Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 42

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 42
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 42

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On October 19, 1854, Mr. Arnold was mar- ried to Susan Maria Stearns, who was born in Cambridge, Vt., May 18, 1827, only daughter of Phineas E. and Miriam (Armstrong) Stearns. Her parents were of New England ancestry, and moved to New York in 1837. They had three sons. Two daughters com- pleted the household circle of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, whose union of nearly thirty-eight

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years was in many ways an ideally happy one. Now two have departed, and with them how much of light and joy! and two are left in the home to cheer and comfort each other, and still bravely bear their part in the world of work - the mother and her younger child, Miss Mary Arnold, born May 8, 1857, who has much artistic talent, and devotes herself to painting.

The other daughter, Ella Miriam Arnold, born March 15, 1855, was endowed with unusual intellectual powers, as well as the womanly graces which made her the centre of attraction in every circle in which she moved ; and Arcade was justly proud of the distin- guished scholar and teacher whose early edu- cation was acquired at its academy. Miss Arnold was graduated from Vassar in 1879, in the full classical course, receiving second honors, and delivering the Latin salutatory of her class. Being peculiarly fitted by her gifts, qualifications, and disposition for her chosen vocation, she was thoroughly successful. Her first work in her profession was in the Wyo- mannock Ladies' Seminary at New Lebanon, N. Y., where she was teacher of Greek and Latin; and while here she received the first warning of the malady which was to terminate her life and cut short a work of usefulness and beauty. In 1884, at Ingham University, LeRoy, she was given the chair of Greek and Latin, which she held until August, 1891, during which year she was the principal of that institution. Again the indomitable will force which had given her the mastery over her phys- ical being was warned that the disease which had taken full hold of her vitality was making deep inroads; but, though she consulted Dr. Walker, the eminent specialist of Phila- delphia, who pronounced her case aneurism of the heart, she denied the demands of health, and continued her work. Yielding at last to the entreaties of friends and the counsel of physicians, she returned home for a year of rest and that happy family communion which death was so soon to end. After her father's death she sought to solace her grief in re- newed devotion to her profession, and accord- ingly accepted the position of instructor of classics in the Ladies' Seminary at Jackson-

ville, Ill. In a few short weeks, but not be- fore her influence had made itself felt, she was prostrated by an attack of illness which neces- sitated her return home at once. Accom- panied by a woman physician, her faithful friend, Dr. Balantine, she was brought to Ar- cade, apparently needing only rest to restore her to health. She herself was hopeful, and only a few hours before her death was planning a visit to a classmate at Wellsville, N. Y. A sudden spasm at eight o'clock on Friday night, February 24, 1893, ended the earthly life of one who seemed peculiarly fitted to live. (Edema of the lungs was the cause. At the Congregational church the funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Totheroh, of Chicago, under whose ministration she had become connected with the church, and by her pastor, the Rev. M. M. Hughes, of Arcade.

Numerous floral offerings were the sweet, silent testimonies to the general grief; and there were many letters of sympathy to the bereaved mother and sister from distant friends, among them one from the Rev. Dr. Bullard, who wrote: "She completely won the confidence, esteem, and affectionate regard of our pupils and all with whom she was asso- ciated. It is, indeed, a mysterious Providence that removes one so eminently qualified for usefulness in the home, the school, and soci- ety. We were loath to part with her ; and, while mourning their loss, her friends may well rejoice in the gift of so beautiful a life. Though it seemed short, it still seemed com- plete. She has left with us a memory that will not soon be lost."

RS. ELIZABETH A. BRAD- BURY, formerly Elizabeth A. Mills, now a resident of Mount Morris, N. Y., is a daughter of William and Mary (Neaher) Mills, and was born in Saratoga County, New York. She received her education at a select school in Pittsfield, Mass., and at Utica Seminary. Her first marriage took place when she was twenty years of age, she becoming the wife of Lucius F. Tiffany. Mr. Tiffany was a native of Vermont, but in his childhood was brought

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by his parents to Erie County, New York, where he attained maturity. He received a business education, and, on reaching years of discretion, engaged in the brokerage business for a time, shortly, however, entering into a banking enterprise, which he carried on suc- cessfully until his death, which occurred five years after his marriage.

Two years later Mrs. Tiffany was united in marriage with Captain George H. Bradbury, a native of Buxton, York County, Me. The an- cestry of the Bradbury family is a notable one, and may be traced back in England to the year Soo, when some members of it were proprie- tors of the Wicken Bonant estate, which is located forty miles from London, in the county of Essex. The first English ancestor who came to America and remained among the early colonists was Sir Thomas Bradbury. He chose for his location the town of Salem, Mass., a town afterward celebrated for the many start- ling events which were enacted there during the early days of the commonwealth. Ac- counts of these may be found in the works of one of the eminent writers of recent times, Nathaniel Hawthorne, who for some years was connected with the custom-house in Salem, and had his residence there.

At the age of fourteen George H. Bradbury commenced the career of a sailor. His natural inclination being for the sea, he soon became an adept in the service; and, having a bright and keen comprehension of his duties, and being faithful in the performance of them, he was steadily promoted from one grade to an- other, until at the age of twenty-two he was put in command of a vessel sailing in the East India Oriental service. Captain Bradbury fol- lowed the sea for a number of years, and then, having a longing to once more visit the woods and streams of his early home, gave up his naval life. He spent some time in New York State, first in Avon, and later in the city of Buffalo, and while there was appointed super- intendent of the Corning & Buffalo Division of the Erie Railroad, continuing in this posi- tion until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he resigned, in order to enter the naval service of the United States.

As master of the steamship "Susquehanna,"

Captain Bradbury was ordered to the port of Charleston, S.C., to sink vessels in the mouth of the harbor, for the purpose of obstructing blockade runners. After fulfilling his orders there, he went to Philadelphia, where he was commended for his services, and then ordered to the flagship of Admiral Farragut, and had the honor of managing that vessel in connec- tion with that noted commander during the laborious and fierce battle of Port Royal. After its capture Captain Bradbury was pro- moted to the regular service, and went to New York to take charge of a government gunboat then lying in the harbor. Before assuming command, however, he was tendered a position of greater importance with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and after a brief delib- eration concluded to accept the latter offer, and accordingly entered upon the enterprising work laid out by the steamship company, being detailed to take a large steamer through the Strait of Magellan.

These waters, just west of the Falkland Islands, are a tortuous passage from the At- lantic Ocean on the east to the Pacific on the west, making the strait which divides the island of Tierra del Fuego from the southern extremity of Patagonia, South America. The strait leads, before reaching the open Pacific, through the mazes of an archipelago. It was a very hazardous enterprise; and Captain Brad- bury concluded to try an inner passage, which, however, proved to be narrower still, and one involving great risk to vessels - a passage which had hitherto been attempted only by small sea-craft. A more desolate and awe- inspiring locality than Cape Horn cannot else- where, perhaps, find a parallel in the known watery universe. Masses of rock, simulating islands, spread closely along the shore, one of which is called Desolation Island; these form reefs, on which the angry waters dash with deafening, tumultuous roar. The two oceans, struggling to meet in deadly combat, make a great, heaving stretch of wind-lashed, mad- dened deeps of waters-a place where man must acknowledge his powerlessness to control the mighty forces which are the expression of the Infinite.

By anchoring at night and proceeding with

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great caution by day, Captain Bradbury made a successful trip, and on the next voyage found a vessel chartered by the government waiting to follow his own ship, and obtain, if possible, a clear understanding of the route. Such suc- cess was the result of his bold venture that he was soon after empowered by the government to furnish a correct standard of maps, charts, and such nautical directions as could hereafter be applied by any sailing-craft which might desire to make use of them. To have been able to provide a conduit for ships and naviga- tors in this track through the Strait of Magel- lan to the South Pacific makes the discoverer famous in the annals of modern history, and such an achievement should be perpetuated in Captain Bradbury's honor in the archives of his country. The man who discovers a dia- mond field or a gold mine becomes renowned. Much more eminent should he be deemed who has penetrated the secrets of the untrodden and perilous seas for the safety of the traveller, as well as in the interests of maritime commerce ; for this is the result of a long and patient study of the science of navigation and the endowment of a fearless, courageous spirit. Such eminence, it is safe to declare, belongs to Captain George H. Bradbury.

Soon after this exploit he took command of the "Colorado," which was the first American vessel to enlist in trade with Japan. It was an event of no little interest to both countries, particularly as one belonged to an empire hitherto barred to advancement by prejudice and the restrictions of centuries. The com- mander of the steamship which should first carry the ensign of the American flag had to be chosen with great delicacy and discrimina- tion. The choice fell upon Captain Bradbury ; and, as the commander of the "Colorado," he sailed away to the Orient, and had the honor of being Plenipotentiary, representing the com- mercial interests of the American republic to the refined and intelligent Japanese people.

This notable event in an already notable career was followed by an election to the Presidency of the Pacific Mail Steamship Com- pany ; but in less than a year he resigned, and was elected President of the Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company, of which Mrs.

Bradbury was the originator. He then went to Liverpool and, after a period of two months, to London, making a stay in that city of six months, in the interests of the company, during this period chartering three steamers of the White Star line. His connection with the company continued three years, while he worked in its behalf, and succeeded in putting it on a substantial moneyed basis. On ac- count of ill health he was obliged to resign the cares connected with the position, how- ever, and, although he carried on a quiet bro- kerage business in New York for two years, was obliged to give up the sterner activities of life. After a visit to his native State he journeyed to Southern California, and in that sunny clime passed from earthly scenes in the year 1892.

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Brad- bury has made her home at Mount Morris the greater portion of the time. She has had ad- vantages which do not fall to the common lot, having accompanied her husband on most of his sea travels. She has twice been around the world, has crossed the Atlantic a number of times, and has visited the principal coun- tries of the world. On one notable occasion, when at Rio Janeiro, Brazil, she and her hus- band had the honor of being the guests at a luncheon given by that very interesting per- sonage whom America not many years since delighted to honor, and whose untimely death the American people joined in lamenting -- the most excellent Dom Pedro, late Emperor of Brazil.

It was a privilege such as does not fall to the lot of many women to share in so many of her husband's honorable enterprises and achievements; but it must also be remembered that Mrs. Bradbury had to undergo the mani- fold hardships and dangers which characterized so many of his undertakings- the perils by storm and wave, the restrictions incident to sea life, the separation from kindred, friends, and the varied attractions which belong to a life on land. These should not be overlooked. As the cheerful companion of her husband on his numerous voyages and the sharer of all his perplexities and anxieties, Mrs. Bradbury de- serves a portion of her husband's glory, and

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the respect which is due to one who by her presence assisted her husband to accomplish the exceptionally hazardous undertakings of his career.

R ICHARD W. KENNEDY, of Dans- ville, who is a well-known and very successful nurseryman, doing a large and lucrative business, is a native of Ireland, and was born July 25, 1858. Both his father Thomas and his grandfather William were also natives of the Emerald Isle, and were farmers. William Kennedy left his na- tive land, and, crossing the ocean, settled in Canada. He purchased a farm, and resided there the rest of his life. He reared three sons and five daughters, of whom two sons and four daughters are still living.

Thomas Kennedy, the father of Richard W., received a fair education, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. After his marriage, which was solemnized when he was about thirty-three years old, he came to America, ac- companied by his wife and three children. They landed at New York, and thence pro- ceeded directly to Dansville, where he com- menced work in the nursery business for O. B. Maxwell, continuing with him several years. Hle then entered the employ of Sweet & Morey, in the same business, remaining with them a considerable length of time. In 1876 he began business for himself on a very small scale by planting two acres of trees upon ground situated at the foot of Van Canthor Street. He succeeded in this venture, and added to his original plant, later taking in his sons as partners. His business increased rapidly, and he attained a well-earned compe- tence. At the time of his decease, March 27, 1894, the firm, which was known as Thomas Kennedy & Sons, had under cultivation from sixty to seventy acres of trees. Mr. Kennedy was a prominent member of the Episcopal church, and a Republican in politics. The maiden name of his wife was Ann Moore. She is a native of Ireland, and a daughter of Richard Moore, a farmer and collector of rents. She has reared four children - Richard W., James M., Mary J., and Eliza A. She is still

living, and occupies a beautiful residence on the main street of Dansville, one of her daugh- ters making her home with her. They are members of the Episcopal church.

Richard W. Kennedy was but four years old when his parents came to America. He re- ceived his education in the district schools and at Dansville Seminary, and assisted his father in the nursery until 1880, when he became a partner. His brother entered the firm in 1882, and they are now carrying on the largest and most extensive nursery business in this part of the State. Their specialty is fruit- trees; and the business which the father started upon two acres now embraces from sixty to seventy acres, with an average crop of three hundred thousand trees per annum, which is certainly a most gratifying result for such a small commencement.

On the 31st of August, 1892, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Moore, a daughter of John Moore, of Mayville, Chautauqua County, an extensive grape grower. Mrs. Kennedy is one of seven children. She is the mother of one child, Richard W., Jr. Mr. Kennedy is a member of Maccabee Lodge, and of the Protectus Fire Company. He was foreman of this company three years, and has also been Assistant Chief Engineer of the entire department. Although a Republican in politics, he has served as Village Trustee, which plainly shows the high degree of confi- dence bestowed upon him by all, as the village is Democratic. Both he and his wife are members of St. Peter's Church, of which he is a Vestryman and also Clerk.

Mr. Kennedy is one of the most highly re- spected young men in Dansville, and a busi- ness man of wide reputation. He is an honor to his ancestors and the community in which he lives.

B URLEY SMITH, a well-known busi- ness man of the village of Attica, N. Y., was born in Manchester, Mass., December 29, 1843. His father, Augustus W. Smith, was a native of the same town, born April 6, 1806; and his grandfather, Major Burley Smith, was born at

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Tamworth, N. H., about the year 1782, of Scotch and Irish descent. He was a man of wealth, and aside from his farming interests was extensively engaged in fisheries, owning several vessels which were employed in that industry. He was an officer in the War of 1812. . The maiden name of his wife was Mary Proctor; and they reared two sons and two daughters, all of whom became heads of fam- ilies except one daughter, and lived to an ad- vanced age. Major Smith died in 1857, at the age of seventy-five years.

Augustus W. Smith followed the sea in his younger days, and later became a land owner and lumber dealer in Manchester. In 1849 he freighted a schooner with materials sawed and fitted for the erection of small houses, in which he made a voyage to California, going around Cape Horn. Captain Smith arrived in San Francisco with his cargo; but the venture proved unprofitable, and he opened a hotel in that city, which he conducted until it was de- stroyed in the great fire of 1851, and he then worked at mining for a year, and in 1853 re- turned East. He died in Manchester, Mass., January 6, 1881, leaving a widow, two sons, and three daughters, of whom Burley, named for his grandfather, is the youngest. The others are as follows: Mary P. Stevens, of At- tica; Harriet, wife of David B. Kimball, an attorney at Salem, Mass. ; Lydia Lee Smith, . of Manchester, Mass. ; and Augustus A., of Attica.

Captain Augustus W. Smith's landed estate at Manchester-by-the-Sea increased in value until it made him one of the wealthiest men in his locality. It may be truthfully said of him that he was both morally and physically strong, being a man of large stature and of unimpeach- able character and positive convictions. He was of the Orthodox Congregational faith, and freely gave a good share of his worldly goods to the poor and needy. He never aspired to prominence in public affairs, but served as one of the Selectmen of Manchester. His death, following a long, painful illness, was a wel- come release; and his entire family, though scattered, were all able to be present at his last moments. He and his wife lived over fifty years in wedlock, and her parents fifty-

seven years, while her grandparents lived fifty- six years as man and wife, which is indeed a rare record for three generations.

Burley Smith, after attending the public school in Manchester, remained at home until twenty-two years of age, and then went to Can- ada, where he engaged in the oil business. In the spring of 1866 he and his brother Augustus assumed charge of the New York Central freight office in Attica, also becoming express agents, and doing a large business in forward- ing produce to New York City. In 1869 Mr. Smith became engaged in railroad contracting in the West, returning to Attica three years later.

On January 4, 1870, he was united in mar- riage to Mary Caroline Shepard, daughter of the Hon. James G. and Mary (Cogswell) Shep- ard, her mother being the daughter of William and Mary A. (Dudley) Cogswell, early settlers at Pittsford, N. Y., and her grandfather having been an officer in the War of 1812. James G. Shepard was born in New London, N. H., in 1816, son of Ebenezer Shepard, a native of the same place, who followed agricultural pursuits and died in an adjoining town, about the year 1849. James G. Shepard's mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Burpee, bore eleven children, two daughters and nine sons, all of whom are dead except James G. and his brother, George Shepard, of Franklin, N. H. In 1868 Mr. Shepard was a Presidential elec- tor. After marriage in 1844, Mr. James G. Shepard and wife went to Nashville, Tenn., where Mr. Shepard became proprietor and editor of the Nashville Cuion; and in that city their one daughter was born in the year 1845. In 1850 Mr. Shepard went to Cali- fornia, and engaged in mining for about two years, after which he returned East, as he went West, by way of the Isthmus. He then pur- chased a farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres in the town of Alexander, upon which he resided for thirty-five years. He now lives at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Smith, in At- tica. Mr. Shepard has been a life-long Demo- crat, a strong factor in the party, and a political power through his pen and his speeches upon the stump, though a defeated candidate for Congress.

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Mr. and Mrs. Burley Smith have four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters - Florence, a graduate of Houghton Seminary, at Clinton, N. Y., and now the wife of J. H. Rudd; Eliza- beth Bartol Smith, a graduate of Temple Grove Seminary in 1893; Burley Smith, Jr., a student at Exeter Academy ; and James Au- gustus, a youth of fourteen years. Mr. Smith is a Democrat in politics, and a Master Mason. The family are pleasantly situated at their beautiful home on East Avenue, the fine, large brick residence having been erected by him in 1874.

ATHANIEL DANN, an experienced farmer of East Avon, N. Y., a man of means and of good repute, was born at Mendon, N. Y., October 7, 1832, has resided in Avon for nearly half a century, and during this period has always lived on the old homestead, which was bought by his father in 1848. He is of English descent, his grandfather having been a native of what we Americans fittingly call the "Mother Country "; for, although Old England has not always manifested the greatest possible friend- ship for the child which has long outgrown the need of her care, there is no use in trying to disguise the fact that it was to England that the birth of this nation was due.

Grandsir Dann, or, to be more exact, Grandsir John Dann, came to America at a comparatively early age, and settled in Dutch- ess County, New York, where he passed the rest of his days. The son of his who was to be the father of the subject of our sketch was named Floyd, and was born a few years after John Dann had taken up his residence in Dutchess County. Floyd got his education in the district schools of that region, and having grown to manhood was by occupation a farmer. He owned a farm of two hundred and thirty-seven acres, located in Mendon, and remained on it until sixteen years after the birth of his son Nathaniel, his youngest child, when he sold out and removed to Avon, where he bought a farm of two hundred and twenty-four acres, and six years later built a house.

He married Miss Mary Brown, of New Jer- sey, and reared five children, of whom the first-born was named Elizabeth, the second Malvina M., the third Sarah, the fourth Brad- ley, and the fifth Nathaniel. They had an- other son, Underhill, who died in infancy.

Nathaniel Dann was educated at the district schools of Mendon, at Lima Seminary, and at Henrietta. He has always given his atten- tion exclusively to farming; and, whether it be because "practice makes perfect " or be- cause Mr. Dann has exceptional ability for tilling the soil, it is an undeniable fact that he has been and is a very successful farmer, one who never "trusts to luck," but is guided by long experience and close observation, and believes in following defined methods, and not being influenced one way or the other by every "new fad " that may come up. He be- lieves that farming is a trade, just as clearly as blacksmithing or carpentering or any other occupation requiring the skilful use of tools is, the main difference being that the farmer has to find a market for what he produces, while the average mechanic simply has to pro- duce, without bothering about where the market is to be found. When his father died, Mr. Nathaniel Dann bought the interest of his brothers in the homestead farm, and has since made it his residence.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 42

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

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