Landing Page of June 3, 2018
Last week we looked into 19th Century professionals of Collins Center; beginning
with physicians. This week we will continue our look back upon 19th century
professionals (merchants) and begin our look at the history of 19th
century businesses within Collins Center.
The first merchant in Collins Center has long been deemed to be Samuel Lake;
however, not all agree with this information. It is true that Lake built the first store in
Collins Center (1830); but, rather than attending to business himself, he hired Harry
Matthewson to conduct daily business. For this reason, there are some who claim
Matthewson to be the first merchant n town.
Lake also engaged in the ashery business in town, (a factory that converted
hardwood ashes into lye, potash or pearlash) although, there has been no findings
as to whether or not Lake operated this business or hired someone to manage
operations.
Chauncey Bigelow and his son Frank would be the next merchants in town.
Cornelius Smith would follow the Bigelow's in this enterprise. Smith would sell out to
Thomas Russell whose son William would eventually take over operation of the
store. William would sell out to Bates & White. There are also recorded four
additional names as Collins Center merchants; Benjamin Sherman, T Pitts, Herbert
F Clark and a man with the surname Johnson each separately operated mercantile
businesses within Collins Center.
In 1880, the following stores existed in Collins Center: Bates & White (General
Store), Joseph Mugridge (General Store), James Matthews (groceries & provisions),
Milton B Sherman (groceries & provisions) and H A Reynolds (groceries &
provisions). Just imagine, 5 stores in Collins Center at the same time, each
successfully competing with the other!
Mugridge Store Built 1885
Attorneys:
We know of few attorneys who lived and practiced at Collins Center. The most
outstanding lawyer to have lived and practiced in Collins Center is with no doubt,
Orra L. C. Hughes (who was also the publisher of the only newspaper to ever be
published within the town of Collins: The Collins Center Tribune). Hughes was an
African-American who was born in Pennsylvania of free parents. Although his life
was met by daily struggles, Hughes demanded a proper education which he
received. He was admitted to the Bar at the Old Erie County Hall in Buffalo, 1876.
Albert Bruce was another man who both lived and practiced in Collins Center. He
married Nancy Herrington and the couple had one child; Dr. Alexander M Bruce.