Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 45

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 45

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Horace H. Chapin, son of Ralph and Betsey (Otis) Chapin, was born in Massachusetts in 1813, and when three years of age came with his parents to Batavia. He began clerking in 1832, with Stephen King, and later became his partner. He was also in business with.'Squire Rid- dle for 10 years from 1841. He sold his store to Theodore Young in 1864, and has since cultivated his farm of 65 acres. Mr. Chapin is a Re- publican, and belongs and gives liberally to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1836 he married Louisa C. Walker, and their daughter, Mrs. James Matteson, resides in Rochester. Mrs Chapin died in 1838, and in 1851 he married Sarah M. Church, by whom he has two children, Hattie E. ( Mrs. Frank L Harris ) and Ralph E., who married Florence Heal. Mr. Harris and Ralph E. Chapin are partners in business in Oak- field. In June, 1866, Mr. Chapin married his present wife, Selinda L. Munger.

Jonathan Durkee, son of Thomas and Abiah (Smith) Durkee, was edu- cated in the common schools and at Dartmouth College. He married, first, Chloe Gleason, January 3, 1798, and settled in Hanover, N. H., caring for his parents until their decease. He came to Darien in 1810, bought 400 acres of land where his daughter, Mary Ann Wilson, Frank Chapin and his son Albert F., now live. He put in two acres of wheat, returned to New Hampshire, and the next spring brought his wife and six children

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to share his pioneer life. He erected the set of buildings now standing. Mr. Durkee died in 1856, aged 82 years, and his wife in 1841. They had 12 children. In 1843 he married Betsey Felton, who died about 1857. He was known as major ; was a prominent man in his town, and held the offices of supervisor, justice of the peace, and trial justice. His only daughter married Frank Chapin, August 30, 1838, and settled near her father. At his death Mr. Chapin bought the old homestead, residing there until his decease in 1887.

Albert F. Chapin, son of Frank and Mary Ann (Durkee) Chapin, was born in Darien, January 20, 1841, and was educated at the academy. At the age of 18 he was a clerk in Buffalo, became a partner, and was in trade 30 years. In 1884 he returned to the homestead, and is now a worthy citizen and an enterprising farmer. He married Sarah Bostwick, of New- ark, N. Y., September 18, 1872.

John J. Ellis, son of Chester and Elizabeth (Smith) Ellis, was born in Bath, Steuben County, August 24, 1854, received his education in the common schools and at the academy, and taught school when 17 years of age. He then went into the railroad office at Bath, and has been in the employ of the Erie Railroad since. In 1874 he was placed in charge of Darien station. He also deals in farm produce and agricultural imple- ments. In politics he is a Republican, and has the confidence of his townsmen, who elected him supervisor in 1885-86. He is a man of ex- cellent business ability. ' October 20, 1875, he married Matilda J. Spann, of Attica, a lady of culture and refinement.

James Kinsey was born in the town of Huntington, County Hereford, England, in 1783. He married Elizabeth Gwillen, and came to America with his family in 1832, landing in New York. He set out for Ohio, but on hearing that his destination was an unhealthy region he remained in the vicinity of Utica about two years, and in 1834 settled on a farm in Darien, where he lived till his death. His son, James Kinsey, Jr., was born in England, came to Darien with his father in 1834, and married Grizilda Freeman in 1847. He first settled on the homestead, but now owns an extensive farm one mile west of Darien Center. Mr. Kinsey and his brother Stephen have been the largest dealers in cattle, horses, sheep, and swine of any in their town, and among the largest in the county. Mr. Kinsey is a staunch Democrat, and has been very popular with his towns- men. He was elected supervisor of his town in 1887, and reëlected in 1888, and has also served as magistrate. He is a man of influence, en- ergy, and enterprise, and is widely known. He and his brother Stephen erected the first steam cheese factory in Genesee County, and aided with their influence and money the building of a steam saw-mill at the depot. An overwhelming sorrow befell Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey at the burning of › their home, February II, 1861, when their sons Frank, aged nine years, and Stephen, aged seven, perished in the flames. Their surviving chil- dren are James H .. born May 3, 1849, who is an extensive grain mer- chant at St. Croix, Wis .; Russell L., born June 8, 1858, a lawyer in Buffalo;

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and William E., born May 24, 1863, a dealer in farm produce in Darien.

Stephen Kinsey, son of James K., Sr., was born in England, July 7, 1827, came to Darien with his parents in 1834, and was educated in the common school of Darien Center. In February, 1869, he married Sophia Champany, by whom he has one child, a daughter, born October 28, 1882. Mr. Kinsey and his brother succeeded their father on the homestead, which Mr. Kinsey now owns. He, like his brother James, is a decided Democrat, and has served his town as highway commissioner and tax collector. Mrs. Kinsey was an expert cheesemaker in the aforementioned factory and took the first premium for cheese at the State fair held in Buf- falo in 1866.

Alanson T. Fisher, son of Lillie, was born in Boonville, N. Y., Septem- ber 20, 1800. His father came from Boonville to the Holland Purchase, in Alexander, in 1804, and settled on what is still known as the " Lillie Fisher farm." There he spent the remainder of his long life and died at the age of 98. He was a man of influence and highly respected, was a. leader in the Masonic order, held the honorable position of Master of the lodge, and was buried with Masonic honors. Alanson T. Fisher, Feb- ruary 27, 1844, married Sophia Monroe, of Batavia, who was born No- vember 4, 1815. He settled at Darien Center, where he remained until his death, March 6, 1886. Mr. Fisher was a man of great financial abil- ity, and his great diversity of business (stage driver and proprietor, hotel- keeper, merchant, dealer in live stock, and town officer) was managed with consummate skill and success. He was clear-headed, far-sighted. and amassed the largest fortune of any one in Darien. As a man he was hon- orable, a fair dealer, a reliable citizen, and a kind neighbor. Charles M., only son of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, was born November 28, 1845, married Alice M. Granniss, August 1, 1866, and their children are Monroe L., who married Clara Harrington, and Carlton G.

Owen Frink, son of Israel, was born in Peru, Mass., March 31, 1807. In August, 1814, he came with his father to Alexander and located where his grandson, Wilbur Frink, now lives, and where he resided till his death, November 22, 1866. He was also a carpenter and a skillful joiner, and helped in constructing some of the fine buildings in Roches- ter and Batavia. Owen, his only son, was educated in the common schools, and was always a farmer. He married Sally, daughter of Nich- olas Van De Bogart, in 1828, and resided on the homestead till his death, September 17, 1872, at the age of 65. His wife died May 12, 1867, aged 58 years. Mr. Frink was an honest and fair dealing man. As a neighbor he was proverbially accommodating, and the poor and needy had his aid and sympathy. Mr. and Mrs. Frink were parents of five sons, $ all of whom lived to mature age. Wilson, their oldest son living, was born January 31, 1831, and remained on the homestead with his parents until he was of age. He married Eliza Edson, of Darien, and settled as a farmer in Marilla, Erie County, where they resided for 24 years. They still own the place. For the last six years they have been farming

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TOWN OF DARIEN.

in Darien. They have had two sons, John, born December 3, 1862, who died May 28, 1885 ; and Earl, born February 28, 1869, who is studying telegraphy, and resides with his parents.

John Griswold, son of Lott K., was born in Bennington, N. Y., and was early taught industrious habits on his father's farm, and had only a common school education. November 17, 1846, he married Rachel Os- borne, and settled on a farm in the south part of Darien. In 1870 he removed to the place where he now resides, near the village of Darien. He has always been a farmer. He cast his first vote with the Whig party, and in 1856 voted for John C. Fremont for President. Since then he has served the Republican party. Like his brother he commenced poor and has earned what he has, both in property and reputation. He has filled acceptably the office of overseer of the poor II years, and now, at about the age of 70, has an excellent character for integrity and fair dealing. He has three sons and one daughter.

The Griswold family in America descended from Sir Humphrey Gris- wold, of Malvern Hall, England. The first in this country of whom we have any record were Edward and Matthew, brothers, who came from England about 1645, and settled in Connecticut, Edward at Windsor and Matthew at Lyme. Edward afterward moved to Killingworth. Mat- thew was the first magistrate of Saybrook colony, and married Anna, daughter of Henry Wolcott. The seat or manor of the Griswolds at Lyme was a large feudal grant of some eight miles square, bounded on the west by the Connecticut River, and on the south by Long Island Sound. The buildings were situated upon the height of land overlook- ing the Sound. The name of the place was " Black Hall." This grant was given to Matthew in 1645 .- [From genealogical sketch furnished by Benajah Griswold, of Darien.]

Lott K. Griswold, son of Benajah and Hannah (Kilham) Griswold, was born in Enfield, Hartford County, Conn., July 23, 1792, and, as near as can be ascertained, was a descendant of Matthew The family re- moved to Sangerfield, Oneida County, where the father, Benajah, died. About 1811 or 1812 they settled in Byron. In 1815 Lott K. Griswold married Phebe Tucker, and settled on a wood land farm ; but, to avoid fever and ague; he removed to Bennington and commenced anew by cut- ting the first tree on his " pitch." He moved to his location with a pair of three-year-old steers attached to a cart that carried his goods, and a single cow two years old. This property and a single shilling was his entire fortune. His habitation was a low log cabin covered with boughs; one window without glass, but covered with oiled paper ; and not a sawed board in the whole structure. The floor was made of split bass- wood and hewn with an axe ; the door was of the same material, and held together with pegs, swung on wooden hinges. In this primitive abode this pioneer family resided nine years. The nearest mill was at Batavia, 17 miles distant. Mr. Griswold remained on this farm to see it transformed into a good home, which, in 1852, he sold to his oldest son,

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Benajah, and removed to Darien and engaged again in farming. He died January 9, 1870, in his 78th year, on the farm of 22 acres where his son John now lives. Mrs. Griswold died June 28, 1874. Their chil- dren were born as follows : Benajah, February 14, 1816; Mary, January 19, 1818; John, January 17, 1820; Harriet, October 2, 1821 ; Sophia, March 17, 1827; Nancy, January 30, 1831 ; William, August 30, 1833; and Julia, December 26, 1836.

Benajah Griswold, son of Lott K. and Phebe (Tucker) Griswold, spent his boyhood on his father's farm and in attendance at the common school. When he attained his majority he engaged in teaching district school for seven winter seasons, working for the farmers the remainder of each year, until he married Polly Seaver, January 1, 1840, and engaged in farming. In 1852 he purchased his father's farm of 75 acres, which he added to from time to time until it contained 242 acres. In 1860 he sold it and removed to his present house near the depot, which, in honor of him, and for his generosity in giving the railroad company the grounds, bears his name. Mr. Griswold began his political life a Democrat, and so re- mained until after the formation of the Republican party in 1856, when he cast his lot with it, and has done it good service ever since. He has held the offices of superintendent of the poor for Genesee County nine consecutive years, has been supervisor of his town five years, and early in life was many years town superintendent of schools. He commenced his active life with no capital, except his correct habits of strict honesty, sterling integrity, and continued persevering industry. He has acquired a competency, and has the respect and confidence of a large circle of ac- quaintances. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold had three children. Eugene, born February 22, 1841, married Laura Cowan, who died in January, 1888. He was a soldier from 1862 till the close of the war in 1865, and is a farmer and resides with his father. His son Charles C., born February 9, 1867, is conducting his grandfather's farm. De Witt Clinton, born October 30, 1847, married Lizzie, daughter of Dr. Evans, with whom he studied medicine, and is now a druggist at Shullsburg, Wis. Flora (Mrs. George W. Peck) resides in Prattsburg, Steuben County, N. Y. Mr. Peck is a dealer in hardware.

Henry W. Harmon, son of Asaph and Mary A. (Curtis) Harmon, and grandson of Owen Curtis, an early pioneer, was born in Darien, January 21, 1859, was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools, and began an academic course at Batavia, but ill health prevented its com- pletion. He then went to the Pennsylvania oil regions, but soon returned, and went to Dakota in 1882 and engaged in the real estate business. In 1883 he was appointed postmaster at Harold, Dakota, which office he held two years, and was county commissioner of Campbell County one year. In 1885-86 he went South, visited the Arkansas Hot Springs and the New Orleans Exposition, and returned to Darien in June, 1887: In April, 1889, he was appointed station agent and telegraph operator at the D., L. & W. Railroad office in Darien. He married, July 21, 1889, Ellen L. Burr, of Darien.

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TOWN OF DARIEN.

Davis Huntley, of Lyme, Conn., settled in Darien about 1817. He was a millwright and carpenter, and built many structures in the town. He died in 1843. His sons were E. M. and Allen J., the latter a carpenter.

Dexter Humphrey, an early settler, lived near the gulf, was a con- scientious and noble Christian gentleman, and had two sons, Linus and Wallace. William Humphrey, his brother, came at the same time, and reared a large family. Amos Humphrey, a settler in 1807 on a tract of 350 acres where Hiram Tullar now lives, erected the first saw-mill on Eleven Mile Creek, in 1809. He was justice of the peace for some time.

Aaron P. Hutchinson, son of Aaron, came in 1815 from Vermont with his parents. He found it serious business tiding over the next year, 1816, so memorable as the " cold season." He recollects going to school in a log shanty, roofed with bark, and taking the teacher's dinner, con- sisting of hulled corn and milk.

Samuel C. Higgins was born in Elizabeth, N. J., September 9, 1809, and received an academic education. In 1830 he came to Rochester and followed the occupations of cordwainer and weighmaster. October 16, 1831, he married Mary Godby, of Massachusetts. In 1844 the family came to the northwest part of Darien, to the farm where they now reside. Mr. Higgins, though an octogenarian, has devoted himself to his farm, and even now assists his son Robert S. on the place. Mrs. Higgins died November 13, 1885. They were the parents of five chil- dren, of whom three sons and one daughter are now living, viz .: J. Morris, who married Jenette Schuyler, of Attica, is a well-to- do farmer in Macon, Ill., and has three children; Mary J. (Mrs. Harvey Richards), also of Macon, Ill .; Luke C., who married Louie Weed, and is a graduate of the Buffalo Medical College, now practicing in Naples, Ill .; and Robert S., who married Jessie L. Nott, in January, 1878, has two sons, and is a farmer on the homestead with his aged father.

Alva Jefferson, a pioneer in 1812, was a very prominent man 60 years ago. He was a farmer and a mechanic, and was of the firm of Horton & Jefferson in Darien City. When he gave up business he settled on a farm on the Buffalo road. He built a store in 1832, was a member of the Assembly, and a firm friend of Gov. Seward. He had two sons and two daughters.

Among the early settlers of Darien was Ichabod Jefferson, who arrived in 1812, settling in the south part of the town. For a few years before his death, in 1848, he made his home with his daughter Betsey, the wife of Elijah Robinson. Mr. Robinson was a blacksmith, and came from Vermont to Darien in 1822. He died in 1889, and his wife in 1884. They resided in the village. Alva, a son, is a blacksmith occupying the shop of his father.

Stephen King was the earliest merchant at Darien Center, and was a well-to-do, substantial, energetic, and successful business man. He also owned a farm, built a brick house upon it, and kept a good hotel, and was at. one time a partner of Thomas Riddle and Alanson Fisher. He married a daughter of Lillie Fisher, of Alexander.

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Elijah Lamb came about 1815 from Canada, and settled where his son John E now resides. He brought with him a team of horses, but had to sell one in order to make payment on his purchase of land. He made his own household furniture, worked hard at cleaning off the land, planted orchards, and was soon able to put up good buildings. He built a tannery, and tanned on shares the few hides he obtained from the farmers. From the flax raised on the place, and the wool from the sheep, Mrs. Lamb clothed the family. He was one of the prosperous citizens of the town when he died in 1869.

David Harroun, son of David and Elizabeth (Anderson) Harroun, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1771. He married Margery Wilder, and settled in Hebron, Washington County. About 1819 he came with his family and settled on the north line of the town of Darien, then included in the town of Pembroke. This family encountered the hardships inci- dent to a life in the woods, and in a few years they had replaced the log cabin with a comfortable house and had transformed their wood land into cultivated fields. Mrs. Harroun was a woman of great energy and industry. She spun and wove cloth, not only to clothe her own family, but also for her neighbors. They resided where they first settled till they died. Mr. Harroun died in 1857, aged 86 years, and Mrs. Har- roun aged 93 years. They were parents of II children, all of whom lived to adult age. Their son James A. was born in Hebron, N. Y., January 3, 1813, received a limited education, and married Harriet Craw- ford, of Darien. He succeeded his father on the homestead, where he had been the manager after he was 18 years of age, in consequence of his father's disability from rheumatism, and administered to the wants of his parents till their deaths. Mr. Harroun has always been a farmer, Mrs. Harroun died in 1876. They had three children, only one of whom. George W., lived to maturity, and died February 6, 1889, aged 49 years. Mr. Harroun has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1830, and is a staunch Republican.

Elisha H. Lathrop, son of Samuel and Lucy Lathrop, of New Lon- don County, Conn., was born September 15, 1800. His education was received in district schools, and by strict attention to his studies he was subsequently qualified to teach, which he did. At the age of 16 he and a brother, three years younger, managed their father's farm of 60 acres. He had a strong constitution, and at an early age could swing a scythe with the best of men. In 1819 he moved with his father's family to Genesee County, and settled on the eastern line of the town of Darien, then Pembroke. Here he remained till 22 years of age, when he began business for himself. In April, 1830, he purchased the farm of 100 acres upon which he now resides, paying $1,200 for the same. The same year and month he married Marcia Moulton, of Alex- ander, by whom he had three children, two of whom are dead, and per- haps all, as one has not been heard from since 1872, when he was in the mining regions of the far West. Mrs. Lathrop died February 1, 1858,

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and June 22, 1860, Mr. Lathrop married Euseba, daughter of Abram and Fanny Sharick, of Darien, who bore him five children, three of whom are living. Mr. Lathrop began life poor, but by industry and good management succeeded in obtaining a competency, and owned one of the finest farms in the town. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jack- son, and always voted with the Democratic party. He held various offices within the gift of his townsmen. Mr. Lathrop died January 15, 1879, retaining his mental faculties in a remarkable degree to the last. He was highly prized by his neighbors and considered a man of good judgment. Mrs. Euseba Lathrop was born February 6, 1828, in Colum- bia County, Pa., came with her father's family to Genesee County in 1844, and settled on the farm adjoining Mr. Lathrop's. James C. La- throp, son of Elisha H., was born August 19, 1861, was educated in the common schools with a few terms in the academy at Batavia, and mar- ried Minnie Usher, of Pulaski, N. Y., February 24, 1887. Andrew J., his brother, born February 19, 1865, received a similar education, and they now jointly conduct the homestead farm. Fanny A. married, October 2, 1888, E. C. Dearstyn, who is a telegraph operator at Newark, N. Y.

Anson Lathrop, son of Samuel and Lucy (Pendleton) Lathrop, was born November 23, 1803, in Bozrah, Conn., and removed to Darien with his parents in 1819. His father was a mechanic and farmer. Mr. La- throp remained with his parents until he was 21. He settled on the farm where he now resides a year or two before his marriage, and bas always been a farmer. In June, 1834, he married Elizabeth Bartram, whose father was a sea captain. She died February 24, 1880. Their children were Samuel, born March 28, 1835, who enlisted in the war, was taken prisoner at Knoxville, and died of starvation in a rebel prison in North Carolina; Henry, born February 15, 1837, who also enlisted in the army in Pennsylvania, and participated in the battles of Gettysburg and the Wilderness, in the latter of which he received a wound in his left lung, and died at Fredericksburg 13 days after ; Burr B., born June 3, 1843, who was drafted at the age of 18, entered a company from the town of Mexico, Oswego County, and died in the service, but how or just when we cannot now ascertain ; Edmund P. G., born March 28, 1847, a farmer, who died on the homestead at the age of 17 ; Janette M., born August 24, 1840, who married Richard Bowen, a farmer, and resides near her father ; Caroline C., born November 15, 1841, who mar- ried A. McCall Stickney and resides at Fargo station; Charles, born No- vember 1, 1849, who died October 2, 1866; and George W., born January 28, 1851, who died September 20, 1852.

Ebenezer Losee was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., June 8, 1797. About 1820 he came to Darien, and began to improve the farm of 50 acres where Daniel McVean now lives. January 3, 1826, he married Diana Dean, of Pompey, N. Y., where Mr. Losee was raised. She died in March, 1865. He soon added to his farm until he had 200 acres.

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About 1833 he bought the farm where his son, Richard M. Losee, lives, and where he died March 20, 1880. By his perseverance and hard work he had at one time in his possession 400 acres. He was supervisor of the town at one time. He had four children : Almon D., who died at the age of seven years ; Hannah J , who died at the age of 18 ; Frank E., born July 11, 1837, who married Sarah Dirstine, May 25, 1865, who was born July 3, 1843, and their children are Fred R., and Marie Louise ; and Richard M. Frank E. is a farmer living one mile east of Darien village.

Richard M. Losee was born June 29, 1834, and received an academic education, but chose to be a farmer, which vocation he has always fol- lowed. January 1, 1857, he married Helen L. Lincoln, of Pembroke. He gives his attention to the breeding of and dealing in full blooded registered American Merino sheep, through New Mexico and Colorado. He is a decided Democrat, but such is his popularity he has been elected twice to the office of supervisor in a Republican town. He is a man of good financial ability and well off. His children are Frank D., a farmer, born October 25, 1857, who married Mary Grant, and lives ad joining his father; Nellie H., born December 11, 1859, who married Andrew Meinweiser, a farmer, who conducts the Losee homestead ; Clara A., born June 26, 1863, who married Eugene W. Harrington, station agent at Alden ; and Royal R., born October 27, 1870, who is now in the telegraph office of the superintendent of the D., L. & W. Railroad at Buffalo.

Philip W. Morgan, of Canada, born September 23, 1841, came to Buf- falo when young, and resided there 12 years. His father came to Darien and located on the farm where Mr. Morgan now lives. In 1861 he en- listed in Co. I, 100th N. Y. Vols., serving three years and a half, and received an honorable discharge. He was in the battle of Fair Oaks, was captured and sent to Libby prison, thence to Salisbury and Belle Isle, being confined in all four months, when he was exchanged. He was at Fort Wagner during the siege, and from there was sent home on recruiting service for four months, in 1863. He joined his regiment the next spring, was in the engagement at Drury's Bluff, was captured and taken to Libby, thence to Dansville, Andersonville, and Florence prisons, when he was paroled. His seven months' sufferings while a prisoner were mittigated in part, and his life spared, by his shrewdness as a trader, and his aptness in gaining the confidence of his guards. An imitation chain, made of bogus gold dollars, when polished up furnished him ad- ditional food supplies, the last dollar bringing him in a porker of 90 pounds. His imprisonment caused him to be in service six months be- yond his term, and he returned home with poor health. December 26, 1865, he married Sarah Dyer, of Darien. The next three years were spent in the Pennsylvania oil regions. His wife died November 4, 1869, being the mother of his sons Walter E., a mechanic in Buffalo, and En- dell N., who lives at home. Mr. Morgan spent three years in Kansas,

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Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 45

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