Batavia, New York Fire
February 17, 1850
Destructive Fire
A fire occurred on the 17th inst., in
Rhany's [R.
Haney's] extensive hardware store, Batavia, New
York. There being no water, the flames
spread with great rapidity, consuming
Mr. Gordon's
house, his office and dwelling the rear of the
American Hotel, and several other buildings.
The total loss by this fire is estimated at
$50,000, on which there is partial insurance.
The Adams Sentinel, Gettysburg, PA 25
Feb 1850
On February 17, 1850, Batavia was visited by the most destructive fire in the
history of the village up to that time. The fire originated about 11:30 a.m. in
the two story wooden building on the north side of the Genesee (Main) street,
occupied by R. Haney as a hardware store.
The wind was blowing strong from the west and the flames swept eastwardly until
every building to the corner of Genesee and Bank streets was consumed. Among the
principal buildings destroyed were the hardware store of
R. Haney, loss $8,000; the office and residence of
Dr. H. Ganson, loss $2,000; store of
S. C. Holden, loss $1,2000; store owned by
Hinman Holden and occupied by
C. Kirkham as a cabinet shop; next the
American hotel, the largest and most expensive building in the village, having
cost over $25,000, owned by Alva Smith and
kept by B. G. Tisdale; a two story brick
building owned by D. W. Tomlinson, who was
fitting it up for the use of the Exchange Bank of Genesee, then located at
Alexander; a building owned by Moses Taggart
and occupied by Dr. J. Delamater as an
office and dwelling, by Dr. Stevens,
dentist, and by Mrs. Williams as a
residence.
Our county and its people - a descriptive and biographical record of
Genesee County, New York 1899, page 297
According to the 1850 Census for Batavia,
Genesee County, NY:
R. Haney is Robert
Haney, 40.
Dr. H. Ganson is Holton
Ganson, 40, Doctor, who lived with
his wife Amanda L., 41 and Alira Minn (?), 11.
S. C. Holden could be
Samuel C. Holden, 53, although he's
listed in the census as a farmer.
C. Kirkham is Chauncey
Kirkham, 57, Cabinet maker. He
lived with his wife Angelina, 47, sons Chauncey
Jr., 26 who was a clerk, Lyman L. 18 who was a
printer, and Charles, 9; daughters Angela, 21,
Euphemia, 13 and Isabella M., 7. Hannorah
Roche, 23 and three cabinet makers Frederick
Lansenbert, 23, Charles Lucker (or Lueker), 27
and Oscar Letrner, 21, also lived with the
family.
B. G. Tisdale is
Bradley G. Tisdale, 33, Innkeeper.
He and his family, wife Ellen, 31, daughter
Helen S., 11, and sons George M., 6, Frank, 4,
Lewis C., 2 and (unnamed), 1 month, lived at the
hotel.
D. W. Tomlinson is
Daniel W. Tomlinson, 35, Banker.
He owned property worth $17,000; and lived with
his wife Susan L., 31 and children Fanny, 4,
Cornelia, 3 and Daniel 2.
Dr. J. Delamater
could be either Jacob, 37, or John, 44.
Both were doctors.
Dr. Stevens is Nelson
Stevens, 49, dentist, who was living
at the hotel.
Mrs. Williams is probably
Aurelia Williams, 70. Her
daughter, Aurelia Williams 2d, 35 and Eliakisn
M. Davis, 15, a clerk, lived with her.
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