USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 41
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Joseph Wellert was born in Prussia, Germany, March 3, 1824. In 1862 he married Mary Burdger, of the same place, and in 1862 came to America and located first in Batavia, afterwards in Stafford, and finally in Bethany. They had five children, namely : Charles, who married Min- nie Lee, of Aurora, Ill .; Minnie, who married Christian Etter, of Le Roy, Lewis, who resides with his parents; Henry, who also resides in Aurora, Ill .; and Eliza, who resides in Le Roy.
John Weber was born in Germany and died when his son George P. was five years of age. George P. Weber was born October 9, 1827, came to America in 1852, and first located in Cincinnati. O., where he re- mained two years, when he came to Western, N. Y. He married twice, first, Catherine Spring, in Canada, formerly of Switzerland, and second, February 15, 1882. Wilimina Hart, who was also born in Germany. Mr. Weber served in the late war, enlisting, first, in September, 1861, in Co. A, 9th Cav. N. Y. Vols., and second in Co. K. 2d Mounted Rifles N. Y. Vols. He was wounded by a minie-ball in his left arm, near the shoulder, at the battle of Cold Harbor, and was discharged as duty sergeant at the close of the war.
381
TOWN OF BYRON.
BYRON.
B YRON was formed from Bergen, April 4, 1820, and named in honor of Lord Byron. It lies in the north border of the county, and is bounded on the north by Orleans County, east by Bergen, south by Le Roy and Stafford, and west by Batavia and Elba. The surface is gently undulating, and the soil a fine gravelly and sandy loam. The streams are Black, Silver, and Bigelow creeks. On Black Creek, a short distance north of Byron, is found a remarkable sulphur spring, emitting carbureted hydrogen gas. In the southwest part of the town is found an acid spring, known as the "Sour Spring." This spring issues from an elevation four or five feet above the plain, and is about 200 feet long by 100 feet broad. Beck, in his Mineralogy, says: "The strength of the acid is increased by drought, and in some places it is quite concentrated and nearly dry in its combination with the charred, vege- table coat, which everywhere covers the hillock to a depth of from five to forty inches."
This town is a portion of the Connecticut tract (of the Morris Reserve) and the Pultney estate or tract. A portion of these tracts is also included in the town of Bergen. There are in all 200 original lots or subdivisions of these tracts in this town, and they average about 100 acres each.
Among the first happenings was the settlement of Benham Preston, on lot 197, in 1807 or 1808. A Mr. Hoskins and Elisha Taylor, from Ot . sego County, settled on lot 186, in 1808. Elisha Miller, from Pennsyl- vania, and Wheaton Carpenter, from Rhode Island, located on lot 2, in 1809. Nathan Holt came from Otsego County, and located in 1810. Asa Merrill emigrated from Oneida County, and located in 1811. The first child born was a son of Elisha Taylor, in 1809. The first marriage was that of Samuel Montgomery and Polly Parks, in 1811; and the first death that of Mr. Hoskins. Chester T. Holbrook taught the first school, in 1810 or 1811. Ira Newburg kept the first inn, in 1815. and Amos Hewitt the first store, in 1813. Wil iam Shepherd erected the first saw- mill, in 1813, and Asa Williams the first grist-mill, in 1814. It is claimed that the first tangible spirit manifestation on record, of what is now called modern spiritualism, was had in this township. A " Byron Library Society " was organized May 9. 1824, by the literary pioneers of that period. Miles G. White, with his father, came in 1828, and kept an hotel at Pumpkin Hill, or North Byron, for five years He lived here 52 years. Samuel Parker built the first mill in town, about 1809.
We here note the names, with dates of settlement, of many of those who located in Byron prior to 1820, as follows :
In 1806, Samuel and Sherrard Parker. In 1807, Benoni Gaines and Benham Pres- In 1808, Wheaton Carpenter, Elijah Loomis, and Elisha Miller. In 1809, Asahel ton.
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GENESEE COUNTY.
Cook. In 1810, Richard G. Moses, Elijah Brown, Elkanah Humphrey, Nathan Holt, and E. Taylor. In 1811, John Bean, David Cook, Andrew Dibble. Benajah Gris- wold, and Amasa Walker. In 1812, Paul Bullard, David Shedd, Ezra Sanford, and Zeno and William Terry. In 1813, Abner Thompson, Andrew Hunter Green, and William Shepherd. In 1814, Ira Newburg. John Searls, and Asa Williams. In 1815, Jason Adams, Seth C. Langdon, 'Asa Merrill, and James Tillotson. In 1816, Abner Chase, Chester Mann, A. Norton, and William, Lyman, and Milo Warn. In 1817, An- drew Adams, Joseph and. Marcus Barker, Charles Beswick, David Mann, William Peck- ham, and Jonathan Wright. In 1818, Levi Fish, Moses Gillett, and Calvin Wells. In 1819, W. S. Miller and Harmon and Erastus Norton. James H: Sherwood, date un- known.
NORTH BYRON is a hamlet situated one mile north of Byron Center, and was of some little importance before the railroad passed through, as there was business for an hotel in early times. It now contains only a few houses. For some time it went by the name of "Pumpkin Hill," so- named by Moses Gillian, from the fact that a tavern sign, at that place, in shape and color resembled a pumpkin.
SOUTH BYRON is a post village in the southern part of the town, on the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad. It has a flourishing grain market, where Boyn- ton, Prentice & Co. do an extensive produce business, two or three stores, one hotel, one church (Methodist Episcopal), a good school, and a pop- ulation of about 300 inhabitants. Erastus Cash was the first postmaster. The place was for some time called " Brusselville," named from the fact that an early settler, Elijah Shumway, had a " brussel head."
BYRON CENTER (Byron p. o.) is located near the center of the town- ship, on Black Creek, and on the West Shore Railroad. This little village has mainly sprung into existence since the advent of the railroad. It is especially noted as the principal and largest pork market in Genesee County, and also as a leading grain market. The village contains a population of about 300, six or eight stores of all kinds, an iron foundry and manufactory of agricultural implements, two flouring-mills, one hotel, two church edifices (Presbyterian and German), a well sustained school, and the usual complement of mechanics and artisans.
McElver & Sons' agricultural works are located at Byron Center. Their machinery is driven by steam-power. The firm manufactures agricultural implements, and do a general job and repairing work in cast- ings, etc.
Genesee mills, originally built by James Taggart, are located on Black Creek, about half a mile east of Byron Center. Mckenzie & Bennett are the present proprietors. The creek, with steam as auxiliary, furnishes ample power to turn all the machinery. The mills are furnished with seven sets of rolls for flouring and five runs of stones, and have a capac- ity of 50 barrels of flour and 500 bushels of provender per day. These mills were built by Rowley H. Douglass in 1880, and furnished with new and improved machinery for stone mills only. Since then rollers have been added, and, thus equipped, Mckenzie & Bennett now turn out work of superior quality. Mr. Bennett is a practical miller and gives his whole attention to the business.
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TOWN OF BYRON.
Byron cheese factory, the first erected in the county, was built in 1867 by a stock company. It receives the milk from 224 cows, and manufact- ures cheese for the English market. The property is now owned by Erastus H. Norton, of Byron Center, with H. C. Norton as salesman, and Alfred Stevens, cheesemaker. The factory is located about three-quar- ters of a mile west and south of Byron Center.
In 1868 there were in business in the town of Byron the following persons : Lafayette Carpenter, a physician, miller, and farmer ; Earl B. Lounsbury, a physician and surgeon; Seaver, Hall & Co., merchants ; J. W. Seaver, postmaster ; Holden T. Miller, supervisor and proprietor of a general store; C. Leonard, hotel and stage proprietor ; Dr. A. C. Hall, an eclectic physician and surgeon, at South Byron ; Cooper & Mc- Cracken, harness dealers; W. Coward, a dealer in boots and shoes; J. B. House, hotel-keeper; John Rambo, a justice of the peace and dealer in stoves ; B. J. Spafford, store-keeper, and also postmaster; and Loren N. Green, at North Byron, proprietor of the flouring-mills.
John W. Goodliffe is a carpenter and joiner, builder of all kinds of wooden cisterns, and a cidermaker. He has a 30x50 three story build- ing, where he makes 10 barrels per day. He has all the latest improve- ments for manufacturing refined cider and vinegar, and has also a feed- mill.
Religion .- The first religious services were held in 1809 by Rev. Royal Phelps, of the Presbyterian Church, from Cayuga County. The First Congregational Church of Byron was organized in 1818, by Rev. Her- man Halsey, with II members. A church was built, of wood, in 1830, and later was enlarged by additions. Rev. Mr. Halsey was the stated sup- ply until 1826. In 1830 there were 27 members; in 1831, 162; and up to this time Revs. W. P. Kendrick, Lot B. Sullivan, and Lewis Cheeseman were the different pastors. Rev. B. B. Gray then supplied the pulpit for three and one-half years, Abelyn Sedgwick for one year, Ebor Child for four years, F. Danforth for one year, and J. B. Preston from 1844 to 1846, when there were 186 members. The society was afterwards called Presbyterian, and still remains of that faith. The number of members now is 90. They have no pastor. The church property is valued at about $8,000. Harry C. Norton is the superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has about 150 members.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church was first established at Byron Center, but they have no organization at that place at present.
The Second Methodist Episcopal Church is located at South Byron. The first meeting was September 26, 1842, when John Cook and others were present. Alva Wright was the first pastor. The church was erected in 1853 at a cost of about $2,500; the present value of the property is $4.200. There are about 43 members, and Rev. Edward W. Harnel is the pastor. They have a Sunday-school of about 300 scholars.
A Baptist Church at Byron Center was organized in 1810, but was long since disbanded.
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The Freewill Baptist Church at North Byron was organized in 1820 by Rev. Nathaniel Brown and Harmon Jenkins, and a church erected in 1833, of wood. They now have 100 members, and about 100 scholars in the Sunday school. Rev. A. B. Loomis is the pastor. Their church property is worth about $4.500.
The Concordia German Evangelical Lutheran Church, in the eastern part of the town, was organized September 25, 1889, by Rev. L. Gross. There are 33 members, and they have just erected a beautiful house of worship at a cost of $1,200.
For a number of years a Grange was in successful operation in Byron, but after a time the interest died out, and the organization was finally abandoned In March, 1890, the matter was revived, and the 20th of that month the old lodge was reorganized with the following officers: W. S. Green, master; J. C. Walker, overseer; J. G. Todd, treasurer ; I. W. White, secretary ; and J. G. Terry, chaplain.
Nearly every pioneer has his "bear stories," and were all these to be repeated here they would, like Mark Twain's misfortunes, " be somewhat monotonous." One, however, may be related. George Batcheller, about 40 years ago, went some distance into Tonawanda swamp with a neigh- bor, to assist in bringing out a bear which he had killed. On his way the nails of his boot-heels grated upon something which gave forth a me- tallic sound. On examination he found that some moss had been scraped from what proved to be a large bear-trap. It was lying with its jaws downward, nearly covered with muck, and the roots of trees had grown through the jaws and springs in all directions. One of these, a black ash root, was nearly as large as a man's wrist 3 The trap was but very little corroded. Some years afterwards Mr. Batcheller learned from a man who assisted the owner of the trap in his hunt that, 22 years previous to the finding of it, it was set in the usual way, with a clog attached, in this town (Byron) ; that a bear was caught in it ; that they followed his trail through a light snow seven or eight miles to within 80 rods of where the trap was found; and that they here abandoned the pursuit because night was approaching, and the melting of the snow rendered the trail indis- tinct. Mr. Batcheller still has the trap in his possession.
Wheaton Carpenter was born in Scituate, R. I., in 1788. At mature age he went to Scranton, Pa., then a wilderness. and resided a few years, and married there Nancy Dickerson. In 1808 he, in company with Elisha Miller, came to Byron on foot, with knapsacks on their backs, in which they carried their provisions for the long and tiresome journey. Mr. Carpenter located a farm of 100 acres about one-half mile south - west of Byron Center. He then returned to Scranton, and two years later came with his wife and two infant daughters to the wilderness of Byron. In the meantime his claim was forfeited, and he procured an- other of 100 acres, 80 rods west of a log tavern kept by Ben Hall, on Black Creek, where he resided until the ensuing spring (1811), when a freshet swept away his pig, fowls, and all movable property, and left
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TOWN OF BYRON.
only his cow and horse. Thus warned off he never returned, and never again owned real estate in Byron. He participated in the War of 1812, and went with the militia to Buffalo when they were called out. He was a miller and resided in " Sodom," a location in Byron, and in the cold season of 1816 found his increased family destitute. On a Monday morning he wended his way to where A. W. Graves's flouring-mill is- now located, and where was one of the most primitive grist mills, con structed of logs and without an iron cog wheel in it; in fact nothing but wooden trundle-heads to drive the stones, which were made of a rock from an adjacent field. He turned the bolt with one hand and fed it with the other. This mill was built by one Williams and was the first in town. He engaged to run this complicated machine for half the toll, and at once went to work, remaining until Saturday, when he returned to his family with meal, who all this time knew nothing of his where- abouts. He found his wife roasting a few beans for her children's sup- per. the last edible morsel in the house. On Monday he removed his family to the vicinity of the mill, and fortunately placed them beyond want the remainder of their lives. He continued a miller for 40 years, in different parts of Genesee County, and died in Byron, at the house of his daughter, Mrs. Nancy Gaines, in the fall of 1876, aged 88 years. His. son, M. D. L. Carpenter, born in 1827, resides one-fourth of a mile from North Byron.
Jacob Bushman, son of John, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Cayuga County, April 1, 1795. He married Martha Halstead, and in 1823 came to Byron, settling on the Bushman farm, so- called, near South Byron. He first had 50 acres, which was finally increased to 250. He was a good financier, honest, and upright. They were members of the Christian Church, and gave liberally to its support. He held several town offices. Mr. Bushman's wife died May 17, 1843. They were par- ents of 13 children, nine of whom are now living, viz .: Mary, in Wis- consin; Henry; Lany, who married Henry S. Philleo, a farmer; Andrew, who married Rachel M. Jones; Harriet, who married John Brainard, and is now a widow; Angeline (Mrs. Humphrey); Winslow J., in Wisconsin ; Byron, a mechanic; and Martha J. (Mrs. C. L Benham), of Le Roy. Henry Bushman, born in Scipio, January 18, 1821, came to Byron with his par- ents when three years old. He was reared a farmer, was educated at the district schools, and October 1, 1846, married Sarah J. Mills, of Coving- ton, N. Y., and settled in Perry, N. Y., where he resided two years. He returned to Byron to the Bushman homestead in 1854, where he resided until 1872, when he retired to his pleasant home in South Byron, where he now resides. He is an influential and respected citizen, and has served as assessor for nine years. The family are active members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Bushman is an earnest Republican. Of their children Mary E. (Mrs. Charles Kellogg) resides with her husband on the homestead, and Nettie A. married J. F. Rose, a mechanic, of South Byron.
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John Bean, a native of Vermont, came to Stafford in 1810, resided there a few years, and finally settled in Byron. He was an extensive trad- er, owned much live stock and real estate near South Byron, and was en- gaged in dealing in live stock for the Boston market. After the comple- tion of the railroad he built a store house and dealt largely in grain and general merchandise. With all his large transactions he was regarded as being strictly honest, liberal to the poor, and a strict observer of the Sab- bath. He died in 1883, aged 84 years. His son has been a station agent since 1858, and was also a merchant at one time.
Milton Allen is on old resident of Byron. He came in 1822, married Betsey Strong, and followed the masons' trade and farming. He has held several public offices, and aided in building up the town by his labors and influence for good. He is now living, aged 85 years.
James M. Bower, son of Francis and Catharine (Manahan) Bower, was born May 11, 1826, and was reared on his father's farm and educated in the common school. In 1850 he married, first, Parnell, daughter of Erastus Cash and settled on a farm about a mile east of Byron Center, where he resided to the close of his life, December 23, 1884. His wife died February 22, 1859, and October 8, 1863 he married Celinda Cash, a sister of his first wife, who survives him, and resides on the farm where he first settled. His first wife bore him one son, who died in early childhood. The children by the second marriage are twins, Albert C. and Arthur E., who are students at Cary Seminary, Oakfield. Mr. Bower was an enterprising, industrious, and progressive farmer, who gave close atten- tion to his farm and made it better year by year. He was a man of ster- ling integrity, strictly honest, and highly respected, a thorough temperance man, a genial companion, and kind and generous to the poor and needy.
Pierpont E. Bull came from Stephentown in 1826, settling on the farm where his daughter, Rebecca W. Bull, now lives. He was a farmer and had two daughters, Rebecca W. and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Barker, of Clar- endon, Orleans County. He died in Byron in 1868.
Richard G. Brown, born in Massachusetts in 1799, removed to Verona, N. Y., with his father's family as early as 1804, or earlier. In 1813 the family again moved westward, and settled in the woods near the Rock school house. His father built a log cabin, and resided in Byron until 1839, when the spirit of adventure took him to the far West again, and he settled in Oakland County, Mich., where he died in 1857, aged 82 years. Mr. Brown was reared a farmer, and had a limited common school education. In 1824 he married Laura, daughter of Samuel Searls, of Byron, and moved his bride and her effects to his log house in the woods, on lot 124, which he had previously built. In 1829 he sold his first "pitch," and removed to a log house, and a larger and better farm, on lot IIO, where he resided until 1850, when he built a fine farm house which is now the home of his son, M. B. C. Brown. Here he resided the re- mainder of his business life. He sold the homestead to his son in 1877, and died at North Byron, February 2, 1885, aged nearly 86 years. He
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TOWN OF BYRON.
was a man of medium stature, active and hardy, and a great worker. Besides clearing his own farm he felled the timber, and cut it up in lengths for logging, on 100 acres for his neighbors. Mr. Brown was a worthy member of the Methodist Church of Byron Center as long as it existed. Later united with the Free Baptist Church at North Byron, and gave to it his hearty support. He was a man who, when he had formed an opinion, seldom changed, but always strove to pursue the right.
William F. Brown, third child of Richard G. and Laura (Searls) Brown, was born in the log cabin on lot IIO, in June, 1829, and was brought up at hard labor and educated in the common schools. Decem- ber 18, 1851, he married Hannah S. Benton, of Byron, and settled on a part of lot 122. He has always been a farmer. In the spring of 1871 he removed to the farm of 170 acres, on lots 99 and III, where he now resides. Mr. Brown is a pushing, enterprising, business manager and farmer. He has built a fine set of buildings on each of the farms that he has owned, and an especially elegant set at his present pleasant home. As a man he is courteous and affable, an obliging neighbor, and a kind, indulgent husband and father. He is a staunch Republican, but not an office-seeker. He has the confidence of his townsmen, and has con- sented to act as their assessor four years. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had two children, Mary E. and Edwin B. Edwin B. married Mary E. Swan, is a farmer adjoining his father, and has two daughters. Mary E. died in 1879, at the early age of 16 years and six months.
Melville B. C. Brown, son of Richard G Brown, was also born in the log cabin on lot 110, November 7, 1833, and was educated in the com- mon schools and early taught industrious habits. January 25, 1877, he married Mrs. Amy (Merrill) Brown, widow of his brother George C., and brought his wife to the homestead, which he was conducting. In April, 1877, he purchased the farm of his father, which has been his home from his birth. Mr. Brown is a good farmer, and gives his whole attention to the cultivation of his fine farm of 155 acres. He is an ex- tensive reader, a close observer, and has acquired a fund of practical in- formation. In influence and excellence of character lie well sustains the high reputation of the Brown family of Byron. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are parents of one son, Searls G. Mr. Brown was raised a Democrat, voted for Millard Fillmore in 1856 and for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and remained a thorough Republican until 1888, when his temperance prin- ciples induced him to join the ranks of the Prohibitionists.
Abner Chase was born November 9, 1777. He married and settled in Oneida County, and about 1816 removed to Byron and settled in the woods where his grandson now lives. He first lived in a log house, and later he built a stone residence, which was taken down about 1856. The present framed house was then erected by his son, Ai S. Chase. It is claimed that he owned the first team of horses in the neighborhood, and hauled wheat to Rochester when it brought only two shillings and sixpence per bushel. He was many years a magistrate and the trial
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justice, and held court in the kitchen of his log cabin and officiated at numerous weddings He was a Mason until the Morgan excitement, when he left the order. Mr. Chase was a man highly respected and prominent in all town affairs. He died June 2, 1844, aged 66 years. His wife, Matilda C. Chase, died December 26, 1855, aged 77 years. They had four sons and three daughters, all deceased. His youngest child, Ai S., was reared on the home farm, married Mary A., daughter of Benjamin Bower, and always resided on the Chase homestead. He was an industrious, quiet man, and gave his whole attention to his farm and the care of his family. He never enjoyed robust health, but by good management and the aid of his oldest son he kept his farm in good con- dition. He died May 24, 18, 0, aged 54 years. His widow still survives and resides with her youngest child, H. B. Chase, on the homestead. They had born to them three daughters, all deceased, and two sons, Charles O. und Heber Burdett. Charles O. Chase is a farmer in Byron.
Asahel Cook, in the summer of 1809, started from his home in the town of Marcellus, Onondaga County, to go to the then " far West," to find for himself and family a new home. He came to Western New York, passing through what is now the city of Rochester, and selected a location in what is now the town of Byron. He bought a farm of 87 acres of the Holland Land Co., paying, or agreeing to pay, $4.50 per acre, the same price for which he could have purchased as he passed through Rochester, but considered that district too low and wet. There was only about one acre cleared on this lot, or on the territory of several hundred acres adjoining. He contracted, before returning home, with Elijah Loomis for the erection of a cheap building for a temporary home, and later for a more substantial log house. In the winter of 1810, with his wife and three sons, Elias, David. and Reuben, and two daughters, and all his effects, he moved by ox team and sled to his new home, the eldest boy, Elias, being in his IIth year, and Reuben, the youngest, only six.
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