History of Monroe county, New York

Had we the space we would with pleasure make acknowledgment by name to each of the many persons who have rendered us material aid in our historical researches, also to the many published sources of the information compiled and presented to the public in this volume; but it would cover pages and add bulk to an already voluminous work, and, in consideration thereof, we trust all will accept this general acknowledgment. We have garnered from every available source (in many cases a mere sentence only), confining ourselves so far as possible to original material, depending largely upon the memories of old settlers, and those whose lives and associations have made them familiar with the subjects portrayed. We have also, so far as practicable, classified all matter, although the labor of compilation has been materially increased thereby. Yet we feel assured that our work as a book of reference receives an added value that will more than compensate us for the increased labor and expense. We have also endeavored to make the history of each town and village niter its organization up to present date complete in itself, without too much recapitulation: to avoid this entirely were impossible, though we trust that to no considerable extent does it appear.

Some incidents and anecdotes have been related more with the design to illustrate the past than to amuse the reader, for we have aimed only to show and trace the method of the change, in a concise, unpretentious way: how and by whom the wilderness has been changed to the garden, the log cabin to the brownstone front, the track through the forest and the lone postal rider to the iron rail, fast mail, and electric win; with its lightning messenger, — the lands of the red man to the homes of the white. Honor and credit are certainly due to some. We have named many — and the means, privations, and toil required — but not all, — only a few of the leading spirits, whom to associate with was to be one of. Too much honor cannot be rendered them.

Instructions to our historians were, "Write truthfully and impartially of every one and on every subject." Their instructions have been as faithfully executed as was possible, and while some may have been omitted who should have had a place in these pages, yet especial pains has been taken to make it otherwise.

We expect criticism. All we ask is that it be done in charity, after weighing all contingencies, obstacles, and hindrances that may have been involved; for if our patrons will take into account all the difficulties we have had to overcome, — the impossibility of harmonizing inharmonious memories, of reconciling perverse figures and stubborn facts, of remembering all the fathers and grandfathers where there are so many to remember, and, finally, the uncertainty of all human calculations and the shortcomings of even the most perfect, — we shall be content with their verdict.

 

Table of Contents

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
ILLUSTRATIONS

 

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The history of Monroe aims to present the origin, progress, and culmination of that untiring industry which has yet higher aims and nobler purposes. Whence come the materials fur faithful record? There are thousands of volumes in the Athenseum at Rochester; histories of centuries ago tell of foreign climes and mighty cities; but, treasuring the memory of others, Monroe is oblivious of self. A press is active to gamer in i^s many columns matters replete with interest, but one toils in vain to discover more than allusions to the events of the day. An Ely, an O'Reilly, a Turner, and a Scraotom have gathered fragments, and these have passed from press to press limited in quantity; valued as even these become rarity. The records of Monroe, whose annals comprise but a lifetime, ore as meagre as the history of a nation the days of legend and tradition. To augment material from the recollections of the aged, the manuscript, the press, and the volume and to combine all as a lesson fur present entertainment and future reference and instruction, is no easy nor ignoble task.