Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 11

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review
Number of Pages: 1256

USA > New York > Wyoming County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 11
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 11

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

in public affairs, and has been solicited for various offices, he is not an office-seeker, and holds no office at present. Mr. and Mrs. Norton and their family are members of the Methodist church, and take an active interest in its work and in the Sunday school, in which Mrs. Norton has been a teacher, and of which her husband was for many years super- intendent. He is also a Trustee of the church.

AMES H. VAN ARSDALE, a promi- nent business man of Castile, Wyo- ming County, N. Y., was born in Ca- yuga County, August 2, 1845, being the only son of Abraham and Maria (Noxon) Van Arsdale, and a grandson of Isaac Van Arsdale. The grandfather was born in New Jersey, and spent his early days as a farmer in that State. He later removed to Virginia, and purchased a large tract of land and a num- ber of slaves; but subsequently he sold his land, and in 1833, taking his slaves with him, journeyed with his family to New York, where he had previously bought land in Cayuga County. The journey to their new home was made with two four-horse teams, some of the family riding horseback. He died when sixty years old, his wife being about the same age at the time of her death. He was a Demo- crat and a member of the Presbyterian church. They had nine children, all of whom returned to the North with their parents. They were as follows: Mary, Elizabeth, Abraham, Van Doren, Andrew, John, William, Henry, and Margaret.

Abraham Van Arsdale was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, and received his educa- tion in Virginia. He settled with his father in Cayuga County, and there purchased a farm, which he sold in 1847, and bought ninety acres of land in Castile. After seven years he sold that, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres near by in the same town. On this estate he resided for seventeen years, remodelled the buildings, and made many improvements. Later in life he removed to the village, and there died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, who is still

living, was born in Dutchess County, and was the daughter of William and Ruth ( Brownell) Noxon. In 1845 William Noxon and his wife settled in the town of Castile, where he became a prosperous man. While living in Cayuga County, he was Inspector of the State prison at Auburn. He died at the age of seventy-six, and his wife lived to be ninety- two years old. They had seven children - Maria, Eliza, Helen, Emeline, Phebe, Lettitia, and Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Van Arsdale had two children - the daughter, Lida, married Dr. S. C. Smith, of Castile, who died at the age of fifty-nine, leaving his wife with one child, Van R. Smith; James II. is the subject of this sketch.

James HI. Van Arsdale was educated in the district school, after which he entered a drug store as clerk, and assisted also in the Castile Bank. In 1874 he bought the furniture and undertaking business of J. W. True, and in 1891 built a fine brick block on Main Street, two floors of which he occupies in addition to the former store. In 1872 he married Clara Davis, who was born in Gainesville, Novem- ber 2, 1849, daughter of Giles A. and M. Jane (Stevens) Davis. Giles A. Davis was born in Preble, Cortland County, and was the son of Joel and Resign ( Hinman) Davis and grandson of John Davis. John was a native of Connecticut; and his son Joel removed to Preble, N. Y., and in 1827 bought one hun- dred and eighty-five acres of new land in Gainesville. In his old age he retired from active life, residing in Castile, living to be ninety-three years old. He had seven chil- dren -- Emily, Amanda, Ann, Esther, Joel G., Giles, and Charles A. Giles A. Davis was educated at the district school, at Perry Academy, and at a private school in Castile taught by Davis W. Smith, and later en- gaged in farming, carrying on a blacksmith- shop and carriage factory, and dealing exten- sively in wool. He has also been largely interested in the Castile Bank, and in 1882, in connection with George F. Pierce, erected the new building on the corner of Main and Chapel Street. In 1845 he married M. Jane Stevens, a native of Lima, N. Y. ; and they had two children - Clara, the wife

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

of the subject of this sketch, and Edward E. Davis.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Arsdale have six chil- dren, namely: Mary M., born July 29, 1873; Ruth E. and Davis E., born April 21, 1876; Charles A. and Chester A., born November 24, 1878; J. Harry, born August 25, 1885. Mr. Van Arsdale is a Democrat, ex-President of the town corporation, and has been Trus- tee of the village school. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, of the Maccabee Lodge, No. 151, of Castile, and a very ac- tive member of the fire department. He has been very successful in his business career, and is also prominent in town affairs, holding a high place in the regard of his fel- low-citizens.

EZEKIAH ALLEN, son of John Allen, a pioneer settler of Living- ston County, New York, was born in the town of Adams, Jefferson County, July 10, 1821, and died at his home in Geneseo, N.Y., July 8, 1887, at the age of sixty-six years, lacking two days. His father, who was of Connecticut birth, removed to this State, living for a while in Jefferson County, but afterward came to Livingston County, and settled in Portage. His third and final removal was to Southern Wisconsin, where he bought a small farm, and carried on general husbandry through his remaining years.

Hezekiah Allen was one of a numerous family of children born to his parents in the town of Adams. When his father migrated to Wisconsin, he remained in this county, and, coming to Genesco with but fifty cents in his pocket, paid the last penny he had in the world for lodging, and worked to pay for his breakfast. He was a bright, intelligent lad, with a district-school education and an honest, earnest face, that bespoke his freeness from guile; and he had no trouble in securing work and friends. He was first employed for a short time as a farm laborer on the "flats," but very soon became the trusted servant of James Wadsworth, and later entered the office of that gentleman as a clerk. He was subse-

quently engaged as land agent of the estate of William W. Wadsworth, the deceased brother of James Wadsworth; and on the death of the original administrator of that property he was appointed to fill the vacancy. He remained in the employment of the Wadsworth family as financial agent for forty-four years, they refusing to accept his resignation even after he became an invalid. Mr. Allen was also intrusted with the management of the estate left by Mrs. Murray, a sister of the elder Wadsworth brothers; and this included vast tracts of land in Wisconsin, the property being kept for her son. He was likewise trustee for other estates, among them being the Aryault property; and in the discharge of the duties therewith connected he gave the utmost satisfaction to all concerned, proving himself equally capable and trust- worthy, his absolute integrity never being questioned.

On December 8, 1852, he was married to Polly Deniston, a native of Tompkins County, who was born near Ithaca, August 15, 1822. They became the parents of three children, namely: William, who died at the age of twenty-two months; Elizabeth; and James H., now Assistant Cashier of the Kenton National Bank, of Kenton, Ohio. Mr. Allen was a member of the Whig party in his earlier days, but on its abandonment became a warm supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He attended the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Allen and her daughters are esteemed members. He was an influential and public-spirited citizen, taking an active interest in all matters pertaining to the im- provement of the village or to the intellec- tual and moral advancement of the com- munity, being for several years a member of the Board of Education, and especially connected with the normal school. His daughter Elizabeth, who inherits not a little of her father's force of character and ability in affairs, is a graduate of this institution of learning, of the class of 1876. A year's experience in teaching has further aided in her development, and her culture has been broadened by reading, study, and contact with the world.

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

J OHN O. WILLETT, formerly a car- riage builder, and now a very success- ful farmer of the town of Portage, Livingston County, N.Y., was born on May 30, 1837, in Seneca County. His father, Thomas J. Willett, who was a native of New Jersey, was engaged in the manufactur- ing of carriages and wagons in Seneca County until the year 1839, when he transferred the business to the town of Lima in Livingston County. He remained at the latter place about twenty years, and then removed to Mount Morris, where he engaged in the manu- facture of tiles, continuing at this occupation until his decease, which occurred in 1862. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.

His wife, whose maiden name was Phoebe Breese, was also a native of New Jersey. They reared nine children, eight of whom are now living; namely, John O., Oscar D., Walter L., Eugene M., Josephine E., Ger- trude L., Robert A., and George T. One son, Alpheus C., was a soldier in the late war, and fell at the memorable battle of Cold Harbor. Oscar married Augusta Ricker; and they are now residents of San Francisco, Cal. Walter L. married Kate Rose, and they live in Buffalo. Ile was until recently Superintendent of the State Institution for Feeble-minded Children in Newark, N.J. Hle is a veteran of the late war, and passed through some of its worst vicissitudes, having been captured at the battle of the Wilderness and confined nine months in the famous An- dersonville Prison. Eugene M. married Dollie Phelps and resides in Albany. Jo- sephine married G. M. Soverhill, and is now living in Buffalo. Gertrude is unmarried, and lives with her sister in the latter city. Robert and his wife reside in Brooklyn. George T. lives in Portland, Ore.

John O. Willett was educated at the dis- trict schools of Lima, and learned the trade of carriage building with his father. Later he studied dentistry, but never practised that profession. He resided at Mount Morris until the death of his father, after which event the property was divided. He then purchased a very valuable piece of farm prop- erty in the town of Portage, and erected a

spacious and substantial residence, in which he now resides. In 1863 Mr. Willett mar- ried Sabra Ricker, whose father was the late Timothy Ricker, of Quincy, Mass. Mr. Ricker died in Massachusetts; and his widow, whose maiden name was Sabra Roberts, was again married. She and her second husband, George W. Barrett, of Quincy, removed to Mount Morris; and it was at their home that the daughter's marriage took place. Mr. and Mrs. Willett have two children - a son, Fred I .. , and a daughter, Della. Fred L. Willett married Inez Burroughs. Della is the wife of Marshall B. Chafee, of the town of Perry, and they have one child. Mr. John O. Willett has long enjoyed the respect of his fellow-townsmen, who have the greatest con- fidence in him, and have called upon him to do his full share of public service. He has been Excise Commissioner, Assessor, and Supervisor of his town, the latter office hav- ing been held by him for the years 1887, 1888, 1889, and 1890. He has always ad- ministered public affairs with a zealous care for the best interests of the general commu- nity ; and his successful efforts have received the approbation of all, irrespective of party politics.

Mr. and Mrs. Willett are both members of the Universalist church; and Mr. Willett is a firm adherent to the principles of the Re- publican party, having cast his first Presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln.

HARLES H. NICHOLS, President of the George Sweet Manufacturing Company of Dansville and Director of the Cummingsville Plant Com- pany, a self-made man and a most exemplary citizen, was born at Leicester, in the same county of Livingston, November 23, 1843.

His father, Elisha, who was a native of New England, removed to Leicester while yet a young man, and worked as a laborer. He married Julia Whiteman, and resided there until his decease at the age of forty- seven years. His wife, a daughter of John Whiteman, was born in Pennsylvania, where her father was a farmer. Mr. Whiteman

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

afterward removed to Steuben County, New York, and settled in the town of Wayland, where he acquired a tract of land, which he cleared and improved. He afterward moved to Sparta, and resided there for many years, then went to Cummingsville, and lived in the vicinity of the present factory, of which Mr. Nichols is now Director, and remained here until his death. He reared a family of nine children, all of whom attained their majority. His daughter Julia, Mrs. Elisha Nichols, reared four children - two sons and two daughters. Her son Hiram died at Leicester, aged forty-seven. Mary Ann Nichols married Eli Moore, of Nunda, and died at the age of thirty-three years. Alice married Herbert McWhorter, a machinist. Mrs. Nichols resided at Cummingsville with her son, Charles H., during her latter years, and was a woman of remarkable activity up to the time of her decease, which occurred when she was seventy-one years old. Both she and her husband attended the Methodist church.

Charles H. Nichols was left fatherless at the age of six years, and resided with his mother and grandfather in Cummingsville, attending school. At the age of eleven he began to work upon a farm summers, and con- tinued his attendance at school during the winter. At the age of sixteen he worked for Samuel Williams in the nursery business, where he remained two years, after which he entered the machine-shop of George Sweet, who at that time held the same position which Mr. Nichols himself now holds. Here he worked three or four years, and having learned his trade determined to try his fort- unes in the West. He returned after a so- journ of eighteen months, and again entered Mr. Sweet's employ as a machinist. He con- tinued steadily employed by Mr. Sweet until 1870, when he was promoted to the position of foreman or superintendent of the works. He continued thus until the concern was reorgan- ized into a stock company, when he became its President. Thus from a poor apprentice boy Mr. Nichols rose step by step until he reached the highest position possible to be attained in the concern where he learned his

trade. This is truly an example of success obtained through actual merit. His careful attention to his work and his straightforward manly ways carly gained for him the appro- bation and firm friendship of Mr. Sweet, his employer; and that gentleman always reposed in him the utmost confidence, and treated him with unlimited kindness.

In 1867 Mr. Nichols married Libbie F. Thomas, daughter of Mr. Joseph Thomas, of Dansville, she having been born probably in Sparta, as her father was a carriage builder in that place for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have two children - Francis and Charles. Mr. Nichols is a Democrat in poli- tics, and is a member and Elder of the Pres- byterian church, where he has been superin- tendent of the Sunday-school for the past three years. Mr. Nichols is known as a man of strict business integrity, and possesses many rare and estimable qualities, which are deeply appreciated by the many who know him. He occupies an enviable position among his townsmen, a natural reward and true recognition of honest merit.

REDERICK A. SIMONDS, general insurance agent, owns and occupies a pleasant residence at No. 4 Genesee Street, Attica, N.Y., and is one of the most energetic and enterprising business men of the town. He is a native of Wyoming County, Pike being the place of his birth, which oc- curred November 25, 1850. He is the only son of E. W. R. Simonds, a miller of Gaines- ville, and a grandson of the late Salmon Si- monds, who was born in this State in 1782, and settled in Wyoming County when it was in its original wildness. Salmon Simonds was a farmer by occupation, and reared a fam- ily of nine children; and of these E. W. R., the father of him of whom we write, and one sister are the only surviving members.

E. W. R. Simonds was born October 12, 1825, and after attaining his majority was united in wedlock with Mary Hutton, a daughter of Jonathan and Harriet ( Watrous) Hutton. Her parents in their younger years were farmers and hotel-keepers in this section

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

of the State. Both lived to an advanced age, Mr. Hutton dying at the age of eighty-five years and his wife at the age of eighty-six years. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. E. W. R. Simonds, namely: Frederick A .; Celia, who died at the age of four years; and Ella, the widow of George Knapp.

Young Frederick was the recipient of excel- lent educational advantages, after leaving the district school attending the Pike Seminary, a well-known institution of learning. When sixteen years of age, he began to learn the trade of harness-making and buggy trimming, and worked at it steadily for five years. In December, 1872, at twenty-two years of age, he became Deputy Postmaster under A. J. Lorish, and retained the position thirteen years. The following two years Mr. Simonds was engaged in the retail grocer's trade, and since that time has been profitably employed as sewing machine and general insurance agent, carrying on a very successful and lucrative business, his genial and courteous manners and honorable dealings with his patrons winning him an extensive patronage and hosts of friends.

On August 8, 1871, Frederick A. Simonds was united in marriage to Miss Helen Ran- dall, a daughter of Gideon and Adelia (Winegar) Randall, esteemed members of the farming community of Pike. Mr. and Mrs. Simonds have two children - a daugh- ter, Estella, the wife of William M. Timms, of Broome County; and a son, Glen A., a young man of eighteen years, who is still pur- suing his studies. In his political views Mr. Simonds is a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and religiously he is a valued member of the Methodist church.

R. EDWARD W. SOUTHALL, a very successful homeopathic phy- sician of Geneseo, N. Y., was born in England, March 5, 1851, son of Edward W. and Mary Ann ( Darby ) Southall, both natives of England.

His grandfather, Edward Southall, was an engineer, having charge of stationary engines; but his father, having received a very liberal

education, became a school-master, and fol- lowed the profession for about twenty-five years. He was also an expert stenographer and a thoroughly competent musician, being at the early age of sixteen years able to lead the choir of the Wesleyan church in his native town in England. In 1872 Mr. Southall emigrated to the United States, and locating at Pittsburg, Pa., was employed there for a time as a clerk. Later he re- moved to Buffalo, N. Y., finding employment in the same capacity, but finally engaged as teacher of music and stenography, a profes- sion which he still follows, and in which he has been highly successful. He and his wife reared four children, as follows: Mary Ann, wife of Mr. Isaac Morris, chief teleg- rapher of the Western Union Telegraph Company, Cleveland, Ohio; Edward W., the subject of this sketch; Eliza, the wife of Mr. Joseph Marks, a collector of Buffalo; and Charles F. Southall, stenographer, of the same city. The mother was a member of the Methodist church, and died at thirty-five years of age.

Edward W., the eldest son, received his early education in England, and at the age of eighteen years, with the consent of his father, came to the United States, and en- tered the machine-shops of P. P. Pratt, Esq., at Buffalo, N. Y., where he rapidly gained knowledge and promotion in his business. Here he remained until 1875, at which time he found himself financially able to gratify his long-cherished desire to enter professional life as a physician, and for that purpose be- came a student at the Buffalo University for one year, after which he attended the Ho- mæopathic Medical College in New York City for the same length of time, completing his four years' course of study at Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated.

Dr. Southall immediately commenced the practice of medicine in Genesco, N. Y., com- ing here as an entire stranger. As a result of the skill and careful attention displayed in all cases intrusted to his charge, he has at- tained wide-spread popularity. During his residence in Geneseo he has successfully fought and conquered many difficult cases,

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

thus creating among the citizens of the town and, indeed, of the entire locality perfect confidence in him as a reliable and safe medical adviser. In 1872 Dr. Southall was united in marriage to Miss Susanna George, a lady of English birth. They have had in all six children --- Edward A., a graduate of the normal school, and now a student in the Medical University of Buffalo, N. Y .; Flora, who died in her sixth year; Ethel May; Hattie Elva; Helen Gertrude; and Horace Gladstone.

Dr. Southall is a gentleman of culture, possessing varied information upon many subjects, and is extremely popular among all classes. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Geneseo Lodge, No. 214, A. F. & A. M., and also of Keystone Chapter, R. A. M., of Buffalo, N. Y. He is a member of the County Medical Society, and is a close observer of all modern and valuable discoveries in relation to his profession. In politics he is a Republican, and in creed a member of the Methodist church, in which he is officially interested.

RS. MARIETTA BINGHAM OLDER, daughter of the late William and Betsy ( Knapp) Bing- ham, resides with her brother, William M. Bingham, in their pleasant home, No. 5 Geneseo Street, Warsaw, Wyoming County, N. Y., to which their parents re- moved thirty years ago. The Bingham fam- ily has been well known in these parts for three-quarters of a century or more, its pres- ent representatives inheriting, it is needless to say, in a marked degree the sturdy virtues of their New England ancestors. Mrs. Older's father, William Bingham, was born in New Hampshire in 1800.

When a young man, Mr. Bingham left the rocky hills of his native State, and came to New York, settling in the town of Avon, Livingston County, where he worked at the carpenter's trade with a Mr. Markham. He subsequently removed to the town of Perry, and there married a Miss Roe, who died a few years after, leaving two children, a son and a

daughter, the former of whom died in infancy. The latter, named Matilda, married Daniel A. Knopp; and at the age of forty-two years she, too, passed from earth to the life beyond.

In 1828 Mr. Bingham married Betsy Knapp, who was born in 1811 in the log house built by her parents in the town of Warsaw. Her union with Mr. Bingham was solemnized in Perry, where they lived for two years, coming from there to Warsaw in 1830, when their son William, the first-born of their household, was an infant. For many years they kept a public house, owning hotels in Pike, Portage, Buffalo, and Dansville. On locating in Warsaw Mr. Bingham bought the Bingham House, which he managed suc- cessfully for more than thirty years. Dis- posing of that in 1865, he purchased the place now owned and occupied by Mrs. Older and her brother William. The dwelling is a large frame house, one of the oldest in the town, pleasantly located and in a fine state of preservation. Mr. Bingham died here in 1869. His wife Betsy, surviving him, lived a long and useful life of fourscore years, de- parting to the home above March 12, 1891. She was a true Christian woman, faithful in religious duty and a consistent member of the Episcopal church.

Of the seven children born to the parents of Mrs. Older three died in infancy; and one, Lucien W. Bingham, died March 28, 1885, at the age of fifty-four years. He married Lucy A. Bangs, of Georgetown, who lived but three short months after her marriage, dying August 15, 1867. Lucien W. Bing- ham was a man of more than average ability, and was held in universal esteem throughout the community. On the breaking out of the late Civil War, he promptly responded to the first call for volunteers, enlisting in April, 1861, in the Twenty-third New York Volun- teer Infantry, which was under the command of Colonel H. C. Hoffman. He was made Third Sergeant of Company K, under Captain N. H. Fowler, and was subsequently pro- moted for meritorious conduct, remaining with the regiment until the close of the war. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bingham now living are: William M. Bingham, who has

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 11

Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review Number of Pages: 1256

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Boston : Biographical Review
Number of Pages: 1256