FRANKLINVILLE CATTARAUGUS COUNTY

OLIVER ROOT

Researched and written by Joie Wilson

Upon Oliver Root's arrival from Livingston County in the year 1818 he built a saw mill. This was the first one in the southwestern section of what would become the township of Franklinville. Married to Zulama Merrill, he would eventually be the father of a total of twelve children.

Upon the raising of the mill, with the help of the other settlers, a ritual celebration was observed. Once they had the frame up, all the helpers went to the log home of Oliver Their host seated all his guests in as nearly a semi-circle as he could manage with the rather crude furniture available to him. Having mixed an amount of whiskey together with sugar in a tin pan, he picked up a large spoon and, beginning at one end of the semi-circle, proceeded to actually spoon feed each guest in turn. Once he reached the last man, he started over. The result was a very happy group of fellows.

Oliver lived in his log cabin until the end of his life on February 18, 1872. Zulama Root died three years later .... to the very day.