Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 20

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 20
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 20

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On another page may be seen a portrait

of this gentleman, whose administration of his department of the civil service may be considered an indorsement of the declaration of John C. Calhoun: "The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country and not for the benefit of an individ- ual or a party."

OAH . COOLEY, a pioneer settler of the town of Leicester, Livingston County, N. Y., was born in the town of Hawley, Franklin County, Mass., March 24, 1781, and died at his home in Leicester on July 21, 1850. His father, Noah Cooley, Sr., was born in Palmer, Hampden County, Mass., on August 21, 1741. He married Esther Hyde, who was born in the neighboring town of Monson on May 31, 1748. Mr. Cooley bought a farm in Hawley, and after marriage came there on horseback, his wife riding on a pillion behind him, a part of the intermediate country being as yet untraversed by wagon roads. Mr. Coo- ley died on March 19, 1818, his wife Esther on August 7, 1838. They had four children - Noah, named for his father; Esther; Asher; and Calvin.

The second Noah Cooley was brought up under the shadow of the Berkshire Hills, in the strenuous moral atmosphere of the old Bay State, where he grew to a stalwart manhood, and in due time became a husband and father. In 1816 he, in company with his wife and six children, came to New York State, the family making the journey through the woods in a wagon drawn by a single horse; and, bringing their household goods in an ox wagon, they settled on a tract of thickly wooded land in Leicester, where Mr. Cooley built a log house for shelter, all the lumber of which, compris- ing "shakes" for the roof and plank for the floor and door, was split or hewn by himself. There were no railroads for many years; and, as there was no easy means of intercourse be- tween the various cities, the people depended largely for meat on the game which then abounded in the forest, and dressed in the homespun flax and woollen made by the house-

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wife. Noah Cooley cleared a large farm, on which he raised wheat and flax, and kept sheep. He was prosperous as a farmer, and after a few years had erected good frame buildings and made for his family a pleasant home. He was a hard-working, self-respect- ing, and honest man, and was always held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens. He married Sabra Wells, also a native of Hawley, Mass., the date of whose birth was April 5, 1784, and who lived to be nearly eighty-three years old, dying on March 7, 1867.

Noah and Sabra (Wells) Cooley reared nine children; namely, Asher, Lovisa, Electa, Esther, David, Elisha, Sabra, Emma, and Noah. Miss Sabra Cooley was born in the new log house home the year after the arrival of her parents in Leicester, on March 14, 1817. In her childhood she attended the dis- trict school, and later completed her education at Wyoming Academy, after which she en- tered upon the work of school teaching. A woman of character and influence, she is to-day one of the oldest native residents of the town, and well remembers the scenes and incidents of pioneer life. She and her brother Noah occupy the old homestead. Noah, the third of the name, married Lucy Abbey, who was born in Leicester, the daugh- ter of Dexter and Hannah Abbey. Mrs. Lucy Cooley died September 23, 1881, leaving three children - Perley E., Lillian, and Sabert.

ELEG W. HEWITT, an active and extensive farmer of the thriving jetown of Portage, Livingston County, N. Y., who has held several public offices, was born in Ontario County, February 23, 1822, son of James B. Hewitt. His pa- ternal grandfather was Sterry Hewitt, born at Stonington, Conn., who was captain of a com- pany in the Revolutionary War, and served until hostilities terminated. He was a farmer and ship carpenter, and after his marriage removed to Rensselaer County, New York, where he died. His wife, Hannah Barnaby, also died in the above place.

Their son, James B. Hewitt, was educated at the district schools of his native county, Rensselaer, and was both a farmer and a mechanic. He moved to Ontario County in 1819, transporting his effects by wagons, and was eighteen days upon the road. He ac- quired a tract of land containing one hundred and fifteen acres and furnished with a log house, in which he lived for eleven years. He then moved to Springwater, Livingston County, where he resided seven years, after which he came to Portage, and settled near Oakland upon a farm of fifty acres. Untiring in his improvements and in migrations, having erected a house and barn, he sold this prop- erty, and, removing to Conesus, lived there four years. Selling, he finally went to Ohio, where he died. During the War of 1812, he was called out, but saw no active service. James B. Hewitt married Alice Waite, daugh- ter of Peleg and Mary Waite, and reared five children - Almanza, Peleg W., Mary, Emily, and Alice. By a second marriage with Polly Gray, he reared two children - Sanford and Elizabeth.

Peleg W. Hewitt, named for his maternal grandfather, received his education at Spring- water, and at the age of twenty-four purchased his present farm of one hundred and fifteen acres. It was then largely covered with heavy pine timber; and, during the fifty years which have intervened since taking posses- sion, Mr. Hewitt has thoroughly cleared his farm, and constructed more than four miles of stump fence, doing the entire work himself without assistance. In 1864 he erected a commodious frame house; and he also has spacious, well-built, and finely equipped barns, which afford every convenience for the proper carrying on of all branches of agricult- ure. Mr. Hewitt and his son now own and. operate jointly two hundred and twenty-seven acres of fertile land.

In 1845 Mr. Hewitt married Nancy Thomp- son, daughter of Wilson Thompson, of Por- tage; and they have five children, namely : Wilson, now living in Nebraska; Cornelia; Alice; Edwin; and Mary. Alice resides at home, and attends to the household affairs. Edwin, who occupies a farm adjoining his

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father's, married Julia Townsend; and they have two children - Roy and Florence. Cor- nelia married Sanford Watson, and resides in Michigan, having one child - Nellie. Mary married Charles Snyder, and lives in Alle- gany County. In 1882 Mr. Hewitt had the sad misfortune of losing his estimable partner of so many years, the mother of these children being then taken away by the hand of death.

The subject of this brief sketch has long enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow-townsmen, and has served faithfully and with marked ability as Highway Com- missioner, Overseer of the Poor, and Excise Commissioner. He is a member and senior Deacon of the Portage Baptist church. He is recognized by all who know him as an up- right, conscientious, and fair-dealing man, and has lived a pure, simple, Christian life. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote in 1844 for James K. Polk.

OHIN CREVELING, of the town of Mount Morris, is an excellent repre- sentative of the self-made men of the county, and occupies a conspicuous position among its enterprising and progres- sive agriculturists. He was born in Warren County, New Jersey, September 15, 1825; and his father, John Creveling, Sr., was a na- tive of the same State, of which the paternal grandparents, who were of German ancestry, were life-long residents.

John Creveling, Sr., was reared and mar- ried in New Jersey, and resided there until 1833, when with his wife and seven children he came to Livingston County, New York. That was prior to the construction of railroads ; and the removal was made with teams, they bringing with them their entire worldly pos- sessions. His means were very limited; and he did not buy land, but found employment at various kinds of work, chiefly wood-cutting and tilling the soil. Having accumulated some money, he finally purchased a farm near the centre of the town of Mount Morris, and made his home thereon until his death, at the age of threescore and ten years. His wife,

Christie Ann Olp, was a native of Warren County, New Jersey, and a daughter of John and Mary Olp. She died at the early age of thirty-eight years, leaving seven children, all of whom grew to maturity.

John Creveling, son of John and Christie A. (Olp) Creveling, was but nine years old when he was bereft of his mother. The father kept the family together for two years; and it then became scattered, little John going to live with Barney G. Hagerman, who gave him his board and clothing for his work on the farm, allowing him to attend school during the winter season. He stayed with Mr. Hagerman until his nineteenth year, when he started in life for himself, even with the world. He worked about for different people by the day or month during the first year, and then entered the employment of Gulielmus Wing, being hired for eight months at twelve dollars a month, and re-engaged for the re- mainder of the year at the same wages. At the end of the twelve months, having lost no time, and having drawn none of his salary, the diligent laborer received one hundred and forty-four dollars in cash. Mr. Wing then advanced his wages to fifteen dollars per month; and at the expiration of six months he was the possessor of two hundred and thirty- four dollars. With this sum in his pocket, Mr. Creveling started for Wisconsin, journey- ing by private conveyance to Attica, thence by rail to Buffalo, across Lake Erie to De- troit, and by rail to Kalamazoo, at that time the western terminus of the iron pathway. From there he proceeded by stage to St. Joseph, Mich., then by water to Chicago, which he found but a small city. His jour- ney from there was by Lake Michigan to Southport, Wis., and thence to Fox Lake on foot. Wisconsin was then but sparsely set- tled; and Mr. Creveling, not being pleasantly impressed with the country, decided not to invest in land, but returned to Livingston County, and the following year worked Mr. Hagerman's farm on shares. He then re- turned to Mr. Wing, who hired him for one summer; and the subsequent two years Mr. Creveling worked for an older brother. He then bought a team, and supplying himself

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with farming implements worked a farm on shares for a year. His next position was that of lock-tender on the Genesee Canal at a sal- ary of fifty dollars per month, at which he was engaged through the season. Mr. Creve- ling then made his first purchase of land, which consisted of fifty acres in the town of Mount Morris, where he resided ten years. Selling that, he bought a farm of one hundred and forty-three acres at Union Corners, and later bought sixty more acres. After carry- ing on general farming there for twenty-eight years, he removed to the place he now owns and occupies. Here Mr. Creveling has a pleasant home, with a good set of buildings, which are situated on an elevation, and com- mand an extended view of the surrounding country. He is the possessor of nearly four hundred acres of excellent land, the greater part of which is under high cultivation.

In 1850 Mr. Creveling was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Rittenhouse, who was a native of Cayuga County. She passed to the higher life June 11, 1887, leaving four chil- dren - Edward R., Wilson M., John E., and Mary A. Edward R. Creveling married Cora Bergen, and lives in Mount Morris. Wilson married Cora E. Perrine, and is in business in Tuscarora. John E. married Hattie Hoag- land; and they reside in Tuscarora, where he is in mercantile business. May A. married Elmer Williams, a farmer in Mount Morris. Mrs. Creveling was a woman of great per- sonal worth, a sincere and devout member of the Baptist church. In politics Mr. Creve- ling has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and is an earnest supporter of its principles.

USTIN B. DUNN, a well-known farmer and ex-School Commissioner of the town of Ossian, Livingston County, was born at Byersville, a village in West Sparta, February 4, 1839. His father, Daniel P. Dunn, came to that town during the thirties, and taught school, but in 1841 moved to Ossian. Here he purchased a house and lot, and continued teaching for several years, serving also as Justice of the Peace.

He died at Welland, Canada, at the home of a daughter, aged eighty-one. His wife was Elvira De Lano, also a school teacher, who was born in West Sparta, of French descent. Her father, Joseph, was a farmer of that town, and lived on what was known as De Lano's Ilill. After residing many years in West Sparta, he removed to Ohio, and died there, aged sixty-six. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Dunn reared two children - Jennie I .. , who married Lyman Southworth, of Canada, his home being fourteen miles from Buffalo, N. Y., and Austin B., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Dunn died at Ossian at the age of fifty-six.

Austin B. Dunn spent his earlier years attending the district schools of Ossian and assisting his father on the farm. Arriving at his majority, he was elected Town Clerk, which office he held for three years, and was then chosen Constable and Collector; and, after holding these offices for three years, he was made Justice of the Peace, and continued to discharge the duties of that office from 1870 to 1887. In the years 1885 and 1886 he was Supervisor, and was a Justice of Ses- sions for his county during 1886 and 1887. On January 1, 1888, he assumed the duties of School Commissioner, and continued as such until 1891, when he was re-elected, and served till January 1, 1894.

Mr. Dunn was mostly engaged in teaching school winters from the time he was twenty years of age until he was elected School Com- missioner. He is a stanch Republican, and has always been an active leader in political affairs. In 1863 he married Mary J. Chitten- den, daughter of Harvey Chittenden, of Nunda, a pioneer and prominent citizen of that town. Mrs. Dunn is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Dunn can be men- tioned as a very worthy citizen, an intelligent public servant, and a gentleman of the highest respectability.

FRANK WING, who resides about four miles from the village of Bliss. in the town of Eagle, was born upon the farm he now owns and conducts, May 26,

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1847. His father, Stephen L. Wing, was a native of New Hampshire, in which State his grandfather, Jonathan Wing, who was born upon the island of Martha's Vineyard, settled for a time. The latter in his younger days was a mariner; but, later deciding to forsake sea life and engage in agricultural pursuits, he located at first as above, and in 1820 came to Wyoming County, New York, where he settled in the town of Eagle, upon the farm which is now the property of his grandson, George F. Wing.

At the time of Jonathan Wing's arrival in the locality, the country was in its virgin state, there being simply a bridle path leading from Pike to Eagle. Nevertheless he ac- cepted cheerfully the many vicissitudes of a pioneer's life, and with the energy which is characteristic of a sturdy New Englander pro- ceeded to clear and improve his land; and in due time he not only brought it to a fine state of cultivation, but also erected substantial frame buildings. He attained a prominent position among the early settlers, filling the office of Supervisor with marked ability, also being a Justice of the Peace for many years, and was known throughout the section as Squire Wing. The office of supervisor made it necessary for him to travel considerably on horseback, in fair weather and in foul, often through lonely bridle paths. Being a man of physical as well as mental strength, he with- stood the unavoidable exposures of a pioneer's life without incurring any serious injury to his health, and died upon the farm which he had so laboriously reclaimed from the wilder- ness, at the advanced age of eighty-two, being tenderly cared for during his declining years by his son, Stephen L. Wing.

This son at his father's death became pos- sessor of the farm which he, too, had assisted in improving and of which for some time he had full charge. Stephen had received a good practical education in the district schools; and, like his venerable parent, he entertained a lively interest in public affairs, attaining to considerable political prominence, and serving faithfully as Poor Master and Assessor. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he raised a company of volunteers, which became attached

to the One Hundred and Fourth New York Regiment under Colonel Rohrbach; and he served as its Captain through many severe battles, being disabled at Atlanta, and super- seded in the command by his son, Nelson J. Wing. This company, which was composed of rarely intelligent men, some eight or ten of whom received commissions, was selected by its organizer with great care from the most influential and highly cultured families in this locality; and it served with such distinc- tion as to receive the hearty commendations of the regimental and corps commanders. Cap- tain Wing, on being disabled, returned to his farm, where he died at the age of sixty-one years, after having faithfully completed his life's work both as a civilian and a soldier.

Stephen L. Wing married Mary Hayes, a daughter of Daniston Hayes, of Pennsylvania. Her father was a master mechanic, who worked much of the time as a wheelwright. A chair made by him over seventy years ago is now in the possession of Mr. Wing. Mr. Hayes settled at Geneseo when that town was in its infancy, and there spent his last years, dying at the age of eighty-seven. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Daley, was a native of the Emerald Isle. They reared six children, of whom Mary, widow of Stephen L. Wing, is the only survivor. She was born in February, 1807, at Geneseo, in the same house where her parents died, situated about two miles east of the village. She and her husband came to the present home of Mr. G. F. Wing in 1829, immediately after their marriage, and here reared three of their seven children - Mary Jane, now Mrs. Ressell; Nelson J. ; and George Frank Wing, the sub- ject of this brief sketch. Mrs. Mary Hayes Wing resides with the latter, and now at the age of eighty-eight years is remarkably bright and intelligent, possessing perfect control of her faculties, being in all respects a most phenomenally preserved old lady. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, as was her late husband for many years, the latter being an Elder.

G. F. Wing was educated in the schools of his native town, and also attended a neighbor- ing seminary ; atter completing the course, he

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entered diligently into the labors of an agriculturist, remaining with and assisting his father until that gentleman's decease, when the property reverted to him. His farm consists of two hundred acres; and he devotes principally to the dairying interest, handling the products of sixteen graded Holstein cows. In 1866 he erected a large barn with all mod- ern improvements, which greatly enhances his facilities for successful farming.

In 1870 he married Miss Emma Vesey, of Centreville, Allegany County, where her father, Louis Vesey, was a farmer, having been a pioneer in that town. Of the four children born to them, three are still living, their beloved daughter, Mary E. Wing, hav- ing been called from earth at the age of twenty-two years, August 5, 1894. She was educated at Pike Seminary, and aside from a rare proficiency in her studies was otherwise highly accomplished, and possessed an exceed- ingly amiable disposition, thoroughly void of self-interest, which won for her the esteem and devotion of many friends. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Wing are Nelson E., Roy F., and Warner H., who were all carefully educated in their youth at the semi- nary, and now assist their father in conduct- ing the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Wing are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, and with their sons also attend the Sunday-school.

Their residence is pleasantly situated on Wing Street, named in honor of the family, which has been very prominent in this section for many years, its present head being a man of rare intellectual strength, thoroughly cog- nizant of the fact that knowledge is a neces- sary factor for the proper and successful completion of life's work. With this in view Mr. Wing has been an untiring reader, laying up stores of information, and acquiring prac- tical wisdom, which has enabled him to be- come of valuable service to his community.

Following in the footsteps of his predeces- sors, he takes much interest in town affairs, be- ing a Republican in politics. He was elected Supervisor in 1889 and in 1890, and has also been Justice of the Peace for sixteen years. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and enjoys much social distinction.

OHN D. GRIMES was for many years actively identified with the agricultural interests of the town of Nunda, Liv- ingston County, having lived here from the time of his birth, October 24, 1829, until his death, on the 27th of October, 1893. He was a man of good mental endowments, pos- sessing those sterling traits of character that won for him the respect and esteem of all with whom he associated in either business or social relations. Both his father, Richard P. Grimes, and his grandfather, Philip Grimes, were among the original settlers of the town of Nunda, which was thereafter their permanent abiding-place.

Richard P. Grimes was born in Greene County, New York, and there resided until after attaining his majority. He became familiar with farming pursuits during his car- lier years, and, when ready to settle in life, emigrated to this county, which was then very thinly populated, and, taking up one hundred acres of wild land on East Hill in Nunda, built the first frame barn erected in that local- ity, and was numbered among the very first settlers of the place. With energy and wise forethought he began clearing his land, and during the years that followed improved a fine farm from the wilderness. He married Betsey Donaldson, a native of Greene County, by whom he had one child, John D., subject of the present sketch. Mr. Richard P. Grimes and his wife were both people of strong relig- ious convictions and charter members of the Presbyterian church at Nunda.

John D. Grimes attended the district schools; but, being an ambitious youth, fond of his books and anxious for more extended learning, he pursued his studies by himself, fitting himself for college. He was subse- quently employed as a teacher in the Nunda Academy, resigning his position at length on account of deafness. Mr. Grimes then re- sumed the agricultural work to which he was reared, and was extensively engaged in farm- ing until the time of his decease. In politics he was an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and at different times served his fellow-townsmen in various official capacities, having been Commissioner of

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Highways, Assessor, and census-taker. He was always numbered with the active and pro- gressive men of the county, and was an intel- ligent participant in all enterprises calculated to advance the interests of his town or county.

Of the union of Mr. Grimes with Miss Sarah Hovey, daughter of Alfred Hovey, six children were born, as follows: Frank H .; Grace M., who died in her fourth year; Scott F .; John D., Jr., who married Miss Margue- rite Walker, daughter of Henry Walker (de- ceased ), of Nunda; Mills S .; and Blanche. Frank, the eldest child, married Jennie Van Buskirk, the daughter of John Van Buskirk, of Nunda; and they have three children - Grace, Grant, and Glenn. Since the death of Mr. Grimes, his widow and daughter have resided in the village of Nunda; and the sons, with the exception of Mills, who is studying at Oberlin, Ohio, are separately carrying on the work of the farm. In politics the sons, having been rocked in a stanch old Republi- can cradle, still cling to the principles of the party in which they were born and bred. Mills, the youngest, is an active worker in the Presbyterian church, of which he is a member.

J OHIN OLP, well-known throughout Mount Morris and vicinity as a thrifty and prosperous farmer, and a citizen of good repute, was born in Mansfield, Warren County, N. J., August 2, 1823. His father, Daniel Olp, was a native of the same town, born when it was included within the limits of Hunterdon County. The father of Daniel, John Olp by name, was born in New Jersey, of Holland parentage, and was bred to agricultural pursuits. He was a farmer in comfortable circumstances, and during the later years of his life removed to Livingston County, New York, and invested a part of his wealth in timbered land. He continued here a resident until his death.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 20

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

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