Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 28

Author: Beers, F. W. (Frederick W.), ed. 1n; Vose, J.W., and Co
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : J.W. Vose & Co.
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 28

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Craft & Caldwell .- C. H. Caldwell started the coal business April I, 1878, and carried it on one year, when W. F. Merriman joined the firm, under the name of Caldwell & Co. . In 1880 Henry Craft was admitted, the firm then doing business as Henry Craft & Co. Thomas H. Combs joined in 1881, and the firm was called Craft, Combs & Co., continuing as such until 1886, when Combs retired, and Craft & Caldwell have since conducted the business. They also conduct a malting business on Union street, and are general agents for Armour & Co. in the Chicago dressed beef business, using one car load of beef every 10 days.

Abram Coupland was a native of and died in Lincolnshire, England. By his wife, Fanny, he had children as follows: John, Joseph, William, Edward, Betsey, Jane, Mary, Fanny, and John, the latter of whom was a native of England, where he died in 1866, aged 73 years. He married, and his children were Edward, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, Abram, and Jo- seph. Joseph Coupland, a native of Gayton, England (1826), came to Batavia in 1878, and settled on the farm he now occupies, on road 66. He married Martha, daughter of James and Sarah (Madison) Clark, of Gayton, Eng., who died in 1858, at the age of 28 years. Abram Coup- land, a native of England, came to Batavia in 1883, and died in 1889, aged 48 years. He married Ann, daughter of John and Mary (Jubb) Smith, of Branston, Eng., and their children were Annie, Louisa, Rose E., Kate S., John W., and Esther J. His widow still survives at the age of 49 years.

Center Street Laundry, located at 15 Center street, was established in May, 1889, by Mary J. Brockway. It is fitted up with modern machin- ery, and is prepared to do all kinds of first-class laundry work.

Samuel Cooper was born September 15, 1818, in Syracuse, N. Y. When 17 years old he went to Holley, Orleans County, and learned the harnessmakers' trade. In 1837 he came to Batavia and worked a few months, and in 1840 started a shop in Lockport, N. Y., where he re- mained 12 years. He came to Batavia in 1852 and formed a partner- ship with Henry Ensign, under the firm name of Ensign & Co., continu- ing nine years. In 1861 he began business for himself, and has been burned out three times. He was appointed village collector in 1888

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Mr. Cooper married Mary Chamberlain, and they had one child, Charles, who died at the age of 22 years.

Robert Clark came to Batavia in 1839, from Pennsylvania. He died in 1847. Only two children are living here: Mrs. H. Colby, wife of Jer- ome Colby, and Mary Clark. Rachel Spencer lives in Mahomet, Ill.

Francis B. Comiskey, born in Ireland in 1846, came to America in 1866. He learned the tailoring trade at home and the art of cutting in New York in 1871. He came to Batavia and was cutter for S. Masse for three years, when he moved to Canton, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and was cutter for R. B. Ellsworth five and one-half years. He then re- turned to Batavia and opened up a merchant tailoring establishment, carrying on the business since, being now located at 110 Main street. He was in business in New York city for five years previous to coming here.

J. M. Chapin, wholesale and retail lumber dealer at 22 Evans street, took charge of the business in 1888. He has a coal trestle with a capac- ity of 1,000 tons, the only one in town. He has the best of facilities for furnishing any kind of lumber, giving his attention to all kinds of manu- factured work for houses complete. The yards are under the manage- ment of C. N. Dwight, who has been connected with the business since 1879. The sales for 1889 were over 2,000,000 feet in this vicinity, and are constantly increasing. Mr. Chapin also has two large saw-mills at Three Rivers, Ont., and owns timber lands in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Dr. N. G. Clark, father of Arthur E. Clark, was a well-known physi- cian, whose counsels were of great service to the Democratic party. The son, Arthur E. Clark, was born at Clarkson, Monroe County, N. Y, in 1854. When the father moved to Batavia the son was six years old, and the place has been his home ever since. He was a student in the public schools, and having fitted for college he entered Yale. There he grad- uated in 1875. He took a course of legal study with W. C. Watson,' of Batavia, and gained admission to the bar in 1878. He associated with Mr. Watson, which connection lasted until three years ago, when he started out alone on the opposite side of Main street. Mr. Clark is not a young lawyer in a legal sense. He has been engaged for some time in important railroad business, and managed the right-of way work for the D., L. & W. and the Buffalo and Geneva roads through Genesee and adjoining counties. His business is largely railroad and land business, and his opinion in these matters has unusual weight. Mr. Clark resides with his mother at the old homestead in Batavia, and is one of the most prominent members of the Batavia Club.

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TOWN OF BATAVIA.

Caney & Bradley, the most enterprising watchmakers and jewelers in Batavia, are located on the site of the oldest established jewelry firm in the place, on the southwest corner of Main and Jackson streets, for over 50 years being associated in that line. C. C. Church began the business here in 1830, and was succeeded by G. W. Allen in 1835. Others fol- lowed him until Homer Kelsey located there. In 1887 Messrs. Caney & Bradley bought out Mr. Kelsey. Ashton W. Caney, the head of the firm, came from New York city, possessing a large experience of many years' practice as a watchmaker and jeweler, which qualifies him to largely control the trade of this section, an evidence of which is shown by the full and complete line of goods, and varied assortment of fancy articles, carried by the firm. C. C. Bradley, who came from Palmyra, · N. Y., is a young man of integrity, and a worthy aid to Mr. Caney in maintaining the position held by the firm.

Lawrence L. Crosby, attorney, was born in Bergen in 1835. His grandfather, Jedediah, came from Connecticut in 1805, settling on lots 9 and 10, section 7, of the Triangle tract, about one mile north of the village. His wife was Mabel Austin, also from Connecticut. The father of Lawrence L. (Luther), born in 1806, was the first white child born in Bergen. He married Mary Ann Avery, and resided in Bergen all his life, being justice of the peace for 20 years, supervisor several terms, and a colonel of dragoons of the old uniformed militia. He died in 1864, and his wife in 1857. Of a family of five children Lawrence L. is the only one now living. He commenced the study of law in Iowa, and continued it in the office of Wakeman & Bryan, of Batavia, being admitted to prac- tice in 1860. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. I, 5th Mich. Cavalry, and served with them 20 months. He was then transferred to the Signal Corps, serving there until the close of the war. He commenced practice in Bergen, and since 1874 has continued it in Batavia. He served as clerk of the village five years, and is now serving as police justice. He is adju- tant of Upton Post, G. A. R., and second lieutenant in the National Guard. Mr. Crosby was married, in 1866, to Miss Joan, daughter of Briggs Lor- ing, an old resident of Bergen They have one child, Harriet D.

Chaddock & Hickox, grain and produce dealers on Ellicott street, was established in 1886, by John B. Chaddock and George W. Hickox. In 1889 they had about 500 acres of seed wheat under cultivation. They are also largely engaged in raising and handling oats and potatoes, and ' in buying wool. Mr. Chaddock came to Batavia from Wyoming County in 1882, and was successfully engaged in the coal business until the

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present partnership was formed. He is a young man with good executive abilities, and has established an honorable record in the short period of his residence in Batavia. George W. Hickox was born in Orleans County in 1848, but his parents, Edwin and Caroline (Smith) Hickox, moved to Alexander in 1850, where they still reside. George W. was reared on the farm, and continued that business until 1882, when he en- gaged in selling agricultural implements. Two years later he became a resident of Batavia and engaged in his present trade." The firm has been very successful and will extend their business to meet their growing trade. Mr. Hickox married, in 1877, Miss Sarah Dean, daughter of Rev. D. S. Dean, a Baptist clergyman of Rochester. Three children · have been born to them, viz .: Edwin Dear, Raymond V., and Ethel May.

Hiram Chaddock, son of Dennis B. and Lydia (Thompson) Chaddock, was born in Alexander in 1826. His father was a native of Worcester, Mass., and when 20 years of age came from Vermont to Alexander with a younger brother, Luther. The father was married in 1820. Levi Thompson, the grandfather of Hiram, came from Washington County in 1810. Dennis and Luther took up about 400 acres of land in the south- east part of the town. Dennis died in 1868, aged 54 years, and his wife in 1834. His second wife died in 1881. Hiram was reared upon the farm and had the advantage of a seminary education. He made a study of the insurance business, and for a number of years traveled through- out the State. Ill health caused him to abandon the business, and, hav- ing purchased a farm in Bethany, he followed farming for 21 years. In 1852 he married Harriet A., daughter of Rev. Josiah Keyes, a Methodist divine and presiding elder. In 1873 he came to Batavia, purchased the Ellicott property of about 40 acres, and opened up streets and laid out lots, donating land for Prospect and Richmond avenues and Mix Place. He has erected seven dwellings, and lives in one of the best in town. Mr. Chaddock was one of the organizers of the Holland Purchase Fire Insurance Co., which was conducted successfully for 17 years. He served the company as general superintendent, agent, and adjuster for 13 years, and was appointed receiver of the concern and settled up its affairs. By his prudent management he paid to the stockholders a premium of 20 per cent. on their stock. Mr. Chaddock is the owner of over 1,000 acres of land, having given 500 acres to his children. He has three children : Walter H., a farmer of Batavia; Dennis K., a liveryman and farmer ; and Hattie L., who married the only son of Rev. Dr. Paddock, of Rochester. Mrs. Chaddock is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Batavia.

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TOWN OF BATAVIA.

William Drake lived and died in Greene County, N. Y. His son Samuel, of Greene County, came to Elba in 1813, and died at the age of 90 years. He was one of the pioneers and cleared the farm where he died. He married Sylvia Thorn, of Greene County, and his children were Edward, Orin, William, Moses, Mary A., Jane, Stephen, Elvira, and Samuel O. Samuel O. Drake, born in Elba, September 7, 1818, married Almira, daughter of Stephen and Rebecca (Palmer) Johnson, of Batavia, and they have two children, Sarah A. (Chamberlin), of Buffalo, and Charles O., of Dakota.

John A. Eggleston was born in Rush, N. Y., November 15, 1830. About the year 1865, while engaged in farming, he discovered he had magnetic powers, and has been practicing that profession since, meeting with good success. He married Azubah Mann, who is also a magnetic healer, and assists her husband in his practice. They have been per- manently located at Batavia since 1880.

John Dellinger was born in Lorraine, France, August 14, 1826, and came to America with his father, Peter, in 1840, settling in Wyoming County. In 1855 he came to Batavia, where he worked at the carpen- ters' trade one year, when he began building and contracting on his own account. He had previously worked four years at Capt. Scott's distillery on carpenter work. He has erected more structures in Batavia than any other man. He built and owns the Dellinger block and Dellinger 'Opera House block, and is a member of the firms of Dellinger & Glade, Haitz & Dellinger, and Schad, Dellinger & Glade. He married Clara Demon, of Sheldon, and they had eight children, six of whom are living.

John Glade, born in Westphalia, Prussia, in 1843, came to America in 1868, and settled in Batavia. He married Minnie Gizer, and they have five children. Mr. Glade has been a contractor and builder since 1874, and is a member of the firm of Dellinger & Glade, who employ about 20 men. They have built the convent on Summit street, the Masonic block, Bank of Batavia, Hotel Richmond, etc

Bernard Schad was born in Darien, February 10, 1855. In 1877 he settled in Batavia, and in 1879 opened a carriage shop on' State street, where he carried on the business four years. In 1884 he invented the Schad bicycle wheel and began manufacturing the same. In 1887 he invented improvements on it, and it is now used in every State in the Union. In 1888 he invented a novel carriage wheel, which he has been manufacturing since. He also, in 1888, invented the Schad broom- holder, which he manufactures.

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William Didget, a native of England, came to Batavia in 1852, where he now resides. He married Charlotte, daughter of John and Elizabeth Wilkey, of England, and they had one son, John, who married Jemima, daughter of Archibald and Eleanor (Jacoby) Primmer, of Bethany, and their children were Frank, who was killed on the railroad in 1889, Ella, Lottie M., Minnie, Fred, Walter E., and Albert, the latter of whom is now a resident of Batavia, on road 66. Archibald Primmer died in Troy, N. Y., in 1877, at the age of 77 years, and his wife, Eleanor, the same year, aged 68 years.

Lemuel Dean, a native of Vermont, and a soldier of the Revolution, moved to Ohio in 1840, where he died in 1859, aged 75 years. His wife, Emeline, bore him children as follows : Rockwell, Carl, Abram P., Fordyce. and Corbin. Abram P. Dean, a native of Vermont, came to Orleans County, thence moved to Ohio, and finally to Buffalo, where he died in 1862, aged 64 years. He married Patty Winchell, daughter of Martin, of Pompey, N. Y., and his children were Mary Wood, Lucia Birch, Caroline A., and Fordyce O. The latter was born in Moriah, Es- sex County, N. Y., November 9, 1833, and married Myra M., daughter of Reuben P. Hauser. Their children are Abram P., Kate M., and Myra M. For his second wife he married Mrs Elizabeth. M. Hinchey, daughter of R. P. Hauser, and now resides on road to in Batavia.

Michael Dailey was born in County Clare, Ireland, in April, 1843. When about eight years of age he came to Batavia with his father, Michael. He attended public schools only a short time, and being obliged to earn his own living he clerked for Joseph Wilson, and when 17 years of age started a small grocery store. After paying for his first bill of goods he had less than 50 cents left. Being active he prospered, and was soon able to purchase the store he occupied, and soon after the adjoining building, opening up a grocery and crockery store on Main street, opposite the Hotel Richmond. In 1871 failing health caused him to abandon the business, but in the following spring he opened two stores on the west side of State street, devoted to the furniture business. In- creasing trade necessitated an extension of the business, and he bought a store on the east side of the street. He built up a large trade, engaged in the undertaking business, and finally erected three new stores on State street. He died March 13, 1883. At the time of his death he was chairman of the Democratic County Committee ; was the first Irishman elected trustee of the village; and was also one of the trustees of the Blind Asylum, holding the position two terms, or until his decease. He

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took an active part in politics. He married Anna Prindle, of Batavia, and they had a family of eight children, five of whom are living with his widow, who survives him, at 307 East Main street.

Fred H. Dunham, of Batavia, was born in Orangeville, Wyoming County, October 20, 1861. He was educated at Attica Union School, and was graduated at Cornell University. He studied law with Judge North, of Batavia, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1889. He is now engaged in practice in Batavia.

Edna V. Dyer was born in Darien in 1850, and has been a clairvoyant physician and magnetic healer since 1881. Her practice is principally in Genesee County, though she has many patients from other States as well as from this vicinity.

Ferdinand Dorf was born in Germany and came to America about 1852, settling in Elba, and engaged at farming. He enlisted in Co. H, 8th N. Y. H. A., and was killed at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. He had four children, three sons and a daughter. Frank, son of Ferdinand, has been in the dry goods business for seven years, six years in a. general store. August 26, 1889, he opened a dry goods store at 107 Main street, and keeps a full line of dry goods, carpets, etc. He was born August 8, 1856.

Stephen A. Dustin, son of Stephen, was born in Buffalo in 1851. He came to Batavia about 1856, learned the drug business, and opened a store December 20, 1880, at 108 Main street. His present store, at 57 Main street, was opened March 1, 1888. He carries a full line of drugs and school books, and manufactures sarsaparilla compound and man- drake pills.

Isaac V. Dibble was born in Schoharie County, July 1, 1845. He married Mary Conway, of Lima, N. Y., and they had 10 children, seven of whom are living. In 1867 he moved to Avon and entered the em- ploy of M. & G. Wiard, remaining with them until they came to Batavia, when the firm name was changed to Wiard Plow Co. He was foreman for the company until June 1, 1889, since which time he has been a con- tractor, and now employs eight to 12 men.

James H. Dewey, son of Otis W., was born in Geneseo, N. Y., May 3, 1839. When eight years of age he moved with his parents to Bata- via. He learned the carpenters' trade in Rochester. In 1833 he settled in Batavia, and has been building and contracting since, and now em- ploys from 10 to 15 hands. He married Mary P. Bowe, and they have three children. He and his family are Christadelphian in their religious belief.

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GENESEE COUNTY.

Dudley & Cooley, dealers in drugs, medicines, school books, etc., are at 92 Main street. This firm was organized August 1, 1888, on the site of the oldest drug store in the county, which was started by David Seaver. Hall & Co. were Seaver's successors, then E. G. Elmore, Shaw & Stiles, then W. Stiles, Stiles & Dudley (1886), and now the present firm.

O. Cooley, son of Levi, was born in Sweden, Monroe County, July 31, 1839. He is the inventor for most of the machinery for the Johnston Harvester Co. In 1873 he went to Europe and set up the first reaper that was exhibited in France. He has been to Europe eight times in the interest of the Johnston Harvester Co. He operated a machine at the Vienna Exposition in 1873, at Paris in 1878, and at Philadelphia in 1876.

Henry J. Ensign, whose portrait appears in connection with this sketch, was born in Alexander, this county, August 14, 1821. His par- ents, Hon. Abial and Abbie (Higley) Ensign, of English descent, were natives of Hartford, Conn. His father was a printer, and early in life settled in Utica, N. Y., where he owned, edited, and published the Utica Democrat several years, and also represented his district two terms in the State legislature. Later he removed to Alexander, where, by his integ- rity, intelligence, and fine abilities, he soon gained the confidence and respect of his party in Genesee County, who sent him to represent it in the legislature three terms. He was also postmaster of Alexander, which office, with the office of justice of the peace, he was holding at the time of his death.

Mr. Ensign was liberal in his religious views, and he and his worthy wife were members of the Universalist Church. Their children were Louis, deceased ; Clara, who married John Parish, and resides in Nevada; Emily, who married Robert Kenyon (both deceased); Parmelia, who married George Slayton, and resides in Liberty, N. Y .; Horace, who re- sides in Illinois; Charles, who lives in Albion, Mich .; and Henry J., the subject of this sketch. Henry J. Ensign received an academic edu- cation in Alexander Seminary. After completing his school days he commenced his business life in Batavia by engaging in the manufacture and sale of harnesses and harnessmakers' goods. In 1865 he became the partner of Hon. R. A. Maxwell (ex-State treasurer and present State superintendent of insurance) in the business of malting. Mr. Ensign continued his harness business until about six years before his death, and was a member of the malting firm at his decease, November 30, 1881.

Gusiqu

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TOWN OF BATAVIA.

He was a prominent, earnest, and unswerving Democrat, who gave the weight of his great influence to further, strengthen, and build up the great party of which he was an acknowledged leader in Genesee County. To accomplish this he served as chairman of the State, county, and local committees of the Democratic party. He was also an active and liberal supporter of the educational, religious, and benevolent interests of the community in which he lived and the country which he loved. He served as president of the board of aldermen of Batavia, and as director of the First National Bank.

July 12, 1854, he united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Lee, a native of Hammondsport, N. Y., and daughter of Benjamin and Cynthia (Wards- worth) Lee, natives of Connecticut, and descendants of Puritans who came to America in the Mayflower. Mrs. Ensign is a lady of culture, and has traveled quite extensively in the West. She has spent a year in California, visited Nevada, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, and now re- sides in a beautiful home in Batavia, where she is most liberal in every worthy cause of benevolence. She is a prominent member of the Epis- copal Church.

Richard Edgerton, a native of Massachusetts, came to Elba, accom- panied by his wife, very early in the first settlement of the town. He died in Batavia at an advanced age. . He taught school most of the time after 18 years of age. His wife was Judith Graves, of Massachusetts, and his children were Henry and Richard. Henry was born in Massa- chusetts, November 26, 1788, and died in 1873, aged 85 years. He came to Barre, N. Y., when 29 years of age, with but $7.50 in his pocket. He married Jane, daughter of John and Betsey (Miller) West, of Massa- chusetts, who died in 1886, aged 87 years. Their children were Betsey J., Henry G., Savilla A., Jane M., Philo A., Rodney R., Mary F., and Eva L., all of whom grew to maturity. The sons, men of integrity, are residents of the county. One daughter is a resident of this county, one of Orleans County, and two of Michigan. Eva L. Edgerton mar- ried Eben Noyes, grandson of Rev. John Noyes, of Connecticut. Their children are Philo E., Allie E., and Hattie E., now residents of Batavia village. Jane M. Edgerton married William H. Baldwin, of Elba (now Oakfield). In the early days of the settlement it was very hard to pro- cure enough food for families. Henry Edgerton and family suffered many privations, and often times his family were without sufficient food, so that the approach of the teams coming from the mill was the scene of much rejoicing and anxious waiting.

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Farrar & Farrar, attorneys at law, Batavia :

Alonzo H. Farrar was born in Middletown, Vt., in 1843. He was educated at Burr & Burton's Seminary, Manchester, Vt., and also at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. He graduated at the University of Law, Albany, N. Y., and went to Kinderhook, Columbia County, in 1866, to practice law, continuing there until 1889. He was elected member of Assembly for two years from Columbia County, and was for 10 years director and vice- president of the National Bank of Kinder- hook. He moved to Batavia in 1889, and commenced the practice of law, where he now resides.

Elbert Olaf Farrar, born in Middletown Springs, Vt., June 17, 1846, was educated at Burr & Burton's Seminary, Manchester, Vt., and also at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. He was admitted to the bar in 1872 in Dayton, Ohio. He went to Syracuse in the fall of 1874, liv- ing there until 1889, when he removed to Batavia. He was judge ad- vocate in the 10th Brigade Staff, N. G. N. Y., with the rank of major, and was member of Assembly from the second Onondaga County dis- trict for the years 1882 and 1883.

J. B. Fonda, an energetic business man of Batavia, was born here in 1855, the son of B. P. Fonda. He was educated in the public schools, and began business as clerk for the grocery house of Griswold & Pendill, being in their employ three years. He was then in the employ of Worth- ington & Son, hardware merchants, for 13 years, obtaining a knowledge of the business, and such an extensive acquaintance with the community as warranted him in 1885 in establishing his present business at 70 East Main street, where he is engaged in handling all kinds of hardware, stoves, furnaces, and house furnishing goods, having built up a good trade. In 1877 Mr. Fonda married Miss Nellie A. Sheldon, daughter of F. G. Sheldon, of Monroe County, and they have three children, Maud, Roy, and Ethel. The family are Presbyterians.

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Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 28

Author: Beers, F. W. (Frederick W.), ed. 1n; Vose, J.W., and Co Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : J.W. Vose & Co. Number of Pages: 920

Author: Beers, F. W. (Frederick W.), ed. 1n; Vose, J.W., and Co
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : J.W. Vose & Co.
Number of Pages: 920