Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 6

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 6
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 6

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AVID McNAIR, a well - known farmer, and one of Dansville's most respected citizens, has been identi- fied with the agricultural interests of this section of Livingston County for nearly fourscore years, his birth having occurred on a farm adjoining the one he now occupies, November 13, 1818. He traces his ancestry back for more than two hundred years to one

John McNair, who was born in 1690 in the north of Ireland, presumably of Scotch antecedents, and was the first of the name to put foot on American soil. He emigrated to the United States, and settled in Pennsyl- vania, spending his last years in Northamp- ton County. His son John, the grandfather of David, who was born in Bucks County, Penn- sylvania, was bred and married in Northampton County. In 1804 he migrated to Livingston County with his family, being one of the original settlers of the place. This part of the country was then an almost unbroken forest ; and, having the choice of the land, he bought such a large tract that he subse- quently settled upon each of his children, the five sons and two daughters, a farm in this vicinity.

Samuel McNair, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Northampton County, Pennsylvania. In 1804 he came with his father to Livingston County; and, having built a log house on the tract of land which his father gave him, he returned next season, and was married July 2, 1805, to Margaret Mann, of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. They came immediately to their new home, and here lived together nearly fifty-three years. By death they were but a few months separated, he dying at the age of fourscore and four years and she at seventy-five years of age. Of their ten chil- dren three are still living, namely: Isaac, aged eighty-seven years, he and his wife, two years older, having travelled life's pathway together for sixty-four years; James, a resi- dent of Michigan; and David, of Dansville. The deceased were M. E., who died at the age of thirteen years; Martha Jane, who married William Pratt; Charles W .; Will- iam; John; Samuel; and Sarah D., who married William K. Mann. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian church, and ever active in religious works.

David McNair spent his earlier years on the home farm, obtaining a substantial education in the public schools, and was for a while engaged in teaching. At the time of his marriage he took possession of the farm which he now occupies, consisting of three hundred

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

acres of the finest farming land to be found in this part of the State, and has since made a study of the best methods of carrying on his chosen vocation, his place being one of the most valuable and best-improved of any in the county.

Mr. McNair was married in 1855 to Miss Alice McNair, a daughter of Samuel McNair, a farmer of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who, though bearing the same name as him- self, belonged to a different family. Samuel McNair removed from Pennsylvania to this place, and spent his last years in the home of his daughter, dying at the venerable age of eighty-three. Several children have been born into the household of Mr. and Mrs. McNair, of whom we chronicle the following : Samuel E., a farmer, married Hattie Perine, the daughter of James B. Perine, of West Sparta; Charles F .; Martha; Eugene; and Albert Dewey. Charles F. and his cousin, C. W. McNair, are together carrying on a substantial wholesale and retail nursery busi- ness, which was established in 1874 by Frederic, who was then a youth of sixteen years, having been born March 20, 1858. Eugene, who assists in the management of the home farm, was born July 23, 1863, and after his graduation from the Geneseo Nor- mal School, went to Montana, where he assisted in surveying the route of the Montana Central Railway, after that being employed for a year on the Northern Pacific Railroad. He was united in marriage May 2, 1894, to Miss Emma Tenney, a daughter of Silas W. Tenney.

In his political views Mr. McNair was an ardent supporter of the Whig party; but on the abandonment of that party he identified himself with the Republican party, being one of the founders of this organization, and, having cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison, has never since missed a Presidential election. He is very active in religious circles and an influential mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, having rep- resented the church in the Presbytery, and in 1893 had the honor of being sent to Wash- ington, D.C., as a delegate to the National Conference.

ILLIAM J. PALMER, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Perry, Wyoming County, was born August 9, 1827, son of Alton and Har- riet (Beardsley) Palmer and grandson of Jared and Mary Palmer. The grandfather was a farmer in Connecticut; and, when but forty- five years of age, he was killed by a falling tree. His death occurred June 20, 1812; and his wife lived until February 14, 1838, when she passed away in her sixty-fourth year, leaving five children - Lockwood, Alton, Maria, Sally, and Eunice.

Alton Palmer, the second son of Jared, was born in Connecticut in 1801. His wife, Harriet Beardsley, was born at Oxford, Conn., April 8, 1803, daughter of Jared and Betsey (Bennett) Beardsley, her father being a farmer and innkeeper. She was one of twelve children - Polly, Alma, Harriet, Clark, Bruant, Walter, Amy, Jared, Edwin, Betsey, Lockwood, and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Alton Palmer had five children: William, the subject of this sketch; Mary, who married Mark Pierce, and died at the age of thirty, leaving three children; Harriet A., who mar- ried David Andrus, and died at the age of forty-five, leaving four children; Martha J., who married David Andrus; and Jared, who died in infancy. Mrs. Palmer was a member of the Baptist church. Alton Palmer was a Mason and an honest, upright man.

William J. Palmer adopted the life of a farmer. He bought one hundred and thirty- two acres of improved land west of Silver Lake, and after remodelling the buildings sold the estate, and bought one of one hun- dred and seventy-six acres, which under his skilful management yields excellent harvests, and on which he has erected new buildings, which greatly increase the beauty of the place as well as enhance its value. This estate is located on the west side of Silver Lake, in the town of Castile, and is a most charming spot, well meriting the care and attention be- stowed upon it by its owner. In 1890 Mr. Palmer bought a lot of land on Lake Street, Perry, where he built a large and beautiful residence, which is considered one of the finest in the town. He is also the owner of

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

another farm of one hundred and thirteen acres in Castile; and this, as well as the first-mentioned farm, is devoted mostly to the cultivation of grain.

In 1854 Mr. Palmer married Marilla Toan, daughter of Thomas and Betsey (Harvey) Toan. A sketch of Thomas Toan may be found in connection with that of C. H. Toan. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have four chil- dren, three daughters and one son: Nellie Palmer is a musician, and lives in Perry ; Augustus Palmer married Viola Markham, has one child, Marion, and lives on the old home- stead; Augusta is an artist of exceptional talent, whose work in crayon, water color, and oil is well known; Lillie married Willard L. Chapin, a farmer in the town of Castile.

Mr. William J. Palmer is a Democrat and a firm supporter of his party. He is occupied extensively in sheep and cattle raising, his fine grade of stock having a wide reputation. An energetic and worthy citizen, he merits and enjoys the good will and esteem of his townsmen.

EVI BROCKWAY is one of the much respected citizens of the town of Springwater, a farmer, residing on his well-cultivated estate about two miles from the village. He was born in Ot- sego County, April 9, 1816, and was named for his father, who was a native of Litchfield County, Connecticut. The elder Levi left his birthplace at an early day; and, travelling over the border to Rensselaer County, New York, near to Albany County, in that health- ful as well as attractive locality, now the resort of the tourist and the worn toiler of the town, he spent his boyhood and youth.

In 1798 Levi Brockway, Sr., married, and proceeded farther west to Otsego County. He purchased a tract of land there, cleared the forest growth, erected farm buildings, and in time gathered about himself and family the accompaniments of civilization. But in 1828, the spirit of enterprise coursing once more through his veins, he gathered his household goods together, loaded the wagons, and with his family set out on the journey

toward a new home. At length they reached Springwater, in Livingston County, where they found themselves in the neighborhood of lakes and flowing streams and a country of fertility well worth the task which was to follow of preparation and tillage. The labo- rious process of felling the forests and clearing the land went on as before. Buildings were erected, fences to mark boundary lines and separate fields and pasture lands were set up, gardens and grain-fields sown and kept in a proper state of cultivation; and then, when so much was at length done, Mr. Brockway found that he was an old man. But he had lived to see the result of his energetic toil, and died in his chosen home in Springwater in the year 1863, aged eighty-seven years.

In reviewing the life of Mr. Brockway, one can but admire the pluck and courage which dominated his whole career, and, in compari- son with the shrinking from sinewy labor so characteristic of the youth of the present time, chronicle here words of respect and praise for one who set so worthy an example. Mr. Brockway's wife, mother of the present Levi, was Miss Hannah Marvin, a daughter of Abraham Marvin, a successful farmer of Rensselaer County. They had a family of four children - Aurelia, Lovina, Lucy, and Levi, the latter being the only one now living. Mrs. Hannah Brockway, who had sustained a very important part in all the hard- ships and trials of their career as pioneers in Otsego County, died in the pleasant home she had had a share in creating, at the age of forty-nine years. She was a member of the Methodist church.

Levi Brockway, son of Levi and Hannah (Marvin) Brockway, passed his early years in his father's home, growing up under the happy influences of farm and country life. Four years he spent on the farm of his brother- in-law; then, accompanying his father, he came in 1832 to what is now the pleasant town of Springwater. He assisted his father in all the arduous work of felling the trees, clearing the land of stumps and stones, drain- ing the marshy portions, and making paths and driveways. In 1849 he purchased a part of the homestead property; and, beginning

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

at first in a log cabin, as the early settlers had done, he was able in the year 1863 to take possession of his attractive and com- modious new house. Mr. Brockway followed general agriculture till within the past three years, when he gave up the active cares of the place to his son, and lives a retired and quiet life. llis farm at one time com- prised one hundred and seventy acres, all under cultivation, and requiring a vast amount of personal care and supervision.

Mr. Brockway was married in 1840 to Miss Julia A. Root, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Root, her father being a well-known farmer of this town. They have had four children : Zalida (deceased), who married James Hudson, a farmer of Springwater; Edgar, who married Eveline Hicks; Hannah, who married Ezra Willis; and Zaide, whose husband was John Salter. Zalida's children were three: Gertrude, who married Dexter Price, and has one child, named Charley; Charley, who married Miss Carrie Colgrove; and Zaide, who married William Conderman. Edgar's children are Juliette and Ruth. Hannah has one child, named Gertrude; and the child of Mrs. Zaide Salter is named Jessie. Mrs. Brockway died at her home, January 22, 1895, on her birthday, aged just seventy-seven years. She was a devoted member of the Christian church.

Mr. Levi Brockway is one of the oldest men now living in Springwater, having also been a resident in the town with his family longer than any other. After the labors of the past he has now settled down to enjoy a green old age, surrounded by his three mar- ried children, three grandchildren, also mar- ried, and one great-grandchild. Mr. Brockway is a man of fine intelligence for one who has depended only on what learning the district school gave him in his youth. He has done much to build up and advance the interests of the town, and deserves, as he now receives, the universal respect of his fellow-townsmen. In politics he is a Democrat, though formerly a Republican. He is a member of the Christian church, where he has been Trustee and on the Finance Committee. He is also a member of the Building Committee,

LARENCE M. SMITH, Cashier of the Citizens' Bank of Perry, Wyo- ming County, N. Y., was born in this village, September 25, 1860, son of Marvin and Miranda ( Millspaugh) Smith. His grandfather, Septimus Smith, who was a native of Connecticut, went to Rockland County, Vermont, where he spent some time, and learned the carpenter's trade. He mar- ried Clarissa, daughter of C. Goodspeed, a prominent farmer of Vermont; and after their marriage they removed in 1817 to Perry, Wyoming County, N. Y., where he continued his trade during the remainder of his life, dying when but forty-four years of age, leav- ing a widow and nine children; namely, Caroline, Adeline, Mark D., Luther, George, Marvin, Eli, Fanny, and Sylvia. Mrs. Clarissa Goodspeed Smith lived to be sev- enty-nine years of age.

Marvin, the third son of Septimus, was born in Perry, September 21, 1824. After receiving his education in his native town, he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed during his life, his death occurring in his sixty-fourth year. Miranda Mills- paugh, his wife, was born in Perry, November 22, 1834, daughter of Jeremiah B. and Susan (Ayers) Millspaugh. Her paternal grand- parents were Benjamin J. Millspaugh, a shoe- maker of Newburgh, N. Y., whose paternal ancestors came from Germany, and his wife, Susanna Kimbark Millspaugh, who was of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin J. Millspaugh had nine children - Ephraim, Mary, Jeremiah B., Nathaniel, Cornelius, Andrew, Margaret, Nancy, and Seers. Jere- miah B. on his arrival at Perry bought a farm, which he afterward sold, and during the remainder of his life followed the trade of mason. His death occurred when he was seventy-three years of age, while his wife lived to be eighty-eight, both having been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for fifty years. Their four children were: Jane, Nathaniel, Chester, and Miranda. Marvin and Miranda (Millspaugh) Smith had four children, Clarence M. being the sec- ond. The other son, Charles W., born August 15, 1859, married Hattie Dugan,

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

is an electrician at Perry, and has two chil- dren. Addie Smith, born March 6, 1862, married Lester Bootsford, a merchant in Mos- cow, N. Y., and is the mother of one child. Hattie D., born February 22, 1864, married Charles Toan, Superintendent of the Silver Lake Ice Company, and lives in Perry.

After receiving an education at Perry Academy, and when but sixteen years of age, Clarence M. Smith began mercantile life as a clerk in the store of F. O. Bullard. A course of study at the Eastman Business Col- lege in Poughkeepsie prepared him for the duties of book-keeper; and he again entered the employ of Mr. Bullard in that capacity. Five years later he was engaged as book- keeper and assistant in the dry-goods store of M. C. Williams & Co. at Perry ; and not long after he accepted the position of teller in Smiths Bank at Perry, where he remained for six years. During this time he also kept the books for the Perry Knitting Company and for M. H. Olin. On March 12, 1888, in company with several of the leading resi- dents of Perry, he started the Citizens' Bank, accepting in the new institution the position of Cashier, which he has conscientiously and ably filled.

In 1885 Mr. Smith married Helen A. Williams, daughter of Moses C. and Helen A. (Bullard) Williams. Mr. Williams was a very successful merchant of Perry. At his death, when sixty years of age, he left a wife and five children - Fred C., Helen A., Oliver, Charles, and Frank. He was a mem- ber of Consolation Lodge, No. 407, A. F. & A. M., of Perry, and was a stanch Republi- can. His wife and four sons now reside in Buffalo, N.Y. Mr. Smith has been village Clerk for eight years. He has always taken an active part in the progressive movements of the place, and was among the agitators of the subject of electric lights, which method of lighting was adopted by the village in 1893; and, when a company was formed, Mr. Smith was made its Secretary. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is Treasurer, and is also a member of Con- solation Lodge, No. 404, A. F. & A. M., of Perry.

HARLES JONES, a prominent and influential citizen of Geneseo, Liv- ingston County, is well known throughout Western New York. Ile is the direct descendant of distinguished patriotic ancestry, who in the carly struggle for our national existence, when men's hearts were sorely tried, most efficiently proved their strength and bravery in the defence of that liberty which we are now permitted to enjoy.

Mr. Jones was born in the town of Geneseo, August 15, 1815, and is the son of a no less celebrated hero than the famous Captain Ho- ratio Jones of Revolutionary fame, who was a native of Northumberland County, Pennsyl- vania, and was born in the year 1763. At the age of eighteen Captain Horatio joined a scouting company, which was organized for the protection of the colonists under the command of one Captain Boyd. This company did some good service in the latter part of the Revolutionary War; and Horatio, and most of the command, were captured by the Indians, and taken to Cancadea, where he was forced to undergo the savage ordeal of running the gauntlet. Life was at stake; and young Horatio, being agile and full of nerve, made the best of his slim chance, and successfully passed through the awful trial. After this memorable exploit he was adopted by the tribe, and lived in the family of the Indian corn- planter, who resided at that time near the head waters of the Alleghany River. Here he mas- tered the Indian language, and after the decla- ration of peace returned to Pennsylvania.

Young Jones then provided himself with what little education he could obtain from the somewhat meagre facilities open to him; but he gained what he desired - a thorough knowl- edge of the English language -and then re- turned once more among the Indians. He was appointed interpreter by General Washing- ton, and shortly after settled on the cast bank of the outlet of Seneca Lake, upon a site since occupied by the late Robert Swan. Here he established an Indian trading-post, and bought furs for John Jacob Astor. He remained here a few years, then penetrated into the woods of the Genesee country, and located in what is now the town of Leicester, his being the first

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

white family to locate in what is now Living- ston County. Purchasing a large tract of land, he engaged extensively and successfully in agricultural pursuits. Here he resided for the remainder of his days, and died at the age of sixty-two years. Captain Jones was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Whitmore, by whom he had four sons, two of them losing their lives in the War of 1812. His second wife, and mother of Charles, the subject of this sketch, was Elizabeth Starr, of Cayuga County, New York, who died in 1844, aged sixty-four years. She was the mother of twelve children, the subject of this sketch and one sister, Jane, Mrs. Charles C. FitzHugh, being the only ones now living.

The pioneer schools furnished Charles Jones in his boyhood with the rudiments of his edu- cation, the first one he attended being taught in a log-house. He then studied successively at Temple Hill, Geneseo, and Canandaigua Academies. At the age of twenty years he went to Greece, in Monroe County, to assume charge of some property which his father owned in that place. After two years' resi- dence there he returned to Leicester, and be- came extensively engaged in farming, which he continued to follow until 1869; and in this year he moved to Geneseo, purchasing the residence he now occupies. It is a commodi- ous house, built in a modern style of archi- tecture, beautifully and tastefully furnished. The grounds, which comprise two acres, are laid out in a most picturesque style of landscape gardening, with spacious lawns ornamented with rare plants and shrubbery, together with a great variety of choice fruit-trees.

The Rochester Savings Bank has a large number of mortgages in Western New York ; and Mr. Jones is employed by the bank to look after their interests, assess values, etc., an occupation which takes up a greater part of his time. He is a member of the Board of Con- trol of the Geneva State Experimental Station, and has been for many years a Director, and is at present Vice-President of the Genesee Val- ley National Bank. He was first married in 1845 to Miss Eliza Richmond, of Aurora, Ca- yuga County, who died in 1849. In 1856 he married Miss Sarah Cummings, of New Bed-

ford, Mass., who shared with him life's joys and sorrows nearly forty years. He was again called upon to mourn in domestic sorrow, as she was laid away to rest in January, 1894. Mr. Jones's only daughter died at the age of thirteen years. It is a well-known fact that there is no success like success, and that Mr. Charles Jones has experimentally proved this is apparent by his unclouded prosperity and extended reputation. Although Mr. Jones is nearly eighty years of age, the fourscore limit seems to have no effect upon him whatever, as he is bright and active, both mentally and physically, and carries his years without the least sign of a burden. For a speaking like- ness of this worthy gentleman the reader is referred to another page of the "Review."

As the names of ancestors and direct family connections of Captain Horatio Jones are un- avoidably omitted in the present sketch, we take this opportunity of mentioning that the late George H. Harris, the historian of Rochester, prepared a history of that redoubt- able pioneer, which will soon be published. This will form a most valuable addition to the biographical literature of the State.

D R. JOHN A. CHASE, a dentist of Geneseo, the county seat of Living- ston County, was born in Bloom- field, Ontario County, N. Y., Feb- ruary 16, 1832. His father, Joseph Chase, who was a native of Great Barrington, Mass., was a well-to-do farmer and builder, and also a man of patriotic spirit. It is related of him that during the War of 1812 he set out with a military company from Ontario County to join the United States Army; but on reach- ing Geneseo it was found that the British had succeeded in burning the village of Buffalo, and that their services were not required. The company therefore returned to their homes. The brothers of Joseph Chase were David and Jonathan, of Royal Oak, and Elisha, of Detroit, Mich. Joseph Chase died in Bloomfield at the age of sixty-seven. The grandfather of Dr. Chase, also named Joseph, in early days a resident of Great Barrington, located after a time in East Bloomfield, On-

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

tario County, N. Y., where he carried on the occupation of farming; but later he moved to Royal Oak, Mich., and spent the remainder of his life in that locality.

Joseph Chase, the younger, married Miss Mariam Adams, who was born in Bloomfield, N.Y., in 1799. Her father, John Adams, Jr., and her grandfather, John Adams, were both men of note in the early unsettled days of the country. The grandfather, who was known as Deacon John Adams, came from Great Barrington, Mass., to New York, and was the first white settler in East Bloomfield. He soon became a large land owner; and it is interesting to note that where his primitive log house was located now stands the railroad station, whose cars directly connect with far distant parts of the continent. The township of Bloomfield, Ontario County, now includ- ing Victor, Mendon, West and East Bloom- field, was purchased of Phelps and Gorham by a company from Berkshire County, Massa- chusetts, of which the Adams family were a prominent part. The elder John Adams was blessed with a family of thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, who all grew to maturity, married and settled in the neigh- borhood, and for each of whom he purchased a farm. The sons were: John, William, Abner, Jonathan, and Joseph. His sons-in- law were: Ephraim Rue, Loren Hull, Elijah Rose, Moses Gunn, Lot Rue, John Barnes, Roger Sprague, and Asa Hickox, all of whom moved into this region with their families in 1789. In all his intercourse with the Indians Deacon John Adams was their firm friend. He served as Captain of a company during the Revolutionary War, and passed through this section of the country during his march with the skirmishing expedition.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 6

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

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