Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 7

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 7
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 7

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John Adams, Jr., also served in the Revo- lution; and his grandson, Dr. Chase, recalls the pleasing incident of driving him to Can- andaigua in his old age to receive his pension from the government. He had six children, namely : General William H. Adams, of Lyons; George and Alvin, of Bloomfield; Mariam, Mrs. Joseph Chase; Mrs. Sabra Hop- kins, of Lima; and Mrs. Fannie Redmond, of Lapeer, Mich.

Joseph Chase and his wife brought up three children - William Henry, a farmer in East Bloomfield; Ann, who married Calvin David- son, also a farmer of the same section of the State; and John A., the subject of this sketch. The mother spent her last years in Bloomfield, and died there at the age of sixty- five. She and her husband were members of the Congregational Society in Bloomfield. The church edifice which belonged to it was erected mainly through the devotion and enter- prise of the Adams family. It was the first one in all Western New York, and was built in 1801. The church society was formed Sep- tember 8 and organized November 15, 1795. Its first pastor was the Rev. Zadock Hunn. The first school was taught in Bloomfield by Laura Adams as early as 1794.

John A. Chase lived until he was of age on the farm, attending the district school and the academy in Bloomfield. After leaving school he went West, where he remained about seven months, and then returning home entered upon the study of dentistry with Dr. E. F. Wilson, of East Bloomfield. He began practice for himself in Castile, Wyo- ming County, where he remained about a year, and then coming to Geneseo stayed here four- teen years. He next went to Avon for a few months and from there to Rochester. Two years later he returned to Geneseo, where he has built up a successful practice.

Dr. Chase married in 1865 Miss Jane Hardy, a daughter of Pridgeon Hardy, a well- known farmer of Iowa. She died in Geneseo, August 24, 1893. They had two children, one of whom survived childhood and grew to maturity. Her name is Lillian Ruggles Merriam. She graduated with honor from the State normal school, and taught school in Scottsville. She married Mr. John H. Scofield, an agent of fire insurance; and they reside in the town of Scottsville. They have two sons, named respectively Ezra Chase . and John Adams. A daughter, Louisa

Adams, died carly.

Dr. John A. Chase is a member of the Seventh District Dental Society, of which he has been Vice-President. He was also dele- gate to the first State Dental Convention,

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

which met at Albany in the Assembly Chamber of the State Capitol about the year 1868, at which time was organized the Dental Society of the State of New York. Subsequently the State was divided into eight District Dental Societies, the town of Gene- seo being in the Seventh District. Dr. Chase was a Republican in politics up to the year 1872. Since that time he has been a Democrat. During the War of the Rebell- ion, he placed a substitute at great expense in the army, he being in no way holden, either by draft or otherwise. Dr. Chase is a Presbyterian, as was his wife. While he was a Trustee of the Avon Presbyterian Society, the present elegant church edifice was erected ; and Rev. H. P. V. Bogne, the pres- ent pastor of the Presbyterian church of West Avon, was installed.

RS. ELLEN A. MILLS BROOK- INS, a grand-daughter of General Mills, the first permanent white settler of Mount Morris, Living- ston County, N. Y., is a lineal descendant of Rev. Samuel Mills, one of the earliest mis- sionaries of the Geneseo valley. (A more extended sketch of the Mills family is given with the biography of Dr. Myron H. Mills.)

The father of Mrs. Brookins, Sidney H. Mills, was born in Mount Morris, June 4, 1808. Ilis youth was spent among pioneer scenes, where he early learned to endure the hardships and privation of such a life. In his younger days Indians still lingered near his home; and he became familiar with them, thus being enabled to learn their language and customs. At the time of his marriage he settled on land belonging to his father, occupying it till 1836, when he came up to the farm in the town of Mount Morris where his daughter and her family now reside. When this land was purchased, it was heavily timbered; but by hard work and perseverance he succeeded in clearing it and erecting good buildings. He resided here until his death, at the age of sixty-two. His wife was Julia Angeline Parker, of Milo, Yates County, N. Y. Her grandfather, Ezra Parker, of

early English ancestry, was, as far as is known, a native of Massachusetts. He spent his last days in Michigan, where he died at the age of one hundred years.

Joel Parker, son of Ezra and father of Julia, Mrs. Mills, was born in Berkshire, Mass., but moved from there to Sangerfield, Oneida County, N.Y., accompanied by his wife and one child, making the journey on horseback. A few years later he removed to the town of Milo, Yates County, settling on the bank of the lake, which was his abiding- place for a number of years. He then went to New London, Huron County, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his days. His wife, Polly Benham, was the daughter of James Benham, of Hartford, Conn. She was born in Hartford on the fifteenth day of March, 1776. When she was two years old, her father moved to Dutchess County, New York, where she lived until she was seven years of age. She then went with her father to Oneida County, and there lived until she was married. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Sedgwick, was a cousin of Noah Webster, of dictionary fame. Mariam Webster, Mrs. Brookins's grandmother, mar- ried Mr. Sedgwick for her first husband, Mr. Hopkins for her second, Mr. John Marsh for her third. Mr. Hopkins was killed by the Indians. Julia A. Parker met Mr. Mills at Mount Morris, where she was engaged in teaching school, and married him when she was twenty-one years of age. They had three children, namely: Ellen A., Mrs. Brookins; and two sons, James D. and Harris, both of whom died at the age of twenty-three years. Mrs. Julia A. Parker Mills died April 19, 1881.

Ellen A. Mills was married at the age of twenty-nine to her present husband, James H. Brookins, who was born in South Dans- ville, Steuben County, N. Y., August 8, 1833. His father, Silas M. Brookins, a native of Sharon, Vt., was one of the early pioneer settlers of South Dansville, where he resided a number of years. He thence went to Wis- consin, and securing a tract of government land improved a portion of it, and resided there for some time, but finally removed to

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Chickasaw County, Ia., spending the re- mainder of his life at that place. His wife, Lydia Thornton, was born in Bradford, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Brookins have five children - George W .; Nellie M., who married Andrew N. Swanson, of Hornellsville; Mary; Ed- ward; and Sadie, who is an adopted daughter.

Mr. Brookins was educated to agricultural pursuits, which he has followed most of his life. Since his marriage he has lived at the Mills homestead, successfully engaged in farming. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brookins are greatly esteemed by their many friends in Mount Morris, where they have so long resided.

ILLIAM H. PAINE is a fine repre- sentative of the native-born citi- zens of Livingston County, sons and grandsons of its stalwart pioneers, who are now carrying on the work, which their ances- tors inaugurated, of developing the resources of this portion of our great country.

William D. Paine, the father of the subject of this personal narrative, was born in Herki- mer County, New York, in 1809, and there grew to manhood. In 1830 he emigrated to this section of Livingston County, and pur- chased a homestead, which is now owned by his widow and occupied by his widow and daughter. He was a millwright by trade; and, after getting well settled on his land, he built a saw-mill, and manufactured lumber from the timber cut on his own property and on much of the neighboring land, carrying on a substantial and lucrative business. He

worked with assiduous industry and untiring energy for the accomplishment of his purpose, remaining on his original farm until his de- cease. He became prominent in town affairs, his sterling honesty gaining for him the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen, whom he served as Justice of the Peace, Assessor, and Constable. He married Se- mantha Rice, the daughter of Elijah Rice, who came here from Cattaraugus County in 1826, being one of the pioneer settlers of this locality. Two children were born of their union; namely, Laura L., who lives on the

old homestead with her mother, and the sub- ject of this sketch.

William H. Paine was born at the home of his parents in Nunda on May 25, 1850. He received excellent educational advantages, pursuing his studies at the Nunda Academy after he left the district school. Having a predilection for agricultural pursuits, he engaged therein at an early age, working on the home farm the greater portion of the time until his marriage, which occurred January 27, 1885, when he removed to a farm owned by his father-in-law; and this he has since carried on with ability and success.

The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Paine was Julia E. Hitchcox. She was born in the town of Nunda, being the daughter of Merritt and Sophronia Hitchcox, well-known and valued residents of this place. Inheriting in a marked degree the prudence and practical sagacity of his ancestors, Mr. Paine has in like manner won the esteem and confidence of the community, and is identified with the management of local affairs. In politics he is a true Republican; and his first Presi- dential vote, cast in 1872, was for General U. S. Grant. For three consecutive years he has served with great credit as Supervisor of the town.

RIFFITH JONES, a progressive farmer of the town of Perry, Wy- oming County, N. Y., was born in Wales, May 18, 1832, son of William and Catherine (Jones) Jones. The father was born in Wales in 1800; and, having spent his youth in his native place, when eighteen years of age he came to America, settling in Utica, N. Y. The Erie Canal was at that time in process of construction; and here Mr. Jones found employment for four years, after which he returned to Wales, and occupied himself with agricultural pursuits. In 1838 he again left his native land for America, here also following the occupation of farming. Until 1849 he resided in Oneida County, N. Y., and then removed to the town of Attica, Wyo- ming County. Here he bought one hundred and fifty-nine acres of partially cleared land,

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

built a large house and barns, and became a successful farmer and stock-raiser, also operat- ing a choice dairy. He died at the age of fifty-five years, and his wife passed away when eighty-eight years of age. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and he was a Republican in politics. Their chil- dren, three in number, were as follows: Howell, who married Rowena Smith, and, being killed in a railroad accident at Dale when fifty-seven years of age, left a widow and one child, Mary E .; Griffith, the subject of this sketch; and Mary, who died at the age of four years.

Griffith Jones received a common-school education, after which he bought the old homestead, where he resided until 1873. Having parted with the ancestral place, he moved to Perry, and bought the old Benedict farm, a fine estate embracing one hundred and fifty-one acres, situated in the north- eastern part of the town. In October, 1857, Mr. Jones married Polina S. Smith, who was born in the town of Attica, Wyoming County, March 7, 1835. She is the daughter of Henry and Lydia (Whaley) Smith, the former a native of Otsego County and the latter of Onondaga County.

Henry Smith was born May 8, 1801. His parents were Isaac and Hannah (Hawley) Smith, both of whom were born in Vermont; and his father was a private in the Revolu- tionary War. Henry Smith began the occu- pation of farming in Attica in 1831, remaining there till 1845, when he bought one hundred and eighty-six acres of land in the town of Middlebury, Wyoming County, where he became one of the most progressive farmers of that section. IIe died at the age of sixty-six years, his wife living to be seventy-six years of age. They had a family of fourteen children, who may be thus briefly mentioned : Lovina, born at Dale, April 25, 1823, married Martin Lindsey, and has two children. Orrin, born October 4, 1824, mar- ried Miss L. Whaley, and died August 27, 1884. George W., born March 17, 1826, married Charlotte Peck, and both are now dead. Minerva and Elizabeth died in in- fancy. James M., born February 12, 1831,

married Frances Johnson, and is a farmer in the town of Middlebury, being the father of two children. Harriet S., born April 22, 1833, married Elisha Gay, a farmer in Mid- dlebury, and has six children. Polina S. is the wife of the subject of this biography. Lovica, born February 6, 1837, married C. V. Lindsey, of Attica, and has two chil- dren. Sarah A., born July 3, 1840, married John Jones. Mary R., born July 16, 1842, died June 23, 1845. Simeon S., born October 4, 1844, died January 8, 1845. Francis, born November 3, 1845, married Rose Austin, and has six children. Alice A., born October 24, 1851, married Martin Stortz, and has three children.

Mr. and Mrs. Griffith Jones have two chil- dren : William H., born June 4, 1866, mar- ried Hattie Nichols, and lives at the homestead; Frank M., born February 14, 1871, also lives at home.

Mr. Jones has improved his place, re- modelling the buildings which formerly be- longed to the Benedicts; and he has now one of the best-managed and most profitable farms in the town of Perry. His apple orchards are well known for the excellent quality of fruit which they bear in abundance, and among his live stock are about one hundred fine Merino sheep. Mr. Jones is a Republican in poli- tics, has been Assessor for nine years, and has held other minor offices. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church of Dale. He has shown much zeal for the wel- fare of the community in which he lives, and the energy with which he has carried on im- provements both for his own interest and that of the public has won for him well-deserved success.

B ENJAMIN S. COFFIN, EsQ., of Mount Morris, is a well-known and esteemed native citizen of Living- ston County, and one of its most prosperous farmers. He was born on Septem- ber 3, 1839. He is descended from the Nan- tucket stock, from which is said to have sprung all the Coffin race in America, includ- ing many who have won distinction in various

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

walks in life. Its progenitor in this country was Tristram Coffin, born in Devonshire, England, in 1605, who came to New England in 1642, and settled with his family on the island of Nantucket in 1660. He was com- missioned chief magistrate of Nantucket and Tuckernuckett in 1671.

Peleg Coffin, the father of Benjamin S., was born and grew to maturity in Saratoga County, being the son of a pioneer settler. At the age of twenty-one years he made a trip to this county, and in the town of Mount Morris purchased sixty acres of thickly wooded land, that purchase being included in the farm now owned and occupied by his son. Returning on foot, the same way that he came to Saratoga County, Peleg Coffin married, and in the following spring, 1823, brought his bride to the place he had selected as their future home. Starting with a yoke of oxen and a sled, on which all of their earthly pos- sessions were packed, they journeyed slowly, until the sudden disappearance of the snow, when they had to exchange the sled for a wagon; and the last mile of the way he was forced to cut a road. through the dense forest trees to the home of his brother-in-law, who owned an adjoining tract of land. He remained with the brother-in-law until he had built a log cabin, and then he and his youth- ful wife began housekeeping on their own territory. Rochester, the nearest market and milling-point, was forty miles away, and was reached only after a tedious three days' journey with oxen. From the wilderness in which he settled Peleg Coffin redeemed a good farm, and as the years rolled on con- tinually added to its improvements, erecting in time a good set of frame buildings. Here he spent many years of active industry, living to the age of seventy-one. His wife was Susan Smith, who was born in Galway, Sara- toga County, and died in Mount Morris at the venerable age of eighty-six years. To her and her husband four children were born ; namely, Latham, Walter S., Ruby A., and Benjamin S. Mr. Coffin was a teacher, and was also for several years a zealous and effi- cient local preacher of the Methodist Epis- copal denomination.

Benjamin S. acquired his preliminary education in the district schools; and this was supplemented by an attendance at Gene- see College, in Lima, where, after studying for three years, his attendance was interrupted by the breaking out of the late Rebellion, and he did not receive his diploma until after his return from the scene of the conflict. He taught school for some years both before and after the war. In April, 1861, at the first call for volunteers, inspired by patriotic ardor, he enlisted in defence of his country, and on May 7, 1861, was mustered into ser- vice as a member of Company G, Twenty- seventh New York Volunteer Infantry. The following November he was promoted to be Quartermaster Sergeant of the regiment, and served in that capacity until the expiration of his term of enlistment in June, 1863. Re- turning to his native place, he shortly after settled on the home farm, where he has since resided, and which he has managed success- fully and profitably.

On December 30, 1863, Mr. Coffin was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Smith. They have two children, a daughter, Belle, and a son, George. A third child died in infancy. Mrs. Coffin was born in Canan- daigua, Ontario County, August 29, 1834, being a daughter of Justin Smith, who was born July 22, 1804, presumably in Cayuga County. John Smith, her paternal grand- father, was of German ancestry, and a native of Maryland, whence he emigrated to Cayuga County in this State at an early period of its settlement, and reclaimed a farm from the primeval wilderness. He married Catherine Smith, who bore him several children, among them being Justin, the father of Mrs. Coffin. Justin learned the trade of blacksmith when he was a young man; and after his marriage he removed to Ontario County, where he bought a tract of land about two miles from the village of Canandaigua, remaining there until 1839. Mr. Smith then came to Mount Morris, and, purchasing a farm on the River road, five miles from the village, there carried on mixed industry until his death, June 3, 1879. Ile married Isabelle McFarland, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

March 3, 1805. She was a daughter of George and Mary (Thompson) McFarland, natives of the Keystone State, and of Scotch ancestry. Mrs. Smith preceded her husband to the better land, dying January 14, 1877. She bore her husband six children, of whom the following is a brief mention: Nancy, wife of De Witt Clark, a resident of Eau Claire, Wis .; Catherine; George, deceased; John, a resident of Mount Morris; Justin, de- ceased; and William, a physician in Niles, Mich. John and Justin both served as gal- lant soldiers in the late Civil War, being members of the regiment first known as the One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Vol- unteer Infantry and later as the First New York Dragoons. Mr. Smith was in his early days a Democrat in politics, but was afterward identified with the Republican party. He held many offices of trust and responsibility, and was for many years the County Loan Commissioner. Religiously, both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Coffin is a man of undoubted integrity and the possessor of those sterling qualities of mind and heart which make him an invaluable member of the community. He and his es- timable wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. He has served as Justice of the Peace for twenty-six years, and for a number of years has been pension at- torney, and in the matter of securing pensions for deserving comrades has been eminently successful. Mr. Coffin is a member of the J. E. Lee Post, No. 281, Grand Army of the Republic, and is Past Commander. He is a member of Masonic Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M., and of Mount Morris Chapter, No. 137, R. A. M., and has also served as High Priest for sixteen years. He is also a promi- nent member of the Genesee Valley Lodge, No. 129, American Order of United Work- men, and of the Royal Legion, Select Knights, No. 40. Mr. Coffin likewise be- longs to the Survivors' Association of the Twenty-seventh New York Volunteer In- fantry, of the First New York Veteran Cavalry, and of the Thirty-third New York Volunteer Infantry, having been for two years President of the association, and is at

the present time serving as Secretary and Treasurer. Mr. Coffin is also a member, and was President, of the Livingston County Grand Army of the Republic, and was Presi- dent of the Farmers' Pioneer Association em- bracing the towns of Mount Morris, Nunda, and Portage.

TIRAM F. NICHOLS, M. D., a well- known and successful physician of Wyoming County, whose office is at No. 46 Market Street, Attica, has won a fine reputation for skill, and has built up an extensive practice in Attica and the sur- rounding country. He is a native of this county, Bennington being the place of his birth, and May 25, 1846, the date thereof. His father, Jacob H. Nichols, was born in the town of Attica in September, 1816, being a son of Abijah Nichols, one of the six original settlers of this locality.

Abijah Nichols was born in Brimfield, Mass., in 1776, and was one of the five sons of Malachi Nichols, a fife-long resident of the Bay State. The other sons were: Asher, for many years a practising physician of the town of Portage in this State; Gail; Willis; and Perley. Abijah Nichols married Polly Howe, one of New England's daughters; and the first years of their wedded life were spent in Attica. In 1822 he removed to Orleans County, in order that he might better attend to his duties as one of the sub-contractors of the Erie Canal. After his death, which occurred in 1832, his family returned to Attica, and settled on the hill four miles south of the town, in what was then called Arabia. His widow, who lived to the venerable age of ninety-two years, died in Alexander in 1870. She bore her husband fifteen children, twelve sons and three daugh- ters, of whom but two are now living - A. J. Nichols, an octogenarian; and Jacob H., the Doctor's father. One daughter, Abigail, the widow of John E. Smith, who was killed while in service during the late Rebellion, died in June, 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-two years.

Jacob II. Nichols, a prominent and practical farmer of Bennington, is still actively en-

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gaged in agricultural pursuits, and, although in the seventy-ninth year of his age, cradled grain on his farm the past season. His wife, five years younger, whom he married August 7, 1842, is as strong mentally and physically as most women in the prime of life. They celebrated their golden wedding on Monday, August 8, 1892. Her maiden name was Jane Latimer. She was born in the town of Ben- nington, this county, May 20, 1821, being a daughter of Hezekiah and Obedience (Butler) Latimer, both of whom were natives of Con- necticut. Mrs. Latimer, the Doctor's maternal grandmother, was born September 11, 1787, at the home of her parents, Josiah and Hannah Butler, in Northington, Conn. ; and her mar- riage with Hezekiah Latimer was solemnized December 25, 1808. The following year the young couple emigrated to New York, locating in Bennington, Wyoming County, or, as it was then called, Sheldon, Genesee County. On their way thither their hardships began, the bride being obliged at times to leave the ox wagon and wade through the swamps and morasses with her shoes and stockings in her hands. The humble log cabin which they reared in the wilderness was often menaced by the prowling wolves, the blanket serving for a door being but little protection. In 1812, being obliged to flee from the Indians, they took their only child to Cortland County, where they remained until after the birth of their second child. Mr. Latimer, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, died at an ad- vanced age, April 5, 1865. His widow, sur- viving him, lived until May 6, 1879.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 7

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

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