USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 15
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Ellen A. Webster married George E. Stevens, November 8, 1868, and they were parents of four children, viz .: Orpha L., who died 1887, aged 18 years ; Jennie Bertell, born October 25, 1871 ; Stella R., born Octo- ber 19, 1873 ; and Laura A., who died in infancy (1881). Mrs. Stevens and family occupy the Webster homestead on road 20, where she was born.
David Webster, born 1819, came to Alabama in 1828, and was reared on a farm. He married, in 1846, Mary, daughter of Allen B. and Sarah (Coleman) Holmes, and their children were Leonard, who died young ; David M. C., who resides at Rocky Hill, Conn .; and Frances Ella, who was born 1851. May 27, 1875, she married Frank A. Stevens, and they have one son, Claude W., born February 10, 1877. David Webster died in 1851. His widow married Solomon H. Dunham in 1859, and their children were Anna and Amelia (twins), who died in infancy, and Jennie Maria, who resides at Rocky Hill, Conn. Mrs. Dunham died in March, 1889. F. A. Stevens and family reside at Kensington, Conn. David M. C. Webster married Lumec Ault, and their children are Regi- nald A., George D., and Alma May, and they reside at Rocky Hill, Conn.
Samuel Winchell, born in Monroe County, N. Y., married Cornelia,
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daughter of Ashur Merrill, and located in Orleans County. He was a blacksmith, and came to Alabama about 1854. Their children were Mary Ann, who married Schuyler Starkweather ; Melissa, who married Lorenzo Horning, and lives in the West ; and Lyman W., of Alabama. The father died in 1861, and the mother in 1888.
Lyman W. Winchell was born in 1831, learned the blacksmith trade, and married, November, 1855, Harriet Elizabeth, daughter of Albert and Emma (Davis) Clark, of Oakfield. They located in Alabama. Their sons are Albert S., born January 28, 1857, who married, in 1880, Sarah, daughter of Eleazur R. Underhill, and their children are Nora Cornelia, born 1882, and Frank, born 1885; and Merrill E., born September 4, 1858, who married, in 1880, Eva, daughter of Orin and Jane A. (Fish) White, and lives in Buffalo. Mr. Winchell enlisted in the late war in August, 1862, in the 19th Light Artillery, and was at the battles of the Wilderness, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Weldon Road, and others, serving until the close of the war. He now lives on Medina street in Alabama.
Joseph Waterstreett, a citizen of Mecklenburg, Germany, married Leo- nora Niendoorf, from the same town. He died there in 1863, aged 61 years. His children were Henry, Christopher, Sophia, Joseph, and Mary. Henry came from Germany to the United States in 1864, settled in Oak- field, and married Minnie, daughter of John and Mary (Burr) Scroger, of Oakfield. Their children are Mary, John, Fred, and George. Mary married Charles Dryer, of Oakfield.
Thomas R. Wolcott was born in Leyden, Lewis County, N. Y., Feb- ruary 2, 1801. About the year 1827 he bought a farm in Alabama from the Holland Land Company. At the time he was engaged in teaching school in Livingston County, which profession he continued until 1829 or '30, when he settled on his farm. He married Aurelia Underwood, and had one child, Sarah, wife of Daniel Inglesbee, of Pon- tiac, Mich. His wife lived two years. In 1835 he married Orpha Wol- verton, daughter of Asher, of Montgomery County, N. Y., and they had IO children, four of whom are living. He died April 24, 1887. He was. supervisor for several years, and justice of the peace for 10 years. His widow resides on the old homestead, which has never been out of the family.
George W. Webb was born in Rochester, N. Y., April 28, 1856. In 1884 he was appointed station agent for the West Shore Railroad at Ala- bama, which position he has held ever since. He married,Mary Zwetsch, of Alexander.
3
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TOWN OF ALEXANDER.
Augustus D. Zurhorst, a practicing physician, son of Frederick Will- iam, was born in London, Eng., in 1803. He married Mary Ann Estell, and came to America in 1836, continuing the practice of medi- cine. He died 1873, and his wife 1855. His children were Catherine T., who married Lorenzo Ely, of Castile, N. Y .; Augusta P., who married John Pennock and died 1885 ; Octavia,. of Castile; John E., who died 1853, aged 13 years ; Herman S. W., who was a soldier and died 1864, in West Virginia ; Rosina V., who died 1865, aged 17 years; Henry C., who died young ; and Augustus F. G., the subject of this sketch, who was born September 27, 1847. He was educated at Genesee and Wyoming Seminary, enlisted in the army in 1863 in Co. G, 21st N. Y. Cavalry, became quartermaster's sergeant, and served until July, 1866. On his re- turn he studied medicine with his father and with Dr. N. G. Clark, of Batavia, and graduated at Cleveland Medical College, class of 1869. He then practiced medicine with Dr. Clark for two years, after which he located at Alabama Center in 1871. He was postmaster in 1885, justice of the peace in 1888, and elected supervisor in 1889. Dr. Zurhorst has a large and growing practice, and resides on Railroad street. He mar- ried, in 1878, Emma A., daughter of Frederick A. and Elizabeth (Flan- ders) Cooley. Their daughters are Iola Jean, born March 9, 1880, and Kathleen Corinne, born October 10, 1884.
ALEXANDER.
A LEXANDER was one of the very earliest settled towns in the county, the valuable and productive lands along the Tonawanda Creek causing the early pioneers to seek homes where the rich soil awaited their labors; and having that in view it is estimated that over 100 families took up the lands in that township (No. II) between the years 1802 and 1815, the greatest influx being prior to the War of 1812. We are informed that the first log house was built near the site of the present cheese factory. In endeavoring to enumerate their names and the year of settlement we are unable to be accurate in every instance, owing to our sources of information being somewhat uncertain as well as contradictory ; but by careful inquiry and verification among the de- scendants of most of them we are enabled to lay before our readers a
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more complete list than has ever heretofore been compiled. A confusion of dates may exist in some cases, arising from the fact that some who signi- fied their intentions of locating did not take possession until sometime after .. We will endeavor to present them in their order of date of settlement.
The first record of deed for purchase in the town is that of Alex- ander Rhea (from whom the town was finally named) in 1802. He was. a surveyor of the Holland Co. and founder of Alexander village, erect- ing a saw-mill in 1804. He was brigadier-general of militia and State Senator for several years. His first deed was 'for 17 acres of land in the bend of the creek near the present village, and for I I acres on what was. then called the Allegany road (the first cut through, southerly) ; later, in 1809, he located a larger tract, since known as the Pearson farm. While Mr. Rhea took the first contract for land William Blackman is regarded as the first settler.
In 1803, 1804, and 1805 there came Elijah Root, William Johnson, George Darrow, John Olney, William Blackman, who, it is said, raised the first crop of corn, and whose child was the first born in the town ; William Whitney, whose death was the first, caused by falling from a tree; Lillie Fisher, settling on the farm so-called, and his son Alanson T., who died at the age of 98 years; and Caleb Blodgett, whose large farm stood on higher ground than any place between Batavia and Buf- falo. Near his house stood a tall elm tree, the top of which was visible from Bethany and many points in Wyoming County. There also came Lewis Disbrow, Joseph Fellows, Elias and John Lee, Samuel Russel, Elijah Rowe, Solomon Blodgett, Elisha Carver, and Benham Preston, the most of whom took of the land or located in 1804.
In 1806 the following persons signified their intentions of locating, some of whom did, a few, perhaps, failing to make actual settlement : Jonas Blodgett, John Churchill, David Clark, Isaac Chaddock, David Car- ter, John Chamberlin, Timothy Fay, Aaron Gale, H. Williams, Elnathan Wilcox, Amos Jones (the first school teacher), Capt. Ezekiel T. Lewis, Alexander Little, B. Lyman, J. McCollister, and Henry Rumsey.
In 1807 S. Bradway, Ezekiel Churchill, G. W. Wing, Philo Porter (farmer and pensioner of the War of 1812), Joseph Gladden, and Rudol- phus Hawkins, who died in 1849, came in. Mr. Hawkins was the father of Jesse, John, Harvey, Henry, and Van Rensselaer, and they were at one time the largest, if not the most influential, family in town. Timothy Hawkins, who came from Tolland, Conn., was one of the first permanent settlers near the village, on the farm where Ira T. Hawkins now lives,
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known as the Hawkins farm. He came when only two houses were built between Batavia and Alexander. He died at the age of 84 years. About this time one William Adams erected a saw mill and grist-mill on the site of the present flouring-mill in the village. He was also lieuten- ant of militia, and died in 1810.
, Isaac Parrish was one of the pioneers of Genesee County. He was born in the town of Randolph. Vt. His father, William Parrish, moved from Vermont to this county in 1806, and settled in the town of Alex- ander, on a farm just west of the old elm tree. During the War of 1812 his father directed him to go to Batavia and purchase some necessaries for the family. While at Batavia a portion of the army was marching through to Buffalo ; the services of the team and driver were wanted to convey some of their camp equipage to Niagara River ; himself and team were pressed into service, very much to his discomfort, and was com- pelled to proceed with the army to Buffalo, where he was paid for the services rendered, and directed to return home, 30 miles away, through the forest, where anxious friends were waiting his return, as they were very much in want of the articles he was directed to get at Batavia. Soon after the war, and in the employ of his uncle (Alba Blodgett), he drove a seven-horse team for seven years, between Albany and Buffalo, drawing freight for the Western World, before the Frie Canal was in operation. He was employed several months during the construction of the locks at Lockport. He assisted in drawing the machinery and irons from Albany to Buffalo for the second steamboat that ran on Lake Erie. In 1834 he purchased the farm where his son, George B. Parrish, lived. It was at that time a wilderness ; only about 15 acres of the farm were then under cultivation. He was an enterprising and successful farmer ; a resident of the town of Alexander 66 years ; and died in April, 1872.
Harvey Hawkins and Hon. Abel Ensign came in 1808, and kept the first tavern and store, and Thomas Rice, Lyman Riddle (a soldier of 1812), John Squires, Edmund Tracy, and Shubael Wing in 1809. Moses M. Page, from Connecticut, and Levi Thompson came in 1810, when there were only three settlers on the road between Batavia and Alexander. Mr. Page died aged 74 years. The same year Col. Seba Brainard became a neighbor to the few who preceded him. He was held in great esteem by all, and was a zealous Methodist. His son Harris suc- ceeded to his property. and died on the homestead. Harris left two sons, Seba and Charles. John and Samuel Latham, about this time, put
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up the first framed dwelling. William Waite, Gehial Stanard, and Spen- cer Waldo were settlers during the year. During 1811 Return B. Cady and John and B. Cady located.
Capt. Elisha Smith was born in Washington County, N. Y., October 19, 1785. In 1807 he united in marriage with Elizabeth Birdsall, of Otsego, Otsego County, N. Y., and in 1812 emigrated to Genesee County and located at Alexander. He performed noble service in the War of 1812, and participated in the memorable battle of " Black Rock." His estimable companion died May 13, 1855, aged 72 years. He never mixed largely in political matters, but his opinions were judiciously formed and fearlessly asserted. He was a faithful and consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Church, and that organization lost a valuable mem- ber in his demise. A friend, speaking of his death, says :
" Being one of the early pioneers he experienced many of the hardships, privations, and labors of the early settlers, but succeeded well in subduing the forest and bringing the soil to its present productiveness, and supplying his family with the competencies of life. His friends were always welcomed with cordiality at his house, and in his death they lost a much-esteemed and valuable citizen. He was very child-like in his affection for and manner towards his friends, and more than all that can be said of him is that he was a good man."
Up to this time settlements upon the Purchase were rapid. Usually the coming of one family would be followed by others from their old homes, but rumors of war and preparations for it about this time (1812) impeded somewhat the increase of pioneers, and while we have no particular names as coming during the year, we note names of some, among whom were Dr. Jonathan Hall, a farmer of genuine worth, and a Presbyterian. He died aged 56. There was also John Riddle (father of Lyman and Thomas), an honored citizen and the first justice of the peace, and super- visor for several years. He died in 1849. Thomas first settled in Darien. He followed mercantile pursuits, was town clerk, postmaster, Sessions justice, and justice of the peace for 28 years. He died in 1889. Lyman Riddle was a soldier of 1812. There were Henry Innis, from Nova Scotia, Rodney Wadsworth, Samuel Favor, who died at the age of 95 years, and during the later period of his life lived in the village, and Timothy Mooers an enterprising mechanic, who was foremost in all movements to build up the village. He built the first grist-mill (now standing), and combined with it a wool-carding and cloth dressing machine, attracting customers to the place. . There were also Jerome Dickinson, who died in 1885, and whose daughter taught school for 30 years; and Leverett Seward, a good citizen, a soldier in the war, and wounded, drew a pension, and who
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was twice elected to the Assembly. He died in 1817, and left two sons, Winfield S. and Charles F.
The Kidder family made their advent in the new settlement sometime during this year or 1813. One authority gives the year 1806; but we can- not verify it. John Kidder came from Massachusetts, and located on the farm now occupied by Earl Kidder. He cleared up his place with the help of a family of sturdy boys, Alvin, Earl, Hosea, and Sidney. Alvin. afterwards moved to Boston and engaged in the leather trade. Earl re- mained upon the farm, dying in 1871. He was a justice, supervisor, and loan commissioner. Ruth Kidder is on record as having located a farm about 1813. The Kidder family were quite an element in society in those days.
Gen. Josiah Newton settled at an early day, in 1815, was a large farmer,. owned a beautiful place, and died well off. Captain Marcellus Fellows, Josiah Goodrich, Asahel Warner, Stephen Day, Esq., and Wolcott Marsh also located in town, and during the year the Moulton family, consisting of Capt. Royal, Benjamin, and E. C., a full sketch of all of whom will be found further on. Newcombe Demary, Nathaniel Loomis, and Joshua Rix, whose farm was next to the Kidders', were settlers in 1814. It has been stated that Benjamin and Eunice Moulton were the first persons married, but we cannot verify it.
The year 1815 was memorable for a large influx of pioneers in the new settlement. We record the names of Emory and Solomon Blodgett, and Fred Balch, who was a farmer and cooper. He married Harriet Benedict at the old Fargo tavern. Samuel Benedict, a liberal benefactor andc it- izen, was instrumental in founding the seminary, giving $1,000 towards it, and also was an early promoter of the Exchange Bank. He finally moved South. The Chaddocks, Luther (who later built a fine cobble- stone house on his farm), Thomas, and Dennis B., located in the southeast part of the town. There were also C. Williams, Baxter H. Wilmarth, Robert Lounsbury, Emory F. Lincoln, Noah North, who came in 1808, and his sons Noah and James A., Eben North, who came in 1816, and William Parrish, who was a man of integrity and industry. Ae died in 1872, leaving a son, George. He was a commissioner of highways for 18 years.
In 1816 we have Daney Churchill and Cherrick Van De Bogart, of the " Van De Bogart settlement," in the northwest part of the town. Nicholas Van De Bogart, a son, afterwards moved to the village and kept the tavern. He has several sons living. In addition we have
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Timothy Hoskins, James R. Jackman, Gorama Kelsey, Lyman Brown, James Lewis, N. Manson, Ira Newton, who was always at peace with his fellowmen, and J. G. Tiffany, a handy mechanic, a farmer, and a wool-carder, who moved to Darien.
The following came in 1817: Silas Southwell, Jonas and James Stimars, S. C. Spring, Ezra W. Osborn, and David Halsted, in the north part of the town. Philip Cook, Ebenezer Scoville, and Guy Shaw came in 1819. In 1820 came S. B. Brainard, Daniel F. Bowen, C. J. Hawkins, Sanford Rid- dle, and S. B. Smith; Horace B. Houghton, Eliphalet Peck, the first settler on the Peck farm, and John and Benjamin Simonds, in 1824 in the north part of the town. There were also Philo Porter (a soldier of 1812), Moses Dickinson, and O. T. Fargo, of the famous Fargo tavern, which he kept for 41 years. It was a favorite place of resort for balls and parties. A Mr. Austin formerly kept this tavern up to Mr. Fargo's taking possession in 1825. A Charles Austin was an early school teacher, in a log house about this time, but it cannot be learned if it is the same one.
As we are now coming to an intermediate period, where not a few of the settlers of that time are still living, we do not deem it best to enu- merate them all, but will give space to Rufus G. Avery, who came in 1835, whose son Rufus G. still resides in town. James Day came in the same year, whose daughter, Mrs. Hannah H. Lawton, is still a resident. John Dirstine, in 1830, married Alice Riddle, and occupies the Riddle farm. Richard L. Waite was a blacksmith and farmer, and a son, a Methodist minister, survives him.
The town was organized June 12, 1812, and we will give as we are able some names of those identified with it, and the village, who were instrumental in advancing its growth. John and Samuel Latham are supposed to be the first who engaged in mercantile business, and some contend that Harvey and Henry Hawkins were in advance of them. Certainly undue credit cannot be given the latter for their enterprise. Horace B. Houghton was an old resident, a mechanic, and regarded al- ways as being upright. He was justice for 28 years. James R. Jack- man started in life poor, but by hard work became well off. He was justice for several years, and was made judge of the County Court by Governor Seward. George W. Wing, son of Shubael, was a carriage- maker. The firm of Wing & Willard supplied the country around with wagons of superior make. They also made freight cars, and erected many dwellings in the village.
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Timothy Mooers, who built the present mill, also carried on wool- carding. He made woolen rolls, which were then taken by the women and spun into yarn, and by looms wove into cloth. Mr. Mooers' then fulled, dyed, and pressed the same, ready to be made into wearing ap- parel. This industry he kept up until 1835. He was also in the drug and grocery business, and postmaster for many years. His son Alonzo T. was connected with Judge Rix in the grain and milling business, and kept a drug store in 1869. In 1829 Charles Patterson had a carding and woolen factory. Solomon Cook was a post rider. Ira Earll was post- master in 1831. W. C. Spaulding was postmaster in 1837, and V. R. Hawkins in 1841. Rix and Blodgett were merchants in 1832, and Haw- kins and Blodgett in 1839. E. & E. B. Foote operated a woolen factory in 1841. Blossom & Newton were merchants in 1842, and Heman Blodgett & Co. in 1844. Edward T. Squires was a musician, and also a farmer.
Charles Chaffee was said to be the first physician. Alden Richards was an early tanner. Abner Nichols was a boot and shoe dealer in 1846. Wells, Adams, and Matteson were old-time cabinetmakers. Orlando Fel- lows, 50 years ago, worked at his trade as blacksmith. Cyrenus Wilbor, an early settler (before 1807), was a tanner and currier. The second couple married by Father Paddock, in 1819, was Mr. Wilbor and wife. He also kept tavern at one time ; during his occupancy it was set fire to and burned, by, it is supposed, the owner of the building. Mr. Wilbor was the father of Rev. A. D. Wilbor, once superintendent of the Blind Asylum, and grandfather of Rev. W. C. Wilbor, now pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Le Roy.
In 1869 the Messrs. Moulton were extensive millers. George Jones. was engaged in sash and blind manufacturing. W. L. Dickinson was a. merchant, and Horace Hunn had a saw-mill.
The tavern in early times being quite an element of civilization, we wish we were able to devote space to the history of the old stand in Alexander, but can only mention a few of its proprietors after Henry Hawkins opened one in 1807. N. Perry was proprietor for several years, or until about 1837, then a Mr. Lathrop, about 1838, when Nicholas Van De Bogart moved from his farm in 1839, opened up the place on an improved plan, and for 10 years proved he was able to attend to the wants of the traveling public. Alvah Montgomery and Cyrenus Wil- bor each kept tavern for a short time. In 1865 C. W. Bowen was pro- 10
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prietor, and soon Rufus G. Avery bought the stand and for a long time entertained many guests. At present a Mr. Fancher is in charge.
The unusual fall of water in the Tonawanda at thisplace was early taken advantage of, and as soon as a mill was built, in 1808, it caused a large business to be done, the products of the soil from a large extent of country finding a market at the village. The Hawkinses, the Blodgetts, Judge Rix, the Moultons, and others, all by their energy and sagacity, aided the farmer to make a sale of his produce, giving an impetus to trade and gradually enabling the pioneers to lead a more comfortable exist- ence.
With this new life came a desire on the part of parents to provide for the education of their children, something beyond what was afforded the first settlers. Preliminary to the move we note the formation of the "Alexandrian Library" as early as 1811, by Alexander Rhea, Henry Hawkins, Colonel Brainard, Samuel Latham, Jr., Harvey Hawkins, Noah North, and Ezra W. Osborn, who were elected trustees. In 1828 a literary society was formed, and in 1837 the citizens raised $6,000 to build a semi- nary, which cost $7,000, the deficiency being made up by Henry Hawkins. The name was "Genesee and Wyoming Seminary," and E. T. Crooker and E. T. Benedict were the first principals. It was built of stone, and flourished beyond all expectation, there being at one time 300 students in attendance. By a foreclosure of mortgage Henry Hawkins came into possession of the building, and in 1845 obtained a charter from the Regents of the University, gave to it the lands and buildings, and en- dowed it with $4,000, a large library, and geological specimens. In less than three months after it was in operation he died, of small-pox. Har- vey Hawkins died of the same disease soon after.
The building occupied as a union school has now about 100 scholars, and Professor O. Warren is the principal. It is situated on Buffalo street.
The general training day .- In 1807 the military authorities of the State organized a regiment on the Holland Purchase, and one of the companies being located in this town was honored with some of the principal officers. In the fall of 1808 the first regimental or general training was held here, and reviewed by Brigadier-General Alexander Rhea. Colonel William Rumsey was officer of the day. The regiment was formed on the ground east of the village, and on the north side of the road, the right resting near the site of the present stone church, on a line parallel with the road. " Everybody went to general training-men, women, children, and dogs. Some went on foot, some on horseback, and some in ox-wagons. The
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young fellows wore new 'fine' shirts, about as fine and white as stuff now used for bags, but which cost six shillings per yard, and these were the first fine shirts worn in this town."
The Exchange Bank of Genesee .- The business interests of Alexander and vicinity were so extensive that its enterprising citizens of 1842 de- termined to have more convenient banking facilities than were accorded them in Batavia; so that, at so early a date, the small village of Alexander became a rival of its larger sister village and county seat. The Hawkins family were instrumental in its organization, and later D. W. Tomlinson became interested in it, and buying up all the stock removed it to Batavia in 1850. Fred Follett and E. S. Warner were cashiers at different times.
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