LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the Town
of Portville, New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the proud and distinguished histories of the people and communi-
ties which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate 175th Anniversary of the Town of Portville, in Cattaraugus County,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Formed from Olean and named for its role in shipping lumber
and other goods down the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, the Town of Port-
ville was founded by an act of the New York State Legislature, passed on
April 27, 1837; and
WHEREAS, The first settler in Portville was John Morris, who moved
there from Olean in 1813; the first recorded birth in Portville was that
of the Reverend Dexter Morris, who was born there in 1814; and
WHEREAS, Early economic pursuits in Portville included the lumber
industry and the manufacture of shingles; in 1849, the first tannery was
opened in the town by Mark Comstock, leading the way for an industry
that would remain important in the town into the 20th century; and
WHEREAS, The Genesee Valley Canal was extended into Portville from
Olean in 1861 in response to a need to transport shingles and other
goods downriver to markets in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and south to the
Mississippi River; the canal extension became obsolete with the rise of
railroads at the end of the 19th century; the canal was officially aban-
doned in 1878; and
WHEREAS, Portville's early churches included the Methodist Episcopal
Church, which received its deed from the Holland Land Company in 1822;
the Presbyterian Church was formed in 1849, with the church itself
constructed in 1873 with seating for 300 people; and the Seventh-Day
Baptist Church was organized in 1862; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Portville is home to Riverhurst Park, opened in
the 1800s by Wilson R. Page as a picnic and entertainment resort; also
located in the Portville community is the wooded Pfeiffer Nature Center,
an organization established by Wendy Pfeiffer Lawrence in honor of her
father, Timothy N. Pfeiffer; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of the Town of Portville proudly celebrate its
long and interesting history, but look forward to its future; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize and honor milestones in the history of communities large and small
in this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 175th Anniversary of the Town of Portville; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Town of Portville, New York.