Statistics for Portville, NY 1865-1870
Submitted by Frankie Stonemetz
The Town of Portville was officially formed from Olean April 27, 1837. It is the southeast corner town of Cattaraugus County, bounded on the east by Allegany County and on the south by Pennsylvania. The surface is mostly a hilly upland, the highest summits being 500 to 500 feet above the valleys. The Allegheny River enters the Town upon the south border, flows north to near the center, and thence northwest to the west border. It received as tributaries Oswayo, Dodges and Haskell Creeks, all from the east bank of the river. The soil is sandy loam, and the flats were originally covered with a magnificent growth of white pine. Lumbering was the leading pursuit. The Town contains a total of 23, 106 acres. It derived its name from the fact that it was a prominent shipping point for lumber and shingles. With the arrival of the lumber dealers the population grew rapidly.
Agricultural Statistics of Portville from census of 1865-1870
Bushels of winter wheat harvested 1874...165
Bushels of oats harvested 1874...6,963
Bushels of Indian corn harvested 1874 ..4,823
Bushels of potatoes harvested 1874...14,114
Pounds of tobacco...170
Bushels of apples...4,255
Number of milk cows...308
Pounds of butter made...33,812
Horses, 2 yrs. old or over ...235
Number of sheep shorn...2,079
In 1870 in all of Cattaraugus County there were 2,220 working oxen.
Smith, R.P., Historical and Statistical Gazateer of New York State,
p. 196.
Acres of Land–
Improved...3,189
Unimproved...18,823 and 34
Valuation of 1858 –Real Estate...185,537
Personal Property...14,700
Total...200,337
Population–
Males................610
Females..............554
No. of Dwellings.....204
No. of Families......213
Freeholders..........173
Schools, No. of Districts ........7
Children taught.....564
Live Stock –
Horses..................193
Working Oxen and Cows...336
Cows....................323
Sheep...................854
Swine...................354
Agricultural Products–
Bushels of Winter Grain ..........178 ½
Bushels of Spring Grain........16,561
Tons of Hay........789
Bushels of Potatoes..........9,474
Bushels of Apples...........3,069
Dairy Products–
Pounds of Butter.......27,938
Pounds of Cheese.........2,895
Domestic Cloth in Yards ......586 ½
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Last Update February 2, 2020