USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 20
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B. Edwards, J. M. Williams, C. H. Caldwell, W. C. Simpson, E. P. Morse, George Scott, and John M. Mckenzie. W. C. Simpson is president; T. F. Woodward, vice-president; and J. C. Barnes, secretary and treas- urer.
"Joseph Ellicott, son of Joseph and Judith Ellicott, was born November 1, 1760, in Bucks County, Pa. When 14 years of age his father removed to Maryland. He was partly educated in Bucks County, but at his fa- ther's death he was obliged to teach school. He began surveying with his brother Andrew in 1785, locating the western boundary of Pennsylvania. In 1797 he was employed by the Holland Land Company, and came to Geneseo to attend a treaty of the Indians. He came alone in Septem- ber, on horseback, via Wilkesbarre, Tioga Point, Bath, and Dansville, returning to Philadelphia in the following February. In May, 1798, he came again, accompanied by his brother Benjamin, and Ebenezer Cary, arriving in Buffalo in June.
"In March, 1799, Joseph and Benjamin Ellicott went to Philadelphia for the purpose of conferring with Paul Busti, the agent of the company, for a continuance of the surveys. Returning in the spring Joseph Ellicott went to Buffalo, remaining there until the completion of the survey in the fall, and then came to Stafford. In January, 1800, he returned to Phila- delphia to report on his surveys. November 1, 1800, when 40 years of age, he was appointed general agent of the company, with liberal salary, a grant of 6,000 acres of land, and five per cent. commission on all sales of lands. He left Philadelphia in November, arriving in Buffalo in Janu- ary, 1801. He moved from there to Ransom's tavern (now Clarence, Erie County), and opened an office for the sale of lands. In letters writ- ten from that place he says he called it ' Ransomville,' 'Pine Grove,' 'Sweetwater Farm,' and 'West Genesee.' At the same time Buffalo was known as New Amsterdam, and also as Buffalo Creek. In 1801, fixing his mind to locate a permanent land office at Batavia, suitable buildings were erected for his occupancy, so that he removed there in the spring of 1802.
" In 1803 David E. Evans, his nephew, came from Maryland to act as clerk in the land office. In November, 1804, Mr. Ellicott was appointed an elector of President and Vice-President. His whole time was taken up in attending to the duties of his office, the place being no sinecure as the records show, and up to the War of 1812 no one was more active. At the close of the war his house was the asylum for sick and wounded soldiers, and all army officers received a hearty welcome. In 1818 he
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completed the main building of his residence, and by his hospitality was enabled to contribute largely to the social features of the place, and to entertain distinguished travelers on their journey to the Falls. He was a strong advocate of the Erie Canal from its first inception in 1808 to its completion in 1825 ; was one of the canal commissioners in 1816; and foresaw the great wealth it would bring to the Holland Land Company, proving, as it did, of great assistance to the settlers in paying for their lands.
" Mr. Ellicott's connection with the company enabled him to make for- tunate investments in lands, and as he was privileged to take his commis- sions in lands at low valuations, his possessions eventually became valua- ble. His great wealth, and his desire to advance the interests of his nieces and nephews, caused their removal from time to time from their different homes in Maryland to new and more desirable homes in West- ern New York.
"About 1815, and up to 1821, complaints were being made from settlers who were unable to pay for their lands, and through them efforts were made to have Mr. Ellicott resign his agency. But he refused, and was continued until his retirement in October, 1821. He was succeeded by Jacob S. Otto, of Philadelphia, the sub-agents in office being retained. After his retirement Mr. Ellicott went to Philadelphia and Baltimore, and endeavored to interest capitalists in the purchase of unsold lands. In this he was unsuccessful, and returned to Batavia in 1822. His health began to fail him soon after, and he made trips into Pennsylvania and Ohio in order to recruit, but without avail. In November, 1825, he went to New York with two of his nephews, Ebenezer Mix and Joseph Nixon. He was under medical treatment in the city until August, 1826, and on the 19th of that month died in his 66th year. His remains were brought from New York and laid to rest in the cemetery in Batavia, where a mon- ument has been erected to his memory by his sister, Rachel Evans.
"Mr. Ellicott was never married. He was a man of great industry, careful and systematic in all business, and required of all under him a faithful discharge of their duties."
" John B. Ellicott, son of Andrew and Sarah (Brown) Ellicott, was born in 1795, and in early life was in the employ of his uncle, Joseph Ellicott, in Batavia, as clerk in the land office. During the War of 1812 he was a volunteer to defend Fort Erie. In 1817 he was in business in Batavia with his cousin, George Brown, under the firm name of Brown & Ellicott. He married Helen Griffith, niece of his sister's husband. She was born
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in 1799. Soon after their marriage they resided in Medina. During his residence there he aided in erecting a flouring-mill on Oak Orchard Creek, in company with David E. Evans, to whom he sold his interest in 1828. He afterwards resided on an extensive tract of land in Pembroke, deeded to him by his uncle. His handsome residence on the main road, six miles from Batavia, was admired by all travelers. In the spring of 185 1 he moved to Batavia, and died there August 27, 1872, aged 77 years. His wife, Helen, died a few years afterwards. They had seven children, among whom was Mary Jane, born February 9, 1823, who married, first, Nathaniel Pitkin. Their son was Harvey Ellicott Pitkin. She afterwards married Nate T. Smith."
James W. Stevens, the first clerk of Genesee County, was a native of New Jersey and a graduate of Princeton College. He became connected with the Holland Land Co. at the earliest period of its land sales, and remained in the office until the affairs of the company were closed up. He served as county clerk from 1804 to 1810. He was a man of fine literary taste, of quiet habits, of strict business integrity, careful and systematic in his work, and lived a blameless life, respected by all his associates.
Ebenezer Cary was employed by Mr. Ellicott, when he was surveying lands in Pennsylvania, as early as 1795, and came with him to the Hol- land Purchase, acting as surveyor and clerk, or agent, and was generally useful He was an early merchant at Batavia, and the founder of the establishment so long continued by his brother, Trumbull Cary.
Trumbull Cary, the founder of the Bank of Genesee, was born August II, 1787, and was a native of Mansfield, Conn. He came to Batavia in 1805, was clerk for five years with James Brisbane and Ebenezer Cary, and in 1810 bought out that firm, and was in the mercantile business for 30 years. For a time he was of the firm of Cary & Grant, and a part of this time was postmaster. He was an adjutant in the War of 1812; was. elected to the Assembly and also served as State Senator ; and was a firm . friend of Gov. Seward. June 2, 1817, he married Margaret Eleanor, sister of James Brisbane, and they had a son, Walter, who became a prominent physician in Buffalo. Mr. Cary was a very successful man in all his undertakings, and aided materially in establishing the village on the career of growth and prosperity it has ever since maintained. He died June 20, 1869, aged 82 years. His grandson, Trumbull (son of Walter), is now the cashier of the bank founded in 1829.
Ebenezer Mix was born at New Haven, Conn., December 31, 1789.
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After learning the masons' trade under his brother, Abiather Mix, he came to Batavia, Genesee County, in the spring of 1809, at which place he worked at his trade during the summer, and taught school in the winter. In March, 1810, he entered the office of Daniel B. Brown as law student, still holding himself ready to do any job of plastering needed in the then small town. In the spring of 1811 Joseph Ellicott, then agent of the Holland Land Co., hired Mr. Mix to plaster a room, with an arched ceiling, by the yard ; after the job was done Mr. Mix made out his bill, giving the number of yards and price, and sent it in for pay- ment. Mr. Ellicott, upon examining the bill, sent out to know who made the calculation. Upon being informed that the mason himself did it he sent for Mr. Mix and said : " Young man, I did not suppose that there was another man on the Purchase that could make that calculation cor- rect. The Holland Land Company needs your services." And in March, 1811, Ebenezer Mix went into the employ of the Holland Land Company, where he remained for 27 years as contracting clerk, 21 years of which time he filled the office of surrogate of Genesee County, during which time he codified the laws of New York, as to the descent and distribution of es- tates, by request of the attorney-general. In the War of 1812, in a crisis of danger with the frontier settlers upon the Holland Purchase, he transferred himself from the land office to the camp and post of danger. He was the volunteer aide of Gen. P. B. Porter at the memorable and successful sortie at Fort Erie, September 17, 1814. He was at one time regarded as the best mathematician in this State, and was the publisher of a work entitled Practical Mathematics. He also rendered valuable assistance to Orsamus Turner in the compilation of his book. He was married, March 30, 1815, to Jemima Debow. October 8, 1863, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, remaining there until his death, January 12, 1869. One of his sons lives in Cleveland, and another, D. E. E. Mix, resides in Batavia, engaged in surveying and engineering.
Aaron Van Cleeve was born in 1768, in New Jersey, and was a coach- maker by trade. He married, in 1791, a daughter of Benjamin Stevens, and a sister to Judge Stevens. He went to Buffalo in 1795, and joined Ellicott later in cutting the west transit line, in 1799. Returning to New Jersey, he resided there 10 years. In 1809 he moved to Batavia, and in September of the same year was appointed sheriff and jailer. In 1810 he was appointed assistant marshal to take the census of all the country west of the Genesee River. He was also a clerk in the land office, and high sheriff in 1811. In 1814 he was appointed by President Madison
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to take the census of eight westerly counties in New York, and held other important offices.
Orsamus Turner, author of Turner's History of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase and Holland Purchase, was born in Ontario County. His father, Roswell Turner, came from Connecticut and settled near Honeoye Lake. He moved to Sheldon, Wyoming County, being an early settler of that town. Orsamus was an apprentice in the printing office of the Ontario Repository at Canandaigua, and in 1822 became proprie- tor of a paper in Lockport. He was an editor for 25 years. Chipman P. Turner, a brother of Orsamus, was born in Black Rock, and assisted in the compilation of Turner's Holland Purchase. He is now a resident of the town of Elba.
So closely identified are the village, the town, and the whole of Gen- esee County with each other that it is impossible to separate it, and a perusal of the early event as given in the town and county chapters will aid the reader in connecting the events of the early period. The sketches following this chapter, of some of the prominent individuals that took part in the early settlement, as well as sketches of the residents of the present day, will also be interesting, and connect on important link between the past and present.
Thomas McCully was born in Philadelphia, and came to Genesee County from Schenectady in 1816. He died in 1865, aged 82 years. He was by profession a mechanic, brick mason, and contractor, and built a good many structures in Batavia, among them being the present Epis- copal Church. He was a prominent man in the Methodist Episcopal Church, aiding in founding it, and was a trustee until his death. He married Sarah Hollister, daughter of Silas, and they had six children.
James Cochrane settled in 1802 on lot 24, containing four acres, buy- ing the same for $100. He was a bell founder. His foundry was on Bank street, where Mr. Southworth now lives. He made the bells for all the churches. In 1826 he took into partnership with him a Mr. Fisher. Mr. Cochrane built, in 1824, the house where Miss Sarah Stev- ens now lives. He died in 1846.
Richard Smith, whom Judge North mentions in the Bench and Bar as surrogate, was also clerk of the board of supervisors for 40 years. He lived in a frame house where Baker & Walkinshaw are located. He was a prominent Mason and master of Olive Branch Lodge. In seeking a continuance of his clerkship of the board of supervisors one year the chair- man remarked that " it was not necessary for him to ask it, as he should
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go for him for clerk as long as he was supervisor, and Mr. Smith was alive, and after that would go for Jane, his daughter " (the father's assist- ant).
Dr. David McCracken, located in 1801, took up lot 25, of 34 acres, paying $170. This lot is bounded by Main, Jackson, and Center streets. Shortly after his purchase he erected a log house, on what is now Will- iamson's furniture store, East Main street. He had four brothers, who soon came into the settlement.
Benjamin Blodgett, the early printer and proprietor of the Times, and also of the firm of Handford & Blodgett, located on the corner of Main and State streets. He removed to Richville, and for many years kept a most famous tavern at that place. He died in Illinois in 1857.
David E. Evans, a nephew of Joseph Ellicott, came in 1803, succeed- ing Mr. Otto in the duties of the land agency in 1826. His early life was spent in clerking for his uncle in the land office, so he was familiar with all the responsibilities of the agency. He was elected to the State Senate in 1818, and was there four years. In 1826 he was a member of Congress, but resigned, when he was appointed to the agency of the Holland Land Company, which position he held until the company's. affairs were wound up, in 1837. Mr. Evans was an open-hearted, gen- erous man, giving liberally to religious purposes, and for the public wel- fare. He died in 1850.
Rear- Admiral Ralph Chandler was born in Batavia in 1829, in the house where G. B. Worthington now lives. His father, D. H. Chandler, married a daughter of Hon. H. J. Redfield.
In 1814 Libbeus Fish bought lot 44, on East Main street. He came from Vermont in 1806, and died in 1859. He was a man of means, liberal in his investments and in his charities. He was a maltster, and proprietor of the first enterprise of the kind in the county. His son, Eli H. Fish, was born here in 1807, and died in 1879, aged 72 years. He was a grocer and maltster for 50 years. He was captain of the 164th Regiment, and was vice-president of the National Bank of Genesee.
The Cotes homestead, on East Main street, is one of the oldest houses in the place. It was the residence of Dr. Ephraim Brown until 1826, and of Dr. Levant B. Cotes for 30 years after. They were partners for a time.
Roswell Graham, an old-timer, came in 1801, and settled in the east part of the Graham place, on the Le Roy road, residing there until his death, at the age of 95 years. A daughter, Mrs. Nacy P. Coddington, resides in Buffalo, and is in her 83d year.
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Isaac Joslyn came in 1828. He was a locksmith and blacksmith for 53 years. His brother, Almiran Joslyn, is still living on East Main street, and is over 90 years of age.
Another old settler still living is John Green Russell (over 90 years of age), on Bank street, son of an early tavern-keeper. Still another old settler, formerly of Elba, is Phineas Howe, 95 years of age, living on East Main street.
Benjamin H. Stevens, brother of Judge J. W. Stevens, and a brother- in-law of James Brisbane, came to Batavia in 1822. He was in New Jersey in 1777. He was the superintendent of a hat factory, and died in 1857. His only daughter, Sarah K., was born September 6, 1810, came to Batavia with her parents, and has resided here since. She has lived since 1824 in the old house on East Main street, built by James Coch- rane in 1822. Her mother taught private school for 27 years. She died in 1880, at the age of 97 years. To Miss Sarah K. Stevens we are in- debted for many dates and facts connected with the period in which she was a prominent factor.
The old house, 514 East Main street, was built in 1815 by David Locke.
The Rev. Lucius Smith, rector of the Episcopal Church from 1823 to 1833, was a prominent man and minister for those days. He was very decided as well as liberal in his opinion, and took a more than usually active interest in the perpetuation of the Masonic Lodge, of which he was an energetic working member, and an advocate of its doctrines. Dur- ing the Morgan episode Mr. Smith's attitude was severly criticised by some of his friends, but he stood up unflinchingly in adherence of the course he marked out. Marcus L. Babcock, his half brother, was said to be one of the earliest born children of the village. His son, Junius A. Smith, was a clerk in the land office, and also a representative of the Farmers' Loan and Trust Co., which succeeded the Holland Land Co. He died in 1864.
Kimball Ferren, of Le Roy, was superintendent and proprietor of "the old line coaches" running to Buffalo, Lockport, etc. He was also at one time overseer of the poor, and a member of the Masonic order.
Benjamin C. and Ones Page came in 1838 from New Hampshire, and started a bakery where Baker & Walkinshaw now are. They carried on the business for 30 years. Their business was very extensive, at one time having 12 teams on the road. A son of Benjamin C. is E. B. Page, now, and has been since 1864, engaged in the music business.
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Col. William Seaver, one of the most prominent citizens of Genesee County, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., October 10, 1789, and died at Batavia, August 25, 1871, in the 82d year of his age. In early life he taught school, and subsequently embraced the medical profession. This, however, he abandoned for mercantile ventures, and in 1817 emi- grated from Albany to Genesee County. For nearly half a century fol- lowing his removal he was at the head of a large drug, book, and print- ing establishment. Col. Seaver grew up with the country. He was essentially a "man of affairs," and possessed to an unlimited degree the confidence of the public. His ideas were broad and liberal, his knowl- edge of men and things was extensive, and during his day and genera- tion his influence was hardly second to any one in Genesee County. For many years he was editor and proprietor of the Batavia Spirit of the Times, and aside from being a forcible writer brought dignity to the edi- torial profession. In public life he was a natural leader, and occupied many local positions. In 1822 he took charge of the Batavia postoffice, first as deputy, but soon thereafter as postmaster. His administration of that office covered a period of 29 years, and was deservedly popular. In 1823, upon the incorporation of the village, he was appointed first captain of the first fire company, and subsequently first chief engineer of the department. Later he was president of the village. He was a man of the highest social standing, and for 40 consecutive years, ending only with his death, was senior warden of St. James's Episcopal Church. With the advance of years he withdrew from active business, grew old grace- fully, lived beyond the allotted four-score, and at the conclusion of an honorable and useful life in every sense of the word was held in the high- est esteem by his fellow townsmen. Col. Seaver had five sons, all of whom were brought up to practical work and became well known busi- ness men, viz .:
I: William A. Seaver removed to Buffalo in 1848, and purchasing the Daily Courier, of that city, continued as its editor for the next 10 years. Then disposing of the concern he located himself in New York city. He was a wonderfully versatile writer and prominent in literary circles. For over 20 years he was president of a fire insurance company, and died in New York city, January 7, 1883, aged 68 years. 2: Daniel M. Seaver, for many years U. S. mail agent between Albany and Buffalo, removed to Wisconsin, and was deputy treasurer of that State for some time, but re- turned to New York and died April 26, 1862, aged 46 years. 3: Lucas Seaver removed to Wisconsin in 1848 and established the Milwaukee
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Commercial Advertiser (soon changed to Daily News). In 1850 he was elected city treasurer of Milwaukee, and held that office for four years. On accession, to office he sold the newspaper, and later on returned to his native State. He died May 6, 1866, aged 47 years. 4: James F. Sea- ver began a promising career under adventitious auspices, but died very suddenly of a bilious attack at Batavia on February 27, 1853, aged 32 years. 5: David Seaver, the youngest and only survivor of the five broth- ers, was the business partner of his father, and subsequently for a long time continued the "Seaver establishment" alone. He was a thoroughly active man and progressive citizen. Nearly 20 years ago he sold out and removed to New York city, where he now (1890) resides.
Hon. Heman Judd Redfield's life was a long and useful one, devoted to the maintenance of Democratic principles, upholding the country in the days of its peril, and he was in his early manhood, and up to the last days of his life, a power in the politics of the State and a man whose in- fluence in party affairs was always exerted on the side of integrity and the good of the public service. For half a century and more in Western New York most of his life was spent; he was known and esteemed as one of the most admirable characters in the State, and has gone to rest with a fullness of respect that is accorded to few.
Mr. Redfield was born in Connecticut, December 27, 1788. His father moving to Western New York, he assisted him on his farm until 1808, when he entered the Canandaigua Academy. He remained there two years, and then read law with the Hon. John C. Spencer. At the begin- ning of the War of 1812 he volunteered as a private soldier and served two campaigns. He was in the battle of Queenstown Heights, and was with General Harrison at Fort George, when he received a brevet from the commanding general for gallant services. He commenced the practice of law at Le Roy in 1815, was appointed a justice of the peace and master in chancery, and soon after district attorney. He was State Senator dur- ing 1823, '24, and '25, during which time he was one of the "seventeen" Democratic senators who successfully resisted an attempt to change the law relating to the election of presidential electors. Prominent among his associates at this time were Silas Wright and Charles E. Dudley, both of whom were elected Senators, and Silas Wright, governor. In 1825 Mr. Redfield was appointed one of the New York commissioners to settle a boundary question with New Jersey. He was postmaster at Le Roy for more than 20 years. He soon became distinguished as a lawyer. When arrangements were being made for the trial of those accused of abducting
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William Morgan he was offered the position of special counsel to assist the attorney-general. He declined the offer and recommended the Hon. John C. Spencer, who accepted and acted as such on the trials. In 1835 he also declined the office of circuit judge tendered him by Governor Marcy. He was also appointed canal commissioner, which he declined. When the Holland Land Company, in 1836, sold out their remaining lands in the five counties he, together with Jacob Le Roy, purchased the same; subsequently the new purchasers appointed him their agent, act- ing as such for 13 years, for which purpose he removed from Le Roy to Batavia. President Pierce tendered him the appointment of naval officer in New York, which he accepted, but was very soon transferred to the office of collector of the port of New York, which he held until June 30, 1857, when he resigned, although President Buchanan offered to continue him. It was highly creditable to him that, when he rendered his accounts as collector of the port of New York, involving the large sum of $143,493,- 957, they were promptly settled exactly as he rendered them. Soon after he returned to his home at Batavia, and settled upon his farm as a cultivator of the soil, which was ever a favorite employment with him.
In all the perils to which our country has been exposed he has ever been on the side of his government. He sustained Mr. Polk through the Mexican war, and exerted himself on the side of the government during the late war. He was a member of the Peace Congress at Albany, which sent delegates to the one at Washington. He presided at meetings, lent his influence to secure the quotas of men called for at different times dur- ing the war, contributed largely in raising funds to aid in that purpose, and lent his best energies to sustain our side of the conflict, never doubt- ing the final result. In his intercourse with men he was frank and manly, never misleading; his interests harmonized with those of his neighbors. Although he practiced economy he was not greedy for wealth, either on his own account or for the distinction it often confers ;: hence the poor were never turned away starving nor the orphans unpro- tected. He was opposed to all class legislation, and to using the govern- ment, State or National, as a means of making one class rich and keep- ing another poor. It was one of his theories that the less mankind were governed the better for them. He believed the true object of govern- ment was to protect men in their person, character, and property, and then leave them to work out their own happiness in their own way.
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