Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 71

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 71

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).

The Excelsior flouring- mills of North Pembroke. Frank Ladd, pro- prietor, are located on Tonawanda Creek, which furnishes a sufficient

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power, and on the site of a mill built by Holland Earl about 1836. There has always been a mill on this site. Mr. Ladd has thoroughly remodeled his mills, and has put in new and improved machinery for grinding flour and buckwheat. The capacity of the mills is 50 barrels of flour every 24 hours.

William E. Babcock, born near Troy, N. Y., was one of 10 children. His father, Reuben Babcock, Jr., was captain of a rifle company during the War of 1812, but did not serve as such in that war. His grand- father was in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Babcock's parents removed from Troy to Pembroke in 1833. He had only three months' schooling after he was 13 years old. After attaining his majority he prosecuted his trade as contractor and builder, and gave special attention to bridge building for several years. He has also been engaged in several manu- facturing enterprises, and for one year and a half was in mercantile busi- ness. In 1880 he became the proprietor of the East Pembroke custom and merchant flouring-mills, to which he has since given his attention. Mr. Babcock possesses good financial abilities, and has been quite suc- cessful. He was elected collector of taxes, and performed the duties of that office so acceptably that he was reelected the ensuing year by an increased majority-the largest on the ticket. He was elected to another town office the ensuing year, but declined to serve.

Joel W. Bates, M. D., was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1852. He received an academic education, and commenced the study of his pro- fession with Drs. Carson and Bogart, of Whitby, was one year with Dr. Floor, of Youngstown, Ohio, and one term at Toronto University. He passed the examination of the medical board of Toronto and graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, in January, 1875. He was three years at Kinmount, Victoria County, and in 1879 settled at Indian Falls, this county, where he has built up a good and successful practice. In 1880 he married M. Eugima McWain, of Pem- broke.

John Boyce was born in Suffolk County, England, February 2, 1804, and married Mary Mullinger, of his native town. In 1836 he, with his family, emigrated to America in a sailing vessel, was nine weeks in mak- ing the passage, and landed in Montreal. He went to Buffalo, where he resided nearly two years, and eventually made a permanent home on a new farm of 50 acres on the town line between Bennington and Sheldon. He first resided in a log house in the town first named. By the aid of their son John, Jr., who worked out among the farmers, money was secured toward making a payment on an additional 90 acres. John Boyce, Sr., died in July, 1876. Mrs. Boyce died some years before. They were parents of seven sons, all of whom are living except the youngest, who died at the age of 14 years. Mr. Boyce was a true Christian worker.

John Boyce, Jr., born in England, March 20, 1825, resided with his father until 21 years of age. Mr. Boyce worked for the farmers until

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TOWN OF PEMBROKE.

he was 27. In 1851 he married Betsey H. Safford, of Elba, and settled permanently in Pembroke in 1853. They now reside on a fine farm of 250 acres, two and one-half miles northeast of Corfu. They have three sons and nine daughters. Mr. Boyce is a prominent citizen of Pembroke, is a Republican, has served his town six terms, a period of 18 years, as assessor, and chas been appointed executor or administrator in settling quite a number of estates. He is a breeder of thoroughbred Jerseys, from which Mrs. Boyce manufactures a gilt-edge quality of butter. Mr. Boyce is a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church of Corfu, and one of its trustees. The Boyce homestead in Sheldon is still in the Boyce family, and is owned by William, brother of John Boyce, of Pem- broke.

Thomas Lloyd was born in Wales, educated in England, and became a member of the English Church, but afterwards became a Quaker. About the time William Penn came to America Mr. Lloyd left his native country and settled in Pennsylvania. He occupied the positions of pres- ident of the council, chief of the commission, and also deputy governor of the colony under Penn. He finally retired from office in 1694 He mar- ried Sarah Ann Nugget, and they had six children -four sons and two daughters,-whose descendants have scattered over the entire continent. About 1809 three of the sons emigrated to Canada, and settled in the townships of King and Whitchurch, and from then the Canadian branch of the great Lloyd family is descended. In June, 1889, the Lloyd family held a reunion at Aurora, Canada, with 800 in attendance

Sarah Lloyd, daughter of William and granddaughter of Thomas, who emigrated to America, was born near Williamsport, Pa., and married John Bennet, a native of England, born in 1787 .. A few years later he emigrated to Kings County, Canada, about 30 miles north of Toronto, where he had peaceful possession of his home until the commencement of the War of 1812. Because he refused to bear arms against the United States he was cast into prison in Toronto, where he remained until York (now Toronto) was taken by the United States army. He immediately joined the American army and served to the close of the war .. Soon after he removed his family to Batavia, and settled on a new farm. His patriotism cost him a good farm of 100 acres in Canada. Mr. Bennet eventually removed from Genesee County to Michigan, where he died at an advanced age. Mrs. Bennet died at the home of her son, Henry L., in 1848.

Henry L. Bennett was born near Williamsport, Pa , June 26, 1809, was reared in Batavia, and has always been a farmer. He married Jane Simpson in 1836, and they had three sons and five daughters. All of his sons served in the Union army in the late war. James F. Bennett, the oldest, received three gun-shot wounds; William and Hiram escaped unwounded, but returned with impaired health and shattered constitu - tions. Henry L. Bennett has been a prominent man in Genesee County, where he has resided the past 70 years. He commenced his political

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career with the old Whig party, and upon the organization of the Re- publican party he became one of its loyal members. Mr. Bennett has held many of the offices of his town. He has served as constable about 50 years, and has been deputy sheriff many years.

Hon. John W. Brown, second son of Cyrus and Milla (Lawrence) Brown, was born in Sharon, N. H., July 7, 1817. He attended the com- mon school of his district in Pembroke until 16 years old. Since then he has acquired a good practical education by close study and a course of reading by himself. January 1, 1838, he married Lorette R., daugh- ter of Winthrop and Ruth Noble, of Batavia, and settled on a portion of the homestead. He commenced his political life with the "old line Whig " party, and joined the Republican party at its organization. He has been honored by his town with the office of supervisor five years- 1862-64, inclusive, and again in 1866. He was efficient in filling the quota of Pembroke during the war, and was chairman of the county committee of three appointed for the purpose of raising and paying soldiers' bounties. In 1865 and 1866 he represented his county in the State legislature, where he did efficient work. Mr. Brown has also held other prominent town offices. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had born to them II children, eight of whom are now living. They celebrated their "golden wedding " in 1887. In financial matters Mr. Brown has been fairly successful.

John Brown, son of John, came to Alexander early. He was a car- penter, served in the War of 1812, and married Mary Sheldon, of Can- ada. They had II children, of whom Mrs. Charles H. Davis is the only one living. They settled in " Buck House " (built in 1815), which was a noted tavern and place for holding town meetings.

Edward A. Brown was born in South Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., December 10, 1826. He acquired a good practical education, and be- gan an active business life with correct habits and a good constitution. January 15, 1853, he married Sue D. Witwer, of Williamsville, Erie County. Mr. Brown, at the age of 22 years, embarked in the livery and omnibus business in Williamsville, which he conducted for eight years. He then (1858) removed to Richville, in Pembroke, and engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber, which he prosecuted until the spring of 1870, when he sold his mills and bought the fine farm where he now resides, near the center of the town. Mr. Brown still retains. much of the push and energy that characterized him in his early life. He has a fine herd of Jersey cows, breeds fine horses, and has erected a good set of buildings. He is a prominent man in town affairs, has been a staunch Republican" since 1860, and has the confidence of his fellow townsmen, who have placed him at the head of the affairs of his town as their supervisor in the years . 1869, '70, '72, and '73. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are parents of two daughters, viz .: Eva (Mrs. W. T. Bunell), whose husband is a farmer in Pembroke, and Esther V. (Mrs. F. V. Brown), whose husband is a Christian minister in Auburn, N. Y.

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TOWN OF PEMBROKE.

Lewis Burgess, born in Ovid, N. Y., April 9, 1809, married Effie Mook, and settled at North Pembroke about 1837, on a farm of 50 acres, partly cleared. He had little means, was industrious, and had a fine constitution. He was a constant worker, careful, economical, and finally had a clear title to over 200 acres. He was always a farmer. He died April 30, 1883. Mrs. Burgess still survives, and resides on the home- stead. They were parents of four children, all of whom are living. Their oldest son, Abram E. Burgess, born on the homestead, was educated in the common schools, and November 8, 1868, married Mary J. Dickinson, and settled on a portion of the home-tead, where he now resides. He is an enterprising business man, a reliable citizen, and an obliging neigh- bor. Mr and Mrs. Burgess are parents of two sons, Louis E. and Henry M., and one daughter, Effie J.

Andrew F. Clark was reared in Essex County, N Y., was educated in the common schools, and at a very early age learned the nailmaking trade, which he followed about 10 years. In January, 1854, he went to California, and labored in the mines nine and one-half years. Septem- ber 17, 1863, he came to Pembroke and purchased the farm where he still resides. He married Mrs. Mary Peckham. Mr. Clark has the con- fidence of his townsmen. He has served as constable eight years, col- lector one term, and is now serving the 10th consecutive year as justice of the peace. He is a staunch Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are parents of three children, viz .: William F., a graduate of Cornell Univer- sity, who is now a law student with W. C. Watson. of Batavia; Tracy E., who is a student in the senior class at Cornell University ; and Lillian, who is a student in the academic department of the Union School in Batavia. Besides these they are raising two other children by adoption, Sherman T. and Mertie May Peckham.

Martin O. Coe, son of Ithamar and Sarah (Ball) Coe, was born in Mas- sachusetts in 1786, and married Clara Hatch, who was born in Pawlet, Vt. They emigrated from Pompey, N. Y., to Le Roy in 1811. He was a farmer, and settled on Oatka Creek, which furnished him a good water- power at that time. He built two saw-mills and an oil-mill, which he successfully conducted. Mr. Coe was overseer of the poor for a long time, county superintendent of the poor 14 years, and loan commissioner about 10 years. In early life he was colonel of a regiment of militia, and was familiarly known as Colonel Coe. He died in Le Roy village, in September, 1861, aged 75 years. Mrs. Coe survived about two years, and also died in Le Roy. They had five children, two of whom are now living. William S. Coe was born in Le Roy, June 29, 1820, received a good English education, and married Sarah A. Covert. He settled in Le Roy, and two years later (1845) removed to Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming. In 1852 he returned to Genesee County, and settled in Pembroke, where he resided 13 years. During this time he was justice of the peace 10 years, and postmaster of Corfu from 1861 to 1865, when he returned to Pembroke and again engaged in mercantile

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trade. He served in Le Roy as a magistrate eight years, and justice of Sessions two terms. Mrs. Coe died in January, 1873. Their only sur- viving child is Clara H. (Mrs. George H. Chadeayne), of Buffalo. In the fall of 1875 he married Mrs. Laura Covell, of Le Roy, who died in Janu- ary, 1886. October 12, 1887, he married Mrs. Mary D. Chase, of Pem- broke. They reside near the village of Corfu.

Hiram Carrier, son of Josiah and Betsey (Kellogg) Carrier, was born in Geneseo, N. Y., April 5, 1806. His father emigrated from Connecti- cut in 1805, and in 1810 returned to that State, where Hiram was reared, and where he resided until he was 23 years of age. He received an edu- cation sufficient to enable him to teach common schools, and after work- ing for the farmers a few seasons after attaining his majority, with $50 in his pocket, and with a knapsack on his back, he walked to Geneseo and Le Roy, N. Y., and returned on foot through the southern tier of coun- ties to Connecticut. Two years later he returned and bought and sold lands with some success, and in 1831 returned again to Connecticut, married Elizabeth B. West, of Marlborough, and with a team of horses and wagon brought his wife and her furniture to Geneseo. In 1835 they moved to Newstead, Erie County, where they resided until May, 1847, when they removed to Pembroke, where his son Ansel K. now lives. Mr. Carrier and his aged wife now reside near his son. He is a man of more than ordinary ability, a good financier, and a reliable citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Carrier have had five children, viz .: Milo, a machinist, of St. Paul, Minn .; Lucy (Mrs. James E. Holmes), who died in 1867, leaving one son, Edmund W., who married Kate Holmes, and is a farmer adjoin- ing his brothers ; Ansel K., who married Phila A. Sumner ; and Loraine, who resides with her parents.

Barnabas Carrigan, son of James and Bridget Ann Carrigan, was born in Kingston, Canada, in March, 1844. He was reared a farmer, and edu- cated in the public schools. At about the age of 20 he commenced farming for himself, and began dealing in horses and cattle. He resided in Frontenac County until 1869, when he removed to Pembroke, and en- gaged in farming In the fall of 1876 he married Mrs. Fanny M. Moore, and settled where he now resides. Mr. Carrigan is an enterprising and reliable citizen.

Thomas Dimock was born in Norwich, Conn., May 14, 1774. He mar- ried Sophia Otis, of his native State, who was born January 24, 1780. They emigrated in 1817 and spent a year in Wyoming County, and finally settled in Darien (then Pembroke), where they died. Mr. Dimock died August 5, 1862, and his wife June 1, 1856. He was one of the substan- tial pioneer farmers. His son, Col. Otis Dimock, was born in Norwich, Conn., February 12, 1808, married Helen Fair, and settled in Darien. In early life he was a captain, and was promoted to the office of colonel of militia. He spent most of his life on a farm, but conducted a hotel in Buffalo for two years. He was public-spirited, a genial companion, and fond of fine horses. He came to an untimely and instant death by be-

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ing crushed by a falling tree. Dwight Dimock, of Corfu, his only surviv- ing child, was reared on his father's farm. He married Helen Dodge in 1868, and settled on the homestead. In 1873 he moved to the village of Corfu, and in 1878 he settled on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Dim- ock is a genial companion, an outspoken Republican, and holds the re- sponsible positions of county superintendent of the poor and postmaster of Corfu. He also deals in agricultural implements and is engaged in the fire insurance business.

Eli Ellinwood, born in Kirkland, N. Y., August 28, 1795, married So- phia M. Gridley, who was born March 8, 1800, and settled on his father's farm. In 1834 he removed to Pembroke, and bought the farm of David Goss, where his son Henry P. now lives. Mr. Goss settled there in 1804, and his was the first family in the town of Pembroke. In 1839 Mr. Ellinwood erected the residence on the opposite side of the road, which his son has repaired and improved. His " old white tavern " has been torn down. He was a natural scholar, had a good education, taught schools, and served his town as supervisor, magistrate, and superintend- ent of schools, and with J. Green Russell, of Batavia, was a county board of inspectors of plank roads. " For 20 years he was a constant attendant of the Presbyterian Church at Corfu, and a trustee of the church a part of the time, and about the last year of that period was a member. In 1854, to aid in forming an infant Presbyterian Church in East l'embroke, he withdrew from the Corfu church. He aided in erecting their church edifice, and was elected one of its elders at its organization, which position he held until nearly the close of his long life. He was a progressive man, an ardent temperance worker, and gave his influence for the advance- ment of all the benevolent, educational, and religions interests of his town. He died April 8, 1880, aged 84 years. Mrs. Ellinwood survived her husband until March 10, 1881. They had II children, of whom three died in infancy, the others grew to maturity, and six are now liv- ing. Henry P. Ellinwood, born in Oneida County, April 3, 1829, pre- pared for college, but by reason of ill health he was unable to take a college course. He has spent his life in cultivating the homestead, except about six years, when he was engaged in the United States mail service. He began an "old line Whig," and is now a Republican. Mr. Ellinwood became a member of the East Pembroke Presbyterian Church very soon after its organization, has been one of its elders since 1856, is an active member of its board of trustees, and for more than 20 years has been superintendent of the Sunday-school. June II, 1863, he mar- ried Helen M. Allen, of Honeoye Falls, and they have four sons and an only daughter. Their oldest son, George A., is engaged in the shoe bus- iness with an uncle in Williamsport, Pa. Their daughter Helen S. is a student at the Boston Conservatory of Music. Henry F. is in the senior class of Williams College, and Albert G., who is preparing for college, and Emory A. reside with their parents.

Rev. John S. Flagler, son of Solomon, was born in Dutchess County

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in 1782. In early life he entered the ministry of the Universalist Church. He came to Livingston County, and preached in all the towns of Gene- see County as far as Alexander. In 1833 he settled in Darien, and con- tinued his work in surrounding towns. He was a pioneer of Universal- ism on the Holland Purchase. He died in Ridgeway in 1860. His son James H. is the only surviving one of his eight children, and now lives, in Corfu.

Harry Forward, son of James and Mindwell (Owen) Forward, was born in Granby, Conn., March 27, 1803, and resided in his native town until 1829. November 17, 1825, he married Gratus Winchel, of Granby, and in October, 1829, he moved with his wife and two children to Pem- broke, where he had the previous summer cleared a small piece of ground and built a log house. Mrs. Forward spun and clothed her family in " homespun." They lived in the old log cabin until 185 1, when they built a fine farm house, where his son, Henry J. Forward, now resides, and where they lived to the close of their lives. He died July 6, 1881, and she January 6, 1888. Mr. Forward was prominent in town and county af- fairs, held several town offices, and was county superintendent of the poor six years. He was also the agent of the Ogden Land Co., and was en- gaged in the fire insurance business. Their children were George, born January 5, 1827, married Margaret Moore, October 23, 1852, settled on a farm adjoining the homestead, and died March 19, 1875 ; Andrew, born July 26, 1828, married Charlotte A. Soule, March 21, 1854, and also settled on a farm adjoining the homestead, where he still resides; Chauncey, born August 31, 1831, married Eliza A. Dunham, August 12, 1855, and is a dealer in butter and eggs in East Pembroke; Henry J., born February 14, 1834, married Emily M. Paul, and resides on the old homestead ; and Emily M., born March 8, 1837, married James S. Durham, April 10, 1864, who was the father of her two daughters, Lucy (Mrs. Elijah Phelps), of Pembroke, and Electa S., who resides with her mother. Mr. Durham died March 8, 1872, and Mrs. Durham married Dennis Dibble, January I, 1879, by whom she has one son, Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Dibble reside on a farm about one mile west of the old homestead. The children of Andrew Forward are Helen ( Mrs. E. H. Stone ), of Akron ; Cora E. (Mrs. H. H. Fountain), of Alabama ; and Walter S. Forward, born July 6, 1866, who is a farmer adjoining his father. The wife of George For- ward, Margaret Moore, by whom he had two children, now living, dicd January 17, 1888.

Col. Samuel Huntington was at the head of a regiment in the Revolu- tionary war. About 1805 he came to the Holland Purchase, and located at Town Line, 15 miles east of Buffalo, and later removed to Pembroke, near the site of East Pembroke village, where he cleared a farm. In his old age he lived with his daughter Philura (Mrs. John W. Marston), and died at the age of 85 years. He was a man of fine physique, an ardent patriot, and was never known to exhibit anger but once, when, about the time of the burning of Buffalo, a neighbor called him the offensive name

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of " Old Tory." His children were Mary (deceased), who married Simon Edwards, and went Illinois ; Samuel (deceased), who married Mrs. Polly (Carter) Shaw, and went to Michigan; and Philura, who married John W. Marston, of Pembroke. Mr. Marston was a native of Connecticut, set- tled in the west part of Batavia, and died in June, 1840, aged 36 years. Mrs. Marston died in March, 1867. He was a farmer, was an " old line Whig," and did his party good service.

John W. Marston, son of John W., was born December 5, 1834, received a common school education, and on account of the death of his father he was early obliged to manage the farm. In 1868 he bought his sister's interest in the homestead, and in 1879 sold it and removed to where he now lives, one and one-half miles east of Corfu. He married, January 12, 1860, Mary Shoulters, of Batavia, and they have five children living, viz .: John N., a mechanic, contractor, and builder, who married Ida Pal- mer, and now resides in Corfu; and Mary E., Clarence U., Orlo G., and Emma E., who live with their parents.

Luther Hart Kitchel, son of Rev. H. D. Kitchel, D. D., was born in Thomaston, Conn., November 6, 1845, prepared for college at Andover, and graduated from Yale College in 1867, and from the Buffalo (N. Y.) Medical University in 1870. He also took a course of lectures in Belle- vue College, New York. He returned to Buffalo, and was appointed to the position of resident physician and surgeon of Buffalo General Hos- pital, and commenced the practice of his profession in that city. He moved to Olean, where he resided six years, and on account of ill health removed to Texas. After a rest of a year and a half he resumed prac- tice in Hamilton, Texas, and in 1886 returned to New York and settled in Corfu.

Henry P. Porter, son of George A., received an academic education, and served an apprenticeship in the store of Wells & Seymour, of Ba- tavia, about 1843. When 21 years of age he settled in Corfu, then known as Long's Corners, and opened a general store in company with his former employers, under the firm name of Porter & Co. The postoffice was established here about 1840 by Robert Miller. In 1854 Wells & Seymour retired, and were succeeded by George A. Porter, a brother of H. P., the firm name being Porter Brothers, which continued as such for 25 years. In 1879 H. P. Porter withdrew, and George A. Porter has since conducted the business alone.

John Long, son of Dr. David and Margaret Long, was born in Ba- tavia, July 29, 1785. He married Martha Brown (born January 16, 1786), January 8, 1807. Mr. Long came from Salem, N. Y., in 1807, and located in Pembroke, about two miles west of Corfu, to which he removed his wife and infant son, William B., in January, 1808. About IO years later he removed to the present site of Corfu, and occupied the site where Mr. Giddings's house now stands. He was a farmer, was one of the most prominent of the early pioneers, and was always in town office. He was town clerk at the time of his death. His house was

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opened for town and religious meetings. He was liberal to the poor and needy. Mr. Long died August 14, 1836, aged 52 years, and Mrs. Long January 24, 1858, aged 72 years. They had three sons. Will- iam B., one of their sons, was born December 3, 1807, married Eliza M. Lown, March 28, 1858, and settled on the farm where his widow still resides. He was always a farmer, but never enjoyed robust health. He died March 23, 1881. They had two children, one of whom, a son, died in infancy. Their daughter Martha L., born January 22, 1861, married Henry B. Cochran, January 21, 1877, and settled on the homestead, where they still reside. Mrs. John Long, too, experienced many of the hardships and inconveniences of pioneer life. John Long was a lieuten- ant in the War of 1812.

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Gazetteer and biographical record of Genesee County, N.Y., 1788-1890, Part 71

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