USA > New York > Ontario County > A history of Ontario County, New York and its people, Volume II > Part 12
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II3
ONTARIO COUNTY.
COOPER.
America, as has been frequently remarked, is the home of self-made men, and in no line is this trait so apparent and so beneficial to the country at large, as in the agricultural field. It would seem as if in this branch the very best that is in a man is brought to the surface, for the very freedom which surrounds these workers, enables their natural abilities to develop to the fullest and best extent. One of the finest specimens of this sort of manhood, is to be found in the person of Louis A. Cooper, manager of the Geneva Automobile Company, of Geneva, Ontario county, New York.
William E. Cooper, father of Louis A. Cooper, was a resident of Phelps, New York, where he was engaged in farming during the active years of his life. He was born in 1815, died in 1894, and was esteemed by all in the community for the faithful performance of those duties which fell to his lot. He married Elizabeth Pierce, born in Geneva, New York, 1836, died in 1903.
Louis A., son of William E. and Elizabeth ( Pierce) Cooper, was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, New York, September 23, 1871. He attended the district school at Oak Corners, then the Geneva high school, and in all his leisure moments was obliged to assist with the farm labors. At an early age he was compelled to work for his own sub- sistence, the work for which he seemed to be best fitted at the time being that of farming, and to this he devoted himself. He was prudent and economical, and by means of his thrift he was enabled, in 1903, to com- bine the produce business with his farming. His venture being a success- ful one, he formed a connection with the Geneva Automobile Company in 1909, becoming the manager of the company, in addition to retaining his farming interests. Both of these ventures are in a promising condition, and there is the best outlook for a prosperous future. While he has taken no very active part in the political affairs of the county, Mr. Cooper has always been a staunch supporter of the Republican party, and has given due consideration to all matters concerning the welfare and improvement of the community. He and his wife are members of the North Presbyter- ian Church, and he is a Mason, a Knights Templar and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Cooper married, June 20, 1894, Mabel B., born at the Barron homestead in Geneva, New York, September 9, 1872, daughter of Wil !- iam W. and Mary J. (Taylor) Barron, granddaughter of Thomas Bar- ron, and great-granddaughter of William Barron, who purchased land from the Indians, and was one of the first settlers in Geneva. This land
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ONTARIO COUNTY.
has now been in the possession of the family since 1800, the farm con- sisting of one hundred and thirty acres, devoted principally to the cultiva- tion of fruit trees. The dwelling house, built of cobble stones, was erected by the grandfather, Thomas Barron. William Barron Jr., was born in the town of Seneca, Ontario county, New York, in September, 1828, and died in 1908, one of the most prominent citizens of Geneva. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a Democrat, and he mar- ried Mary J. Taylor, who was born in 1829.
BOWEN.
Ernest S. Bowen, a member of the firm of Fay & Bowen, belongs to that class of society, which has developed our great manufacturing indus- tries, spread our commerce and built up our cities. He is the son of Wil- ford M. Bowen, who was a farmer, and died in 1893.
Ernest S. Bowen was born in Levanna, Cayuga county, New York, May 8, 1858. He attended the public schools of Aurora, New York, then Hillsdale College, Michigan, and finally, Cornell University, from which he was graduated in 1890 from the mechanical engineering department, his name being one of the ten on the honor list. From his earliest years he had had a decided leaning toward mechanics, and at the age of eighteen years he commenced, independently, to learn the machinist's trade, being thus occupied for a period of four years prior to going to Hillsdale College, and worked his way through college, depriving himself of many luxuries, and even necessities, in order to accomplish his aim by his own unaided efforts. Upon the completion of his college course, he found employ- ment with McIntosh, Seymour & Company, as assistant superintendent, remaining with them for five years, and then entered into a partnership with Walter L. Fay, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work, under the firm name of Fay & Bowen. Mr. Bowen has been active in the public affairs of the township for a long time, and has served as a member of the board of public works for six years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Grotto, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Kanadasaga Club.
Mr. Bowen married, 1888, Clara L., born at Granville, New York, in 1863, daughter of Charles Hogle. Children: Gertrude, born in 1893; Olive, born in 1897; and Kenneth, born in 1901.
II5
ONTARIO COUNTY.
BORGMAN.
Bernard Borgman, president and treasurer of the Vance Boiler Works of Geneva, New York, owes his present high position in the community, and his present prosperity entirely to his own efforts, rising from the ranks by dint of earnest and unremitting toil and energy.
(I) Bernard Borgman, father of the present Bernard Borgman, was born in Germany, and died in America, 1896. He came to this country at the age of eighteen years and lived for one year in Albany, New York. He then removed to Rochester, where he was employed as a car builder in the Rochester Car Shops, his trade having been originally that of car- pentry. He married in Germany, Christina Evercamp, who came to America at the same time that he did, and who died in 1897.
(II) Bernard (2) Borgman, subject of this sketch, was born in Ro- chester, New York, September, 1854. His elementary education was re- ceived in the schools of his native city, and he then attended those of Yates county, New York. He had learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and at the age of twenty-five years he made his first business venture, estab- lishing himself in the furniture and undertaking line in Penn Yan, Yates county, New York. For nine years he conducted this business success- fully, then sold his interest in the concern to his partner and established himself in the same manner, but independently, in Geneva, New York, where he soon attained the first rank in this business. He continued this until 1905, when he sold it advantageously and became connected with the Vance Boiler Works. His first step was to reorganize the company and he is now the principal stockholder as well as president and treasurer ; T. A. Kam is the vice-president, and Charles H. Sweeney is the secretary. The factory has been equipped with the latest improvements and the transactions show an annual increase. There is an average of fifty men employed in the manufacture of steam and hot water boilers, marine and stationary engines, tanks, smoke stacks and all kinds of sheet iron equip- ments. Mr. Borgman has amassed considerable wealth and is the owner of two fine farms in Yates county. He gives his political support to the Democratic party and is a member of the Catholic church. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Ben Hur Association.
Mr. Borgman married, 1880, Mary Freer, born in Yates county, New York, 1856. They have no children.
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ONTARIO COUNTY.
BLACK.
M. Newton Black, well known as a farmer and raiser of produce for the market in Seneca, Ontario county, New York, is a member of a fam- ily which has been identified with agricultural matters for many years, and traces his descent to the old colonial families. He is a grower and wholesale dealer in farm produce in Stanley, New York, and from there his goods are sent in all directions, being noted for their quality.
(I) Moses Black, grandfather of M. Newton Black, was born in Maryland, September 29, 1789, died on his farm in Ontario county, New York, September 27, 1872. In his early youth he removed with his father to Pennsylvania, and about one month after his marriage he again re- moved, this time to a farm he purchased a mile south of Stanley, in Seneca, Ontario county, New York. He married, January 20, 1820, Mary McMaster, of Benton, Yates county, New York, born May 30, 1802; died January II, 1880. They had children : Aaron, see forward; John, born December 22, 1823, died August 7, 1874 ; Eliza Jane, July 26, 1826, died February II, 1827; Moses Newton, September 10, 1828, died September 30, 1844; Elizabeth, June 4, 1831, died July 22, 1905 ; James, April 12, 1835 ; Mary, June 23, 1837; Nancy S., January 7, 1842, died October 14, 1844.
(II) Aaron, eldest child of Moses and Mary ( McMaster) Black, was born in Seneca, New York, September 21, 1821 ; died there, January 27, 1900. He followed the occupation of farming all his life. He mar- ried, December 16,~1846, Hannah Jane Hipple, born in Pennsylvania, May 8, 1829; died May, 1888. She was three years of age when her parents settled in Seneca, New York. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church.
(III) M. Newton, son of Aaron and Hannah Jane, ( Hipple) Black, was born in the town of Seneca, New York, June 3, 1854. His elemen- tary education was acquired in the public schools, and he then attended the Canandaigua Academy. Early in life he followed in the footsteps of his father as a farmer, and in 1900, when the farm came into his possession, he branched out in other directions, and established himself as a whole- sale produce merchant, with which line he has since that time been suc- cessfully identified. His farm land comprises seventy-five acres, and the greatest care is displayed in the scientific cultivation of every part of it. Mr. Black has been an active worker in the interests of the Republican party, and he has served his town as supervisor for two years. His church affiliations are with the Presbyterian denomination.
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II7
ONTARIO COUNTY.
Mr. Black married, October 24, 1877, Jeannette Watson, born in the town of Seneca, October 31, 1853. Her father, Lewis Watson, born in Scotland, in 1811, died in this country, in March, 1904. He came to America in 1851, locating at first in Geneva, New York, and later remov- ing to Flint, where he worked as a blacksmith for many years. When his two sons had grown to manhood, he bought a farm on which he spent the remainder of his life, engaged in its cultivation. He married, in Scot- land, Janet Duncan, also a native of that land, who died in 1892. One of their sons, John, is now a resident of Muskegon, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Black have had children : I. Ella W., born July 28, 1878, graduated from the Genesee Normal School; married W. S. Rippey, of Brockport, New York. 2. Belle M., born December 21, 1882, graduated from the Geneva high school ; married Robert E. Monagle, and lives in San Fran- cisco, California.
CHILDS.
There are several distinct families of this name in America, the de- scendants of different immigrants, and the original form of spelling was Child. The Ontario county family, a brief outline of whose early history is about to be recorded, belongs to what is known as the Barnstable branch, the posterity of Richard Child, of Barnstable, Massachusetts.
(I) Richard Child, born in 1624, resided in Barnstable, and mar- ried, October 15, 1649, Mary Linnett, of that town. He was either a son or brother of Samuel Child, who arrived in the Plymouth colony at an early date.
(II) Richard (2), a son of Richard and Mary (Linnett ) Child, was born in Barnstable, in March, 1653; died January 15, 1716. He is men- tioned in the records as an honored deacon of the Congregational church. About the year 1678 he married Elizabeth Crocker, born October 7, 1660, daughter of John Crocker. Children: Samuel, mentioned below ; Eliza- beth (died young) ; Thomas; Hannah; Timothy; Ebenezer ; Elizabeth ; James ; Mercy ; Joseph, and Thankful.
(III) Deacon Samuel Childs (as he spelled the name), eldest child of Richard and Elizabeth (Crocker) Child, was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, November 6, 1679; died in Deerfield, Massachusetts, March 18, 1756. He was a blacksmith and early in life settled in Deer- field, where his services in that capacity were highly appreciated. As a deacon of the Congregational church and a man of character and influ- ence, he was much esteemed by his fellow townsmen. He was married
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ONTARIO COUNTY.
(first), July 7, 1709, to Hannah Barnard, who died May 16, 1727; mar- ried (second), about two years later, Experience , who died May 27, 1744; married (third), June 25, 1750, Sarah "Philip" (Mattoon) Field, widow of Zachariah Field, of Northfield, Massachusetts. She died March 21, 1752. Children: Hannah; Samuel; Asa, mentioned below ; Davis and Jonathan (twins) ; Ebenezer ; Elizabeth (died young ) ; another Elizabeth, and Experience.
(IV) Asa, son of Deacon Samuel and Hannah ( Barnard) Childs, was born in Deerfield, January 3, 1715 ; married Rhode Wright, October 3, 1736; children: Charity; Asa; Libbeus, mentioned below; Samuel, and Rhode.
(V) Libbeus, second son of Asa and Rhode (Wright) Childs, was born in Deerfield, October 3, 1740; married Sarah Walker, October 4, 1767, and subsequently removed to Conway, Massachusetts. Children : David and Enos, born in Deerfield; Oliver, born in Conway, mentioned below.
(VI) Oliver, youngest son of Libbeus and Sarah ( Walker) Childs, was born in Conway, July 27, 1783. He settled in Seneca, New York, where he married for his first wife, Electa, daughter of Oliver Whitmore, of that town ; she died without issue, August 2, 1816. He married ( sec- ond) Nancy, daughter of Selah and Huldah Hart, of Seneca ; she died April 30, 1831. He married (third) Betsey, daughter of John Gilbert, of Seneca. Children by second marriage: Benjamin, mentioned below ; Electa Emeline; Theron Hart; Augustus Walstein; Edmund; Emeline ; Joseph, and Gilbert. Children by his third marriage: Bradley Alonzo; Nancy Augusta, and Oliver Porter Childs.
(VII) Benjamin, son of Oliver and Nancy ( Hart) Childs, was born in Seneca, April 8, 1819; died in that town, January 27, 1878. He was a prosperous farmer, owning one hundred and seven acres of land contain- ing an almost inexhaustible supply of excellent clay, suitable for the pro- duction of tile and brick, and he engaged in the manufacture of tile, estab- lishing an industry which proved exceedingly beneficial to the town. This business is now carried on by his son. Although the tile plant demanded his close attention during a greater part of the year, he still retained his interest in farming, and was quite an extensive dealer in live stock. He married, May 29, 1843, Laura, daughter of Homer and Electa ( Hotch- kiss) Sherwood, of Fairfield, Vermont. Children, all born in Phelps : I. Homer Sherwood, born May 27, 1845; is now secretary and chief in- spector of a large lumber company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. Al- bert Sherwood, see forward. 3. Hattie Electa, born September 29, 1857.
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ONTARIO COUNTY.
(VIII) Albert Sherwood, second son of Benjamin and Laura (Sherwood) Childs, was born in Phelps, New York, September 18, 1852. His education was concluded at Canandaigua Academy under the direc- tion of Professor Clark, and he acquired a knowledge of farming at the homestead. He was not destined, however, to devote his energies ex- clusively to tilling the soil, as, at his father's death, in 1878, he was called upon to assume the management of the tile plant, and accepting the re- sponsibility he proceeded to enlarge the business, thereby increasing its importance as a local industry. By adopting the latest improved ma- chinery and appliances he now has one of the best-equipped tile plants in the state, capable of producing twenty thousand tiles per day, and his annual output averages upward of seven hundred thousand. In addition to a sixty horse power engine and a seventy-five horse power boiler, he uses tile machines built expressly for him in Ohio, and his mills, crimpers, automatic cutting tables and other accessories are all of the very latest de- sign. He also used the "Down Draft Inside Flue Kilns," and his dry sheds, which are two hundred and fifty feet long by twenty-four feet wide, are amply protected by tin roofing, as are also the other buildings on the premises. Although making a specialty of tile he has excellent facilities for manufacturing brick and other clay products, and as his wares have attained a high reputation both for durability and finish, his business is increasing.
In politics Mr. Childs is a Republican. He attends the Presbyterian church. He married, in 1883, Miss Julia Everett Pitkin, a native of this county, born in 1856, daughter of Chester Pitkin. Children : 1. Carl P., born October 9, 1884 ; is a graduate of the Geneva high school. 2. Hattie S., born March 9, 1890; was graduated from the Mechanics Institute, Rochester, in 1911, and is preparing herself for educational pursuits.
BEMENT.
William E. Bement, the first member of this family of whom we have definite information, was born in New England, in 1821, died in Manchester, Ontario county, New York, in 1881. The surname is found among the earliest Puritan settlers in this country, in Enfield, Connecticut, and elsewhere, and descendants of the original Bement emigrants are liv- ing to-day in Massachusetts and Connecticut. William E. Bement is probably a descendant of the branch which was connected with the early
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ONTARIO COUNTY.
history of Deerfield and Conway, Massachusetts. He married Laura A. Newell, who died in Manchester, Ontario county, New York, in 1903. She is said to have been a descendant of Thomas Newell, who settled in Farmington, Connecticut, about 1640. Children: Murray J., referred to below ; Edmond, born August 2, 1847, died September 10, 1896, mar- ried Margaret Lemunyon; George, born August 10, 1851, died February 14, 1863, drowned by accident.
(II) Murray J., son of William E. and Laura A. (Newell) Bement, was born in Manchester, Ontario county, New York, May 20, 1844; died in Clifton Springs, in the same county, May 23, 1910. He received his education in the public schools of Manchester, and then taught school himself for a number of years. In 1875 he began the manufacture of cigars, a business he continued to be engaged in until his death. In May, 1888, he settled in Clifton Springs, and took his son, Louie M. Bement, into partnership with him. He was a Democrat in politics and served for one term as town clerk of Manchester, and as justice of the peace for two terms. He was also a trustee of the village of Clifton Springs. He was appointed postmaster of Clifton Springs by President Cleveland during his last administration. From 1906 to 1910 he was president of the board of health of Clifton Springs. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias. He married (first), July 4, 1864, Jennie V., daughter of Peter and Abi- gail (Nichols) Cooper, of Manchester, New York, who was born there, January 12, 1846; died there, May 12, 1865. He married (second), No- vember 15, 1871, Sarah C. Wade. Child, Louie M., referred to below.
(III) Louie M., only child of Murray J. and Jennie V. (Cooper) Bement, was born in Manchester, Ontario county, New York, May 3, 1865, and is now living in Clifton Springs, in the same county. He re- ceived his education in the schools of Manchester, and after his father had removed to Clifton Springs, he was taken into partnership with him in the cigar manufacturing business. He is a Democrat in politics and served as village clerk of Clifton Springs for twelve years. He was a member of the Democratic county committee for five years and of the town committee also for several years. He is a member of Sincerity Lodge, No. 200, Free and Accepted Masons; of Newark Chapter, No. 117, Royal Arch Masons; of Zenobia Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templar ; of Damascus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and was for two years chancellor-commander of Castle Hall Lodge, No. 230, Knights of Pythias, and served as vice-chancellor and member of the Grand Lodge of State of New York, Knights of Pythias.
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ONTARIO COUNTY.
BENNETT.
Horace D. Bennett, who, with the exception of a few years, has been engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his life, is a member of a fam- ily which settled in America a number of generations ago, and which has been well represented in the defence of the rights and liberties of the country in every generation.
(I) Matthew Bennett, the grandfather of Horace D. Bennett, was a native of Orange county, New York, and removed to Geneva, Ontario county, New York, in 1805, there founding the homestead of the Bennett family. He was a farmer and spent his life on the farm which he pur- chased in that section. During the revolutionary war he was an active participant in many of the most important engagements.
(II) George, son of Matthew Bennett, was born in Goshen, Orange county, New York, in 1794, and died in Geneva, New York, in 1876. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted as a soldier and served in the war of 1812 as a private. His business occupation was that of farming, in which he was reasonably successful. He married Sally, daughter of Matthew Lum, of Geneva. Among their children were: Horace D., see forward; Henry, served with honor in the civil war.
(III) Horace D., son of George and Sally (Lum) Bennett, was born in the town of Geneva, Ontario county, New York, June 29, 1828. His education was acquired in the Geneva district school, and under pri- vate tuition in a select school during two winters. Early in life he com- menced to assist his father in the cultivation and management of the homestead farm, and in this manner has acquired a thorough mastery of all the details connected with an agricultural life. With the exception of the years spent at school, and the time spent in the service of his country, Mr. Bennett has centered his time and attention on the cultivation of the land he owns, and in this enterprise he has achieved a considerable amount of success. His farm is well kept and carefully managed, business prin- ciples being observed even in the minutest details. At the outbreak of the civil war in 1861, Mr. Bennett was instrumental in recruiting Company D, One Hundred and Fifth New York Infantry, and served as first lieutenant in this company, Colonel Fuller commanding. He was in many of the important engagements of the war, among them being : Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, the second battle of Bull Run, and a number of others. During these engagements he was in command of Company. K, and after a few months Colonel Fuller resigned and Colonel Carroll took command of the regiment. Mr. Bennett returned to his farm in 1862, and
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ONTARIO COUNTY.
again took up his peaceful pursuits, with which he has since been identi- fied. He has been prominently identified with political matters in that section of the state, in connection with the affairs of the Republican party. His first presidential vote was cast for John C. Fremont, and he has never been missing from the polls since he cast his first vote. As supervisor for the town of Geneva he has done good service for two terms. It is owing to the vigorous measures he introduced that the time of election was changed from the spring to the fall of the year, Geneva being the first town to make the change. He is also the father of a measure which granted Geneva a special charter of its own. He rendered good service as town assessor for two terms; was road commissioner for several terms; a member of the board of elections for many years ; delegate to the county conventions several times, and has always been a staunch supporter of the principles of his party. He and his family are members of the North Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Bennett married, January 25, 1854, Harriet A. Jacques, who was born in Wayne county, New York, in 1826, and died in Geneva, Feb- ruary 22, 1909. They have had children : I. Mrs. Calvin Dye, who re- sides in the home of her father, and has one daughter, Catherine, wife of Charles C. Dorsey. 2. Lois M., who was graduated from the Genesee Normal School, and has been engaged in teaching for a period of twenty years; at present she is a greatly beloved teacher in the Geneva high school.
It is men of the stamp of Mr. Bennett, who render the country in which they live the home of prosperity; while striving to achieve success, this success would be welcomed only as it rests upon a foundation of truth and honor. Deceit and duplicity are foreign to his nature and false repre- sentations are to be scorned. Justice, rectitude and equity are the rules of his conduct, and he would tolerate no dubious measures either in private or public life.
BEEMAN.
Henry C. Beeman, who has for many years been connected with the detective and police departments, and is at present chief of police for the village of Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York, is a son of Reuben Beeman, who was a farmer throughout the active years of his life in the town of Canandaigua, on the east shore of the lake.
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