USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 27
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Rev. Lucius Atwater is president of the Pioneer Association, a posi- tion he has filled for many years. He has been instrumental also in building up many churches, He was at Middlebury for four years, at Elba seven years, and has preached to the Tonawanda Indians.
Libbeus Allen came to Batavia in 1817 from Otsego County, N. Y., and settled in the northwest part of the town. He had a family of seven children. His son William was born November 7, 1819, and has always resided in the county. He married Rebecca Carr, and they have two children, Franklin W., who resides in Oakfield, and Jennie, wife of Alexander Clark, who resides at Lakeville, Livingston County.
Henry Agar was born in Seneca County, N. Y., April 22, 1829. He worked in his father's (John) shop at Ovid, N. Y., and learned the car- riage painting trade. In 1854 he came to Le Roy, working at his trade until 1857, when his health failed. He then acted as mail agent on the railroad until 1860, and was conductor from Batavia to Canandaigua un- til 1870, since which time he has worked at his trade, and has been en-
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gaged in other business. He has always been in politics and is a Demo- crat. He married Elizabeth Hazen, and has a family of three children.
Miles B. Adams, a successful business man, was born in Saratoga County in 1829, a son of Arial and Anna (Dennis) Adams. The father died in 1848, and the mother is now living in Wisconsin, over 90 years of age. At the age of 19 Miles B. Adams began for himself, learning the machin- ists' trade, working at it II years. He next engaged in business in York, Livingston County, remaining there seven years. In 1869 he became a resident.of Batavia, and was for seven years located at 98 Main street, and nine years at 99 Main street, during which time he established a large grocery trade. He finally moved to Jackson street. After many years of active business he decided to abandon the grocery trade and market, and established a coal and wood yard on School street, which now occupies his attention, and to which he devotes the same progres- sive methods that characterized his former business relations. He has also been active in interests to better the condition of Batavia, both ma- terially and morally, is one of the directors of the loan association, and a staunch Prohibitionist. In 1850 he was united in marriage with Miss Polly Dowd, daughter of Joseph and Polly (Dutton) Dowd, of this county. Joseph Dowd was a farmer of Stafford, residing there until his death. His son, William Dowd, is president of the Bank of North America of New York, and prominent in business and political life. The Dutton family were among the earliest pioneers, and have been promi- nent in the history of the Presbyterian Church of the county.
Peter Bater, son of Peter, was a native of Canada, and is now a resi- dent of Franklin County, N. Y. He married Mary Sampson, of Canada. Their daughter Mary married Joseph, son of Peter and Olive Votrey, of Franklin County, N. Y. Joseph Votrey died in Batavia in 1888, at the age of 64 years. His children were Ezra, Joseph, Olive, Helen, Peter, Annie, John, Hettie, Mary, Walter, and Frank. His widow, Mary, sur- vives her husband, and resides on road 61, in Batavia, at the age of 66 years.
John Brown was a native of County Limerick, Ireland. In 1847 he came to Batavia, and now resides on Cedar street. His brothers and sisters are Margaret, Ellen, Stephen, and Michael. John Brown married Ellen Sexton, of Ireland, and his children are John, Johanna, Mary J., Kittie, and Stephen W. The latter was born in Batavia, and married Sarah Francis, daughter of William and Johanna (Monion) Francis, of Bethany. He is now proprietor of the West End Hotel on West Main street, Batavia, where he has been four years.
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Asa Burr, a native of Connecticut, moved to Otsego County, thence to Henrietta about 1810, where he died in 1835, aged 86 years. He married Melinda Hoskins, of Connecticut, and their children were Asa, James, Warren, Doras, Emily, Melinda, and Maria. James was born in Granby, Conn., in 1791, and died in Alabama in 1882, aged 91 years. He served in the War of 1812. He married Lorinda, daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Norris, of Richfield, N. Y. Lorinda Norris was born in 1798. Her parents were from Connecticut. James Burr's chil- dren were Alcinda, Asa, Fidelia, Mary T., and Norris T. The latter was born in Henrietta, October 25, 1819, and married Marietta A., daughter of David and Nancy (Clark) Gill, of Barre, N. Y., and they have one daughter, Alcinda C., who married Luther H., son of Levi and Mary E. (Harmon) Townsend, of Batavia, and their children are Olive G. and Ada R. Mr. Burr has lived 22 years on his farm. Mr. Townsend re- sides with him.
Rice Baldwin, of Connecticut, came to Elba in 1825, where he died in 1874, aged 72 years. He married Phebe McCrillus, and their children were Milton, Aaron, Elvira, Eunice, Janette, Eleanor, Joanna, and Will- iam H. He married for his second wife Lucy Wheelock, of Batavia, and their children were Henry, Adelbert, Charity, Albert, Francis, Freedus, and Belle. William H. Baldwin was born in Elba, January 28, 1828, and came to Batavia in 1883. He married Mrs. Jane M. Storms, daugh- ter of Henry and Jane (West) Edgerton. Their children are Phebe J.
and Lillian E. The first husband of Mrs. Storms was John C. Storms, and their children were Mary E. and John C., Jr. Mr. Baldwin has been engaged in farming, but is now retired and lives in Batavia village. His age is 62 years, and that of his wife is 60 years. Mary E. Storms married John M. Mckenzie, of Wisconsin, son of John and Eunice (Baldwin) Mckenzie. They live in Batavia and have one daughter, Bes- sie L.
Herbert B. Booth, the present efficient overseer of the poor in Batavia, has been in office several years. He was married, in 1865, to the daugh- ter of Homer Bostwick.
Garry Brinckerhoff was a native of the eastern part of the State, served in the War of the Revolution, drew a pension, and died in 1840 at Fish- kill-on-the-Hudson, at the age of 99 years. His wife, Phebe, bore him five children, viz .: Stephen, Daniel, Maria, Emeline, and Cornelius. The latter, a native of Dutchess County, came to Batavia in 1840, and died in Rochester in 1881, aged 69 years. He was a master mechanic in
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wood, iron, and steel, was an inventor and manufacturer of agricultural implements, built the plow factory in Batavia, and was well known in Western New York. His wife was Catherine, daughter of William Rus- sell, of Poughkeepsie. Their children were Alonzo, Emma, Byron, Phebe, Horace, and Garry R. Garry R. Brinckerhoff was born in Fish- kill, N. Y., and married Olive A Moulton, of Alexander, daughter of Lewis and Melvina (Benedict) Moulton. Their children are Elsie L., Ralph M., Mabel, Lewis C., and Mary M. (deceased). Mr. Brinckerhoff is a farmer and resides on road 48, where he has lived for three years. Cornelius Brinckerhoff built the first successful mowing machine in use in Western New York, and is the inventor of the rake for reaping machines, and also of the self-holding furrow guage plow, having a diploma awarded for the same from the American Institute in 1853. He was the owner and captain for 20 years of the vessel Samuel Coddington, which run from New York, and was the inventor of the augur that bores a a square hole, the patent of which is now owned by Mayor Parsons, of Rochester, N. Y.
H. H. Benjamin, the oldest practicing dentist in Batavia, is a native of Orleans County, where he was born in 1835. He commenced the study of his profession in Albion with John A. Straight, remaining with him three years. In 1863 he came to Batavia and entered the office of Nelson Stevens, the first dentist in the county. Dr. Benjamin soon after began practice alone, and is now widely known throughout the county. He served as treasurer of the village three years, and is a member of the present board of health.
Joseph C. Barnes, a merchant tailor of Batavia, is a native of Eng- land, and when II years of age came to America, locating in Canada. He learned his trade there, and in 1865 came to Batavia. In 1872 he formed a partnership with L. R. Bailey, which lasted eight years. Since that period he has conducted his business alone. Mr. Barnes is an ar- tistic cutter, and carries a large stock of imported and domestic cloths. He also has a large line of clothing and gents' furnishing goods. For the past 16 years his place of business has been at 96 East Main street, where he has spacious salesrooms. He has served as a member of the board of trustees of the village, and is foremost in all enterprises. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Clara Hawken, of Canada, and they have two children, William A. and Eva J., and belong to the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
Dr. Elmina H. Benedict was born in Bath, Steuben County, and mar-
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ried Dr. H. S. Benedict, of Corning. She studied medicine with him and has practiced for the last 25 years. She located in Batavia in 1885, and has been a member of the Steuben County Medical Society since 1877. Her specialties are female diseases .. She also spent one year at Geneva studying medicine.
William H. Burns was born in Utica, September 25, 1834. In June, 1852, he began work for the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad Co., and has been in their employ since. In April, 1873, he settled in Batavia, and has been roadmaster since for the Rochester, Canandaigua, and Attica divi- sion.
M. C. Bergman started a barber shop in Batavia in 1878, and has been in business here since. In May, 1888, he opened up a first-class shop in the Parker House, with three assistants.
Albert E. Bloomfield was born in Shelbyville, Ky., September 19, 1831, came to Batavia August 24, 1856, and was a cutter for William Mann for two years. In 1868 he opened a merchant tailoring store for himself, carrying on the same ever since, having been located at 50 Main street since March, 1876. He has a full line of goods connected with his trade, and also deals in gents' furnishing goods.
Martinas S. Badgerow, son of Justin, a native of Markham, 14 miles from Toronto, Ont., came to Lockport in 1860, and died in 1871, aged 55 years. He was a carpenter. He married Phœbe A., daughter of William H. and Sarah Smith, of Whitby, Ont., and their children were Melinda A., William H., Isaac B., Joseph A., Mary J., Carey E., and Isaac B. The last mentioned was born in Mona, Ont., and married Helena, daughter of August and Adelle (Boult) Begue, of Buffalo. Their children are Howard E. and Elma E. He is now a resident of the vil- lage of Batavia, and proprietor of a meat market on Jackson street. Anson and Weston Badgerow served in the late war and were honorably discharged. Weston is in Oregon on a cattle ranch, and Anson is in Dallas, Texas.
William Briggs, a soldier of the Revolution, of Rhode Island, moved to Rensselaer County and died aged 70 years. By his wife, Sarah, he had children as follows: William, Alexander, Thomas, Nancy (Mosher), Amy (Briggs), Mrs. Justus Aiken, and one deceased. William Briggs, a native of Nova Scotia, at the age of three years went to Hoosick, N. Y., thence to Batavia in 1826, where he died on the Briggs farm in 1860, aged 76 years. He married Christiana, daughter of James and Margaret McGowan, of Scotch origin, who inmigrated in 1772 to Easton, N. Y.
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Their children were William, James. John, Sarah, Emily, Margaret, and George A. George A. Briggs was born in Hoosick, N. Y., February 18, 1816, came to Batavia in 1826, and married Harriet M., daughter of Dr. Amos and Hannah Town, of Batavia. Mr. Briggs, at the age of 74 years, resides on the Briggs homestead. His wife died in 1879, aged 55 years.
John Brown, a native of Canada, was accidentally drowned at the age of 36 years. He married Betsey Thomas, of Cook's Mills, Canada, and their children were John and Joseph. The latter, a native, of Canada, came to Batavia at the age of 18 years. He married, first, Thetus Ken- nedy, by whom he had children as follows: George, Sarah, Mary A., Amidon, Henry W., and John. His second wife was Mary Ann, daugh- ter of Jacob and Anna (Merrill) Lown, of Batavia. He is now a mer- chant at West Batavia. Mary A. married Cyrus Amidon, and they have a daughter, Nellie L. Mr. Brown's first wife, Thetus, was born in Otsego County, and died in Batavia, May 13, 1888, aged 68 years
Charles M. Bosworth is manager for W. R. Bosworth, dealer in boots and shoes, 69 East Main street. This business was started in 1877 by the present manager, in the Opera House block, and was subsequently removed to its present location, where a full and attractive line of goods are constantly in stock. Charles M. Bosworth, son of William R. and Susan (Wilcox) Bosworth, a native of Vermont, was born in Stafford. His mother's father came from Otsego County, at an early day, and was a tanner and currier. William R. Bosworth followed farming until he retired from active business. Charles M. was educated in the schools of Batavia and Rochester, and began business as clerk in the postoffice, where he remained six years. He then established his present business. He was married, in 1874, to Miss Fannie Smith, and they have three children, Clara L., C. Merton, and Susie L. They are members of the Presbyterian Church.
George P. Bowen, a well-known business man of Batavia, and a native of Darien, was born in 1841, a son of Portica Bowen, of Easton, N. Y., who came here in 1812 and resided until his death in 1860. George P. is the youngest of a family of eight children, all of whom are now living, viz .: David, a farmer, of Darien, Rufus, Mrs. Olive Dunbar, Mrs. Flora Major, Mrs Betsey Curtis, Richard, and Mrs. Myra Burk. He began business in Batavia in 1865, engaging in the grocery trade, subsequently in the crockery trade, which he has since continued. Mr. Bowen has been located at 107 East Main street since 1877, where he has attractive and commodious salesrooms, and has secured a large and extended trade.
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His stock is the largest carried in his line in the county. He is a mem- ber of Batavia Commandery, No. 34.
Albert E. Brown was born in Batavia in 1860, a son of William H. and Ann (Caple) Brown, from Bristol, Eng. They came to America and located in Skaneateles, subsequently removing to this county. William H. Brown was a merchant in the furniture trade for 20 years. Albert was reared and educated in the Batavia schools, and entered the book and stationery business for four years. He then worked for C. M. Bos- worth in the boot and shoe business for nine years. In 1885 he started in business for himself, at 8.2 East Main street, where he is at present located, and has an extensive trade. He was elected town clerk in 1886, and is now serving his third term. He is a K. of P., an A. O. U. W., president of the Athletic Association, and a member of the Alert Hose Company. He was married, in 1884, to Miss Frank E., daughter of Joseph M. Parker, of Elba
Martin Brown, an attorney in Batavia, was born in Montgomery County, in 1850, and in 1863 enlisted in Co. B, 25th Ohio Vols., serving until the close of the war. He was wounded in 1864 during the engage- ment at Grahamsville, S. C. After the close of the war he came to Gen- esee County, learned the carpenters' trade, following it for 10 years, and teaching district school in the winters. Entering the office of Judge M. H. Peck he studied law two years, subsequently graduated from the Albany Law School, class of 1882, and the same year was admitted to practice. He served as justice of the peace in Pembroke six years, and in Batavia two years. He was married, in 1882, to Miss Mary J. Mat- tison. They have one son, Allen G.
John F. Baker, M. D., is a native of Delaware County, N. Y., where he was born in September, 1815. His parents, Joseph and Eunice (Fol- lett) Baker, from New England, were farmers. Dr. Baker commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Jonathan L. Cowles, and grad- uated from the Geneva Medical College in 1840. His practice began at Otselic, Chenango County, as an allopath, and continued for about four years, when he was converted to homeopathy. He moved then to Lebanon, Madison County, living there about four years, when he came to Batavia, November 18, 1848, being the first practitioner in his school in the county and the fifth in the State. In a few weeks after he came here Dr. Foote came and was his partner for nearly a year; when Dr. Foote left Dr. C. C. Baker, a younger brother, was taken into partner- ship, about 1851, and continued for about one year, when they separated,
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and again became partners in 1862, continuing so for three years. Dr. Baker's health failing at this time, he went to Delaware and remained five years, returning with improved health, and located in Le Roy for a short time, when he finally settled again in this place, where, at the age of 74 years, we find him in the full vigor of health and earnestly pur- suing his profession, with a practice extended over a large section of country. He is a member of the New York Central Homeopathic As- sociation, and of the Western Homeopathic Medical Society, in the latter of which he has served as vice-president, and is now serving as secretary. He is also a member of the Masonic order of the 32d degree. Dr. Baker is the author of a long article on rupture and hernia, for which he has received high econiums from celebrated surgeons in this country and Europe. His son, John W. Baker, a native of Batavia, was under the instruction of his father from his youth. He graduated from Pulte Homeopathic College of Cincinnati in 1887, and is associated in business with his father.
Dr. C. C. Baker came here in 1851, was associated with Dr. J. F. Baker for about one year, when he went to Albion, where he remained about one year, and then returned as partner with his brother, continuing so until 1865. He died in 1887.
Very prominent among the physicians of Batavia, though young in the profession and practice, is Dr. William T. Bolton, who, by his inde- fatigable energy and devotion to the responsibilities assumed by him, has succeeded in establishing a business second to none in the com- munity. Dr. Bolton is a native of Wallingford, New Haven County, Conn., and son of William and Harriet (Self) Bolton, residents of New England, but of English ancestry. He was born March 21, 1859. Re- ceiving the superior primary education afforded by the schools of his na- tive town (so well known throughout New England), he prepared for Yale College at Hopkins's Grammar School, New Haven, and studied with Dr. Paul C. Skiff, of the same place. In 1877 he entered the medical department of Yale College, graduating therefrom and receiving his diploma in 1879. He commenced the practice of his profession in Braid- wood, Ill., and in 1881 entered Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which institution he graduated in 1882. He was immediately ap- pointed resident physician of Charity Hospital on Blackwell's Island pursuing the superior advantages which that position afforded him for nearly two years. In 1883 he moved to Batavia, depending only upon his own native energy to gain the esteem and confidence in a com-
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munity so necessary to the building up of a successful practice. That he has succeeded goes without saying ; for he ranks among the profes- sion as a popular and successful practitioner ; being studious in his nature he keeps well up with the advance of his profession. Dr. Bolton is a member of the Genesee County Medical Society, being elected such in 1884, and also as secretary of the society in 1866, and still holds that office. He was united in marriage, November 14, 1884, to Alice J. Brooks, of Watkins, Schuyler County, N. Y., and they have two chil- dren, Robert W. and Elsie B. The family are members of the Baptist Society in Batavia, and the Doctor is one of its board of trustees.
Peter Broadbooks was born in Alsace, France, (now Germany,) in 1840. He came to America in 1854, settled at Rome, N. Y., and learned his trade. He remained there about four years, when he came to At- tica, working at his trade three years, and thence removed to Pine Hill (Elba), where he lived for three years. He finally removed to Batavia, where he has been in business for 12 years as a carriage ironer. He is a mechanical genius, and has invented shears for cutting iron, a metal punching machine, nippers and pliers, and a tire shrinker, all of which are placed on royalty. He has been located at 37 and 39 Ellicott street for 10 years, and owns his property. Mr. Broadbooks has manufactured carriages, but now devotes his time to general repairing, and has suc- ceeded to the business of the Batavia Iron Co.
The firm of Beck & Salway was formed in 1888, by William Beck and John E. Salway. Their place of business is in the Exchange building on Court street, where they keep a large stock of flour, feed, grain, hay, and fertilizers. William Beck, the senior member of the firm, is an Englishman, and came here in 1870, and for 10 years was engaged in raising hops, having charge of the yards of C. D. Lane, of Batavia. He was finally employed in Parsons's flour and feed store, and became a partner under the firm name of Beck & Parsons. They dissolved in 1888, and Mr. Beck became a partner of John E. Salway, who is also a native of England. He came to America in 1872, and in 1875 to this county. For 10 years he was with John Garwood, the miller of Bush- ville, and subsequently in the employment of Mr. Parsons, until the above firm was established. The firm has excellent facilities for the pros- ecution of its business, and handles reliable brands of goods only.
O. R. Clark, an insurance, real estate, and loan agent, is a native of Stafford, and was born in 1821, a son of Benjamin and Lucy (Lee) Clark. The father was from Vermont, coming at an early day from Madison
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County, where he was married, and came with his wife to Stafford about 1812. He was in the War of 1812. He moved to Elba and engaged in farming until his death in 1864. The mother died in 1867. Of a family of six children O. R. Clark is the only one living. He remained upon the home farm until 23 years of age, when he engaged in farming for eight years, and then removed to Elba village, engaging in the real estate and loan business. In 1865 he removed to Batavia, conducting the same line of business, and is now at 110 East Main street. Mr. Clark has served upon the board of village trustees, and is a Knight Templar. He married Cynthia L., daughter of George King, of Stafford. She died leaving one child, Alice, the wife of Samuel Parker, of Elba. In 1874 Mr. Clark married Miss Hattie Fisher, and they have three children, viz .: Cynthia M., Orlo R., Jr., and Le Roy F.
Chauncey Cornwell, a native of Middletown, Conn., came to Alexander in 1820. He served in the War of 1812, and died in 1869, aged 81 years. He was married to Mary A. Church, of Connecticut, and their children were Henry, Cordelia, Mary, Jane, John, Shaler B, Corliss, George, Leonard, Charles B, and Angela. Charles B. Cornwell was born in Connecticut, March 31, 1820, came to Batavia in 1851, and married, first, Eveline Starges, and they had one daughter, Frances. In 1862 he married for his second wife Isabella, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Town) Burgess, of Scotch descent, and their children are Agnes E. and Mattie C. They now reside in Batavia.
Joseph Campbell, son of Daniel, of Scotch origin, was born in Johns- town, N. Y., in 1810, and died in 1869, aged 59 years. He came to Caledonia at the age of eight years, where he remained until his death. He married Margaret, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (McLaren) Mc- Vane, of Caledonia, and their children were Harriet E., Catherine A., Donald, John J., Duncan, Malcolm, of Kansas City, and Peter C. The latter, with John J. and Harriet E., reside on the farm on road 76, where they have lived for eight years. The wife of Daniel was Catharine St. Clair, and their children were Daniel, John (the first minister that preached in the Presbyterian Church in Caledonia, being there four years), Catherine, Harriet, Elizabeth, and Janette.
William Crary, a native of Connecticut, went to Cattaraugus County, thence to Arcade, where he died at the age of 80 years. His children 'were Benjamin and Sophia. Benjamin was born in Wallingford, Conn., July 29, 1811, and came to Cattaraugus County, where he now resides. He married Rhoda, daughter of John Howe, of Groton, N. Y., and their
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children are Lemi, Marianna, and Albert B. Albert B. Crary, a native of Humphrey, Cattaraugus County, came to Batavia in 1887, where he now resides. He married Ella Roberts, daughter of Joel and Hannah (Wight) Roberts, and his children are Alta E. and Mildred. Mr. Crary's ancestor was a captain in the War of 1812, and was of Scotch origin.
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