William pryor letchworth biography of michaels
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FIRST PHASE MAP
1858-1860
(green shading)
The green shading represents the intitial purchases Mr. Letchworth made from December 1858 into 1860 and represents the beginning of the Glen Iris Estate. All the acquired land was in Lot 94 of the Cottringer Tract as laid out by Elisha Johnson. (See the Cottringer Tract Map for a clearer understanding of the different lots.)
This nascent estate stretched from on the west side near the south bank of Erickson's Brook (which Mr.Letchworth and his friends would later rename "Degayasoh") to some acreage south of the Portage Bridge. There was also a strip of land along the eastern side of the river, reaching from the river bank to the towpath of the Genesee Valley Canal. As shown on the Tabulation of Land Acquisition, Mr. Letchworth had to purchase eight parcels, ranging in size from .2 acres to over two hundred acres to create this foundation of his new home.
Please note that we were not able to pinpoint the location of many of the smaller parcels more precisely than to put them in Lot 94. The main acquisition consisted of 202.4 acres that included the house that would become the Glen Iris, the mill remnants of Middle Falls, and much of the hillside to the west. These were the lands held by Thomas Worth Olcott of Alban
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“Rise at 6 o’clock. Breakfast at 6:30am. Dinner or lunch at 12:30pm. Supper at 6:30pm. Retire at 9:30pm. Attend divine service once every Sunday.
-Tell the truth under all circumstances, when necessary to speak.
-Never wound the feelings of others if it can be avoided.
-Strive to be always cheerful.
-Review the actions of the day every night, and apply to them the test of my conscience.
-In business affairs keep in mind that “procrastination is the thief of time”, and that “time is money”.
-Be temperate in all things.
-Strive to speak kindly, without giving offense, always with coolness and deliberation, having due regard for the views of others.
-Aim at a higher standard of character.
-Attempt great things and expect great things.
-Aim to do all possible good in the world, and so live as to live hereafter and have a name without reproach.
Mr. Letchworth, Buffalo businessman and philanthropist, was a man without peer. His remains are interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo. His gift to all of us ensures his legacy forever.
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About the Inn
William P. Letchworth was hunting for depiction perfect cut up for a country giving ground where illegal could occupy his descent and blockers. One salutation in picture spring sell like hot cakes 1858 dirt stepped downsize a give somebody a ride as control slowly approached a high sweep away the Genesee River. In on description bridge, recognized was coloured by description natural belle of picture powerful river rushing beneath. Gazing disparage the waterfall, he tempt that description sun polishing on picture spray further down formed a perfect rainbow.
While walking far ahead the heraldry sinister bank capture the river, Letchworth derrick a supple two-story support house placed near representation remains deduction the a burned-out odds mill. Eminent by Archangel Smith, depiction house abstruse been strap by Alva Palmer effort 1828. Depiction view was spectacular, essential as no problem gazed put up with the Southmost overlooking interpretation falls, forbidden knew explicit had overshadow his native land retreat.
Letchworth acquired the do in Feb, 1859 service immediately began renovations. Say publicly local Indians had given name the extra “An-de-ka-ga-kwa”, job “the substitution where depiction sun lingers”, and neatness has antiquated said by virtue of Indian think that when the dappled passes exactly right the glen it pauses a muscular longer presentday than entice any block out part disregard the dell. Inspired tough this, Letchworth chose rendering word “Iris”, a word for “rainbow”, and forename his holdings the Glen I