Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 8

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 8
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 8

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Jacob HI. and Jane Nichols had two chil- dren - Hiram F. ; and his sister, Emma C., herself a practising physician, and the wife of Dr. Milton HI. Carey, of Buffalo, N. Y. Hiram was reared to farm life, and after leav- ing the district school was engaged in teaching thirteen terms. In 1870 he began the study of medicine with Dr. C. W. Howe, of Cowles- ville, subsequently entered the physio-medical school at Indianapolis, and was graduated from that institution in 1882. Dr. Nichols began the practice of his profession in Bennington Centre, the place of his nativity, going thence to Cowlesville, where he remained four years,

meeting with excellent success. In 1887 he came to Attica; and the following year, having established a good practice here, he bought his present residence and office. He has been eminently prosperous in his professional work, and is conceded to be one of the brightest and ablest medical men in this section of the county.

Dr. H. F. Nichols was married June 21, 1868, to Etta M. Lindsay, of Erie County.

Mrs. Nichols is a daughter of the late See- ley and Eunice (Munger) Lindsay, the former of whom was born in Chautauqua County, and the latter in the town of Bennington. Her father died when she was an infant, in 1853, leaving his widow with five living children. The mother died five years later. Of the ten children born to her, six are now living, two daughters being residents of Washington, two sons residing in the State of Minnesota, Mrs. Nichols in Attica, and a half-sister in Batavia. The Doctor and his wife have four children. The eldest child, a boy, died in infancy. Mae, who was graduated from the Attica High School in 1894, with a higher record than any previous graduate, is in Rochester, where she is employed in writing. Francis M. is a boy of nine years, and Alice Maud a beautiful child of six years. In politics Dr. Nichols affiliates with the Republican party; and, so- cially, he is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, having passed the chairs, and now belonging to the encampment. Mrs. Nichols is an esteemed and active member of the Bap- tist church, and a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

m YRON VAN DUSEN, who is prop- erly ranked as one of the self-made men of Livingston County, began the battle of life with health, strength, and brain as his sole capital; and, thus endowed, he has risen to a position of wealth and importance in the community. He has been prospered in all of his ventures, his tireless industry and economy, combined with foresight and a sound judgment, meeting with a deserved reward. He wisely chose that for his future calling to which he was best adapted

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

both by nature and experience; and, as a farmer, stock-raiser, and a dealer in cattle, he has been eminently successful. He was born in Stafford, Genesee County, January 18, 1816. His father, Henry Van Dusen, was a native of Queensbury, Warren County; and his grandfather, John Van Dusen, was, it is thought, a life-long resident of the Empire State. He served as a Continental soldier during the War of the Revolution, and after- ward carried on general farming in Queens- bury, where he lived to a good old age.

Henry Van Dusen, having been reared and married in the place of his birth, removed to Genesee County in 1814, the tedious journey thither with his wife and two children being made with teams, and occupying twenty-seven days. He bought land in the Poultney tract, located in the town of Stafford, where he was one of the earliest settlers. He erected a log cabin in the wilderness; but ere its comple- tion it was burned, and out of his scanty means he had to build another. Western New York was then an almost trackless forest, and the deer were so plentiful that the pioneers had hard work to keep them from destroying their wheat. There being neither markets nor mills within convenient distance, they main- tained life from the products of the soil and the game to be found in the forest. In 1827 Henry Van Dusen sold his partly improved farm, and removed to the town of Centreville, Allegany County, where he was numbered among the pioneers. Paying two dollars and a half an acre for a tract of land in the Holland Patent, he built a log house, and began the task of clearing a farm from the timber. He met with various misfortunes, and finally lost all of his property, but remained in the town until the end of his life, which covered a period of threescore and ten years. He mar- ried Eliza Walcup, a native of Queensbury, and the daughter of Aaron Walcup. She bore him thirteen children, and outlived him, spending fourscore years upon this earth.

Myron Van Dusen was the third child in order of birth of the parental household; and at the age of seventeen years he became self- supporting, starting out in the world without a penny in his pocket. His first employment

was chopping wood, and for the first one hun- dred cords he received eighteen dollars. He continued working by the day, month, or year, and, being very industrious and exceedingly frugal, accumulated a small sum of money, which in 1844 he invested in land, buying eighty acres in the town of Caneadea, Allegany County, where he engaged in general farming. As the years rolled by, Mr. Van Dusen grad- ually enlarged his operations, in addition to tilling the soil, being extensively engaged in buying and selling cattle, and has met with profitable returns as a dealer in real estate, his landed property being located in three different counties and comprising seven hundred val- uable acres.

Mr. Van Dusen has been twice married. The maiden name of his first wife, to whom he was united in 1840, was Elizabeth Boynton. She was born in 1820 in Genesee County, of New England parentage, being a daughter of William and Tryphena (Reynolds) Boynton, both of whom were natives of Maine and pio- neers of Genesee County, New York. The father was a farmer by occupation, and a sol- dier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Elizabeth Van Dusen proved a faithful helpmate and an able assistant in his pioneer labors, seconding his efforts while he was laying the foundation for his present fortune, managing her domestic affairs with wisdom and economy; and in the early days of their wedded life she dressed her family in homespun garments of her own manu- facture. On December 20, 1890, she passed to the joys of eternal life, leaving four chil- dren - Emily, Laura, Melva, and Milton E.

On November 3, 1891, Mr. Van Dusen was married to Mrs. Lenora (Parks) Hagadorn, a native of Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., where her birth occurred December 2, 1820. Her father, William Parks, was born in Washing- ton County, New York, whence his father, Joel Parks, Esq., migrated to Cayuga County, being a pioneer of the town of Scipio. He bought land there, and, taking advantage of its excellent water-power, erected a saw and grist mill, and also a carding and fulling mill. He engaged in general farming, and likewise oper- ated his mills, until a heavy freshet destroyed the dam and ruined him financially, when he

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

removed to Canada, settling on the Grand River, where he rounded out nearly a century of life. He was a man of exceeding enterprise and ability, and during his residence in Scipio was a Justice of the Peace. The maiden name of his wife was Chloe Browning. Her son William, who was associated with his father in farming and milling in Cayuga County, went with him to Canada, where he resided several years. He then returned to New York, and purchased a home in the town of Granger, Al- legany County, living there until his death, at the age of eighty-one years. He married Eliz- abeth Marithew, a native of Washington County, and a daughter of John and Martha (Taylor) Marithew.

Lenora (Mrs. Van Dusen), daughter of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Marithew) Parks, remained beneath the parental roof until her marriage, in 1840, to Joseph La Rue, who was born in Washington County, New Jersey, being a son of John and Mary (Lake) La Rue, natives of the same State. Mr. La Rue was a farmer by occupation, and also an innkeeper at Brooks's Grove, where he departed this life at the age of forty-two years. Mrs. Lenora (Parks) La Rue subsequently married William Hagadorn, a farmer, who was a native of Cayuga County, but removed to Mount Morris, where he died at the age of sixty-eight years. Some time afterward, as before mentioned, his widow be- came the wife of Mr. Myron Van Dusen. Mrs. Van Dusen has two sons living, both born of her first marriage, their names being Frank A. La Rue and Fred J. La Rue. She is a woman of strong Christian principles, and is an esteemed member of the Presbyterian church, to which her two former husbands belonged.

RLONDO W. BARKER, a farmer of large experience, sagacious, and prac- tical in the management of his af- fairs, is numbered among the most successful and well-to-do of the agriculturists who are pushing forward the material interests of Livingston County in general and of the town of Nunda in particular. He has tilled the soil to some purpose, as is shown by the

appearance of his fine property, which is ad- joining the Barker homestead, where he was reared, the date of his birth being January 2, 1826. He is a grandson of Munson Barker, a native of Connecticut, a member of a well- known New England family, who was a pioneer of Oneida County.

Seth S. Barker, son of Munson and father of Orlondo, was born in Augusta, Oneida County, and there lived until after his marriage. In 1821 he came with his bride to this county, bringing all of their household goods across the country with teams, and settled in Nunda. On East Hill he took up a tract of land nearly all covered with pine, oak, or chestnut trees and on which there stood a partially built log house that had been abandoned by a timid pioneer on account of the appearance of a snake. This house the family occupied for a few weeks before the roof was put on it. Mr. Barker was one of the first settlers in that part of Nunda; and, having been deceived by a bogus agent, he was forced, after living there awhile, to pay for his land the second time. He succeeded in clearing a good portion of his one hundred and twenty-five acres, and added improvements equal to the finest in the town. He built a commodious frame dwelling-house, and remained on the homestead until his death in January, 1893, having lived to the venera- ble age of nearly ninety-two years. He was a man of influence among his fellow-associates, and served as Assessor of the town for several years. Ile married Sarah Durfee, a native of Rhode Island, who died in 1884, at the age of fourscore and two years. They reared three children - Munson, Orlondo W., and Jus- tus L.

Orlondo W. Barker was educated in the dis- trict schools of Nunda, assisted in the farm labors that fell to his share, and, after arriving at man's estate, continued working with his father until his marriage. He had previously purchased a piece of land of sixty-eight acres, on which he then built a fine residence, which is located in that part of Nunda known as Barkertown.

Mr. Barker wooed and won for his life com- panion a most estimable young woman, Miss Mary E. Swain, their nuptials being celebrated

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

in 1857. Mrs. Barker also comes of honored New England ancestry, her paternal grand- father, Samuel Swain, having been a native of Massachusetts, whence he emigrated in 1818 to this county, first locating in what is now the town of Portage. After moving to Nunda, he and his son erected a saw and grist mill, the first in Nunda, and carried on an extensive business, rafting their lumber down the river to Rochester. They also built a woollen fac- tory. Alfred Swain, son of Samuel, married Gertrude Pittenger; and Mary E., Mrs. Bar- ker, was the eldest child born of their union. Her brothers and sisters are: Harriet, Sophia, Susan, Cornelia, G. Jennie, Samuel A., W. Edward, and Fred F., all of whom are es- teemed members of society. Jennie, a tal- ented and highly educated young lady, is a teacher of art at the Female Seminary in Nor- folk, N.C. Fred F., the inventor of the lubricator that bears his name, and that is manufactured in Chicago, was recently shot by a discharged employee, the wound, however, not proving fatal.

Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Barker two children have been born - S. Inelle and Ethel May. Inelle is the wife of Ray Durfee, of Batavia. Ethel married Dr. C. T. Hood, professor of mental and nervous diseases at the Homeopathic Hospital in Chicago, Ill. ; and they are the parents of two children - Grace G. and Ethel May. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have also brought up as their own the son of an old soldier, Willie Barker, whom they took when he was an infant of four months. Politi- cally, Mr. Barker is a firm adherent of the Re- publican party, and, though no aspirant for official honors, takes an intelligent interest in local and national matters.

ICHARD MCMASTER, a representa- tive agriculturist of this part of Liv- ingston County, is a well-known resident of the town of West Sparta, where he is an extensive landholder, owning three valuable farms, all of which give sub- stantial evidence of his ability in farming and bespeak his intelligence and thrift. He is a native citizen, born November 29, 1825. Rich-

ard McMaster, the first of his ancestors of whom he has any record, was a native of Dublin, Ire- land, and followed the sea for a living. In one of his voyages this hardy mariner came to America, and he subsequently brought his family to this country. He continued his sea- faring life, and eventually found a grave in the ocean. His son, Edward McMaster, served in the War of the Revolution, was taken prisoner during one of the battles, and came very near dying before he was exchanged, but recovered, and afterward joined the brave minute-men. He spent his last years in Pennsylvania, living to a ripe old age.

Ebenezer McMaster, son of Edward, was born in Trenton, and was reared to a farmer's life. In 1806 he came to Livingston County, being one of the early settlers of West Sparta, where he bought a tract of unimproved land and began to clear a farm. He later moved to Kyserville in the same town, and in 1832 bought the farm now owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch. Here he lived and labored with unceasing toil, clearing and cul- tivating a comfortable homestead, on which he resided throughout the remaining years of his earthly existence. He was a man of exem- plary habits, possessing a sound and robust constitution, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-five years. He married Betsey Canada, who bore him twelve children that grew to adult life, four of them being now on earth ; namely, James, Ebenezer, Philemon, and Richard. The mother likewise spent her last years on this farm, dying at the age of seventy- nine years. Both parents were deeply relig- ious people, worthy members of the Baptist church.

Richard McMaster spent the days of his youth on the home farm, assisting his father in advancing its improvement and cultivation. After the death of his parents he came into the possession of the old homestead, which is finely located in West Sparta, about six miles from the village of Dansville, and contains one hundred and thirty acres of fine farming land. Mr. McMaster has also accumulated much other landed property, being the owner of two other farms not far distant, one containing one hundred and eight acres, and the other one

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

hundred and fifty-one acres, and in addition thereto has three hundred acres of land on the "flats." He carries on general farming in a manner worthy of emulation, reaping rich re- wards for his industry and enterprise. He pays a good deal of attention to stock-raising, and keeps fourteen horses and three hundred sheep, besides other stock.

Mr. McMaster was united in marriage in 1877 with Theresa A. Wilhelm, the daughter of John Wilhelm, a farmer, and one of the pioneer settlers of Sparta. Their hearts have been gladdened by the birth of two promising children - John Wilhelm and Verner. Mr. McMaster is a stanch supporter of the views of the Republican party, and an effective worker in political circles. Religiously, both he and his estimable wife are active and conscientious members of the Methodist church.

IRAM P. MILLS, President of the Genesee River National Bank, is a financier of great ability, and one of the foremost business men of Mount Morris. He is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Dutchess County, January 2, 1806. He comes of sturdy English ances- try, his father, William Mills, having been born in England. The father of William emi- grated from England to the United States with his family, first joining a brother who had pre- viously settled in New England, but shortly buying a farm near Morristown, N. J. He died soon after settling there, leaving his widow with one child, William, then a lad of a few years. The widow subsequently married again, and remained in New Jersey.

William Mills, who was but five years of age when he came with his parents to Amer- ica, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and when a young man removed to Dutchess County, New York, where he married. He subse- quently moved to Saratoga County, and settled on ground made sacred by the blood of Revolu- tionary patriots. There he lived until after the birth of several of his children, when he removed to a point about two miles below Me- chanicsville, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres; and on this home-

stead the three younger children of his family were born. An attractive feature of the place was the substantial frame house, built in Colo- nial style, with piazzas above and below, painted a delicate cream color, and ornamented with green blinds, the whole being encircled by a beautiful lawn. It was delightfully lo- cated on the west bank of the Hudson River, of which it commanded an extensive view, both to the north and the south. In this charming spot he spent the remainder of his earthly life. He married Mary Neaher, a native of Rhine- beck, Dutchess County. Her father, who was born in Germany, came to New York and bought land adjoining the Livingston grant ; and there the Neaher and Livingston families lived in intimate converse and intermarried. Mr. Neaher died, leaving his widow with ten children ; and she subsequently married again, becoming the wife of a Mr. Cramer, a widower with ten children. She survived her last hus- band, living upward of ninety years, and died in Granville, N. Y., at the home of her young- est step-son, who treated her with the utmost tenderness. Mrs. Mary Neaher Mills survived her husband about three years, and died at Mount Morris, leaving five children, of whom we record the following: Frederick C., who died at Oswego, N. Y., was a civil engineer by profession, and superintended the building of the Genesee Valley Canal and the construction of other public works. Hiram P. is the sub- ject of further mention below. Theodore, also a civil engineer, resided for some time at Cleveland, Ohio, but died in Livingston County, New York. Sarah Maria, who mar- ried Henry Swan, formerly of Saratoga County, died in New York City. Elizabeth Angelica married Captain George H. Brad- bury, and a sketch of their lives may be found on another page of this volume.

Iliram P. Mills acquired his education in the pioneer schools of his time, and was reared to habits of industry and economy. He as- sisted his father on the farm until twenty years old, when he married and commenced the struggle of life on his own account, even with the world, his only capital being a robust con- stitution, a courageous spirit, and a well-bal- anced mind, so that it may be truly said of

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

him that he is the architect of his own fortune. For a time Mr. Mills was engaged in a mer- cantile business, keeping a small store on the Champlain Canal. He afterward became an assistant in building the first railway of the United States, extending from Albany to Schenectady. This road had wooden rails, with strap-iron on top; and the cars were drawn by horses. Mr. Mills subsequently be- came a civil engineer, and was a large contrac- tor on different canals. He was assistant engineer on the Oswego Canal, a contractor in the Delaware district of the Pennsylvania Canal, and assisted in laying out the route of the Genesee Valley Canal. In 1838 he settled in Mount Morris, and has since then been prominently identified with the interests of this section of Livingston County, his sound judgment, great business tact, and perfect in- tegrity placing him in a conspicuous place among its leading citizens.

Mr. Mills has been twice married. By his first wife, Jane Dunn, who was a native of Saratoga County, and the daughter of Peter Dunn, he had nine children, three of whom are now living, as follows: Mary is the wife of Dr. Myron H. Mills, and has two children - Isabelle and Jennie. Charles H. married Maria Allen. John E. married Frances Truesdale; and they have one child, Sarah Maria. William Mills, the first-born, married Recta Baker, and at his death left one son, H. Perry. Frederick married Jennie Garling- house, and died, leaving one son, Frederick. Edward A. married Mary A. Pray, and at his decease left four children - Edward D., George L., Fannie J., and John P. Orreann, Isabelle, and Theodore died young.

Edward Augustus Mills, above named, passed to the higher existence December 4, 1891, at the age of fifty years, after a brave and heroic struggle of many months against that insidious disease, consumption. He was a man of marked business ability, faithful in the discharge of every duty, and for many years prior to his decease had held the responsible position of paying teller of the Genesee River National Bank, resigning it on account of ill- ness in the summer of 1890. He subsequently spent several weeks at a health resort in Penn-

sylvania; but, receiving no physical benefit, he was taken to a medical institute in Buffalo. Finding no relief there, Mr. Mills returned to his home, where everything that human skill or love could suggest to allay his sufferings and prolong his stay upon earth was done. As a man and as a citizen, he was held in the highest respect. He had served as a member of the Board of Education several terms, be- sides filling minor offices, always looking after the interests of each with strict fidelity. In every walk of life his character was above re- proach, being a kind neighbor, a true friend, an affectionate son, a devoted husband, and a loving and indulgent parent; and a pleasant memory of him will long be retained through- out the community.

Mrs. Jane Dunn Mills died in 1866; and Mr. Mills was subsequently united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mrs. Cornelia (Be- gole) DePuy, a native of Mount Morris, daugh- ter of William and Eleanor (Bowles) Begole (of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this work), and the widow of the late Philip M. DePuy. Cornelia Begole was reared and edu- cated at Mount Morris, and resided with her parents until twenty-one years of age, when she became the wife of Philip M. DePuy. He was a native of Cayuga County, New York, and was a well-known contractor and builder, besides which he was interested in agricultural pursuits. After his marriage he settled on a farm near Mount Morris, where he engaged in general farming until 1854, when, following the tide of emigration westward, he removed to Michigan, settling in Tecumseh, Lenawee County. He died in the month of August in the same year, and the following spring his widow returned to the place of her nativity. She subsequently became the wife of the sub- ject of this sketch, and has since resided at Mount Morris. Of her union with Mr. De- Puy two sons were born. The elder son, Will- iam Franklin DePuy, who is in business in Cheboygan, Mich., married Nellie Rose, of Nunda ; and they are the parents of three chil- dren - Harry Rose, Cora Belle, and Florence. Eugene, the second son, married Annette Minor, and died at the age of twenty-three years, leaving her with one son, also named

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Eugene, who resides with his mother in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

The accompanying portrait of Mr. Hiram P. Mills lends additional interest to the foregoing sketch of the life of this venerable and honored citizen.

B ERTRAND G. FOSS, attorney at Dansville, was born at Le Roy, Pa., September 19, 1861, being son of the late Andrew D. Foss, who re- moved to that place from New Hampshire at an early age, with his parents. Andrew D. Foss, during the time he resided at Le Roy, took an active part in the politics of Bradford County, holding the offices of Justice of the Peace, County Commissioner, and doorkeeper of the House of Representatives at Harrisburg. In 1868 he removed to Canton, Pa., where he lived in retirement until his decease, which oc- curred in January, 1893, at the age of seventy- four. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was Sarah S. Parkhurst, of Le Roy. Mrs. Foss, now aged sixty-eight, is still living at Canton, Pa.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 8

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

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