Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 78

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 78
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 78

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property, and took one-half the interest in the Shongo Mills in the town of Willing. He devoted his time to milling for some years, and then returned to Independence, where he resided with his son Columbus until his death, at eighty-five years of age. He was an officer in the State militia, in which he took an active interest. His wife was Miranda Bennett, and she was the mother of thirteen children.

La Fayette Richardson, son of Jonathan and Miranda and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Livonia, and has al- ways followed agricultural pursuits. He now resides in Wellsville, Allegany County, hav- ing reached the age of seventy years. He married Mary Wilson, a native of Indepen- dence and daughter of Calvin and Chloe (Eaton) Wilson. Calvin Wilson was a pio- neer of Independence, and erected the first frame barn constructed in the town, the boards for which were procured at Strong's mill in Andover, and were drawn by team a distance of nine miles. The board nails used were all made by hand, and the shingle nails were paid for with deer skins. Mary Wilson Rich- ardson died in 1856; and her husband married again, his second wife being Maria Graves.

Orville N. Richardson, the subject of this biography, left school in January, 1864, when but sixteen years of age, and enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment, New York Cavalry, in which he served six months, and was then honorably discharged on account of injuries received while in service. After his return from the war he learned the trade of a miller, and this occupation he followed in different localities until 1889. In February of that year he started in the mercantile business in Groveland, in which he is still engaged. He carries a small but well-selected stock of gen- eral merchandise and farm implements, and is a deservedly successful man of business.

Mr. Richardson has been twice married, his first wife, Emma Shafer, having died in 1882. In 1884 he married Loana Snider, of Grove- land, daughter of Henry Snider. Four chil- dren were born of his first marriage, three of whom are still living - Iona, Myrtie, and Florence. Enos, the only son, a promising

young man of twenty-one years, was killed in a railroad accident, June 7, 1894. Mr. Rich- ardson is a Democrat in politics, being a firm supporter of the principles of that party, and is respected as a worthy citizen of the town.

HOMAS W. MITCHELL, an exten- sive landholder and prosperous agri- culturist of Livingston County, is busily employed in the prosecution of his chosen calling on the old Gould homestead, which is situated in the town of Ossian, about four miles west from Dansville. Mr. Mitchell was born in Springwater, which is the south- east corner town of the county, February 5, 1821, being the son of Thomas Mitchell, an early pioneer of this section of the State.

Thomas Mitchell was born in Pennsylvania, and in his youth was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade. The unrest natural to a young man of ambition leading him to seek newer fields of labor, he came to New York, and worked at his trade for a while in Tioga County, whence he removed to Springwater, Livingston County, where he lived until after the birth of some of his children. He next became a resident of Livonia, but finally went back to Pennsylvania, and made his home at the head of Oil Creek, where he departed this life at the age of sixty-seven years. He mar-

ried Annie Van Camp, who bore him eleven children, of whom Thomas W., the youngest, is the only one now living. Mrs. Mitchell lived to be seventy years old. During her childhood Indians were often seen in the neighborhood of her home; and one of her brothers was taken captive by them, but suc- ceeded in making his escape.

Thomas W. Mitchell was quite young when his parents removed to Oil Creek, where he lived until after the death of his father. Being then a sturdy lad of fourteen years, able and willing to work, he came to Ossian, and lived with his brother for a while, assist- ing in farming. He subsequently purchased the farm adjoining the one where he now lives, and engaged in general husbandry there until his marriage, at the age of twenty-one years, with Miss Harriet L. Gould, the

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daughter of William Gould. Her father was the original owner of this valuable tract of land, which he redeemed from its pristine wildness. Mr. Mitchell still retains the ownership of the farm which he first bought, and successfully manages them both. In ad- dition to tilling the soil, Mr. Mitchell has carried on a very profitable lumber business, running two saw-mills night and day much of the time, a good deal of the timber used being cut from his own land.

Mrs. Harriet Gould Mitchell died in 1856, leaving one child, Mary, who at twenty-one years of age passed to the world beyond. Mr. Mitchell subsequently married Mary Gilbert, the daughter of William S. Gilbert, a promi- nent and well-known business man of Li- vonia, where he is extensively engaged in farming, stock dealing, and milling. Three children have been born of this union, two of whom are now living. Mr. Mitchell has ever been useful in his community and ably as- sisted in promoting its agricultural and busi- ness interests. He is a firm advocate of the principles promulgated by the Democratic party, and attends the Presbyterian church.

J OHN BELDEN, a lumber merchant of Attica, Wyoming County, N. Y., was born in Genesee County, January II, 1819, son of Kellogg Belden, who was a native of Connecticut, born in 1785.

Bartholomew Belden, father of Kellogg, moved to Montgomery County, New York, about the year 1800, and died at the age of eighty years, leaving his second wife and three children, two sons and one daughter, Kellogg, Henry, and Elmira. Henry became a physician, practised his profession in Am- sterdam, N. Y., and died in middle life. El- mira was the wife of Seth Carter, a farmer of Darien, Genesee County, and died in the sixties, leaving a large family.

Kellogg Belden went to Michigan in the latter part of his life, and died there in Ber- trand at the age of fifty-three, in 1838; and his wife died in 1848, leaving four sons and one daughter, of whom John Belden is the sole survivor. The parents were industrious

farming people in comfortable circumstances and earnest members of the Methodist church. The mother's grave is in Darien, N. Y.

John Belden was educated in the district schools and at Alexander Seminary. He remained with his parents, assisting in the farm work until reaching the age of twenty- nine years. On December 2, 1850, be mar- ried Miss Mary C. St. John, a daughter of Samuel St. John, of Saratoga Springs. Mr. Belden came to Attica in 1850, and opened a grocery store, later associating himself with James H. Loomis; and in 1857 they estab- lished themselves in the lumber business under the firm name of J. Belden & Co. In 1860 Mr. Belden sold his interest in the grocery ; and, having acquired the firm's lum- ber business, he has since conducted it him- self, continuing at the location of its original establishment on Washington Street. He carries about eighteen thousand dollars' worth of stock, consisting of all kinds of logs and short lumber, which comes mostly from Mich - igan ; and his facilities for handling and pre- serving his stock are unequalled, he having well-built houses and sheds for that purpose.

Mr. and Mrs. Belden have no children. They have resided on Main Street near the Methodist church for the past twenty-five years, and have lived together as husband and wife for more than forty years. Mr. Bel- den is, in politics, a graduate of the old Whig party, has been a Republican since the forma- tion of that party, but has never been an office- seeker. He is an Elder in the Presbyterian church and a teacher in the Sunday-school. He is in every way a worthy, upright citizen, and a man well known for his kindness and benevolence. In short, he bears a good name; and his portrait is well placed in this gallery of representative citizens.

ATTHIAS ROBISON, a prominent member of the agricultural com- munity of the town of Ossian, is a fine representative of the ster- ling men of Livingston County, who, by per- severing industry, wise frugality, and shrewd management, have gradually and steadily

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worked their way upward from a state of pov- erty to one of influence and affluence. He is a native of the Empire State, Ovid, Seneca County, being the place of his birth, and No- vember 10, 1818, the date thereof. He is descended from Revolutionary stock on both the paternal and maternal sides, his grand- father Harrison, who had a brilliant war record, having been severely wounded at the battle of Staten Island, and his grandfather Robison having been a recruiting officer throughout the entire period of the Revolution.

Charles Robison, the father of him of whom we write, was born in New Jersey, and was the son of Jeremiah Robison, who was born and spent the larger part of his life in that State. After his marriage with Susanna Har- rison, who was also a native of New Jersey, Charles Robison settled in the town of Ovid, N. Y., and there carried on farming for a few years. He subsequently removed to Big Flats, where he continued to reside until his death, at the age of forty-six years. His widow survived him, and died at the home of her son Matthias in Ossian, January 4, 1857, aged seventy-five years. She reared seven children, namely: Betsey E., deceased, who married Lyman Washburn; William, deceased ; Margaret, the wife of Daniel Carter; Robert, deceased; Matthias; Mary Ann, deceased, who married Plutarch Clark; and Jeremiah.

Matthias was a little fellow when the death of his father occurred; and he remained under the protection of his mother until nine years old, when he went to live with a neighbor, and attended school. Five years later he began the battle of life for himself, working out by the month at any honorable employ- ment he could find. His wages were scant; but he was prudent in his expenditures, and saved a part of his yearly stipend, so that when he came to Ossian in 1845 he was en- abled to buy a small farm, situated not far from his present home. He cleared off about one hundred acres of his land, placing it under good cultivation, and lived there some sixteen years, when he sold, and purchased the property where he now resides. This in- cludes ninety acres of land, which he has brought to its present excellent condition by

steady application and wise management. Mr. Robison was fortunate in securing as a life companion Miss Harriet Knapp, a daugh- ter of Joel I. Knapp, a leading citizen of Ossian and the descendant of one of its carli- est settlers. The pathway of the wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Robison has been dimmed by the death of their two children, Virginia Alice, the eldest, having passed to the higher life at the age of six years, and Samuel A. when only four years old.

" And the mother gave in tears and pain The flowers she most did love; She knew she should find them all again In the fields of light above.

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Mr. Robison is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, taking an intelligent interest in the public welfare, and has served as Highway Commissioner. Both he and his estimable wife are conscientious members of the Presbyterian church, which he joined thirty-five years ago, and of which he was for many years a Trustee, and is now worthily filling the office of Elder.

ILBER M. BENTLEY, a very able farmer of the town of Sheldon, liv- ing near Johnsonsburg, owning one of the largest and best farms in the county, was born in the town of Orangeville, March 23, 1843. His father, William G. Bentley, was a son of Ezekiel Bentley, who was a na- tive of Vermont, and became an carly settler of Wyoming County, locating at Orangeville Centre in the woods. He had three sons - Johnson, Gardner, and William G. Johnson Bentley settled on a farm of fifty acres. He was an expert hunter and a sure shot with his rifle. Soon after he settled on his farm he killed three deer during one day in the swamp not far away. His table was constantly sup- plied with deer, turkeys, and other game, which he found no difficulty in bringing to the ground upon his own premises.

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William G. Bentley, the youngest son of Ezekiel, was a blacksmith at Orangeville, but in 1846 moved to Williamsville, where he fol- lowed his trade until about the year 1851, when he settled on a farm of sixty-two acres in Sheldon at the top of Dugway Hill. Here he remained for some six years, and then sold out, purchasing a farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres in Orangeville, between Varys- burg and Johnsonsburg. In 1866 he disposed of this farm, and, moving to the village of Varysburg, within six months purchased a farm of three hundred acres in the town of Ben- nington. After residing there for about six years he sold that property, and buying a farm in Johnsonsburg resided there until his death, which occurred November 15, 1878. He left an estate valued at about six thousand dollars. He was an earnest and zealous Methodist ex- horter and later an ordained local preacher.

His wife was Mary Blackmer, of West Moreland, Oneida County, born August 9, 1809, daughter of Zoar and Mary (Smith) Blackmer. Her parents were married in 1808, and came to Orangeville from Oneida County in 1818. Zoar Blackmer was a fair scholar, a teacher, and a great reader. He was a surveyor, and did a great deal of work in that line. He had a family of five chil- dren, four of whom, two sons and two daugh- ters, grew up; and the latter are still living. Mrs. Bentley's sister married Johnson Bent- ley, who died at Sheldon in 1846, from the bite of a hog, while yet in the prime of life. His widow is now residing in Michigan, where she went with her son and daughter in 1 869.

Mrs. Mary Blackmer Bentley still survives her husband, and now lives with her son, Wil- ber M. At eighty-five she is physically vig- orous; and, although she has toiled severely all her life, she has always had perfect health. Four of her seven children are now living, namely: Wilber M., the subject of this sketch; James D., a railroad man at Dans- ville, N.Y .; Charles F., a commission mer- chant of Baltimore, where he has been since 1876; and Julius E., a farmer in the vicinity of Sheldon, who has one son and one daughter. Alvin G., a volunteer in the One Hundred

and Thirtieth New York Infantry, and later First Dragoons, died at Suffolk, Va., of fever, and fills a soldier's grave. He was one of the first volunteers in 1861, enlisting in Captain Knapp's company, which won such fame. He was unmarried and in his twenty-fourth year. William Henry Harrison Bentley died in 1875, at the age of thirty-five. He married Deborah Johnson, of Harvard, Ill., who sur- vives him with one son, Johnson. Hugh D. died one day following the death of his father, leaving a wife, two sons, and one daughter in this State.

Wilber M. Bentley was reared to farm life, and attended the district schools. On Jan- uary 16, 1873, at the age of thirty, he married Miss Abbie Thompson, born at Hudson, Sum- mit County, Ohio, in 1841, the daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Phinney) Thompson, both of whom are now deceased. She has one sis- ter, Mrs. Sarah Sanford, who resides on the home farm near Cleveland, Ohio, where her father died in 1873. Her mother also died very suddenly from an accident in 1875. Mrs. Bentley was educated at a female seminary in her native town, and was a teacher for three years. She is a graduate of the Chautauqua class of 1891.

Mr. Bentley soon after his marriage in 1873 purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, for which he paid eight thousand dol- lars, and began dairying with eighteen cows. He later purchased twenty acres more for one thousand dollars; and that he has not only held his own, but has had such notable suc- cess, is really to be marvelled at when the fact is known that he actually started in life at the age of nineteen years, working out by the month, which he continued to do until his marriage, chopping cord wood at the rate of four or five cords per day, keeping up the record of his father and his uncle Johnson, who were famous choppers in their day. He has always been a very robust man, although he suffered severely from an attack of la grippe in 1890. His principal crops are wheat, corn, beans, potatoes, and hay. He keeps a herd of twenty cows, and sells milk to the creamery. In 1878 he erected his pres- ent fine two-story frame residence, twenty-

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four by thirty feet, with a wing twenty-two by twenty-six feet, with a large wood-house; and moving from the old to the new is the only change he has made since his marriage. Ilis famous barn, which is thirty by one hun- dred and forty feet, and is furnished with all modern conveniences, he built in 1894. He not only produces hay sufficient for his own use, but sells as high as fifty tons per annum. Ilis farm is one of the best-tilled and finest in this region, with an orchard yielding three hundred bushels of apples per season.

Mr. Bentley is a Master Mason and a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He has been Commander three terms of the K. O. T. M., and is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees.

Mr. Bentley is a Republican in politics, but has escaped office. His residence is built on rising ground, an ideal situation, and is surrounded by beautiful shade-trees.

Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are both exceedingly active in the work of life. It is pleasant to record that prosperity is the result solely of well-directed, untiring industry.

LMER H. BLANK, who ranks among the prosperous agriculturists of Livingston County, is carrying on the home- stead property of his father, the late Perry Blank, and though young in years has ac- quired a good reputation as an excellent farmer and a citizen of integrity and worth. He was born January 15, 1864, in North Dansville, Steuben County, of which his pa- ternal grandfather, Peter Blank, was one of the earliest and most influential pioneer farmers, having bought and cleared a valuable farm within its limits.

Perry Blank was the third son of the seven children born to his parents; and during the days of his youth he performed his full share of the work of felling trees, uprooting stumps, and placing the land thus opened to the sun- light in a state of culture. When of age he purchased a farm on the Arkport road, in North Dansville, which he occupied for a time, coming thence to the town of Ossian, where he bought the farm now managed by his

son Elmer. He did not, however, confine himself to agricultural work, but established a livery business in the village of Dansville, conducting it successfully and profitably until he was burned out, when he retired to this farm, where he subsequently resided, passing to the life beyond at the early age of fifty-two years. His estimable wife, whose maiden name was Mary Jane Covert, still lives with her son on the home farm. She has reared a family of six children, of whom we record the following: Elmer H., of whom we write; Stella, wife of O. E. Shays, of Ossian; Min- nie, wife of William II. Hampton, now of Geneseo; Jennie M., the wife of William O. Thompson, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work; Mamie; and Emma, the wife of Earl Shay, of Ossian. Mrs. Blank was one of the earliest to unite with the Pres- byterian church of this place, of which her husband was also a member for many years.

Elmer II. Blank received a good common- school education, and early became proficient in agricultural labors. After the death of his honored father he assumed the entire control of the home property, and has since carried it on with signal ability, making marked im- provements, and each year adding to its market value. He is everywhere esteemed for his many good qualities, and is popular with his associates. In his political views he sup- ports the principles of the Democratic party, and religiously follows the teachings of his parents, and worships at the Presbyterian church.

ILLIAM H. RICHARDSON, of Strykersville, N. Y., was born near the village in which he now lives, July 6, 1861. His grandparents, Charles and Sally (Parker) Richardson, the former a na- tive of Dracut, Mass., born in 1788, were among the first settlers of Western Java, com- ing here in 1819, when the young wife was a bride. They settled on lot No. 32, range No. 4, on which part of the village now stands; and the present highway or road through the lower end of the town was laid out and given to the village by Mr. Charles Richardson. The

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ground upon which the Baptist church stands was also given by him, and he was one of the principal supporters of that religious society. In character he was impetuous and outspoken and a stanch friend of the soldiers during the late war. He was a man of wealth, and the homestead is still owned by his de- scendants.

His son, Charles H. Richardson, was born in Strykersville on November 5, 1823. He was married in 1844 to Miss Mary E. Balcom, of New Jersey. From 1846 to 1859 he was a merchant in Java village, but from the latter date he was a farmer. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Rich- ardson, two dying in infancy. Seven sons and four daughters grew to maturity Frances, wife of James W. Ives, of Java vil- lage; Fayette O .; Eugene A .; Gilbert, who died at twenty years of age, May 20, 1873; Charles D .; Ida, now Mrs. Warner; Everett E .; William H., of this sketch; Carrie, wife of R. H. Coatsworth, of Buffalo; Ella, who married John Rogers, and died in Minnesota at twenty-seven years of age; and George W., who is unmarried. Mrs. Mary E. Richardson died in 1887, aged sixty-four years. Her husband survived her until 1891, when he died, leaving a large estate to be divided among his heirs. He was Postmaster in Strykersville for sixteen years.

After attending the academy of Aurora, William H. Richardson took a practical course in that excellent institution, Bryant & Stratton's Business College, equipping him- self for the emergencies of business and com- mercial life. At twenty years of age he was employed as a salesman in Java village, Wyo- ming County, and filled similar positions in Delaware, Cattaraugus County, in later years. From 1883 to 1886 he took charge of his father's farm, keeping a large dairy, which was supplied by thirty-five cows. The com- mon and happy fate of the human family befell him on the 18th of February, 1885, when he was united in the bonds of wedlock to Captolia Langmade.

Mr. Richardson alternately devoted himself to commercial and agricultural pursuits until his father's death, when he and his brother

George became partners with Fayette O. in a saw and planing mill, barrel and cheese-box factory, which is one of the prominent and most successful enterprises in Java. Mr. Richardson has recently bought his brother George's interest, and now has half-control of both mill and factory. Two interesting chil- dren, Winnie, aged eight, and Marguerite, in her third year, make sunshine in the home of their parents. Mr. Richardson is a Master Mason of the North Java Lodge.

DWARD R. CREVELING, an es- teemed resident of Mount Morris, is numbered among the substantial and enterprising business men of the place. He was born here on September 9, 1851, being a son of John, Jr., and Elizabeth (Rittenhouse) Creveling. His grandfather, John Creveling, Sr., who was born and reared in New Jersey, removed from there with wife and children to the Empire State, and settled in Mount Mor- ris in 1834, the entire journey being made with teams. He was a contractor, and worked on the canal during the time of its construc- tion, making Mount Morris his place of resi- dence until his decease.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 78

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

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