USA > New York > Ontario County > A history of Ontario County, New York and its people, Volume II > Part 31
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(VII) George W., son of Abner Preston, was born in Hancock, New Hampshire, December 13, 1804. His father was in his younger days an industrious and successful man, but after his life in the army he lost his property. The son was bound out to a farmer, after the custom of the times, to serve until he came of age, when he was to receive a hundred dollars and a suit of clothes. He had scarcely any schooling, insufficient clothing, and no shoes. He used to tell of going to milk the cows in the pasture when the ground was white with frost, and of standing on the ground where the cows had lain, in order to warm his feet. He was obliged to eat at a second table with the hired man, and his supper was usually mush and milk, while the family had always a variety of good food, especially when there was company. One night he was exasperated by this meanness and refused to eat anything. After breakfast the next morning his master asked why he had refused to eat his supper, and the boy replied, because he could not have as good as the rest. His master boxed his ears and sent him to dig potatoes. When he came of age he took his money and clothes and went to the home of his brother at Webster. In Hopewell he found employment with a man named Higbee, at Martins Mill, near Chapinsville, New York, where there was a woolen mill and also a saw mill. In summer he had to run the saw mill half the time, two shifts being used and the mill being operated night and day. William Bryant was at that time employed in the woolen mill, and later lived at Shortsville, where he worked at the same trade. In the winter seasons Mr. Preston was employed with others, by Mr. Higbee, in cutting timber for the mill. It was the custom to take their ox teams and cooking outfit to the forest, then known as
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Italy Hills, build a cabin or bungalow, log boats, oxbows and yokes, and to work in the woods all winter, cutting the logs and dragging them to the steep bank of Canandaigua Lake, whence they rolled them into the water. In spring the logs were made into rafts and floated to the mill at Chapinsville.
Mr. Preston was married, in 1832, at Chapinsville, to Eliza Bristol, born April 14, 1811, and settled on a farm which he had bought in Webster. About 1836 he sold this place and bought another in the town of Ontario, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He died there November 14, 1868. His wife died October 17, 1887. While living in Webster he was "converted to Christianity," and to the day of his death remained a faithful and honored member of the Presbyterian church. From his own hard experience in youth he learned to be a kind father, and all his children called him blessed. Children, born at Webster : I. Delia C., born April 19, 1834. 2. Jane E., born May II, 1836, died February 2, 1911. At Ontario: 3. George H., mentioned below. 4. Julia A., October 14, 1840, died October, 1891.
(VIII) George H., son of George W. Preston, was born in On- tario, November 13, 1837. He attended the district school on the Ridge Road, Ontario, passing thence to Macedon Academy and Walworth Academy. At the latter institution, while still a student, he was em- ployed in teaching classes. He also taught two terms of district school, working on his father's farm during the summer months. At the age of twenty-seven he was married to Ellen F. Graham, and the year fol- lowing removed to Shortsville, and entered the service of the Empire Drill Company. He was gifted naturally with mechanical skill and made many patterns for the Empire Drill Company. In 1873 he entered a partnership with the firm of Pettit & Darling, manufacturers of car- riage wheels at Littleton. This company began the carriage wheel busi- ness in this section. In 1875 he sold his interest in the firm and on account of ill health removed with his family to Denver, Colorado. After living in the vicinity of Denver for two years and receiving no material benefit, he was advised to try camp life. In May, 1877, he took his wife and son and went to Shortsville, a distance of eighteen hundred miles, making the journey in a covered wagon. They lived and slept in the wagon, arriving in Monroe county, October 20, 1877. The journey was one of the pleasantest and most fortunate experiences of his life, and resulted in the recovery of his health. While living at Denver he had engaged in the grocery business, and in 1890, at Shortsville, he entered into partnership with C. M. Clark for the manufacture of
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wheelbarrow seeders, securing a patent for a seeder of his own inven- tion. After six years he bought out his partner and continued the business with much success. On December 21, 1891, his wife died. In 1901 he built a factory and continued in business until July 30, when, he sold out to Frederick A. Titus, and retired. He was then seventy years old and had well earned the rest and leisure that he has since en- joyed.
(IX) Ward H., son of George H. Preston, was born at Shortsville, New York, May 24, 1867. He was educated in the Shortsville public schools, at Brockport Normal School, and at the Medical School of Buf- falo University, but on account of ill health was unable to complete his course in medicine. From 1891 to 1895 he was engaged in farming, and from 1897 to 1903 carried on the coal and lumber business at Man- chester, New York. He then moved to Lima, New York, to become manager of the Papec Machine Company. In 1909 this concern was moved to Shortsville, New York, where a large and successful business has since been carried on. Mr. Preston is vice-president and treasurer of the corporation. In politics he is an Independent Republican. He was president of the village of Lima and the sole trustee of his school dis- trict while there.
Mr. Preston married, in 1890, Antoinette Van Sickle. Children : I. Jessie L., born June 22, 1893. 2. Lavinia A., born December 28. 1897. 3. Clara L., born January 21, 1900. 4. Charles H., born April 10, 1901. 5. George E., born June 2, 1904, died February 15, 1905.
OSBORNE.
William Bushnell Osborne, ex-sheriff of Ontario county, New York, has been an earnest worker in the interests of the Republican party since his early manhood. In addition to having been instrumental in further- ing plans for many improvements in that section of the country he has been one of the most successful and enterprising farmers of the vicinity of the town in which he lives. He and his children are eligible to mem- bership in the society of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revo- lution, several members of the family having borne their share bravely and gallantly in the famous Revolutionary struggle. The family is of English origin, members of the Osborne family having settled on Long Island in colonial days.
David Osborne, grandfather of the above mentioned, was born in
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East Hampton, Long Island, and there engaged in building and in con- nection owned and operated a farm in Columbia county, as was the occu- pation of the majority of the settlers in those days. Later he migrated to Columbia, New York, and there followed the same occupation with suc- cess.
David Henry, son of David Osborne, was born in Austerlitz, Co- lumbia county, New York, November 11, 1819, and died January 26, 1905. He removed to Victor, Ontario county, New York, in the winter of 1835, making the journey in a stage coach, the only mode of travel in those days, with the exception of ox teams or horseback. The first posi- tion in his new place of abode was as a clerk in the general store of Nathan Jenks, which he retained for one year, and then engaged in the dry goods business in association with Mr. Pierce, of Rochester, New York. Subsequently he sold his interest in this enterprise, settled on a farm on the borders of Victor, which was the old Bushnell homestead, and engaged in its cultivation. In addition to this he conducted a. business in Freedom for a period of two years. The farm which he settled became the homestead of the family, and each generation has enriched it by systematic and improved modes of cultivation. About 1855 he erected a substantial brick dwelling, the doors and sashes of which were made by hand, inside the house, after it had been enclosed, during the winter months. From time to time improvements have been introduced, until at the present time (1910) it is modern in every re- spect, fully equipped with furnace, baths, electric facilities, and is pointed out as one of the most commodious houses in the section. Mr. Os- borne was a supporter of Democratic principles until the organization of the Republican party, which he was one of the first to join, and always gave it his staunch support. He was a devout church attendant, and served as an elder of the Presbyterian church for many years. Mr. Osborne married, January 5, 1847, Lovina Amelia, who was born Oc- tober 4, 1830, and died April 13, 1906, daughter of William Bushnell, who came from Berkshire, New Hampshire, and settled in Victor. Children: William Bushnell, see forward; Cora Bushnell, born Sep- tember 13, 1857, is unmarried; Carrie Bushnell, born April 20, 1859, married Hon. Mark T. Powell, at present residing in Victor, formerly engaged in law practice in Canandaigua; Henry Bushnell, born July 10, 1863, died September 4, 1865.
William Bushnell, eldest child of David Henry and Lovina Amelia (Bushnell) Osborne, was born in Victor, Ontario county, New York, October 26, 1852. His elementary education was received in the dis-
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trict schools, and he then became a student at the Canandaigua Academy. During his early years he assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead farm, to which property he later succeeded and which is now comprised in the limits of Victor village. This farm has been the object of his greatest care, and with the exception of the years he spent as sheriff he has given it his personal attention. Some years ago he pur- chased another farm consisting of ninety acres, located outside of the corporation of Victor. His political affiliations have always been with the Republican party, and the esteem and respect in which he is held by his follow townsmen is fully attested by the fact that he has been elected to fill a number of public offices of trust and responsibility. As supervisor of Victor his administration was so efficient that he was elected to succeed himself. After the expiration of this second term he was elected to the office of sheriff of the county, in the fall of 1894 for a term of three years. At present ( 1910) he is a member of the board of education, in which body he has been an efficient member for many years. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church, and he has served as a trustee of his church for many years.
Mr. Osborne married, at Rochester, New York, January 5, 1881, Laura, born in Rochester, October 20, 1857, daughter of Angus Mc- Donald, a prominent lawyer of Rochester. Children: 1. David Henry, born March 15, 1883; received an excellent education and was gradu- ated from Williams College, 1905. then took a post-graduate course in electrical engineering at Union College, Schenectady, New York, from which he was graduated as one of the honor students of the class of 1907. After devoting some months in active work in his chosen profession, he was compelled by impaired health to renounce it in favor of outdoor employment. He has accordingly taken up farming as his life work, lives with his parents, and superintends the cultivation of the homestead farm of one hundred and ten acres. 2. William Bushnell Jr., born November 25, 1884; was graduated from Williams College in class of 1907. He then took a two years' course at Yale University, in the Forestry School, and was graduated in 1909. At present he is in the employ of the United States Government, in the Division of Forestry, with his headquarters at Portland, Oregon. He married Lura Esther Cooly, of Canandaigua, New York. 3. Elizabeth McDonald, born Feb- ruary 5, 1890; is now in her junior year at Mount Holyoke College, Massachusetts. 4. Cora Lavinia, born September 24, 1891, died April 2, 1894. 5. Ruth McDonald, born March 7, 1897, is a student at the high school in Victor.
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WOOLSTON.
John Woolston, immigrant ancestor, came from England with Lord Berkeley and settled in New Jersey. Among his children was John, mentioned below.
(II) John (2), sone of John ( 1) Woolston, lived in New Jersey. Children : John, Joshua, Michael, Cromwell, William, Joseph, men- tioned below.
(III) Joseph, son of John (2) Woolston, was born in New Jersey and always lived there. He had sons, Michael, Joshua, mentioned be- low.
(IV) Joshua, son of Joseph Woolston, was born in New Jersey. He married Tamer Evans. Children : Joseph, mentioned below, Mi- chael, William, Barzillai and Jane.
(V) Joseph (2), son of Joshua Woolston, was born in New Jer- sey. With his wife and two children he came from New Jersey to Ontario county, New York, in 1806. He married Elizabeth Bell, who was also born in New Jersey. At that time it was a journey of three weeks from their old home in New Jersey and much of the country was still a wilderness. Children: William, mentioned below; Joshua, John, Michael, Jane, Wesley, David, Ann.
(VI) William, son of Joseph (2) Woolston, was born in Victor. Ontario county, New York, June 13, 1807. He received his education in the public schools and by private study at home and qualified himself to teach school. For several terms he taught in the district schools of the neighborhood. His main occupation through life, however, was farming. He died in March, 1888. He married Laura L. Andrus, born in Roxbury, Delaware county, New York, May 28, 1812, died in September, 1887. Her father's farm adjoined the farm of Jay Gould's father. Children : I. Franklin, born April 24, 1836, on the John Woolston homestead near Fishers in the town of Victor, educated in the public schools and Fairfield Academy: married, March 31, 1883. Rhoda, daughter of John and Maria (Johnson) Ingraham, formerly of Penfield. Monroe county, New York; they had five children. 2. John A., mentioned below. 3. Laura A., September 30, 1839, died in July, 1910; educated in the public schools and in the Clover Street Seminary. Monroe county, and the Lima Seminary; married George W. Hill. 4. Miranda C., June 1, 1845, married William Hill. 5. William J., March 1. 1847. 6. Hannah Helen, March 14, 1849, died February 12, 1850. 7. Daniel D., January 28, 1851. 8. David W., July 13, 1856. died October 9. 1856.
John A Novelston
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(VII) John A., son of William Woolston, was born in Victor, January 6, 1838. He attended the public schools and Fairfield Classical Academy, and for several years taught school in the winter terms. His life has been devoted chiefly to farming. The farm comprises some two hundred and fifty-six acres of land in Victor, and the buildings are substantial and attractive in appearance and the farm is very productive. He was assessor of the town of Victor. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Woolston is a member of Mendon Grange, No. 83, Patrons of Hus- bandry.
He married, April 6, 1864, Nancy C., born in Victor, April 19, 1845, died there November 30, 1896, daughter of Benjamin F. and Sally (Stafford) Lusk. They had but one child, William Franklin, mentioned below.
(VIII) William Franklin, son of John A. Woolston, was born at Victor, December 31, 1864. In his boyhood he worked on his father's farm and attended the district schools of his native town and Canan- daigua. He began to study the veterinarian's profession in the Toronto Veterinary College, but afterward entered the American Veterinary College of New York City, graduating there with the degree of D. V. S. in the class of 1892. From that time until 1909 he practiced with un- bounded success. On account of failing health, he altered his environ- ment and, returning to the homestead, devoted himself to the manage- ment of the farm in co-operation with his father, but continued to fol- low his profession. For the convenience of himself and his business he erected in 1909 on the homestead a large infirmary fully equipped for the treatment of cattle, horses, dogs and other animals. In politics Dr. Woolston is a Republican ; he is a member of Victor Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons.
He married, April 3, 1899, Mary Stevens, born in Mendon, New York, November 4, 1880, daughter of Edmund and Ursula (Green) Stevens, of Mendon: Children: John Stafford, born December 27, 1900; William Franklin, June 19, 1902; Alice May, March 15, 1905; Una Belle, December 23, 1908.
GOODING.
Elias J. Gooding, whose ancestors for a number of generations have been engaged in tilling the soil, and thus in a most material manner assisting in the welfare and prosperity of their country, is one of that
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class of citizens who, although undemonstrative and unassuming in their natures, yet are important factors in forming the character and molding the society of the community in which they live.
(I) Ephraim Gooding, the first of the family of whom we have detailed record, was born in Dighton, Massachusetts, and removed to Bristol, New York, in the early part of the nineteenth century. He made the entire journey on foot, and upon his arrival purchased a large tract of land. He married Corintha Spencer, who was born in Bristol, New York, daughter of Abijah Spencer, who came from Massachusetts, and one of the first settlers at Bristol, Ontario, and she was one of the first white children born in Bristol.
(II) Edwin, son of Ephraim and Corintha (Spencer) Gooding, was born October, 1820, in Bristol, Ontario county, New York, and was engaged in farming throughout his life. He was a staunch supporter of Republican principles, and at one time served as justice of the peace for the town of Bristol. He married Fidelia Crooker, also a native of Bristol. Children: Albert F., died September 22, 1892; Eva C .; Sarah I .; Elias J., see forward.
(III) Elias J., son of Edwin and Fidelia (Crooker ) Gooding, was born in Bristol, Ontario county, New York, April 9, 1862. His edu- cation, which was acquired at the district school and Canandaigua Acad- emy, was an excellent one. From his early years he has assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm and he was thus employed until 1894, when he purchased his father's farm, which since that time has been under his sole management and is in a most flourishing condi- tion. As an active member of the Republican party he has always taken a serious and beneficial interest in the public affairs of the community and has filled several offices of considerable importance. He was elected supervisor of the town of Bristol in 1905, and served two terms in that office. In the fall of 1909 he was elected sheriff of the county, and is now (1910) filling that office very capably. He is a member of Canandaigua Lodge, No. 236, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Bristol Valley Grange, No. 1080; Bristol Center, K. O. T. M.
Mr. Gooding married (first) March 25, 1886, Cora M., who died August 9, 1903, a daughter of William H. Hicks, of South Bristol. Children : Leonard A., died in infancy, and Edwin H., born August 9, 1903. Mr. Gooding married (second) February 6, 1906, Mrs. Mary L. Hughson, daughter of Robert Gelder, a farmer of South Bristol.
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CLARK.
William Frederick Clark, who has for a number of years been identified with the real estate and insurance interests of Geneva and its vicinity, Ontario county, New York, has risen to business eminence by a series of successful efforts which have placed him in the front rank of the citizens of the town in which he resides. His industry and energy, his courage and fidelity to principle are illustrated in his career, and with all these elements of a strong character he is well fitted to assume the responsibilities which have been thrust upon him and to carry them to a successful issue. His family has been represented in this country for a number of generations, and the various members have bravely borne their share in defending the liberties and upholding the rights of the country of their adoption.
(I) Cephus, grandfather of William Frederick Clark, was born in Keene, New Hampshire, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was an active participant in the war of 1812, and at the close of that conflict returned to his rural occupations. He married Deborah Wilbur, a descendant of one of the eighteen original purchasers of Rhode Island. They had children : Frederick P. A., see forward ; Caleb A. : Amasa F. ; Alva W. ; Cephus C. ; Nathaniel E. : Ezra L. ; Deborah ; Alfreda ; Abigail ; and Candice.
(II) Frederick P. A., son of Cephus and Deborah ( Wilbur ) Clark, was born in Glover, Vermont, May 21, 1819, and was engaged in farm- ing throughout the active years of his life. He married, December 9, 1845. Eliza J. King, who was born in Glover, Vermont, November 6, 1823. Her great-great-grandfather was the son of a slave owner in the south, migrated to the north and took part in the revolutionary war, during the progress of which he was killed.
(III) William Frederick, son of Frederick P. A. and Eliza J. (King) Clark, was born in Glover, Orleans county, Vermont, January 7. 1849. His elementary and college preparatory education was received at the Montpelier Seminary and the Orleans Liberal Institute, in his native town, and this he supplemented later by taking up the study of law. His first actual business occupation was as a farmer, and he then entered into general business. It was at about this time that he engaged in his legal studies, which, however, he abandoned in favor of the real estate and insurance business, with which he has since that time been prominently connected. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party. of
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which he has always been a strong and highly valued supporter. His interest in the public affairs of the town has been a beneficial one for that section and he has served in the following offices : town superintendent, town grand juror, member of the Vermont state legislature in 1896. In 1898 he had charge of the leading bill making provision for the expenses and conduct of the Spanish-American war, and was assistant judge of Orleans county, Vermont, 1902-6. He holds a high rank in the Masonic Fraternity, being a member of: Orleans Lodge, No. 55, Free and Accepted Masons of Barton, Vermont ; Keystone Chapter, No. 16, Royal Arch Masons; Malta Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, of New- port, Vermont; Mount Sinai Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Montpelier, Vermont.
Mr. Clark married, September 27, 1871, Elizabeth Marston, born in Craftsbury, Vermont, June 6. 1848. She is the daughter of Deacon Charles Marston and Emeline B. (Emery) Marston, the former a mem- ber of the Vermont state legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Marston had two other children: Jeremiah; and Ellen. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have had children : 1. Charles F., born in 1873 ; was graduated from the University of Vermont, took a postgraduate course at Cornell University, and is now an instructor in the agricultural department of that institution. 2. Arthur W., born in 1879: was graduated from the University of Vermont, and is now first assistant chemist in the New York State Agricultural Experi- mental Station, at Geneva, New York; he married, October 6, 1909, Muriel Blood, and has one child : Ruth Elizabeth. 3. Eliza E., born in 1889. 4. James G., born in 1891.
RUPERT.
Frank E. Rupert, owner of a well established nursery business and dairy farm in Seneca township, Ontario county, New York, has brought to the conduct of his line of work the thrifty habits, and the many years of farming experience which have been collected by generations of his family. The ancestry of the Rupert family is to be found in Germany, where they were an ancient and respected family. Members of the family emigrated to America in the early days of the colonization of this country, and branches of it may be found in all callings throughout the United States.
Philip Rupert, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, and in his young manhood migrated to New York and
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made his home in Ontario county, which has since that time been the homestead of the family. He married Rebecca Yates.
William P., son of Philip Rupert and Rebecca ( Yates) Rupert, was born on the homestead founded by his father, in 1828, and died there in 1902. In addition to general farming he commenced the growing of fruit in 1869, and was one of the best known nurserymen of the section from that time until his death. He married Catherine Bell, a descendant of an old and honored family, who is still living on the homestead.
Frank E., son of William P. and Catherine ( Bell) Rupert, was born on the old homestead in Ontario county, August 26, 1869. His educa- tion was obtained in the district schools and the high school of Geneva, and he then took a course in the Agricultural Department of Cornell Uni- versity. During his spare hours and during the summer vacations he had assisted his father in his work on the farm, and he was well equipped to begin similar work for himself. He commenced the nursery business independently in 1892, and after a time added to this dairy farming, in which he has also attained a very satisfactory amount of success. He follows both lines of work along scientific lines, and makes a specialty of giving every new idea in agricultural lines a fair and impartial trial ; if it shows any evidences of merit, and when its worth has been demon- strated, it is immediately introduced as a permanent factor in the work on his property. In this manner he has not alone been able to hold his own, as compared with other farmers of his section, but to outstrip them in many instances. His farm consists of one hundred and seventy-five acres, a large number of which are devoted to the nursery business. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Grange, and in politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are earnest members of the Seneca Presbyterian Church.
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