History of the Dansville

Fire Department

BY J. L. WELLINGTON and STEPHEN LEVEN

The history of the Dansville Fire Department dates from the year 1836, nine years prior to the adoption of the first village charter. On March 26, of that year, a fire company was formed, taking the name Washington Fire Company No. 1.  At that time Dansville was included in the town limits of Sparta and the commission of the company was signed by the Supervisor and Justices of the Peace of that Township.

The persons appointed as members were: William H. Pickell, Captain; Austin Gardner, 1st assistant; Samuel Wilson, 2nd assistant; Benjamin Bradley, clerk; George Hy1and, treasurer; John Betts, Luther Melvin, David D. McNair, Lucas H. Brown, Isaac H. Overton, Jeremiah Allee, David Holmes, Frederick M. Kuhn, Philip Hasler,  John Weldy, Nicholas Slick, Volney G.Weston, Edward Niles, Milton Morey, and Eli B. Irvin.

This company was known as the "Coffee-Mill" company, from the resemblance of their engine to that article of household utility. Water was fed into the engine by buckets and was forced through the hose by turning large cranks at the sides. Each crank accommodating six to eight men.  Something of the appearance of this pioneer company on parade can be gained from a resolution adopted by them on July 2, 1838, when it was resolved to "celebrate the Fourth of July, in Firemen's order, that the company wear hats with a blue ribbon one-half inch wide as a band, tied in a double bow know, and to wear white round-abouts  and dark pantaloons." There is nothing on record to indicate the extent of fire duty performed by this company, except the records of their monthly "exercise", which consisted of one to two hours of running and throwing streams.  The last meeting and exercise of the original "coffee-mill" company, of which there is any record, was held September 7, 1840.

The first village charter, adopted May 7, 1845, provided for the appointment of one or more fire companies of twenty members each, and one Hook and Ladder Company of fifteen members. One member of each company was designated as foreman thereof. The amended charter of May 9, 1846, limited the number of fire companies to one for each fire engine procured by the village.  At the first corporation meeting (June 16, 1846), it was resolved "to raise by tax eight hundred dollars to purchase a fire engine, the necessary hose, and other apparatus therefore, hooks and ladders and other necessary apparatus for a Hook & Ladder Company, to erect or hire a suitable place to keep such and engine or apparatus, and to pay the expense of procuring the same and other needful and proper expenses."

The first company under the village charter was Engine Company No. 1, organized August 5, 1846, with the following members: William B. Bryant, B.J. Chapin, C.R. Kern, William G. Thompson, Samuel M. Welch, J.L. Boone, C.W. Dibble, George G. Wood, Matthew McCartney, John Nares, C.E. Lambert, and H. Howe. Other members of this company were James Murdock, who held the position of foreman three years, Samuel P. Williams and Henry and Calvin Fenstermacher.

On September 9, 1846, the Board of Trustees approved the officers and by-laws of the Phoenix Engine Company No. 1. The members of this company were: O. B. Maxwell, R. Williams, William H. Southwick, William Hollister, James H. Parker, J.D. Pike, Charles Rumley, E. Miles, M. Halsted, L.H. Colbourn, Elias Geiger, G.H. Rice, John U. Wallis, Charles D. Heening, James M. Smith, J.V. Taft, J.H. Freeland, and Charles McElvaney.

Engine Company 2 was formed December 11, 1849 with the following members Julius A. Reynolds, J.H. Conrity, T. B. Goodrich, L.W. Reynolds, William Brown, Jr, G.F. Shannon, J.G. Shepard, Nicholas Schu, H. Brewer, Charles Heidacker, S.L. Barrett, J.W. Merriman, B. Lewis Brittan, Jonathan Doty, N. Bavenger, D. Shafer, H.O. Reynale, A.N. Barto, Charles Barto, Carl Stephan, and Joseph Hallaner.

On April 28, 1857, H.C. Payne and twenty others were organized as the Phoenix Fire Company No. 1. June 21, 1858, DeForest Lozier and eighteen others were constituted into Hope Fire Company No. 2. DeForest Lozier was appointed foreman.

The year 1863 marks the birth of two of the most efficient fire companies of their time, the Canaseraga Fire Company No. 1, organized May 2, and the Phoenix Fire Company No. 2, organized May 20.

The former consisted of thirty-two charter members, all Germans. The officers were Nicholas Schu, Foreman; Conrad Dick, 1st Assistant, Wendel Schubmehl, 2nd Assistant; James Krein, President; Peter Schlick, Vice-President; Adam Gillium, Secretary; John Blum, Treasurer; James Caton, Stewart. This company, during its ten years of existence, took part in many parades both at home and abroad, and held many balls, devoting, in many cases, the proceeds to charitable purposes. Their public enterprise led them to subscribe one hundred and twenty-five dollars a year for the organization and sustaining of the old Canaseraga Cornet band under the leadership of Professor Michael Sexton.

The Phoenix Company, whose members were described as an energetic, enterprising, and muscular set of boys, was officered as follows: James Faulkner, Foreman; Henry R. Curtis, 1st Assistant; William McCullum, 2nd Assistant; G.C. Dabolle, President; John Hyland, Vice President; A.O. Bunnell, Secretary; Gordon Wilson, Treasurer; Fred Ripley, Stewart.

These companies took charge of the two new engines which had recently been purchased by the village. The engines, which were of the old side brake pattern, arrived in Dansville May 19, 1863. On June 2, an appropriation of eleven of eleven hundred dollars was voted for the benefit of the Fire Department, and during the progress of the election a trial of the engines took place between the new companies with the honors slightly in the favor of the Canaseragas.

On May 22, two hose companies were organized, taking the names of Canaseraga Hose No. 2 and Genesse Hose No. 3. These companies were attached to the Canaseraga and Phoenix companies, respectively. The members were boys under twenty-one and their duties consisted chiefly in carting and caring for the hose. Both the Canaseraga and the Phoenix Company disbanded in 1872. The former disbanded and reorganized on May 2, 1870, but on the13th of May, two years later, the engine was formally turned over to the village trustees and the company property sold. From the disbandment of these companies up to 1874, Dansville was practically without organized fire protection, fire duty being performed by the citizens in general without reference to organization.

In June, 1874, a meeting was called at the Hyland House at which preliminary arrangements were made for organizing a hose company. On the 17th of the month, at an adjourned meeting, the organization was completed and adopted the name Union Hose Company Number 1.

Twenty-four enrolled as charter members as follows: George Hyland Jr., Foreman; John J. Bailey, Assistant Foreman; George A. Sweet, President; Thos. F. Gallagher, Vice-President; Legrand Snyder, Secretary; H. Frank Dyer, Treasurer; Seth N. Hedges, Randolph D. LaRue, Thomas J. Burby, Thomas O'Meara, Charles Sutfin, Gates L. Austin, Herman W. DeLong, Solon S. Dyer, Judd C.Whitehead, James M. Edwards Samuel Sturgeon, Jr., Frank H. Toles, Frederick W. Noyes, Jesse B. Prussia, William A. Spinning, George B. Thompson, William Welch, and Elmer F. Hamsher.

Meetings were held at their rooms in the Ossian Street Fire Building, the first Monday of each month. This company is regarded as one of the best disciplined volunteer fire companies. It supported an elegant suite of rooms in the Maxwell Block, and the social and club features are made prominent. The company's annual ball is regarded as the chief social event of the year, and its bi-annual minstrel show spoke to the credit to the talent and enterprise of the company. The Union Hose Company still services the citizens of Dansville to this day.

The Protectives No. 1 was organized January 24, 1876 with twenty-five charter members, and two days later was admitted into the department. The charter officers were James Porter, Foreman; Charles V. Patchin, 1st. Assistant; C.A. Snyder, 2nd. Assistant; H.K. VanNuys, President; W.H. Dick, Vice-President; Edward Moody, Secretary; J.F. Bryant, Treasurer; and George M. Blake, Steward.

From its inception the Protectives Company has been an active and potent factor in the department. It's outfit consisted of the latest improved extinguishers, ropes, stakes, buckets, rubber blankets, and all that was need in that day an age to make up an efficient fire fighting company. The company supported a large and nicely furnished suite of rooms in the Kramer Block, over the Merchants and Farmers Bank. Meetings of the company were held the first Wednesday of each month at the Exchange Street Fire Building. This company incorporated May 3, 1876. The Protectives Company still services the citizens of Dansville to this day.

The Fearless Hook and Ladder Company No.1 were admitted to the department at the same time as the Protectives. There were twenty-eight charter members and the original officers were as follows: D. K. Price, Foreman; Martin LaForce, lst Assistant; Conrad Kramer, 2nd Assistant; James Hoover, President; J. Kramer Jr., Vice-President; F. Schuhmehl, Secretary; Baldis Foote, Treasurer; Adolph Huber, Steward. Meetings were held the first Tuesday of each month, at their rooms in the Exchange Street Fire Building.

The "Hooks,'' as they are familiarly known, were a muscular set of men and the individual pride taken by the members in the company's enterprises, necessarily set a high standard of efficiency. For a number of years the company has held membership in the New York State Volunteer Firemen's Association, its delegates always taking an active part in the councils of that organization. The company was incorporated March 28, 1877. The Hook and Ladder Company still serve the citizens of Dansville to this day.

The last company to enter the department was Jackson Hose No. 2, which was organized October 27, 1890, with a charter membership of fourteen, with the charter officers as follows: P.J. Peck, Foreman; Jacob Huver, lst Assistant; William Doty, 2nd Assistant; William Huver, President; P. J. Hoffman, Vice-President; J.J. Rohner, secretary; and George Eschrich, Treasurer. Meetings were held the first Monday in each month at the Exchange Street Fire Building.

There was considerable discussion at the time the Jackson Hose company was organized as to the need of a fourth company and an effort was made on the part of some of the taxpayers to prevent the new company from being admitted to the department. But upon the written guarantee of the company to supply themselves with 1,000 feet of hose before the first day of January 1893, the question was submitted to a vote of the taxpayers and the company was admitted by a majority of twenty-five. The company was well organized and equipped. It supported a hose team of twelve men which has taken part in various contests, always with credit to themselves and to the department. At Geneseo, August 17, 1890, the team made the record of laying 300 yards of hose, made the couplings, and had the stream on in 59 3/5 seconds. Their record for the 200-yard hub-and-hub race is 23 2/3 seconds. The Jackson Hose Company still services the citizens of Dansville to this day.

These four companies constituted the Dansville Fire Department until early 1968 when the Dansville Fire Department Ambulance Company was formed and became the fifth company of the Dansville Fire Department.

When on duty all officers and members of the various four companies, as well as all police officers and citizens, are subject to the orders of the Chief Engineer, who is chosen, annually by the Department, subject, however, to the approval, of the village Board of Trustees.

In 1892 there was severe controversy over the election of Chief Engineer (presently known as the Chief), and a compromise system of rotation was adopted by means of which the office rotated annually from one company to another in regular succession.

The rotation system was never satisfactory, and at the regular annual meeting held February 18, 1902, Charles A. Brown, on behalf of union Hose Company, presented a resolution providing for its abolishment. At an adjourned meeting, one week later, the resolution was passed, and Patrick J. Melody of the Hook and Ladder Company was elected Chief.

A similar rotation is now in effect, where a member, elected by each company, and then approved on by the Dansville Fire Department Wardens, holds the office of Chief or one of the Assistant Chiefs positions for two years. Said members start in the position of 3rd Assistant Chief, after two years in this position, should the member be re-elected by their company and the Dansville Fire Department wardens, said member will move to the position of 2nd Assistant Chief, the cycle repeats until that member ultimately serves two years as Chief. Each of the four Chiefs positions is filled with a member from each company in rotation. Chief Officers are subject to approval by the Village Board.

The persons holding the office of Chief Engineer since the inception of the present department through 1902 were: George Hyland, 1870-1879; James Faulkner, 1880-1884: C.V. Patchin, 1885; George Hyland, 1886-1887; Henry Fedder, 1888; J.W. Burgess, 1889-1890; W.S. Oberdorf, 1891; J.W. Burgess, 1892: F.L. Kramer, 1893; B.G. Readshaw, 1894; John H. Hover, 1895; Jacob Hover, 1896; George R. Brown, 1897; George W. Whitney, 1898; John Rectenwald, 1899; P. J. Coleman, 1900; N.W. Uhl, 1901; Patrick J. Melody. 1902.

In early 1968, a group from the Dansville Fire Department decided to establish an ambulance squad, which became the fifth company of the Dansville Fire Department.  Prior to this emergency medical services had been provided by the funeral directors of the area, and when they ended that service in the early 1960's the Dansville police department took over the duties by manning the ambulances for the health department.

The first meeting of the new company was held on October 20, 1968 at which the company accepted the operations of the ambulance in the Town of Dansville. The Ambulance Company at that time consisted of approximately 60 men from all four companies of the Dansville Fire Department (Protectives, Union Hose, Jackson Hose, and Hook & Ladder companies) and was under the command of our first captain, John Nipper Welch. 

The Ambulance Company's first ambulance was a Ford station wagon that the health department was using.  With the help of the Dansville Lions Club and the members of the Dansville Fire Department, the Ambulance Company has been able to purchase several ambulances since then with no cost to the tax payers of the village. 

For nearly thirty years the only water supplies for fire purposes were public wells sunk at various places throughout the village, and from private cisterns when accessible. Various efforts were made from time to time to secure an appropriation for effectually supplying the village with water, but the question was not satisfactorily disposed of until August 20, 1873, when the electors resolved to issue bonds in the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars for the construction of water works. A dam was constructed in Mill Creek above the California House, at a height of 182 feet above the lower end of Main Street. A gravity system was thus established which continued to serve until the fall of 1895. At that time another system was established, a 235 foot fall afforded sufficient pressure to throw stream with ease high over the tallest block in the village at that time, and 112 hydrants were so distributed as to afford protection to every part of the Village even to the farthest outskirt. The village water system has progressed over the years and has amply supplied with all the water needed for fire purposes.

No account of the Dansville Fire Department would be complete without some reference to Livingston Volunteer Firefighters Association, the Western New York Volunteer Firefighters Association, and the Firefighters Association of New York, in which organization and maintenance the Dansville companies have taken an active part. On August 8th and 9th, 1894, and again on August 15th and 16th, 1900, the Dansville companies, in conjunction with the citizens, entertained the various companies of Livingston county, numbering in all about a thousand firemen. Since the its inception the Dansville Fire Department has held numerous Livingston and Western New York conventions but few have drawn the crowds of those events in the 1894 and 1900.

The department apparatuses consisted of about 3,000 feet of hose, four hose wagons, a hook and ladder truck, a Protective cart, together with the numerous paraphernalia, the value of which amounts to nearly ten thousand dollars in the late 1800's to the early 1900s. This equipment, backed by the energy and earnestness of over one hundred capable and intelligent young men, placed the Dansville Fire Department in the forefront of volunteer fire organizations.

A lot has changed over the years since the early inception of the Dansville Fire Department, we now have five companies, four pumpers, a 100 ft tower ladder, a rescue truck, a brush truck, a squad truck, and two ambulances We also have a lot of high tech equipment ranging from hydraulic extrication equipment for use at motor vehicle accidents, to thermal imaging equipment for finding people trapped in burning buildings, to automatic external defibrillators used to "jump" start a person’s heart in the event of a heart attack. Over the years the Dansville Fire Department has seen several horrendous fires and regrettably some loss of life but we have seen many lives and buildings saved as well.

We have come a long way from the days of hand drawn carts, equipped with buckets and rubber blankets, but there is one thing that has gone unchanged over the years, and that is that the Dansville Fire Department still consists of strictly volunteers. These volunteers are men and women wanting to protect their community and its inhabitants, this is done 24/7, 365 days a year, without regard for bad weather, time of day, or personal gain. Their dedication, hard work, and sacrifice have served this community extremely well and it is a testament to the spirit of the founding fathers of the Dansville Fire Department.