The Mills Family in Corfu NY
Before calling Mott’s Corners home, the Mills moved to Corfu NY in the early 1860’s where Edward, along with partners Charles Pine and James Hillyer, started E. H. Mills & Co. “cash store” offering general merchandise and dry goods. Horace clerked in his father’s store, and Mary Ann was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Corfu.
The Mills, including Emily at just over one year old, are included in the 19 June 1860 Federal Census in Staten Island:
— 19 Jun 1860, United States Federal Census, Castleton NY, p135, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
Documentation suggests the Mills family moved from Staten Island to Corfu sometime between 01 Sept 1862 and 01 May 1863, dates that correspond with tax assessment records of the time:
— 01 Sep 1862, District 29, Division 12, The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Internal Revenue Assessment Lists for New York and New Jersey, 1862-1866; Series: M603; Roll: 196; Description: District 29; Annual Lists; 1864-1866; Record Group: 58, Records of the Internal Revenue Service, 1791 - 2006, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
— 01 May 1863, District 29, Division 12, The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Internal Revenue Assessment Lists for New York and New Jersey, 1862-1866; Series: M603; Roll: 196; Description: District 29; Annual Lists; 1864-1866; Record Group: 58, Records of the Internal Revenue Service, 1791 - 2006, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
— 01 May 1864, District 29, Division 12, The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Internal Revenue Assessment Lists for New York and New Jersey, 1862-1866; Series: M603; Roll: 196; Description: District 29; Annual Lists; 1864-1866; Record Group: 58, Records of the Internal Revenue Service, 1791 - 2006, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
— 01 Oct 1864, District 29, Division 12, The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Internal Revenue Assessment Lists for New York and New Jersey, 1862-1866; Series: M603; Roll: 196; Description: District 29; Annual Lists; 1864-1866; Record Group: 58, Records of the Internal Revenue Service, 1791 - 2006, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
— 01 May 1865, District 29, Division 12, The National Archives and Records Administration; Washington, D.C.; Internal Revenue Assessment Lists for New York and New Jersey, 1862-1866; Series: M603; Roll: 196; Description: District 29; Annual Lists; 1864-1866; Record Group: 58, Records of the Internal Revenue Service, 1791 - 2006, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
The tax assessments are divided by “districts” then further subdivided into “divisions” at which point, individuals and businesses are listed together alphabetically. Beginning with entries recorded 01 May 1863, for district 29, division 12, and each year thereafter, there are two entries for E. H. Mills & Co. and Edward H. Mills. The 1862 document shown, recorded on 01 Sep 1862, has no such entries where they would be expected, strongly suggesting the family had not yet arrived in the area. Of course, these are just record dates, but they do give us a better defined window for when the family moved. This time period overlaps Emily’s fourth birthday as well as the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, five days after the Battle of Antietam, the Confederate invasion of Maryland that took place just 200 miles from Castleton. However, even if the above interpretation of these documents is correct, it could still very well be that the family moved as early as the Summer of 1862.
As can be seen in the 1863 tax assessment documents, the Mills’ store is entered as “Mills E. H. & Co.”, showing that it was already operating by 01 May 1863, and I suspect that it was always in the Kinne building, although I don’t know that for a fact. In the following property timeline provided by Allan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian, I suspect that the 1866 date may have been derived from the 1866 Porter Store advertisement shown elsewhere. I can find no evidence in the Genesee County Clerk’s Office deed indexes that Edward ever owned the store property.
NORTH SIDE- EAST MAIN ST.
BANK CORNER
1 E. MAIN ST.- BUILT 1927
1845-1866 KINNE GENERAL STORE [RANDOLPH KINNE]
1866-1880 E.H. MILLS GENERAL STORE [E.H. MILLS]
1880-1899 OGDEN’S CASH STORE [ALFRED OGDEN]
1899 MAYNARD & STEVENS ANNEX [STEVENS], THE MAYMARD & STEVENS STORE, ON THE NW CORNER, TOOK IT FOR STORAGE SPECIAL USE. MRS. OGDEN STILL HAD LIVING QUARTERS IN THE REAR.
4/28/1899 FIRE DESTROYED THE BUILDING, PALMER HARDWARE TOOK OVER THE VACANT LOT.
1899-1927 VACANT LOT
1927-1930 COLLIN’S REFRESHMENT STAND [COLLINS STORE]- ON THE CORNER, NEAR ALLEGHENY RD.
1927-1946 BANK OF CORFU- BUILT HERE IN 1927
1946-2021 M&T BANK- BANK OF CORFU & M&T MERGED IN 1946. THEY EXPANDED INTO OLD TELEPHONE OFFICE IN 2009. M&T CLOSED THE BANK IN 2021, KEEPING ONLY THE ATM OPEN.
2021-NOW M&T ATM, REST OF BLDG VACANT
PRICE BUILDING
- E. MAIN ST.- BUILT 1900
1866-1878 WHITTLESEY HARDWARE [WHITTLESEY]
1879-1889 F.H. EDWARDS HARDWARE [BUILDING STILL OWNE BY WHITTLESEY]
1890-1899 PALMER & WAGNER HARDWARE [C.O. PALMER / LEONARD WAGNER]
4/28/1899 BUILDING DESTROYED BY FIRE
1900-1947 PALMER HARDWARE [C.O. PALMER] MR. WAGNER RETIRED IN 1900.
1947-1952 GILLAN’S HARDWARE [GILLAN]
1953 MEL PRICE PURCHASED THE BUILDING, PUT HIS SHOP IN REAR, RENTED THE FRONT PORTION
1953-1997 REAR: PRICE PLUMBING & HEATING
1953-1958 FRONT: ?
1958-1970s FRONT: DAVID DIETRICH INSURANCE [DAVID DIETRICH]
1970s-1980 FRONT: DIETRICH INSURANCE [MRS. DIETRICH]
1980-1988? FRONT: J.P. BRADY INSURANCE & TAX FACTS [DIETRICH/BRADY]
1990s FRONT: VALLEY VIDEO
1990s FRONT: CORFU VIDEO [AL & DEBBIE GRAHAM]
1997-NOW REAR: KNP PLUMBING & ELECTRIC [KEN PRICE] KEN, MEL’S SON, TOOK OVER BUILDING
1997-2002 FRONT: CORFU LOCKSMITH & DRY CLEANING [RICK HENSEL]
2002-2004 FRONT: VACANT
2005 FRONT: SUPERIOR REMODELING & AVON SALES
2006-NOW FRONT: VACANT
— Timeline of North Side - East Main St.: Bank Corner 1 E. Main St., Allan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian. Scanned from personal correspondence May 2022. View largest available size.
Most of what I’ve learned about the Mills’ time in Corfu is the result of prior research over a period of many years by Alan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian, which he has generously shared and allowed me to republish here. Alan painstakingly documented Corfu over many years including research specifically on the Mills family.
There is also a June 1863 Civil War Draft Registration record in Genesee County for Edward where his occupation was listed as “merchant”:
— Jun 1863, U.S., Civil War Draft Registrations Records, 1863-1865, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
In Mar 1864, the Mills purchased their home in Corfu at what is presently 31 West Main Street:
— 09 Mar 1864, Elizabeth Finney of Pembroke NY to Edward H. Mills of Pembroke NY, Deeds Book 124, p415, Genesee County Clerk, Batavia NY. Scanned from photocopy of reproduction. Scanned 11x17 sheet in two pieces then stitched together. View largest available size.
Mills, Edward H., (Corfu,) E. H. Mills & Co.) Mills, E. H. & Co. (Corfu,) (Edward H. Mills, Charles M. Pine and James M. Hillyer,) general merchants.
— 1869-70 Gazetteer and Business Directory of Genesee County NY, p199, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
— 1869-70 Gazetteer and Business Directory of Genesee County NY, p198, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
— 1869-70 Gazetteer and Business Directory of Genesee County NY, p201, ancestry.com. View largest available size.
It would appear that “James M. Hillyer” is an error as the James Hillyer that is closely associated with Charles Pine in the Staten Island grocery business was James A. Hillyer.
From the documents available to me, that include city directories and census data, I see no evidence that James Hillyer or Charles Pine ever lived in Corfu, and instead multiple sources in the 1860’s and 1870’s tie them only to Castleton, and I get the sense that they were probably more in the role of investors and possibly advisers and likely not involved in the day-to-day operations of the store. For more information on Charles Pine and James Hillyer, see The Mills Family in Staten Island.
The following map images and associated business directories, many provided by Alan Starkweather, show both the E. H. Mills & Co. general store as well as the Mills’ home in Corfu in the same locations in 1866 and 1876. E. H. Mills & Co. was also referred to, on these maps and directories at least, as “Mills Cash Store” or just simply “Cash Store.”
CORFU P.O.
1866
NORTH PEMBROKE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
L. E. ‘Arnold…Manufacturer and Dealer in Flour, Feed, Meal, &c. Custom Grinding done to Order.
E. N. Stone…Dealer in General Merchandise.
J. C. Wiley… Resident.
CORFU BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
E. H. Mills & Co…Dealers in General Merchandise.
J. Durboraw…Physician and Surgeon.
R. W. Kinne…Farmer.
EAST PEMBROKE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
G. H. Norton…Physician and Surgeon.
W. Welstead…Proprietor of Welstead’s Hotel.
J. H. Covert…Dealer in General Merchandise.
E. D. Cook…Custom Flouring Mills, Carding, and Manuf. and Dealer in Heading.
E. E. Allen… Practical Miller.
J. P. Wilson…Agt. for Insurance and Agricultural Implements.
— Cropped version of map accessed via rootsweb.com. View largest available size.
— Courtesy of Allan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian. Scanned from photocopy of document with Allan’s annotations. Allan notes that this is taken from an 1866 Porter Store advertisement. View largest available size.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
“C. Boyd”…Custom Blacksmithing. Particular attention given to Shoeing Foundered or Interfeering Horses, Shop on Main St.
B. Winan..Proprietor Union Hotel, Corner Main and Depot Streets. Good Board and Comfortable Lodgings, at a Moderate price. Good Accomodation for Travellers. Hay, Oats, and Good Stabling.
“Coddington & Davidson”……in their new Art Gallery are prepared to take all kinds of Sun Pictures, in the latest and most approved style of the Art. Photographs, Ivorytypes, Porcelain Pictures, Ambrotypes, Gems, Old Pictures Copied and Enlarged, and colored in Oil, India Ink, or Water. We can furnish anything in our line, from the smallest Locket Picture to the Life Size, Solar Photograph colored in Oil. Frames and Trimmings always on hand.
“J. & T. Howard……Manufacturers of Cheese Boxes and Shingles.”
Henry & George Porter..offer to the Public at the Corner Store, a fine assortment of Choice Family Groceries and Provisions, Yankee Notions, Salt, Flour, and Crockery, Wall Paper, Window Shades, Calico, Embroidery, Worsted, and Fancy Goods, Picture Frames and Engravings. Highest Market price paid for all kinds of Produce.
E. Whittlesey…….Dealer in Shelf and Heavy Hardware, Paints and Oils, Tin Ware and Stoves, Carriage and Harness Trimmings.
E. H. Mills & Co..Dealers in General Merchandise, Groceries and Provisions, Yankee Notions and General Variety Store.
“J. A. Webster”….Manufacturer and Dealer in Chairs, Stools, & Benches.
Names of those residents living in the homes numbered on the map.
- J. Tyrrell
- J. Sumner
- S. Newton
- D. Chaydeayne
- A. K. Darrow
- J. Hunn
- D. Lent
- M. O. Barnes
- M. O. Barnes
- W. Cady
- R. Miller
- P. Herrington
- H. Farnwin
- D. Carter
- J. Rowen
- Cooper Shops
- M. Dignan
- Safford & Read
- R. F. Thompson
- P. Vaughn
- G. A. Porter
- E. Croff
- T. Sayles
- I Tubds
- Tannery
- R. Pearce
- B. Winan
- E. Drake
- W. Kendrick
- Mrs. C. Edwards
- T. C. Waterman
- H. Porter
- N. Hartshorn
- E. Whittlesey
- P. McCormic
- S. ChampiM
- R. W. Kinne
- E. Mills
- D. Shults
- S. Spencer
- H. Jones (next Presby. Ch.)
— Courtesy of Allan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian. Scanned from photocopy of document with Allan’s annotations. Allan notes that this is taken from an 1866 Porter Store advertisement. View largest available size.
I searched the database of historical postmasters maintained by the United States Postal Service at USPS.com and cannot find an listing of Edward Mills as postmaster in Corfu at any time, or in any nearby postoffice in Genesee County, although other Corfu general store owners were among the postmasters listed, including George A. Porter (appointment 05 Jun 1857 to 04 Aug 1861) and Royal A. Kinne (appointment 15 Jul 1905 to 23 Mar 1914).
As it would later be in Motts Corners/Brookton, theft was a fact of life for Edward:
LIKES STYLE.—Frank Jones, a boy of 12 years, is fond of style. His own wearing apparel having become rather the worse for wear, he entered the store of E. H. Mills & Co., of Corfu, on the 14th, and appropriated a suit of clothing, without as much as saying “by your leave.” The result was, that Frank found himself charged with larceny, and there being no question of his guilt, he was sent to the Western House of Refuge at Rochester.
— 19 Jul 1867, Evening Courier And Republic, Buffalo NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
There are records of a number of “lodges” of the Independent Order of Good Templars in the Batavia area. There was at least briefly a Corfu lodge of the Good Templars, although I don’t yet know if Emily was a member there. This lodge apparently disbanded prior to 1885.
GENESEE COUNTY.
… The Good Templars Lodge at Corfu now numbers ninety members, and is doing finely. …
— 20 Dec 1869, Buffalo Express, Buffalo NY, p4, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
GENESEE COUNTY.
At a recent meeting of the Corfu Lodge No. 822 I. O. of G. T. the following officers were chosen for the ensuing quarter: Louis Long, W. C. T.; Miss Maria Tyrell, W. V. T.; James W. Callen, W. S.; Mrs. Jennie Norton, R. S.; Miss Alvira Drake, L. S.; John Tyrell, W. F. S.; Mrs. Sophia Long, W. T.; Rev. Charles Remington, W. Chaplain; George Wilsey, W. M.; Miss Ella Buros, W. D.; Miss Jennie Cooley, W. I. G.; Mr. Edward Drake, W. O. G.; Henry Farnham, P. W. C. T.; Miss Anna Chadeatyne, W. A. L. The Corfu Lodge is now in a very flourishing condition. It has one hundred members, all of whom are of the most respectable families in the county. —A moderate fruit crop is anticipated in this county. The indications are that apples will be plenty.
— 03 Jun 1870, The Buffalo Express, Buffalo NY, p4, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Genesee County.
9 Stafford … S
95 Pembroke … S
158 Pavilion … S
267 Batavia … F
313 Darien Center … Th
377 Elba … F
383 Indian Falls … S
434 South Alabama … S
452 North Pembroke … S
787 Oakfield … Tu
796 Alexander … S
809 LeRoy … W
880 Oakfield (North) … S
938 Darien … S
— Jan 1885, The Official Organ of the Independent Order of Good Templars, State of New York: Subordinate Lodge Directory, Rochester NY, v4, n3, p2. View largest available size.
Mary Ann was known to be a member of the Presbyterian Church of Corfu, as were the MacGregors, the Mills’ neighbors and friends:
…Also that the ladies of the Corfu Presbyterian church have recently re-upholstered the church seats.
— 24 Aug 1871, The Brockport Republic, Brockport NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
… Also that the Corfu Presbyterian church holds weekly sociables.
— 03 Dec 1874, The Brockport Republic, Brockport NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Corfu grew with the coming of the railroad, incorporating May 1, 1868. The first Board of Trustees were: Henry P. Porter as president; David Carter, R.W. Kinne, E.W. Croft, George D. Newell; with Dr. A. Billington, as clerk; Nathaniel Read as treasurer and J.P. Vaugh as collector.
— Town of Pembroke Bicentennial History 1776-1976, Compiled and Written by the Town of Pembroke Bicentennial Committee, p22. View largest available size.
By 1876, Corfu had grown considerably, but E. H. Mills & Co. and the Mills’ home were still in the same locations:
VILLAGE OF CORFU, GENESEE COUNTY, N.Y.
FROM THE 1876 ATLAS.
— Courtesy of Allan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian. Scanned from photocopy of document with Allan’s annotations. View largest available size.
FROM MAP OF 1876
[LISTED WEST TO EAST AND SOUTH TO NORTH]
KINNE TAVERN W. MAIN ST. [MAY NOT HAVE BEEN OPEN] -Edwards Lumber
PORTER’S GENERAL STORE W. MAIN & ALLEGHANY
MILL’S CASH STORE E. MAIN & ALLEGHANY
WHITTLESEY HARDWARE E. MAIN ST.
CRAWFORD HOUSE HOTEL E. MAIN ST. [CENTRAL HOTEL]
DR. CRAWFORD’S OFFICE E. MAIN ST.
EDWARDS DRUG STORE E. MAIN ST.
HANFORD HARNESS E. MAIN ST.
BALLIETTE CIGAR CO. E. MAIN ST. [SAME BLDG AS HANFORD]
CARRAIGE SHOP E. MAIN ST.
DAVIDSON BLACK SMITH SHOP E. MAIN ST.
SAFFORD & REED HARDWARE/ P.O. E. MAIN ST.
HOPKINS HOTEL E. MAIN ST. [UNION HOTEL]
CHEADAYNE COFFIN MANUFACTURES E. MAIN ST.
CHILDS COOPER SHOP E. MAIN ST.
CIDER MILL ALABAMA ST. [ACROSS TRACKS FROM DEPOT]
SCHOOL HOUSE ALABAMA ST.
COMMERCIAL HOTEL ALABAMA ST.
SCHELDT BARBERSHOP ALABAMA ST.
DR. RANO’S OFFICE ALABAMA ST.
LONG’S FURNITURE SHOP ALABAMA ST.
PHELPS WAGON SHOP & BLACK SMITH ALABAMA ST.
METHODIST CHURCH ALABAMA ST.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ALABAMA ST.
PIONEER CEMETERY ALABAMA ST.
CREEK HILL CEMETERY ALABAMA ST.
HOPKINS MEAT MARKET RAILROAD AVE. [IN UNION HOTEL BARNS]
HOTEL STABLES RAILROAD AVE.
CORFU PASSENGER DEPOT RAILROAD AVE.
FREIGHT DEPOT RAILROAD AVE.
NOTES ON 1876 MAP:
- ON MAIN & ALLEGHANY-STORES WERE PORTER’S & MILL’S STORES
- ON MAIN-TO EAST OF STORE ON CORNER-WAS HARDWARE STORE [LARGER THAN SHOWN]
- ON SOUTH SIDE OF MAIN-DR. CRAWFORD HAD AN OFFICE
- ON SOUTH SIDE-DRUG STORE WAS EDWARDS DRUG STORE
- ON SOUTH SIDE-HARNESS SHOP WAS HANFORD HARNESS W/ BALLIETTE CIGAR UPSTAIRS
- ON SOUTH SIDE-NEXT TO CARRAIGE SHOP WAS DAVIDSON BLACK SMITH SHOP
- ON ALLEGHANY-DOT SHOWN AS PO WAS COMMERCIAL HOTEL & WAS LARGER
- ON ALLEGHANY- DOT JUST NORTH OF MILLS STORE WAS SCHELDT’S BARBER SHOP
— Courtesy of Allan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian. Scanned from photocopy of document with Allan’s annotations. View largest available size.
The town of Corfu is troubled with juvenile thieves who rob the money drawers, etc.
— 10 Aug 1876, The Brockport Republic, Brockport NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
In 1876, Horace shot himself, presumably in the Mills’ home in Corfu:
ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.—Yesterday morning a young man named Horace Mills, residing at Corfu, Genesee County, attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself with a revolver. The ball passed through his body and is supposed to have perforated the liver. The young man fired the shot while lying in bed, and it is thought the wound will prove fatal. The would-be suicide belongs to a very respectable family in the place, and no cause is assigned for his rash act. At last accounts he was still alive.
— 17 Oct 1876, The Buffalo Commercial, Buffalo NY, p3, newspapers.com. View largest available size.
Local Record.
Batavia, Friday, Oct 27, 1876.
…
DEAD—Horace Mills, the young man who shot himself at Corfu, on Monday, 16th last, died Saturday last.
— 27 Oct 1876, The Progressive Batavian, Batavia NY, fultonhistory.com. View largest available size.
According to Edward and Mary Ann’s obituaries in the records of Caroline Valley Community Church, the Mills moved to Mott’s Corners in Mar 1879.
1908 Deaths Continued
Edward Hallioch Mills Died Jan 1st 1908 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. He was born at Smithtown L.I. March 25, 1819 - lacking less than 3 mos. of 89 yrs.
In Mar. 1879 He came to Brookton from Corfu N.Y. with his family and has lived among us nearly 29 years.
He united with this Ch. Dec. 13, 1896. A few remarks were made by Rev. Woodworth, Jan 3. The trend of thought was that a good man had gone - to which every heart present I feel sure responded. His interest in this Ch was unwavering and his loss seems irreparable. His body was taken to Corfu where his first wife and two sons are buried.
In this connection it seems proper to mention the death of Mrs. Mary A. Mills, although she died Dec. 28, 1895, yet I find no mention of it in these records. She was born at Hempstead L. I. Feb 8, 1819. Mrs. Mills was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Corfu N.Y. She united with this Ch by letter June 13, 1880. Her life was a blessing to all who knew her. She was a noble, consecrated Christian.
— Digitally photographed entry in Congregational Church 1868-1933 Minutes of Meetings and Membership, used with permission from Caroline Valley Community Church. View largest available size.
Church records also include confirmation that Mary Ann had been a member of First Presbyterian Church of Cofu:
At a regular meeting of the Congregational Church June 13, 1880, Mrs. Mary A. Mills was received as member by letter from the First Presbyterian Church of Corfu.
— Digitally photographed entry in Congregational Church 1868-1933 Minutes of Meetings and Membership, used with permission from Caroline Valley Community Church. View largest available size.
The following advertisements may be for the Mills’ store, as both the description and timing fit, or this may possibly be for the Porter Store. According to the information provided by Allan Starkweather, Henry Porter, who owned the larger general store on the opposite corner of E. H. Mills & Co., retired in 1879, and F. H. Edwards started a hardware store at 3 East Main Street in 1879.
STORE FOR SALE.—A Corner Store in a very desirable location in the village of Corfu, N. Y. suitable for a general assortment store, will be vacant [unclear] April 1st; will be sold at a bargain, small payment [down?]. Apply to F. H. EDWARDS.
— 22 Mar 1879, Buffalo Morning Express, Buffalo NY, p1, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
CORNER STORE FOR SALE in Corfu, small down payment. Address F H EDWARDS, [unclear, presumably: Corfu] N Y
— 19 Apr 1879, Buffalo Morning Express, Buffalo NY, p1, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
CORNER STORE PROPERTY
1-5 W. MAIN ST.
1833 - ORIGINAL BUILDING BUILT
1833-1843 - FREEMAN & STODDARD GENERAL STORE [FIRST STORE IN CORFU]
1843-1854 -PORTER’S GENERAL STORE- HENRY PORTER RAN STORE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WELLS & SEYMOR FROM BATAVIA
1850 - STORE DAMAGED BY FIRE, WAS REPAIRED AND STORE AND LIVING. QUARTERS WERE ADDED TO WEST SIDE
1854-1892 -PORTER’S GENERAL STORE- HENRY’S BROTHER, GEORGE, JOINED HENRY AND THEY BOUGHT OUT BATAVIA PARTNERS. [1857-1861, 1866-1868- POST OFFICE LOCATED IN STORE]
1879 - HENRY PORTER RETIRED
1885 - THOMAS WEBB RAN STORE FOR ONE YEAR
1892 - HENRY DIED AND GEORGE DECIDED TO SELL STORE
1892 - A.K. MAYNARD’S CORNER STORE
1893-1901 - MAYNARD & STEVENS CORNER STORE- H.E. STEVENS BECAME A PARTNER
1901-1907 - STEVENS CORNER STORE - H. E. STEVENS BOUGHT OUT MR. MAYNARD
1901-1911 - CORFU GRANGE MET UPSTAIRS
1903-1914 - TELEPHONE CO. LOCATED IN STORE
1907-1912 - C.M. MEADE CORNER STORE- C.M. MEADE TOOK OVER THE STORE
1911 - CORFU LADIES LIBRARY WAS UPSTAIRS
1912-1945 - STEVENS CORNER STORE- H.J. STEVENS BOUGHT THE STORE
1912-1920 -HANFORD HARNESS MOVED UPSTAIRS AFTER FIRE OF 1912. LIBRARY MOVED TO BASEMENT OF METHODIST CHURCH
1920 - STEVENS SOLD TOYS & DRY GOODS UPSTAIRS FOR A COUPLE YEARS
1945-1960 - DEAGMAN’S CORNER STORE- GORDON DEAGMAN PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 1945.
1950s - HUNGRY HAVEN SNACK BAR WAS IN THE STORE, LATER JUST SOLD ICE CREAM
1960 - GERHARDTS CORNER STORE- MARV & DILLIE GERHARDT PURCHASED IT
12/23/60 - ENTIRE BUILDING DESTROYED BY FIRE
1961 - VACANT LOT
1962-2000 - CORFU POST OFFICE- NEW BUILDING BUILT AND PO OPENED HERE [12/29/1962]
2000-2004 - VACANT
2004-2005 - SLIKER’S PRINTING- JERRY SLIKER BOUGHT BUILDING IN 2002
2006-2009 - VACANT
2009-NOW - A&K GUN SHOP
— Timeline of Corner Store Property: 1-5 W. Main St. Corfu NY, Allan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian. Scanned from personal correspondence May 2022. View largest available size.
CORNER STORE- WEST PORTION
5 W. MAIN ST.
[*- ESTIMATED DATES]
1850 - MAIN STORE DAMAGED BY FIRE, STORE WAS REMODELED, ANOTHER STORE AND LIVING QUARTERS WERE ADDED TO WEST SIDE OF STORE.
1850-1865 - NOT KNOWN WHAT WAS HERE, POSSIBLY USED BY PORTER’S STORE
1865-1870 - WILLIAM NOBLES SHOE SHOP
1870-1875 - ?
1875-1879 - BENNETT & HALE MEATS
1880-1893* - BENNETT BROS. MEATS
1894-1902* - GEORGE BELL MEATS
1903-1905 - PERRY STRONG MEATS
1905-1906 - HARVEY CARTER MEATS - KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT IN 1906
1906-1920* - PEOPLES MEATS
1920-1922* - ED STAEBELL MEATS
1922-1928 - C.B. BEACH & SON UNDERTAKING & FURNITURE
1928-1930 - ?
1930-1933* - SCHMIDT’S MEATS [HAVE 1932 AD]
1933-1938* - KOSS RESTAURANT
1938-1944* - JOE’S BARBERSHOP (CORFU BARBERSHOP - 1940)
1945-1946 - CORFU CLEANERS
1946-1952 - TYLER APPLIANCES [FIRST TV IN CORFU DISPLAYED HERE]
1948-1953 - DELUXE DRY CLEANING [RUN BY SID HARPER IN APPLIANCE STORE]
1952-1953 - GARDNER BROS. APPLIANCES
1953-1960 - BATAVIA SPORTING GOODS [DON LAWRENCE]
1960 - ~CORFU ANTIQUES - SCHEDULED TO OPEN 12/24, BUT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE ON 12/23/1960.
1960-1962 - VACANT LOT
1962 - POST OFFICE BUILDING BUILT HERE - NEW GUN SHOP
— Timeline of Corner Store - West Portion: 5 W. Main St., Allan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian. Scanned from personal correspondence May 2022. View largest available size.
The Mills’ home in Corfu sold later that year.
— 22 Aug 1879, Edward H. Mills and Mary A. his wife of Mott’s Corners NY to Stephen [unclear], Deeds Book 150, p343, Genesee County Clerk, Batavia NY. Scanned from photocopy of reproduction. Scanned 11x17 sheet in two pieces then stitched together. View largest available size.
Emily returned to Corfu several times throughout her life.
Miss Emily Mills, is visiting friends in town.
— 21 Jul 1882, The Batavia Daily News, Batavia NY, p1, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
… The remains of Jonas Mills, a son of E. H. Mills, a former resident of this village, now of Brooklyn, New York, were brought to this place yesterday afternoon for interment. …
— 16 Oct 1885, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p1, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
DEATH OF MRS. E. H. MILLS.
Event occurred in Brookton, Tompkins County—Interment at Corfu.
Corfu, Dec 31.—The remains of Mrs. E. H. Mills of Brookton, Tompkins county, arrived here on the 4:26 p. m. train yesterday and were interred in Evergreen Hill Cemetery. The deceased was the wife of Edward H. Mills who was for many years a prominent merchant in this village who removed to Tompkins county sixteen years ago, re-engaging in mercantile pursuits, and where he has since resided.
Mrs. Mills was in usual health a week ago yesterday morning, but before night complained of a soreness in one of her fingers. Her daughter examined it and found what appeared to be a small splinter of wood, which she removed and which appeared to relieve her, but blood poisoning ensued and she continued to grow worse until Saturday, when death relieved her of her suffering. Her remains were accompanied by her husband and an only daughter, Emily Mills, who alone survive her and who possess the heartfelt sympathy of many friends in this vicinity who remember her as a kind friend and a devoted Christian whose sublime faith made her life beautiful and to the last degree exemplary.
Mr. Mills and daughter spent last night with Mr. and Mrs. W. W. McGregor and returned home this morning.
— 31 Dec 1895, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p1, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
EDWARD H. MILLS.
Edward H. Mills died on January 1 at the advanced age of 88 years. Mr. Mills was a merchant in Brookton for the past twenty-nine years, and was postmaster during the Cleveland administration. He is survived by his wife and one daughter. The funeral was held on January 2 and the burial took place Friday last in Corfu.
— 06 Jan 1908, Ithaca Daily Journal, Ithaca NY, p3, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Former Corfu Merchant Dead.
Corfu, Jan. 6. —The body of E. H. Mills, who conducted a general store in Corfu over 25 years ago, was brought on Friday evening from Ithaca and buried in Evergreen Hill cemetery. The Rev. W. W. Robinson conducting the services. The body was accompanied by Mr. Mills daughter, Miss Emily Mills. Mr. Mills was 89 years old.
— 06 Jan 1908, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p4, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Every member of Edward’s family, except for Emily and James, is buried in Corfu.
MILLS, Edward H. d. 1/6/1908 2:51 b.1819, d. at Ithaca NY, a. 89 yr.
MILLS, Horace F. d. 10/27/1876 2:51 suicide by gunshot
MILLS, Jonas E. d. 1885 2:51
MILLS, Mary Ann d. 1895 2:51 b.1819, w. of Edward H. MILLS
— Evergreen Hills Cemetery, Corfu, directory listing, cropped image, page 51 is indicated in original, received by email 21 May 2021, personal correspondence with Diana Reding, Library Director at Corfu Public Library. View largest available size.
When Emily returned to Corfu with Edward’s remains, both the building that housed E. H. Mills & Co., as well as the home she grew up in, were gone.
A fire in 1899 destroyed the building that had once housed E. H. Mills & Co.
DOWNTOWN FIRE OF 1899
— Courtesy of Allan Starkweather, Corfu Village Historian. Scanned from photocopy of document with Allan’s annotations. View largest available size.
CORFU FIRE STRICKEN
DEVASTATING FLAMES EAT OUT A SQUARE IN THE VERY HEART OF ITS BUSINESS PORTION.
SIX BUILDINGS BURN
PROPERTY VALUED AT $18,700 GOES UP IN SMOKE IN A REMARKABLY SHORT TIME.
Fire Started, Evidently From Spontaneous Combustion, in the Paint Room in Palmer & Wagner’s Hardware Store and Spread With Terrible Rapidity—That Structure, the Central Hotel, the Methodist Church, the Only Brick Building in the Place, Mrs. A. E. Ogden’s Store and Residence Property and Two Other Structures Quickly Consumed — Firemen, Without Any Apparatus of Value, Worked Like Trojans and Finally Got the Flames Under Control—The Total Amount of Insurance Only $8,750.
A great black hole in the heart of the business portion of Corfu is a monument to the awful power of devastating flames. Within a comparatively brief space of time late yesterday afternoon half a dozen buildings in that village went up in smoke and $18,700 worth of property was destroyed, upon which there was aggregate insurance of only $8,750, The burned section covers a square at the corner of Main and Alabama streets, north of the former and east of the latter. In addition a barn in the rear of a house on the west side of Alabama street was burned.
One of the buildings consumed was the Methodist-Protestant church on Alabama street, the only brick structure in the place, The other places destroyed were Palmer & Wagner’s hardware store on Main street, in which the fire started; the Central hotel just east of the hardware store; Maynard & Stevens’s annex, A variety store on the corner of Main and Alabama streets, opposite that firm’s main store; Mrs. A. E. Ogden’s dwelling, in the rear of and connected with Maynard & Stevens’s annex, and a building between the dwelling and the Methodist church in which Daniel Schelt’s shoe shop and D. A. Schelt’s barber shop were located, the latter having living apartments on the second floor. With only a small hand engine and a hook and ladder truck in the way of fire fighting apparatus the village was completely at the mercy of the flames for a time. The hardest kind of work on the part of men, women and children and the fact that there was no wind when the conflagration was at its height were all that saved the village from almost complete destruction. Corfu has had several bad fires, but this one, beyond a doubt, was the most disastrous in its history.
The only theory that can be considered in regard to the origin of the fire is that it was caused by spontaneous combustion. It started about 5:15 o’clock In the oil and paint department of Palmer & Wagner’s hardware store, A narrow, two-story structure, about 75 feet long. Charles Palmer, son of the senior member of the firm and a clerk in the store, and Charles Collins, a painter, were in the paint room at the time.
“Mr. Collins came in to purchase some japan drier,” Mr. Palmer told a reporter tor THE NEWS, “I was pouring it from a 5-gallon can into a quart can, which Mr. Collins was holding, when suddenly, without a moment’s warning, we were encircled by flames. The blaze seemed tostart from the floor, but communicated instantly to the japan.
“I threw the can out of a window and ran out into the street and shouted fire. I then started back in to lock the safe, which was about in the center of the store, but it was so hot that I couldn’t get to it. The floor of the paint room was saturated with oil, so the fire spread very rapidly.
“Mr, Collins followed me out of the store with his clothing on fire. Both of his hands were badly burned before we could put the fire out.”
A general alarm Was quickly sounded on the Presbyterian church bell and the fire company had its hand engine on the scene in a few minutes. The one small stream thrown from it had not the slightest effect upon the fames, which soon burst through the roof and high into the air, scattering blazing brands upon the roofs of adjoining buildings. Every able-bodied person in the village turned out to and the firemen, and informal bucket brigades and protective companies were quickly formed.
It being evident at the outset that the hardware store was doomed the people directed their attention to endeavoring to save adjoining property. The Central hotel, owned and occupied by William Dickinson, a 2 story building about fifty feet square, was situated close to the hardware store on the east. It was quickly seen that that, too, was bound to go and willing bands hastily removed as much of its contents as possible, The structure was soon wrapped in flames. There was a narrow row alley on the west side of the hardware store, separating it from the 2 story structure on the corner of Main and Alabama streets, owned by Mrs. A. E. Ogden. The front half of the building was occupied by Maynard & Stevens, who had a variety store there, managed by Ray Duguid, while the rear half Mrs. Ogden, her daughter, Mrs. Emma Bradley, and her grandson, Ray Bradley, occupied as a residence. The Bell Telephone company had a pay station there. This structure caught fire almost as soon as the hotel and burned just as rapidly. Nothing was saved from the store, but some of the furniture in the residence portion was got out safely.
Daniel Schelt’s small 2-story building was located but a few feet north of the Ogden structure on the east side of Alabama street and west of the rear end of the Palmer & Wagner store. The contents of D. A. Schelt’s barber shop and a part of the effects in his living rooms on the second floor were gotten out before the building caught fire, but nothing was saved from Daniel Schelt’s shoe store and shop on the first floor.
Next north of the Schelt building on Alabama street was the Methodist church, which, as it was a tall brick building, having a basement under the auditorium, it was hoped could be saved, Burning brands fell thick and fast, however, upon the shingled roof, well seasoned by years of exposure, and in a remarkably short time the whole interior of the edifice was a roaring furnace. The well-built brick walls refused to give way to the power of the flames, however, and this fact kept the fire from
[Conttiiusd on fourth page.]
— 28 Apr 1899, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p1, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
CORFU FIRE STRICKED
Continued from first page.
spreading further to the north. On they opposite side of Alabama street Dr. F. W. Crane’s handsome residence is situated. It looked for a time as though that would go, too, but by the hardest kind of work it was saved. Brands were carried over and by it, however, to a barn owned by Mrs. Anna E. Edwards, located in the rear of Mrs. Edwards’s house on Main street. The barn burned very rapidly. A horse, several vehicles and harnesses were gotten out, but a cutter, a quantity of farming implements and hay and grain were burned, The barn was the last structure to be consumed. Several other buildings caught fire a number of times, but the flames were quickly put out. It was feared that the Barden Hall building, a large structure on Main street, east of the Central hotel, would burn, but it has a slate roof and this made it possible to more easily protect it from the flames. It was on fire, however, several times. Burning brands also set fire to the residences of Dr. Bates and George. M. Bailey, fully 300 feet west of Alabama street on Main street, but hardly any damage was done there.
Considering the fact that they had practically nothing to work with the firefighters did remarkable work in preventing a further spread of the conflagration, A request for aid was sent to Batavia about 6 p.m., when it looked as though the whole town was going, and the Central officials here got an engine and a flat car ready. As Corfu has no waterworks system, however, the Batavia department’s apparatus would have been useless, so none of the companies responded. Later the Corfu people telegraphed to Buffalo for assistance. A fire engine was loaded on a flat car in that city and a telegram was then sent to Corfu asking if it should be sent. By that time the fire was under control and the Buffalonians were told not to come, About 10:30 o’clock last night a strong wind came up, which sent clouds of sparks flying from the smouldering ruins and it was feared for a time that there might be more trouble, but a number of men stayed up all night Keeping a close watch and no new fires broke out.
The heaviest sufferers as a result of the fire are Palmer & Wagner. Their loss is nearly $6,500 and they had a total of $4,200 insurance on the building and stock. They recently increased their already large stock by adding over $600 worth of goods to it, Everything in the store, including the books, was consumed. The firm will rebuild immediately.
The next heaviest loser is William Dickinson, proprietor of the Central hotel. His loss is close to $4,300, He had $2,500 insurance on his building, but nothing on the contents. Most of his furniture was burred and he lost several hundred dollars worth of liquors.
The Methodist church was worth probably about $3,000, and there was not a cent of insurance upon it. All that was saved from the building were the organ and pulpit Bible. It is doubtful if the church will be rebuilt, as the Methodist society is small in numbers.
Mrs. A. E. Ogden’s loss is fully $3,000. She had $1,000 insurance on her building, but none om contents. Most of her household goods burned up. Maynard & Stevens’s variety stock in the same building was insured for $500, which will cover the loss.
Daniel Schelt’s building was insured for $400, which will half cover the loss on it. He lost about $100 on the contents, with no insurance, D. A. Schelt lost about $100 on furniture and barber shop fixtures, with no insurance. Mr. Schelt will rebuild at once.
Mrs. A.A. Edwards insured her barn on Wednesday for $150. Her loss is about $400.
Of Palmer & Wagner’s insurance John C. Holmes of Batavia had $1,000 on the building and a like sum on the stock and S. A. Sherwin of Batavia had $1,500 on the stock and tools and $200 on the building, The remaining $500 was held by Dwight Dimock of Corfu, In whose agency all of the balance of the burned property was insured.
The Corfu Fire company had arranged for a dance at the Union hotel last night and the programme was carried out, although it was pretty late before the festivities commenced. The event was well attended.
— 28 Apr 1899, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p4, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
STORES A MASS OF DEBRIS
Corfu Visited by a Disastrous Fire, Which Destroys the Business Portion.
[SPECIAL TO THE EVENING NEWS.]
BATAVIA, N. Y., April 28,—The finest buildings in the business portion of Corfu were reduced to ashes last evening. and the loss is roughly estimated by Batavia insurance men at from $25,000 to $35,000.
At 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon there was an explosion In Bradley’s hardware store near where the oils, etc, were kept. The fire spread rapidly in all directions, and in 10 minutes the building was In flames.
The Dickinson Hotel, the next building north, was soon on fire; then came the store of Maynard & Stevens, who did a general mercantile business. From there the fire was communicated to the residence of Mrs. E. A. Ogden, which was burned with its contents. Soon the Methodist Church near by was seen to be afire. By this time several thousand people from the surrounding country were present and doing all they could.
Word was wired to Batavia, in the excitement of the moment, for those companies, and Supt. Hay of the Central had an engine and flat car ready at 6 o’clock, but it was decided not to send them as they would be useless, Corfu not having any waterworks system.
A barn belonging to Mrs. A. E, Edwards was destroyed with its contents. Several surrounding houses were on fire many times, but the volunteer bucket brigades saved them.
Batavia insurance men are at the scene today, The total insurance, it is claimed, will not be above $15,000, There was no insurance on the church, but the hotel carried a $2200 policy. The Maynard & Stevens stock of about $1000 is a total loss. The shoe shop and barber shop conducted by David and Daniel Scheltz were also total losses, It leaves Corfu’s business portion a mass of debris. S.
— 28 Apr 1899, Buffalo Evening News, Buffalo NY, p24, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
$50,000 FIRE IN CORE, .N. Y.
[By The Associated Press.]
BATAVIA, N. Y., April 28.—The village of Corfu, ten miles west of here, suffered severely from fire last night. The explosion of a can of gasoline in Bradley’s hardware store caused a big blaze which communicated to Dickinson’s hotel, a shoe shop and barber shop and the Methodist church, all of which were destroyed. The village has no fire fighting apparatus. The loss will reach $50,000, with very little insurance.
— 28 Apr 1899, The Daily Leader, Gloversville NY, p1, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Gasoline Explosion at Corfu.
The village of Corfu suffered severely from fire a few days ago. The explosion of a can of gasoline in Bradley’s hardware store caused a big blaze, which communicated to Dickenson’s Hotel, a shoe shop, and barber’s shop, and the Methodist Church, all of which were destroyed. The village has no fire-fighting apparatus. The loss will reach $50,000, with very little insurance.
— 05 May 1899, Republican Watchman, Monticello NY, p2, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Finally, Allan Starkweather confirms the Mills’ home in Corfu no longer exists at the time this is written. Real estate listings indicate the present structure was erected in 1900.
The MacGregors
When Edward and Emily returned to Corfu with Mary Ann’s remains, they spent the evening at the home of the MacGregors. The MacGregors arrived in Corfu just a few years after the Mills family, and the maps above indicate that the MacGregors lived across the street from the Mills’ home in Corfu. The MacGregors also attended the Presbyterian Church that Mary Ann attended.
MRS. W. W. MAC GREGOR.
Aged Resident of Corfu, Born in Darien, Died of Heart Disease.
Corfu, May 19.—Mrs. Lucy Anna Sumner MacGregor, wife of William W. MacGregor, died at her home in this village last evening of heart disease.
Mrs. MacGregor was born in the town of Darien about 78 years ago, on Daniel Sumner’s farm, where her father and mother lived many years. On April 19, 1856, she was married to Mr. MacGregor, who alone survives her. She had been ill with heart trouble for about five months and had suffered much, but her last hours were peaceful.
The funeral will be on Sunday at 5 p. m. from the house, the Rev. Harry M. Wright of Batavia officiating. The interment will be in the Evergreen Hill cemetery.
— 19 May 1910, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p6, nyhistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
WILLIAM W. M’GREGOR.
Death of an Aged and Highly Esteemed Resident of Corfu.
Corfu, Nov. 6.—William W. MacGregor, an old and highly esteemed resident of Corfu, died at 3:30 o’clock yesterday morning from the infirmities of age. He had been in very good health and walked down town nearly every day until a month ago, when he fell and had not been well since. His mental faculties were somewhat impaired.
Mr. MacGregor was born in London, Eng., on October 10, 1822, and in April 1851, came to America, going first to Akron, then Pavilion and coming to Corfu nearly fifty years ago. On April 19, 1856, he married Lucy Ann Sumner, who died on May 18, 1910. In September 1910, the only surviving member of his immediate family, his sister, Miss Sophia MacGregor, left her home in Sussex, Eng., to come to America for the first time, to make her home with her brother. She is 83 years of age. Besides his sister Mr. MacGregor leaves several nephews and nieces.
Mr. MacGregor was apprenticed as a saddler in Perth, Scotland, and continued as a harness maker in this country until April 1900, when he sold his business at Corfu to M. L. Hanford. He was secretary of the Evergreen Hill Cemetery Association when it was organized on February 9, 1878, and was its treasurer for many years, resigning from that office six years ago. He had served as justice and had been town clerk, village clerk and notary public. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.
In a letter written to his sister on March 18, 1851, from Edinburgh, Scotland, Mr. MacGregor said: “On the 28th of this month I sail from Greenock for New York in the ship ‘Adonis.’ You know I long wished to emigrate and now the time has come. My berth is taken and part of my passage paid. The ‘Adonis’ is a very large vessel, 1,200 tons burden, and will take out a great many emigrants, I believe two or three hundred. I have taken what is called an immediate passage which costs four pounds.”
Mr. MacGregor’s funeral will be held from the house at 3:30 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. The interment will be in the Evergreen Hill cemetery.
— 06 Nov 1915, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p8, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
WOMAN 87 YEARS OF AGE GOING TO ENGLAND ALONE
MISS SOPHIA MACGREGOR HAS LEFT CORFU VILLAGE
Corfu, Oct. 3.—Miss Sophia MacGregor, aged 87 years, left for New York yesterday morning, accompanied by A. F. Bangert, who has made the arrangements for her trip to England. Mis MacGregor sails from New York unaccompanied tomorrow on the Royal George for Southampton, Eng., from whence she will go by rail to her future home at Brighton.
Miss MacGregor made her first trip to American about nine years ago when she come to reside with her brother, the late William W. MacGregor. After Mr. MacGregor’s death in November 1915, she lived alone until about a year ago, when Mrs. Kate Webb purchased the MacGregor property, since which time she has resided with her.
— 03 Oct 1919, The Daily News, Batavia NY, p10, nyshistoricnewspapers.org. View largest available size.
Churches in Corfu
Although Mary Ann was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Corfu, the interconnections with the Congregationalists are interesting nonetheless:
The Congregationalist Church was active in Corfu from 1810-1830s. It never had its own building. It spent a few years as part of the Presbyterian Church, then ceased to exist.
Congregationalist Church
The Rev. John Spencer established a Congregationalist Church at Long's Corners [Corfu] in 1810. It was the first religious society in the Pembroke area. A permanent building was never built, they would occasionally meet at various homes. The Rev. Spencer had trouble finding people who were interested in religion. It was said that, "religion had not gone west of the Genesee River."
When the Presbyterian Church was founded in 1817 the Congregationalists combined with them. By the 1840s most of them were gone.
Presbyterian Church
The Rev. Hugh Wallis Founded the Presbyterian Church at Long's Corners [Corfu] in 1817. The constitution for the "First Presbyterian Society in Pembroke" drawn up in 1818. They build a building at 63 Allegany in 1831. And it is still in use today.
There was a lot of dissention in the church by 1831. Two factions of Presbyterians and the Congregationalists were doing a lot of bickering. The Genesee Presbytery recommended that the church be dissolved. Later in 1831, the church was disbanded and the "Presbyterian Church of N. Pembroke" was formed. Most of the records of the first church were destroyed. In 1834, it was renamed the "Corfu United Presbyterian Church." The Congregationalist's never did reform.
Corfu United Presbyterian Church
In 1817, the Rev. Hugh Wallis, a missionary under the Holland Land Company, found a religious society already established in the Pembroke township. He gathered together some more people and formed a congregation under the authority of the Presbyterian Church. As was the custom with Land Companies, four acres was granted for an established congregation to build a house of worship. The church sold the land in "London," now the Lover's Lane Road area) for $400 and used it towards the construction of a building at Longs Corners. The present sanctuary in Corfu was begun in 1829 and had a seating capacity of 100 persons. Over a split in doctrine the church dissolved. The new church immediately arising was called the Presbyterian Church in North Pembroke. Because of the rough times during the Civil War not much is known of the church history between 1834-1870. Like most churches of the time it barely kept its head above water while the women supported the meeting house in the absence of men. They oftentimes went into debt-an elder holding a note for the church. He was repaid in time and gave the interest free. The largest debt contracted was $25 for the repair of pew cushions. It took the ladies five years to repay the note held by Elder Whittlesey. After the war a large revival was held. That and a large movement to the mid- west changed the church rolls drastically. In 1887 there was a large scale move towards discipline and inactive members were excommunicated. Several cases were tried before session. About this time session indicated the evils of Sunday newspapers to the congregation.
In 1910 the Methodist and Universalist Churches disbanded strengthening the Presbyterian congregation. The turn of the century was a time of prosperity. In 1903 Cyrus Carrier became clerk of the session. In 1953 he was honored for over 50 years of well-kept books. In 1928 Rev. William Easton was called to pastor the church. He held the distinction of the longest pastorate in the church's history — 15 years. Before that pastors continued their relationship with the church for an average of 3 or 4 years. Rev. Paul Hagen came as a supply minister in 1943 and was asked to' stay in 1944. In 1947 Dr. Bergen accepted the call to the ministry, at that time the attendance was 240 members. In 1955, when his ministry was ended with his death the membership was 240. Rev. Sheldon Dodds supplied and in 1957 Rev. George Fritting was called as pastor. He was followed by Rev. James Bower in 1963 and Rev. Richard Murdoch in 1967.Rev. Charles Alexander has served since 2003.
I do not have any records from the church on hand, prior to the early 1900s. Our church started in 1814, which means she would have been involved in our church at the very early years of our church opening as Pembroke Society.
I did send out a message to see if there are still any records from the start of the church, but truth be told, back then, record keeping wasn't exactly a big thing. and if anything was still available, it would have been transferred over, and over again.