Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 93

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 93
USA > New York > Livingston County > Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y > Part 93

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Mr. Loomis was a tanner by occupation. He possessed a little stock of money, with which he was able to buy out a small establish- ment already successfully started in that line, and went on with the business for twenty-five years. Mr. Loomis was a man well thought of in the community, as a person of sterling business qualities and actively interested in public enterprises. He died July 12, 1841, aged fifty-two years, having been twice married.

His first wife, Sophronia Collar, died in 1823, leaving two sons - George, since de- ceased; and James H., the chief character of this sketch, then but a few weeks old. His second wife was Miss Eliphael Collar, a sister of the first wife. One other child was added to the family after this union, a son, named Timothy, who became one of the mer- chants of Attica after coming to manhood, but died in 1871, being forty-five years old and unmarried. The second Mrs. Loomis sur- vived her husband nineteen years, dying in 1860; and their remains now rest in the beau- tiful Forest Hills Cemetery.

James H. Loomis attended the district school and the academy of the town, supple- menting the course by studying for three months at Wyoming, then considered one of the best schools in Western New York. He afterward taught several years in the academy. He was but sixteen when he took charge of his first school; and in later years he gave the school-house a bell, to make up, as he gener- ously said, for the deficiencies of his admin- istration. At the age of nineteen he suc- ceeded his father in the tanning, leather, and shoe manufacturing business; but eight years later he sold out, and engaged in the hardware business, continuing in this enterprise from 1852 till 1872. Five years previously he had

begun a banking business for himself, carry- ing on both at the same time, the banking business proving a success which is somewhat noteworthy, considering his youth and that it was undertaken and developed by himself alone. Mr. Loomis has been a stanch Repub- lican from the beginning of the organization, he having helped personally to establish the Republican party, being a delegate to the Free Soil Convention at Syracuse. He has served as Supervisor of the town several terms, was also United States Assessor from 1869 to 1870, and State Senator from 1878 to 1882.

Mr. Loomis was married October 14, 1845, to Miss Janette Howe, of Attica, daughter of Jacob and Azuba (Sprout) Howe, who mi- grated from Massachusetts to Attica in 1804. They had a family of three sons and three daughters, of whom Judge Alonzo Sprout, of California, is the only survivor. Mrs. Loomis died in 1858, at the age of thirty-four years, leaving three sons - George, James, and Charles E. George, who is employed in the bank, married Miss Aggie Potter, daughter of D. Milton Potter, of this town; and they have one daughter, named Florence. James Hervey, Jr., the second son, died unmarried at the age of twenty-two. His death, due to cerebro-spinal meningitis, was a sad blow to the community, but especially to his father, a's he was a young man of great prom- ise, with pronounced business qualifications. Charles E. has also, like his brother George, been for some time connected with the bank, he holding the position of partner and Cashier, the name of the firm being Loomis & Sons. Mr. Charles E. Loomis married Miss Amy Wicks, a daughter of the Rev. John Wicks, of Attica. They have two sons, Charles and Van Wick, boys of two and three years of age.

Mr. James HI. Loomis was again married on April 25, 1860, to Miss Harriet S. Ellen- wood, of Pembroke, N. Y. She was a daugh- ter of Eli and Sophia Ellenwood, of the same town. By this marriage is one daughter, named Janette E. Mrs. Harriet S. Loomis died February 13, 1892, at the age of sixty- one years. The daughter, who is a graduate of Wells College, now efficiently presides over her father's home, the pleasant residence

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on Prospect Street, which has been occupied by the family for forty-two years.

George Loomis, D.D., the eldest child of Timothy Loomis and Sophronia, his wife, was born June 29, 1817. He was a Methodist clergyman, and devoted to the cause of educa- tion. Hle was graduated at the Wesleyan College, Middletown, Conn. For a long time he was principal of the Geneseo Wesleyan Seminary of Lima, N. Y., but left that posi- tion to go out as chaplain for seamen to the port of Canton, China. After three years he returned, and took the position of principal of the Women's College at Wilmington, Del. Later he was called to the Presidency of the Allegany College at Meadville, Pa. This position he held with honor for fifteen years. The last ten years of his life were spent in carrying on a young ladies' school at Clif- ton Springs, N. Y., a place which has been noted for its sulphur springs. The school was considered an established success. Dr. Loomis died while in the prosecution of his work, February 26, 1886, at the age of sixty- nine, leaving a wife, two sons, and a daugh- ter, who reside in Rochester, N. Y.

Rev. Dr. Loomis was popular in the pulpit ; but he gave his principal time and thought to the interests of education, and as an educator his memory will long continue. He was a man of commanding appearance, over six feet in height, his brother James being only a trifle less, both possessing that youthfulness of spirit which defies bodily age. Mr. James H. Loomis, surviving his brother George, represents a family of uncommon worth and ability. Inheriting the strong virtues of his ancestors, he has shown what might be done by many others, with honor to themselves, in the private walks of life and in the broader arena of political activity. Mr. Loomis has been an Elder and an active member of the Presbyterian church for over fifty years.

OLONEL TIMOTHY B. GRANT, for many years a leading merchant in Dansville, and now Secretary and Treasurer of the George Sweet Manufacturing Company, and also Corporation

Treasurer, was born at Easton, Washington County, N. Y., August 2, 1819. His father, Peter Grant, was probably born in Dutchess County, where he passed his early years in agricultural pursuits. The Colonel's family trace their antecedents back to four brothers who came from Scotland, one going West ; and it is supposed that General U. S. Grant was a distant relative of their family. Our subject's father removed to Easton, N. Y., where he purchased a farm, but spent his last years in Rensselaer County, N. Y., where he died at the age of seventy-five years. The maiden name of Colonel Grant's mother was Hannah Banker, a native of Rensselaer County, New York; and she reared thirteen children, four of whom still survive - Har- riet, wife of John E. Birch, now of Allegany County; Timothy B .; Washington; and Alexander. June 24, 1894, the Colonel had the misfortune to lose a sister, Maria, who, had she lived until August of the same year, would have been ninety-three years of age. The Colonel's mother passed her declining years in Rensselaer County, where she died at the age of seventy years.

Our subject left his parental roof at a little over thirteen years of age, and began work in a store at Schaghticoke, Rensselaer County. He remained there three years, and in 1836 commenced work at Rochester in a hardware store. He continued to apply himself closely to his duties, gaining business experience which served him well in his future career. In 1846 Colonel Grant went to Dansville, and established a hardware store in the town upon the site now occupied by the Edwards' store, which is devoted to the same business. In this he was associated with Mr. Brown, the firm being Brown & Grant. They remained in partnership until 1870, when the latter disposed of his interest to his son, and retired. Colonel Grant continued with Mr. Brown, Jr., for a time, when he purchased the latter's interest, and carried on the business alone until 1887, and then sold to Mr. Edwards, the present owner. He was thus engaged in busi- ness about forty-one years in one location. During the great fire in 1854, his main store was destroyed among many others. Another

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

store which they were running at the time was saved, and in this they continued business until their new block was completed.

After retiring from the hardware business Colonel Grant accepted the position of Secre- tary and Treasurer of the George Sweet Manu- facturing Company, whose plant is situated at Cummingsville, a section of Dansville. Colo- nel Grant is now the only survivor of his early business contemporaries. His business career embraces a period of over fifty-four years.

In 1846 Colonel Grant married Delia A. Smith, of Rochester, who died in 1848. For his second wife he married Caroline A. Smith, of Dansville, daughter of Samuel W. Smith, a merchant and one of the oldest citi- zens of the town. By Colonel Grant's second marriage he had two children. Lansing B. married Miss Ida Hartman, daughter of Henry Hartman, of Dansville, and died aged thirty- six years. His wife died November 29, 1894. They had one child, Lansing Fred. Hylie married Bernard II. Oberdorf, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere.

Colonel Grant has been Town Clerk for about twenty-five years, holding that office fifteen years without opposition. He has also held his present office of Corporation Treasurer at different periods, in all about eighteen years. He is now Secretary and Treasurer of the gas company. In his younger days Mr. Grant was a member of the Rochester fire department, and was forced to resign in consequence of injuries received in the performance of his duties. He then turned his attention to military affairs, was elected Captain of the Canaseraga Light In- fantry, and commanded the Company for four- teen years, from 1848 to 1862. During this time he was elected Colonel, but at the same time held command of his company. He was active in organizing and was a member of the examining board at Elmira during the Rebell- ion. The above-named company was cele- brated in its day as one of the most proficient and well-drilled military organizations in New York State, and the Colonel had much to do in accomplishing this result. He is a member and has been Vestryman of St. Peter's Church. Although he is now seventy-

five years old, his step is still elastic, and his intellect is bright and active. He is an ex- tensive reader and an intelligent and interest- ing conversationalist on many subjects. He has been a liberal contributor to all worthy objects and an earnest promoter of any and all movements that would be of benefit to the general community.

ENATOR BLAKESLEE, of the town of York, Livingston County, whose ninety-fifth year was made memorable by a visit to the Colum- bian Exposition in Chicago, was born in Wallingford, Conn., on March 25, 1799. His father, Joseph Blakeslee, was also a na- tive of the same town, and was born in the same house. His uncle, Samuel Blakeslee, was a Drum-major in the War of the Revo- lution, and filled the office of Colonel at Buffalo in the War of 1812. Joseph Blakes- lee was a farmer, and lived in Connecticut all his life. He married Miss Mary Andrews, also a native of Wallingford, and they had six children; namely, Orator, Morency, Wealthy, Dacey, Mary, and Senator, the sub- ject of the present sketch being the only sur- vivor of the family. One sister lived to the age of ninety years, and all were married and had families.

Senator Blakeslee received his education in the district schools of Connecticut; and after he became old enough to travel he went west- ward from his carly home on a prospecting tour, and finally in 1837 bought a farm in York, Livingston County, N. Y., where he settled down, the farm comprising about one hundred and seventy-five acres, situated in the southern part of the town. Having made his residence there so long ago, he was satisfied to remain on the familiar spot till a few years ago, when he bought an addition to his estate, consisting of five acres of land on the oppo- site side of the roadway. Here he erected a new residence, and has settled down to spend the remainder of his life.

Mr. Blakeslee married his first wife in 1826, and moved to the town of Litchfield, Conn., where he resided eleven years.

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Mrs. Blakeslee died in 1839. They had four children - Moreney, Joseph, Lyman, and Sarah. Notwithstanding the beauty of their native town, one of the oldest and most pict- uresquely situated in the State, the first and second named preferred a home with a broader prospect for development, and so trusted their fate to the future of the great lake-bordered State of Michigan. Mr. Blakeslee's second wife was Miss Lucy Hull, of Connecticut ; and they brought up two children, both daughters, Lucy and Marietta, who live in the vicinity of their father's home in York. Marietta is the wife of Mr. George W. Greene. Mr. Blakeslee married for his third wife Miss Lucy Kendall Hopson, who still makes his home pleasant.

Mr. Blakeslee has long been known as one of the most prominent business men in Liv- ingston County. He was for a long time a Director of the Mount Morris Bank, and has been a Director of the Genesee Valley Bank for thirty years. He is a Deacon in the Bap- tist church of the town, having been a member of that denomination for over sixty years. In politics he was first a Whig, and is now a Republican. His first Presidential vote was "cast in 1820 for John Quincy Adams. In 1893, at the age of ninety-four years, Mr. Blakeslee was an interested visitor at the World's Fair, even taking passage on the Ferris Wheel on two different occasions, and appreciatively viewing the beauties and won- ders of the White City on the lake shore.

A" LBERT SWEET, a leading business man of Dansville, N. Y., and one of the directors and managers of the Sweet Manufacturing Company, was born in Dansville, N. Y., June 2, 1847, son of George and Ruth (Dunn) Sweet and grand- son of Thomas Sweet. The latter was a na- tive of Connecticut, and came from there to Dutchess County, New York, being among the early settlers of that county. Later he went to Camillus, Onondaga County, pur- chased a farm, and resided there for the rest of his life. He had nine children.

George, who was the fifth child, was born

in Dutchess County, and accompanied his par- ents to Onondaga County, where he received his education in the district school, and be- came accustomed to farm life and work. At the age of twenty he came to Springwater, Livingston County, and later removed to Dansville, somewhere in the forties, obtain- ing work in a machine-shop. Having a nat- ural aptitude for mechanics, he soon mastered the details of the work, and became a profi- cient at his trade. Resolved not to remain a journeyman all his life, he practised economy, and in course of time purchased the factory, which he carried on successfully for over forty years, when he retired from active work, though retaining an interest in the factory to the time of his death, which occurred June 19, 1894, at the age of seventy-six. His wife, Ruth, was a daughter of John Dunn, a prosperous farmer of Avon. She reared four children - Albert, the subject of this sketch ; Elvira, who married J. C. Whitehead, of Dansville; Fanny; and Emma. Mrs. George Sweet is still living at the old homestead, at the age of sixty-nine, a lady of charming per- sonality and sweet disposition. The house, which was built by Mr. Sweet in 1867, is still one of the most attractive residences in the village.

Albert Sweet acquired a fair store of use- ful knowledge in the Dansville Seminary, and at the age of twenty engaged in the grocery business, forming a partnership with Thomas E. Gallagher under the firm name of Sweet & Gallagher. He continued so employed for five years, but in 1873 purchased an interest in the Sweet Manufacturing Company, and has ever since been prominently connected with this concern, which ranks among the leading industries of the thriving village. The firm is engaged in the manufacture of reapers, mowers, and other farming imple- ments, and has an enviable reputation for the quality of its products and its "square" methods of dealing. The business has grown to large proportions since George Sweet with his hard-earned savings first purchased the little factory near Cummingsville, one mile south of the village of Dansville.

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

Miss Elizabeth Edwards. A sketch of her father, Alexander Edwards, a native of Bath, Steuben County, N. Y., may be looked for on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Sweet have one son, George, who, after receiving his preparatory education at the Dansville New School, entered Cornell Uni versity, where he is now qualifying himself to become an architect. Mr. Sweet is a man of influence in the affairs of his town and vil lage. He served as Supervisor in 1881 and 1882, was Postmaster of Dansville from 1886 to 1800, and has served some years on the School Committee. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Phonix Lodge, No. 115, A. P. & A. M., and also to the Royal Arch Chapter. In political affairs be sup ports the Democratic party; and both be and his wife attend the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Sweet is an active member. Mi. Sweet's business and social standing in the community well illustrates the value of camel and well-directed effort. In this he has fol lowed in the footsteps of his father, who af tained a high degree of business success and acquired a well-earned competence. Both, Mr. and Mrs. Sweet occupy a high place in Dansville society, and their pleasant home is often the scene of a generous hospitality to their numerous friends.

AMES I. BACKUS, a retired railroad engineer residing at No. 89 Main Street, Attica, N. Y., was born at Stafford, Genesee County, in 1823. His father, John M. Backus, was a native of the town of Marcellus, Albany County. He was born in the year $800, and at the age of seven years was brought by his parents to Gen esce County when there was but one house in the city of Batavia. The grandfather was a farmer, and followed that vocation through life. He was twice married, and raised a small family.

Mr. Bar kow's father was trained to agricult ural pursuits, which he also followed as a sexta tion. The maiden name of his wife was Sally Sutton, daughter of Jeremiah Sutton, of Batavia, formerly Marcellus. They were mar-

ried in Stafford about the year 18.1, and hill six sons and the daughters Backus was a soldier m the Civil War, and died of disease contracted in service. Om son, James. H., of Attica, and there daughters are the only surviving members of the family. "The parents removed at length to Malam, where the father purchased bus third farm After residing there for some time, both die in 1875, within one week. testing, at Prairieville, Bury County, IH 11

Na James IL. Backus began manbroading in rago, fifty five years ago, being, Ind employed on the construction of Ar New York Central Railroad, and after HS completion entering the locomotive works of the company at Tom wanda. He began running on the Ball section about 1891, and continued at the Hurt He considerably over forty years, being com pulled by impaired vision and failing health to retire permanently from the road in March, 1802. With but our exception, he was then the oldest engineer in the State, Mr. Backus during his long experience as a loronotti engineer has necessarily passed through many exciting scenes. In 1218 I was severely in jmed, his engine having jumped from the track, causing him to lose a limb, but, as soon as able, he was at his post again. H. was always a most efficient and trustworthy employee, and of exceeding value to the com pany, never having been censured or even blamed for a single fault during his long Service.

Mr. Backus was married on October . 1836, to Miss Mary Murphy; and they have but one child left, a son, Byron, who was mal ried to his ar cond wife in September, 1891 and is now with his father in the livery busi ness. The only daughter, who was highly edu cated and accomplished, a skilful pianist, and a very estimable young lady, exceedingly de voted to her parents, died at the age of twenty HK. on July 20, 1887 Mr. Backers some years ago purchased the farm in Stafford upon which his parents resided previous to their removal to the West, and which he afterward sold for ten thousand dollars, realizing a very handsome profit, He has recupied his present

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

comfortable residence since 1869; and, having erected and fitted up a good livery stable upon an adjoining lot, he and his son conduct a first-class business, by courtesy and readiness to accommodate winning a liberal patronage.

EREMIAH W. CHANDLER, a well- to-do and highly respected citizen of the town of Nunda, is a thorough-going farmer who is carrying on mixed hus- bandry after the most approved modern methods. Mr. Chandler was born March 28, 1839, in the town of Castile, Wyoming County. His grandfather, William Chandler, was born and bred in Cayuga County, and lived there several years after his marriage. He subsequently migrated to Livingston County with his family, and for some time was engaged in the pioneer labor of clearing off a portion of the land. After partly improving a homestead, he removed to Ohio, where he bought another farm, on which he spent his remaining years.

Walter D. Chandler, son of William, was born and educated in Cayuga County, and, while living with his parents, acquired a prac- tical knowledge of the various branches of agriculture. When his father removed to Ohio, he stayed in this county, and soon after bought a farm on the State Road, three miles north of Nunda, where he pursued his chosen vocation for some years. He afterward changed his place of residence to the town of Castile; and there he passed his remaining days, departing this life in 1847. He married Chloe Church, daughter of Richard Church ; and she survived him nearly half a century, dying in June, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Seven children were born of their union; namely, Susan, Maria C., Ruth E., Jeremiah W., Emeline, Walter D., and Phoebe J. All are now living, with the exception of Susan and Walter; but few of them have remained in the vicinity of their birth, their homes now being in different parts of the country.

Jeremiah W. Chandler received a substantial common-school education in the town of Cas- tile, and, on arriving at years of discretion,

engaged in farming pursuits. In 1860, in partnership with his father-in-law, Albert H. Prescott, he bought one hundred acres of land on East Hill, where he lived for about twelve years. He then moved into a house owned by Mr. Prescott; and in this he resided until 1888, when he bought his present fine prop- erty. In 1860 Mr. Chandler and Miss Abbie A. Prescott, the daughter of Albert H. and Eliza (Brown) Prescott, were united in mar- riage. Their domestic hearthstone has been brightened by the birth of eight children, namely : Walter H., a resident of Nunda, who married Esther Johnson, and has two children ; Blanche E., the wife of Herbert S. Barker, who has one child, a boy named Ray; Grace M. ; Ruth A., the wife of Frank Seager, who has one child, Blanche; Susie E. ; Arthur W .; James C. ; and Jessie H.

Socially, Mr. Chandler and his pleasant family are held in high consideration; and their happy home is noted for its generous hos- pitality. In his political views Mr. Chandler has always been a warm and active supporter of the principles advanced by the Republican party ; and his first Presidential vote, cast in 1860, was given to Abraham Lincoln. He is an active member of the Farmers' Alliance.

D' R. P. S. GOODWIN, one of the lead- ing physicians of the town of Perry, Wyoming County, N. Y., was born September 30, 1862. His father, Charles L. Goodwin, who is of English de- scent, was born October 9, 1821, at Akron, Ohio. When still very young, he was em- ployed as contractor for the Warsaw Salt Com- pany, and later in life moved to Florida, where he now resides in Plabroke, and is extensively engaged in the fruit business. His five chil- dren are: Martha, who married S. Morbra, of Ohio; Cynthia R., who lives in Thompson, Ohio; Mattie, who married William Davis, and lives in Ohio; Charles, who resides in Greigsville, N. Y. ; and P. S., the subject of this sketch.

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Biographical review : this volume contains biographical sketches of the leading citizens of Livingston and Wyoming counties, N.Y, Part 93

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

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