Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 16

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 680

USA > New York > Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I > Part 16

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He made additional purchases, from time to time, until he was surrounded with over eighteen hundred acres of highly cultivated land. He was always an ardent politician, a member of the Whig and later of the Repub- lican party. He was a fluent speaker, influ- ential in the county, and, for many years, super- visor of the town of Ellicott.

When a regiment of militia was formed R. F. Fenton was the first colonel, Mr. Baker succeeding him in 1824. He was an ardent Union man, and, with his consent, three of his sons volunteered for their country's defence. During the darkest hours of the civil war efforts were being made to raise still another regiment in Chautauqua county. During a meeting, held in Jamestown, Colonel Baker came in and took his seat on the platform. In response to repeated calls he said :

I know we are called upon to make sacrifices, but, thank God, we have a country worthy of them. I was willing that my two oldest boys should go when their country called, but I did not want Charley to go. He was too young to endure the fatigue, and I told him so. But he said to me: "Father, you know you enlisted in the war of 1812, when no older than I am now. I want to go and help save the country in this awful time of trouble, and I want your consent." My friends, what could I do? Oh, there was but one thing to do, and I said to him: "Go, Charley, go, and, if wounded, don't let it be in your back. If you will be a soldier, I would rather see you dead than a poor soldier." I have just received the intelligence, so long after the last battle on the James river, that Jim was wounded, at Malvern, and taken prisoner, and has had a leg off at the hip, and Charley is in the hospital, sick with that dreadful Chickahominy fever, and the last I heard of Dick his company was serving the artillery at Yorktown. God only knows whether I shall ever see them again. I do not expect to see all of them. I do hope that at least one of them will come home. (He stopped for a moment and gazed at the American flag suspended over the platform, and, with tears streaming down his hag- gard face, he continued). My family is dear to me. It makes me faint to think of losing my boys. But I love my country. I almost worship that blessed old flag. There must never be another flag in any part of these United States, as long as a man remains in the north to defend its stars and stripes. Raise your regiment, and that quickly. The country needs the men. I have no more sons to give, but I will give more money, and keep on giving as long as I have a cent left, and if I had three more sons, old enough to bear a musket, I would give them, too. We must save that flag.

The old patriot was spared to see all three of his sons once more, although they all died later as the result of their army privations. He died July 31, 1863.

Colonel Baker married (first), in the fall of 1822, Anna Keyes, who died the following May. On August 3, 1828, he married (sec- ond), Maria, daughter of Cyrus Fish, one of the earliest settlers of Chautauqua county. She was born in Otsego county, in 1804, died No- vember 19, 1893. Her paternal grandfather was with Putnam in the French and Indian war, in 1756. Her mother, when a young girl in Massachusetts, heard the cry "The British are out," and caught the horses, while her father and brother molded bullets before hast- ening to the field at Lexington. Her father was lieutenant in the Connecticut line during the revolution, and her husband was fifer boy in 1812, and colonel in 1842. On the first call, in 1861, her three sons enlisted, the youngest a mere lad. Learning that one of them was down with the fever and another severely wounded, she hastened to Philadelphia, where she was obliged to accept a position as army nurse, in order to care for her son. She died in her ninetieth year, her last words being. "I'm tired, I must rest a little." They were the parents of ten children and two others adopt- ed: I. Anna, married Michael W. Hutton. born in Glasgow, Scotland. 2. Richard H., of further mention. 3. James, born in James- town, 1840; enlisted in company B, Seventy- second Regiment, New York Volunteer In- fantry, and, at the battle of Malvern Hill, was severely wounded, causing the loss of a leg and leaving him an invalid for life. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. and was buried with military honors, according to the ritual of that organization. He was un- married. 4. Grace, married William Breeden, and removed to New Mexico. 5. Augustus. 6. Scott. 7. Charles S., born in Jamestown, in 1844, died 1895, aged fifty-one years six months and seven days. When eighteen years of age he enlisted in Company B, Seventy-second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. which left Jamestown, in May, 1861. After a year and a half of service he contracted a fever which ended his military career. When twenty years of age he met with an accident which deprived him forever of his sight, and caused other serious injuries. He was a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, the First Presbyterian Church, of Jamestown, and a Republican. He married (first), in 1864. Eva Jones, who died within a year. He mar- ried (second), in 1866, Katherine Hefferren.

RHBalus

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born at Troy, New York, June 13, 1849, died 1906. They had six children, two of whom died in infancy, those remaining are: Henry T., educated in the United States Naval Acad- emy, at Annapolis ; Lucy F., educated at Mount Holyoke; Scott E., married E. Blanche Fisher ; Sidney S.

(II) Richard Henry, eldest son of Colonel Henry and Maria (Fish) Baker, was born May 20, 1832, died September 25, 1880, on the train between Cincinnati, Ohio, and James- town, New York, while returning from Colo- rado, where he had gone for the benefit of his health. He was reared and educated on the old family farm, in Chautauqua county, New York, where he lived until entering the army. He enlisted in the Ninth Regiment, New York Cavalry, serving as first lieutenant one year. At the close of the war he returned to James- town, where his after life was passed. He was a man of great natural ability ; a fine student during his school years, with a mind clear and capable of comprehending and using knowl- edge, which could benefit his neighbors and friends. He was public-spirited and active in town affairs. He served several terms as trus- tee of the village corporation, and, the year preceding his death, was president of the vil- lage. He was active in the volunteer fire de- partment, was foreman of Rescue Engine Com- pany and filled the office of assistant chief engi- neer of the department. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a Republican in politics. He married, at Jamestown, Decem- ber 14, 1854, Mary L. Winsor, born in that city, October 20, 1835. Children: 1. William Henry, born September 4, 1856, died Septem- ber 30, 1874. 2. Lewis Hall, born July 24, 1858; married Ada Hall; children : Robert and Kenneth ; resides in Jamestown, New York. 3. Charles Hugh, born December 28, 1860, died November 11, 1882. 4. Samuel Winsor, born June 7, 1864; married, June 18, 1890, Grace Ella, daughter of Dr. James T. Ed- wards; children : Richard Edward, born Sep- tember 6, 1892; Dorothy, February 4, 1896; James, November, 1905. Mr. Baker is secre- tary of the American Axe & Tool Company, and resides at Mckeesport, Pennsylvania: 5. Frederick James, born August 26, 1871 ; mar- ried, September 9, 1902, Elizabeth Marie Cady, of Jamestown. Mr. Baker resides at McKees- port, Pennsylvania. He is in charge of the Southern Jobbing Company of the American Axe & Tool Company.

(The Winsor Line).

(I) Mary L. (Winsor) Baker is a grand- daughter of Abraham and Sophia (Bigelow) Winsor, who settled in the town of Eaton, Madison county, New York, prior to the year 1805. In 1810 Abraham Winsor removed to the Holland Purchase, locating in Gerry, now Sinclairville, named in honor of Major Sin- clair, brother-in-law of Abraham Winsor. Here he built an ashery and engaged in the manu- facture of pearl and potash, marketing his pro- duct in Pittsburgh, which city he reached by boat. In 1820 he removed to Dexterville, where he engaged in lumbering. He lived in a log house, but soon purchased a tract of land on which, after clearing away the heavy tim- ber, he erected what at that time was one of the best houses in the village. There he resided until his removal to Jamestown, New York, where he died.

(II) Samuel Bigelow, son of Abraham and Sophia (Bigelow) Winsor, was born in the town of Eaton, Madison county,' New York, September 29, 1805, died in Jamestown, New York, July 7, 1888. He worked with his father until 1825, when he went to Kiantone to work as a carpenter on the new house being built by William Sears, his future father-in- law, where he became acquainted with his wife, then a child of twelve years. He remained in Kiantone the next winter, attending the district school, boarding with Mr. Sears. The follow- ing spring he returned to Jamestown, where, for several years, he worked at his trade. In 1830 he was converted and joined the Meth- odist Episcopal church, of Jamestown, remain- ing a faithful member of that communion until his death. He married, August 25, 1831, at Jamestown, Anna Sears, born at Kiantone, Chautauqua county, New York, August 29, 1815, died June, 1892, daughter of William Sears, born at Dover, Vermont, February 29, 1788, died at Kiantone, New York, August 10, 1827. He married, at Dover, Vermont, Rhoda Cheney, born in Dover, April 21, 1787. In 181 1 they removed to New York state, with all their household goods loaded upon a sled, which, drawn by a yoke of oxen, traversed five hundred miles of wilderness in twenty- nine days, finally reaching Chautauqua county, where they settled. ' The country then was wild and their home was the hunting ground of the Seneca Indians, who were numerous in the section. Mr. Sears became prominent in the town, serving as highway commissioner,

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and owning considerable land. The church, at Kiantone, is built on land donated by his widow, Rhoda (Cheney) Sears. William Sears was a son of Ebenezer Sears, who enlisted at Yarmouth, Massachusetts, and served in the war of the revolution. His application for a pension was granted, at which time he was seventy-seven years old, as stated in his appli- cation, made August 16, 1832. Children of Samuel B. and Anna (Sears) Winsor : I. Will- iam S., born September 6, 1832, of Port Offord, Oregon. 2. Mary L., of further mention. 3. Ruby C., born May 16, 1834; married Hiram Hazzard. 4. Henrietta Maria, born December 15, 1837; married, July 7, 1862, Captain Sam- uel J. Bailey, a veteran officer of the civil war, commanding Company I, Seventy-second Regi- ment, New York Volunteer Infantry. She died January 22, 1878. 5. Angeline Brooks, born August 8, 1843. 6. Woodley Chandler, born June 6, 1845, of Olean, New York. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Winsor resided in Jamestown, where, on August 25, 1881, they celebrated the golden anniversary of their wed- ding, and received the hearty congratulations of their many relatives and friends. Colonel Winsor was a resident of Jamestown sixty- six years. He was colonel of the old One Hun- dred and Sixty-second Regiment, New York National Guard, when it was one of the famous regiments of the state. She joined the Meth- odist church, at Jamestown, the year after her husband, and, with him, constituted an im- portant part of the early congregation.

(III) Mary, second daughter and third child of Colonel Samuel Bigelow and Anna (Sears) Winsor, was born in Jamestown, October 20, 1835. She married, in Jamestown, December 14, 1854, Richard Henry Baker, whom she sur- vives. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, of Jamestown, and a charter member of Jamestown Chapter, Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution. She gains admission to this patriotic order by right of the military service of her maternal ancestor, Ebenezer Sears, her great-grandfather. She also joins by right of the soldier of the revolution and of the war of 1812, Ebenezer Cheney, father of Rhoda Cheney, wife of William Sears, father of Anna Sears, wife of Samuel Bigelow Winsor, father of Mary L. (Winsor) Baker. Mrs. Baker continues her residence in Jamestown, where she is held in the highest esteem. She is very much interested in historical matters and keeps thoroughly posted on all current topics

of the day. She comes of patriotic ancestry, and, by marriage, allies with another family who have served their country well in time of stress and danger.

The Frank family of Chautauqua FRANK county, New York, descends from one of the old German families of Pennsylvania, although this branch of the family early settled in New York state. The progenitor came from Germany and was a true type of the thrifty German emigrant.

Henry Frank and his brother Christopher came from Germany together, landed at Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, settled near that city and remained seated there for a number of years. This was about 1740. They were well- to-do farmers, and, prior to the revolution, re- moved to New York state, settling in the Mo- hawk valley, at Frankfort, Herkimer county, on the banks of the Mohawk river. There may have been others of the name earlier set- tled there, which accounts for the name Frank- fort. Henry Frank married and had sons Henry, Lawrence and Jacob, all of whom served in the revolutionary war, Henry and Jacob being killed. His daughters were Eve and Mary, twins, and Margaret. Eve married John Frank, a kinsman. Mary married a Mr. Myers, and had a son John, an early settler of the town of Carroll. During the French and Indian war the wife of Henry Frank was cap- tured by the Indians with her children, and carried away captive to Canada. The twin sisters were then ten years of age. Eve was kept in captivity three years, Mary a year longer. At the time of the capture Mrs. Frank had a son Lawrence, eighteen months old, whom she was obliged to carry and march as rapidly as the remainder of the party or have the baby killed. Whether the family were ever reunited does not appear, only the facts of the return of the twins being given. John Frank, of another family, was captured at the same time. Later he was a soldier of the revolution and again captured, but escaped.

(II) Lawrence, son of Henry Frank, was born in Frankfort, Herkimer county, New York, October, 1749. He was carried away by the Indians when an infant, as stated, later was returned. He was a farmer. He served in the revolutionary war. In 1777 he was cap- tured by the Indians and Tories, and carried to Quebec, where he was held prisoner three years and three months. He then returned to

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Herkimer county, later settling in the town of Busti, Chautauqua county, New York, where he died April 13, 1813. He married, in Frank- fort, New York, Mary Myers, born in Ger- many, in 1753, came, when young, to America with her parents. She died in Chautauqua county, New York, December, 1831. Children : Lawrence (2), died in Herkimer county ; Mar- garet, married a kinsman, Stephen Frank, and died in Ohio; Elizabeth; Peter, died in Ohio; Henry L., married Margaret Damon, and re- moved to Kirkland county, Ohio, where both died; John L., of further mention; Michael; Joseph, born October 2, 1796; Matthew, De- cember 22, 1798.

(III) John L., son of Lawrence and Mary (Myers) Frank, was born in Frankfort, Herki- mer county, New York, November 29, 1786, died at Busti Corners, July 4, 1875. He was reared a farmer, and, in 1811, just one century ago, removed to Chautauqua county, where he settled in the town of Busti, lot 62, town- ship I, range 11, later removed to lot 6, range 12, same township. He was a man much re- spected by the entire community. He was a devout Christian and an earnest worker in the church. He was one of the fourteen original members of the First Baptist Church, estab- lished in Busti, and was always active and prominent in its affairs. His old family Bible, published in 1810, now owned by his grandson, Warren A. Frank, has the family records writ- ten by himself, with the old style goose quill pen. He married Lucretia Chapman, born March 25, 1791, died March 14, 1874. Four of their children died in infancy; the others are: I. Michael C., born October 24, 1808; married Sally Sherwin; children: John S., Harriet E., Mary J., Matthew, Alice, Electa and Adelaide. 2. Almira, born July 18, 1810; married Ransom Burroughs; both deceased. 3. Charles, of further mention. 4. Alonzo, born September 6, 1815 ; married Jane Woodin, and resides at Blockville, New York; chil- dren : Lavant, Harriet M., Jane and Ophelia. 5. Mary Jane, born April 22, 1819; married Jacob Chambers, and resides at Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. 6. Harriet M., born June I, 1821, deceased; married Denison Palmer. 7. Lorenzo, born October 6, 1823; married Me- lissa Barnes ; children : West, Sidney and Clare. 8. Davis, married (first) Alvira Brown, (sec- ond) Elizabeth Brown; children: Theodore, George, Dwight, Laverne, Duane, De Etta and Earl. 9. Marietta, born December 13, 1830;

married Samuel Smith ; children : Levant and Frank. 10. Ariel, married Margaret Stewart ; children : Emmet and Frederick.

(IV) Charles, third child of John L. and Lucretia (Chapman) Frank, was born in the town of Busti, Chautauqua county, New York, July 22, 1812, died in the same town, December 24, 1878. He was the first white child known to have been born in the town. He was educated in the district schools and at Jamestown, New York. His early life was spent on the farm, later he learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked in both Jamestown and Busti. He owned a good farm of forty acres, on which he resided, Busti always being his home. He took an active part in town politics, always voting the Democratic ticket until 1856, when he joined with the Republican party. He held many of the local offices, and, in 1858, was elected justice of the peace, holding that office until his death. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving as steward and class leader. His integrity was unquestioned and no man stood higher in pub- lic esteem and confidence. He was always interested in local and family history and gave much valuable assistance in compiling "Young's History of Chautauqua County," in 1875. In genealogical matters he was exceedingly well informed and preserved for posterity, not only the records of his own family but those of many others.

He married, October 24, 1833, Mary Woodin, born in Chautauqua county, in 1815, daughter of Jeremiah Woodin, of Busti, a soldier and pensioner of the war of 1812. Mary (Woodin) Frank was a devout Christian and an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. She survived her husband and died at the home of her son, George D., at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where she is buried. Children: I. Warren Alonzo, of further mention. 2. George Dallas, born in Busti, New York, January 5, 1844; farmer of Busti for many years, going south about 1882, where he is now engaged in fruit farming at Elizabethtown, Kentucky; he is an active member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and a Republican ; he married Bella Moore; no issue. 3. John J., of further mention.

(V) Warren Alonzo, eldest son of Charles and Mary (Woodin) Frank, was born in Busti, Chautauqua county, New York, November 30, 1840. He was educated in the public schools of Busti and at Jamestown Academy. He

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began life as a general farmer, but later, with his two brothers, purchased a beautiful farm bordering on Lake Chautauqua, where he spe- cialized in fruit growing. The Frank Fruit Farm of one hundred and forty-six acres be- came famous in the county, its products annual- ly carrying off the highest premiums in their class, wherever exhibited. Warren A. Frank later purchased his brothers' interests and operated the farm himself, until a decade ago, when he practically retired from active life. He is an expert in bee culture, having had at times one hundred hives. At the Pan-Amer- ican Exposition, in Buffalo, he was in charge of the department devoted to bees and honey. In politics he is a Republican and often chosen delegate to state conventions. He sat in the Chautauqua county delegation at the conven- tions that nominated Governors Fassett and Higgins. He represented Busti, for two terms, in the Chautauqua county board of supervisors, and was a worker for the interests of his town. He is a member of the Union Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and of Chautauqua Tribe, Im- proved Order of Red Men, of Columbus, Penn- sylvania. Like his father he takes a deep inter- est in historical matters and in the preserva- tion of genealogical data.

(V) John Jerry, youngest son of Charles and Mary ( Woodin ) Frank, was born in Busti, Chautauqua county. New York, June 21. 1848. He was educated in the public schools of Busti and at Jamestown Academy. He grew up on the farm, and, in association with his two brothers, operated the Frank Fruit Farm, on Lake Chautauqua, and carried on a general business, under the firm name "Frank Broth- ers." They were in successful business for a term of eighteen years and built up more than

a local reputation for the excellence of their products. In 1800 John J. Frank sold his interest to his brother, Warren Alonzo, and removed to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he engaged in the real estate and general insur- ance business for seven years. In 1888 he returned to Busti, engaged in farming for a year, then located in Jamestown, which has since been his home and place of business. His offices, in the Hall Block, are devoted to the detail of his extensive real estate business. as he specializes in residence properties and has been very successful. He is a public- spirited man and has done much for the im- provement of his city. He was a prime mover in the establishment of the Jamestown Public Market, which was first opened for business, November 30, 1910. This enterprise met with strong opposition, but the results have shown it to have been a wise and needed improve- ment. Mr. Frank is president of the James- town Real Estate Association and chairman of the market committee. He, at one time, was sole owner of the Jamestown Razor Com- pany, but has sold this property. He is also at the head of the Beechwood business board. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Jamestown, as was his wife. His summer residence at Beechwood. He is fond of outdoor sports and has a local reputation as an expert disciple of Isaac Walton.

He married, October 25, 1870, Melissa Mar -. home is at No. 11I East Second street, his tin, born in Busti, New York, July 22, 1842, died November 22, 1884, daughter of Lorenzo and Mercy (Jenkins) Martin. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal He married ( first), in Chattanooga, Tennes- see, June 4. 1883. Emma, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Roberts. She was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and vice- president of the Ladies' Aid Society. She died May 4, 1907, aged fifty-seven years, and is buried in Busti. He married (second), July 21, 1909. Sarah A., daughter of James and Lucinda (Kemp) Solliday, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She is an active member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church and president of the Clotho Society. church and a woman of energy and usefulness. Children : 1. Myrtle M., born in Busti, Septem- ber 21, 1874 ; married, August 30, 1894, Harry Root, now engaged in the express and dairy business in Jamestown, but resides in Busti; children : Bessie M., born June 23, 1898; Roy. February 4, 1905. 2. Bertha D., married Rob- ert W. Nobbs. now of Erie, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Nobbs is engaged with the Amer- ican Express Company ; child, Howard Frank Nobbs, born March 30, 1911.

MOSHER The earliest traditions of the Mosher family locate them in Alsace. France, about the year 1580. Their home was in the southern part of the province, near Strassburg. The name is compounded of two German words Mos and Herr. which when combined means Mosslord or "Lord of the Moss." This may be taken to imply that the founder of the family name was a man of prominence, and had his resi-

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dence on a mossy mound or hill. After Alsace was annexed to France, both the German and French languages were in use. The French spelled the name Mosier or Motier. In Eng- land the German method of spelling the name prevailed, Mosher. In religion the family were Protestants, and, with many others, fled to England to escape persecution. It is supposed they went to England under the leadership of Hugh Mosher, prior to the year 1600. They located in Manchester, Chester and London. The Manchester records show that five Mosh- er brothers were engaged in business in that city in 1616, partners and silk weavers. They were: William, John, Thomas, Stephen and George. The American ancestor, Ensign Hugh, was a son of Stephen Mosher.

(II) Ensign Hugh Mosher, son of Stephen Mosher, of Manchester, England, sailed for America and reached Boston in 1636. Another Hugh Mosher, son of Thomas Mosher, settled in Maine. A third Hugh Mosher, son of John Mosher, was prominent in the East India Com- pany, and died wealthy, without issue. It was his fortune that the Moshers of the United States tried unsuccessfully to obtain in recent years. Hugh, son of Stephen Mosher, first settled in Salem, Massachusetts, where he be- came a friend of Roger Williams, pastor of the Salem church, and was in full sympathy with his religious views. When Williams was ban- ished from Massachusetts, in October, 1636, Mosher went with him to Rhode Island, and shared his hardships and sufferings. When Williams was in a position to do so he repaid the devotion of his friend with the permanent title to a fifth part of the township of West- erly, Rhode Island. August 4, 1676. In 1669 Hugh Mosher was appointed ensign of a mili- tary company by the general court, and took part in King Philip's war, during which war two of his sons were killed. In 1674 he was ordained pastor of the Baptist church, in Dart- mouth, Massachusetts, but was always called by his military title, Ensign Hugh Mosher. He died in Newport, Rhode Island, 1694. He married Lydia Maxon. Children : Hugh, John, Nicholas, Joseph, Daniel and James.

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Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 16

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 680

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: New York : Lewis Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 680