USA > New York > Genesee County > Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890 > Part 69
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
609
TOWN OF PAVILION.
John F. John F. Lawson, of Pavilion village, was born in Middlebury, in February, 1857, received an academic education at Le Roy, and at the age of 21 began work on a farm by the month. The past four years he has followed the carpenter and joiner trade. He married, March 26, 1884, Florence, daughter of John Kember, of Henrietta, N. Y. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
William Marsh was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Andrew J. Marsh, his father, was born in Castile, Wyoming County, March 28, 1829, was educated in the public schools, and learned the carriagemaking trade. January 20, 1867, he married Amelia B. Whitney, of Pavilion, and they have had three children : Fred H., Charles A., and Glen A., of whom the last two named are deceased. Fred H. Marsh, born December 12, 1867, received a common school and academic education, and is now conduct- ing a meat market on West Main street, Pavilion, with his father. De- cember 31, 1889, he married Carrie E. McNaughton, of Caledonia, Liv- ingston County.
Dugald R. McCall, born December 15, 1832, in York, N. Y., is a son of John R. and Elizabeth (McPherson) McCall, who died in August. 1862, aged 70 years, being killed by a runaway. John R. was born in Argyle, Scotland, and when three years old came with his parents to Johnstown, N. Y. In 1806 they came to York, and took up 100 acres of land, to which John R. afterwards added 100 acres more. Daniel, father of John R., served in the War of 1812. John R. reared seven children, viz .: Du- gald R., Duncan R., of Nebraska, Daniel R., Elizabeth Spratt, Christina Gray, Augusa, of Sweden, N. Y., and Alexander. Mrs. J. R. McCall still survives her husband. She was born in 1812, and was a daughter of Duncan McPherson, of Scotland. Dugald R. McCall received a com- mon school education, and at the age of 22 years began business for him- self. He married, in January, 1875, Marion, daughter of William Phil- lips, of Michigan, who was a soldier during the late war. Mr. McCall located in 1869 where he now resides. His children are Christie, Finley, Mary, John, Jane A., and Emeline. They are members of the United Presbyterian Church. His father went to Scotland in 1851, and brought back 20 of his relatives, paying their passage, in order to settle them in his neighborhood.
George Murray, son of George and Jane (Robb) Murray, was born Aug- ust 18, 1828, five miles south of where he now resides. He received a common school education, and has lived on the farm he now occupies since 1832. His parents were born in Schenectady County, and came to Genesee County in April, 1825. About 1832 they settled where George now resides. George, Sr., reared two sons and four daughters, viz .: Will- jam G., Isabella, Jeanette, Helen, Margaret, and George. He died in 1872, aged 77, and his wife in 1867. He was a son of Alexander Mur- ray, who was born in Wigtonshire, Scotland, and came to the United States when but 12 years of age. He participated in the Revolutionary war, and settled in the eastern past of this State. His wife was Ellen Duguid,
610
GENESEE COUNTY.
and they reared five sons and three daughters. He went West with a daughter and died there. George Murray, Jr., married, November 6, 1855, Emily, daughter of John and Laney (Van Vleet) Whiteman, natives of Dutchess and Schenectady counties, respectively. They have one son, Charles H. John Whiteman came from Oneida County to Genesee County about 1834, and settled in Pavilion. He was a son of Zachariah Whiteman, of Dutchess County.
Daniel W. Matteson, a native of Vermont, came to Perry in 1813, at the age of 17, and engaged in farming. He married, first, Hannah Waldo, of Vermont, and second, Sarah T., daughter of Levi and Lorinda (Church) McWethy, also of Vermont, who came here in 1809, and pur- chased 160 acres one mile southeast of Pavilion, where he resided until his death in 1812 Mr. Matteson's children were Lyman C., Mary, Har- rison, L. Van Rensselaer, Sanders, Sarah, and Jane. The family were Baptists. He served in the War of 1812. In those days they went to mill at Perry, and sold their wheat in Rochester. They came from' On- ondaga County, where he lived one year, with an ox-team.
Rev. Thomas B. Milde was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., June 8, 1857, a son of Edward and Ann (O'Reilly) Milde, natives of Jena, Germany, and County Cavan, Ireland, respectively. Edward came to the United States when a young man, about 1850 or 1855, and reared four sons and two daughters. Rev. Thomas B. was educated at St. Francis Xaviers's College, Brooklyn, remaining there nine years from 1872, and was four years at the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, Niagara Falls. He was ordained May 1, 1885, and sent to Hornellsville. In June, 1887, he came to Pavilion and took charge of the Catholic Church here, which, though small in numbers, is gradually increasing in membership.
Clark Nellis, born March 15, 1851, is a son of John J. and Elizabeth (Fox) Nellis, both of Montgomery County. John J. was a farmer, served as assessor for 40 years, and held other offices. He reared a family of five sons and three daughters. His father was John I. Nellis, Jr., a soldier of 1812, who married Anna Christman, of Montgomery County. They had one son and three daughters. His father was John L., who reared four sons and three daughters, and served as captain in the war of the Revolution. The father of John L. was Lewis Nellis, who came from Germany. The mother of Clark Nellis was a daughter of John C. and Mary (Myers) Fox. John C. Fox, who served in the War of 1812, was a son of Christopher and Margaret (Nellis) Fox. Chris- topher was a soldier in the Revolution, and reared four sons. Clark Nellis received a common school education. He married, first, in Janu- ary, 1876, Jeanette England, and second, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Saltsman. She has one child by her first husband.
J. Quincy D. Page was born April 10, 1859, one mile north of Pavilion. He was reared in the family of his grandfather (Doty), and received a common and Normal school education. At the age of 20 he began the . coopering business, which he has since followed, making from 20,000 to "
6II
TOWN OF PAVILION.
30,000 barrels per year. He married, March 22, 1887, May, daughter of Shubael Walker, and they have one child, Olive A. The father of Mr. Page was John R., of Bethany, who married Mary Doty, of Middle- bury. J. Quincy D. was their only child. He was well educated and taught school until 50 years of age. His wife died in 1863, and he mar- ried, second, Mary Kellogg, by whom he had one son, Frank. After the war he moved to Douglass County, Ill., where he accumulated a good property. The grandfather of J. Q. D. Page was John Page, who was one of the earliest settlers in Bethany. He reared five sons and two daughters.
Gideon V. Phelps, born July 20, 1826, has always lived at his present location. He was educated at the public schools, taught school one term, and married Rachel, daughter of Samuel Dodge, of Erie County, May 7, 1851, and they have three children : Ella M., who married Dr. Denton Rugers, of Wyoming County ; Emma J., who married Fred Hawks, of Perry; and Clinton G., who married, in November, 1884, Jennie F., daugh- ter of Homer Cook, by whom he has one child, Mabel R. The parents of Gideon V. were Elijah and Anna (Elliott) Phelps. Elijah was a na- tive of Columbia County, and his wife of Otsego County. They settled here October 1, 1811, on 50 acres, which was subsequently increased to 143 acres before his death, in 1881, at the age of 96. He served in the War of 1812, and reared four sons and two daughters. Jonah Phelps, the grandfather of Gideon V., and a native of Hebron, Conn., was born Oc- tober II, 1744, and married Sarah Mack. They had eight sons and five daughters. Jonah, son of Noah, was born at Hebron in January, 1694, and married Anna Dyer in 1719, by whom he had six children. Noah, who moved to Hebron in 1701, and who was a son of Timothy, was born in November, 1663, and married Martha Crow in 1686. They had five children. He was a son of Timothy, who was born in 1639, married Mary Griswold in 1661, and had 12 children. Timothy Phelps was a son of William, from Exeter, England, who came to Dorchester, Mass., in 1630.
Abert S. Rogers, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Gen- esee County, was born in Pavilion, April 6, 1846 He was reared on a farm, and received a common school and academic education. At the age of 17 he left home and spent a few years in New York city, Jersey city, and on Staten Island, and at the age of 19 began the study of med- icine with Dr. Warren Fay, of Pavilion. In 1865 he entered the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, graduating therefrom in 1867, and immediately locating in Buffalo, where he sucessfully prac- ticed his profession for five years. He spent one year in Cleveland, Ohio, and has since resided in Pavilion, where he has an extensive practice. The Doctor is a member of the I O. O. F. He married Mary, daughter of J. G. Coats, of Cleveland, by whom he has two children, George C. and Mary N. The father of Dr. A. S. was Matthey Rogers, who was born in Pavilion, and who was twice married, first to Phobe Almy, of Pavilion,
612
GENESEE COUNTY.
who bore him two children, Frederick and Abert S. His second wife was Elizabeth Simmons, of Connecticut, by whom he had three daugh- ters. He was a son of Elijah and Hannah (Beckwith) Rogers, who were born in Lyme, New London County, Conn. Elijah was a soldier in the War of 1812, and came to Pavilion in 1811, making the trip on foot with a knapsack on his back. He took up 100 acres of land west of Pavilion Center, and in 1812, with a yoke of oxen and one horse, he moved his family here. He improved and added to his farm until he finally owned 300 acres. His father, Matthey, died in Connecticut, and his mother in Genesee County. He reared four children, William E., Mehitable, Jo- siah B., and Matthey.
Abram Reese was born in Galway, Saratoga County N. Y., May 19, 1834, and soon after his birth his parents moved to the town of Provi- dence. At the age of 10 he left home and hired out to work by the month. In March, 1857, he came to Le Roy, where he remained two years, when he went to Bethany and worked in the county poor-house for two years, when he came to Pavilion, where he worked for Denly Lewis six years for a share of the crops. He then spent two years in Canada in the lumber business, and returned to Pavilion and purchased a farm of 80 acres. In 1871 he located on the farm where he now resides, and purchased the farm known as the James Sprague place in 1875. He has served nine years as supervisor, three years as county superintendent of the poor, and is now overseer of the town. He married Fannie, daugh- ter of Henry Wright, of Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, and they had one child, Wright H. Mr. Reese is a great friend to the poor. He is a son of Martin and Elizabeth (Murray) Reese, of Galway, N. Y., who reared six sons and three daughters. Martin was a son of Daliel Reese, who , was born in Schenectady, and reared five sons and two daughters. He was of Dutch parentage. Mr. Reese's grandfather, Peter Murray, was born in Schenectady, of German parents, and was a soldier of the Rev- olution.
Wright H. Reese, son of Abram and Fannie (Wright) Reese, was born in Galway, Saratoga County, N. Y., August 31, 1867, was reared on a farm, received his education in the common schools and Le Roy Academy, and graduated from Rochester Business University in 1886. Afterwards he spent a year on the farm, and in September, 1887, entered the store of R. O. Holden & Son, of Batavia, as salesman. In Novem- ber, 1888, he purchased the store of W. I. Chase, of Pavilion, and began business for himself. His is said to be the oldest stand in the village. Mr. Reese is an active, energetic business man, has a neat and well filled store, and takes an active interest in political affairs. January 24, 1889, he married Anna, daughter of Addison and Elizabeth (Lampman) Christman, of Pavilion.
Nicholas J. Rosenburg was born January 27, 1818, in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Van Dewalker). Rosenburg, who moved to Cortland County, and thence to Sullivan
613
TOWN OF PAVILION.
County. The father died aged 72 years. His father (John) came from Holland, and the mother was of Holland Dutch origin. Mr. Rosenburg re- ceived a fair education, and married, in October, 1847, Jane S., daughter of Levi McWethy. They have had children as follows : James L. (de- ceased), Lorena, Elizabeth, Frank E., Jennie, Etta, and Ellen. F. E. Rosenburg came to Pavilion in 1849, located east of the village, and two years later located where he now resides, in one of the first houses built in the village. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Co. I. 151st N. Y. Vols., and participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. He was in the last charge in Ewell's corps the day before the surrender of Lee. Mr. Rosenburg was discharged June 26, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R. He owns a fine farm of 51 acres east of the village.
William C. Smead, born April 18, 1853, where he now resides, is a son of William and Caroline L. (Sprague) Smead, natives of Scipio, Cayuga County, and Livingston County, respectively. William came to Pavilion with his parents in 1814, and in time became one of the most enterpris- ing and substantial farmers in the town. His father was Jedediah L. Smead, a native of Vermont, who married Caroline Howe, by whom he had seven children, viz .: Mehitable, Harvey. William C., Morgan J., Selah, Mosley, and Harman B. Caroline L. Smead was a daughter of James Sprague, who was born in Willimantic, Conn., and when but 12 years of age settled in Schoharie County, N. Y. He married Mary Wilkins, and reared one son and four daughters. James was a son of Daniel Sprague, of Connecticut. William C. Smead received his educa tion in the common schools and Le Roy Academic Institute. At the age of 21 he began his career as a farmer, in which business he has since been actively and successfully engaged. In February, 1880, he married Elizabeth, daughter of James Gayton, of Stafford. Their children are Mary Lucy, Morgan J., and Gayton.
William E. Stanley was born November 14, 1825, in Cazenovia, N. Y., a son of Lewis and Betsey (Smith) Stanley. Lewis was born in Hart- ford, Conn., November 6, 1780, and died in 1857. Mrs Betsey was the mother of 13 children, of whom seven were sons, two of whom were ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, one a physician, one an attorney, one a teacher, and two were farmers. The second wife of Lewis Stanley was Maria Dunbar, by whom he had five children, one of whom was a merchant, and one at the head of a collection agency in St. Louis. Lewis Stanley was a son of James, who was born near Hart- ford, Conn., and who was a captain in the Revolutionary war seven years. He married Miss Gridley, and reared three sons and two daugh- ters. The Stanley family came from England 200 years ago and settled at Hartford. William F. was reared in his native town, was educated at the common schools and the seminary, and taught school two terms. He married, January 13, 1853, Sarah E., daughter of James and Lucy (Lamb) Jackson, and they have had three children, of whom one daugh-
39
.
614
GENESEE COUNTY.
ter, Cora A. Osborn, is living. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He located where he now resides in 1864. His mother was a daughter of Peter Smith, who served as a captain seven years in the Revolution. They were of Dutch ancestry and had 10 children.
Dr. William B. Sprague, son of Dr. William M. and Cynthia (Bishop) - Sprague, was born April 6, 1836, in Covington (now Pavilion). He was educated in his native town and at Temple Hill Academy, Geneseo. In 1854 he began to study medicine with his father, teaching school in winter. In 1855 he went to Buffalo and entered the office of the late Dr. Frank H. Hamilton, where he remained until he graduated in 1857, from the Buf- falo Medical College. After his graduation he was resident physician at St. Mary's Hospital for one year. In 1858, his health failing, he moved to Oneida County, N. Y., where he practiced three years, when he came to York, Livingston County, where he remained until 1867, when, upon his father's death, he returned to Pavilion and succeeded him in practice. He spent the winter of 1884-85 in Europe in company with a patient, whom he left in Ireland. In the fall of 1887 he was appointed sur- geon on the steamship Rotterdam, and in the following spring returned home. He is a member of the New York State Medical Association of Central New York, has been president of the Genesee County Medical Society since 1885, and has served as railroad commissioner six years. Having an excellent literary taste he has contributed valuable articles to the press and to medical journals. The mother of Dr. Sprague lives on the old homestead, aged 90 years.
Samuel E. Stevens, born December 4, 1848, in England, is a son of Henry and Mary (Harper) Stevens, who came to the United States in 1853, and located in Stafford. At the age of nine years Samuel E. left home, educated himself, and earned his own living. At the age of 23 he learned the trade of broommaking. He farmed for two years, and then engaged in the cooperage business for nine years at Pavilion, when he came to Pavilion Center, where he has since followed his trade and farming. May 19, 1879, he married Vastia V., daughter of John L. Foster, of Three Rivers, Mich. They have one child, and are members of the Baptist Church.
Noah Starr, a native of Danbury, Conn., and a volunteer of the War of 1812, served at Fort George, and came to Pavilion in 1818, settling on a farm of 200 acres. He reared 13 children. In 1856 he and 10 sons went to the polls and voted. In 1825 he joined the Masons, and at the time of his death, in 1865, was an active member of Olive Branch Lodge. He died aged 83 years. His son Jasper is the only member of the fam- ily living in this county.
Hon. Elbert Townsend, a native of Pavilion, was a son of Ashley Townsend, an inventor, of Vermont, and was born in 1842. He mar- ried Emily Olmsted in 1861. He was an extensive breeder of fine sheep and blooded cattle and horses, and represented his county in the legisla- ture in 1873-74. Mr. Townsend died in Pavilion, April 21, 1890.
615
TOWN OF PAVILION.
Elijah M. Tillotson was born June II, 1825, on the farm where he now and has always resided. He received a good common school edu- cation, takes an active interest in political affairs, and has served as supervisor and railroad commissioner. His parents, Capt. Chauncey and Emily S. (Miller) Tillotson, were born in Farmington and Hartford, Conn., respectively. In 1817 Capt. Chauncey Tillotson went to Ohio, and on his return to Connecticut he stoped in Pavilion, and in February, 1818, took up 126 acres where Elijah M. now resides. At his death he possessed 250 acres. In early life he was a dealer in clocks, and was the first to introduce wooden clocks in this part of the country. He served in the War of 1812, and died where he located, November 29, 1873, aged 80 years. His widow, who was born in August, 1798, is still living on the old homestead with a grandson. They reared three children, Harriet Halbert, of Grand Ledge, Mich., Chauncey E., and Elijah M. He was a son of Elias Tillotson, of Connecticut, a Revolu- tionary soldier, who married Betsey Hosford, and had five sons and five daughters .. Three of his sons, Giles, Shubael, and Romanta, settled in Louisiana, where they became extensive and wealthy planters. Chauncey and three of his sisters settled in Genesee County, one in Scottsville, and two in Wyoming County. The father of Elias was sup- posed to be Elijah Tillotson, who came from England and settled in Connecticut. Elijah M. Tillotson married Mahala, daughter of William and Sallie (Bowen) Shumway, who were natives respectively of Connec- ticut and Rhode Island, and who came from Saratoga County to Gen- esee County about 1821. They had two sons and five daughters. Will- iam was a son of William Shumway, who came from France, settled in Connecticut, married Sally Turttelot, and had one son and eight daugh- ters. Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson reared four children, Harriet A. McWethy, Frank A., George W., and Ettie M. Higgins.
Chauncey E. Tillotson, son of Chauncey and Emily S. (Miller) Til- lotson, was born June 22, 1822, east of Pavilion Center. He received a good English education, and at the age of 21 began business for him- self. March 13, 1844, he married Jennette L., daughter of Jason W. Du- guid, and they had two children, Florence A., Stanard and Fred D. They are prominent members of the Universalist Church. Mr. Tillotson has taken an active interest in the affairs of his town, and has filled several responsible positions. He served as justice nine years. He is highly respected by all who know him.
James Tompkins was born August 3, 1781, in Cayuga County. His wife, Clarissa, daughter of Joel and Rosanna (Wagner) Stoddard, was born January 29, 1789, in the same place. They came to Genesee County in 1815, and settled on 100 acres one mile north of Pavilion. He served in the War of 1812, and died September 9, 1863, and his wife January 7, 1879. Their children were William, Rosanna, Warren, Mosely, Almond, and Cyrus. The latter was born November 29, 1818, where his son Albert C. now lives, and died August 24, 1875. He mar-
616
GENESEE COUNTY.
ried Harriet, daughter of Joshua Shumway, a prominent citizen, who came in 1810 and settled on an adjoining farm. She died January 27, 1889. They had three sons, William H., Henry H., and Albert C. Will- iam H. Tompkins, born May 25, 1843, was educated in the district schools and at the academy. He has served as justice of the peace and high- way commissioner six years, being elected in 1883. Mr. Tompkins was. a captain of the State Guard in 1864. He married, April 6, 1865, Clara J., daughter of Nicholas Chilson, of Covington, N. Y., and they have one child, Daisy M.
Henry H. Tompkins, born March 2, 1845, one mile north of Pavilion, was reared upon a farm, received his education at Middlebury and Lima acad- emies, and at the age of 20 years went to Le Roy as clerk in a cloth- ing and shoe store. He was two years in a store in Toledo. Returning to his native town he acted as agent for the Watertown Fire Insurance Co. for 12 years. He went to Texas for a short time, and returned, and has since followed the mercantile business and buying wool and produce. December 1, 1868, he married Ophelia B., daughter of Gardner Davis, of Wyoming, and they have three children, Ella G., Harriet L., and Claude C. He is active in politics and has served as constable for 20 years.
George R. Van Buren, who was born in Trenton, Oneida County, N. Y., January 1I, 1830, came with his parents to Pavilion and settled where he now resides. He received a common school education, and February 28, 1853, married Eliza Ann West. They had three children, Sabrina Ida, Hattie A., and Rumayne Martin. George R. was a son of Martin and Sabrina (Burlingame) Van Buren, who were born in Easton, Washington County, N. Y., July 12, 1805, and Trenton, Oneida County, respectively. Martin Van Buren came to Oneida County with his par- ents in 1808, and thence to Livingston County, where he lived two or three years, when he returned to Oneida Springs. In 1838 he settled where George R. now resides, on 77 acres. He had 116 acres at the time of his death, April 22, 1849. G. R. Van Buren was his only child. Martin served as an officer in the militia. He was a son of Bernard Van Buren, who was born in Holland, December 1, 1780, and shortly after was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled near Kinderhook. Later they located in Washington County. He was a farmer, and a cousin of Martin Van Buren. He married Betsey Wood, who was born January 14, 1781, in New Bedford, Mass. They had 13 children, viz .: Martin, William, Cheney G., Bernard, Jr., Alexander H., Edward, Ocenus, James, Abner, Pliny, Lorany, Betsey Ann, and Lydia. Bernard Van Buren died in 1853, and his wife in April, 1871. The wife of George R. is a daughter of Francis and Phebe (Jewell) West, natives of Montgomery and Milton, N. Y., respectively. At an early day they came to Middlebury, Wyoming County. Francis West was a son of Francis, a brother of Nathaniel West, a distinguished divine. The mother of Francis and Nathaniel West was Sarah, daughter of David
617
TOWN OF PAVILION.
Crandall, who came from Manchester, England. Phebe (Jewell) West was a daughter of Benjamin Jewell, who came from Germany and settled in Eastern New York. His wife was a Miss Ellis.
Grove D. Whitney was born May 8, 1842, in the village of Pavilion, a son of Alvin and Betsey (Cook) Whitney, who were born in Gran- ville, Washington County, in September, 1802, and Vernon, Oneida County, in June, 1812, respectively. Alvin Whitney came to Pavilion in 1823, where he worked at the carpenters' trade and teaching school for the first three winters, after which he taught select school for a number of terms. In 1853 he purchased and located on a farm one mile west of the village, where he resided until his death, in February, 1883. His wife is still living. He had born to him II children, two sons and seven daughters of whom attained maturity, the sons being Homer and Grove D. Alvin was a son of James Whitney, who, in 1813, located and cleared a farm where the village of Mexico, Oswego County, now stands. He mar- ried Betsey Law, and they had four sons and two daughters. He died early in life, and his widow remarried. The Whitneys are of Welsh stock. They came from Connecticut to Yew York. Grove D. received a com- mon school education, and has taught four terms of school. July 29, 1863, he enlisted in Co. A, 140th N. Y. Regt., joining it at Culpepper Court House, Va., and participated in the battles of Mine Run, Wilder- ness, Laurel Hill, Spottsylvania Court House, North Anna River, and Cold Harbor. At the latter battle he was wounded in the right side, and still carries the ball. He spent 13 months in the hospital at Alexandria, and was discharged from Sickel Barracks Hospital, July 3, 1865. After his return home he began the study of medicine, taking a course of lect- ures during the winter of 1865-66, but on account of poor health he was compelled to abandon the studies. He then taught a few terms of school, and later entered a store as clerk, but was compelled to leave for out-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.