Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 48

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 48
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 48

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In 1816 Major Carroll and Colonel Fitz- hugh, with their families, arrived here for the purpose of settling, the former locating at Williamsburg. He was very active in poli- tics, and took a leading part in the political campaign which resulted in the election of James Monroe. The President offered him a seat in his cabinet - that of Secretary of State; but, as he had taken such an active

part in the campaign, the Major was afraid he would be considered an office-seeker, and upon that ground refused. He was afterward ap- pointed Receiver of Public Moneys for the Territory of Missouri, which then comprised all the country lying west of Louisiana. He accepted this appointment, and went there with his family, travelling overland the entire distance. He remained there two years, and then returned to the Genesee valley where he lived in retirement until his decease. The maiden name of Major Carroll's wife was Anne Sprigg. She was a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Lee) Sprigg, of Cedar Grove, Harper's Ferry, which is said to have been a very beautiful place. Mrs. Carroll reared eight children.

The Hon. Charles H. Carroll, the subject of this sketch, received a liberal education. He inherited a large tract of land in Living- ston County, and erected a most beautiful resi- dence a short distance from the village of Mount Morris, known as the Hermitage. He was active in political affairs, supporting the Whig party, and was an ardent admirer of Henry Clay. He married Miss Alida Van Rensselaer, of Utica, N. Y., daughter of Jere- miah and Sybil (Kane) Van Rensselaer, and a direct descendant of Killian Van Rensse- laer, a wealthy pearl and diamond merchant of Holland, who in 1630 bought a large estate, including the present counties of Albany, Columbia, and Rensselaer, New York, and named Rensselaerswick. He was the first Patroon; and his eldest son, Johannes, the second. Both of them spent their lives in Holland. The first of the family in this country was Jan Baptist, the second son of Killian, who came over a few years after his father's death, which occurred at Amsterdam in 1644, as director of the colony, representing Johannes. The grandfather of Mrs. Carroll was the Revolutionary soldier, General Robert Van Rensselaer. Mrs. Carroll reared three daughters, and died in 1832. Cornelia mar- ried Edward P. Fuller, and resides in Grand Rapids, Mich. ; Adelina died in 1860; and Anna E. is the widow of the late William Fitzhugh, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Fitzhugh and her children

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are the only lineal descendants of the Hon. Charles H. Carroll now residing in this county. She occupies the beautiful estate, situated a short distance from the village of Mount Morris, known as Hampton. The record of this family is one of which the people of Livingston County may justly feel proud.

B YRON A. NEVINS, one of the pro- gressive farmers and business men of Perry, N. Y., was born upon the farm he now owns and occupies, December 25, 1848. He is a son of Dr. Jacob and Eveline (Strong) Nevins, grandson of John and Hepsibah (Hubbard) Nevins and great- grandson of David and Louisa (Patch) Nevins, who came from Scotland to America about 1730, and lived for a time at Bedford, Mass. After revisiting their native country, they settled in Hollis, N.H., but later removed to Plymouth in that State, where they died, leaving four children - John, Margaret, Louis, and David. In 1812 John Nevins moved to Danville, Vt., where he was a farmer and shoemaker. His six children were: David, who married Caroline Bowers; Sally, wife of John Wilson; Louise, wife of Paul D. Phillips; Jacob, who married Esther Steel, and after her death in early life mar- ried for his second wife, January 17, 1848, Eveline Strong; Hepsibah, who died at the age of sixteen; and Judith, wife of Ira True. The grandparents died in Perry at the resi- dence of their son, both having attained a ripe old age. Their children have all passed away.

Dr. Jacob Nevins was born January 13, 1788, at Plymouth, N. II. He was educated at St. Johnsbury, Vt., and studied medicine with Dr. Jewett. He practised in Vermont until 1815, when he came on horseback to the town of Perry, which was at that time very thinly inhabited, only a few Eastern families having settled there. Being favorably im- pressed with the new country, he began searching for a suitable place to locate; and, while riding one day from Perry to Perry Centre, he stopped to speak with Pettie

Bebee, who was engaged in making maple sugar. The latter, being dissatisfied with his new home, readily made a trade with the Doctor, to whom he sold his fifty acres of land for five hundred dollars, and returned East, while the new possessor proceeded to erect a house. Dr. Nevins sent for his par- ents, who lived and died there, as above men- tioned. He cleared and improved his farm, erected a substantial residence and other buildings, and became one of the most noted physicians in the county. He practised over a broad section, and later built a drug store and office near his residence, which still stands. Dr. Nevins died September 28, 1860. He had three children - David; Byron, the subject of this sketch; and Walter B., who was born in 1851, and died at the age of ten years.

Dr. Nevins was a great admirer of horses, and had bred many fine animals. He specu- lated successfully in real estate, and was also an extensive dealer in cattle, taking these in payment for medical fees, in order to make payment more easy for the early settlers. He was always ready to assist his neighbors in distress. In politics he was a strong Demo- crat. His wife was a member of the Presby- terian church, and he himself was very liberal in religious views.

Byron A., the Doctor's second son, was educated at Perry Academy and at the Rochester Business College. He entered the book and paper business in Perry, the firm being known as Wygart & Nevins. Selling his interest at the end of one year, his father having died, he took possession of the old homestead, which consists of two hundred and fifty acres. November 9, 1870, Mr. Nevins was united in marriage to Maria, daughter of George and Jemima (Keaton) Johnson, who were both born in England. They came to America, and settled on a farm in Castile, and reared two children. Emma, born January 10, 1847, married George W. Grieves, and has three children -- William, George, and John ; Maria, Mrs. Nevins, was born July 10, 1849. Mr. Johnson was a Republican, and both him- self and wife are members of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Byron A. Nevins have

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three children - Walter, born May 5, 1875 ; Mark J., born September 24, 1877; and Lawrence B., born June 15, 1888.

Mr. Nevins is one of the largest sheep dealers in the country, having wintered as many as seven hundred head; and he also breeds cattle, horses, and hogs. He raises large quantities of beans, wheat, and potatoes, and is in every way a model farmer. He is a very active politician, being a stanch Repub- lican, and has been Highway Commissioner and Supervisor five years. He is very liberal in his religious views, and always charitable and kind-hearted in disposition. He is a member of Consolation Lodge, No. 404, A. F. & A. M., of Perry, and a Director of the Citizens' Bank. He is also Secretary and Trustee of the Perry Knitting Mills, in which he is a stockholder.

OHN R. MCINTYRE was born in York, Livingston County, January 7, 1830. His grandfather, also John R. McIntyre, was a native of Scotland, and was one of the carly pioneer settlers of Caledonia, purchasing three hundred acres of wild land in a part of the town which is now the north-western section of York. The for- est growth had to be cut away to clear a space for the humble log home, which was built to shelter his wife and family. Nine weeks and three days were consumed in the voyage to America; and the first place of residence was Johnstown, N. Y. From that point the jour- ney to Livingston County was made by ox teams, by which rough mode of conveyance he brought his wife and seven children to their new home. The remainder of his life was spent in York, where he died in 1851. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, as was almost any leal Scotsman in those days.

The father of John R. McIntyre, of whom we write, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland; and, being but a child when his father emi- grated to America, his meagre education was acquired during the short period of residence in Johnstown. As he grew up he worked about the farm, of which he afterward became a joint possessor with his brother, buying out

the other heirs. His wife was Isabella Gillis, a daughter of D. Archibald Gillis, an old Scotch settler; and they reared a family of eight children - Helen, Joseph, Daniel, Je- mima, Mary, John R., Catherine, and Archi- bald. The father was fifty-six when he died; and his widow survived him some years, being seventy-eight at the time of her death.

John R. McIntyre, of this sketch, was the eldest child in the parental family, and was educated in the district schools of York. His natural liking for farm life has, perhaps, been one of the elements of his success. At the age of thirty-one years he became the posses- sor of the property he now owns, which is a part of the original estate. He married Miss Grace A. Hamilton, of York; and of this union there are the following-named children : Jeanette, Helen Kate, and P. Roy. Both husband and wife are in the communion of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McIntyre cast his first Presidential vote for John P. Hale in 1852, and has been a Republican since the formation of the party.

ILLIAM T. SPENNIG, the well- known and highly successful dry- goods merchant of Dansville and President of the Merchants' and Farmers' Bank, is a native of Saratoga County, New York, and was born on the 20th of September, 1820. His father, William Spennig, was born in New Jersey, and being left fatherless at the tender age of five years was bound out by the administrators of his father's estate, and as soon as able learned the trade of wagon-maker, working at that calling until his marriage. He then removed to Cayuga County, New York, purchased a farm, and upon it resided for seven years. He then sold, and moved to West Sparta, Livingston County, where he purchased another farm, and after conducting it for a time again changed his residence, having traded his farm in the last-named town for one in Mount Morris. He, however, made his home in the village, and died there at the age of seventy-five. He was a member of the Presbyterian church of West Sparta, but later of the Methodist

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church at Mount Morris. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Hayes. She was a na- tive of Saratoga County. They were the par- ents of nine children, as follows: Elizabeth, William T., Phoebe, John, Mary, Harriet, Marcia, Daniel, and Ansel. Of these the only survivors are William T., Ansel, and Harriet. Mrs. Mary Hayes Spennig was a member of the Presbyterian church at Mount Morris. She passed her declining years in that town, dying at the age of eighty-six.

William T. Spennig received his education at the district schools and at Nunda Acad- emy. He remained with his father, assisting him upon the farm, until reaching the age of twenty-eight, and then engaged in business in Kyserville for a time, then moved his stock of goods to Dansville, where he engaged in business for himself, remaining here three years, at the expiration of which time he re- turned to Kyserville, and embarked in the dry- goods business, continuing in it for five years. Disposing of this, he returned to Dansville, and entered the grocery business, which he conducted until 1861, when, disposing of his interest, he returned to the dry-goods busi- ness, this time as a clerk, and remained on a salary for twelve years. In 1876 he opened the present large establishment, under the firm name of Spennig, Uhl & Co., and has successfully conducted the same to the pres- ent time. The firm has the largest and most extensive establishment of the kind in Dans- ville, and carries the heaviest stock of dry goods and notions in Livingston County. Mr. Spennig is also the oldest merchant in town.

January 13, 1848, Mr. Spennig married Sarah Walker, a daughter of Ephraim Walker, a farmer of West Sparta, and one of the early settlers of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Spennig have one son, William A., who attended the public schools of Dansville, and completed his education by a two years' course at Pike Seminary. When Mr. Spennig established his present business, he gave his son an inter- est in the same; and he has proved himself an able and worthy assistant to his father. Mr. Spennig is also interested in various financial institutions. He was the principal mover

in the organization of the Merchants' and Farmers' National Bank of Dansville, and was its first President; and it is through his care- ful foresight that this institution enjoys its present enviable reputation of being one of the soundest financial concerns in the county. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and takes a great interest in the welfare of the lodge.

Too much cannot be said of Mr. Spennig, either socially or in a business way. In the latter he is always consulted by those need- ing advice, and is ever ready to render his valuable assistance. His rare judgment and long and varied experience in mercantile affairs enable him to quickly discern the right solution of any and all questions laid before him; and his opinion is relied upon as being sound and generally correct.

Mr. Spennig is Republican in politics, and was formerly a Whig, having cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay. He is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church, having been an Elder for more than twenty years, and was superintendent of the Sunday- school for several years. He has every rea- son to look upon his success with pride, for it is the result of pure and honorable business methods. He resides quietly, enjoying the many comforts of his beautiful home, and is beloved and respected by his fellow-townsmen.

APTAIN SAMUEL CULBERTSON, a well-to-do farmer residing in the town of Groveland, Livingston County, N. Y., and a veteran of the Civil War, was born August 30, 1837. His father, Samuel Craig Culbertson, was also a native of Groveland, and was born in 1799. His grandfather, Andrew Culbertson, was a native of Pennsylvania, as was also his great- grandfather, who fought in the Revolutionary War, and was killed by Indians in 1777. (For a more complete history of the family see "The Genealogy of the Culbertson Fam- ily," published by Dr. Lewis Culbertson, of Janesville, Ohio.)

Andrew Culbertson was one of the first set- tlers in Groveland, coming here when it was

SAMUEL CULBERTSON.

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a part of Ontario County and an almost un- broken wilderness. He cleared and improved a farm, upon which he resided until his de- cease. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Craig, was also a native of Pennsyl- vania. Their son, Samuel Craig Culbertson, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and fol- lowed that occupation through life. He died in 1857. The maiden name of his wife was Nancy Johnson, and she is still living at the age of eighty-nine years. She reared nine children, as follows: John; Frank; Margaret ; Samuel, the subject of this sketch; Eliza- beth; Michael; Nancy ; Matilda; and Edward.

Samuel Culbertson obtained his primary education in the district schools, and entered the State normal school at Albany for an ad- vanced course, but unfortunately was obliged on account of ill health to relinquish his studies before graduating. He was engaged in farming until September, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment, New York Volunteer In- fantry. He served in that regiment for one year, and was then transferred to the First New York Dragoons, with which he served until August, 1864, when he was compelled to resign from physical disability. He was mustered into the service as a Second Lieu- tenant, but for gallant and meritorious con- duct was promoted to be First Lieutenant and then to be Captain. His regiment was con- stantly engaged in active service; and Cap- tain Culbertson was a participant in the following battles: Franklin, Manassas Plains, Culpeper, Charlotteville, Todd's Tavern, Squirrel Bridge, Beaver Dam, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge, Mechanicsville, Hawes Shop, Old Church, and the two days' fight at Cold Harbor. After his retirement from the army Captain Culbertson, as soon as able, resumed farming, and in 1865 settled upon the farm he now owns and occupies. It is well improved, comprising one hundred and ninety-eight acres, and is one of the most beautifully sit- uated and sightly estates in the Genesce valley.

In 1866 Captain Samuel Culbertson married Sarah R. H. Johnston, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and daughter of James M. Johnston.

They have had four children, three of whom are now living - Margaret B., Samuel C., and James J. Robert M., the second child, died at the age of three years. The gallant Captain is a comrade of Curtis Post, No. 392, Grand Army of the Republic; and both him- self and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In Captain Culbertson the towns- people of Groveland have a fellow-citizen of whom they may well be proud - a patriotic, high-minded, generous-hearted gentleman, de- serving in every way of the high respect and esteem in which he is held by the entire community.

The portrait to be found in close proximity to the present sketch is an unmistakable like- ness of the true "son of liberty," whose shoulder straps were bravely won

" in the strife For country, for freedom. for honor, for life."

DELBERT LELAND THOMSON, an extensive farmer and fruit grower of Avon, is a native and a life-long resident of the town, and occupies the old homestead that has been in possession of the Thomson family for several genera- tions. He was born in 1841, his natal day being December 26. His father, Leland S. Thomson, first saw the light of day on the 2Ist of December, 1809, his native place being Peru, Berkshire County, Mass., which was also the birthplace of the grandfather of our subject, Simeon Thomson.

It is believed that the great-grandfather, Daniel Thomson, was also born in the old Bay State. It is known that he was a resi- dent of Holliston, Mass., for many years, that he was engaged in farming there, and that he gave up farming and everything else to take an active part in the struggle for free- dom. He took part in the battle of Bunker Hill; and among the most valued possessions of his great-grandson, Adelbert I .. Thomson, are the powder-horn and the bullet mould which were used by his heroic ancestor. The copper moulds will run nine balls, ranging in weight from half an ounce to an ounce. There is no knowing, of course, how many

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balls were run in it all together; but it is safe to assume that those which were run were used carefully, for lead, as well as powder, was scarce. Daniel Thomson spent his last days in Peru, Mass. Ilis son Simeon spent his entire life there, and was a farmer by occu- pation. The maiden name of his wife was Sybilla Leland. She was born in Holliston, Mass., and was a daughter of Daniel and Sybilla (Eames) Leland. (For full infor- mation concerning this old and interesting family, see the " Leland Magazine, or Genea- logical Record of Henry Leland and his De- scendants," published by Sherman Leland.)

The father of our subject, Leland S. Thom- son, was but five years of age when his father died, and continued to live with his mother, attending school until he was fourteen years old, when he came to Livingston County, New York, to live with his elder brother at East Avon. At that time there were neither railroads nor canals, and no markets nearer than Rochester for the residents of this sec- tion. He made the entire journey alone and by stage. Some years later he returned to Pittsfield to visit friends, and when on the way back to Avon was fortunate enough to secure a ticket for a ride on the first train of cars drawn by steam that ever was run in New York State. This line was from Albany to Schenectady. After marrying he resided for a time in Monroe County, and then bought a farm of James Wadsworth in school district No. 3, East Avon. There was a log house on it at the time, and in it the subject of this sketch was born.

The maiden name of the wife of Leland S. Thomson was Mary Wilber. She was a na- tive of the Empire State, and her parents were Jeptha and Catherine (Cookingham) Wilber. Two children were born to her - Merrill and Adelbert L. Merrill is a resi- dent of Eaton County, Michigan. He mar- ried Jane Shreaves, and has two sons - Henry L. and Earl, the former of whom is an exten- sive farmer in Michigan. Mrs. Mary Wilber Thomson departed this life on Christmas morning, 1890. She was a devoted Christian and a member of the First Presbyterian Church at East Avon.

Adelbert Leland Thomson attended the dis- triet schools and the Genesee Wesleyan Semi- nary at Lima, N. Y. He has always been a farmer and fruit grower, and now owns the Jeptha Wilber farm of one hundred and ninety acres, and also the old homestead of one hun- dred and sixty acres. He resides on the Jeptha Wilber farm, and occupies a spacious frame house; and his father lives with him, for Leland S. Thomson, though having at- tained the great age of eighty-five, is still hale and hearty, in full possession of his faculties, and as well able to take care of him- self at this writing as he was in 1893, when all alone he attended the World's Fair, there seeing the train on which over sixty years ago he travelled to Western New York.

Adelbert L. Thomson was married in May, 1880, to Miss Adelaide Stover, of Point Pleas- ant, Bucks County, Pa., and has four chil- dren - Mary, Ella, Leland S., and Adelbert. Mr. Thomson is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife of the Baptist. Now, in the very prime of life, at the head of a united and happy family, the owner of spacious and valuable farm property, and following a busi- ness in which he has had a life-long training, and which he understands thoroughly in every detail, Mr. Thomson has what many would consider a most enviable lot; but it is one the duties of which he fully appreciates, and is most careful and conscientious in the per- formance of them.

FORGE WRIGHT, a barber and cigar merchant in Pike, Wyoming County, whose life has been full of various experiences and interesting incidents, was born in Baltimore, Md., October 14, 1840. His grandfather, George J. Wright, was a Scotchman, who settled in Maryland, where he worked a farm and owned an oyster sloop.

His son John, who was born on the west- ern shore of Maryland, remained with him until he was eighteen years old, when he went to Baltimore, and secured employment in Cooper's ship yard, where at length he became a foreman. In carrying a piece of heavy tim- ber he received an injury from which he died

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at forty-eight years of age. He married Miss Eva Reitz, a daughter of Henry Reitz, who for thirty years was a Justice of the Peace of Baltimore, where his daughter was born. Mrs. Wright was one of nine children, all of whom she has outlived. To John and Eva Wright three children were born - George, of whom this is a sketch; Kate, who married, and is now Mrs. Stoker; John, a cigar manu- facturer in Atlantic City. Mrs. Wright has for many years been a resident of Egg Harbor City, N.J.

At the early age of thirteen George Wright went to sea as cabin boy on board the "Indus," which ran between Baltimore and Rio Janeiro in the coffee trade. After three years of service on the "Indus " he was such a good seaman that he easily found positions on other vessels, and rose to the place of sec- ond mate by the time he was nineteen years old. Until 1861 he followed a seafaring life, travelling far and seeing all the most notable ports of the world. In this year, 1861, he enlisted as a recruit in Philadelphia ; but, instead of entering active service, he was sent to a hospital in West Philadelphia, where he did duty as nurse and ward master. After his discharge from the hospital he came to Buffalo, and sailed the Lakes until 1871, when his health became so impaired that he had to give up the old roving, hardy life and became what sailors call a "landlubber "; and thus he gradually drifted into mercantile life. In Buffalo he opened a general store on Elk Street, and established also a barber's shop. In 1872 he became Harbor Master for that city; but two years later he moved to Pike, where he opened a barber shop and gentlemen's furnishing store, and is still en- gaged in business at the old stand. In poli- tics Mr. Wright is a loyal Democrat. He was nominated for membership of the Assem- bly of 1888. He has taken the "stump " dur- ing several terms of political excitement, and has made speeches all over Western New York. He was appointed by Comptroller Campbell Excise Inspector of the State of New York, his duty being the inspection of all railroad cars and vessels selling liquors.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 48

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

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