Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 30

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 30

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).

Samuel C. Holden was born in Otsego County, N. Y., August 8, 1794, and died in December, 1881, aged 87 years. He came here in 1806, and thus spent 75 years of his life in this village. He was a

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brother of Hinman Holden, and they were sons of James Holden. Samuel C. Holden was at one time U. S. loan commissioner, was county clerk in 1846, and was in the mercantile business as early as 1822 under the firm name of Rich & Holden. His son, George H. Holden, held the office of county clerk for six years from 1861, and is now the deputy, having given his valuable assistance to the office for 30 years.

Hayden U. Howard, for many years identified with the banking and business interests of this county, was born in 1821 in Livingston County. His parents, Talcott and Sally (Tufts) Howard, came from New England to Perry, where Hayden was reared. He began life as a clerk, and in 1840 entered the bank at Le Roy as clerk. For nearly 50 years he has been identified with the banking interests of the county. He became cashier of the Bank of Le Roy in 1845, serving until 1852. The two years following he conducted a private bank in Buffalo, and then re- turned to Genesee County as vice-president of the Bank of Genesee. In 1855 he became president, serving until 1885, since which time he has conducted a loan office. He has been active in educational matters, serv- ing as trustee in the school board and of the Institution of the Blind. He was also president of the Western New York Life Insurance Com- pany. He married Lucy L., daughter of Erastus Bailey, of Le Roy, an old resident. They have three children, Charles H., William E., and Mary M., and are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Joseph Hamilton has been a resident of Batavia since 1852. He in- herited a taste for engraving, and learned the trade of cutting marble in Rochester, and since coming here has established a large trade in the marble and granite line. He erected the brick block on East Main street in 1872, where he has spacious salesrooms. In March, 1877, he admit- ted his son John M. as a partner, and the business is now conducted under the firm name of Joseph Hamilton & Son.

Ezekiel Hackley, a son of Simeon, of Connecticut, was born in Co- lumbia County, in 1794, and came to Batavia in 1819, settling on the farm in the north part of the town, where he now resides with his son Orlando D. Mr. Hackley married Sarah Smiley, daughter of Dr. Francis Smiley, of Herkimer County, N Y., and they had six children. He is the old- est settler in the town, being now over 96 years of age.

Samuel Jacks, a native of Londonderry, N. H., came to Batavia in 18II. He was a blacksmith, but settled on a farm where he died in 1866, aged 74 years. He came when but few settlers had located, and had a shop at the corner of Bank and Main streets. He married Betsey, daugh-

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ter of Ephraim Husted, of Elba, and his children were James C., John, Mary, Samuel, John, Ephraim, and Betsey. James C. Jacks, born in Batavia, married Josephine B., daughter of John C. and Eunice (McCril- lus) Wilford, and their children are J. Wilford, Mary E., Julia W., Josephine, and J. Corwin. The latter married Emma, daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Staples) Haviland, of Glens Falls, N. Y., and they have one daughter, Elma H. Mr. Jacks is a farmer, residing on road 13. J. Wilford Jacks is a Presbyterian minister at Romulus, N. Y. Mary E. Jacks married Rev. H. H. Kellogg, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Windham, N. Y. Josephine Jacks married Rev. Frank L. Silliman, now a mer- chant of Little Falls, N. Y. Julia W. Jacks married William T. Bradley, a farmer in Batavia.

Alva Jones was born February 23, 1820, in Stafford, was a farmer, and always resided there. He married Amelia C. Hull, and they had four children, viz .: Edwin R .. George F., Mary A., and Frances C., all de- ceased. Mr. Jones died February 5, 1873, and his widow resides in Ba- tavia. The son George F. enlisted in Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. A., in 1863, and August 25, 1864, he was captured by the rebels and taken to Libby prison, from there to Belle Isle, thence to Salisbury, N. C., where he died November 2, 1864. Edwin R. Jones died in Nebraska, November 8, 1888.

Obadiah Johnson was a native of Berkshire County, Mass, and a sol- dier in the war of the Revolution. He had six children, viz. : Horace, Obadiah, Gordon, Anna, Sallie, and John R. John R. Johnson, also a native of Massachusetts, came to Monroe County in 1813, and died at Riga in 1870, aged 84 years. He married Lucy, daughter of David Tut- tle, of Byron, and their children were Rufus, Azubette, Ira, Jane, Lucy, Lucinda, Spencer, Sarah, Eunice, and Horace. The latter was born in Riga, July 16, 1827, settled in Byron in 1876, and came to Batavia in 1882, locating on a farm. He married Mary E., daughter of Ephraim and Nancy (Hults) Johnson, of Nunda, N. Y., and their children are Lewis M., Ernest H., William H., Morris W., Julia E., Cora B., and Mary E. Lewis M. Johnson married Martha Judd. Their children are Charles J., Cora B., Lena L., and Ilma M. He resides with his father on road 13.

Prof. Charles A. Klimitz was born September 23, 1826, in Pomerania, Prussia. He received a musical education in the city of Stettin. In 1855 he came to America, and was a resident of Rochester one year, and came to Batavia in 1856. He has taught music in the Young Ladies'

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Seminary II years, and has since been a private music teacher. He was married to Emily E. Brussow, and they have had six children, four of whom are living.

John Kenyon in 1836 opened a grocery and general store in Batavia. After carrying on the business for years he sold out to his sons Edward L. and George D. In 1886 Edward L. bought out George D., carrying on the business until 1888, when he sold out the store and retired. In May, 1889, his son, E. Porter Kenyon, opened a store at No. 80 Main street, and is now carrying a full line of groceries. He also controls the ice business of Batavia.

Darius King was born in Pompey, N. Y., April 30, 1819. When six years of age his father, Hiram, settled in the northern part of Batavia, where he resided until he moved to Oakfield in 1860. He was a farmer and building mover, and was supervisor two years and assessor nine years. He married Cornelia Showerman, and they had a family of three children, two of whom, F. D. and W. E., are living. He died December 9, 1885. His widow lives in Batavia. F. D. King was born March 6, 1846, and s a contractor and builder. He married Miss C. Bowers, of Victor, N. Y., and they have one child, Everett D.

Paul Knowlton lived and died in Grafton, Mass. His children were Paul, Levi, Daniel, Ruth, and Annie. Daniel was born in Massachu- setts, and came to Pavilion in 1816, remaining there until his death in 1847, aged 72 years. He married .Polly Hemmingway, of Massachusetts, and their children were Mary, Pamelia, Adaline, Venus D., Hephzibah, Levi P., and Thaddeus J. The last mentioned was born in Bethany, March 30, 1822, and came to Batavia in 1885. He now lives in Batavia village at 24 Wood street. He married, May 28, 1845, Phoebe, daugh- ter of Joseph and Sarah (Buckbee) Stewart, of Warsaw, N. Y. She was born January 16, 1820. Their children are Daniel S., Eva F., and Frank J. Daniel S. married Nellie Vernon, of Perry, N. Y. They have three children, and reside at La Grange. Joseph Stewart served in the War of 1812. Richard Buckbee, father of Sarah, died in Saratoga County at the age of 82 years, and his wife, Phoebe, in Dutchess County at the age of 52 years. Mr. Knowlton also owns a farm of 69 acres in Pavilion.

Kenny & Rourke, grocers and wholesale and retail liquor dealers, are located at 152 Ellicott street. They started in business in 1884, renting the store, and since then have bought the property. They are doing a large business, which is increasing each year.

Charles A. Kibbe, of " Kibbe's farm advertising agency," established

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in 1875, is a native of Fulton County, N. Y., and son of Nathaniel S. Kibbe, who came to Batavia in 1870. Previous to living here Charles A. was engaged in the glove and mitten business at Gloversville, N. Y. He has made a great success of his real estate business, his sales the past three years amounting to $2,000,000, and a total of $8,000,000. He handles property all over the United States. He makes a specialty of advertising, having spent in all over $26,000 for that purpose, or about $2,000 per year. He has about 500 cooperative agents in the United States. Mr. Kibbe has opened a branch office in room I, No. 8 State street, Rochester, with W. P. Hawkins as manager. His work is strictly a commission one. He originated this "new idea" of dealing in farm properties, and has proved it to be a success. Mr. Kibbe is one of the energetic business men of the town ; an active mover in all enterprises to build up the place by the introduction of new manufactures.

Martin L. Kempton in 1888 commenced the manufacture of the Ba- tavia combination fence at Elba. In 1889 he located in Batavia at 117 Harvester avenue, and is now using from 10 to 12 tons of wire and 300,- 000 pickets per year. He also makes ordinary farm fence and fancy picket fence of different varieties.

Lawrence & Lane, attorneys at law .- This association was formed in 1889 by Spencer J. Lawrence and Louis B. Lane. Mr. Lawrence was born in 1864, a son of James and Alida (Chase) Lawrence, a farmer who died in 1880. After completing his preliminary education Mr. Lawrence entered the office of William C. Watson and began the study of law. He was admitted to practice in the spring of 1889. Mr. Lane, a native of Allegany County, was born in 1862, son of Rev. John W. and Mary E. (Watson) Lane. His father was a Presbyterian minister of over 30 years of service in Allegany County, and died December 25, 1881. Louis was educated under the care of his father, and was also a law student in Mr. Watson's office. He was admitted to practice in 1889.

G. W. Lefler, V. S., was born in Seneca County, N. Y., August 6, 1834. He graduated at Boston Veterinary College in 1858, was ap- pointed chief veterinary surgeon of the Army of the Potomac in 1863, and remained there until 1866. He enlisted as farrier in the 30th N. Y. Engineer Corps, and was discharged on special order 515 to receive the appointment of chief veterinary surgeon. After the close of the war he practiced in several cities in the West, and located in Batavia in 1884. He has his office and hospital at Exchange Place.

James A. Le Seur, the efficient clerk and assistant of Judge North in

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the surrogate's office, is a native of Brattleboro, Vt., where he was born November 18, 1861. He was married, December 31, 1884, to Miss Car- rie Eckler, of Pittsford, N. Y., and came to Batavia in September, 1887, from Boston, Mass.

Harry Lathrop, born in 1804, is a native of Rutland, Vt., and came to Stafford in 1816. He is now a resident of Medina, N. Y. He married Olive, daughter of Moses Chapin, of Massachusetts, and their children are Elsie E., Edward F., James E., and Harry E. Harry E. Lathrop, who was born in Stafford, married Mary E., daughter of William and Eliza (Wilcox) Russell, of Rocky Hill, Conn., and their children are Frank E., born February 11, 1873, and Mary E., born November 18, 1876. They now reside in Batavia, where they have lived for eight years. The father of Harry (Abigal) was a soldier of the War of 1812, and was at the burning of Buffalo. Anson Lathrop came to Darien from Connecticut in 1818, and settled in the southeastern part of the town. He was a farmer. He married Elizabeth Bertram, and had born to him eight children, Samuel, son of Aaron, was born March 28, 1834, and married Sarah E. Salisbury. He enlisted in Co. M, 9th N. Y. H. A., was taken prisoner at Mononacy Junction in July, 1863, taken to Dan- ville prison, and died November 9, 1863. Henry Salisbury, born in Co- lumbia County, N. Y., married Sallie Owen, of Massachusetts, and settled in Darien in 1810. They had eight children. He was a large farmer, and died September 26, 1869. He was in the War of 1812, and was stationed at Fort Erie.

Samuel Lusk, a native of Wethersfield, Conn., moved to Poultney, Vt., and died in 1828, aged 76 years. He served in the war of the Revolu- tion. He married Naomi Bryant, of Connecticut, and their children were Samuel, Irena, Alvin, Salmon, Sally, and William. The latter, of Castleton, Vt., came to Batavia in 1835, and died in Newstead, Erie County, in 1870, aged 84 years. He served in the War of 1812. He married Althea Sanford, of Poultney, Vt., daughter of Oliver Sanford, and his children were William H., Reuben S., Marcus, Caroline, Clarissa, Ann E., and Salmon. Salmon B. Lusk was born in Poultney, August 28, 1815, came to Batavia and married Sally, daughter of Jabez and Relief (Wheelock) Howe, and their children are Althea, Elizabeth, Helen, Mary, Frank R., Clara E., and William B. Mr. Lusk has resided at his present place 24 years. He was elected sheriff in 1851, and served three years in the late war; was deputy provost-marshal, and held many offices of trust in the county. He was jailer seven years, and deputy sheriff three years. He is a breeder of thoroughbred American Merino shee

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Philip Luckel was born in Germany and came to America in 1854, set- tling in Batavia in 1855, where he has since resided. He is a tailor by trade, and has carried on that business most of the time. Charles W. Luckel, son of Philip, was born in Batavia, April 8, 1858. He learned the tailors' trade with his father, finishing in New York city. In 1884 he started in business for himself. He has been in the store at 30 Jack- son street since 1889, carrying on merchant tailoring. He carries a good line of foreign and domestic goods, giving employment to from 12 to 15 hands.

Andrew Lape was born in Germany, and when a young man came to Batavia. He married Catherine Michel, and they had two children. He enlisted in Co. H, 148th N: Y. Regt., served two years and six months, and died from wounds received in service. His only son, Jo- seph, was born near Buffalo, N. Y., October 21, 1848, and resides in Ba- tavia. Joseph Lape was elected constable in February, 1889. He mar- ried Hattie I. Johnson, of Shortsville, Ontario County, and they have one child, Pearl P.

Robert A. Maxwell, State superintendent of insurance, is a native of Washington County, where he was born in 1840. He is a son of Alex- ander and Jane (Alexander) Maxwell, both of Scotch lineage. Robert was educated in the schools of his native county, and received the advan- tage of a course of study in the State Normal School of Albany. He then taught for two years in the schools of Greenwich. Deciding upon a larger field of operation he went to Chicago and engaged in mercantile pursuits, but was forced to return east on account of ill health, and in 1869 he became a permanent resident of Batavia. Mr. Maxwell was ac- tively engaged in the malting business for 10 years, first forming an as- sociation with E. H. Fish in 1871, and later with Henry J. Ensign, in the brewery and malt business. He was appointed one of the early trus- tees of the Institution for the Blind, and also served one year as village trustee. In 1881 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for State treasurer, and was elected by 22,000 majority, the balance of the ticket being defeated. In 1883 he was reëlected by over 5,000 in advance of the rest of the ticket. In January, 1886, Gov. Hill appointed him State superintendent of insurance, which office he now holds. He was married to Mary McLean, of Washington County. Two children have been born to them, viz .: William A. and Marion Grace (deceased, aged nine years).

John M. Mckenzie, of the firm of Mckenzie, Ryan & Storms, was born in Lockport in 1846. He was educated in the public schools of

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that place, and learned the trade of cabinetmaker. He moved to Wis- consin and there worked at his trade, but came to Batavia in 1868, and was engaged at farming four years, when he entered the employ of R. O. Holden, with whom he studied the business of general merchandising for nine years, attaining the position of head clerk and buyer. In 1881 he opened up business on his own account, when there were eight compet- ing stores in the line of clothiers and gents' furnishing goods, while at the present time only three survive. His strict attention to business, fidelity to friends, and thorough regard for his word caused him to be brought forward as a candidate for the Assembly in 1887. Such was his popu- larity that he was elected by a majority of nearly 1,200, being far in ad- vance of the rest of the ticket, and by a greater majority than his prede- cessors. Again, in 1888, he was placed in nomination for the same place, which resulted in an increased majority (1,311), keeping up with that for the presidential ticket. The fact of his being a member of the Ways and Means Committee is an honor not often given to Genesee County. Mr. Mckenzie was married to Mary E. Storms, daughter of the late John C. Storms. They have one girl, Bessie L.

Timothy Lynch, proprietor of the Genesee House, was born in Ireland, and came with his parents to America in 1847. His father, Daniel Lynch, came to Batavia about 1850, and resided there until his death. Timothy Lynch was reared and educated in the schools of Batavia, and early in 1861 enlisted in Co. E, 100th N. Y. Vet. Inf., as a private. Be- fore going to the front he was commissioned second lieutenant of his company. He was in active service about three and one-half years. His regiment saw severe service, and participated in the engagements at Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, and Fair Oaks, where Lieut. Lynch was taken prisoner and confined for five months in Libby and Salisbury prisons. After rejoining the regiment he was promoted to first lieutenant to date from the battle of Fair Oakes, having command of Co. B. He was finally made captain of his company, and served until No- vember, 1864, when he resigned. The latter part of his service he was in the engagements at Folly, James, and Morris islands, and before Charleston, Richmond, Petersburg, and Fort Darling, where one-half of his regiment was lost and he was wounded, Weldon Railroad, Bermuda Hundred, etc. Returning to Genesee County Mr. Lynch farmed for two years, and in 1867 became owner of the Genesee House on Jackson street, Batavia, which he has since conducted, with the exception of two years. Mr. Lynch is post commander of Upton Post, G. A. R., and is

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now serving as one of the Grant treasurers of the State for the C. M. B. A., a benevolent organization of which he is one of the oldest members. He has served as a member of the board of trustees of Batavia, and is one of the enterprising men of the town, as well as a genial and deserv- ing host.

Allen D. Lincoln, youngest son of Sylvester, who was the fourth set- tler in the town of Bethany, was born in Bethany, December 6, 1821. He received a public school and academic education, and until recently was a farmer by occupation. He is now a retired farmer, residing on Jackson street, Batavia .. March 28, 1855, he married Sarah E., oldest daughter of Morris Garton, of Wyoming County, N. Y. They have two children, viz .: Wallis G., born January 3, 1862, and Kate F., born Octo- ber 1, 1871. November 2, 1884, Wallis G. married Monica McNerhany, of Washington, D. C., and they have two children, Harry G. and Mar- garet. He is a telegraph operator in the Western Union office in Chi- cago, Ill. Kate F. is a music teacher and resides at home with her par- ents.

Harry M. Lay, successor to Blake & Lay, is the young but progressive proprietor of a leading business enterprise of Batavia. The business was started by John H. Blake, and subsequently became, in 1887, Blake & Lay. During the continuance of the firm extensive buildings were erec- ted, and the business assumed large proportions. Mr. Lay assumed the entire charge and ownership in 1889. The office and yards are on Lib- erty street, convenient to railroad transportation, and consist of lumber yard, coal sheds, a planing-mill 40x80 feet, two stories in height, and a hay barn 40x120 feet and 50 feet high, with a capacity for 2,000 tons of hay, which is shipped to eastern markets. - Mr. Lay employs about 20 assistants, and has a promising future. He is a native, of Chicago, and a son of George W. Lay, Esq., an attorney and descendant of old Gen- esee County families. Mr. Lay received an excellent education, gradu- ating from Williams College in 1887. The same year he began his bus- iness career.

John Moore, a native of Columbia County, N. Y., came to Batavia in 1847, where he died at the age of 72 years. He married Cherry Sparks, daughter of Benjamin, of Massachusetts, and their children were Abigail, Betsey, Louisa, Clarissa, Sabery, John, Benjamin, Andrew, George, and Michael. The latter came to Batavia in 1836, from Lima, N. Y. He married, first, Sarah Ward, and second, Nancy Ward. His children by his second wife are Franklin, Charles, Elmer, Newton, Herbert, Watson, and

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Libbie L. They now reside near East Pembroke in the town of Batavia. Herbert Moore is a merchant at East Pembroke. Libbie L. married Cash M., son of Edwin and Lucinda (Curtis) Durham, of Batavia, and is now a resident of East Pembroke.

William Martin, son of William, a native of Orange County, N. Y., came to Shelby, N. Y., in 1816, and now resides there. He married Sarah, daughter of Daniel Ross, of Shelby, and their children are William A., Wallace, Mary, Harriet, Alice, Frances, Albert R., Elizabeth, and Charles T. Charles T. Martin was born in Barre, N. Y., March 3, 1843, and now resides in Batavia on road 7. William Martin, Sr., was a na- tive of County Down, Ireland. He came to New York city in 1801, and thence to Barre, where he died in 1848, aged 82 years He was a linen weaver by trade. His wife was Mary Trumbull, who died in Barre in 1844, aged 72 years. Charles T. Martin married Augusta S., daughter of Robert Balmer, of Porter, Niagara County, N. Y., and they had one daughter, Maude Snow, now deceased.

William J. Mann, proprietor of the Hotel Richmond, is a native of Buffalo. He was born in 1844, a son of William B. and Aurelia (Arm- strong) Mann. His father, an Englishman by birth. came to America when a youth, and has been a prominent grain and shipping merchant in Buffalo, with an experience of 40 years, and is the oldest member of the board of trade in that city. William J. began his business career with his father, for a time the firm being William B. Mann & Son, and was subsequently interested in other enterprises in the city. He finally em- barked in the hotel business as a member of the well- known firm of Staf- ford & Co., proprietors of the Tifft House and Mansion Hotel. . He soon became proprietor of the Hotel Richmond in his native village, which was destroyed by fire March 8, 1887, in which he lost his wife and only child, and nearly perished himself, being severely burned and disabled for a long time. Mr. Mann became proprietor of the Hotel Richmond upon its completion in May, 1889. He is endowed with a genial per- sonality, which, with business attributes of a high order, fit him for pre- siding over one of the neatest and best equipped hotels in the Empire State.

Sidney U. Main, a retired merchant, was an active business man for many years. He was born in Cazenovia, N. Y., in 1811, a son of Will- iam and Sophia (Briggs) Main, of New England stock. They were mar- ried there and settled in Madison County in 1829, whence they removed to Bennington, Wyoming County. The father was a merchant and

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farmer there until his death in 1838. The mother died in 1877, at the home of her son in Batavia. There were eight children, six of whom are living, viz .: Mrs. Jane C. Bride, Mrs. Lucy A. Studley, Mrs. Caro- line L. Dorman, Mrs. Margaret Hulett, Mrs. Louisa Shadbolt, and Sid- ney U. Main. The latter began his business career when a youth, and pursued it untiringly until he retired from active labor. He was for some time a traveling salesman. In 1837 he began business in Bergen, continuing there until he came to Batavia. In 1854 he formed a co- partnership with Dr O. P. Clark in the drug and book trade, and was afterwards associated with A. D. Tryon. He was also in business in Randolph, N. Y., for 20 years, and was a large real estate dealer. Throughout his entire business life he sustained a reputation for honor- able dealing. In 1837 he married Miss Ophelia Beecher, of Bergen, who died in 1844. In 1849 he married Adeline E Botsford, who died in 1851. In 1854 he was married to Adeline E., daughter of Aaron and Betsey (Bent) Pingrey, of Mount Holly, Vermont, who were early set- tlers of Cattaraugus County, N. Y.

Rufus Monger, a native of Vermont, came to Bethany in the very early days of the settlement of that town, and cleared the farm where he remained until his death in 1870, at the age of 92 years. He was often times obliged to carry wheat to mill to Attica upon his back. He served in the War of 1812. He married Lydia Everest, of Bethany, and their children were Rufus, Lydia, Luman, Deliverance, Israel. Sally, Ephraim, Lavina, and Orange. Luman Monger was born in Bethany, near Lin- den, November 22, 1815. He married Amanda, daughter of Daniel Barnes, of Iowa, and they have one son, Charles, now a station agent on the Illinois Central Railroad. Mrs. Monger died in 1875, aged 70 years. Mr. Monger went to Dubuque, Iowa, in 1845, but now resides in Bata- via village, and is a gunsmith.

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Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 30

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