USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 32
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Meredith Ross, wholesale dealer in tobacco, cigars, and grocers' sun- dries, Park Place, and who resides at 57 Ellicott avenue, has been a resi- dent of Batavia since 1884. He built the Ross block on Main street in 1886, and in 1888 opened a wholesale store at Park Place. His teas, coffees, syrups, and molasses are shipped from first hands direct to his customers, and no money is invested only as his sales are made, thus en- abling him to sell on a small margin, giving his customers the benefit of the profits to middle men. He employs three traveling salesmen, who travel over Western New York and Pennsylvania.
Ross Brothers (George and Edwin), carriage manufacturers and paint- ers, are located in the rear of the Parker House. They started in busi- ness April 1, 1888. They are practical carriage manufacturers, prepared to do any work in that line.
George M. Rupp was born in Baden, Germany, and came to Batavia, July 4, 1836. He was a shoemaker by trade, and in 1847 he opened a shoe store and carried on the business until 1879, when he was succeeded by his son Ernst. He died May 22, 1884, and his wife died June 30, 1876. Six children out of a family of II are living in Batavia. Ernst was born in Baden, October 12, 1834, and came here in 1836. He married Margaret Gress, of New York city, and they have five children. Andrew Rupp was born May 14, 1840. He is a tinsmith and deals in real estate.
Ephraim Rolfe, a Revolutionary soldier, was a native of Vermont, where he died. His wife, Lucy, bore him 12 children, viz .: Ephraim, Jonathan, Nathan, Benjamin, Hazen, Charles, Manasses, William, Ira, Sally, Lucy, and Sophia. Jonathan, born in Vermont, came to Bethany in 1809, thence to Batavia, where he was an early settler, and lived many years before he moved to Ellington, N. Y., where he died in 1858, aged 76 years. He married Esther Brown, of Strafford, Orange County, Vt., and his children are Heman, Mary, Lucy, Mariann, Sarah, and Walker P.
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Walker P. Rolfe, born in Orange County, Vt., February 15, 1807, came to Bethany with his father, and married Mary, daughter of Eleazer and Tamzy (Godfrey) Crocker, of Pembroke, and they have one son, Lucius F., who married Jennie Egleston, and has one daughter, Amy P. Mrs. Mary Rolfe died March 6, 1880, in Bethany, on the homestead farm, at the age of 70 years. Walker P. Rolfe is still a resident of Batavia, aged 83 years. William E. Richardson, a popular and enterprising dentist of Batavia, a native of Michigan, was born in 1858, son of Rev. C. C. and Ann E. (Rahl) Richardson, of Pennsylvania. His father, a Universalist clergy- man, preached for many years in Corfu, Alexander, and Indian Falls, organizing the societies and building the churches at the latter place and at Corfu. He also labored in other places in Western New York. Will- iam E. began the study of dentistry with Dr. Whitcomb, of Buffalo, and. also pursued it in Pennsylvania. He began practice in 1877, in Alexan- der, and in 1880 removed to Batavia, where he has successfully practiced since. He is a skillful and able operator, and has all the latest appliances for doing all kinds of work in his line. His office is at 101 East Main street. He was married, in 1878, to Hattie, daughter of E. G. Moulton, of Alexander, and they have one child, Elbridge M.
Isaac Quance, a native of Southampton, Mass., came to Genesee County in 1808, living in Batavia until his death in 1851, at the age of 61 years. He married Mehitable Powers, of Phelps, N. Y., who came here when there were but two houses built. She was a daughter of Peter and Sally Powers. Their children were Sarah, Lyman, Israel, and James M. The latter was born in Batavia, October 5, 1824, and January 18, 1849, married Lucy, daughter of Nichols and Lucy Barnea. Their children were Rose C. and Roselle, both deceased. Mr. Quance resides on road 63.
Henry Speyer, a native of Bavaria, Germany, lived and died there. He had four children, namely : Frederick, Louis, Michael, and Cather- ine. Frederick, a native of Bavaria, died there, aged 55 years. He married Christine Coonrad, and their children were Julia, Michael, Mar- garet, and Conrad. Conrad Speyer came to Batavia in 1859, and mar- ried Barbara, daughter of Michael Surieker, of Attica. Their children are Frank, Fred, Charles, George, Elizabeth, and Julia. Mr. Speyer is postmaster and general merchant at Dawes Corners.
Ebenezer Shepard, a native of Dedham, Mass., moved to London, N. H., where he died. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He had seven children, viz .: Ebenezer, Jr., Jesse, John, Susan, Abigail, Elizabeth, and Hannah. Ebenezer Shepard, Jr., died in London, N. H.,
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aged 83 years. He was a farmer. His wife, Sallie Burpee, bore him children as follows : Abigail, Mary, Daniel, Amial, Sylvester, Thomas, James, and Benjamin. Thomas Shepard, a native of London, N. H., came to Batavia in 1868. He married, first, Eleanor Shelden, and their children were Helen and Isabella. For his second wife he married Mrs. Hannah Hubbard. daughter of Lysander Smith. He now resides in Batavia, on road 6, where he has lived 20 years.
B. F. Showerman, M. D., is a native of Genesee County, and son of Dr. J. M. Showerman. He was a medical student in the office of Dr. L. L. Tozier, and graduated in medicine in 1886. Since that time he has been in practice at Batavia. Dr. Showerman is a Royal Arch Mason.
Bradley S. Smith is the proprietor of the only news room in Batavia. He bought. April 1, 1885, the establishment of Mackey Brothers, and has since enlarged his facilities for business and extended his trade, so he is now able to supply the wants of a large community in the line of newspapers, periodicals, and stationery generally. He is ably assisted by his brother, Lewis E. Smith. The news-room is at 67 East Main street.
Joseph C. Shults was born March 17, 1832, in Europe. Aspiring to live under a republic he came to America .in 1848, on account of the condition of the government of France. He spent 25 years in trade in Rochester, came to Batavia in 1872, and has been in the mercantile busi- ness most of the time since. He has been a member of the board of excise for six years and a trustce of the village for two years. He is a Demo- crat, and takes an active part in the politics of the county. He married Margaret Hagan, of Rochester, and they have a family of five sons and four daughters. Mr. Shults has made a close study of his present busi- ness, and imports the choicest teas to be found in the market.
Gottleib Scheuing, a florist and vegetable gardener of Batavia, is a native of Stuttgart, Germany, where he was born February 1, 1833. In 1852 he came to Le Roy and was engaged in the Le Roy mills until 1889, with the exception of five years, during which time he was travel- ing in the West. He married for his first wife Rosa Frank; for his second he married Rosa Stoll, and they have five children. In the fall of 1889 Mr. Scheuing entered into partnership with Elizabeth Bleyler, under the firm name of Bleyler & Co. They have three greenhouses and about 10 acres of ground on West Main street.
Willis D. Sanford, a native of Jackson, Mich., was born in 1854. He is the son of O. D. and Susan (Baker) Sanford, the father being a resi-
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dent of this county. Willis D. learned the tinners' trade at Pease & Buell's, and commenced clerking for O. W. Lord, a dealer in hats, caps, and furs, remaining with him five years. He then traveled for R. D. Kellogg in the tobacco and cigar line for four years. In 1883 he started his present business at 76 East Main street, where he has secured a large and profitable trade in the line of hats, gloves, trunks, caps, and furs. Mr. Sanford is a member of the Masonic order, the Philharmonics, the Alert Hose Company, and I. O. O. F. fraternity. He was married, in 1876, to Ella Dulmage.
Charles A. Snell, a native of Connecticut, was born in 1839. He was son of a Baptist clergyman, who came to Pembroke in 1851, and died in Bethany in 1875. Mr. Snell was first engaged in farming, but subsequently engaged in business at Churchville for seven years. In 1881 he went to Darien, resumed farming for five years, when he came to Batavia and formed a partnership with John C. Greene, they remain- ing together two years, and in 1886 he embarked alone in the general insurance business. He represents the Ætna Life, American, Fire of New York, and Geneva Accident. He also deals in real estate and loans, representing the Western Trust Co., of Kansas. He has a farm of 25 acres on the Lewiston road, where he lives. He does a large business throughout the State and Union. He married, in 1860, Nancy L. Armstrong, daughter of Ira, of Batavia. Their children are Charles I. (a teacher), Frank A., and Nettie L.
Alva Smith came to Batavia in 1815, from Connecticut, and was in business here for 55 years. He was at first clerk for his brother, J. P. Smith, five years, then started for himself as A. Smith & Co., then with J. P. Smith for a few years, when J. P. withdrew (in 1827). D. P. War- ren was his partner for four years from 1845. He was then alone until 1856, when his son Wilber was taken in as partner, and the firm was continued for 10 years as A. Smith & Son. Alva Smith's business was indeed an extensive one ; he had branches at Albion, Holley, Alabama, Oakfield, and Pine Hill, and started many young men in mercantile life. Nathan Townsend, sheriff of the county in 1834, was the father of Mrs. Alva Smith, and a very early settler. Wilber Smith was in the dry goods business from 1868 to 1880, in the present " Stone " block, now occupied by E. N. Stone. He was born in this village in 1835. Besides devoting his life to active business he has taken an active part in the pro- gress and growth of the village. He has been president and trustee for a number of years, was president of the Loan Association, and also of
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the Batavia Gas Co., He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and is connected with the Masonic order. He married Eva A. Dolbeer, of Perry, Wyoming County, daughter of Col. William Dolbeer.
James S. Stewart was born in Orange County, N. Y., April 25, 1810. When 13 years of age he came to Batavia and finally learned the car- riagemaking business. In 1831 he went to Elba and opened a carriage shop, and carried on the business about 20 years. He was elected jus- tice of the peace in 1840, and held that office for 20 years and the office of justice of Sessions for two years. He was also license commissioner for six years, and assistant revenue assessor for nine years. In 1854 he settled in Batavia, where he had an insurance office from 1857 until 1889. He died October 8, 1889.
Horace K. Smith, son of Orr, was born in Wells, Bradford County, Pa., April 13, 1847. When seven years of age he moved to Cooper's Station, Steuben County. Through an illnes she lost his sight when four years of age. He lived on the farm with his father, came to Batavia in 1872, entered the Institution for the Blind, and in 1879 commenced teaching piano tuning, which he has since pursued. He married Min- nie E. Newton, of Akron, N. Y., and they have one child, Orr N.
Schellenger's restaurant, located at 49 Main street, was opened Sep- tember 1, 1883, by the present proprietor, Williamn L. Schellenger, who conducts it as a first-class restaurant.
John Schaefer was born in Prussia in 1834. In 1852 he came to America and settled in Batavia. He married Theresa Todt, and they have a family of nine children. He is a mason, has been a contractor for 25 years, and helped to build many of the best buildings in Batavia, among which are the Opera House block, Union School, Walker block, Washburn House, Wilson House, Richmond Library, and Richmond Hotel.
James Short, born in Dublin, Ireland, came to Batavia about 1846. He was a maltster, and followed that business for years. He married Margaret O'Brien, and they had a family of eight children, six of whom are living. He died March 27, 1889. His widow resides at 320 West Main street. James, son of James, was born July 9, 1857, and is a har- nessmaker, a member of the firm of Short & Roth. He was elected trustee of the village in 1886, and served two years, and was elected excise commissioner in 1888-89.
Herman Schafer was born in Hessen, Germany, in 1848, and came to America in 1871. He opened a wholesale and retail liquor store in Batavia in 1872, being located at 15 Jackson street since 1885.
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TOWN OF BATAVIA.
E. N. Stone, one of the leading merchants of the county, was born in Wyoming County in 1841. His parents, Harry and Mary (Williams) Stone, were descendants of New England ancestry. His father, for many years a merchant, resides in Pembroke. Mr. Stone began business life when a youth in his father's store, remaining in Pembroke until 1865, when he moved to Batavia, where for three years he was associated with George P. Bowen in the crockery trade, and subsequently with John Thomas. He finally purchased the interest of Mr. Thomas, and con- ducted the business until 1878. In that year he purchased the stocks of Wilber Smith and E. B. McCormick. Since 1878 Mr. Stone has devoted his attention to the dry goods and notion trade, and has secured a large and increasing patronage. His store at 94 East Main street is filled with a choice assortment of goods pertaining to his line. Mr. Stone served four years as town clerk. He is a Mason and a member of the I.O.O.F. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth McCann, of Batavia, and their children are Norine R. and Harry.
Isaac Southworth came to Genesee County in 1820 from Cayuga County, and resided here until his death. He was born in 1794, served in the War of 1812, settled in Bergen, and served as justice of the peace for many years. He was twice married. His first wife, Rachel Tone, died in 1836, leaving seven children, viz. : Mrs. E. Miller, Mrs. Luranda Case, Andrew J., Mrs. Clara R. Shaw, Edwin M., Samuel, and Irving D. His second wife was Elizabeth Bower, who died in 1888, leaving a son, John B., now a resident of Michigan.
Irving D. Southworth was born in Bergen in 1832, and learned the carpenters' trade, which he followed for 30 years. In 1862 he enlisted and served as captain in the 25th N. Y. Lt. Art. for three years. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1881, serving three years, and has resided in Batavia since 1881. He served as justice of the peace for many years, one term as justice of Sessions, and is now a member of the board of trustees. He married, in 1866, Maria A. Prentice, of Stafford, and they have four children, viz .: Dollie E., George P., Pear A., and Irving D., Jr.
Daniel Swezey, of German ancestry, was born in Suffolk County, L. I., in 1753. He went to Herkimer County and died October 26, 1825, at the age of 72 years. He married Sarah Beal, of Connecticut, daughter of a celebrated music teacher, and their children were Daniel, George, John, Samuel, Sarah, Mary, Eunice, and Matthew B. George Swezey was born at Middle Island, Suffolk County, N. Y., August 9, 1780. His
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death, in 1851, at the age of 71 years, in the town of Russia, Herkimer County, was occasioned by an accident. He married Elizabeth Wood, of Orange County, N. Y., and their children were William. W., Jane, Elizabeth A., Achsah, Harriet, Hiram, and Franklin. Hiram Swezey, a native of Russia, N. Y., born October 6, 1824, came to Victor, N. Y., in 1858, and to Batavia, where he now resides, in 1882. He married Mary, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Sherwood) Silliman, of Salisbury, N. Y. Their children are Annie E., George S., Cora J., Edward HI., May G., H. Eugene, and Carrie L. George S. Swezey is pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Peabody, Kan. Samuel Swezey visited Ba- tavia in 1814 and '15 as a missionary from Herkimer County. Daniel, upon the death of his father, took upon himself the care of the family. In 1796, with his father, he purchased land in Norway, Herkimer County, erected a cabin, and made improvements, so that in the spring the whole family left Long Island in a boat, coming to Albany, where they pur- chased a cart and oxen, and continued their journey to Norway. They were three weeks on the road, enduring many hardships. With native energy and perseverance they performed the duties of pioneer life, and exerted an influence for good that extended to their children as well as to the community around. They were prominent in school and church matters, and aided in building up both for the benefit of all concerned.
George Scheer was born in Germany in 1838, came to America in 1840, with his parents, and located in Buffalo. In April, 1882, he came to Batavia and started a store on Ellicott street. In 1884 he built his present store at 202 Ellicott street, and has since carried on business there. In 1857 he went to Cincinnati, O., as foreman of the Kentucky Central Railroad shops, and in 1861 enlisted in Co. B, 9th Ohio Vols., served three years and three months, and afterwards returned to Cincin- nati, remaining there until 1882, working in the shops until he came to Batavia.
Harry Sutterby, a veterinary surgeon, was born May 31, 1855, in Cambridgeshire, Eng., and came to America with his parents in 1861, He graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College of Toronto in 1878, and located in Batavia, practicing his profession since that time. He is located at 20 West Main street, and has a veterinary hospital and phar- macy.
Isaac Stringham, born in Dutchess County, came to Oakfield, and died in 1862, aged 70 years. By his wife, Anna, he had children as fol- lows: Daniel, Albert, Cora, Peter, Eliza, and Anna. Peter Stringham,
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a native of Oakfield, died in Rochester in 1886, age 65 years. He mar- ried Eliza Sodo, of West Bloomfield, N. Y., and their children are Charles A., Clara M., Isaac W., Cara A., and Alonzo H. The latter, a native of Oakfield, married Lois L. Quance, of Batavia, daughter of Is- rael and Elizabeth Quance. She died in 1884, aged 28 years. They had one son, Mortimer E. He is now foreman for H. M. Lay, of Bata- via.
John Sullings, of Cogshall, Eng., came to Rutland in 1775, and died there. By his wife, Ruth, he had children as follows: Charles, Harvey, David, Henry, William, Phoebe, Elizabeth, Ruth, and John. William was born in New Bedford, Mass., and moved to Vermont with his father. He came to Batavia in 1817, and settled on the farm where he died in 1873, aged 82 years. He married Temperance, daughter of Benjamin and Cloil (Branch) Hulbert, of Rutland Vt., and their children are Ruth Adelia, F. Julius, Harvey, and David. The last named is now a resident on the home farm with his sister Ruth. He married Augusta, daughter of Aaron and Sarah Rogers, of Pembroke. She died in 1885, aged 50 years. Their children were Cora, Georgiana, Alice, and William B.
Thomas Strong, a native of England, came to New York city about 1800, and engaged in the brewing business. He died in 1828, aged 42 years. His wife, Maria, bore him two children, John and James. John Strong, born in New York city, now resides in Turin, Lewis County, N. Y., and is a farmer. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sylvester Foster, of Turin, and their children are Amelia, Fanny, John, Maria, and Sylvester. Sylvester F. Strong, a native of Turin, came to Batavia in 1882, and married Louisa M., daughter of Eli H. and Elizabeth (Rose- cranz) Fish. He now resides in Batavia on road 7.
William Tyrrell, of the law firm of Tyrrell & Ballard, was born in Darien, October 24, 1823, a son of Amos and Salome (Harroun) Tyrrell, early settlers of the county. Amos, a grandfather, came in 1816 with his wife and eight children, and subsequently located in Darien. The father of William, a member of the Assembly in 1834 and '35, lived on the old homestead until his death in 1860. The mother died in 1872. When 21 years of age William Tyrrell began to study law with Timothy Fitch and Henry Glowacki, and afterwards studied with Verplanck & Martindale. In 1849 he was admitted to practice, and since 1852 has followed his profession in Batavia. He has served the county as district attorney, and in 1866 was appointed postmaster of Batavia. In 1873 he was again appointed to that office, serving until 1885.
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Frank W. Ballard, an attorney, was born in Allegany County, in 1860. He is a son of John D. and Cynthia (Bingham) Ballard, now residents of Batavia. James, a grandfather, came from New England to Monroe County in 1814, and finally moved to Allegany County. Frank W. Ballard received a good education and graduated from Pike Seminary in 1881. He studied law with Richardson & Smith, of his native county, and graduated from the Albany Law School in May, 1884. The same month he was admitted to practice. In the fall of 1844 he became a . partner with William Tyrrell, and has become prominent in the legal fraternity of the county.
Charles W. Tallman, the oldest photographer in Batavia, is a native of Wyoming County. He was born in 1833, and learned the rudimentary details of his art in Buffalo. His life has been devoted to this valuable and pleasant profession, and he has kept pace with its marvelous advances and improvements. Mr. Tallman located in Batavia in 1869, and has. since occupied the third floor over 80 and 82 East Main street. He has the latest facilities for all kinds of photographic, stereoscopic, and portrait work, and has established a reputation, for superior work and finish. His studio is centrally located and admirably adapted for his business.
John Thomas, dealer in hats, caps, trunks, robes, gloves, and mittens, a native of France, was born in 1848, a son of Peter P. and Dorothy (Schimpf) Thomas, who came to America when he was seven years old (1854), locating in Wyoming County, where he was reared. At the age of 13 he became a clerk for Porter Brothers, of Corfu, remaining two years. When he was 18 years old he enlisted in Co. G, 8th N. Y. H. A., serving until the close of the war. He then came to Batavia, clerked for R. O. Holden for four years, and became a partner with E. N. Stone, under the firm name of Stone & Thomas, dry goods dealers, at 78 Main street, continuing thus for eight years. For the past 10 years he has been in his present quarters, doing a successful and extensive business. He has served as village collector and town clerk ; was elected county treasurer in 1885, and reelected in 1888, and is still holding that office. He be- longs to the F. & A. M., K. of P., and G. A. R. In 1881 he married Mary, daughter of Charles Holden, of Le Roy, and they have two chil- dren, John F. and James B.
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Dr. Lemuel L. Tozier, M. D., now engaged in the practice of medicine in the village of Batavia, located in this town shortly after the close of the war, in the summer of 1865. He comes of a family of physicians,
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Yours Truly
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as both his father, Joseph C. Tozier, of Bangor, Me., and his maternal grandfather, Joseph Allen, of Buckland, Mass., followed this profession as their calling. Doubtless the unconscious influence of their bent of . mind, and their lives, tended to intensify his taste, and decide his fitness for this department of professional life. It cannot be questioned that Dr. Tozier is serving in his proper vocation. He was born in York, Living- ston County, March 16, 1839, and is therefore now in the full strength of natural life. Receiving the benefits of an academic education, he began active work as a teacher at 18 years of age, and many will recall him while laboring in this capacity. But the study of medicine was his ob- jective, and so, after completing the prescribed course of study with the late Dr. Norris Clark, of Batavia, he entered Bellevue Medical College of New York city, graduating from that institution in March, 1864. Pre- vious to receiving his degree as Doctor of Medicine he had passed his ex- amination before the U. S. army medical board and had been appointed to service in the U. S. A. Hospital in New York city under Surgeon Alex- ander B Mott,-in charge of that institution,-where he remained until the close of the war. During his term of service there he graduated as an oculist and aurist, and served as a member of the medical army board for the enlistment of recruits.
Upon the closing of the hospital, in June following the close of the war, being ordered to distant service, and preferring private practice, Dr. Tozier resigned his commission and returned to Batavia, where he had previously married his wife, Miss Emily A. Putnam, and began the practice of his profession. He served as county coroner from 1869 to 1884, and has been president and secretary of the County Medical Soci- ety. He has always been an indefatigable worker in his profession, studiously devoted to its interests, its progress, and its dignity, and has built up an extensive and lucrative practice .. A daughter and two sons have been born to him, the elder of whom came to an untimely death by drowning in the summer of 1881. Although belonging to what is called the " old school," he readily recognizes the merits of other systems of medicine, and is keenly alive to all that is progressive and valuable in professional investigation.
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