Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 31

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 31

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Prof. Humphrey D. Maddock was born September 25, 1839, in Taun- ton, England. In 1857 he came to America and settled in Buffalo, where he did such work as a boy could find to do. About 1860 he moved to Pavilion, and there learned the broom manufacturing business, and was there 12 years. He then opened a broom factory, which he carried on until 1882. In October of that year he came to the New York State Blind Institution and taught broommaking. He also has charge of the gymnasium. He married Susan M. Buck, of Buffalo.

John Myers, born in Switzerland, came to Batavia in 1849, where he died in 1881, aged 75 years. His children were John, Alonzo, Theresa,

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Elizabeth, Frank, who served in the 49th Regt. of Buffalo, and died in hospital at Fort Monroe at the age of 35 years, John, 2d, who also served in the 49th Buffalo Regt., Sefarie, who served in the 8th N. Y. H. A., Sophronia, and Peter. The latter was born in Switzerland and came to Batavia with his father, John, where he now resides. He mar- ried Amelia, daughter of Frederick and Wilhelmina (Schultz) Darrow, and they have three children, viz .: Wilhelm (deceased), Herman, and Estella. Frederick and Wilhelmina Darrow were born in Berlin, Prussia, and in 1853 came to Richville, N. Y. Frederick was killed at that place by an accident in a saw-mill, in 1857, at the age of 38 years. His wife was 58 years of age at the time of her death. Their children were Will- iam, Amelia, Augusta, Minnie, Henry, and Annie R.

Thomas Mogridge's carriage shops are located at 2 Seaver Place. In 1877 he started the business here, but previous to that, in 1875, he was located for two years on Clark Place. He employs from five to seven men, manufacturing all kinds of wagons and carriages, and has a black- smith shop connected with his business. Mr. Mogridge was born in England, April 18, 1835. In 1852 he came to Batavia and worked at his trade, which he had learned in England. He married Sarah Lyons, and they have three children.

M. Moynihan, a merchant tailor and dealer in ready-made clothing, was born in Ireland in 1840, and came to Batavia with his parents when 10 years of age. He entered the clothing store of S. Masse in 1862, where he was employed for 14 years, when he engaged in business for himself, opening a clothing store in the Opera House block, where he did a prosperous business for three years. He then purchased a lot on East Main street, 41x100 feet, and erected the Moynihan block, which contains three stores. He occupies No. 47, where he has a large stock of clothing and gents' furnishing goods. Mr. Moynihan has established the one price system, and has built up a lucrative and prosperous trade.

Benjamin F. Morgan, a native of Amboy, N. J., born in 1768, came to Batavia, N. Y., in 1802, and settled on a farm. His was the first deed of land in the town for 80 acres, and was given to him by the Hol- land Purchase. He remained on the farm until his death, February 12, 1840, aged 72 years. His wife, born in 1773, was Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer Mary, of Kinderhook, Washington County, N. Y. She died in 1856, aged 83 years. They had nine children-seven daughters and two sons. Ebenezer B. Morgan, born in Batavia, January 16, 1817, died November 3, 1882, in tlie 66th year of his age. He was poor-

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master for a time and supervisor for two years. He married Sarah B., daughter of John and Hannah Janson, and his children were Martha, Allen J., Kittie E., George E., and William E. George E. Morgan, a native of Batavia, moved to Oakfield in 1885, and engaged in the busi- ness of buying grain and produce. He married Laura E., daughter of James P. and Clara (Rich) Parsons, and they have one daughter, Laura P. Mr. Morgan now lives in Batavia.

Sylvanus M. Nestell was a native of Montgomery County, N. Y., where he lived, and died in 1874, at the age of 65 years. His wife, Harriet Ellis, bore him seven children, as follows: Daniel, Lorenzo, Amenzo, Amelia, Jane, Martha, and Homer. For his second wife he married Catherine Ellis, and they had three children, viz .: George, Har- riet, and Mary. Homer Nestell was born in Pike, N. Y., in February, 1832. He married Mary E. Case, December 12, 1854, daughter of Dan- iel and Dolly (Moore) Case, and his children are Annette Frank, Jen- nie Edna, and Fred. Mr. Nestell served in the late war in Co. F, 2d N. Y. H. A., for three years, or during the war, and was honorably dis- charged in 1865. He was engaged in the battles of Cold Harbor, Peters- burg, North Anna, Kolopotomy Creek, Reams's Station, and Hatcher's Run, and was in the 2d Corps near Petersburg. He is now drawing a pension, and lives on road 61 in the town of Batavia.

Hon. Safford E. North, judge and surrogate of Genesee County, is a native of Alexander, having been born in that town January 27, 1852. His father, James A., was a resident of Alexander for 70 years, but is now living at Attica. Judge North received his early education in the district schools, later attended the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary at Alexander, and was also one year at Cornell University, entering at the opening exercises of that institution as a member of the first class. At the early age of 17 he began teaching school, and during the winter months was an instructor of the young. In the spring of 1873 he went to Le Roy and entered upon the study of the law in the office of Hon. L. N. Bangs, remaining there less than a year, being compelled by fail- ing eyesight to give up his studies for a period of two years. In March, 1876, he came to Batavia and resumed his law studies with William C. Watson. January 4, 1878, he was admitted to practice at Syracuse, and in May following opened an office in Batavia. He waselected clerk of the village in 1879 and '80, and district attorney in 1880-81. He has always been successful in his practice, and having been honored with the nomination for county judge and surrogate, against one of the ablest

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lawyers in the county, was elected to that office in 1888, and which he now holds. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

William O'Brien, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, came to Canada in 1850, and to Batavia in 1852. He died in Illinois in 1877, aged 70 years. His wife was Annie Enestie, of Ireland, and their children were William, Michael, John, Ellen, Mary, and Dennis. . Dennis O'Brien, who came here in 1853, married Margaret, daughter of James and Mary (Carroll) Carey, and they have one son, William. He is a farmer.

Chester Orcutt, son of Moses, a soldier of the Revolution, was born in Great Barrington, Mass., and came to West Bloomfield, thence to Riga in 1808, and then went to Summit County, Ohio, where he died at the age of 77 years. He married Nancy, daughter of John Phillips, of Rich- mond, N. Y. Their children were Olive, Parnell, Elizabeth, and Ches- ter E. For his second wife he married Jerusha Chamberlain, and their children were Esther, Elmira, and Chester E. Chester E. Orcutt was born in Richmond, N. Y., March 1, 1818. In April 1848, he came to Batavia, where he now resides. He married, first, Amelia How- ell, of Chili, and their children were Burdette, Louisa A., Jane A., and Frank H. His second wife, Mary A., daughter of Danforth and Olive (Sprague) Tounsley, of Gates, N. Y., bore him children as follows : J. Elwood, Willis T., Ida, Martha, Charles, Arthur, and George. Mr. Orcutt has lived on his farm 41 years.

Henry L. Onderdonk was born in Monticello, N. Y., April 26, 1818. When 13 years of age he came to Genesee County with his mother. In 1839 he opened a harness store and shop, and has been engaged in that business most of the time since, being one of the oldest business men in Batavia. His mother, who was born October 7, 1779, resides with him. He was trustee of the village two terms and overseer of the poor six years. He married Elmira S. Godfrey, of Geneva, N. Y.

Owen O'Hara was born in County Lathram, Ireland, June 24, 1828. He married twice, first, Catherine McCloughlin, March 17, 1851, and started for America the same day. They had two children, Mary and James A. For his second wife Mr. O'Hara married Jane Shean, by whom he had three children, of whom two survive, namely : Patrick and Kate. James A. O'Hara was born May 10, 1859, in Alabama, was edu- cated in the public schools, and began work on the railroad when he was 14 years old. He was promoted conductor June 1, 1887, on the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad. February 3, 1886, he married Nellie Skahen, of Batavia, and they have two sons: Charles, born November 9, 1886, and

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James V., born July 28, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara reside at No. 18 Robinson street, Batavia.

Albert C. Olmsted, a native of Le Roy, was born in 1847, a son of Chauncey L. and Marietta (Bailey) Olmsted (both of Le Roy). The pa- ternal and maternal grandparents, Stephen Olmsted and Erastus Bailey, were natives of Connecticut and early settlers in Le Roy. Mr. Bailey was a miller, and built many of the first mills in the Genesee country. Bailey's mills, so long and well known, were the result of his energy, and were operated by him and subsequently by his son. Chauncey L. Olm- sted was a prominent builder; he erected the Oriental mills of Chicago, and Orchard City mills, of Burlington, Ia. His lumber interests caused him to spend much time in the Saginaw valley. He was also a banker at Burlington, and president of the Orchard City Savings Bank from June, 1868, to 1872, when he sold out on account of ill health. His son Henry B. was cashier, and died in 1872, and the father died the same year. Mr. Olmsted also built the Red flouring- mills of Le Roy, and the Batavia and Le Roy planing-mills. In 1873 A. C. Olmsted came to Batavia and has since resided here. He started in the coal and lumber business in 1878, locating at 43 Center street, his present location. He is a stockholder of the Le Roy Gas Co. and a prominent member of the Masonic order. Mr. Olmsted has always been identified with the milling interests, and is in- terested in lumber and coal. He graduated at Poughkeepsie in 1865, when he went to Iowa, in charge of the Orchard City mills, where he was for seven years. He was married, in 1874, to Grace Clark, daughter of the well known Dr. Norris G. Clark, of Batavia, and they have one child, Henry B.

Lucius B. Parmele, A. M., M. D., is a native of Erie County, N. Y., where he was born in 1840. He is a son of John J. and Joanna (Baker) Parmele, both natives of Connecticut. Dr. Parmele commenced the study of medicine in 1864, with Dr. Barrett, of Le Roy, having graduated from the University of Rochester the same year. He subsequently entered the medical department of the University of Buffalo and was graduated there- from in 1867. He commenced his practice in East Pembroke, where he continued for 15 years. After a short residence in Rochester he lo- cated in Batavia, in 1883, where we find him in active practice. Dr. Par- mele received the degree of A. M. from the Rochester University in 1872. He was elected supervisor of Pembroke three years, and in 1884 was elected coroner of the county. He was reelected in 1887, and is now serving. Dr. Parmele is a member of the Genesee County Medical As-

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sociation, and also of the Masonic fraternity. He was married, in 1868, to Susan A. Allen, daughter of Ebenezer Allen, an old settler of the county. Three children have been born to them, viz .: Alice L., Lucius A , and Porter L. S. The family are members of the Baptist Church.

Capt. Orrin C. Parker, proprietor of the Parker House, was born in Stafford in 1838, a son of Rev. Aaron C. and Alvina (Watson) Parker, both natives of Vermont. His grandfather, James Parker, came from Ver- mont to this county about 1815. He served in the War of 1812, as cap- tain, and was a farmer. Ilis mother's father also came from Vermont to Stafford. Rev. Aaron Parker was a clergyman of the Christian denomi- nation, and was also a farmer. Capt. Parker enlisted in Co. G, 129th N. Y. Inf., afterwards in the 8th H. A., and won a commission as cap- tain. He was wounded three times, and served until the close of the war. On his return home he engaged in various business enterprises, and was an active and successful business man. While conducting the St. James Hotel it was destroyed by fire in 1886, leaving him with but little prop- erty, and several obligations, but he successfully discharged all his in- debtedness and is again prosperous. In June, 1889, he leased of C. G. Purdy the well known Purdy House, changed the name to Parker House, and is now conducting the same. He is also an extensive real estate dealer in Western New York. In 1875 he was elected treasurer of the county, serving three years. While captain of the 14th Separate Co. N. G. he participated in the railroad riots of 1877, and was aid-de-camp to Gen. Rogers. He is a 32d degree member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Parker was united in marriage, in 1862, with Miss A. Pember, daughter of Leander U. Pember, a native and old resident of Batavia.

James P. Parsons, a native of Springfield, Mass., was born in 1824, a son of David and Cynthia (Comstock) Parsons, natives of Connecticut. He came to Batavia in 1844, and finally went to Albion. The father was a farmer and machinist, and was in the government employ for 24 years in the Springfield rifle works, and six years at Harper's Ferry. James P. was reared as a farmer, following the same 18 years. He has been en- gaged in shipping grain, flour, and feed for many years. He was mar- ried, in 1849, to Clara, daughter of Calvin Rich, of Batavia, and their children are James R., a member of the produce exchange, Laura, Mor- gan, Clara A., and David L. The family are Presbyterians.

Robert B. Pease, a leading merchant and honored citizen of Batavia, and son of Alvin and Caroline (Chase) Pease, is a native of Avon. In 1843 they came to Batavia, where the father still lives. Alvin was a

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farmer, and in 1857 was elected sheriff Robert B. became a clerk for Otis & Worthington, hardware merchants, remaining with them 12 years, thoroughly learning the business. He then became a partner of Hiram K. Buell in 1865, under the firm name of Pease & Buell, hardware mer- chants, remaining thus 21 years. Since 1886 Mr. Pease has conducted the business alone at 54 East Main street. He served as deputy sheriff under his father, was trustee for five years, and has served on the board of education six years. He married Mary Bainbridge, of Wyoming County, and their children are Francis C., Fred A., and Maud E. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

The first known of the Perrin family was one John Peryn, who came from London, England, on the ship Safety, and landed at South Shore, Braintree, Mass. He was born in 1614. Edward A. Perrin, a lineal descend- ant of John Peryn, was born in Woodstock, Windham County, Conn., August 10, 1836, and was educated in the public schools with several terms at Woodstock Academy. In 1858 he came to Batavia, and July 28, 1859, married Jane M., second daughter of Daniel Carpenter, of Rome, N. Y. They have three children, viz .: George E., born July 28, 1861; Florence M., born October 13, 1870; and Charles N., born January 27, 1873. · September 6, 1864, Mr. Perrin enlisted in Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. A. Vols, and in June, 1865, was transferred to Co. F, 4th H. A., and was discharged as corporal in September, 1865. He is a member of Upton Post, No. 299, G. A. R., and is its present commander.

Blanchard Powers, a native of Bennington, Vt., came to Batavia about 1806. He was a civil engineer and school teacher, a prominent Mason, and at one time master of the Olive Branch Lodge, meetings being held at his house quite frequently during and after the Morgan troubles. And for the intense interest taken by him to keep up the meetings he was presented with a medal. Ilis son, E. P. Powers, was born in Bennington, Vt., in 1803, and came here with his father. He was a farmer, and helped to build the Tonawanda Railroad and worked for the railroad company around the depot. He married Harriet Case and reared a family of seven children, only two of whom are living, viz .: Charles, who has been a sta- tionary engineer for the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Co. since 1861, and John R., who is a baggagemaster.

George Prescott was born in Devonshire, England, about 1817, and married Mary Clark of the same place, by whom he had two sons, Fran- cis, and Thomas F. Francis Prescott was born in England, June 25, 1843, was educated in the public schools, came to America with his par-

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ents in 1855, and located in Stafford. He subsequently learned the blacksmiths' trade. He married twice, first, in 1870, Lydia Passmore, formerly of England. They had three children, Mary J., Nettie E., and Lydia A. Mrs. Prescott died October 17, 1875, and for his second wife he married, in November, 1876, Lucy A. Simpson. They had five children, viz : Myrtia V., Olive A., Alice P, Ralph T., and Frank S. She died September 15, 1889. December 29, 1863, he enlisted in Co. L, 8th N. Y. H. A. Vols., and was afterwards transferred to Co. I, 3d Regt. Vet. Reserve Corps, and was discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Prescott is now in the employ of the Wiard Plow Co. as general blacksmith.

William E. Prentice, an attorney in the Walker block, Batavia, is de- scended from Stephen Randall (a great-grandfather) and Elisha Prentice (grandfather), the earliest pioneers of Le Roy and Stafford. William E. is a son of John and Sarah (Randall) Prentice, and was born February 22. 1859. He was a pupil in the district school and later in Le Roy Academy, commenced teaching at the age of 16, and entered college at 19, but was obliged to leave to provide for his younger brothers and sisters. Later he completed a college and post-graduate course, receiv- ing degrees from Yale University and Rochester University, and has also done special work in Columbia. He was elected school superintend- ent of the county in 1881 and again in 1884, each time running ahead of his ticket, during which terms the systems were greatly extended and benefited. He then became a law student with William C. Watson, and also with Judge North, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. His prac- tice is a lucrative one, and by fortunate investments in the West he has shown an unlimited capacity for work and honest devotion to duty.

Aaron Perry was born in Reading, Conn. He served in the War of 1812, and died in Fairfield, Conn., aged 76 years. His wife was Esther Sanford, of Reading, of English ancestry, and his children were David and Andrew S. David was born in Reading, and came to Riga, N. Y., in 1840, where he died in 1886. He married Lydia, daughter of Joshua Richmond, and his children are Truman A., a farmer of Churchville, N. Y., and Frank D., who was born in Churchville, May 15, 1849, and came to Batavia, April 1, 1885. Frank D. married Jennie E., daugh- ter of Jeremiah and Lucy ( Kelsey ) Sibley, of Rush, N. Y., and they have children as follows : Lydia F., Richmond D., and Lucy K. Mr. Perry is a farmer on road 46.

John Parsons, a native of Lyme, Conn., died there in 1813, aged 60

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years. He married Lois Waite, of the same place, and they had 13 chil- dren, among whom was Marshfield, who was born in Lyme, and came to Le Roy in 1815, settling upon a farm. He was a carpenter, and died in 1881, at the age of 83 years. He married Betsey, daughter of Joseph and Mary Keeney. Their children were Mary E., Anna S., Ezra K., Emma L., and Thomas G. Thomas G. Parsons, a native of Le Roy, was born August 3, 1828, and married Mary, daughter of Hiram and Maria (Fowle) Pratt, of Buffalo. Their children are Hiram P., Charles F., Bessie M., Jennie L., and Howard M. Mr. Parsons resides on road 7, where he has lived seven years. Hiram Pratt, one of the pioneers of Buffalo who settled there in 1804, from Westminister, Vt., was elected mayor in 1836 and 1839. He died in 1840, aged 40 years.

John B. Peckes, born in Belgium in 1852, came to America in 1872, and has been a resident of Batavia since 1874. He married Mary Clark, of Batavia, and they have three children.

W. S. & J. J. Patterson's drug store is located at 102 Main street. The business was established by them in 1886, and they carry a full line of drugs, books, and medicines.

Henry J. Patten, M. D. is a native of Oswego County, where he was born in 1838. His father, George Patten, was a native of Vermont, and his mother, whose maiden name was Moot, was a native of the Empire State. Henry J. enlisted as a private in Co. H, 122d Regt. Veterans, par- ticipated in 18 battles, and served until the close of the war. He practiced dentistry in Syracuse for 16 years, then became a medical student in the office of Dr. E. L. Baker, of Syracuse, and subsequently graduated from the Cincinnati Eclectic College. He is also a graduate of the Poulte Med- ical College of Cincinnati, class of 1883. Dr. Patten has been a resi- dent of Batavia since 1883, and devotes his practice principally to the special treatment of the eye, ear, and throat. He is now serving his sec- ond term as health officer of the village. He married Sarah Wilder, of Syracuse, and they have one child, Carrie B. The family are Presby- terians.

George Redshaw was born in Derbyshire, England, November 27, 1822. He married Martha Robinson, of his native town, emigrated to America, and arrived in Batavia, June 3, 1850, where he still resides. He - served an apprenticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner in England, and followed that calling until 1855, when he increased his business and became quite an extensive contractor and builder. He continued in the business until 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Redshaw are parents of three sons

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and four daughters, all of whom reside in Batavia. His son, John T. Red- shaw, was born in Batavia, February 6. 1851, where he was raised and educated. He learned his father's trade, and has been engaged in the business from early boyhood, and on his own account for the past 16 years. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Asa King, under the firm name of King & Redshaw, contractors and builders, which continues. They now employ from four to 12 men. Mr. Redshaw is a staunch Republican, and although his ward is Democratic by more than 50, such is his popularity that he now holds the position of alderman. In 1873 he united in mar- riage with Evelyn Johnson, of Batavia, and they have two sons and one daughter.

William J. Reedy, sheriff of Genesee County, is a native of Kent County, Delaware, where his father still resides. He was born in 1841, and in 1862 entered the U. S. service as first lieutenant of the Ist Delaware Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. He was promoted to captain, then to major, and was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness. He was then transferred to the regular army, and February 23, 1866, secured a commission as second lieutenant of the 13th U. S. Inf., and was sent to the West. In 1867 he was made quartermaster and commissary. Upon the reorganization of the army in 1868 he was assigned to the 22d In- fantry, with commission as first lieutenant. He served several years in the West, and was transferred to Brooklyn, N. Y., upon recruiting service. He was next sent to New Orleans, and participated in the election and legislative troubles of 1873-74. In June, 1874, Capt. Reedy came to Buffalo with his regiment and served as quartermaster and commissary until he canie to Batavia in 1877. Since then he has been a resident of this county. In the fall of 1887 he was elected to his present position, which he fills efficiently and creditably. In July, 1877, he was married to Mrs. Amelia E. Dewey, widow of Henry Dewey, and daughter of Addi- son Foster, an old resident of Batavia.

Charles F. Rand, M. D., was born in 1839, a son of James and Ange- line (Rutland) Rand. His grandfather Rand was killed in the war of the Revolution, and his grandfather Rutland was a soldier of 1812. His parents came to Genesee County at an early day, residing here until their deaths. Dr. Rand was born in the house he now occupies. He was educated in the schools of the county, and April 16, 1861, he entered the Union service, being the first volunteer in the county. He served as private in Co. K, 12th Regt., until June 27, 1862, when he was shot at Gaines's Mills, taken prisoner, and sent to Libby prison. His wound re-

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sulted in the loss of his right arm. In 1863 he was commissioned lieu- tenant, and subsequently captain. He served during the war, and in the regular army until 1869. He had made a study of medicine, and dur- ing his confinement in the hospital, and in leisure hours, gave further attention to it. After leaving the service he entered the University of Georgetown and graduated in March, 1873. For six years he practiced in Washington, and in 1879 returned to his native place, where he has since been in active service. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is a learned and cultivated gentleman.

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Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 31

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