

Of general interest to all were the evangelistic labors of the eccentric Lorenzo Dow, who, in the early years of the century, often visited this county. His long hair> swarthy visage, and ill-fitting clothes, attracted attention; but his earnest zeal and religious enthusiasm brought conviction. He would preach, sometimes in barns or dwellings, but often from the slump of a tree, and at the close of the service would announce that at such a day and hour, months hence, .perhaps, he would preach again at the same place. He was alway.*- punctual at his appointments, arid always found an eager throng awaiting him, without further announcement. It may be permitted, too, to state as a part of the religious movements of the county, that here Mormonism took its rise. Though the plates containing the Mormon bible were claimed to have been found near Manchester in Wayne county, it was at the house of Peter Whitmer in Fayrtte, three miles south-west of Waterloo, that the pretended translation was made ; the first convert was baptized in Thomas'. Creek, just south of Waterloo, and the first Mormon Conference was held in the town of Fayette, in June, 1830. Brigham Young, whose father lived near the source of Glen Creek, in Schu3]er count}', used to come to Seneca to work in the harvest, and it wfis in Fayette that he first met Joseph Sipith, vvhose follower he became in 1833. The moral atmospliere of Seneca county, however, did not agree with Mormonism, and Smith took his newly formed church to the West, so that it does not appear in these sketches, which are devoted to the living, .working organizations, both Protestant and Catholic, which, in this year of our Lord, are striving "to do good to both the bodies and the souls of men."

Town Of Covert Covert Baptist Church

VIRGINIA is the mother of Presidents, Covert the mother of Churches. Among those belonjfing to the Seneca association, she has at least six daughters and two grand-daughters. She was not boastful when she said to the churches at their annual assembly in 1859 - " a mother welcomes home her returning daughters, so would this mother-church welcome you."

"The Covert Baptist church was constituted February 16, 1803 ; being known at first, as the Baptist church of Ovid and Hector. It had twenty-eight constituent members, viz. : Minor Thomas, Nancy Thomas, Asaph King, Debora King, Joseph Thomas, Ann Thomas, Garrett Easling, Ann JefFery, Margaret King, Elizabeth Cash, Mary A. Coddington, Hannah Freeland, Mary Woodworth, Silas Potter, Esther Potter, Sarai Walsworth, Nathaniel Osgood, Hannah Osgood, Phineas Clark, Ezra Keeler, Godfrey Clair, Mrs. Clair, Jas. Drake. Martin Peck, Charlotte Clark, Lucy Peck, Hannah Keeler and Peggy Gray." In June, 1803, the church was represented at the session of the Cayuga association held in Baileytown.

Minor Thomas, its first pastor, was chosen April 21, 18014 > ^^^ compensation he v/as to depend on the liberality of the church and congregation. He was the Pauline apostle of the Seneca association. During his pastorate the old church at Covert was often filled in summer, while a congregation of several hundred gathered around the church. The doors and windows being open and Elder Thomas speaking in loud tones, all were edified.

Thomas Campbell was appointed the first clerk of the church and Asaph King and Joseph Thomas were elected deacons. March 9, 1805, the name of the church was changed to the Second Baptist church of Ovid. In 1809 meet ings were held one-half of the time at the home church in Thomas' settlement ; one-fourth of the time at Samuel Hanley's in Hector ; one-fourth of the time at Peach Orchard, or other stations. This year the first colony was dismissed, calling itself the First Church in Hector, now, Bennettsburg.

In 1815, according to the historical sketch of Elder Marshall, fifty-one united with the church by baptism on New Year's day ; and they were but the first fruits of the harvest; for, during the year, the church received two hundred and twenty-two members by baptism. That year the church reported to the Cayuga association, four hundred and eighty members, the largest number which had ever been reported to that body by any one church. The revival spread in every direction where the Covert pastor had preached, and the seed then sown soon sprang up lo bear fruit in numerous new churches. Elder Thomas' field of labor was so broad that it seems to have included the territory in which (1879) there were at least nine Baptist churches. He resigned his pastorate here in 1818 and removed, with a number of the members of this church, to Fayette county, Indiana, where he entered again upon his labors as a gospel pioneer.

Elder James Derthick, who succeeded Elder Thomas, Aug. 8, 1818, shared the fate of many who are unfortunate enough to take the place of an unusually successful pastor or teacher. He seems to have been an excellent man and a good pastor, but the church thought that no one could fill the place of Elder Thomas ; besides they were dispirited by the loss of the large numbers who also went West with him ; so at the end of one year the relation between pastor and people was dissolved. In 1816 a number of members in the town of Ulysses were dismissed, to form another church. In 1817 the Second Hector Church (now Mecklenburg) was organized by members dismissed from Covert for that purpose. The Church of Enfield was another colony sent out the same year. In 1818 other brethren were given letters that they might establish the Third Church in Hector, which was afterward dismissed, to join the Chemung River association. The churches in Trumansburg and Farmerville were constituted in 1819. The Fourth

Covert Baptist Church

Church in Hector, afterward known as the Peach Orchard Church, was constituted in 1820. The same year another request was granted to brethren in Ulysses that they might form a new church. A colony of the Covert Church also went to Rushford, Allegany County, and were constituted as a branch of the old church. That branch has since become a strong and vigorous tree. Thus within two years the old hive sent out six strong swarms. In 182 1 a number of the members living in the town of Lodi were dismissed, to aid in forming another new church, making twelve churches in all ; most of thepi still in existence, which were constituted wholly or chiefly of members taken from this church in Covert. Judge James McCall, one of the founders of the Rushford Church, was an early settler in the town of Covert, Seneca county, residing near Farmer Village, which was once known as "McCall's." He was converted at thirty-eight, uniting with the Covert Church. He represented Seneca county in the Assembly in 1809 and 1813, succeeding O. C. Comstock. Removing. to Rushford he was elected to the bench, the Assembly and the Senate of this State, but his first thought seemed to be ever for the Church of Christ. He was an early life-member of the Baptist State convention and one of its officers. He died in 1856, aged eighty-two years.

On Sunday. Sept. 2, 1821, this church of Covert appointed J. P. Woodworth, Nathan Cole, Daniel Cole, William Stillwell and Lewis Porter, to represent the church at the Seneca association, with authority to unite with that body, and on Wednesday, Sept. 5, the union was effected. In 1822, Elder Obed Warren was engaged as pastor, his salary to be two hundred dollars and "fire-wood fit for the fire." On Sept. 22, he broke bread to the church, " and the season was solemn and comfortable." In Aug. 1823, he fell asleep after a short illness. Elder Aaroii Abbott was next engaged as pastor, at a salary of two hundred dollars and twenty-five cords of wood. At this time, part of the covenant meetings were held at the schoolhouse at Hall's Corners. About 1826, the church passed resolutions in opposition to Free Masonry ; and this action appears to have led to Elder Abbott's resignation, he claiming the right to commune with members of that order. Elder Richard Woolsey was called, but was obliged to decline. Elder P. P. Roots served for a time as a supply, then Elder J. C". Holt was called to the pastorate. In 1830, Elder Woolsey again reciived a call to the pastorate and decided to accept it. In Dec. 1832, about one hundred and thirty members were present at a covenant meeting. The first six days of 1833 were set apart by the church for a protracted meeting, in which a number of visiting elders and brethren participated. There were a number of baptisms. Elder Woolsey was succeeded by Elder Clay in 1837. Elder John Sears was invited to become pastor, the church deciding to raise four hundred dollars for his support one year. The invitation was no( accepted; and in Aug. 1838, Elder Alonzo Wadham became pastor, at a salary of two hundred and fifty dollars. He was ordained by a council, Nov. 21.

May 8th, 1841 it was voted that elder Calvin Bateman be received as a member and pastor of the church. The church and society by a vote on the Lord's day previous having agreed to give him a comfortable living, three hundred dollars a year was named ; but some thought that amount would be insufficient. In the minutes for December we find the. first record of a donation visit to the pastor. Elder Litchfield became pastor in 1843. The minutes soon record a precious revival.

We find the first mention of a Sunday school May loth, 1844. ; the pastor being appointed superintendent, with H. H. Dennison and Milo V. Cole assistants. Rev. Chauncey Wardner became pastor in 1844. On January 9, 1853, the church voted to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary with appropriate services, and Rev. E. Marshall, N. Cole, Amzi Durand and R. D. Hubbard were appointed a committee of arrangements. The celebration occurred February 15th and i6th, and these were memorable days in the history of the church. Rev. C. Wardner resigned Oct. ist, 1853 and was succeeded by Rev. Enos Marshall. In 1861 Rev. B. F. Balcom assisted the pastor in a protracted meeting and the church received many additions. Elder Marshall preached his farewell sermon, April 5th, 1863. He was followed by Rev. S. V Marsh. During his pastorate the church reported thirteen additions by baptism. Rev. William Rees was pastor from 1867 to 187 1, and during that time the house of worship was repaired and in part re-furnished. In July, 1872, Rev. George Hopkins was chosen pastor and ordained Sept. i8th. He continued as pastor for three years, enjoying the esteem of all, and was blessed in his labors, in 1874 the church reporting fifteen baptisms. He resigned April ist, 1875. Rev. A. C. Mallory began his work as pastor April 1st, 1876, winning at once the esteem of his people and the community. July 4th, 1876, was a notable day in the history of the Covert Church. Nearly one thousand people assembled to hear the notes of the centennial bell, rung for the first time upon that national holiday.

After nearly nine years pastorate, elder Mallory closed his labors here March 29th, 1885, twenty-seven having united with the church during that time. He was followed by Rev. P. D. Jacobus from February 13th, 1886, to January 8th, 1887. Rev. N. W. Wblcott began his labors as pastor April 9th, 1887 and continued till May 12th, 1889, resulting in eleven additions to the church, and was succeeded by Rev. S. S. Powell, August loth, 1889, whose pastorate closed October 22nd, 1893, thirty-one having been added to the membership of the church. After a brief supply of the church and by virtue of an urgent, unanimous call of church and society, the present pastorate began February 1st, 1894.

Church Buildings

It is probable that the first building in the county erected for public worship, was a log house which stood near the grist mill (Judge Silas Halsey's), about one mile southwest of the present village of Lodi. It se^ms to have been open to all denominations. Among the preachers here were Elder Jehiel Wisner, Baptist; and Rev. Mr. Clark, Presbyterian. This house was taken down early in the 19th century. In 1807 or 1808 the Baptists put up a small frame house about a mile and a quarter west of Lodi. This was enclosed but never finished. The first Baptist Church in the county was built by the Covert Church, (then Ovid), at Thomas' settlement, three miles north of Trumansburg. Elder Sheardown thus speaks of this church in his autobiography : "It was a rare model of architecture for this time. The people went into the gallery from out of doors, going in at the gable end of the building. The first time I saw it, I could not but admire the patch-work. It was not, I believe, plastered all over ; only here and there a patch put on ; and eyerything else about it appeared to be in keeping with what is already named." The meeting house seems to have been re-built in 1823. In 1850, during the pastorate of Elder Wardner, the present church edifice was erected, dedicated and consecrated by the conversion of souls. Subsequently, however, during the pastorate of Dr. Rees, between 1867 and 187 1. it was repaired and in part re-furnished.

List Of Membekh Rev. J. A. Rich

Rev. J. A. Rich, the present pastor of the Covert Baptist Church, was born in Gloucester, Mass., situated on the rugged shores of the rock-ribbed coast of

Old Cape Ann. His father's vessel was wrecked during a homeward voyage, when almost within sight of home, and all on board were lost; thereby leaving the mother widowed, and his four children fatherless, the oldest being between ten and eleven years of age and the youngest, (the present pastor), but two weeks old. What would have been left for the family's support was soon afterward lost by a rogue's appropriating and decamping with the same. The divine promise, however, of being thf widow's judge and father of the fatherless was duly and fully verified in this case. With the assistance of the eldest son, and the help of friends divinely raised up in time of need, that widowed mother courageously kept her family together and brought them up to maturity in the admonition and fear of her Lord. The youngest then felt it his duty and blessed privilege to devote himself to her support and smooth her pathway to the grave - deeming it his life mission and Godserving until her release should come.

Not long after her departure, this youngest son received a unanimous call to the pastorate of the Baptist church in Hinsdale, N. H., with whom he labored between one and two years : when, receiving unsolicited, a unanimous and urgent call from the Baptist church of Pondville, now New Fane, Vt., he finally accepted and, after two week's rest, entered on his labors there, with the growing conviction of his need of a more thorough preparation for this work of the ministry. As a result, he resigned during his second year, and against the repeated remonstrances and solicitations of that people to still remain with them, he left for Madison, (now Colgate), University, graduating in the year 1875. Three calls awaited his graduation, East Pembtoke, Georgetown and Unadilla Forks, N. Y., and finally he accepted the weakest of the three, viz. : Unadilla Forks, N. Y. At the close of three years, however, the other two were again respectfully tendered him, but not feeling divinely called, each, in turn, was again declined. Since that time until the present, his pastorates have been, respectively, Maine, N. Y., Truxton, Mahopac Falls, Wv oming, Preston Hollow, Mt. Vision and Covert - all in this State, and all of which, according to the testimonies oi'the churches themselves, he has served very acceptably, they having been built up, edified and strengthened through his labors and lifci

June 14, 1877, he was married to Miss Charlotte E., daughter of S. W. Root, Esq., of New Hartford, N. Y., three children blessing the onion, one son and two daughters; one of whom only, the youngest daughter, still >urvives.

First Baptist Church Of Farher

IN THE year 1819, a colony from Covert Baptist church - mother of churches, was set aside to organize a Baptist church at Farmerville, (now, Farmer, N. Y). The first pastor of the infant church was John Lewis, whose pastorate began in 1820 and continued to' 1824. Eighteen devoted pastors, including the present incumbent, have given their services to this church. Most of these now -'rest from their labors and their works do follow them." Notable pastorates in the church have been the following : That of Rev. Wm. McCarthy, 1846-1851, who conducted several "protracted meetings" as they were then called, which added greatly to the numerical and' spiiitual strength of the church. Under the pastoral care of the Ri-v. J. Byington Smith, D. D., 1860-1866. now of Saratoga Springs, N. Y., - one of the few remaining ex-pastors, the present beautiful and commodious house of worship was built. He was a man of broad, sound scholarship, of genial, kindly spirit and evangelical type of earnest piety. His pastorate was blessed richly of God and he is still held in affectionate remembrance by the people. Last in the list of ex-pastors and of notable pastorates, stands that of the Rev. Lewis Halsey, D. D., now of Oswego, N. Y., who for 18 years had the honor of " div-iding the word of truth" to this people. At several different periods, during Dr. Halsey's pastorate, the church was prepared by his faithful labors for, and enjoyed seasons of precious revivals under the lead of such evangelists as the Rev. E. G. De Witt, D. D., and Rev. S. Hartwell Pratt, D. D. During and after such meetings, many united with the church. The pastorate of Rev. M. H. Coleman, who followed Rev. Dr. Halsey, has lasted four years and still continues. This church has always been richly blest in tlie unusual number of men who have been interested in its devotional meetings, which are of deep spirituality,

First Baptist Church. Farmer List Of Members

The Rev. Merritt Howell Coleman, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Farmer, N. Y., was born near Athens, Pa.. July 4, 1859. His parents moved to Waverly, N. Y., when he was about two years of age, in the excellent public schools of which place the foundation of his education was laid. His father, having learned a trade himself, insisted that his children should do the same. Accordingly, his son was apprenticed to learn printing - "The art preservative of arts." It was in the closing weeks of his apprenticeship that Mr. Coleman was called into the gospel ministry. With several very promising business . openings before him, it was only after a protracted struggle that at last he devoted himself to the ' ' work of the ministry," licensed to preach by the Waverly Baptist church. As soon as sufficient preparation could be gained, he entered Madison University, (now Colgate,) from whose theological department he was graduated in 1882. Obliged early in his course to be self-supporting, in company with Mr. (now Rev.) Leland J. Silcox, the "UniTversity Press" was established and made a source of good income to both young men by printing the ' volumes of lectures for class-room work by the professors in the different departments of the university. Since leaving school, Mr. Coleir.an has held successful pastorates in Salisbury, Half-Moon and Broadalbin, N. Y. Called to the Farmer Baptist church in February, 1892, by the unanimous vote of the church, without a single dissenting voice, Mr. Coleman immediately entered upon his work as pastor. Pursuing quiet, steady, personal methods of work, over thirty have been received into the church by baptism since the beginning of his pastorate without any evangelistic help from outside the church. Aside from his regular work as pastor and preacher, Mr. Coleman has pursued special studies in church history, philology, sociology, and English and American literature. Keeping in mind his early education in newspaper work, he has also been a frequent contributor of prose and poetry to the daily and weekly press.

Rev. Merritt Howell Coleman St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church, Farmer

FROM the year 1838 to 1850 the following Catholic people arrived from the dear land of their birth, Ireland, and took up their residence in this vicinity: John Durnin, Patrick Deary, Thomas McCarthy, Thomas King, John King, Sr., Bart Ward, Patrick Woods, Wm. Carroll, Patrick Mathews, Barney Hugo, John Ward, Bart Dowdle, Patrick McDonald, James Quinn, Michael Herron, James McGraw, Matthew Donley, Michael Ward, James McCarthy, Peter Behan, Peter Manning, James Mc Ardle. Some of the above were married and had families when they came to this country. Others were married after they arrived. At that time those who got married were obliged to go to Canandaigua, as there was no Catholic church or priest any nearer. Those few people in 1849 went to Ovid, as mass was celebrated in that village in the house of Mrs. Murphy, and later in the house of John Anderson. The first mass celebrated in Farmer or vicinity was by Rev. Father Gilbride, in 1849, at the house of ThomasKing, opposite Lake View cemetery.

At or about this time the building of Holy Cross church was started at Ovid, and the good people of this village were a part of that congregation and would walk to Ovid to be present at the Holy Sacrifice of the mass, a distance of eight miles. In the year 1854, Rev. Wm. Gleason was assigned the pastorate of Ovid, Trumansburg and Waterloo, living at the last place. He celebrated mass in the home of Bart Dowdle, near this village, and held the pastorate ' till 1859, when he was assigned a higher position, and made vicar general of the diocese of Buffalo, being placed in charge of St. Bridget's church, and created Rt. Rev. Monsignor. For the last rive years he was assisted by the Rev. Richard C. O'Connell, the son of Richard O'Connell, of Trumansburg, N. Y., one of his old parishioners. Rt. Rev- Monsignor Gleason died at Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. i, 1895. Rev. R. C. O'Connell, the senior assistant, was appointed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Ryan to the pastorate of St. Bridget's church, pro tem.

St. Francis Solanus Church

In June 1863, Rev. Father Kinan, then pastor of Ovid, residing at Waterloo, N. Y., celebrated mass at the house of John King, near this village. In January, 1870, Rev. James T. O'Connor, pastor at Ovid, organized the congregation here, and services were held in the Universalist church and continued until January, 1871, at which time regular services were discontinued. Rev. Gilbert Nuano took the pastoral charge in 1872, and held services in the Town Hall for about two months. The Universalist church was again used. Farmer being then cut off from Ovid and annexed to Trumansburg, Rev. Father Gilbert started a subscription in March, 1873, fortheerectionof anew church, and through the united efforts of the pastor and congregation, then about thirty families, enough money was received to warrant the ergction of the church. The corner stone was laid on the 4th day of June, 1874, by the Rt. Rev. B. J. Mc Quaid of Rochester, N. Y., assisted by Rev. H. Derigge, chancellor of the diocese. Rev. James T. O'Connor, Rev. Eugene Pagani and the pastor. Father Gilbert. After the bishop completed the service.s of laying the corner stone, he preached a most eloquent and patriotic sermon, which was listened to by a large concourse of people. The new church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. B. J. Mc Quaid, on the 17th day of January, 1875, ^"'^ assumed for its patron, Saint Francis Solanus. Rev. Father Gilbert held the pastoral charge until Nov. 22, 1877 ; was succeeded by Rev. Angelo Lugiro, who was succeeded by Rev. M. T. Madden in July 1881, the present pastor, who paid the entire debt of the church and made marked improvements, interior and exterior. Rev. M. T. Madden is held in high esteem by the congregations both in Farmer and in Trumansburg where he resides. He was appointed to a far better place by Rt. Rev. B. J. Mc Quaid, to be succeeded by Rev. Father Angelo Lugiro. The two congregations were so attached to their pastor, that, when he made known to them of his departure, they at once sought the Rt. Rev. Bishop with a petition signed by every man, woman and child in both congregations, praying that their honored and beloved pastor, who was so near and dear to them, mightbeleft with them. Gladness came to every heart when the news reached the congregation that their pastor would remain, and such rejoicing was never manifested before. At Christmas time this congregation showed the esteem in which they held their Rev. pastor, by making him the largest collection ever received in this church.

Mrs. Mary J. King was the first organist, Sarah Reily, second, and Ella Farrell is now the organist and leader of the choir. James McArdle and John King are the lay trustees ; Kate King, Mame Dowdle and Mary Farrell are the Sunday school teachers.

List Of Members

Rev. M. T. Madden, pastor of St. Francis Solanus church, Farmer, N. Y., was born in Rochester, and began a college course in Toronto, Canada. He completed the course and received his degrees atSeton Hall college, under the present Archbishop of New York, and was ordained a priest at Troy, N.Y., in 1875. He came to Trumansburg, N. Y., in 1881, and has charge of that church, with Farmer as an outside parish.

Reforhed Church Of Farmer

THE Reformed Church of Farmer was organized under the name, The First Dutch Reformed church of Farmer ville, in the following manner : On October 28, 1830, a meeting of the inhabitants of Farmerville and vicinity was held for the purpose of forming a Reformed church society. On the 27th of the following month letters of dismissal from the Reformed church at Lodi were given to six of its male members, who were installed into their respective offices by the Lodi pastor. Rev. Asa Bennett, Nov. 28, 1830, as follows : Elders, Peter Rappleye, John Kelly, Joseph W. Smith; deacons, William Ditmars, Jacob Voorhees, Peter Ditmars, these constituting the first consistory.

Reformed Church, Farmer

For several months these six officers were the only members of the new church, but the number had increased to thirty-one when the first pastor, Rev. Oscar H. Gregory, was installed, August 11, 1831. Two weeks after his installation twenty-five united with the church, and when his pastorate closed, April 6, 1838, there were eighty-two members. During his pastorate, the church building, which had been started in 1829, was completed and dedicated September 28, 183 1, and the first parsonage was built. The church became self-supporting in 1834. The Rev. Benjamin Bassler became the next pastor, September i, 1838, and his pastorate extended over a period of nearly twentyseven and a half years. It terminated with his death, February 5, 1866. The house of worship of this society was originally built after the pattern of a few of the old churches still standing in the county, with the pulpit at the front between the doors and galleries around three sides. In 1857, the building was thoroughly remodelled by removing the galleries, enlarging the auditorium to its present dimensions, 70x40 feet, and placing the pulpit, on the east end of the room. In 1850, a session room was built. During Mr. Bassler's term of service the membership had reached the number of one hundred and fifty.

The two shortest pastorates in the records of the church were that of Rev. W. W. Brush, who was called from the Theological seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., and began his work in June, 1866, severing his relations with the congregation in April, 1868, and that of Rev. A. A. Zabriskie, who began his ministry in this church in July, 1868, resigning in October, 1869. A strong spiritual interest, especially among the young people, prevailed under the leadership of these two young men.

Rev. J. C. Forsythe became the next pastor of the church in May 1870 ; and the life of the organization was steadily maintained, though unmarked by any unusual events during his pastorate, which lasted until July, 1875. His successor was the Rev. Philip Furbeck, who served the church from November 1875 to October 1881. In the second year of his pastorate twenty-seven united with the church. The history of the church is one of constant growth from the very beginning of its existence. Soon after the settlement of the Rev. W. H. Nasholds, a pastor - March, 1882 to October, 1887 - the old parsonage was sold and removed, and the present modern and commodious house erected on the old site. The pastorate of the Rev. F. W. Palmer, was remarkable in many ways. There was a revival of interest in every department of church life. The old session house was taken down and an addition built on the main building, comprising parlor, cloak and class room above, with a kitchen and dining room below stairs. The largest accession ever received at one time into membership whs- on April, 1890, when thirty-eight were received on confession of their faith in Christ. That year fifty-nine were admitted. The high water mark of membership was reached in 1892, numbering two hundred and fifty. Mr. Palmer was installed in July, 1888, but had served the congregation as supply pastor from October, 1887. He resigned February 1893. The church membership at present is two hundred forty-one. It carries on much of its special work in the following societies : - a Women's Missionary Society, a Young Women's Missionary Society, a King's Daughters' Circle, a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, a Junior Christian Endeavor Society, and an efficient Sunday School Organization.

Rev. Elias B. Van Arsdale

The Rev. EHas B. Van Arsdale, pastor of the Reformed church at Farmer, was born in High Falls, Ulster county, N. Y., on August 2, 1869. His father is a minister of the Reformed church ; and the son formed an early purpose of following the father into the ministry. He pursued his preparatory course without interruption, graduating from Rutgers College in June, 1890, and from the NeW Brunswick Theological Seminary in May, 1893. The Reformed church of Farmer, called him to be their pastor, in June, and he was duly ordained to the Gospel Ministry and installed as pastor of that church in August, 1893, in which capacity he is serving at the present time. On October 11, 1894, he married Miss Agnes Royle, of Paterson, N.J.

First Universalist Church Of Farmer

THE First Universalist Society of Farmer was formed February 10, 1850, witti forly-twp members. H. C. Tracy, Ansel Rappleye and Enos Peck were elected trustees, and Charles E. Swift, clerk. The church building was erected in 1852 at a cost of $2,500. The first pastor was Rev. Harvey Boughton, .who dedicated the church and remained with the society for eleven years. A church organization was effected in 1858, when Selah Squires and Ansel Rappleye were made the first deacons. At that time thirtytwo members were enrolled. Rev. Mr. Boughton resigned in 1861 and was followed by Revs. Lydia Jenkins, P. H. Batterson, Adolphus Skinner, M. Whitney and C. C. Richardson. For a few years the pulpit has been supplied by Rev. O. M. Hilton of the First Universalist Church in Auburn.

The church property has lately been deeded to the State Universalist Ministerial Convention ; and it is expected that regular services will hereafter be maintained through the care of the district Secretary of the Convention.

The late J. D. Wintersteen was for many years an active member and clerk of the society. The present trustees are James Almy, Madison Lyon William P. (jroodwin.

Town Of Lodi Methodist Episcopal Church Of Lodi

THE Methodist Episcopal church of Lodi Village, was the out-growth of Methodist Societies, having an existence in various places in the vicinity for many years prior to its own organization, including Hector, Townsendville, West Lodi, Trumansburg and Ovid churches, as a circuit having a preacher in charge with his assistants, alternating in the preaching services, and continued so for many years, in the meantime giving such occasional services at Lodi Village at the school house as could be spared from the other places, as quite a membership was being added to the West Lodi church, from the village and vicinity, where a class had been formed and social meetings were regularly held.

July 24, 1837, a meeting of the members and friends of the Methodist church was held at the school house in Lodi Village, and after electing Rev. John W. Nevins, who was the presiding elder on the circuit, as chairman, and Rev. Delos Hutching, who was preacher in charge, vice-president, and Neal

Resolved, That this meeting organize themselves into a Religious Society by appointing seven trustees to be chosen by ballot. Seven persons were then chosen as follows: William Van Lew, Joshua G. Skinner, Nicholas H. Wyckoff, Michael Biggs, John DeMott, Michael B. Ellison and Edmund Baldwin.

Preaching in the village school house and other ministerial services were rendered for the village membership and friends as there were opportunities, but were quite irregular, and the building of a church did not take any definite form until about 1848, when a very general desire for such an enterprise was manifested. While all were anxious and many enthusiastic in the matter, very much was due to the untiring and judicious zeal of Hon. William C. Kelly, one of the members, who gave his entire time and attention, so far as was necessary, to the building, until the house was dedicated in the fall of 1849, and received its first appointment of a preacher from the conference, for the village and West Lodi churches. Increased attendance at the services of the church in a few years, required more room and better accommodations, and in 1861 the church was enlarged and a fine bell placed in the tower. In 1880 the frame building was removed and the present brick structure was commenced and completed and dedicated in March, 1881. The cost of the building, with its additions and furniture, exclusive of bell, was about $13,000. The audience room is arranged with circling seats, an easy elevation from the altar to the rear of the room with the platform at the side so that every one, when seated, squarely faces the pulpit. The parlor or Sunday school annex is so arranged as to be occupied as a whole or by folding doors separated into two or three different apartments as circumstances require, and also a well equipped kitchen, where, if you do not find the "hallowed bread," you often find an abundance to feed the social gatherings that from time to time convene in the various departments of church labor.

The organization at West Lodi was continued for a few years after the erection of the church in the village, in 1849, ^'^^ then the two' societies were united in one and the West Lodi chapel was removed.

From 1849 to the present time the conferences have assigned to this charge the following named Reverends : John Powell, John N. Brown, Elijah Wood, Orin Trowbridge, David Crow, A. N. Filmore, A. E. Chubbuck, John G. Gulick, William C. Mattison, David Nutten, James L. Edson, James W. Wilson, J. B. Sheerarr, John H. Day, Robert Brewster, B. J. Tracy, George S. White, Joseph Zartman, U. S. Hall, Silas Ball and S. F. Beardslee. The charge has been under the oversight of the following as presiding elders, viz. : Revs. F. G. Hibbard, Delos Hutchins, William H. Goodwin, Thomas Tousey, Masm- Crow, J. G. GuHck, Manly S. Hard, W. H. Annable, W. P. Blakesley and E. J. Hermans. The present membership, as last reported, was two hundred and twenty-five. The charge has a commodious and well arranged parsonage across the street from the church, and both are well and pleasantly located.

Rev. S. F. Beardslee

Rev. S. F. Beardslee, the present pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lodi, N. Y., was born in Masonville, Del. county, N. Y. His boyhood days were spent on a farm. He was converted at the age of fifteen in Roxbury, N. Y., and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. W. H. Mickle, pastor. Feeling called to the work of the ministry, he fitted for college at the Centennary Collegiate Institute of Hackettstown, N. J., and Cazenovia Seminary ; attended Syracuse University and was a member of the class of '83. He was united in marriage with Miss Eva May Eigabroadt of Cazenovia, N. Y. He joined the Central New York Conference in October, 1883 and has held the following appointments : Bridgeport, one year ; Camillus, three years ; Lysander and Little Utica, three years ; Seneca Castle and Hopewell Center, five years, and was appointed to Lodi, October, 1895.

Townsendville M. E- Church

THIS society was [formed about 18 10. Theirjfirst house of worship was built about 181 3, and called the Taunton church. The second church was built about 1839 during the pastorate of Delos Hutchins. It was remodelled in its present form during the pastorate of G. S. Nichols, about 1862. In 1868, while H. M. Davis was pastor, a pipe organ was introduced, which is in use at the present time.

John Whiteford had been chorister about sixteen years prior to this time. Truman Smith was then elected to succeed him, Joseph Stevens, assistant. N. A. Depew was pastor from 1868 to 1870.

Rev. Charles M. Brookman

Rev. Charles M. Broolcman, present pastor of the Towsendville M. E. Church, was born in Caton Center, Steuben county, N. Y., October 25, 1859, where his father, Rev. S. M. Brookman, was located as pastor of the Baptist Society of that place. In 1861 his parents removed to Elmira, N. Y., where he received his education. He was licensed to preach by the Elmira District Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, at Troy, Pa., September, 1894, and appointed by the Central New York Conference in session at Syracuse, October, 1894, to the pastorate of the church at Towsendville, N. Y., at which place he is located at the present time.

Reformed Dutch Church Of Lodi

THE Reformed (Dutch) church of Lodi was organized in 1800 as the First Presbyterian church of Ovid by the Rev. John Lindsley, a missionary of the Presbyterian General Assembly. Mr. Lindsley remained the pastor of this church for the first five years of its existence. During those years the first house of worship was built. At the present time one may look in vain for any trace of the old building, which stood just across the highway southward from the Ovid Gospel Lot cemetery. The church thus founded was not destined to remain in the Presbyterian fold, owing to its large admixture of the New Jersey Dutch who settled in the southern part of Seneca county. In 1808 the church was transferred by the Presbytery of Geneva to the Classis of Montgomery, and in October of the year following the Rev. Abraham Brokaw was installed as its pastor. During the next twelye years a strong congregation was established and the church prospered until struck by an .ecclesiastical cyclone of no mean proportions in the year 1822. In that year the congregation was divided, a portion with the pastor retiring from the communion of the Reformed church into that of the True Dutch church. The True Dutch congregation thus formed, built a new church about one-half mile east of the old edifice, and there the Rev. Abraham Brokaw continued to minister until 1838 when he was succeeded by the Rev. Archibald McNiel until 1865. After that time no regular pastor w^s settled with this, congregation and about 1876 the McNiel church, as it was locally called, was taken down.

The litigation which followed the division of 1822 absorbed the value of the original church property, so that when that property was finally adjudged to the congregation remaining in the Reformed church, they also found themselves without a house of worship. In 1825 the Rev. Abraham Messier became the pastor of the church and under his leadership a new church was built in 1826 on the present site in Lodi Village,

Reformed Church, Lodi

A log church buiU by the Presbyterians stood during the first quarter of the century in the old burying ground south of the bridge at Maxwell's mill. This was the first church built within the limits of the present town of Lodi. When in 1826 the Reformed church was built in Lodi Village, the congregation of the log church united in the undertaking and shared the privileges of the new house of worship. The new church was considered a model of beauty for its day. After standing practically unchanged for nearly fifty years, in 1871 it was rebuilt and enlarged at an expense of $6,500. Just six months later, July 14th, 1872, on a Saturday night, it burned to the ground and the, congregation gathered around its ashes in the morning. But in less than two weeks from that morning the money was subscribed and the contract let for the present brick edifice.

Rev. Charles F. Porter

Charles F. Porter, past^-r of the Ri-formed Church of LoHi, was born in St! Louis in 1861. He was educated at Watertown, N. Y., preparing for college at the High School under Prof. William K. Wickes ; entered Hamilton College 188 1 and received the degree of A. B. ; was graduated from Auburn Theological Seminary, licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Geneva and ordained by the Presbytery of Buffalo, in 1887 ; became pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Alden, N, Y., 1887-88; of the Reformed Church of Lodi since November, 1888,

Town Of Ovid Ovid Center Baptist Church

OVID Center Baptist church had its beginning in 1827, when, on December 8, the Ovid Baptist conference was organized at the house of Mrs. Kezia Scott, in the town of Ovid. For some time those who thus organized themselves into a Baptist conference had been in the habit of meeting at the homes of some of their number for religious worship. The articles of faith and the covenant adopted by the conference at this meeting, while en;- bodying the doctrines held by Bfiptist churches, were unique in phraseology, differing in this respect from those generally adopted by Baptist churches; and these same documents have contii>ued (with the exception of one sentence) to serve the same purpose in the church to the present time. Abraham Bloomer and Hevelin Ward were elected deacons, and Joseph Dunlap was appointed permanent clerk.

The members of this conference were recognized as a regular Baptist church by a council whiqh met at the house of Mrs. Kezia Scott on the 19th of February, 1828. At the recognition service, Rev. John C. Holt of Romulus preached the sermon, Rev. Jacob Fisk of Lodi gave the hand of fellowship, and Rev. Peter R. Roberts gave the charge to the church. The infant chijrch began its career with seventeen members, as follows : Edward Hodge, Abraham Bloomer, Sr., William Everett, Hevelin Ward, A. M. Williams, Joseph Dunlap, Ke?ia Scott, Betsey B. Rowley, Phoebe Grant, Phoebe Scott, Lucinda

Ovid Center Baptist Church

Lewis, Sarah Hodge, Agnes Dunlap, Abigail Newbury, Sarah Everett, Althea Fingley, Ann Sayre. The church became a member of the Geneva association at its meeting in Covert that same year.