That Ernie was an odd duck. He would try to spoil his sister’s parties. When he saw the pie cut and put on plates, he would proceed to stick his finger into each piece, lick his finger and say: Me pie, Me pie! The three daughters were always dressed in the latest style and when Eva and Ella were married, red velvet carpet was spread from the house to the road. Minnie was the old maid, bless her heart, due to a tragedy that came into her life through the sudden death of a young Canadian medical student to whom she was betrothed and to whose memory she was ever faithful. So she clings to her house with all the fond memories of the gay parties and grand dinners, the beautiful house with its lovely carpeting, huge chandeliers, plush furniture and beautiful dishes, of which Minnie was so proud.

When the family moved into town, they purchased a house that was owned by Capt. Theodore Brown. That house was moved down on Howe Street and their house (which is the house there now) was built 1858/1860. E.Z. Terry and another carpenter worked for two years hand hewing the front stairs and trimmed the stair railing four times and it was steamed and re-curved until it fit the front staircase.

Thomas built three stores on Main Street. The small space between two of the stores is the result of a difference of opinion of where the line was. The middle store was run by Thomas, which was named EXCELSINO. It contained a general merchandise store with the post office in the back. He would go to New York City to trade twice a year by way of the Erie Canal. He was a shrew businessman and always paid his bills. He was always on the look out for a good deal. The library is located in his store now.

When the railroad was organized in 1888, he became vice president. Also in 1868, he was on the board of trustees of the Franklin Academy and Union Free School.

On November 28, 1799, he married Roxana Root of Litchfield, Connecticut. In the spring of 1806, Rev Porter moved with his family to Prattsburgh. The site of the present village was then an almost unbroken wilderness. His family consisted of one daughter, Belinda and a son William. Edward, Robert, Thomas and Mary were born in Prattsburgh. Unfortunately Thomas died as an infant. His original homestead consisted of 35 acres of which he donated land for Porter Street because there were so many families coming to Prattsburgh that needed building lots which he was able to sell them.

Rev. Porter’s biggest dream was to have an academy here in Prattsburgh. He had a big influence on the Young Men’s Lyceum to raise $2,000 to build the building and another $3,000-$4,000 to support it. Rev. Porter became their largest subscriber because he felt that it was important for young men to learn to speak in public. He also sold the land where Franklin Academy stands, with the stipulation it is to always be used for school purposes. Along with this he sold the land for the Presbyterian Church and the green where children will be able to play with the stipulations that a permanent building would never be built on it.

He decided to build his home on what we call North Main Street. Because his house was the first painted house in town it was called Lily of the Valley. Some years later this house was moved to it present location and the house that is now there was built by Mr. Dean. This route was once the stagecoach and main mail route to Geneva from Bath. Two of his sons, Edward and William also built a house on this street.

For many years he was Justice of Peace and he believed that laws were made to be enforced and he was a terror to evil doers. The town records show that he has from time to time filled the most responsible offices of the town. In 1814 he was placed upon the bench as associate judge.

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.

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.