Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 49

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 49
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 49

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In 1871 Mr. Wright was united in marriage

to Miss Mary Kesner, a daughter of George Kesner, of Canada. She was one of four chil- dren. One child, a daughter, Ida E. Wright, was born of this marriage. She is now Mrs. William W. Wolcott. Her husband, who belongs to one of the most prominent families in this section, is a merchant in Pike. Mr. Wright is a member of the Knights of Macca- bees, of which he has been Commander four terms, and is now Record Keeper of Pike Tent. He has been for the past twelve years County Committee, and has been delegate to various political conventions. Mr. Wright's foreign travels have resulted in making him quite a linguist, for he speaks German and Spanish fluently. He teaches the former sometimes, having acquired a good knowledge of the grammar while attending the college at Berlin, Germany. He also has a good deal of native talent, both artistic and mechanical. Both he and his wife are conscientious mem- bers of the Baptist church.

OHN C. WITT, a member of the county Board of Supervisors, repre- senting the town of Mount Morris, is a man of versatile talents, wise and thoroughly honest in his business transac- tions, and possessing excellent financial abil- ity. During the past quarter of a century he has been closely connected with the agricult- ural interests of Mount Morris, and has con- tributed his quota toward bringing about the present high standing of this town among the magnificent farming regions of Livingston County. A native of the Empire State, Mr. Witt was born in the town of Schenevus, Ot- sego County, February 28, 1835, and is a son of Samuel Witt, who was born and bred amid the picturesque scenery of New Hampshire's hills.

Isaac Witt, the paternal grandfather, was likewise a native of the Granite State, where the earlier portion of his life was passed. Lured by the attractive prices of the lands that had then been thrown upon the market in the eastern section of New York, he migrated with his family to Otsego County, locating in the town of Maryland, in the midst of the

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primeval forest. Buying a tract of wooded land, he put forth his best energies toward clearing and improving a homestead from the wilderness, and with the help of his sons suc- ceeded in his efforts, and remained a citizen of that place until his death.

Samuel Witt was reared to an agricultural life, and until the time of his marriage as- sisted his father on the farm. Removing then to the town of Worcester, in Otsego County, he bought a hotel, which he managed profit- ably and pleasingly, remaining proprietor and manager of the tavern, as it was then desig- nated, until the end of his earthly life, which had continued for nearly eighty years. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Caryl, was a native of Vermont and a daughter of Isaac Caryl, who was born in the same State. Mr. Caryl was a farmer by birth and occupa- tion, and, becoming a pioneer settler of Rich- mondville, Schoharie County, N.Y., was numbered among its most enterprising and active citizens.

sont ofenJohn C. Witt was educated in the schools perIcy of Worcester and Richmondville, and for more than a year after attaining his majority remained an inmate of his parents' home. He began the battle of life for himself as a clerk in a general store, acquiring such a knowledge of the business in a year that he then entered upon a mercantile career, open- ing a store in West Richmondville and sub- sequently one in Richmondville, and for seven years was a successful merchant of Schoharie County. He abandoned that business, how- ever, to take charge of a hotel in the village of Richmondville, where he remained for eighteen months. In 1863 Mr. Witt made his appearance in Livingston County, and in the town of Nunda bought a hotel, which six weeks later he sold at an advance. Removing to Angelica, in Allegany County, he pur- chased another hotel, which he carried on for wwwa short time before selling. Soon after a sign, bearing the name of John C. Witt, was seen swinging across the entrance of a boot and shoe store in Dansville, Livingston County; and for a time he was again a mer- chant, meeting with the same success that had fi been his in his previous mercantile experi-

ence. Another removal, and Mr. Witt was again engaged in the hotel business in Nunda, being the proprietor of one of the best public houses there for some six months. The fol- lowing year he engaged in general merchan- dising in Nunda, but not quite content sold his stock, and renting his building bought a farm in the town of Portage, but before he had moved there sold it, and purchased a livery stable in Nunda.

Six months later Mr. Witt traded his stable and stock for a farm in Portage; and in the course of another six months that property had been sold, and he was the owner of a good farm located in Canaseraga, on which was an improved water-power and flouring-mill. But, ever ready to seize every opportunity of financial benefit, he disposed of the mill and farm after a year's ownership, and invested the proceeds in an interest in a Nunda mill and Nunda real estate. On the latter Mr. Witt built two houses, and opening a drug store continued in business there for a year. Selling out his store and trading a part of his real estate for a farm in Portage, in the spring of 1878 Mr. Witt removed to that town; and six weeks later exchanged his Portage prop- erty for the farm he now owns and occupies in Mount Morris. He at the same time pur- chased a boot and shoe store in the village of Mount Morris, and carried this on for a year or so, then sold it, and has since devoted his entire attention to his agricultural and stock- raising interests. He makes a specialty of raising a superior grade of horses, the Ham- bletonians being his favorite breed. A por- tion of his valuable farm lies within the limits of the village of Mount Morris; and on it there are commodious buildings, the resi- dence being pleasantly situated on a rise of ground overlooking the surrounding country, and commanding an extensive view. Besides the home farm, Mr. Witt is the owner of other valuable and desirable property, having a fifty-acre farm on the Genesee Flats and two farms in Nunda, one containing fifty-seven acres and the other two hundred and thirty- seven acres. He also has a half-interest in eighty-five and one-half acres about a mile from Mount Morris.

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Mr. Witt has been twice married. His first wife, formerly Catherine Moak, of Schoharie County, died during their residence in Can- aseraga, in 1872, leaving no issue. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Miss Helen Baylor, a native of Mount Morris; and to them one child has been born, a son, named Caryl. Politically, Mr. Witt is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Democratic party ; and his services in the management of town and county are recognized by his fellow- men, who in 1894 elected him to the position he now occupies on the county Board of Su- pervisors. Socially, he is a prominent and influential member of Genesee River Valley Lodge, No. 129, Ancient Order of United Workmen.

ILLIAM H. HARTMAN, one of the later generation of agricultu- rists of Livingston County, native and to the manner born, who form an impor- tant element in the maintenance of its pros- perity, and who are helping greatly to extend its wealth, is a resident of Dansville, where he is actively engaged as a farmer and nur- seryman. He was born near his present place of residence, September 30, 1851, and is a son of the late William Hartman, who also was born in Dansville, his birth taking place in 1820. John Hartman, the paternal grand- father, was a native of Pennsylvania, but when a young man came to York State, set- tling in this county, and becoming one of the earliest pioneers of Dansville. He ably as- sisted in developing the agricultural resources of this section of Livingston County, and here spent the remainder of his life.

The father of William H. Hartman was one of a family of seven children, being the third in order of birth. He assisted his father on the old home farm until twenty-five years old, and then took a part of the homestead prop- erty, upon which he engaged in mixed hus- bandry until his death, at the age of threescore and ten years. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Catherine Driesbach, a native of Sparta, where her father, Henry Driesbach, carried on general farming. Three children

were born of their marriage; namely, William H., Lydia M., and Emma C. The latter is the wife of Fred Noyes, a well-known lawyer of Dansville. The mother is still living on the old homestead, and is a regular attendant of the Lutheran church, wherein her husband formerly worshipped.

William H. Hartman, the subject of this brief biographical sketch, was educated at the district school and Dansville Seminary, ac- quiring a substantial knowledge of the various branches of study, and after leaving school turned his attention to the pursuit of agricult- ure. He remained on the paternal homestead until thirty years of age, and then moved to his present farm, which was formerly a por- tion of his father's estate, and comprises three hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land. Here he is profitably engaged in gen- eral farming, in connection carrying on an extensive nursery. The spacious house which he occupies is of brick, and was erected in 1827. In 1893 Mr. Hartman repaired and refitted the dwelling, sparing neither pains nor expense in remodelling and furnishing it, and is now the owner of one of the finest and most comfortable country seats in the county.

In 1881 Mr. Hartman was united in mar- riage with Miss Ella C. Green, the wedding ceremony being performed at the home of the bride's father, Calvin Green, in West Sparta. This felicitous union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Herbert G., who is the life of the household. Mr. Hartman, who wor- thily represents one of the oldest and most honored families of the county, is a true, courteous gentleman, considerate and genial in his intercourse with others and a general favorite among his associates. In his politi- cal views he coincides with the principles of the Democratic party, and religiously is an attendant, with his family, of the Presbyte- rian church.

J OSEPH W. PRATT, a well-known farmer and stock buyer of Gainesville, Wyoming County, was born in the neighboring village of Wyoming, in the same county, March 17, 1827, and came

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to Gainesville at the age of two years. His father, Ira F. Pratt, a native of Vermont, was the son of Jonathan Pratt, a Revolutionary soldier, who followed agricultural pursuits through life in the above-named State. Grandfather Pratt reared a family of seven children - Collins, William, Betsey, Electa, Ira F., Arial, and Joseph W., all now de- ceased. William Pratt was a practising phy- sician at Eden, Erie County, N. Y., for many years and a member of the Assembly for one or more terms.

Ira F., the fifth child, early left the New England homestead, and having received a practical education began work as a clerk in Wyoming County, and later established him- self at Gainesville, where he conducted business for upward of forty years, at the expiration of which time he sold and retired to private life. He passed his declining years in Gainesville, and died here at the age of eighty-nine years. He was a Democrat in politics previous to 1856, when he voted for General Fremont; and afterward he always voted the Republican ticket. He was a very temperate man; and, although most men of his day used liquor more or less, he rarely, if ever, indulged in stimulants. He owned and operated an ashery for many years. He represented the town as Supervisor many years ago, when it was a part of Genesee County.

The maiden name of his wife was Phoebe Locke. She was born at Genoa, Cayuga County, daughter of Josiah Locke, a farmer of that town, who, however, spent his closing years at Covington. He had several children. Mrs. Ira F. Pratt became the mother of nine, three of whom are still living, namely: Jo- seph W .; Collins W., of Buffalo; and Eveline C., who married Henry R. Buck, now deceased, of Rochester. Phoebe Pratt, now deceased, married Daniel Post, of Attica. Melvin A. Pratt went to California in 1858, and died there. Martha died at the age of two years. Harriet E., Mrs. Major W. Hollister, is also deceased. One of the brothers, Lyman F., remained with their father in business until the latter's retirement, after which he went to Nebraska, where he conducted mer-

cantile business, and died in 1889, at the age of sixty years; his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Bates, and who was a native of At- tica, died in 1870, leaving a son and daugh- ter, Edwin and Maud, the former a merchant and county surveyor of Burt County, Neb. The other sister, Jane Pratt, married Law- rence Flint, a blacksmith of Churchville, Monroe County, N. Y., and died in 1882, leaving one son, a painter, employed in the reaper works at Batavia. The mother spent her declining years at the home of her. son, Joseph W., and died at the age of eighty-four years. She was a Methodist. Her husband attended the Universalist church.

Joseph W. Pratt received his education at the district schools, after which he went to Franklinville, where he remained one year. Coming home ready for the work of life, he assisted his father in the store and upon the farm until reaching the age of twenty-one, at which time he married, and settled down on a farm which he purchased in Gainesville. Be- sides tilling the soil, he engaged in buying stock, which he shipped to New York. He later sold that farm, and purchased another near Silver Springs. He continued to deal extensively in live stock until the year 1889, when he was appointed Postmaster at Silver Springs, in which position he remained five years, and in 1894 retired from active business.

In 1847 Mr. Pratt was united in marriage to Miss Jane Post, of Gainesville, daughter of Christopher Post, one of the early settlers of the town. The family were from Cayuga County; and Mrs. Pratt was one of ten chil- dren, all of whom attained their majority and became heads of families. Her parents reached the advanced age of eighty-six years, and died in Gainesville within two months of each other.

Mr. and Mrs. Pratt had three children - Ira F., William B., and Effie M. Ira F. Pratt, named for his grandfather, was formerly in the firm of Higgins & Co., of Olean, is now Poor Master of that place. William B. Pratt, in business at Minnesota, married Jennie Burt, of Batavia, N. Y., and has three chil- dren - Hattie, Joseph B., and Susan M.

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Effie M. Pratt married T. F. Hitchcock, a telegraph operator and agent at the junction of the Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad in Silver Springs, who was instantly killed while operating at his instrument, at the age of twenty-five years. He had been employed by the company for eight years. In April, 1871, Mrs. Jane Pratt died, at the age of forty-four years. She was a lady possessed of many rare qualities and a member of the Congregational church at Gainesville.

Mr. Pratt was made a Mason at Portage, and later became a member of Castile Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and was Collector of the town in 1864 and again about 1869. He was Supervisor in 1883-84-85 and again in 1892, also re-elected in 1893. He is an attendant of the Methodist church.

Mr. Joseph W. Pratt belongs to one of the oldest and best-known families in Gaines- ville, and both his father and himself have done much to forward its interests.

Mr. Pratt has been a resident of Gainesville since about 1830, and with the exception of about two years spent in Covington and one year in Franklinville has resided here all his life. Since the death of his wife, his daugh- ter, Mrs. Hitchcock, has presided over his household. She manifests great interest in biographical literature and the preservation of family history.

NOS A. NASH, a worthy and influen- tial citizen of Portage, Livingston County, N. Y., and a soldier in the late war, was born in the above town, Sep- tember 4, 1845. His father, Enos H. Nash, was a native of the State of Connecticut, as was also his grandfather, Alfred Nash. The latter served in the War of 1812. About the year 1818 with his family he removed to Western New York, making the long jour- ney by wagon, and was one of the early pio- neers of this section of the State, the country then being in its primeval condition. He first settled in Rochester, where he purchased a strip of land, but soon sold this, and moved to Portage (then Nunda, Allegany County),

being one of the earliest settlers there. He took up two hundred acres of wild land, which he cleared, dwelling in a log house for sev- eral years. Although a shoemaker by trade, Mr. Nash entered into the laborious work of bringing new land, covered with virgin forest, into a state of cultivation. Such a task was anything but casy, and the toil and hardships necessary to accomplish the desired object were extremely severe; for, even after under- going the trials and disadvantages of clearing and cultivating the land, he was obliged to haul his grain to Rochester, where it sold for fifty cents per bushel. However, the sturdy New Englander meant to succeed, and in spite of many drawbacks was eventually suc- cessful in his determination, toiling dili- gently and steadily until the farm yielded handsomely, and prosperity crowned his labors. Mr. Nash remained upon this farm until his decease. He married Elizabeth Hoyt, of Connecticut; and they reared a family of nine children.

Enos HI. Nash, father of the subject of this sketch, was educated at the district schools. He became a tanner and currier, and com- menced business in that part of Portage known as Hunt's Hollow, there continuing for several years, and then returned to the farm, where he spent the remainder of his days. He married Elanora B. Stockwell, of Vermont, and reared three children - John A., Adelia E., and Enos A.

Enos A. Nash received the first rudiments of his education in the district schools of Portage, and then took an advanced course at Nunda Academy. At the breaking out of the Civil War, being young and active, and pos- sessing a patriotic nature, he determined to assist in the defence of the Union, and twice enlisted without his father's knowledge, Mr. Nash being obliged upon each occasion to prove to the authorities that his son was under age, in order to procure his release. Young Nash was persistent in his desire, however, and on reaching the age of eighteen again en- rolled himself, this time with the paternal consent, and became a private in the Fourth New York Heavy Artillery, which was at- tached to General Grant's command. He

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took part in the various engagements in which his regiment participated, and was made a prisoner of war, passing through an uncomfortable experience of four months in the famous Belle Isle and Libby Prisons, but was fortunate enough to be exchanged. He received an honorable discharge, and was mustered out with his company on the 18th of October, 1865, and returned home.

After completing his education, he was united in marriage with Miss S. Augusta Williams, a daughter of Solomon and Cather- ine ( Averill) Williams; and they are the par- ents of two children - Arthur J. and Albert B. Mr. Nash has a civil as well as a military record, having been elected Supervisor for a fourth term, and has been Collector and for the past eight years Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Grand Army of the Republic, being a comrade of Hall Post, No. 343, of Hunt. He has always been a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for General Grant in 1868. In his religious views he is a Presbyterian, being connected with that church.

Mr. Nash enjoys the reputation of being an intelligent, able, and patriotic citizen, and a trustworthy and honorable gentleman, one who is ever devoted to the interests of the community.

OHN A. DONNAN, an enterprising farmer of the town of Leicester, a son of David and Jane (Milroy) Donnan, was born in the town of York, April 2, 1849. His grandfather was a Scotch farmer, who spent his last days in the town of Gal- way, Saratoga County. He left a large and flourishing family, among whom was David Donnan, father of the subject of our sketch. He was distinguished as being the seventh son of his parents. He was also a man of excellent common sense, and reared his chil- dren to habits of industry. His wife, Jane Milroy, was a native of Scotland, but came to America with her parents when she was very young. She was reared in Livingston County, and died in 1857, leaving two chil-

dren - John, the subject of this sketch, and Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of Alexander McPherson, and now lives in LeRoy, Genesee County.

David Donnan's early education trained him to sobriety and frugality. In the course of time he bought a tract of land in the town of York, after which he made a trade for another farm in the same town. He subse- quently changed this farm for two hundred acres in Leicester, Livingston County. He was, in fact, so successful in adding to his landed estate from time to time that at his death, in 1890, he left five hundred and six- teen productive and well-improved acres. He lived not for worldly gains alone, but left a record of a life "hid with Christ in God." In the Presbyterian church at Cuylerville he was an Elder, and his wife was a member of the same society.

John A. Donnan attended the district school and Temple Hill Academy. After he had attained his majority, he worked his father's farm on shares, and at that gentle- man's decease succeeded to the ownership of one of the choicest estates in the county. At the age of twenty-six he became a happy benedict. The marriage took place February 24, 1875; and the bride was Agnes E. Shan- non, a native of Covington, Wyoming County, New York. They have two children - Edith Grace and Dwight David.

Frank Shannon, the father of Mrs. Donnan, was born in the north of Ireland, and was left fatherless when very young. At the age of eight he came to the United States with a friend, and went to Wyoming County, where he still lives, engaged in farming. His wife, who is now deceased, was Eliza Morrow. She was a life-long resident of Wyoming County.

EREMIAH H. VINCENT is now liv- ing in the village of Pike, N. Y., prac- tically retired from active labors, but still oversees his five-hundred-acre farm, one mile distant. He was born in Herkimer County, December 29, 1820, and was five years old when his parents removed to Chautauqua County, where his father, who

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went in advance of the family, took up a large tract of land. Wolves howled about the door of the little log cabin in the lonely woods; and the wife must indeed have been a brave woman, for here she was left alone with her young children to protect when her hus- band joined the army in 1812. The parents of Jeremiah Vincent were Sampson and Rhoda (Smith) Vincent, and of the fourteen children born to them eleven lived to maturity. Six sons are still living - James; Jeremiah ; Dresser, a physician; Walker; William; and Stephen. Mrs. Vincent, who was left a widow, married a second husband, Chester E. Eastman, and spent the last years of her life in Michigan.

Jeremiah H. Vincent left home at twenty- one years of age. Having been accustomed since childhood to farm life, and having, be- sides, an unusual amount of energy, he deter- mined to try his fortunes in a different neighborhood. So, finding a party of people making ready to go to Pike, he offered his services as driver of their teams, and in this way journeyed hither in 1842. He soon se- cured employment on the farm of Mr. Moses Smith at eleven dollars per month. At this time Mr. Smith, as executor, had charge of the estate of Judge Thomas Dole, then re- cently deceased. During the tedious period of its settlement the entire management of the Dole farm fell to Mr. Vincent, who proved himself competent to conduct its affairs quite successfully. A few years later a daughter of Judge Dole became the wife of the young farmer, who finally became the pos- sessor of the estate upon which he now worked as a "hired hand." Mr. Vincent purchased a tract of five hundred acres of land under a mortgage, which, by dint of an industry and perseverance rarely equalled, he eventually raised, making payment from time to time, until not a cent of debt remained. Here he resided until 1873, when he moved into the village, where he purchased a house and lot. In 1879 was built, under the personal super- vision of himself and his wife, the beautiful residence in which he now lives. Notwith- standing the fact that he has many things to interest him in his village home, Mr. Vincent

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 49

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

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