USA > New York > Ontario County > A history of Ontario County, New York and its people, Volume II > Part 6
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Mr. Leahy married, January 14. 1903, Dora Ann, born in Canadice, New York, June 19. 1883, daughter of Thaddeus A. and Lydia M. Skil- ton. Children: Harold William, born June 28, 1904, and Marjorie Ellen, born September 17, 1905.
TAYLOR.
Fayette Taylor, one of the younger members of the farming fra- ternity in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, is not by any means the least of those to be considered when the value of practical and progressive
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methods is taken into consideration. Those farmers who are ready and willing to adopt the modern and scientific methods of cultivating the soil whenever these methods can be readily adopted are the ones whose farms produce the largest crops in proportion to the acreage under cultivation, and it is these farmers who raise the general prosperity of the country, which depends in a great measure on successful and well gathered har- vests. One of the best representatives of this class is Fayette Taylor.
He was born in Yates county, New York, July 15, 1874, and was educated in the public and high schools of Geneva. His early years, during his spare hours and during the summer vacations, were spent in assisting his father on the family homestead, and in this practical manner he obtained a thorough knowledge of all the details connected with the proper management of the land which it might be his later fortune to possess. He commenced farming on his own account in 1901, and in 1904 purchased a farm of one hundred acres, which he has brought to such a state of cultivation that it is considered one of the show places of its kind in the section. It is not only beautiful to look at but is tilled in such a manner as to throw off a very satisfactory yearly profit, and the dwelling and outbuildings are always in the finest possible condition. This is a condition which after all is a matter of economy, as every prac- tical farmer recognizes, and to this class Mr. Taylor most certainly belongs. He has planted a large number of fruit trees, which are in fine condition, and it is his ultimate ambition to devote his entire time and attention to the growing of fruit, to which Ontario county is admirably adapted. In spite of the demands made upon him by the personal super- vision he exercises in the cultivation of his land, Mr. Taylor finds time and attention to devote to considering the questions of public affairs, and so active and beneficial has been the interest he has taken in the affairs of the community that his fellow citizens have recognized it by electing him to public office. In 1909 he was elected as one of the assessors of the town, to serve a term of four years, and it is confidently predicted that this is but the forerunner of higher honors which his townsmen are willing and anxious to bestow upon him. As a member of the Republican party he has been an earnest worker in its interests. His church affiliations are with the Presbyterian church, and he is a member of the Grange, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Taylor married, June 21, 1904, Inez E., born in Penn Yan, Yates county, New York, September 23, 1874, a daughter of James Kellam, who is a carriage painter of Paterson, New Jersey. Children : Marjorie F .; Clarence B. ; and Wilbur K.
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TAYLOR.
Rev. Livingston L. Taylor, who enjoys a well earned reputation as a forcible and eloquent preacher, and whose life is a consistent and unvarying example of the doctrines he preaches, is the son of William J. R. Taylor, D. D., and Maria L. (Cowenhoven ) Taylor.
Rev. Livingston L. Taylor was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1860. His education has been a varied and thorough one at the following named institutions: Newark Academy, Newark, New Jersey; Rutgers College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1881, and which conferred the degree of Master of Arts in 1884; Theological Seminary of the Reformed Church at New Brunswick, New Jersey, from which he was graduated in the class of 1884. He served as assistant in the Collegiate Reformed Church of New York City, 1884-87; pastor of the Reformed Church, Port Jervis, New York, 1887-91 ; pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1891-94; Plymouth Congregational Church, Cleve- land, Ohio, 1894-1900; Puritan Congregational Church, Brooklyn, New York, 1901-07; since 1907, he has officiated as pastor of the First Con- gregational Church of Canandaigua. His political affiliations are with the Republicans.
Mr. Taylor married in Newark, New Jersey, May 21, 1885, Mary, daughter of Judge Caleb S. Titsworth. Children: Mary Livingston, Margaret, Frances and Prudence.
STUBBS.
George S. Stubbs, member of one of the largest lumber firms in the state of New York, is an energetic and enterprising man of business, ready to adopt all progressive methods and improvements which have proved their practicability. He is of English descent.
(I) William Stubbs, the first of this family to come to America, was born in Yorkshire, England, 1798, and died in New York state, 1858. He emigrated to this country in 1824, settled at first in Oneida county, New York, then migrated to Ontario county in the same state, and there made farming his life work. He married in England, 1824, Elizabeth King, born in Yorkshire, England, 1801, died in this country, 1884.
(II) Watson E., son of William and Elizabeth (King) Stubbs.
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was born in Oneida county, New York, 1837. He was educated in the public schools of the town of Phelps, Ontario county, New York, and assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm from a very early age. He was thus engaged until he was about twenty-eight years of age, when he took up carpentry, which he followed for about nine years. In 1886 he established himself in the lumber trade, organizing a retail and wholesale business in Geneva, New York, for lumber and all the mate- rials connected with it. In this enterprise he has been eminently success- ful, and twelve years ago admitted his son, George S., to a partnership in the concern. The business is in a very flourishing condition and the annual sales show a constant and very satisfactory increase. Mr. Stubbs is a Republican in his political views, and a member of the North Presby- terian Church. He holds high rank in Masonic circles, being a member, and master three times, of Ark Lodge, No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons; Geneva Chapter, No. 36, Royal Arch Masons; Geneva Com- mandery, No. 29, Knights Templar ; Damascus Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Stubbs married, March 31, 1863, Martha E. Louw, born in Phelps, New York, March 24, 1844. Children : George S., see forward ; Florence M., born March 16, 1871, married M. H. Deusenbury, and resides in Trenton, New Jersey ; Anna M., born May 26, 1884, is unmar- ried.
(III) George S., only son of Watson E. and Martha E. (Louw) Stubbs, was born in Halls Corner, Seneca, June 13, 1867. He resides in Geneva, New York, and is a man endowed with unusual executive ability. Under his capable control, during the past twelve years, the business with which he has become identified, made rapid forward strides, and has taken a high rank in the commercial world, in addition to its former prestige. He is an earnest supporter of Republican principles, and a member of the North Presbyterian Church. His fraternal affiliations are with the fol- lowing organizations: Past master of Ark Lodge No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons ; past high priest of Geneva Chapter No. 36, Roval Arch Masons; eminent commander of Geneva Commandery No. 29, Knights Templar ; member of Umarken Grotto No. 21, of Geneva ; past exalted ruler of Lodge No. 1054, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Stubbs married, 1888, Lydia Waltheart. Children, the elder attends the Geneva high school; Hazel L., born in 1889; Elizabeth M., born in 1907.
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STEPHENSON.
Frederick P. Stephenson. a well known resident of Phelps, Ontario county. New York. is descended from a family which for many genera- tions has displayed courage and patriotism in defence of the rights and liberties of their country. Calvin Stephenson, a pioneer settler and a soldier of the revolution, had six sons who took part in the war of 1812: James was taken a prisoner and died near Montreal, Canada: William served gallantly throughout the war. then joined the regular army and lost his life on the western plains; Luther served in the contest at Raisin river and in the battle of Tippecanoe: Theodore. Calvin and Chester. the other three. were also actively engaged in various encounters during this famous struggle.
(I) Harvey Stephenson, grandfather of Frederick P. Stephenson, came from Springfield. Massachusetts, and located in the town of Or- leans, Ontario county. New York. about 1800. subsequently settling in Phelps. in the same county.
(II) Dolphin, son of Harvey Stephenson, was born in the town of Galen. New York, in 1812. died in 1883. He came to Phelps with his father. where he was engaged in legal practice for many years. being at the time of his death the oldest attorney in the county. He served as postmaster of Phelps for many years, and was elected as a member of the assembly. He was also appointed by the government to represent it at Panama, and remained there for some time. A portion of his life was also spent in California. He was married in New York State to Jennie. daughter of Joshua Porter, and his wife died at Phelps. New York.
(III) Frederick P .. son of Dolphin and Jennie ( Porter ) Stephen- son. was born in Phelps. Ontario county. New York. July 18. 1869. His elementary education was received in the public schools of his native town.
Mr. Stephenson married. in 1904. Jeannette Ve Le Munyon.
STEBBINS.
Dr. James H. Stebbins, who was engaged in medical practice for about half a century, was born in Greece. Monroe county, New York. in 1834. and died in Geneva. Ontario county. New York. in 1908. He was graduated from the Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the greater
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number of his active years of practice were spent in Geneva, where he was one of the most prominent physicians.
Dr. Francis Lansing Stebbins, son of Dr. James H. Stebbins, was born at Geneva, Ontario county, New York, in 1866. His elementary education was acquired in the public schools and he then became a student at Hobart College, from which he was graduated in 1888 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He next matriculated at New York University, the Medical Department of which institution conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1891. The two years following his graduation were then spent in actual practice in the Rochester City Hos- pital, New York, and in 1894, he went to Geneva, New York, where he established himself in practice. In this he has been constantly engaged until the present time. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Stebbins is visiting physician of the Geneva City Hospital. He takes a considerable amount of interest in public matters, giving his political allegiance to the Republican party, but has never aspired to public office, holding that it is his first and foremost duty to attend to the needs of the suffering. He is a Mason, a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity, and of the Kanadasaga Club. His professional affiliations are with the Ontario Medical Society, The New York State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation.
Dr. Stebbins married, in 1898, Elise d'E. Picot, a native of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. Child: Francis Lansing, Jr., born September. 1904.
JORDAN.
Whitman Howard Jordan, director of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, at Geneva, Ontario county, New York, since 1896. is most thoroughly conversant with every detail of the important work entrusted to his care. His life has always been an active one, and he is one of those restless, energetic men whose whole lives are an incessant battle to overcome problems the solution of which will be of inestimable benefit to the great cause of humanity.
James Jordan, father of Whitman H. Jordan, was born in Raymond, Maine, January 3, 1806. The active years of his life were spent in the pursuit of agriculture, in which he was eminently successful. His reli- gious affiliations were with the Free Baptist denomination, and his polit- ical support was given to the Republican party. He married Sarah Symonds, who was born in Raymond, Maine. April 6, 1809.
WithJordan,
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Whitman Howard, son of James and Sarah (Symonds) Jordan, was born in Raymond, Maine, October 27, 1851. His elementary educa- tion was obtained in the rural district school and he then attended the Nichols' Latin School, in Lewiston, Maine. Subsequently he was a student at the University of Maine, which conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science. He was then engaged for some time with grad- uate work at Cornell University. Later the University of Maine con- ferred upon him the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Science, and the Michigan Agricultural College bestowed that of Doctor of Laws. He was his father's assistant on the farm until he entered college at the age of twenty years and in this manner gained a practical knowledge of all the details of farm cultivation which proved of inestimable value in his later studies. After his graduation he was the principal of Dennysville High School, Dennysville, Maine; assistant to Dr. W. O. Atwater, 1878-79; instructor at the University of Maine, 1879-80; professor of agriculture and agricultural chemistry, Pennsylvania State College, 1881- 85; director of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, 1885-96; director of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, 1896, to the present time. Mr. Jordan has been the fortunate discoverer of some exceedingly valuable facts concerning scientific cultivation in the course of his numerous experiments, and his bold and enterprising methods, combined with the careful execution bestowed upon the num- erous experiments undertaken by him, lead frequently to results which cannot be too highly estimated and which are of universal benefit. Mr. Jordan is a supporter of Republican principles, and while taking a lively and earnest interest in all matters concerning the public welfare has never aspired to political office, deeming his time best employed when attending to the duties which lie nearest to him. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and the University Club of Geneva, and attends the services at the Presbyterian church. In financial circles his opinion is regarded as carrying authority, and he has been elected and is serving as a trustee of the Geneva Savings Bank. He is a man of social disposi- tion but finds little time to spend in social gatherings, preferring to devote his spare hours to the reading of publications connected with the subjects in which he has so deep an interest.
Mr. Jordan married at Orono, Maine, March 3, 1880, Emma Louise, daughter of Nathaniel and Abigail A. (Colburn) Wilson ; they have no children. Mr. Wilson was a lawyer and served as a member of the Maine legislature.
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STACY.
Alanson Stacy, the first member of this family of whom we have definite information, was the son of Elisha Stacy. He was born in Massa- chusetts, in 1812, and died in Avon, New York, in 1863. He was one of the first men to own a passenger boat on the Erie canal. Later he engaged in farming, and was one of Port Gibson's representative men, serving as poor master for a number of years. At one time he owned two large farms ; these he sold and went to Avon. He married Emeline Smith, who was born in Vermont, died in 1863. Children : John ; Eras- tus ; Edwin; Theodore F., died July 12, 1863, of wounds received at the battle of Gettysburg; Alanson; Isadore; Elizabeth; Samuel T., referred to below.
Samuel T., son of Alanson and Emeline (Smith) Stacy, was born near Troy, New York, July 27, 1838. When a small boy, he came with his parents to Port Gibson, New York. He was educated in the public schools, and at the age of twelve years began driving on the Erie canal, and this he continued for seven summers. Afterward he owned several boats himself and ran a steamboat on the canal. In 1872 he went to Buffalo, where he worked in a commission house, but returned to Port Gibson in 1875. He sold his boat and bought a farm, but in 1880 bought a boat and followed boating until 1895. Once more he sold his boat. He then started in the grocery business at Port Gibson. With his son, he does a large business under the firm name of S. T. Stacy & Son. Mr. Stacy was postmaster for two years and school trustee for two years. In 1860 he became a member of the Masonic lodge.
He married, in 1860, Rachel Ellen, daughter of Hiram Hops. Chil- dren : John, born March 6, 1865; Edwin, March 12, 1867, who is in the grocery business with his father; Frank, July, 1870.
SQUIRE.
Jesse C. Squire, well known in agricultural circles in Ontario county, New York, who has successfully followed in the footsteps of his ances- tors as a tiller of the soil, and who has added to their methods of cultiva- tion the newer ideas which he has found practical, as they arose, is a descendant of one of the ancient families of England, and in a direct line of descent from Thomas Squire, of Worcestershire, England, who came to this country in 1630 with Governor Winthrop and settled at Charles-
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town, from whence his descendants have spread to various places. Some are to be found in Vermont, Long Island, New Jersey, New York, and in various other parts of the United States. John Squire, another ancestor, was equerry to Queen Elizabeth.
(I) Jesse Squire, great-grandfather of Jesse C. Squire, was a resi- dent of Canaan, Connecticut, whence he migrated in 1792 to the state of New York, settling in Ontario county. There he purchased a farm for his son, Adin, in the vicinity of No. 9 Presbyterian Church, in Seneca. He served with bravery during the war of the revolution, hold- ing the rank of an officer.
(II) Adin, son of Jesse Squire, came to Ontario county with his father in 1792, and lived and died on the farm which had been purchased for him.
(III) Jesse (2), son of Adin Squire, was born on the homestead farm in 1803, and from his early youth was well trained in the proper management and cultivation of a farm, which later passed into his pos- session. He took an active interest in the public affairs of the community in which he lived, and was a devoted member of the Methodist church. His death occurred February 9, 1892. His children were: William A., J. Fletcher, Mary J., Milton M., Jesse C., Eugene A.
(IV) Jesse C., son of Jesse (2) Squire, was born August 28, 1841. Like his forefathers, he has devoted himself to the pursuit of agriculture, finding this the occupation for which he was best fitted by nature and inclination. He and his only surviving brother, Eugene A., shared be- tween them the landed estate left by their father. This consists of three hundred acres of land, in a fine state of cultivation, and has been divided into two sections, known under the names of the Maple Hurst ( Woods) and the Valley Farm. Mr. Squire is thoroughly conversant with all the improved methods of farming, applies scientific means wherever prac- ticable, and in this manner contrives to have his soil put forth very satis- factory results. He is an up-to-date farmer in every respect and takes a lively interest in all matters which concern the welfare or advancement of the community in which he resides. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and is a Republican in politics.
Mr. Squire married Mary E. Tuttle, daughter of Joseph and Casan- dra (Hayes) Tuttle. One child, Wallace C., who married Clara Crozier, has one child, Christine. The family are members of No. 9 Presbyterian Church.
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SHORT.
Dr. John W. Short, who has been established in the practice of the medical profession in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, since 1909, while young in years has had an amount of experience which many of his older colleagues have not been able to attain in twice the number of years of practice. Thoroughly conversant with the details of his profes- sion, energetic in all his business transactions as well as honorable and high-minded in all the different phases of life, Dr. Short occupies an enviable position among his fellow citizens, who willingly accord to him a place in their first ranks, not alone for his many professional and busi- ness qualities, but for every trait that marks the true christian gentleman and the man of honor. He is the son of the Rev. John L. Short, who is a minister of the Methodist denomination, and is at present living at Camden, New York.
Dr. Short was born in Bernhards Bay, New York, August 24, 1880. His earlier education was acquired at the Brookfield high school and the Fairfield Military Academy, and he was graduated from the Verona high school, Oneida county, New York. In 1889 he matriculated at Syra- cuse University, from the medical department of which he was gradu- ated in 1903, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Without wasting any time he commenced his practice in Canistota the same year, removed to Redfield in 1904, and in 1909 removed to Geneva, New York, which he intends to make his permanent field of labor. In the comparatively short time he has been located in that town he has acquired a reasonably large practice, and the confidence with which he inspires his patients and the success he has displayed in the treatment of serious and well-nigh hopeless cases is rapidly causing his fame as a medical practitioner to spread beyond the confines of the town in which he lives. His practice is a general one, both as a physician and surgeon. Having in his youth been thoroughly trained in the tenets of the Methodist denomination, he became a member of this church when he settled in Geneva, while his political views are those of the Republican party. He is also a member of Ark Lodge, No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons of Geneva ; Redfield Lodge, No. 22, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Geneva Lodge, No. 291, Order of Maccabees; and the Geneva Medical Association; of On- tario County Medical Society; Seventh District Medical Society; the New York State Medical and the American Medical Associations.
Dr. Short married, July 19, 1905, Ruth, born in Fayetteville, New York, daughter of Lester and Julia Worden, the former an extensive real
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estate dealer in Syracuse, New York, where he has resided since 1885. Children of Dr. Short and Ruth (Worden) Short: Dorothy Worden, born May 26, 1906; John Winchell, December 6, 1908.
SHORT.
Myron D. Short, district attorney, is an excellent example of what may be accomplished by energy and untiring industry united with deter- mination and executive ability of a high order.
Myron D. Short was born in Richmond, Ontario county, New York, 'August 23, 1873. He attended the district schools and then the Cook Academy at Havana, New York, from which at the age of seventeen years he entered the service of the Elmira, Cortland & Northern railway, at Elmira, and two years later went to Canandaigua, New York, where he was employed by the New York Central and Northern Central rail- road, and subsequently by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. While holding a position with the last mentioned company he commenced the study of law with Mark T. Powell, continuing his studies under the pre- ceptorship of John Gillette, and was admitted to the bar in 1899. He commenced his legal practice in the office of John Gillette and in 1902, associated himself in a partnership with W. Smith O'Brien, at Geneva, New York. At the expiration of one year William H. Hamlin was admitted to membership in this firm, and they opened offices also in Canandaigua. For a number of years Mr. Short has taken an active interest in political matters and in 1905 was elected district attorney, an office he is still administering with great benefit to the community.
POST.
Abram A. Post, owner of one of the finest farms in Seneca, Ontario county, New York, which has been in uninterrupted possession of his family since 1809, has had the advantage of extended travel to assist him in the cultivation of this piece of land and bring out its especial qualities.
Frank J. Post, father of Abram A. Post, was born on the home- stead farm, October 16, 1842, died in 1904. He improved the land which had been left to him by his father, in many respects, but it was left to the improved methods of his son to bring out its entire capacity.
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Abram A. Post, son of Frank J. Post, was born on the homestead, July 26, 1876. He acquired his education in the schools of Geneva and Penn Yan, New York, and in the New York Military Academy. He took the first step in his business career while still attending school, hav- ing found employment in a shoe store at Penn Yan, during his summer vacations. In 1898 he was employed by the General Electric Company, Schenectady and New York, remaining with this concern for about one and a half years, then went to Havana, Cuba, where he was engaged in business for a period of five years. Upon his return to the United States he went to the homestead, where he engaged in farming, and where he is enjoying the beauties of a country home. The dwelling house is fitted up with all modern comforts, and is commodious in every respect. The farm consists of five hundred acres of choice ground, in one piece, located on an eminence which gives it a magnificent view over the surrounding country for miles. At the present time Mr. Post is very much interested in the growing of fruit, and has devoted a considerable amount of the acreage to the planting of young fruit trees, under the most approved methods. He is a strong believer in scientific farming, and is one of the first in the section to give a trial to any invention which appears to have anything in its favor. At the same time he experiments independently, and many of the results of his experiments have given remarkable satisfaction. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Republican party, and he and his wife are attendants at the Episcopal church.
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