PART 2
SCHOOLS
About this time improvements were made in roads and bridges, and schools and churches were built. A school had been built on the Robinson Farm, opposite Mrs. George Lookup's orchard. This schoolhouse burned in 1814, and the people of Marion built two new schools. One was built at Marion Lower Corners near the home of the late Brainard Curtis, now the residence of Lester Nevil. This was known as the Central School. The second school was located at Marion Upper Corners near the site of the schoolhouse which was known as District 4, until its consolidation with District 1. The last school meeting to be held in this district was in 1916, when Vera Curtis was elected trustee; Charles Cook, clerk; Roy Curtis, collector.
SCHOOL RECORDS FROM 1814-1914
There is a book in the Town Clerk's office in which is recorded the minutes of the school meetings of the Upper Corners school district from 1814 to 1914. The first record states, "Record of school district number 4 in Williamson from April 11, 1814 - proceedings of organization being unfortunately lost. James Smith, clerk." At this meeting they chose a site for a new schoolhouse, "To be near the four corners on the south of the new laid road, through Reuben Adams' and Micajah Harding's land." The schoolhouse was not built and completed until September, 1819, on David Mason's land. In 1824 there were 105 children of school age residing in the Upper Corners district. At a special meeting on February 15, 1833, the highway commissioners made application to lay out a public highway from the old Sodus road near Samuel Springer's past the schoolhouse and through the land of the district to the road running east from the Pultneyville road to Ezra Phelps'. This is the short road that now runs from the present schoolhouse to Wayne Witherden's corner.
The Center schoolhouse was used until 1834, when the property was bought by James Harvey Curtis. He moved the schoolhouse back on the lot and built his blacksmith shop there. Then a district schoolhouse of stone was built on the site of the Bilby house across from the present Grange Hall. This property was purchased by Joseph Bilby.
In 1838 Morrison Huggins opened a select school in the upper part of the stone schoolhouse which stood on the Bilby site. There was also a select school at the Young's home taught by ladies.
MARION ACADEMY
On March 27, 1839, the Marion Academy was incorporated and that year a cobble stone building was erected on the site of the present Grange Hall. The first principal was Ornon Archer, a graduate of Williams College, who made it a success. There is, in the possession of Miss Mira Crane of Marion, a catalog of the Academy for the year 1841. It gives a list of over 218 pupils including the names of three Indians from the Buffalo Reservation, William Jemerson, Cephas Two Guns, and Peter Wilson. After the retirement of Mr. Archer the school died out and the charter was given up in 1851.
This left Marion without a preparatory school, so Macajah Adams and Edger Galloway secured a young man by the name of Collier from Oberlin College to prepare some of the young people for college. The first class consisted of thirteen, who were taught in the stone building which had been built as the Academy. The Marion Collegiate Institute was a result of this venture, and when that was started, the old stone academy was used as the district school until the wooden building, which is now the Grange Hall, was built in 1893 by Albert Smith.
THE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
The Marion Collegiate Institute obtained its charter in 1855, and a school was started with 90 pupils in an upper room over a store, now Clark's block. In 1856 the three-story brick building was completed with an indebtedness of $6000. The trustees of the institute offered to give sectarian control of the institution forever to any church that would assume this indebtedness. The Marion Baptist Church came forward and raised the money. After forty-nine years as the Marion Collegiate Institute it was taken over by the Board of Education of the Union Free School in 1904.
In 1924 a new school building was erected at a cost of $140,000 on the old site enlarged. The old Collegiate Institute is a part of the new school gymnasium. The new schoolhouse was large enough to accommodate the consolidated school district, which included ten districts, eight from Marion and two from Palmyra. The town of Marion then had only five school districts.
SCHOOLS OF MARION
All of the districts in the township of Marion were centralized into one central school district on July 1, 1932. This organization as brought about under the provisions of Article 6-B of the Educational Law of New York State. This change has gained many advantages for the people of the district. We have better school buildings, and equipment; a greater breadth of subject matter; a wider variety of recreational, and social experiences; more teacher-time; the help of special teachers; and better supervision, and personal guidance.
The specific courses, and services, which have been added in Marion Central High School are: Commercial Department, in 1930; School Nurse, in 1931; Physical Education, in 1932; Music and Band, in 1936; Homemaking, in 1936. Art, Agriculture, and Industrial Arts, will be added in the fall of 1937.
The cost of the new school and equipment is now $280,000. To the original cost, improvements were added in the years of 1933, and 1934, that cost $ 65,000. In 1937, an addition, costing $75,000, was built. All of this was done with very little extra cost to the people of the district, because the centralization created a larger tax base for financial support. This meant greater territory for local real-estate tax, and increased allotments from State ta xes.
All of these improvements were brought about under the able leadership of Prof. Lewis W. Bradley, who became principal of the school September 3, 1929.
FIRST PREACHER
The first religious worship was held in the homes of the settlers. In 1802 Elder Seba Norton came once in two weeks from Sodus to preach. Elder Fairbanks, who was induced to come from Connecticut and was presented with 100 acres of the Pultney estate on condition that he would come and preach two years in the town of Williamson, came to Marion occasionally. Rev. John Case preached for many years. He was ordained a minister of the Christian Church on September 20, 1826, at the age of 39.
The settlers from Rhode Island were mostly Baptists, as was Roger Williams, the founder of Providence, R.I. The First Baptist Church of Marion was organized on February 29, 1804, with Reuben and Anna Adams, Luke and Elizabeth Sherman, David, Abby and Margaret Harding, Ezra and Phebe Phelps, Sally Harding, Betsy Adams, David Foster, Sally Teal and Mehitabel Adams as charter members. For twenty years the services were held regularly at the Upper Corners schoolhouse. The salary paid in 1808 was $25 a year. In 1829 the first edifice was built and was used until 1850. The first pastor was Elder Seba Norton. The church is now used for stores and is known as Clark's block. The second building was dedicated Nov. 25, 1850 by Elder Bennett of Hamilton, N.Y. The present edifice was built in 1904.
There is an old deed, dated September 11, 1829, to pew number 40 in the old Baptist Church. The pew was deeded to Stephen Rowley, James Curtis and David Crane for 999 years in consideration of $16. The deed was signed by four trustees of the church, Seth Eddy, Gardner Hicks, William Skinner and Garner Wait, and is at present in the keeping of Mira Crane of Marion, a descendant of both David Crane and Gardner Hicks.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1808
The Presbyterian Church of Marion was organized in 1808 as the Congregational Church. The eight original members were Luke Phelps, Timothy and Ruth Smith, David Sweezey, Zadack and Thankful Huggins, Samuel and Sarah Waters. Meetings were held in the Center School house and private homes until 1831, when the first church was built. The present structure was built in 1912.
There is in the Marion Public Library a very interesting and valuable history of the Presbyterian Church from 1808 to 1896, written by Nancy Henion and Carrie Butler. These records were hand bound by Henry Lewis Bullen of Jersey City, N.J., because of his interest in Rev. Merritt Gally, pastor of the church from 1865 to 1868.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Christian Church of Marion was organized on November 1, 1820, as the Church of God, with the following charter members: A.R. Galloway, Daniel Wilcox, Calvin Briggs, Zebina Crane, Ruth Wright, Noah Davenport, Anna Simons, John Atwood, Jerusha Springer, Charles Parsons, Sapphira Barton, Sally Briant, Nathan Sherman, Phebe Galloway, Harriet Cooley, Southard Potter, William Markweather, Isaiah Booth, Dorcas Hadsall, Betsy Brockway, James Foster, Oliver True, Rebeckah Person, James Sawyer, John Case, Orpha Adams, Pamilia Crane, Nancy Lake, Heriah Clark, John Potter, Sally Arnold, Lucinda Clark, Piama Sawyer, Henrietta Dexter, James Smith, Hannah Crane, Cynthia Sherman, Jepe Mason, Ephraim Hollister, Luilla Springer, Claripa Hollister, Rememb Coggshall, Edgar M. Galloway, Mary Galloway, Freeman Cobb, Mrs. Ketcham, J.W. Brockway, Thankful Dexter, Daniel Dean, Seth Crandall, Hannah Wilcox, Mary Brockway, Rhoda Davenport, Sally Lucop, Ruth Coggshall.
The Christian Church was first organized in the United States in 1793, and was called "Republican Methodist." It acknowledged no head over the church save Christ, and no creed but the Bible.
The first church of stone was built at the Upper Corners in 1832 on the site of the present home of Peter Moose. The second edifice was built on the present site in 1856, and was remodelled and dedicated in 1905. The evangelistic work of Rev. David Millard and Rev. Joseph Badger brought about the organization of the church.
Religious services were discontinued in 1913. The church property was bought by Miss Love Seymour of Rochester and presented to Marion Masonic Lodge for the use of the Lodge and Eastern Star Chapter.
METHODIST CHURCH
The First Methodist Church of Marion was organized in 1845 with 12 charter members: Jacob Crane and wife, Jacob Garlock and wife, Sylvester Soper and wife, Peleg Sanford and wife, Mrs. Jacob Norris, A.B. Williams, Mrs. Zepheniah Howell, Mrs. Sally Van Ostrand. The first trustees electedwere Israel Springer, William Lookup, Jacob Baker, J.G. Crane, Moses B. Russel and Jacob Garlock. The building was erected in 1855. This church discontinued services in 1919.
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
The First Reformed Church of Marion first held services in 1860 in a building which stood on the present site. It was organized in 1870,and on March 19, 1873, the present building was dedicated. The old building was moved and is now known as "Clark's Hall" on Maple avenue.
The charter members of 1870 were: John Cornelius and wife, Jokoba Schotsman, Isaac Gilman and wife, Johanna Sara Shufelt; Jacob Fortrie and wife, Jane Jores; John Callward and wife, Jacomina Merson; James Boekhout and wife, Frances Gilman; Peter Morel and wife, Maria Michelsen; William Kouwe and wife, Magdalena Bogart; John Jores and wife, Jane Sara Cuvelier; Maria Tellier, widow of J. Jores; Jacob Jores; Jane Jores; Isaac Van Bortel and wife, Susan Levina Wage; Herbert Fisher and wife, Elizabeth Youngman; Adrian Daanson and wife, Cornelia De Vey; Isaac Malgee; John Bogart and wife, Sarah Youngman; Jacob Baylard; Marenus Schoonerman and wife, Maria De Smith; Simon Bonte and wife, Sarah Gilman; William J. Morrison and wife, Janet Leenaar; Cornelius Verbridge; Jacob Verbridge; Abram Wagemaker and wife, Cornelia De Witt; John Van Hee and wife, Johanna M. Lybart; Solomon De Bois and wife, Jane De Smith; Jokomina Van Cruyningham; Pieternella Burgemeester; John Mullie and wife, Sarah Samon; John Samon and wife, Johanna Den Engleson. These members brought letters from their churches in Holland. John Vanderbough and wife, Cornelia Malgee; William Youngman and Isaac Morrison joined on confession of faith.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. J.W. Warnshuis of Cleveland, Ohio. The first report to the Classis of Geneva in 1872 stated that there were 124 families, with 244 in communion.
The Second Reformed Church of Marion was organized in 1910 with a membership of 101. The church was built and dedicated in 1911.
St. GREGORY'S CATHOLIC
St. Gregory's Catholic Church of Marion began to hold service in Maccabee Hall in 1908. A fine church was erected and dedicated in 1914 with a membership of 65.
FIRST BANK
Charles C. Huggins was the first banker in Marion. He had a private bank in the Clark Block in 1867. He sold silver mine stock to many of the residents of Marion and also invested a large amount of the bank's capital in this stock. It proved to be a very poor investment and brought about the failure of the bank. Rev. Horatio N. Short and his son Albert B. Short started a private bank in the building now occupied by the Marion Hardware. These bankers also conducted a hardware store. This bank after a short period closed its doors about 1883.
FIRST BURYING GROUND
The first burying ground was on the farm of Daniel Powell, where Fred Cattieu now lives. There is a record of four burials here. In 1804 the Upper Corners Cemetery was opened. This was used for nearly fifty years. The land was given by Reuben Adams. Nearly seventy-five years have passed since this has been used as a burying ground. Most of the stones are fast crumbling before the march of time and will in a few years be unavailable for record.
The Marion Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1853 and the land for the present burying ground was purchased. The cemetery has a beautiful soldier's monument, erected in 1904 as a memorial to the soldiers and sailors of the town of Marion, by Love F. Seymour of Rochester, in memory of her grandparents Eli and Margaret Green, who were residents of Marion. Miss Seymour had erected in 1914 a chapel for the cemetery, in memory of her aunt, Helen D. Green. The beautiful gates at the two entrances of the cemetery were erected in 1937 by Miss Ann Dodge, Miss Willie Dodge, Miss Dorothy Dodge and Edward Dodge of New Orleans, Louisiana, in memory of their mother Nellie Burbank Dodge, and sister, Nellie Burbank Dodge.
WAR 1861
The call to arms by President Lincoln in 1861 and the danger to our country stirred the men of Marion. The news of the attack on Fort Sumter, and of its unconditional surrender on April 15, 1861 brought a rally of the citizens. The motto was "Sustain the Government. Stand for Liberty. Down with the Rebellion." Rev. Short of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Stanton of the Christian Church and Rev. Williams of the Baptist Church made appeals for heroic sacrifices to save the Union. A large flag was hung out as "A symbol of strength and protection to its friends and of dismay and death to traitors." A large public meeting was held in the Collegiate Institute on Tuesday evening, April 23, 1861, filling the hall to over flowing. Twelve volunteers signed the muster-roll that night and a subscription was made for the support of their families.
Another large meeting was held in the Marion Collegiate Institute Hall, May 6, 1861, to plan further the support of the families of volunteers. Here resolutions were passed to train a company of minute men in the town. Three thousand dollars was raised to sustain the families of the volunteers, this sum to be secured by assessment upon each tax-payer of the town.
Men said "farewell" to home and family as quickly and as firmly in 1861 as in 1775. There were brave mothers, sisters and wives, choking down the tide of grief that their sons, brothers and husbands might not be weakened in their purpose to join the armies of the Union.
CAPTAIN JOHN BURRUD
In May, 1861, a volunteer company was organized in Marion with John Burrud as Captain; Avery Durfee, First Lieutenant; Henry Allen, Ensign. On May 25, 1861 there was a pole raising at Eddy Ridge.
On September 10, 1861, Marion turned out en masse to see the September volunteers and four others off for the "Field." The flag belonging to the Collegiate Institute was carried. Rev. Stanton of the Christian Church presented each with a testament. A flag was presented in behalf of the students of the Institute.
REINFORCEMENT CALLED
The call for reinforcements in 1861 met with a ready response. The town of Marion was the first to fill up her quota of volunteers and went beyond the mark. Lieutenant John B. Burrud left for Auburn with thirty-five men. This call for volunteers took seventy-five Marion men. In 1863 the call asked for fifty-two more men. Again in 1865 Marion filled the quota required without a draft.
Edward Farnsworth, who enlisted May 2, 1861, was the first man from Marion to die from wounds received in action. He was wounded in the second battle of Bull Run, and died at Washington.
186 MEN ENLISTED
A total of one hundred eighty-six men went to fight from Marion. Out of the number which returned but three remain. LeRoy Deuel, who enlisted in 1863 in the Ninth Heavy Artillery. He was promoted to Corporal in 1864, transferred to Second Artillery in 1865 and discharged in 1865. Isaac Morrison enlisted in 1864 in the same company, he also was transferred to the Second Artillery and was discharged in 1865. Albert Bull went into service in 1863 in the Ninth Heavy Artillery. He was wounded at Cedar Creek and was discharged in 1865. He again enlisted in the regular service in 1867 and served three years.
9th HEAVY ARTILLERY
The Ninth Heavy Artillery was recruited in 1862. The Colonel was Joseph Welling of Lyons, Wayne County,and the Lieutenant-Colonel was Wm. H. Seward of Auburn, Cayuga County. This regiment was called the "Band Box Regiment," because they were stationed near Washington to guard the capitol. They were required to appear for frequent inspection in full dress, leather stocks, white gloves and trapping shining like silver. This was so that the President of the United States, cabinet officers or a foreign minister could visit them at any time. It was not until May 25, 1863 that they faced the rebel sand became a part of the Army of the Potomac. They were cordially received but with rather a free use of such terms as "Washington Gunners," "White-gloved soldiers," "Band-box regiment." After this change they were in many encounters. In October they marched up the Shenandoah Valley. One soldier's diary reads, "Saturday Oct. 1st. - All barns passed are in flames. The Cavalry are passing down the valley with instructions to burn everything and drive off all the stock." The official report after the battle of Cedar Creek said: "The Ninth N.Y. Heavy Artillery for their noble behavior deserve to be specially mentioned." They were in four battles and many smaller engagements. They may have had an easy time in the defences of Washington but the list of casualties shows that they amply made up for it in their subsequent active career.
Madison Reynolds, who now lives in Marion, was a Civil War soldier and enlisted from Erie County in 1861.
THE MARION ENTERPRISE
The Marion Enterprise has been the newspaper of Marion for forty-five years. It was founded in 1880 by E. Curtis and son Rollo D. Curtis. In 1921 it was purchased by John E. DuBois of Newark who continues the paper under the same name. Editor John E. DuBois published a forty-page One Hundredth Anniversary Edition, August 27, 1926, which was made up of historical articles of Marion.
MARION ASSEMBLYMEN
The men who have served as Assemblymen from Marion are Peter Boyce, Elias Durfee, John Lang, Allen Russell, Amasa Hall and Jefferson Sherman. The office of sheriff has been filled by Thomas Clark, Vernon Howell, George Sweezey and Orrin Sherman. George S. Reeves served as county treasurer. Some of the men who were instrumental in maintaining the high standard of our schools were William C. Austin, Dr. Myron Adams, Stephen Reeves, Seth Dean, Rev. Conway Young, Salem Sweezey and Dr. A. Halsted. Dr. Daniel Richarhds and Dr. Albert Halsted should have especial mention because of their many years of faithful service as physicians. Henry R. Taber was admitted to the bar in 1865. He served his town as justice for many terms and as also supervisor for many years.
The history of Marion is that of an agricultural community. The saying that the farm is the basis of all wealth is particularly true of the town of Marion. First, wheat was the principle crop because it would sell most readily. Apples and pears have always been extensively produced in Marion as the soil and climate seem to be well adapted for their growth. The first settlers planted apple seeds almost as soon as they arrived. The first grafted apples to be brought here were the Long Island Greening. All kinds of small fruits, berries, cherries and plums are also produced in large quantities.
SINCE 1900
Since 1900 the value of land in Marion has more than trebled. Hon. Plinty T. Sexton of Palmyra once said, "There will be many more people in this country but no more land. I believe the man who owns the land is sure to be the winner." The assessed valuation of the Town of Marion is 1858 was $550,000; in 1893 it was $1,292,000. Now the valuation is $3,250,000. The population is 2,158.
MUCK SHIPMENTS
This large increase in the valuation of the land is partly due to the increase in all land values, but mostly to the extensive planting of fruit trees and the opening up of muck lands in the last thirty-five years. Before that time peppermint was almost the only crop cultivated on the rich muck land. In 1924 there was shipped for Marion 403 cars of celery, 170 cars of carrots, 90 cars of lettuce and 70 cars of onions, this coming from the muck land.
The two canning factories in Marion take a large part of the small fruit grown. There wre 150 cars of canned goods shipped out of Marion in 1924. There were about 200 cars of apples and 300 cars of cider and vinegar shipped out of Marion.
MARION RAILROAD 1905
Marion has had a railroad since 1905. The Newark and Marion Railroad was incorporated and built by the Syracuse Railroad Construction Company. It started operation in 1905. This road is a little over eight miles long and connects Marion with the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central at Newark, N.Y. In 1917 residents of Marion purchased the railroad and it was reorganized as the Marion Railway Corporation. This railroad in 1924 handled over 30,000 tons of freight. The government reports give Marion second place in the state as a shipping point of muck crops. The Marion Railway Corporation stock was purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad June 19, 1930. It is now the Marion branch of this railroad and is under the jurisdiction of the Williamsport Division.
WORLD WAR
During the World War of 1914 Marion's part was to help feed the world. The men from Marion who served in the war are: William Faro, Peter Hendricks, Jacob Dayton, Alphonse Brandt, Oscar Warner, Arthur Hopkins, Allen Farnsworth, Elsworth Geer, Wilber Wirth, Henry Lyhart, William Lewis, Harry Lewis, Marvin Jores, John DeNeering, Edward Van Kowenburg, Elmer Lybart, Arthur Bates, David McMichael, Kenneth Jagger, Elmer Malgee, Jacob Hermenette, Mylo Morrison, Fred Cattieu, John VanHall, Dirk Mellema, Elmer Verbridge, Edward Patchett, Richard DeCoster, Dr. Arthur Besemer, Rev. W.W. McWilliams, Cecil Johnson, Wade Johnson, Herbert Jorgensen, Adrian DeVisser, Peter DeBrine, and Harriet Sherman as nurse. All returned but Jacob Hermenette.
BANK OF MARION
The First National Bank of Marion was opened for business June 16, 1914, in a temporary home with Roscoe S. Bush in charge. In 1915 the brick structure on Main Street was completed. So great had been the demand for banking facilities in Marion that the project of forming a bank, with the residents of Marion retaining control of the major portion of the stock issued, commended itself to all businessmen of the community. Before this most of Marion's banking business had been handled in Newark and Rochester. Fifty stockholders are represented in the corporation. The first officers were: president, C.N. Jagger; vice-presidents, C.R. Pratt and B.E. Luce; casher, R.S. Bush. In 1922 Roscoe S. Bush was made president, Viola Luce cashier, and Stanley Rogers, vice-president and assistant cashier. Every year since its organization there has been a large and steady gain. President Bush is also vice-president of the First National Bank of Palmyra.
MARION LIBRARY
The Marion Public Library was organized by Mrs. Kingley Norris, wife of Rev. Kingley Norris, then pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Marion. In 1910 it was chartered under the State of New York with two hundred books. Many gifts of books have been received, the largest gifts coming from Mrs. C.H. Stewart of Newark, N.Y., the J.S. Society of Marion, in memory of Abbie Ray, and from Curtis Fitz Gerald of Philadelphia in memory of Nellie Burbank Dodge. Mrs. Marion Hesler gave the library $100 which is used as a permanent endowment fund. Alice M. Curtis has been the librarian for fourteen years. It has grown from two hundred volumes to three thousand. There were six hundred seventy-seven residents of Marion using books during the year.
Marion celebrated its One Hundredth Anniversary with Old Home Day on September 4, 1926. The main feature was an historical, industrial and patriotic parade.
HISTORICAL MARKERS
Five historical markers were placed in Marion, through the efforts of the Marion members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, by the New York State Education Department. On July 4, 1934 they were unveiled and dedicated. One is placed at Marion Upper Corners to mark the First Road; one at Marion Lower Corners for the First Settlers; one on the site of the First Log Cabin; one at the site of the First Tavern; the fifth at the Young's Homestead. The erection of these historical markers was part of the Regents program for the observance of the 150th anniversary of the American Revolution in New York State.
130 YEARS HAVE PASSED
One hundred and thirty years have passed since Henry Lovell and Daniel Powell traversed the pathless wilderness and built their log cabins in Marion. The present owes a great debt to the past and to those influences then set in motion which have continued uninterruptedly to the present. The foundations were ably laid by the pioneers; to those who came after fell the building of a fit super-structure. A wonderful transformation has been effected. It was a region of dark forest and dreaded fever chills and of solitary log cabins but today it is a town of beauty, enterprise and prosperity. The earliest pioneers have been laid to rest, their sons have reached a goodly age and followed after, and the grandson or great-great-grandson tills the land and occupies the dwelling where his ancestors toiled. In the various trades and professions Marion has many honored sons, but few of them have surpassed in sterling qualities the pioneers of early days.
Spellings of locations, first and last names as given in the original text. We thank you in advance for directing all inquiries about persons listed to the Office of the County Historian, not to the coordinators of this site.
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