USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 33
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Joseph Thompson, a native of Vermont, came to Aurora, N. Y., in 18II, and died at the age of 83 years. He married Martha Bemis, who died in Aurora, aged 76 years. Mr. Thompson was a farmer. His children were Albert, Perry, Sarah, Joseph, Adaline, Mary, Aurelia, Susan, Fer- nando C., and Sylvanus B. Sylvanus B. Thompson was born in Aurora,
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and June 4, 1854, married Emeline, daughter of Eben and Phila (Wash- ford) Salisbury, of Aurora. Their children are Cicero H., Newton K., Sey- mour B., Lottie M., Myrtle E., J. Minelle, and Charlie S. Mr. Thomp- son has been a merchant 46 years, and owns the Almonarch stock farm, where he resides. He is also the proprietor of the stock horse " Almon- arch," from Paris, Ky.
Moses E. True, the inventor of the True shell band wheel and other ingenious contrivances, is a native of Genesee County, born in 1845, and is a son of Luther and Minerva (Webster) True, natives of Connecticut. His grandfather, Moses, was one of the early settlers of Genesee County. Mr. True was reared upon a farm, but his inclinations led him to mechan- ical pursuits. He is the inventor of several valuable patents.
William C. Taggart, a native of Schoharie County, settled in Niagara County for a few years, then came to Bethany, where he resided a few years, when he went to Wyoming County for a short time, and finally re- moved to Pembroke, where he died November 17, 1886. His son, Earl W. Taggart, was born in Bethany, August 5, 1841. He has been a farmer most of the time. In April, 1883, he started a livery stable on Russell Place, and in April, 1888, formed a partnership with his son Fred E., under the firm name of Earl W. Taggart & Son. They keep nine horses. Mr. Taggart married Emma Strong, and they have four chil- dren.
Benjamin Throop, son of Orange, came to Bergen in 1806, from Mid- dlebury, Vt. He was a farmer and settled in the north part of the town on Black Creek. He married Anna Shedd, and they have had four chil- dren, two of whom are living. O. S. Throop, the only one living in this county, was born March 28, 1825. He married Hannah A. Gillett, and they had two children. Mr. Throop attended the common schools and several private schools, finishing his education at the State Normal School in Albany in 1846. He was principal of public school No. 33 in Buffalo for 13 years, and taught in Genesee and Monroe counties several years. He was school commissioner for six years and town superintend- ent of schools in Bergen for three years.
William M. Tompkins, who was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, came to America when young. He entered the employ of the Batavia Gas Co., being the first man to lay gas pipes in the village, and remained with that firm until his death, June 19, 1889. He married Sarah Hull, of Niagara County, and they had two children, viz .: Walter H., a student at Cornell University, and Abbie, who resides with her mother on Jackson
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street. Mr. Tompkins was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Knight Templar. The family are members of the Episcopal Church.
Among the very early settlers of Batavia were Dr. Town, who came in 1803 and died in 1807, and I. Norman Town, a son, who was in business in 1827. Both came from Palmyra, N. Y. The latter died in Elba. Dr. Town built the house now owned by Mr. McMillan. Orlando Town bought a farm in 1822, and engaged at farming for 55 years. Orlando, son of Orlando, was born in Elba in 1845. He was educated at Caryville, Canandaigua, and Detroit. He was in business in New York for three years, was on the farm for three years, and was supervisor of Elba at one time. In 1883 Orlando Town bought out the late Hon. L. R. Bailey, and engaged in the clothing business. In a few years the firm was com- posed of Gould & Town, continuing such until February 13, 1888, when it became O. Town & Son. They have a complete assortment of ready- made clothing and gents' furnishing goods.
William Tozer's brick yard is located in the rear of 538 East Main street. It was started by Mr. Tozer in 1882. He makes about 400,000 brick per year, employing nine hands. Mr. Tozer was born in Devonshire, Eng., in 1825, and came to America in 1850, settling in Batavia in 1876, where he has since been engaged in his present business.
Richard Torrance was born in Starkey, N. Y., and moved to Avon, where he died at the age of 66 years. He married Betsey Dann, of Men- don, N. Y., and their children were Charles G., Lucinda P., Underhill, Louisa P., Phœbe Ann, Lucy, Henrietta, and Floyd. Charles G. was born in Yates County, came to Batavia in 1869, and died in 1876, aged 62 years. He married, first, Harriet Chapel, of Avon, by whom he had two children, Charles F. and Ella. His second wife was Eunice, daughter of Ezra and Marietta Sherwood, of Avon, and their children were William M. and John G. His widow still resides on the home farm in Batavia. William M. Torrance married Isabella Harris, November 13, 1889. Ella Torrance married William Andrew Martin, of Batavia, De- cember 11, 1889. John G. married Lulu Burke, of Alexander, Septem- ber 12, 1889. Charles F. is a resident of Portland, Mich.
Henry Uebele was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, where he lived, and died about 1866, aged 60 years. He married Sophia Elba, of Wurtem- berg, and they had one son, Jacob L., who was born in Germany, July 17, 1833, and came to Batavia in March, 1855, at the age of 22 years. He married Elizabeth Burckhardt, of Germany, daughter of Jacob Burck- hardt, and their children are Willian C., Ida E., and Lewis A. The
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latter was for sometime the valuable assistant in the Purdy and Parker houses. Jacob L. Uebele built a handsome brick block on the north side of Main street in 1886, known as the Uebele block, and is the proprietor of the bakery in the same building.
Underhill & Bean, dealers in ready-made clothing and gents' furnish- ing goods, opened their store March 27, 1889. They carry a full line of choice goods, making a specialty of fine ready-made clothing. They are located at No. 88 Main street.
Union Coal Co. was established in May, 1883, by J. B. Chaddock. It was conducted by him until 1885, when Ferrin Brothers rented the yard and carried on the business one year. The Union Coal Co. ( J. H. Tan- ner and Sarah F. Lincoln ) bought the stock in 1889, and August 5th of the same year George F. Weaver & Co. purchased the business. They handle 3,500 tons of coal a year. Their yard is at 28 Swan street.
William E. Webster, attorney at law, a native of Ontario County, born in 1859, was educated at Canandaigua Academy, and in 1879 became a teacher at Cary Seminary, where he remained three years. Deciding upon the profession of law he entered upon a course of study in the of- fice of William C. Watson, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1883. He commenced practice in company with William Tyrrell, continuing two years. He was in the West one year, and returned to Batavia, where he is building up a successful practice. He was married, in 1886, to Miss Jennie Ward, of this county.
N. A. Woodward was born in Vermont and came to this State in 1834. He prepared for college at Canandaigua Academy under Dr. Howe, grad- uated from Union College in 1845, and taught school at Honeoye Falls and Geneseo Academy. He read law in the meantime, and was admit- ted to the bar in 1848, after which he taught school three years at Scotts- ville. In December, 1851, he came to Batavia and opened a law office. He was a partner with George Bowen for four years, and with H. F. Tarbox a few years. He has held the offices of town superintendent of schools, loan commissioner five or six years, and county treasurer two terms, during the war. Mr. Woodward has been twice married. He has two daughters and two sons. He was the active attorney for defend- ant in the great Lent litigation, which was in the courts for several years, and won the case.
Ward Beecher Whitcomb, M. D., is one of the progressive and rising young physicians of Western New York. He is a native of Windham County, Vt., and was born in 1858. He commenced the study of med-
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Edward e. Walker
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icine with Dr. Tozier, and under his excellent tutelage and care remained four years. He graduated from the medical department of the Univer- sity of New York in 1881, since which time he has practiced in Batavia, a small portion of the time with Dr. Tozier. He has in a short period established a large practice and secured the confidence of all who know him. He is untiring in the advancement of his chosen profession. Dr. Whitcomb is an Episcopalian and a member of the K. of P. He married Miss Eagar, of Batavia.
Hon. Edward C. Walker, son of Cyrus, was born in Byron, June 14, 1837. His grandfather, Amasa Walker, who was born in Ashford, Conn., in 1767, came to Byron with his family in 1811, when Cyrus was but 12 years of age. Genesee County at this time was mainly a dense and heavy. forest. Here this hardy pioneer located, and by thrift and industry a good home was secured in the new Genesee country. Their unmistakable Eng- lish ancestry can be clearly traced to Plymouth Colony, Mass., and is dis- tinguished for strength of mind, high aims and purposes, industry, and un- yielding perseverance. Cyrus Walker united in marriage with Anna Hulette, of Byron, in December, 1822. They were industrious, economi- cal, hardy, possessed sound judgment, sterling integrity, and were very successful.
Senator E. C. Walker, their, fifth and youngest child, was a studious youth, and fortunately had the very best early advantages to acquire a thorough literary and business education, which he wisely improved. At an early age Mr. Walker was a student at the Cary Seminary of Oakfield, and later pursued his studies at Wilson Academy, Niagara County, and graduated in June, 1861, at Genesee College, in Lima, N. Y., now Syra- cuse University. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1862. His large and varied business interests have demanded a great portion of his time, and left but little for the practice of his profession. He has been an extensive traveler through both America and foreign countries. Senator Walker has been a citizen of Batavia since 1862, and has been active in promoting the general interest and improvements of the town. He has responded nobly to the cause of benevolence and charity, and is especially generous to home and foreign missions. He has served some years as trustee of the New York Institution for the Blind at Batavia, and trustee of Syracuse University ; is now a trustee of Ingham University at Le Roy, and of the Y. M. C. A. of Batavia. He has also been commissioner of Auburn Theological Seminary. Later he was a delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. He has been
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a director of the Bank of Batavia most of the time since 1870, and was also a director of the Holland Purchase Fire Insurance Company. His political life began with his election to the Assembly of the State of New York in 1868, which position he held two years, and was chairman of the impor- tant committee of public education, which reported many bills that became laws that improved the State system of public instruction. In 1885 he was elected State Senator from the 30th senatorial district, composed of the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, and Wyoming. He was hon- orably recognized by being appointed chairman of the important commit- tees of banks and the manufacture of salt, and was also a member of the committees of railroads, insurance, and engrossed bills. He was reelected in 1887 by an increased plurality of 859 over the previous election in 1885. In the last Senate (1889) he was chairman of the committee on railroads, a member of the committee on general laws, and of several others. It also fell to the lot of Senator Walker to be placed on the committee to inves- tigate the corrupt ring that procured the franchise of the Broadway Sur- face Railway Company ofthe city of New York. This committee did good work. In doing their whole duty they built for themselves a monument for integrity and virtue that will endure in history when granite and marble will have crumbled to dust. The committee relentlessly pursued and shat- tered the corrupt ring, exposed the gigantic fraud, and brought the guilty perpetrators to condign punishment.
As a legislator Senator Walker is industrious, and his object is always " the best interests of the people." Among the bills that he introduced which became laws were a number improving the banking system of the State; the motor power bill, authorizing street service railroads to change from horse to any other power, after obtaining the consent of the major- ity of the property owners along the line of the roads, and the consent of the railroad commissioners ; and the bill which prevents assignees from giving to preferred creditors more than one third of the estate. He also introduced the marriage license bill, which would prevent ill-timed mar- riages, protect the clergy, and provide a more perfect record for tracing the estates of children. This bill passed the Senate twice, and it is hoped that the day is not far distant when it will become a law in this State. For this Mr. Walker has received complimentary letters from Bishop Doane and other prominent clergymen, and also from prominent judges and attorneys throughout the State, who appreciate the importance of such a law. Senator Walker is known throughout his State, and is highly respected as a gentleman of sterling integrity, and as a safe and care-
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ful law-maker. He is a good organizer, and a forcible and logical speaker who goes direct to the issue and "hews to the line." In January, 1890, he was selected by the Hon. William Windom, Secretary of the Treasury, one of three commissioners to locate the government and postoffice building at Buffalo. He wears his honors modestly, which his character and mind richly deserve ; and as a Christian gentleman and representative man he is widely known and highly respected.
January 14, 1861, he was united in marriage with Martha Marsh, of Lockport, N. Y., a highly cultivated lady of a cultivated family, and a sister of the eminent scientist, Prof. O. C. Marsh, of Yale College. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are parents of two sons, Edward C., Jr., and Raymond Marsh. This Christian family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
James M. Walkinshaw, a popular druggist and baker, is a native of Batavia, and was born in 1840, a son of James and Isabella (Pattison) Walkinshaw, natives of Scotland, who came to America in 1839. They located in Batavia, where he pursued his trade as a baker until his death in 1851. He was employed by B. C. Page, who started the bakery now owned by Baker & Walkinshaw, in 1835. James M. learned the trade, and in 1869, with Lucius Baker, purchased the business, and they have con- ducted it since under the firm name of Baker & Walkinshaw. In 1874 Mr. Walkinshaw added to his business interests a full line of drugs, med- icines, and fancy toilet goods, and in this branch has secured a large trade. The prescription department is under the charge of a compe- tent pharmacist, His place of business, at 63 East Main street, is cen- tral and attractive. Mr. Walkinshaw has served as alderman from his ward, and as chief engineer of the fire department. He was married, in 1861, to Martha Winn, of Batavia. Their only child, Onis, is deceased.
William C. Watson is a gentleman of fine physique and commanding presence. His life has been that of a leader, and his face bears the im- pression of his character. He has gone down to the very substratum of the principles of the law, and his opinion has almost judicial weight. The year 1837 marked the opening of his career in the little village of Pembroke, in Genesee County. He is not a college-trained man. His early oppor- tunities were limited. His father tried cases in justices' courts, and from him the son imbibed a love for the profession. A short period was spent at the seminary at Alexander, and Col. James M. Willett gave him a start in law study. Next he is found in the office of Wakeman & Bryan, and in 1865 he was admitted to the bar. He practiced for a short time with Mr. Tyrrell and later with Hon. Seth Wakeman. For some 15 years he
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has done business alone. Mr. Watson was the only Republican super- visor elected in many years. He was twice district attorney, and in 1882 was candidate for member of Congress. He frequently goes to State conventions. Mr. Watson has been on the board of education a number of times, and has contributed largely to manufacturing industries locating in Batavia. His family consists of a wife and three children.
Simeon Wheeler was a colonel in the Revolutionary war from Massa- chusetts. One of his sons, George, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., November 4, 1815, was educated in the public schools, and came with his parents to Monroe County, N. Y., when he was seven years old, and to Genesee County when he was 20. February 18, 1838, he married Hannah S., second daughter of George Burton, of Byron, and they had one son, George H., who wasborn March 14, 1841, and received acommon school and academic education. March 22, 1866, he married Lovina, third daughter of John Fishill, of Rush, Monroe County, and they had one daughter. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 12th Inf. N. Y. Vols. ; March 8, 1863, he was transferred to the 5th Vet. Fire Zouaves, N. Y. Vols .; and was honorably discharged May 7, 1865. Mr. Wheeler is a breeder of Royal George horses, and is a farmer by occupation.
Whiting C. Woolsey, president of the village of Batavia, was born in 1834. His parents were Whiting R. and Alvalina (Post) Woolsey, the former a native of Columbia County. The mother was born in Batavia in 1811, and her parents were early settlers of the town, about 1803. She is still living. The father, a farmer for 50 years, died in 1884, aged 81 years. Three of the children are living, viz. : Henry H., Martha, and Whiting C. The latter when a young man went to Galena, Ill., and learned the trade of carpenter and builder, which occupation he has since pursued. He is the proprietor of the limekiln and stone quarries on road 13, in the north part of the town. In 1862 he enlisted and served as private in the 96th Ill. Regt. In 1863 he returned to Batavia, where he has since been engaged in business. He served on the board of trus- tees, and was elected president of the village in 1888-89. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and commander of Upton Post G. A. R. In 1852 he was united in marriage with Sarah E. Worth, of Oakfield. They have one daughter, Mrs. Martha E. Nobles.
David E. Wescott, a native of Massachusetts, moved to Monroe, Mich., and died in 1867, aged 68 years. He married Thyrza, daughter of John and Deborah A. Bird, of Manchester, N. Y., and their children are Jane, Deborah A., E. Myra, Eliza, Elizabeth, Laura, Helen, and
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James R. The latter was born in Manchester, March 5, 1824. He married Mary Ann, daughter of William and Charity (Cook) Hickey, of Arcadia, and their children are George E., Lucy J., Hattie A., and Mar- garet E. Mr. Wescott lives in Batavia on road 13.
Theron F. Woodward, proprietor of the old and reliable boot and shoe store, for the past 18 years at 74 Main street, is a native of Orleans County, where he was born 1838, a son of Rev. Franklin and Elizabeth (Ross) Woodward. His father was a Baptist clergyman and organized the first church at Fairport, N. Y., where he was pastor until his death. Mr. Woodward was reared in Fairport, was a clerk in a dry goods store, and at the age of 21 years engaged with his brother-in-law in the coal and lumber business. Afterwards, and until 1867, he was engaged in the manufacture of staves and headings. He then came to Batavia and bought the stock of Thomas Yates, and has since been in the boot and shoe trade. He carries a large line of goods. He has been a member of the board of trustees, was treasurer for a number of years, and is a trustee of the Loan Association and of Elmwood Cemetery. He married n 1865, Emma C. Adams, of Riga, N. Y., daughter of Asa Adams, and they have three children, Grace E., Louis A., and Mabel E. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Frank S. Wood, the present district attorney for Genesee County, was born in Detroit, Mich., September 14, 1856. His father was for a long time in the employ of an express company. Mr. Wood came to this county with his parents from Detroit in 1859, and became a resident of the village in April, 1864. His tastes and inclinations caused him to prepare for the study of law, in which pursuit he has been engaged since January, 1877, when he became the clerk of the surrogate's court in Batavia, remaining there until 1883, when he engaged in the active prac- tice of his profession, following the same ever since. In 1887 he was nominated and elected to the office of district attorney for the county, giving such satisfaction that at the end of the term he was again elected to serve until 1893. September 4, 1884, he united in marriage with Harriet G. Holden, of Batavia.
Joseph Weed, of Cheshire County, N. H., died at the age of 40 years. His wife, Susan Farnsworth, bore him children as follows : Sally, Abi- gail, Susan, James, Elijah, and Joseph. The latter, a native of New Hampshire, served in the War of 1812, and came to Kendall, N. Y., in 1816, thence to Batavia, where he died in 1862, at the age of 80 years. He married Polly, daughter of Benjamin Clough. She died in 1877, aged
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93 years. Their children were Joseph, Willis, Johanna, Sally, Mary, and Harvey. Harvey Weed was born in Kendall in 1817. In 1843 he came to Batavia and married Sarah B. Sawdey, daughter of Henry and Rhoda, of this town. He has been a resident on the home farm since 1843. His sister Mary resides with him.
Daniel Wood, son of Ephraim a Revolutionary soldier, was born in 1760, and died in 1844, at the age of 84 years. He married Hannah Bar- rett, and their children were James, Ephraim, Mary, Elijah, Milly, and William. Elijah Wood was born in Concord, Mass., September 18, 1790, and died there November 26, 1861, aged 71 years. He married Eliza- beth Farmer in September, 1815. Their children were Elijah, John, Augustus, William, Henry, Charles, George, and Edward F. . The last named was born in Concord, Mass., November 26, 1821, and came to Batavia in 1859, settling on a farm, where he remained four years. He is now a resident of Batavia village. He married Mary, daughter of Ezekiel N. and Mary (Bryan) Humphrey, of Hillsdale, Mich., and his children are Charles E., Edward, William, Frank S., George F., Mary E., John H., Augustus, and Robert E. He lived 12 years in Detroit, and was one of the first four men who had charge of the United States mail to Chicago.
Matthias Whiting, a native of Massachusetts, moved to Fort Ann, N. Y., and died in 1846, aged 96 years. He married a Miss Vaughn, of Massachusetts, and their children were Willard, Sarah, Sylvester, Lucy, John, Matthias, Susan, Silas D., Laura, and Mary. Sylvester, born in Hancock, Mass., came to Riga, thence to Oakfield in 1815, and died there in 1856, aged 70 years. He married Laura, daughter of Joel and Rachel (Moss) Yale, of Granville, N. Y. His children were Mary Al- mira, Celestia, Laura, Matilda, Silas, Nelson, and Sylvester. The lat- ter was born in Fort Ann, February 13, 1813, and in 1831 settled in Batavia, where he now resides, on road 30. Only three of his children survive. Nelson Whiting, a native of Riga, married Ellen F. Miller, daughter of George W. Miller, of Batavia, and they have one son, George M.
George D. Williamson, proprietor of the leading furniture manufact- ory and salesrooms in Genesee County, is a native of Wayne County, where he was born in 1856. His parents were W. H. and Anna (Cott- rell) Williamson, also natives of Genesee County. Mr. Williamson has been engaged in business since his youth ; in 1887 he came to Batavia, and was of the firm of Weeks & Williamson for one year. He then pur
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chased the entire interest, and is now successfully conducting the same. His salesrooms and factory are at III East Main street, where he occu- pies three floors, with a fine display of furniture and house furnishing goods. The factory is located in the rear, where several men are em- ployed. Mr. Williamson devotes special attention to undertaking. In 1879 he was united in marriage with Emma E. Hine, of Palmyra, and they are parents of two children, May A. and Roy H. They are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
C. A. Weaver, of 104 Main street, commenced business January I, 1889, where he was clerk for two years previous. He now carries a full line of boots, shoes, and rubbers.
Frank Wagner was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 16, 1828, and came to the United States in 1854. In May, 1856, he married Catherine Myers, formerly of Byrnes, Germany. They have five children, viz .: Louisa, Charles, Emogene, Mary, and Henry. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 15 Ist Inf. N. Y. Vols., and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
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