Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 58

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 58

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).

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reared two children, Emeline J. M. and Julius F. The latter was killed in May, 1889, at Trenton, Tenn., while assisting the marshal of the vil- lage in making an arrest. Julius C. Kellogg was a son of Elijah, who was born in Vermont, and was a paper manufacturer. His wife was Hannah Herrick, who bore four sons and three daughters. He moved to Bethany in 1856, where he died, aged 88 years. Chauncy E Bowen, for a time after his marriage, lived in Bethany, and after the war he located in Le Roy, where lie resided until his death, January 4, 1888. He reared four children, viz .: Julius F., Lewis C., Emma M., and Leon W.

James A. Collins, born in Le Roy, August 7, 1841, is a son of Dewey and Anna (Rich) Collins, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Gen- esee County. Dewey Collins, born in 1802. was a farmer and brick- maker, and came with his parents to Wyoming County in 1813. After his marriage he located in Le Roy, where he worked a quarry for plaster, and reared four sons. He was a son of William Collins, who was an early :settler of Wyoming, where he kept hotel for some years, He had three sons and two daughters, Dewey being the youngest. James A. Collins received a good English education, and taught school one term. After attaining his majority he clerked in a grocery store one year, when he re- turned to the farm near Le Roy. He has been engaged in selling farm implements and phosphates, and operated a bakery one year. Since January, 1889, he has been engaged in the shoe trade. He married Bell, daughter of William Calvert, of Le Roy, and they have one child, Ada G. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Archibald D. Campbell, born August 6, 1856, where he now lives, is a son of Duncan and Margaret (Campbell) Campbell. Duncan, son of Archibald and Catherine (McDermott), was born in Le Roy in 1817, where he always lived. He married when 33 years of age, located where Archi- bald D now resides, and died at the age of 66 years. His children were John (deceased), Anna (deceased), Archibald D., and Peter D. His par- ents came from Scotland to Johnstown, and thence to Le Roy in its early settlement. They reared four sons and eight daughters, and died in Wheatland. His wife died in 1876. He received a common school education, and married Jennie, daughter of John and Christie (Campbell) Tyrrell, natives of Vermont, who came to Le Roy when young. Mr. Tyrrell was killed in battle. Archibald D. Campbell has four children, Duncan G., Christie A., Florence M., and Jane A., and the family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Samuel Comstock, a captain in the War of 1812, was born June 17, 1790, in Montville, Conn., and married Elizabeth Turner Comstock, of Connecticut. His family came to this town in 1834. The children were Asahel O , Elizabeth A., Amy, and Samuel F. He engaged in the mer- cantile business, which he pursued till 10 years before his death, May 16, 1870. His wife died February 8, 1871. The daughter Amy died at the age of 16 years. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian

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TOWN OF LE ROY.

Church, holding the office of deacon for nearly 40 years. Asahel Otis Comstock, son of Samuel, was born August 6, 1813, in Montville, Conn., was clerk in a store at Colchester, Conn., came to Le Roy in 1834 with his father, and engaged in mercantile business under the firm name of A. O. Comstock & Co. Their trade was very extensive, having branch stores at Mumford, Warsaw, and other places, the sales in a single year amounting to $80,000. In 1856 the business was changed so as to in- clude the purchase of produce, which he pursued for 30 years. Mr. Com- stock was a progressive and enterprising business man. He served as treasurer of the Buffalo, Corning & New York Railroad for several years, was a director for 20 years, and was well posted in all its affairs. He was also a director of the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad. He married Fannie, daughter of Zacheus Wheeler, of Connecticut, and their children are Fannie (Mrs. F. C. Lathrop); O. W., a banker in New York ; Isaac T., a member of the produce exchange ; and Annie, a teacher of music. The family are members of the Episcopal Church.

Samuel F. Comstock, born in Connecticut, March 29, 1825, was nine years of age when he came here. He was educated at the district schools, and entered his father's store when 16 years old, where he re- mained until 21 years of age, when he entered into partnership with his father and older brother, Asahel O., continuing until 1855, when, in the great fire of that year, their goods and store were burned. He next en- gaged in the merchant tailoring business for six years, or until 1861, when he took up the general insurance business, which he has followed to the present time. In this line of work he has been very successful, being considered one of the best agents in the county, representing, as he does, a line of old established companies for over 25 years. He has been town clerk for 10 years. He married N. M. Turner, daughter of Peter and Mary Turner, of New London, Conn., and they have two chil- dren : Frank M., born May 20, 1855, and Mary T., born October 6, 1865. Frank M. graduated from Union College, N. Y., in 1876, and for the past of II years has been principal of Le Roy Academic Institute,

Rev. Pierre Cushing was born in Speedsville, Tompkins County, N. Y., May 4, 1855, a son of . John and Hannah (Curtis) Cushing. His father was a native of Scituate, Mass., a graduate of Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., and a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church. His ances- tors came from England about 1640. Rev. Pierre Cushing, the third son and fourth child of five children, was educated at Oxford Academy, from which he graduated in the class of 1877, and at Hobart College, where he graduated in 1881 as B. A. He then went to the General Theological Seminary in New York, from which he graduated in 1884, and was ordained a deacon in St. Paul's Church, Rochester, in June, 1884. He was assistant at St. Paul's Church in New York, where he was ordained a priest May 16, 1886, and came to Le Roy in November, 1886, being called to the rectorship of St. Mark's Church. He married Kate B., daughter of George W. Nichols, of Hammondsport, N. Y.

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Dr. J. Fred Cleveland, the youngest son of John and Sarah Cleveland, was born at St. Catherine, Ontario, February 25, 1837. When 19 years of age he went to Chicago, and remained there nearly two years, being engaged in the railroad business. About 1862 he went to New York and entered Bellevue Hospital, graduating therefrom in the spring of 1865. He then entered the United States service as acting assistant hos- pital surgeon, remaining until the close of the war. He afterwards lo- cated at Wyoming, N. Y., to practice his profession, where he lived but two or three years, when he came to this town, where he has since resided, enjoying the fruits of an extensive practice and an honorable profession. He was married, April 20, 1870, to Fannie V., daughter of M. B. and Ellen M. Fisher of Wyoming. He has one child, Harold F., born May 3, 1880. Dr. Cleveland's medical career has been, from the first, one of continued prosperity. When only a first-year student he was selected by the faculty of the college, out of a class of over 100, as house physician of Charity Hospital, Blackwell's Island. He was soon promoted to Bellevue Hospital, taking charge of the female wards, over which he presided until the date of his graduation.

John N. Champion, only child of John N. and Amanda A. (Boyer) Champion, was born May 21, 1849, in Le Roy village. Receiving a good academic education he, at the age of 19, entered the hardware store of A. G Carpenter & Co , as salesman, and later was with M. F. Bixby. In October, 1873, he started the Le Roy livery and sale stable, and September 1, 1878, he took charge of the same as agent for H. W. Hascall. January 1, 1890, he purchased the entire business, and has handled more fine horses than any other man in Genesee County, making his purchases in nearly every part of the United States and Canada. His shipments of horses have been mostly from the Western States. Mr. Champion has to a considerable extent engaged in contracting earth work. He is an honored and respected member and officer of Olive Branch Lodge, F. & A. M., of Le Roy, and also a member of Batavia Commandery. He married Carrie E., daughter of H. H. Olmsted, of Le Roy, and they have four children, John O., Henry H., Carrie E., and Albert N. John N. Champion, Sr., born in Lebanon, Conn., was one of two sons and two daughters born to John and Rhoda (Rockwell) Cham- pion. He came to Le Roy with his parents about 1825, and was a lead- ing dry goods merchant for about 25 years, which business was estab- lished by his father. His wife was born in New York city, a daughter of Capt. Joseph Boyer, who was born on Bermuda Island, and was a sea captain during his life. He married Mrs Emma (Maghee) Lewis, who bore him two sons and five daughters, and who had one son and one daughter by her former husband, Richard Lewis, of Lown Island. She lived in the old Somerindyke house, which was the last of the old relics torn down. After Mr. Boyer was lost at sea his widow and family, in April, 1831, came to Le Roy.

Alexander Clark, son of William, was born May 28, 1819, in County

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TOWN OF LE ROY.

Monaghan, Ireland, a son of William and Ann (Anderson) Clark, natives of the same place. They had three sons and three daughters, as follows: Alexander, William, David, Martha, Mary A., and Sarah. William, Sr., with his family, came to the United States in 1849, and located in Mum- ford. In 1868 he located where Alexander now resides, where he died, aged about 80 years. He was an Episcopalian. Ann (Anderson) Clark was a daughter of John Anderson, a farmer, who had three sons and three daughters, and came to the United States and settled in Genesee County. Alexander Clark, who was reared on a farm, came to the United States in November, 1847, and settled in Mumford, and located where he now resides in 1868. He married, June 19, 1872, Jane, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Wood) Wilson, all of whom came from County Down, Ireland, in 1851, and settled in Wheatland Center. The children were Robert and John, of Nebraska, and Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Clark's children are William J., Libbie A., Jennie D., Martha G., and Alexander E. David Clark, brother of Alexander, served in the 8th N. Y. Cav., and was wounded by a ball entering the right side of his mouth, which was taken out at the back of his head.

Willard M. Chapman, born November 22, 1855, in Le Roy village, is a son of William J., who was born in England and came to the United States about 1830. The latter lived in New York until about 1852, when he came to Le Roy, where he resided till his death in 1886. By occupation he was a butcher. Perhaps no man in Le Roy was better in- formed in ancient and modern, sacred and profane, history than he. Mr. Chapman was a great lover of Shakespeare, and was a ready and inter- esting talker upon almost any topic. Willard M. Chapman is self-edu- cated. When but 10 years of age he began as errand boy in the grocery store of A. T. Drake. At the age of 12 he began working by the month, which he continued until 1877, when he entered the postoffice as a clerk. In 1883 he opened a real estate agency. By his indomitable will, energy, and perseverance he has built up a good trade. Honorable in all the re- lations of life, pleasant and courteous to all, he is respected and esteemed by all' who know him. Mr. Chapman was married, in April, 1879, to Elizabeth, daughter of Russell Robbins. They are the parents of two sons, Carlos and Theodore R.

Charles L. Carlton, son of George W. and Sarah (Annas) Carlton, was born May 7, 1833, in Piscataquis County, Maine. He received a good English education and at the age of 16 began working by the month on a farm. When 18 years of age he came to Le Roy, where he learned the wagonmakers' trade with W. S. Brown. In 1866 he opened a shop for himself, on Mill street, where he has since continued, doing mostly custom work. He was burned out in 1869. He married Sarah M., daughter of Aruna and Margaret (Howland) Fosket, old settlers of Ber- gen. George W. Carlton and his wife were born in Orono, Maine. He was a drummer in the War of 1812, was a farmer, and came to Riga, Monroe County, in 1846, where he resided till within a few years of his

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death, which occurred in Iowa City in 1870, aged 71. He had four sons and seven daughters, of whom three sons grew to manhood, viz .: Charles L., Thaddeus S., and James A. The latter served in a New York cavalry regiment during the war, and died in Iowa City. Charles L. Carlton was a farmer and came to Monroe County about 1830. He reared a family of four sons and four daughters His sons were Barney, George W., Elijah, and William.

George W. Chaddock, born in Lockport, August 4, 1826, is a son of Thomas and Sallie (Bow) Chaddock, who came from New England, Thomas was a blacksmith and had four children, namely : James, Thomas, Elizabeth, and George W. Thomas died in Bethany. George W. lived with an aunt in Stafford. secured a limited education, and at the age of 15 years began to learn his father's trade at Pine Hill. At the age of 20. he learned the tailors' trade at Barre Center. He came to Le Roy and worked in Upham's car and carriage works two years, was four years at Pavilion, and then moved to Batavia. In 1861 he returned to Le Roy, where he has since resided with the exception of four years spent in Roch- ester. By his wife, Frances L., whom he married January 1, 1851, he has one son. George W., of Los Angeles, Cal. They are Presbyterians.

Matthew Conlin, a native of Ireland, was born in 1820. His father died in 1823. At the age of 12 years he came to Clifton, thence to. Wheatland, and finally to Le Roy in 1869. He married Ann Fox, of County Westmeath, Ireland, and they have three sons, Michael, Matthew, and William. They are members of the Catholic Chuch.

David E. Curtis was born June 19, 1842, in Le Roy. His parents, Joseph and Tirzah K. (Hulburt) Curtis, were born in Vermont, the former April 22, 1806, and the latter May 13, 1807. Joseph came to Genesee County with his parents, who were among the first settlers of the county. He was a farmer and an axe helvemaker. In 1854 he moved to Wyoming, Stark County, Ill. where he remained one year. He returned to Illinois, and died October 21, 1886. His wife died in August, 1878, in Genesee County. He reared eight children : Laura Havens, of Illinois; Sabrina (deceased); Daniel J., of Panora, Ia .; Betsey J. (Mrs. Eddy), of Michigan ; Morley ; Anson H., of Davis County, Mo .; David E .; and John C., of Illinois. Joseph Curtis was a son of Joseph and Betsey Curtis, who came from Vermont in 1811, making the trip in an ox cart. They located on 100 acres of land where David E. now re- sides. He was a soldier of 1812, and moved to Wyoming County and died there. His wife died in Genesee County, May 17, 1854, aged over 90 years. They had 13 children One of his sons Stowell, served in the War of 1812, and died in Allegany County. Mrs. Tirzah K. Curtis was a daughter of Daniel Hulburt, who was born December 29, 1779. Mr. Hulburt married Kezia Byam, and they were early settlers of Stone Church. He served as captain in the War of 1812, had three sons and three daughters, and died in Genesee County, February 12, 1818. His father was Gen. Daniel Hulburt, of Revolutionary fame, who died Febru-

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ary 16, 1816, in Genesee County. David E. Curtis was reared in Gen- esee County. November 3, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 104th N. Y. Regt., and participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Antietam, Brandy Station, Chantilly, Seven Days' Fight, Thorough -. fare Gap, Manassas Junction, the two battles of Fredericksburg, Gettys- burg, second Brandy Station, and the Wilderness. At Gettysburg he was wounded in the left foot, and at the Wilderness he lost his right jaw. He participated in 17 battles and skirmishes, and was discharged, after being in the hospital nine months, in February, 1865. He had been made sergeant in the fall of 1862, and after the battle of Gettysburg was made color-sergeant. After his discharge he returned to Genesee County, where he has since been engaged in farming. He purchased his first 26 acres where Mr. Stoppelbine now lives, and in 1876 located where he now resides. He has served as constable and deputy sheriff, the latter posi- tion of which he now holds. Mr. Curtis married, March 9, 1864, Laura, daughter of Daniel and Ora (Harris) White, and their children are Will- iam E., Franklin H., and Nellie L.

Alexander A. Douglass was born in Madison County, N. Y., in May, 1815, a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (McBeth) Douglass, natives of Scotland, who came to Peoria about 1829, where he resided until his death. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. He reared two sons and three daughters, and in 1859 settled where his widow now resides. He was twice married. His second wife was Margaret C., daughter of Archi- bald and Catherine (McDermott) Campbell, natives of Scotland, who came to York, Livingston County, in 1813, and later to Le Roy, settling on 160 acres of land. They reared II children. He was 78 years old at the time of his death. His wife died in 1876, aged 82. She was a daughter of John and Epheriah McDermott, who were among the first settlers in Wheatland. Mr. Douglass was a United Presbyterian, and died July 3, 1878.

C. N. Dibble, son of Henry B. and Pamela (Pierson), was born June I, 1838, where he now resides. His parents were from Massachusetts and Connecticut. Henry B. came to Bloomfield, and thence to Stone Church about 1820, where he lived until his death in 1875. He was a son of Linus Dibble, who married Vienna Kellogg, who came to Stone Church about 1820. The children of Henry B. were Vienna, C. N., and Harlan. C. N. Dibble has always been a successful and prosperous farmer.

Morris C. Decker was born April 12, 1850, in Sparta, Sussex County, N. J ., where he was raised and received his education. On reaching his majority he engaged as a street car conductorin Newark, N. J., for one year, when he came to Watkins, N. Y., where he had a meat market until the spring of 1873, when he came to Le Roy, where he has since operated and managed a fruit distillery for Decker & Titman. He also owns and successfully operates a large wholesale and retail liquor and cigar store in Le Roy village. He is a son of James L and Ellen (McCoy) Decker, of Sus- sex County. James L. Decker is a prominent citizen of Sussex County,

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N. J., both in politics and business. He has been sheriff of his county, represented his county two terms in the Assembly of his State, and is largely engaged in manufacturing interests and farming. He reared four sons and one daughter, of whom Morris C. is the second child. He is a son of James Decker, who was a son of Henry, a descendant of Peter Decker, of Holland parents, and the first white man who, in 1740, settled where Deckertown, N. J., now is. Some of the most distinguished and wealthiest families of New Jersey are the descendants of the Decker family. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick's grandmother, Fametje Kilpatrick, was a daugh- ter of Josiah, son of Peter Decker, of Deckertown. Morris C. Decker married Mary, daughter of William and Elenore Smith, of Unionville, Orange County, N. Y. William Smith came from England, and was the patentee of rubber webbing, which became very valuable to the owners. Mr and Mrs Decker have one child, Percy C. He is an active and leading Mason, and one of the active and progressive business men of Le Roy.

Ira C. Davis, son of Powell C. and Ann (Scribner) Davis, was born July 7, 1856, in Newstead, Erie County. Powell C. Davis was born in Erie County, and his wife near Toronto, Canada. Their children were Ira C., William, Jennie, and Porter. Mr. Davis moved to near Batavia, and thence, in 1879, to Perry, Wyoming County. Powell C. was a son of Eden Davis, who was born in Genesee County, and reared six children, as follows : Lewis, Gehana, who married a Mr. Brown, Lyman, James, Powell, and Caroline, who married John McPherson. Eden Davis was a son of James and Johanah (Wilcox) Davis, who came from Killingworth, Conn. with an ox-team, and first settled about three miles east of Gan- son's (now Le Roy), on a farm taken up by Gen. Daniel Davis about 1800. James Davis reared four sons and two daughters : Lewis, Eden, Ezra, Hamlet, Sarah, and Betsey. Ira C. Davis was reared on a farm and received a common school education. May 6, 1885, he married Mar- garet, daughter of James C and Ann (Cunningham) Williams, of Gen- eseo. Mr. Williams was raised near Dublin, Ireland, and came to the United States about 1849. He moved to Livingston County, and is a molder by trade. He has been twice married. His first wife was Kate Baugardner

Samuel L. Dix, son of Leonard and Dorothy (Johnson) Dix, was born June 4, 1809, in Wilmington, Vt The family moved to Jefferson County, N. Y. They had 10 children, of whom Samuel was the sixth. He came to Monroe County about 1831, and in April, 1842, married Julia A., daughter of William and Sarah (Widner) Wooden, who were born April 1, 1780, and February, 1782, respectively. William Wooden, of Newburg, came to Ontario County, thence to Chili, Monroe County, where he resided and accumulated much property. He was an influen- tial and leading citizen of his town, a liberal giver to all improvements, was justice several terms, and held other positions with honor and credit. He died aged 83 years .. His father was James, who was born in New

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York, and whose father was from England James Dix served in the French and Indian wars. In 1795 he came to Geneva, and in ISII to Chili, where he died. Sarah (Widner) Wooden, born in 1782, came to Geneva at the age of six years with her parents. Her father was an early ferryman. She was the mother of 14 children. Samuel L. Dix was a farmer. In 1865 he came to Le Roy, and died in 1872. He reared five children : Harriet N., Wallace R., James M., Julia A., and Sarah M. Mrs. Dix still survives.

John Eyres, son of John and Eleanor (Whitmore) Eyres, was born May 13, 1836, in County Leeds, Canada. He received a good English education, has been a farmer and a shoemaker, and came to Le Roy about 30 years ago. He has carried on shoemaking for about 20 years. Mr. Eyres was one of the first movers in developing the salt interests of Le Roy, representing the citizens in superintending and looking after their interests at the test-well, which was begun January 4, 1882, and has been connected with the Le Roy Salt Co. for one year. For the past three years he has been associated with Mr. Kidd, who started May 28, 1886, and now has four wells. Mr. Eyres gives his entire attention to the salt industry, and is well posted in the geology of this section. He has been twice married, first, to Margaret Wright, by whom he had one daughter, now deceased For his second wife he married Mary E., daughter of Matthew Shaw, of Le Roy, who has also borne him one daughter.

William Elmore, son of Richard and Elizabeth (Aylward) Elmore, natives of County Kilkenny, of Ireland, was born September 10, 1830, and was educated in Ireland. He came to Quebec, September 9, 1854, where he worked until 1855, when he came to Dunkirk and worked in a tannery, and afterwards removed to Buffalo, and thence to Pennsyl- vania. In 1857 he came to Alexander, where he has since worked on the railroad, except four years which he spent on a farm, and four years in the oil regions. He has been connected with the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad since 1861. By his wife, Catherine, he has 10 children living : Richard J., Thomas F., William J., John B., Elizabeth C., Cath- erine L., Michael J., Mary, Frances, and Ellen G. The family are Ro- man Catholics.

Charles E. Edson, son of Dr. Galen K. and Lucy (Hudson) Edson, was born September 6, 1839, in Rutland, Vt. With his parents he came to Le Roy, and received a common school education. In 1870, with a colony of 100, he went to Blue Rapids, Kan., where he lived five years, when he returned to Le Roy, where he has resided since, and for the past five years has been engaged in gardening. He married Martha E., daughter of Ward and Eliza (Trimbell) Beckley, who were born in Con- necticut and Johnstown, N. Y., respectively, and who reared one son and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Beckley came to Le Roy in 1810, and settled where Mrs. Rumsey now resides. Mr. Beckley died in 1880. He was a son of David Beckley, of Connecticut, was an early pioneer of

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Genesee County, and was a soldier of 1812: Mr. and Mrs. Edson's children are Archie N., Frank C., Charles L., and Hattie.

Dr. Galen K. Edson was born in Maine, June 13, 1815, a son of Cyrus and Hannah (Hudson) Edson, who were both born at Bridgewater, Mass., in 1777. Dr. Galen K. came to Le Roy in 1842, and practiced his pro- fession until 1878. His parents located at Rutland Vt., about 1817. Cy- rus Edson was a son of Ezra, who was born at Bridgewater, Mass. His: wife was Rebecca D. Johnson, and he was grandfather of ex- Mayor Ed- son, of New York city. Ezra Edson was a son of Samuel, who was the fifth generation from Samuel Edson, who settled at Bridgewater, Mass., in 1692, and who built the first mill in the place.

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Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 58

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