Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 79

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 79
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 79

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John Creveling, Jr., was born in New Jer- sey in September, 1826, being consequently but eight years of age when he came with his parents to this county. After securing a practical education in the district school, he embarked in agricultural pursuits, and by in- dustrious application and the exercise of good judgment in the management of his affairs became one of the most successful farmers of this locality. He began the work of life on a farm in the town of Mount Morris, which he occupied till 1865, when he moved on to a farm which he purchased in the town of West Sparta, and which he still owns. After resid- ing there for twenty-five years, in 1890 he removed to Tuscarora, in the town of Mount Morris, where he has since continued farming operations on an extensive scale, owning and managing some four hundred acres of land. Of his union with Elizabeth Rittenhouse, the daughter of Allison and Mary Rittenhouse, the following children were born: Wilson

tid Jnywod vlingobr and nosbindoist Lyntrub moibfos offf Jo molti

0100 21

wowwo Lod tooffer wro8: Tumsod bovivide bandand

debitir mirk paid to ogrodo does off 0881 of 2881 MOT

viimist momud. odt lo adet yggsd bas hom

567

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

M., who married Cora E. Perine, and has one child, Charles; Mrs. Mary A. Williams; John E., who married Harriet Hoaglan; and Edward R., of whom we write. Mrs. Eliza- beth Rittenhouse Creveling died June II, 1887, aged sixty years.

Edward Rittenhouse Creveling received his elementary education in the public schools of his native town, and this was supplemented by a higher course of study at the academy in Nunda. He remained beneath the parental roof-tree until twenty years of age, when he entered the store of Mr. Lyman Ayrault as a clerk, remaining thus employed for three years. Then taking upon himself the cares and responsibilities of married life, Mr. Creve- ling turned his attention to tilling the soil, but after a year's experience abandoned that occupation, and moved with his family to the village of Tuscarora. There he opened a store for general merchandise, and for a period of eighteen years was one of the most success- ful merchants of that place. In 1891 he set- tled in the village of Mount Morris, and was for one year associated with the banking firm of Bingham Brothers, by his honesty, fidelity, and upright business methods readily winning the confidence and respect of all with whom he had dealings.

An important step in the career of Mr. Creveling was his marriage with Miss Cora E. Bergen, the daughter of Samuel and Har- riet J. Bergen, of Mount Morris; and this was solemnized in 1874. Three children were born of their union, namely: Howard B., who is now Deputy Postmaster at Mount Morris; Julia A. ; and Edward W. Politically, Mr. Creveling has always been a warm supporter of the principles promulgated by the Demo- cratic party; and his first Presidential vote, cast in 1872, was for Horace Greeley. While he was a resident of Tuscarora, he served as Postmaster from 1885 until 1889, having been appointed by President Cleveland. He was also Session Justice for two terms, and during the past seven years has served as Jus- tice of the Peace. Socially, Mr. Creveling is a Free Mason, and both he and his excellent wife are consistent members of the Presbyte- rian church.

R EV. WILLIAM T. WILBER, pastor of the St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Attica, was born in Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y. His father, Joshua Wilber, the third of the name, a resi- dent of Lockport, N. Y., was born in the town of Norwich, Conn. His great-grandfather, Joshua Wilber, was a resident of South Kings- ton, R.I. His grandfather, Joshua Wilber, Jr., a native of South Kingston, R. I., where he was a farmer, married Miss Mary Jane Allen, of Norwich, Conn. They had but the one son, named Joshua, who became the father of the chief character of this sketch. The grandfather died before attaining to middle life; and his widow some time afterward be- came the wife of Angell Sheldon, two chil- dren being the result of this union. Mrs. Sheldon died in Rhode Island in 1889, aged about eighty-five years.

Joshua Wilber (father) on growing up learned the tailor's trade and later the print- ing business. He next studied medicine, and became a druggist. This was about forty years ago. Mr. Wilber married twice. His first wife was Miss Mary Hickey, of Ireland, a daughter of Thomas and Alice Hickey, who came over about 1850, soon after the potato famine. They first went to Quebec, but in a short time crossed over to the American side, and settled in Lockport. Mr. Hickey was a farmer of the locality many years, and with his wife brought up a family of nine children, three sons and six daughters; but all are gone now, save two of the daughters. James Hickey was one of the sons, and in the time of the Civil War was a volunteer in the Irish regiment. His poor old mother tried to dis- suade him from enlisting; but young blood cannot always withstand the excitement of a declared war, and James was among those who wanted to be in the thick of it. He had his desire, but it cost him his precious life. He was killed in the sanguinary battle of Cold Harbor. He was a young man of valor, and his name is treasured among those who laid down their lives so worthily for their adopted country.

Mrs. Joshua Wilber, sister of this soldier and mother of William T. Wilber, was a de-

12 ono and bare tomado miluritÃO e'Amount Y de ody to

IVA .T MATIAMI NA

umod ads ved botayinmong solaioning

20883 lilisu 2881 moil ]

568

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

scendant of Catholic parents ; but her husband, Joshua Wilber, was a strict Congregationalist. However, after much reading, careful thought, and investigation, he was converted to the Roman Catholic faith, and has since been a devoted adherent of that church. Their chil- dren, who were three in number, William T., George A., and Joshua Frank, all have learned the printer's trade. George and Frank are at the present time compositors in the office of the Rochester Herald. Frank is an overseer of the type-setting department, where a very intricate and delicate machine is used, one which has been in an experimental stage for the past twenty-five years, but has now be- come a finished success. About ten of these machines are in use in the building; and, as they are so delicately made, only a true mechanical genius can handle them. Both these brothers are married, and have families. Joshua Wilber married for his second wife Miss Katherine Spooner, of Brooklyn, N. Y.

William T. Wilber, the eldest of the three brothers, was educated at the Lockport Union School and at the Niagara University, where he was ordained in 1885, and from which he was sent to be assistant priest in West Sen- eca, Erie County, and later assistant in Ba- tavia, Genesee County. In 1887 he became pastor of the church at Dayton, Cattaraugus County, where he remained two years; and in 1889 he came to Attica to take full charge of St. Vincent's Parish. This is a fine church property. The edifice was built in 1882, and is located on East Avenue and Walnut Street. The present location, so fine and commanding, was originally a low mud-flat; and its recla- mation is a great advantage to the city. St. Vincent's Parish already numbers two hundred and twenty-five souls, and is well holding its own under the guidance of its present efficient pastor and priest, Father Wilber.

Although comparatively young in years, his work represents more than ordinary ability. He is a man of research in many fields of knowledge, and especially in those writings which treat of the tenets of the Roman Catho- lic faith. The Rev. William T. Wilber is a gentleman of pleasing, genial temperament, free from narrowness and dogmatic severity.

For his many engaging qualities of mind and heart Father Wilber is highly esteemed among his Protestant brethren, as well as among those who are so fortunate as to belong to his pastorate.

EMUEL C. SHORT, one of the town officers of Livonia, Livingston County, N. Y., was born in Richmond, On- tario County, October 24, 1825. His grandfather, Philip Short, was a native of Massachusetts, and came to Livingston County about 1796, bringing his goods and chattels in an ox wagon, and making the jour- ney on foot. The tract of land which he bought at the foot of Hemlock Lake is still owned by one of his descendants. He died in 1810; and his son, who bore his name, after completing the prescribed text-book course of the district school, took the management and control of the paternal homestead in Livonia, building a frame house, which was held to- gether by wrought nails, at that time rarely used in the country districts.

Mr. Philip Short, Jr., afterward moved to Richmond, Ontario County, where he built a log house, in which the original of this memoir was born. This humble abode was in the course of time replaced by a more com- modious frame dwelling, and the father be- came prosperous as the tide of years swept on. He owned three hundred acres of land in Richmond and four hundred in Livonia, be- sides other property in the vicinity. He was seventy-five years of age when he died. He married Miss Almira Cargill; and to them six children were born - Lemuel C., Almira, Warren D., Nathan, Caroline, and Sarah. The first and second named daughters live in Michi- gan. Their mother was seventy-four years old when she died. The father had been first mar- ried to a Miss Briggs, by whom he had seven children, Ransom being the only one living.

Mr. Lemuel C. Short was educated in the district schools of Livonia and at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary of Lima. He purchased from his father the farm upon which he now lives, and owns one also at Glenville. His possessions in the town cover two hundred

569

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

and fifty acres. The buildings on the prop- erty in the country were entirely destroyed by fire in 1891, and Mr. Short has since resided at his place in Hemlock Lake village. He married Mary J. Robinson, of Massachusetts, their nine children - Fredlen, Inez, Henry, Kitty, Lewis L., Edwin S., Daisy M., James, and Nellie -- all being deceased except Lewis L., Edwin S., and Daisy M. Lewis married Miss Carrie Westbrook, and lives in Livonia. Daisy, who married Mr. Olis Bearn, is also a resident of the same town, and Edwin S. is at home; so Mr. and Mrs. Short have their chil- dren who have been left to gladden their de- clining years close at hand to cheer and com- fort them.

Mr. Short deserves the esteem in which his neighbors hold him. He has been Commis- sioner for six years, having also served as In- spector of Elevators and Overseer of the Poor, and has discharged the duties of these offices faithfully and satisfactorily. His first Presi- dential vote was cast for Zachary Taylor, the Whig candidate, in 1848. He has been a loyal Republican since the formation of that party.

AD C. PARKER, a resident farmer of Sheldon, N. Y., was born at Mar- cellus, Onondaga County, September 21, 1826. In 1827 his father, Charles Parker, settled in Wyoming County, in the town of Sheldon, which was originally a part of the Holland Purchase. The property was known as the Jotham Godfrey farm, and consisted of forty acres, ten more of a fine high knoll hav- ing been added for a building lot.

Mr. Parker's grandfather, Samuel Parker, who was a man of considerable wealth, also came from Marcellus about eighteen months later, and purchased a farm of two hundred acres, situated on Barber's Hill, where Charles Parker and his family lived for some five years. Grandfather Parker was born in Vermont in 1777, September 22, and married on January 16, 1797, in Onondaga County, Miss Asenath P. Lawrence, daughter of Colo- nel Bigelow Lawrence. Their children were as follows: first, Catherine, wife of L. P. Lawrence; second, Sanford C., a lawyer of

note in Onondaga County; third, Charles, the father of Gad C .; fourth, an infant daughter, who died; fifth, Candace D., wife of Jacob M. Cook; sixth, Fanny S., wife of Riley Curtis; seventh, George B., who was superintendent of a salt manufactory, and later associated with a bank at Syracuse; eighth, Lawrence, who married Fannie Barber, and practised law in Lockport, Ill. Lawrence Parker died Au- gust 21, 1879, at the age of sixty-five years, leaving five daughters and one son, all of whom had families except George B., who was married but had no children. Mr. Parker's grandmother died in 1839, aged sixty-five, his grandfather Parker in 1849, his mother in 1869. Sanford C. Parker's wife and George B. Parker also died in 1869, so that the num- ber nine seems to have had a peculiar signifi- cance in the Parker family.

Charles Parker, son of Samuel and Asenath, was born September 26, 1802. He was mar- ried April 25, 1825, to Sally Libolt, who was born August 28, 1804, in Onondaga County, N. Y., of Dutch parentage. It is a family tradition that her grandfather in coming from Holland lost a large amount of treasure by shipwreck. Her father's family consisted of the following: Jacob, Abram, Henry, Cathe- rine, Eliza, and Almira. In January, 1827, Mr. Charles Parker moved on to the Holland Purchase, buying fifty acres of land, a part of the farm now owned by his sons, Gad C. and Guy II., they having bought it of him in 1868. After the sale of this property Charles Parker bought a place for himself in Varys- burg with fifty acres of land near the village, and living there dealt somewhat in stock, and also owned and operated part of a grist-mill. In the last few years of his life his health was much impaired. He died October 15, 1881.

Gad C. Parker was the first-born of three children of Charles and Sally ( Libolt) Parker. His sister Eliza was the wife of Dr. Watson, deceased, late of Varysburg. In 1868 he and his brother, Guy H., bought of their father the homestead farm, then consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, for which, includ- ing the stock and equipments, they paid the sum of seven thousand dollars. Previous to the Civil War two hundred acres had been

Я ЈАЗІНЧАЯРОМА

.16 doost to gliw .. ( schied ,dift ; both odw

egetliv oda.I abolmoll a

.sinovi.J ni avvil big doordias // bitich

Marg froh riadt asbiais of Jol good sved afew tremb

in dolde ni rostes add xovrough rode wald

stband ow) to fruit & foamount bay hotel

.sonoiwat wolopitt I

570

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

purchased by Mr. Gad C. Parker, making in all three hundred and twenty acres. In Sep- tember, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth New York Volunteer Infan- try, Company H., and returned in 1865 as First Lieutenant, having served with his com- pany from November, 1863, to the close of the war. His regiment was with the Army of the Potomac one year, and in September, 1863, went to the relief of Rosecrans. It was with the Army of the Cumberland until September, 1864, and then composed a part of the left wing of Sherman's army on its famous march through Georgia to the sea. Lieuten- ant Parker was in twenty-two engagements, and skirmishes innumerable, never having lost a day's service, and came out in perfect condition, merely having been hit by a spent ball at Gettysburg.

He was originally a comrade of Gibbs Post, No. 130, Grand Army of the Republic, at Warsaw, but later became a charter member of Buford Post at Johnsonsburg, and was their first Commander, serving five years, and was obliged to decline a further election. He at- tended Grand Army encampments at Denver, Minneapolis, and Pittsburg.

Mr. Parker is a Royal Arch Mason of War- saw Chapter. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as Justice of the Peace. He has travelled extensively in this country, hav- ing visited seventeen different States in the Union. He is unmarried. His brother, Guy H. Parker, married Betsey Allen, and has three children - George B., married and a teacher; Margaret, aged twelve; and Roy, aged eleven years. Mr. Parker is twenty years older than his brother, with whom he is associated. They keep twenty-five to thirty- five grade Durham cows, sending milk to the creamery one mile away. Their dwelling was erected by their father in 1836, and thoroughly remodelled by them in 1891.

J OIIN BARNARD, SR., father of Will- iam and John Barnard, of Avon, Liv- ingston County, N. Y., was born in England. He came to Canada as a soldier in the English army, and eventually

settled in Avon, where he was for many years a clerk in the Hotel St. George. He after- ward devoted himself to agriculture, having bought a farm in the village, where he died at the age of eighty-four. He married Cathe- rine Barrows, who was born on the ocean while her parents were crossing from their home in England to America. Mr. and Mrs. Barnard reared these children, namely: Nelson, who married Louisa Chase, and had one son, Fred; Charles; George, who married Eliza- beth Jones; Mary A., who died at the age of seventy-four years; Emily, who passed away at the age of sixty-nine; Amelia, who married Daniel Brown, of Avon; Maria, who married William Allison, and had one daughter, now the widow of Robert Balch; William; and John.

The two brothers last named are the only survivors. They were educated in the dis- trict school, and have always lived on the old homestead on the bank of the river. They can remember when there were no modern bridges over the Genesee River, and when all the cloth used by the family was woven and spun by their mother. William and John Barnard have never married. They have voted the Republican ticket since the forma- tion of that party, to the principles of which they give their hearty support, and all the good works of the town receive their cheerful co-operation.

ILLIAM W. KILLIP, a Manxman by birth, has been for more than forty years a resident of Geneseo, N. Y., being a citizen of much prominence in civic and social affairs, as well as in musical circles. He was born in the Isle of Man in June, 1826. His father, whose name was John Killip, was the inheritor of a fine farm in the parish of Ballaugh, in the northern part of the island. He was well educated, a man of influence in the parish, and the fifth John Killip who had inherited that farm, and who lived and died thereon.

Very soon after his death, in April, 1844. William W., who had the misfortune of being a third son, came to the United States, and

when zol ante ed oisder ,nosA ni befitse | at quidam godis'I 00

+ 1

W. W. KILLIP.

573

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

found employment in a clothing store in Roch- ester, N. Y. In September, 1851, Mr. Killip moved to Geneseo, where he has since resided. He was fairly successful in his clothing store, but the business was not congenial. The fam- ily was a musical one. He was a fine singer, passionately fond of the art, and had conducted the music in St. Paul's Church in Rochester, where he had a choir of boys in 1850, which is believed to have been the introduction of boy choirs in this country. Upon his arrival at Geneseo he was put in charge of the music at St. Michael's, and was the organist and conductor of that choir for nearly forty years.

In the summer of 1857 Mr. Killip gave up the clothing store, and devoted himself exclu- sively to the study of music in the Normal Music School at North Reading, Mass. This school was a national one, the students being principally teachers of music. Nearly every State in the Union was represented there. Dr. Lowell Mason was its principal. Dr. George F. Root, George James Webb, and others were teachers.

Mr. Killip soon won a high position in the school. He attained great proficiency in his chosen profession ; and in 1859 he founded a normal music school in Geneseo, of which he was principal. Professor James M. Tracey, then just returned from his studies in Leip- sic, and now for many years a teacher in the Boston Conservatory of Music, was the teacher of the pianoforte. The village soon became a centre of musical influence. Messrs. Bassini, Bradbury, Cook, North, and other celebrated teachers came here and gave lessons. These, however, were not connected with Mr. Killip's school, which proved a great success. Musical compositions of the highest order were ren- dered. The "Messiah " was given repeatedly ; so was the opera of "The Bohemian Girl," the cantata of "The Haymakers," and lighter works, such as "Lailla" and "The Flower Queen." During the winter, when the school had no session, Mr. Killip was constantly en- gaged as director and conductor of musical societies and conventions, and became widely known as a skilful and learned exponent of music.

In 1871 he was appointed by General Grant

Postmaster of Geneseo, being reappointed in 1875, and again in 1879. The same year (1871) he was appointed manager of the West- ern Union Telegraph Company, and still re- tains the position. He has also been Com- missioner of the United States Deposit Fund for Livingston County. He has served the town as Assessor, and is now and has been for many years its Overseer of the Poor. He has been one of the Trustees of the village, a member of its Board of Health, and is now its Secretary. He is the agent of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani- mals, and also the Treasurer of the Masonic Lodge. He is one of the Wardens of the Epis, copal church, and for a series of years has been a delegate to the Diocesan Councils of that body, and a member of its missionary board.

In 1850 Mr. Killip was married to Mary Morrison, daughter of Mr. John Morrison, a well-known citizen of Rochester. Mrs. Killip died in 1888, leaving two daughters. The elder, Mary E., was the wife of Mr. W. K. Walker, a druggist residing in Lansing, Mich. ; she died in that city in June, 1893. Mrs. Walker was an accomplished musician, and the first teacher of the pianoforte in the Geneseo State Normal School. The other daughter, Carrie J., is still living with her father. A son, Horace Shepard Killip, died in his twelfth year, in 1869. Another daughter died in infancy in 1853.

Mr. Killip is now in great measure retired, though still giving valuable service in the Geneseo State Normal School, conducting the school orchestra, and arranging the music for the various societies connected with that insti- tution. He is a man of strong personality, a natural leader, one who has led a busy life, full of kindly aims, generous purposes, and useful activities. His portrait on a preced- ing page will be recognized and appreciated by many who turn over the leaves of this volume.

RNEST ALBERTI DURFEE, a not- ably prosperous citizen of Middlebury, N. Y., was born July 29, 1826, in Fall River, Mass. His paternal grandfather,

filled all oxde al Period adesbure ody como Intuition wesw foodbe

c bobimiot od (28t di bris : nolasoloiq narodo Arf doisw 30 ,058pas) ni Todos sieum fammion

Barth anounovios beus

574

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Captain William Durfee, was a farmer in that State. Following the old-fashioned method of winnowing grain, it is said that Captain Durfee caught a severe cold from the draught, which resulted in his death. The four chil- dren who survived him were: Abbie, Mary, William, and Thomas.

The last-named son, who was born in 1801, and who came to Wyoming County in 1831, married Sarah Orswell; and of this marriage the subject of the present sketch was born. Mrs. Durfee's father, Benjamin Orswell, was a sailor, whose home was Fall River, Mass., where he died at the advanced age of eighty years, his wife living to be ninety. Thomas Durfee bought at different times land amount- ing to three hundred and thirty acres, upon which he put many improvements, and which year by year grew in value. Nine children were born to Thomas and Sarah (Orswell) Durfee - Thaddeus, who died at ten years of age; Ernest A., of this sketch; Orlando, liv- ing at home; Regina, who married Mr. John Sprague, and died, leaving four children; Orpha, who married Mr. Randolph Wight, and lives in California; Mary, now Mrs. M. Chase, of Warsaw, N. Y .; Abbie, Mrs. George Norman, of Boston, Mass .; Charles, who mar- ried Miss Rose Henderson, and lives in Wyo- ming, N. Y .; and Thomas, Jr., of Pontiac, Mich. . Thomas Durfee remained in Wyoming from the time of his settlement in this county, in his forty-eighth year, until his death. He was killed by a falling tree. His widow reached the age of seventy-nine. Both were liberal supporters of religious and benevolent enterprises. He was an active politician, being affiliated with the Whig and afterward with the Republican party, and was for years a Supervisor of the county before its division.

Ernest A. Durfee was educated in the Wyo- ming Academy, and at twenty-one years of age went to California in the mining busi- ness, but returned to New York in 1850, called thither by the death of his father just thirteen months after he had left home. He immediately took charge of the estate, which has under his able management become one of the most valuable in this section of the coun- try. An orchard of four thousand trees,

which he set out about twenty years ago, is in magnificent bearing condition, and another orchard of ten acres yields abundant crops of pears of various fine varieties. An osage- orange hedge, which he set out some years ago, is the finest in the county. Besides being the largest and most successful fruit grower in this region, Mr. Durfee is also greatly interested in stock, and has bred some remarkably fine blooded horses, cattle, and sheep. Beans and grain are abundant crops on the Durfee farm, and Mr. Ernest A. Dur- fee has shown an unusual facility in conduct- ing the various branches of agricultural and horticultural enterprise in which he has been engaged. Although he is a single man, his busy life seems to be full and complete with its daily round of duties and its manifold interests.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 79

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

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