Martin Pinney – Obituary and his personal history

Martin Pinney stricken with paralysis
The community with star told yesterday morning by the news that Martin Penny had a stroke of paralysis at 10:30 on Tuesday night, and that his right side was completely paralyzed. The power of speech also was taken away, especially except that he can express the words yes and no. For a week previous Mr. Penny found it difficult to send a step he was born in 1826, and his advanced age and infirmities are against him. Still in critical condition his physicians are hopeful for the better.

This affliction will be greatly regretted as it falls upon one who has accomplished much for the good of the town but for his perseverance Prattsburgh would not now be blessed with its railroad facilities. The row of brick stores is a monument to his energy: and the affairs of the town, village, church and community have all received his wise and constant oversight.

Martin Pinney – event full career ended July 1
On Sunday morning last was announced the death of Martin Penny a lifelong resident of Prattsburgh, and one who has nearly a half a century been a most prominent character and influential citizen of the place. A few days warning had been given, but his death was never the less a shock to the public at large and is a loss felt by all. Martin Penny was stricken by a Poplexy on Tuesday evening at 10:30. Four days he lay in a semi-conscious condition, at times expressing himself and simple words as he listened to them, his loved ones gathered about his bed. Saturday night he was reported is feeling and on Sunday morning July 1, 1891 at 8:20, He passed away quietly as he fell and sleep-the sleep of death.
Martin Penny was the oldest son of Aaron Penny and was one of the family of 11 children, five of whom survive him. They are Mrs. R Playsted of Dundee, Mrs. B. Williamson a friendship, Mrs. J.L. Mc Cartick and Phide Pinney of Prattsburgh, And white penny of Nebraska. Mrs. W. W. Hunt at Erie Pennsylvania died in 1886, Miss Bale died at the age of 31 years and married at 21 years. Martin was born on the farm now owned by Purlee Fisher, 4 miles north west of the village on April 16, 1826. He was a progressive and faithful student at Franklin Academy and it in early age begin
Teaching school in winter and working on his father’s farm during the summer months. He began his Mercantile career, in which he was continuously successful as a clerk at Bath and Avon. In the fall of 1853, he returned to Prattsburgh and begin business for himself at the old Kremlin black in partnership with W. E. Boyd and JS. J. Had skin under the firm name of W. E. Boyd and Company. Two years later the death of Mr. hard skin and the retiring a Mr. Boyd, he opened a partnership with H. Be. Williams and they’re due the firm name of Penny and Williams. October 20th, 1858, he was married to miss elects Jane Gillett, who died five years later.

In 1860-61 he built the Brick Store, right now occupied by his successors, called Wells Brothers, commencing business there on April 1, 1861, and continuing for 28 years. October 20, 1865, he married Mrs. Danny Louis Smith who was his faithful adviser through the prosperous years of his life. Very much of his success in life was due to her faithfulness and loving cooperation. Her death occurred on September 18, 1892. His marriage to Mrs. LC Jake homes two plays February 14, last. She remains to mourn his loss.
In business, Mr. Pinney has been successful, a politics leader, and in public manners, his services were in constant demand, and social affairs, he has been apple bowl and always a gentleman, in church, a trusted servant, and at home, a worthy and kind husband and guardian. He has devoted much time and energy to the development of Prattsburgh as a commercial center and a desirable place of residence. The railroad, a substantial and beautiful home, stores, the opera house, and numerous dwellings and farms testify to his word and are enduring monuments to his name.

Mr. Pinney had a deep interest in the schools of the town. For a number of terms, he was a member and president of the Board of Education, and gave his time freely in planning for the prosperity of the Academy and in person leasing to matters of detail. The one of the heaviest taxpayers, the path of the burden of expenses Falmouth, instead of Kurt tailing, he Was ever planning for extensive advancement.

Mr. Penny did not confide himself to things temporal, but he was also interested in things spiritual. For many years, he was a regular attended at the Presbyterian Church, really being absent a single service. For a long time, he was a trustee of the church, and the extensive repairs made a few years ago were largely due to his successful planning and execution. He was a devout reader of the Bible add to those nearest he confessed after his trust and dependence upon God.
Mr. Penny was a man of large in liberal views. He spoke respectfully of all and to all. Dignified, courteous and simple in his whole manner, he won the host of strong friends at home and abroad. In his home he was the kindest and gentlest of men. And the most devoted of husbands. In short, he was the very kind a man that can it’ll be spared from the town he has helped so much to develop and will be missed by the whole community.
Article from the scrapbook of Alisha E. Rippey

For a time, he was engaged in the mercantile business in the village of Prattsburgh, but unfortunately lost everything in a fire. Being deep in debt, Howe was saved by a partnership with Otis Shepherd. With his help, he was able to erect a stone building in which in 1872, he was able to start the Prattsburgh News as its editor. This stone building for many years has housed many different businesses, even a Prattsburgh State Bank. The paper had a circulation of just less than 1000. Politically, Paul was a Whig, but he was the first to identify himself with the Republican Party upon its organization. Paul was one of the first to give his time for the good of the country by enlisting and organizing a company, which went out a hundred strong.

In 1848, he married the love of his life, Miss Abitha S. Alderman. They were lucky enough to have reared 3 sons; Will L., George, and Beecher, and 4 daughters, Mary, Alice, Charlotte, and Adelaide. It was planned that after his death, Will and George would continue the newspaper, which they did. They did move the newspaper business to the South end of Main Street and improved some of the equipment and it continued until the late 1920’s.

Their home located on 7 North Main Street has been in the family for many years. In late 1889 he donated the land on which Howe Street is located. The main reason he did this is because so many people were coming to Prattsburgh and had no place to build a home. With the street in place, Paul was able to sell building lots. He left 6 feet on the North side for a sidewalk, bringing this line very close to Van Tuyl’s.

His wife of 42 years, Abitha, was the sociable member of the family, by visiting family and friends and was able to keep track of people in Prattsburgh. This fact was very good for her husband’s business. He always had up to date news for his paper. Her interests were gardening, needlework, and she was a tireless reader. She was very much interested in today’s news and any scientific discoveries. In spite of her deafness, she was never idle!

In 1875 he became a member of Wagner & Peck and in the following year he purchased his partner’s interest in the business, continuing by himself in Savona until 1880. He then moved to Prattsburgh, this county, where he purchased the hardware stock from George H. Look. In 1883 he established a branch store in Pulteney. In 1888, he purchased the stock of hardware at Cohocton. In 1888 he purchased the stock of Hodgman and McNamara of Bath and in 1893 he established a branch at Bradford. In the following year he found it expedient to bring his various mercantile interests into more effective control by the organization of a stock company, which was incorporated under the title of George W. Peck Company. When he began operation as an independent business man in 1875, the annual business controlled did not exceed four thousand dollars. The splendid growth of the enterprise under his able management was measurably indicated when it is stated that the aggregate amount of business done by the company in 1910 was fully two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The George W. Peck Company also operated stores in Canandaigua, Penn Yan and Dansville.

While he was a resident of Prattsburgh, he was elected Supervisor in 1888, serving one term in this office. He was also a member of the Board of Education. He was elected Supervisor of the town of Bath in 1907 and re-elected in 1909. He had been on several occasions a delegate to the Democratic State Convention. In 1884 he married Miss Flora Griswold and to them five children born, namely George G., J. Arthur, Flora M., Warren S. and John Elwood.

A pictoral history.

We are excited to announce the arrival of Around Prattsburgh, a pictorial history of the people, places and things that make Prattsburgh and surrounding towns special.

The book is now available for purchase for $21.99 + tax ($1.76) at the Historical Society and retail outlets around the area. Those living out of town can have the book sent to them for an additional shipping & handling fee of $5.00.

All proceeds from the book support the Historical Society. Don’t miss your chance to add a piece of Prattsburgh’s history to your collection!

The concert is free and open to the public. Bring your own lawn chair. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

All donations will be gladly accepted for the birthday celebration. They could be sent to PO Box 384, Prattsburgh, NY 14873

1808 – 1847

The Narcissa Prentiss House

Narcissa Prentiss was born in Prattsburgh on March 14, 1808.  Her father, Stephen Prentiss, came to Prattsburgh in 1805.  Although the house he built for his family is quite small, Stephen and his wife Clarissa raised 9 children there.  Narcissa attended Franklin Academy and became a schoolteacher – teaching in Prattsburgh and Bath, and she was active in church affairs and dreamed of becoming a missionary.  She married Dr. Marcus Whitman in 1836 and together they journeyed 3,000 miles through country largely unknown to white men, ending their journey in the Oregon country claimed jointly by the United States and Great Britain.  She was one of the first 2 white women to cross the Rockies.  The Whitmans established a mission among the Cayuse Indians.  With Marcus as doctor and Narcissa as school teacher, they tended the physical and spiritual needs of Indians and weary travelers.  On November 29, 1847, the Indians massacred everyone at the mission.

Thanks to the Whitman Mission National Historic Site in Walla Walla, Washington and the Narcissa Prentiss House here, the Whitmans’ legacy is alive.

Narcissa was a well-known woman in the 19^th century.  In 1998, she was recognized by the New York Governor’s Commission honoring the achievements of women and she has been included in numerous publications including “Her Story” A Timeline of the Women Who Changed America.”

Narcissa Prentiss Whitman

In 1979, the Narcissa Prentiss House was incorporated as a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.  A visit will acquaint you with one of America’s most fascinating – and tragic – couples.  In addition to being Narcissa’s birthplace, the house contains artifacts, quilts, antique clothing, and a room dedicated to the Pratt family, founders of Prattsburgh.

The house is open from 1-4 pm on weekends in July and August and by appointment.  Groups and individuals interested in setting up a tour or a tea at the home should contact Charlene Wilson at (607) 522-3542 or Lynn Dinehart at (607) 522-4737.  Tours and teas are free.  Donations toward the preservation of the home are appreciated.

Robert Van Valkenburgh

In 1872 under President Lincoln, he went to Elmira, NY and recruited volunteers for the 107th New York volunteers and led them into battle with the rank of Colonel.  All of this was leading up to how a farm boy, born and raised in Prattsburgh, could become a national leader.  His upbringing and recruiting and leading of volunteers made him the right person at the right time and place.

Robert B. Van Valkenburgh was the first ambassador to Japan.  His time in Japan was marked by a few adventures.  The biggest one was when the US made a deal to sell an ironclad ship-Stonewall to Japan.  Since Japan had always had a dual government, when the Stonewall was delivered, the government that ordered it was not in control so money was not available to pay the balance.  Robert B Van Valkenburgh took it upon himself not to let Japan have the ship.  By doing this he saved many lives.  If Japan had control of the Stonewall; none of the wooden ships used to patrol the seas would be safe.  Secretary of State Seaward said what he had done was very irregular, but President Johnson approved his decision.  Japan at this time did not have friendly feelings toward foreigners.  These words proved to be correct just seventy-three years later at Pearl Harbor.  At the time of Robert B Van Valkenburgh’s death, he was Associate Justice of Supreme Court of Florida.  Although he was married twice, he remained Childless.

In 1848, the village of Prattsburgh was incorporated.

In 1852 H.A. Hopkins built the first of three town clocks.

In 1852The Park Hotel was built. This was torn down in 1955. The Arrowmart now stands ont he hotel’s site.

In 1868 after being located in several locations, the Methodist Church built its present building on Porter Street.

In 1872 originally the railroad was to run from Canandaigua to Bath through Prattsburgh. This didn’t materialize. Then in 1881 a railroad was proposed to run from Bath to Stanley but this would be in competition with Lake Keuka and Hammondsport Railroad which was already transporting most of the freight and passengers. After many, many meetings on October 8, 1889 “Huldy” made the first complete trip over the lines drawing two coaches filled with passengers at the cost of 50 cents per person, round trip. It made this trip in 28 minutes from Kanona to Prattsburgh.

In 1876 a potato bug called a Colorado Beetle was discovered. These beetles dessimated the potato crop. They had to be knocked off the vine with sticks, into a pan and burned with kerosene oil.

In 1877 the first of three bandstands were built in the Town Park.

In 1879 A.K. Smith started the first bank in Prattsburgh.