Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 2

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 2
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 2

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"I remember seeing Grandfather Kuhn but once. I heard my folks tell of his coming to our house once on horseback, and his heart

stopped beating, and he fell off; but the jar started his heart again, and he got on his horse and came down. It was many years before my father got a buggy, and a much heavier one it was than they have nowadays. I know I was thirteen years old before they would take me along to Dansville when they went to trade, and I so longed to see a village that I coaxed my mother to let me go next time. Grand- mother lived many years after her husband's death with a family by the name of Frone, who worked her farm. She finally lived and died with her daughter, Mrs. Betsy Traxler. I re- member mother sent me up to see her once and take her some very nice rare, ripe peaches. Awhile after she had eaten them she asked me to light her pipe at the kitchen stove. I took it, and went out there and got a little coal on. As I could not tell whether it was lit or not, after a minute I thought I must draw on it till it smoked, and did so, but never wanted to light another pipe.

"Those were the days of mud and stone bake-ovens outdoors and bake-kettles and fires on the hearth. What big logs they used to burn! They called them back logs and front logs, and had smaller wood for between. We had the kitchen all to ourselves after supper, as the older ones would go into the other room to work in the long winter evenings. Mother would knit or darn or patch; and sometimes two would spin fax or tow on the little wheels, or would be doubling or twisting, for we didn't have any cotton thread. Everything in the line of clothing was either linen or wool- len. I remember when they had a tailoress come to the house and help make up a piece of fulled cloth that my sisters had spun the yarn for the summer before. Her name was Ann Clemons. She is now the widow of Elisha Webster. And old Mr. Shafer came over with his kit of tools strung on a stick over his shoulder and stayed almost a week, making and mending shoes.

"Folks had to study economy then, but they were just as healthy and happy as those that have all they desire nowadays; and almost all of my neighbors became wealthy. But how we did enjoy the long evenings, a-playing by the light of the fire in that big kitchen and

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

eating chestnuts! We played 'pussy wants a corner,' blindfold, hide the handkerchief, and jumping over the broomstick; and, when it was moonlight and the snow crusty, we would have a lively time coasting down hill on the hand-sled. Then what times we would have with frozen heels and toes! We used to bathe them with spirits of turpentine, or anoint them with gudgeon grease; that is, the black grease that works off the gudgeon under the mill. In those days girls did the milking; I think I learned to milk in a tin cup, when I was eight years old. When I was ten, I knit my own stockings and sewed on patchwork. I think the school-house was built in 1846; but I went to that church to Sunday-school many years ago, when children went barefoot and wore sun- bonnets and calico dresses. A new calico dress was worn to my first Sunday-school picnic. I remember well when our folks got their first cook-stove over fifty years ago. My mother said it was a great deal easier to cook over than the fireplace. So after that the fireplace was boarded up; and my sisters, getting tired of whitewashing all around the walls, began to paper the rooms. I should like to tell of the sugar camp and what sweet times we had every spring, and of the well-curb, - how dif- ferent it was from any other I ever saw. But my sketch is already too long for the first one written by a person sixty-one years old."

R OY P. CAPWELL, of the town of Mid- dlebury, Wyoming County, N. Y., is a grandson of Peter and Olive (Bent- ley) Capwell. Peter Capwell was born September 2, 1779, in Massachusetts. He was a farmer, and at one time served in the War of 1812 as a private. Olive Bentley was born February 15, 1791, and married Peter Capwell while yet a young girl. In 1808 she and her husband settled near Dale, Wyoming County, he building the first frame house in that locality. This worthy couple were closely associated through the vicissitudes of many years, and were separated by death only for a short period of three months; for Peter Cap- well passed away March 10, 1874, and his wife, June 30, 1874. They were blessed with

seven children, namely: William; George; Albert; Abigail; Franklin W., the father of Roy P. ; Hiram; and Olive J. The first homestead and farm owned by Peter Capwell is now in possession of Mrs. Etta Quale.

Franklin W. Capwell came into its posses- sion many years ago, and in course of time traded it for a farm now occupied by Roy P. Capwell. It consisted of thirty-two acres; and Mr. Capwell lived on it until 1878, when he bought a more extensive farm situated on the town line near Dale. There he built a fine house and barn, laid out fine drives, planted fruit-trees, and bordered the grounds with hedges of evergreen. By the aid of mod- ern appliances he connected with the house and barn a spring of pure, fresh water, and by judicious use of money and labor succeeded in making for his family a beautiful residence. Besides cultivating his farm, he carried on a prosperous insurance business, and was a man noted for his great activity in any enterprise he undertook. He served as Justice of the Peace sixteen years, and for the same length of time was superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was for ten years President of the Genesee Baptist Sunday-school Association, and for twenty-one years Secretary of the Wyoming Sabbath - school Teachers' Association. In politics he was a Prohibitionist. Faithful in his duties to his fellow-men, he did not fail to see his Lord in the person of the despised and hunted fugitive slave. Believing himself jus- tified in disobeying a wicked human law, he made his house an "underground railway " station, where the flying negro always found shelter and care. Mr. Capwell died October 9, 1889. His wife is now living in the com- fortable home which he had provided for her. They had eight children, as follows: Mary, born March 16, 1852, married Rudell Roberts, now living in Alabama, Genesee County, and has six children. George, born November 7, 1854, died while at college, May 1, 1875. Roy P. was born April 8, 1861. Charlotte, born April 5, 1866, is a private nurse in Brooklyn, N. Y. Fanny, born August 28, 1867, married Hadley MeVeigh, having one child and living with Mrs. Franklin Capwell. Abbie, born May 12, 1874, is now attending

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Vassar College. Rose and Lilly, born June 7, 1872, died when only eight days old.

Roy P. Capwell was educated at the district school, and at the age of twenty-one years learned the miller's trade, working three years for J. W. Ensign, at York, in Livingston County. While there he mastered the trade of engineering, and for one year took full charge of the engine and machinery at the salt works at York. He went thence to Fowlerville, Livingston County, had charge of the engines of the Bolt and Screw Manufacturing Company for one year, and then came home to help his father. Ile married in 1888 Alice L. Avery, daughter of Merrill N. and Charlotte (Russell) Avery. Her father was born in Augusta, Me., April 22, 1826; and her mother, September 30, 1827. Mr. Avery lived for a while by farming and teaming, but later bought a farm near Wyoming, built a house, remodelled the out-buildings, and greatly improved the land. After five years he sold out, and traded in dif- ferent farms until 1880, when he settled on a farm of one hundred and one acres in the town of Warsaw, where he now lives, classed among the most enterprising and progressive farmers in this part of the country. He and his wife have had six children. The eldest, Emma T., born April 29, 1852, married Thomas Fisher, now living at Pavilion, and died, leaving four children - Homer E., Charles, Grace, and Charlotte. George N., born September 25, 1854, married Ella Kingden, and lives at La Grange. Hattie E., born February 2, 1858, married Walter B. Ayers, of Ohio; and both are now deceased. Horace W., born May 29, 1863, married Emma Langdon, of Warsaw, lives at Pearl Creek, and has one child, Pearl. Alice, born July 17, 1866, is the wife of Roy P. Capwell. Her twin sister, Annie M., mar- ried Chester G. Hamilton, of Ohio, and is liv- ing in the town of Warsaw, mother of one child, Walter E. Hamilton.

Mr. Capwell lives on one of his father's farms near Linden, Wyoming County. Some years since he bought a Clyde engine, and with David Peggs, who owned a thrashing- machine, went into partnership in the business of thrashing grain and beans. In 1893 the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Capwell then

bought a Stevens engine and grain-separator, and a Western-house bean-thrasher. He also has a set of feed-rollers, and, having fitted up a building attached to his house with an engine and all appliances for grinding grain for feed, is carrying on an extensive business, being well patronized by farmers from far and near. Two children have been born to their home, namely : Rena Priscilla, August 20, 1893; and Avery Will, January 1, 1895. Some of the sturdy spirit which characterized the life of his grandsire, Peter Capwell, must flow in the veins of his descendant ; for a more energetic, prosperous man is rarely found in rural communities than Roy P. Capwell.

RS. MARY WHALEY PEASE, of Avon, N. Y., who represents one of the pioneer families of Living- ston County, was born in this town, where she now makes her home. Her grand- father, John Purchase Whaley, son of Jeremiah and Tamson (Purchase) Whaley, was one of the earliest settlers of Avon. Erecting in the wilderness a log cabin, he bravely toiled to clear and cultivate a farm, and, enduring with fortitude the hardships of frontier life, remained here till his death. His widowed mother, whom he brought with him from Massachu- setts, died at the Avon homestead in 1805. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Milliman.

Their son, Caleb Jeffers Whaley, the father of Mrs. Pease, was born in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and was very young when his parents removed to Livingston, where he gained his education. He served in the War of 1812, in which he volunteered a second time, and was wounded on the day the city of Buffalo was burned. He died in 1830. His wife, the mother of eight children, was Orpha Wilkinson, a native of Connecticut. She died on the home farm at the age of seventy seven. The following official papers will be read with interest : -

"I hereby certify that C. J. Whaley, a Ser- geant in Captain James McNair's company of infantry and Lieutenant Colonel Philetus

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Swift's regiment of United States Volunteers, under the act of Congress of February 6, 1812, has faithfully discharged his duty as a trusty Sergeant for twelve months; and he is hereby discharged from the service of the United States with honor. And, agreeable to said act, he has received a musket, bayonet, and other personal equipments, as a public testi- monial of the promptitude and zeal with which he volunteered his service in support of the rights and honor of his country.

"By order of Major-general H. Dearborn, commanding the United States army, PHILE- TUS SWIFT, Lieutenant Colonel United States Volunteers."

"Given under my hand at Buffalo on this tenth day of May, 1813.

"JAMES McNAIR, " Captain."

"C. J. Whaley was born in Massachusetts, Berkshire County. He served in Captain David Bigelow's company of New York mili- tia, in Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Blakeslee's regiment ; has resided in Avon, Livingston County, N. Y., and has resided here for space of twenty-three years past ; and previous thereto he resided in Massachusetts, Berkshire County.

"Sworn and subscribed this fourth day of March, 1828, before me, William T. Hosher, J. P.

TEXT ?". CALEB J. WHALEY."

"I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 3d of March, 1819, C. J. Whaley, late an Ensign in the company commanded by Captain Bigelow in the service of the United States, is inscribed on the Pen- sion List Roll of the New York Agency, to commence on the thirtieth day of December.

"Given at the War Office of the United States, twenty-ninth day of March, one thou- sand eight hundred and nineteen.

"J. C. CALHOUN, " Secretary of War."

Mary Whaley, daughter of this stanch pa- triot, was married when twenty-three years of

age to Emery T. Pease, son of Henry Pease, of Livonia. Mr. Emery Pease was a man of marked business ability, engaging in the flour trade in New York City, and also in the for- warding business, at an early age. In 1852 he went to California, and, erecting four-mills in San Francisco, was very successful, building up an immense trade. He remained there till 1870, when, having returned East on a visit, he died in Avon soon after his arrival. Mrs. Pease still retains an interest in the California business, but has lived at the Whaley home- stead since the death of her husband. She is much esteemed by the people of Avon; among whom she has for so long been a familiar per- sonage.

RTHUR M. PRESTON, principal of the Attica High School, is a well- known and popular instructor of Wyoming County, his thorough scholarship, energy, and enthusiasm in his work being among the chief elements of his success. He is a native of the Empire State, having been born in the year 1852, in Linck- laen, Chenango County, on the same farm where his mother was born, and where she resided until her death. Mr. Preston's great-grand- father on the paternal side was born and bred in Scotland, whence in 1785 he emigrated with his family to the United States. After living for a short time in Stonington, Conn., he came to this State, settling in Lincklaen, where amid the deep forests he reared a humble log house and began the pioneer work of clearing a homestead. Reared to habits of industry and thrift, he labored in season and out; and the fine farm of three hundred acres which he re- claimed from the wilderness is still in the pos- session of one of his descendants.

Eli Preston, son of the emigrant, was born in Scotland in 1785. He grew to manhood in Lincklaen, and during the larger portion of his life was engaged in farming. He married a Miss Olin, who was born of Irish ancestors in Chenango County; and they became the par- ents of eleven children, of whom four daugh- ters and five sons grew to maturity. One daughter, Mrs. Betsey Reynolds, of Madison

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County, and Riley Preston, father of the sub- ject of this sketch, are still living. Both of the parents lived more than fourscore years, and died within a few months of each other.

At the time of his marriage Riley Preston purchased the old home farm of his father-in- law, and lived thereon until after the death of his wife in 1880, when he removed to Eldred, Pa., making his home with his daughter. The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was wedded in 1842, was Lucy L. Maine; and to them four children were born, one of whom, a bright little boy, died at the early age of four years. The others are: Emily A., the wife of B. F. Greenman, residing in Eldred, Pa. ; Arthur M., the subject of this brief sketch ; and Nettea, a resident of Boston, Mass.

Arthur M. Preston acquired the rudiments of his education in the district school, and at the age of fifteen years entered the Classical Institute at DeRuyter, then a famous institu- tion of learning, but now extinct, from which he was graduated in 1871 as valedictorian of his class. The succeeding three years he studied with private tutors, and in 1875 began his pedagogical career as teacher in a select school at South Otselic, his pupils being young men and women who were preparing themselves for professional lives. He subse- quently spent two years at New Woodstock, as principal of the high school, going from there to Madison Academy, where he was principal for two years, resigning his position to accept the principalship of the Silver Creek Union School and Academy, a position which he filled most satisfactorily for eight years. In 1892 Professor Preston came to Attica; and under his able supervision the high school, with its roll-call of more than five hundred pupils, and ten able instructors, ranks among the foremost schools in the county. Arthur M. Preston was united in marriage in 1875 to Elsie Woodruff, of Whitney's Point, who died six years later, leaving him two children : Willard D., now a student at Alfred Univer- sity; and Nina M. In 1883 the Professor married Nettie L. Babcock, a daughter of HI. R. Babcock, of Hamilton. Mrs. Preston was educated in Hamilton, being a graduate of the union school and of the Hamilton Female

Seminary, and before her marriage was a very successful teacher. One child, a little daughter of seven years, brightens and cheers their household. Socially, Professor Preston is a prominent member of the Masonic frater- nity, and has served as Senior Deacon of the lodge. Religiously, both he and his wife are firm believers in the doctrines of the Baptist Church ; and he is superintendent of the Sun- day-school.

AMUEL BERGEN, one of the most prosperous agriculturists of Living- ston County, is a useful and esteemed citizen of Mount Morris, where he is at present engaged in milling, being the owner of the Enterprise Mill. His father, Jacob Bergen, was born in the town of Fleming, Ca- yuga County, January 22, 1803 ; and his grand- father, Christopher Bergen, was born in New Jersey, being a descendant of emigrants from Holland. In 1802 he came from New Jersey to this State, making the removal with teams to Cayuga County, being one of the carly set- tlers of the town of Fleming. He was a man of much education, and in addition to teaching school made himself generally useful in cleri- cal work. He remained a resident of Fleming for many years, but eventually came to this county, where he died at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Jemima Bailey, was born in New Jersey, and died in Livingston County, when eighty-five years old. She bore him five daughters and two sons, all of whom grew to maturity.

Jacob Bergen was educated in Cayuga County ; and, when eighteen years old, he and his brother Samuel came to Livingston County on a prospecting tour, making the journey to and fro on foot, their object being to select suitable land for a farm. Each one had fifteen dollars in his pocket; and, securing a tract of fifty acres of woodland, now included within the boundaries of Mount Morris, they made a first payment of thirty dollars, and received an article of agreement therefor. Both were sin- gle men at that time, and after they had built a log house their parents came to keep house for them. Jacob was married a few years later ;

一

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and he then bought an adjoining tract of land, on which a frame house had been built. Mov- ing the house to the side of the log cabin, he continued the clearing and improving of his homestead, and before the time of his decease had a valuable and well-cultivated farm. He, too, lived to a great age, dying in his eighty- ninth year. His sister, Mrs. Daniel P. Sedam, died in 1894, aged ninety-six years. His wife, formerly Ann Eliza Amerman, was born in the town of Niles, Cayuga County, and died in Livingston County in the eighty-second year of her age. Seven children were born of their union - Samuel, Mary J., Catherine E., Harriet, Robert K., Sarah E., and Frances C.

Samuel, the eldest son, was born on May 10, 1830, received a good common-school educa- tion, and on the old home farm in the town of Mount Morris was thoroughly instructed in the art of farming. He remained beneath the pa - ternal roof-tree until his marriage, when he began housekeeping in a log house, one of the first built in the town, and which is still standing. Afteroccupying it for three years, he built a frame house close by, and there lived, engaged in general farming, until 1866, when he sold that place and bought a farm on the Creek Road, now known as the Dowling farm, where he resided two years. Selling that, Mr. Bergen bought the Dr. Bogart prop- erty at Union Corners, and there continued his agricultural labors until the spring of 1882, when, leaving his son in charge of the farm, he removed to the village of Mount Morris, and resided on Eagle Street until 1889. He then purchased the pleasant house where he now lives and carries on a good milling busi- ness, in which he has been engaged since 1882. He is a man of good business ability and tact, most honorable and upright in all of his dealings, and is well worthy of the respect universally accorded him.

The first wife of Mr. Bergen, to whom he was wedded December 31, 1851, was Harriet J. Robinson, a native of West Sparta, and the daughter of Levi and Desdemona (Denton) Robinson. After a pleasant married life of nearly ten years she passed away, leaving three children - Cora E., Julia D., and John R. In February, 1862, Mr. Bergen was united

in marriage with Marietta Bosley, a native of Pavilion, Genesee County, N. Y., being the daughter of Edmund and Harriet (Crossett) Bosley. Of this union two children have been born - Lucia and Minnie. In their religious views Mr. and Mrs. Bergen fully coincide with the doctrines of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which they are active and es- teemed members. Politically, Mr. Bergen has been identified with the Independents; and for many years he has been deeply interested in the temperance movement.

EORGE ROMESSER, a well-to-do and highly respected farmer of the town of Sheldon, Wyoming County, is a fine representative of those honest and hard-working citizens of alien birth who have by their own unaided exertions worked them- selves up from comparative poverty to prosper- ity and influence. Mr. Romesser was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 16, 1834, being a son of Hyrounymus Romesser, a native of the same place, and the grandson of John Romesser, a farmer and a life-long resident of Bavaria. The latter reared a family of five sons and one daughter; and of these Meinrad and the father of the subject of the present sketch came to this country in 1847, each being accompanied by his wife and four children, the entire ex- penses of the voyage for the twelve persons amounting to five hundred dollars.

Hyrounymus Romesser was born in 1808, and was therefore in the prime of life when he crossed the ocean with his family. He and his brother bought fifty acres of land, twenty- five acres each, paying twenty-one dollars an acre, this price including the stock on the farm. Hle labored with persevering energy to cultivate his land, living thereon until death. The wife who accompanied him to America died in October, 1850, aged forty-two years, leaving two sons and two daughters, as follows : George, of whom we write; Jacob, a laborer, living in Castile; a daughter, now living in Minnesota; and one in Missouri. The father subsequently married a lady from Alsace, France; and of that union two sons and one daughter were born, the latter of whom is now

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a resident of Missouri, the boys having died in early youth of diphtheria. In 1872 the father departed this life, leaving but a small property.

George Romesser obtained his preliminary. education in Germany, where he attended school six years; and after coming to Sheldon he was a pupil of the district school three win- ters. He began life on his own account at the age of fifteen years, working for the farmers during the summer seasons, receiving from four to seven dollars a month. He continued work- ing by the month for eleven years, six of the years being spent in one place, with his wages ranging from ten to sixteen dollars a month. Industrious and frugal, he saved money, and in December, 1862, made his first purchase of land, paying one thousand dollars for seventy- five acres, on which there stood a partly fin- ished house. He has since bought other land, and is now the owner of a rich and valuable farm, containing three hundred and twenty- seven acres in a body, besides some forty acres of timber. Mr. Romesser is extensively en- gaged in general agriculture and dairying, keeping thirty or more cows, and sending his milk to the factory two miles distant. In ad- dition to raising grain, hay, and the usual crops of this section of the State, he has five large orchards, which produce an abundance of apples and other fruits, the whole yielding him a good income.

On February 5, 1861, Mr. Romesser was united in marriage with Elizabeth Davis, a na- tive of Oldenburg, Germany, and a daughter of Michael Davis. Her father came to this coun- try in 1854, bringing with him his wife and family, consisting of five daughters and one son, another son being subsequently born to them on American soil. Mr. Davis bought seventy acres of improved land in Sheldon, and began general farming; but he died within a year. His widow, now an octogenarian, re- sides on the home farm. She has six children living -- two daughters besides Mrs. Romesser in Sheldon; one daughter in Kansas; and two sons, Michael and Joseph, on the farm with their mother. Fourteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Romesser, six sons and eight daughters, the living being as follows : George, Albert, Mary, Catherine, Anna,

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 2

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

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