USA > New York > Genesee County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Genesee County, New York, v. 2 > Part 1
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M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01177 0481
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A
DESCRIPTIVE AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
GENESEE COUNTY
NEW YORK
EDITED BY SAFFORD E. NORTH
THE BOSTON HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
1800
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THE BENCH AND BAR. 367
pared for college at Henrietta Academy and Canandaigua Academy ; he entered Union College, from which he was graduated in 1845, re- ceiving the degree of Master of Arts He taught school several years, was admitted to the bar in 1848, came to Batavia, and began the prac- tice of law in 1851. He was elected town superintendent of schools in Batavia and held that office two terms; he was one of the U. S. loan commissioners of the county of Genesee for five years; was county treasurer two terms of three years each, and issued over half a million of county war bonds for the county; the most of the war bonds were paid before his second term as treasurer was ended. Ile was elected in the fall of 1893 one of the delegates to the constitutional convention of 1834. During his practice of law very many litigated cases were re- ferred to him to hear, try, and determine as referee. Mr. Woodward has four children, as follows: Jessie M., who married Dr. Lorenzo N. Phinney of Connecticut; Ida M., who married Dr. E. Clark Tracy of New York: both daughters being children by his first wife, W. Sara !: B. (Tarbox) Woodward; and Edwin A. Woodward, who practices law at Rochester, and Herbert P. Woodward, police justice and lawyer at Batavia, are children of his second wife, Martha (Allen) Woodward. In 1895 Mr. Woodward had an edition of 500 copies of his poems pub- lished by Charles Wells Moulton of Buffalo. The volume contains about 150 pages and is entitled " Pebbles and Builders." This com- prises but a small portion of the poems he has written.
Edward C. Walker, son of Cyrus and Anna ( Hulette) Waiker, was born in Byron Jane 14, 1834. lle is descended from old Puritan stock and his paternal grandfather, Amasa Walker, was one of the first set- tlers of Byron, whither he came in 1811 from Ashford, Conn., bringing his family. Edward C. Walker had excellent educational advantages and at an early age entered the Cary Collegiate Institute at Oakfield. Later he attended Wilson Academy, Niagara county, and in June, 1861, was graduated from Genesee College at Lima. He studied law and was admitted to practice in 1852, taking up his residence in Batavia, where he has ever since been a valued citizen. He early entered poli- tics and in 1868 was elected to the State Assembly, serving as chairman of the committee on public education. In 1585 he was elected State senator from the 30th Senatorial district, composed of the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Niagara and Wyoming. Ilis worth was recog. nized by his appointment as chairman of the important committees on banking and the manufacture of salt : he also served on the committees
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
on railroads and insurance. In ISSt he was re-elected by an increased plurality, and served as chairman of the committee on railroads. He was also appointed a member of the committee which investigated the Broadway Surface Railway Company of New York city, a corporation which had procured its franchise through corruption. The excellent work of this committee is well known: the gigantic fraud was fully ex- posed and its perpetrators brought to justice. Senator Walker was an industrious and efficient legislator. a pleasing, yet forcible speaker, and possessed the faculty of organization. He introduced many bills which became laws, including the motor power bill authorizing street railway conipanies to change from horse to any other power after obtaining the consent of the railway commissioners and a majority of the property holders along the line of the road; a number of bills improving the banking system of the State; and the bill which prevents assignees from giving to preferred creditors more than one-third of the estate. He also introduced the marriage license bill, designed to prevent :11- timed marriages, protect the clergy, and provide a more perfect record for tracing the cstates of children. He gained a high reputation in the State as a safe and careful law maker and a man of sterling integrity. In January, 1890, he was appointed by Hon. William Windom, secre- tary of the treasury, one of three commissioners to locate the govern- ment and post office building at Buffalo. Mr. Walker has done much to promote the welfare of Batavia, and has been generous in support of public institutions. He served several years as trustee of the State In- stitution for the Blind; as trustee of Syracuse University; Ingham University at Le Roy; and of the Batavia Y. M. C. A. He has long been a member of the Batavia Presbyterian church, served as commis- sioner of Auburn Theological Seminary, and as a delegate to the Gen . eral Association of the Presbyterian church of the United States He has been a director of the First National Bank of Batavia since 1820, and for many years served as a director of the Holland Purchase In- surance Company. Mr. Walker married, January 14, 1861, Miss Martha Marsh of Lockport, N. Y., a sister of Prof. O. C. Marsh, the eminent scientist of Yale College. Two sons have been born to them : Edward C., jr., and Raymond Marsh. Edward C. Walker, jr., died August 15, 1895, leaving two children, Edward C. Walker, 3d, and Zada Romena.
Hobart B. Cone was born in Bethany, May 3, 1843, a son of Nathaniel K. and Adeline ( Brewer) Cone. His father was a native of Connecti-
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
cut and came to Genesee county with his parents, Zachariah and Wealthy (Kingsbury) Cone, who settled in Bethany in 1840. Zachariah was a well educated man and served as sheriff of Tolland county, Conn. Nathaniel K. Cone was a surveyor and his maps are now on file in Genesee county; he died in 1880. H. B. Cone was graduated from Hobart College in 1869. He began the study of law with Hon. George Bowen and was admitted to the bar in 1870, and immediately com- menced his practice, which has continued ever since. In 1878 Mr. Cone married Jennie E. Bentley, and they have three children: Earl H., Newell K. and Marion A. Mr. Cone has for many years been a member of the board of education. He has an inherited taste for higher mathematics, and although actively engaged in practicing law, he has always done a large amount of surveying. He enjoys the reputation of being a careful, safe business man, and large interests have always been entrusted to his management.
William Tyrrell, son of Amos and Salome ( Harroun) Tyrrell, was born in Darien, October 21, 1823. When he reached his majority he began the study of law with Timothy Fitch and Henry I. Głowacki and later entered the office of Verplanck & Martindale. He was admitted to the bar in 1849 and since 1852 has practiced his profession in Batavia. He has served the county as district attorney and in 1866 was appointed postmaster of Batavia In 1813 he was again appointed to the latter office, serving until 1885. Mr. Tyrrell has always been an active Re- publican and has been influential in his party, enjoying a wide acquaint- ance among public men. He has at different periods been in partner ship with John Kimberly, William C. Watson, Otis Miner and William E. Webster. Since 1884 his partner has been Frank W. Ballard, the firm name being Tyrrell & Ballard.
Louis B. Lane was born in Allegany county in 1862. a son a Rev. John W. and Mary E. (Watson) Lane. He received his education largely under the direction of his father, a Presbyterian minister of over thirty years' service in Allegany county. He read law in the office of his uncle, William C. Watson, in Batavia, and was admitted to practice in 1889. Mr. Lane is a man of unusual scholarly attainments, and his occasional addresses on public occasions have attracted much favorable attention. While devoted to his profession, in which he is successfully engaged, he finds time to indulge his tastes for science and literature.
Bayard J. Stedman, son of Irving J. and Laura (Smiley) Stedman,
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
was born in Oakfield, this county, August 21, 1875. He was educated in Cary Collegiate Seminary and read law in the office of Sullivan, Morris & Jerome of Rochester, with whom he remained three years. He was admitted July 26, 1898, and formed a partnership with William E. Webster, under the firm name of Webster & Stedman.
Fred A. Lewis was born in Attica, N. Y., November 27, 1865. He is the son of Robert S. and Nancy (Tompkins) Lewis. In 1868 the family came to Batavia, where they have since resided. Fred A. Lewis graduated from the University of Rochester in 1886, taking the degree of B. S. Two years later he received the degree of master of science. He studied law with Safford E North and was admitted in March, 1889. Immediately after his admission he formed a partnership with Judge North under the firm name of North & Lewis This continued until January 1, 1893, when he became clerk to the Surrogate's Court, and he has heldl this position ever since. Mr. Lewis has found time to devote considerable attention to musical matters and he is active in the work of the M. E. Church, V. P.S. C. E. and the Young Men's Christian Association.
William Henry Watson, son of William C. and Jennette (Walker) Watson, is a native of Batavia, born September 10, 1872 He read law in his father's office, with A. E. Clark, and later attended the Buffalo Law School, from which he was graduated LL. B in 1898. After his admission to the bar he began practice simultaneously with his brother, forming the firin of Watson & Watson.
George W. Watson, son of William C. and Jennette (Walker) Watson, was born in Batavia, November 9, 18:3. In 1891 he graduated from the Batavia High School. He studied law in his father's office and with James A. Le Seur, subsequently attending the Buffalo Law School, from which he graduated in 1898. Immediately following his admis sion he began practice with his brother William H. under the firm name of Watson & Watson. Both these young men have a decided taste for literature and their occasional contributions to the press have attracted much favorable notice.
Frank L. Crane, son of Dr. Frank W. Crane, was born in Darien, N. Y., February 12, 1803. He was educated at the Corfu Union school and received two years of classical instruction under a tutor. He studied law with William C. Watson in Batavia and was admitted to the bar in January, 1885. Since his admission he has practiced his profession at Corfu.
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THE BENCH AND BAR.
Frank W. Ballard, son of John D. and Cynthia (Bingham) Ballard, was born in Allegany county in 1860. He was educated in the common schools and at Pike Seminary from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. He began the study of law with Richardson & Smith of his native county, and subsequently attended the Albany Law School where he took the LL. B. degree in May, 1884 He was admitted to the bar during the same month. Mr. Ballard came to Batavia in Oc- tober, 1884, and at once formed a partnership with William Tyrrell under the firm name of Tyrrell & Ballard. This partnership still con- tinues.
Frank E. Lawson was born in Rochester, February 25, 1873. He graduated from Batavia High School in the classical course in 1891. and in the fall of the same year entered Hobart College. llegraduated from that institution in 1895, receiving the degree of A B. He studied law with William E. Prentice and was admitted to the bar November 2, 1897. He remained with Mr. Prentice until the spring of 1899, when he was elected police justice for the village of Batavia and opened a law office in Ellicott Hall.
Frank J. Robinson was born at Leon, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Dec. 9, 1861. He received his education at district schools, Forestville Acad- emy and at the Chamberlain Institute, Randolph. He studied law with Pindar & Inman, in Salamanca, and with Farrar & Wende in Buffalo. He was admitted to the bar at Rochester in 1893 Prior to his admis- sion Mr. Robinson taught school for six years and for five years was the editor and proprietor of the North Collins Leader. After being admitted to the bar he prae iced in Buffalo until 1896, when he removed to Bergen, Genesee county. Mr. Robinson was married July 1, Iss5, to Ella M. Hurd of Brant, N. Y.
James A. Le Seur was born in Brattlebero, Vt., November 18, 1861. Ilis father, John Le Seur, was a native of Manchester, Mass , a gradu- ate of Hanover College and was a minister in the M. E. church. He died in Batavia March 11, 1897, at the ripe age of ninety-five years. James A. Le Seur was educated at Claverack Institute and was gradu- ated in 1879 with the rank of captain. He then entered Rochester University. In 1883 he went to Boston where he remained until 188; when he came to Batavia. On the 1st day of June, 1889, he became clerk of the Surrogate's Court, and served in that capacity until Janu- ary 1, 1893, when he assumed the office of district attorney, to which he had been elected the November previous. During his service in the
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Surrogate's Court he studied law with Judge North and he was admit- ted to the bar in 1891. He formed a partnership with David D. Lent, which still continues under the name of Le Seur & Lent lle served as district attorney for two terms of three years each. The famous murder trial, resulting in the conviction of Howard C. Benham, took place during his second term. In 1883 Mr. Le Seur married Carrie, daughter of John Eckler, and they have two children, John F. and Muriel C. Mr. Le Seur joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1892 and since that time has taken great interest in the work of the order. Ile is a past grand and a past patriarch. At this time he is grand mar kal of the Grand Encampment of the State of New York. Mr. Le Seur is known among his friends as a proficient, all round ath- lete and he takes great pleasure in athletic sports and exercises.
David Jackson Bissell is the oldest son of the late Gen. C. Fitch Bis sell of Le Rey, and was born August 21, 1845. He married Heppie S. Dix; they have four sons and one daughter: the family have always lived in Le Roy. Mr. Bissell was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1868, and he was associated with his father in practice until the lamented death of the latter in December. 1898. In politics Mr. Bissell is a Democrat, and he has been active and influential in the management of party matters.
John R. Obosted was born in Le Roy, N. Y., October 17, 1819, son of Col. William and Cynthia ( Franklin) Olmsted. His parents were natives of Connecticut, his father coming to Genesee county in 1810. John R. Olmsted was educated in the district schools and at the Round House School, from which he was graduated. He studied law at Le Roy and in Rochester, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. He began the practice of his profession in Le Roy with the late Alfred F. Bar- tow, and for half a century was engaged in practice. He never sought public office. In 1896 he retired from practice. Ile was married in 1853 to Elizabeth N. Allen, of Mumford, N. Y. They have six chil. dren: John B., a lawyer in Buffalo; Oliver A., in the grain busines- in Chicago; Allen S., a manufacturer in Le Roy; Jacob, in Le Roy; Mrs. E. P. White, and Lillian. Mrs. Olmsted possesses considerable literary ability and has some reputation as a poet.
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
REVISED BY L. L. TO/IER, M. D.
Closely following the location of the first settlers of Genesee county in their new homes came " the good physician " in nearly every com- munity. In many instances, perhaps, the pioneers were compelled to ride or drive many miles through the wilderness to secure the services of the men of medicine, but research into the pioneer history of the county shows the names of a considerable number of medical practi- tioners who braved the dangers and hardships of the then western wilderness to bring comfort and health to the sturdy inhabitants. Pos. sibly some of these physicians may have come here in the expectation of building themselves a wealth producing practice, but it this is so the majority of them were doomed to profound disappointment. There was nothing in the nature of a bonanza in the necessarily laborious country practice of those days, even in older and more densely popu- lated districts than Genesee county, and many of the early practition- ers died quite as poor as they had lived.
In the early years of the present century the State of New York, unlike the New England States and Pennsylvania, had done little or nothing in the direction of encouraging science, and particularly the important science of medicine. Until the century was well advanced there was no school of medicine worthy of the name nearer than Boston or Philadelphia. In rare instances only could young men afford to at- tend either of these schools for the purpose of qualifying themselves for the profession, no matter how brilliant might be the prospects of the future. This condition of things led to the prevailing custom among the younger aspirants for medical practice to enter the office of some physician already established in practice, read the science under his direction and counsel for two or three years, aecompany him on his professional visits in the meantime, and then enter upon the independ- ent practice of the profession As laws then governing the admission
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
and practice of physicians were practically worthless, few young men failed to attain the goal sought after two or three years of study of this character. The result was that some of the young practitioners of those days were poorly qualified, even at that date, to say the least, to enter upon a reasonably successful career as " men of medicine."
But soon reforms in the profession began to be made, chiefly through the instrumentality of practitioners who beheld the mischief that was being wrought by inexperienced, thoughtless and incompetent physi- cians. In 1806 the State Legislature passed an act repealing former laws governing the practice, and authorizing a general State Medical Society and county societies in each of the counties of the State. In accordance with the provisions of this act medical societies began to spring up in all parts of the State, and the elevation of the standard of this most important profession began.
Even before the passage of this law there was an association of phy- sicians in Western New York, at that time nearly all embraced in the county of Ontario, which association had been organized in 1801. Among its early members was Dr. McCracken, one of the pioneer in- habitants of the village of Batavia. This society met annually until 1802, when, in pursuance of the law of 1800 referred to, the New York State Medical Society was incorporated. In the same year the Gen- esee County Medical Society was organized, practically every physician in the county becoming a member in that year or very soon thereafter.
In 1884 the new State Medical Association was formed. This organ- ization drew away many members of the county society which grad- ually chied out until it became practically extinct, though not formally disbanding. In 188; Dr. B. A. Fuller of Le Roy called a special meet - ing of the members of the old society. At this meeting an attempt was made to reorganize, but this endeavor failing, Dr. William B. Sprague of Pavilion proposed the formation of a new and independent society. This was agreed upon and Drs. Sprague, Tozier and Town- send were made a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws. This committee reported at a meeting held at Batavia August 9, 188 ;. when a new society was organized with the following officers:
President, Dr. William B. Sprague; vice-president, Dr. Lemuel L. Tozier; secretary, Dr. W. L. Bolton; treasurer, Dr. E. C. Smith.
The Genesee County Medical Society had a prosperous career for a a period of about three-quarters of a century. Its last report to the New York State Medical Society was rendered in 1882, at which time
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Dr. I. V. Mullen was president, Dr. Henry Pamphilon, vice-president, and Dr. J. R. Cotes secretary and treasurer. Dr. A. P. Jackson of Oak- field was sent as delegate to the State Society. In that year the fol- lowing physicians were enrolled as members of the society :
Batavia-John R. Cotes, J C. Davidson, HI A. Morse, C. F. Rand, L. L. Tozier; Le Roy-S. Barrett, J. F. Cleveland, B. A. Fuller, R. Will- iams; Alabama-S C. Bateman, A. F. G. Zurhorst; Alexander-I. V. Mullen, John N. Mullen; Corfu-F. W Crane; Bethany -- Orlando R. Croff, G. W. Croff; Bergen-Morris W Townsend; Attica-A. G. El- lenwood; Byron-G. B. Gilbert; South Byron -- G. U. Gleason; Oak- field-A. P. Jackson, William Pardee; Elba-J. M. Lewis, J. W. War- ner; Stafford-Henry Pamphilon; East Pembroke-A. D. Smith, E. C. Smith; Pavilion-William B. Sprague.
The first delegate sent from the county society to the State Medical Society was Dr. Levi Ward of Bergen, who was present at a meeting held at Albany, February 6, 1810. According to the records of the State society, Genesee county was not represented thereafter until 1828, when Dr. J. A. Billings of Batavia was in attendance. From that time until 1883 the Genesee County Medieal Society was represented at the meetings of the State society, when the county society was nearly disrupted over a division of sentiment regarding the holding of consultations with physicians not attached to the regular school.
The pioneer physician of Batavia was Dr. David MeCracken, who came here in 1801, the year preceding the founding of the village, when the community was little better than a wilderness. Unfortunately little is known regarding him, before or after he removed to Batavia. IIe practiced in that village until 1815, when he removed to Rochester. The next practitioner in Batavia, as far as can be learned, was Dr. Joseph Alvord, who came about 1802. He was killed during the British and Indian attack upon Lewiston, whither he had removed, in 1813. Dr. Asa McCracken located there during or prior to 1805. Whether he was related to Dr. David McCracken is not known. Dr. Ephraim Brown, who came in 1809, became very prominent in his profession and in public affairs generally, practicing until his death in 1926, or soon after that year. Dr. John Z. Ross was in practice there as early as 1811. Dr. Orris Crosby came about 1815, residing in town until his death in 1862, and practicing until within a few years of his death. Dr. Charles S. Rumsey and Dr. Winter Hewitt located in Batavia in 1816. The death of the latter occurred in 1824.
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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Dr. John Cotes was one of the most prominent physicians who prac- ticed in Batavia during the early years of the century. Dr. Cotes was born in the eastern part of the State in 1794, studied medicine in Otsego county and settled in Batavia, where he at once opened an office, in 1817. Soon after his location there he entered into a partnership with Dr. Ephraim Brown, whose sister he married in 1819. A few years later Dr. Brown died, and Dr. Cotes formed a partnership with his brother, Dr. Levant B. Cotes, which existed two years He then took Dr. Truman Woodruff into partnership in the practice of medicine, and about the same time engaged in the drug business in company with William Seaver. In 1830 Dr. Cotes visited Europe, studying his pro- fession in the schools and hospitals of Paris and London for more than a year. He returned to America and Batavia in 1831 and continued to practice in company with Dr. Woodruff until the death of the latter. Soon after he entered into partnership with Dr. Holton Ganson, with whom he practiced until 1855, when his youngest son, Dr. Albert Cotes, entered into the practice of his profession with him. Soon after the latter located in the West. Dr. Cotes's medical career covered a period of nearly forty-three years. His death occurred in 1859
Dr. James Avery Billings was a contemporary of Dr. Cotes, locating in Batavia one year later than the latter. Dr. Billings was a member of one of the oldest families of Saratoga county, N. Y., a family which produced several physicians of prominence. Born in 1795, the eldest son of Perez Billings of Northumberland, Saratoga county, he was graduated from the University of New York in 1818, immediately after which he came to Batavia and purchased the property upon which he resided until his death. ITis lot was the first to which a deed was issued by the Holland Land Company. Dr. Winter Hewitt had settled in town two years before, and soon after his arrival Dr. Billings entered into a partnership with him for the practice of their profession. Dr. Billings was a man of high moral character and great public spirit, and a devoted and influential member of the Episcopal church. lle died August 2, 1858.
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