USA > New York > Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I > Part 19
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He married, October 29, 1873, at Ellery, New York, Lillian M. Haskins, born there, June 28, 1855, daughter of James and Amy Haskins. James Haskins died in 1885, aged seventy-five years. His wife Amy died April I, 1903, aged seventy-four years. Their chil- dren : Ira A., now of Denver, Colorado ; Hiram, of Cherry Creek, New York: Sarah C., de- ceased; Lillian M., married Charles S. Leet. She is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, past presiding officer of Lincoln Council. Daughters of Liberty. and commander of Jamestown Hive, Order of the Maccabees. Child: Jessie M., born April 11, 1878; gradu- ate of Jamestown high school; married, Sep-
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tember 6, 1899, Arthur W. Davison ; children : Floyd Arthur, born September 6, 1903; Merle Leet, October 16, 1906.
WILCOX The family of Wilcox is of Saxon origin, and was seated at Bury St. Edmunds, in the county of Suffolk, England, before the Nor- man Conquest (1066). Sir John Dugdale, in his visitation of the county of Suffolk, men- tions fifteen generations of this family previ- ous to 1600. In the reign of King Edward III. Sir John Wilcox was entrusted with several important commands against the French, and had command of the crossbowmen from Nor- folk, Suffolk and Essex. John William Wil- cox, of Bury Priory, in Suffolk, an eminent Queen's counsel, was a representative of this ancient family. William Wilcox, who was chosen lieutenant-governor in the early times of the Massachusetts colony, was the first of the name who is recorded on the list of the early officers.
(I) John Wilcox was an original proprietor of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1639, and was surveyor of highways, 1642-44; juror, 1645; called senior in 1648, and selectman in 1649. He died before October, 1666, when his widow makes her will. He had three children : John, Ann, and another.
(II) John (2), son of John (1) Wilcox, was born in England, and probably came to America with his father. After his second marriage he removed to Middletown. He died May 24, 1676, and, March 1, 1677, the court ordered distribution of his estate. He married (first), September 17, 1646, Sarah, daughter of William Wadsworth. He married ( second), January 18, 1650, Catherine Stoughton. He married (third) Mary, widow of John Farns- worth, of Dorchester, before that widow of a Mr. Long. He married ( fourth) Esther, daughter of William Cornwell. He had one child, Sarah, by wife Sarah; John, Thomas, Mary, Israel and Samuel by wife Catherine; and Ephraim, Esther and Mary by wife Esther.
(III) Ephraim, son of John (2) and his fourth wife, Esther (Cornwell) Wilcox, was born July 9, 1672. He removed to Middle- town, Connecticut. He married, August 23, 1698. Children : Esther, Eph- raim and John.
(IV) John (3), son of Ephraim Wilcox, was born August 8, 17 -: married Hannah -, and lived in Middletown, Connecticut. --
Children : . John, Samuel, Hezekiah, Joseph. Hannah; Giles, of further mention; Simeon, Submit, Comfort and Sarah.
(V) Giles, son of John (3) and Hannah Wilcox, was born January 2, 1750. He mar- ried and had by his second wife: Johanna, Lucinda : Thomas Liffit, served in the war of 1812; Wilbur, also served in that war ; Daniel : Samuel. of further mention.
(VI) Samuel, son of Giles Wilcox, was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, July 15. 1798; died at Mayville, Chautauqua county. New York, January, 1873. He came to New York state in 1827, settling in the town of Villenova, Chautauqua county, but, after a short residence there, removed to Jamestown. Although a man of limited education he pos- sessed great natural ability, and, from boy- hood. had a wonderful capacity for adapting himself to existing circumstances and making the very most of his opportunities. He was. at one time, captain of the well-known lake steamer. "William H. Seward"; served as con- stable and deputy sheriff ; was of unusual abil- ity as a collector of accounts, and was in con- stant demand for that purpose by the local merchants ; was, for several years, in the hotel business, having houses of entertainment at Jamestown, Mayville and North East Center. New York. He took an active part in local politics, and was an effective party worker. He had a wide acquaintance all over the county. and was held in high esteem. He married Ephaul Eckor, born on a farm, near Russell. New York, in 1803; died at Mayville, New York, aged eighty-six years. She was of a Mohawk Valley family, of Dutch ancestry, and had brothers : Henry, Peter and John ; sisters : Peggy and Betsey, twins.
(VII) Captain Alfred Wilcox, son of Sam- uel and Ephaul (Eckor) Wilcox, was born in Villenova, Chautauqua county, New York, Mav 8, 1829. He was educated in the public schools of Mayville and Jamestown, and began his long and active business life on his father's steamer, the "William H. Seward," having the restaurant privilege. He continued two years. then went to school again for a short time, to complete his education. He then returned to the lake, and, for forty years, was engaged as owner and captain of lake boats. In 1854 he built his first boat. In 1863, in association with James and T. Howell, he built the side-wheel steamer "Chautauqua No. 2." After a year or two she was sold to other parties, and, in Au-
F.A. Avn
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gust, 1871, while taking "wood" at "Whitney's April 1, 1811, died February 2, 1897. Chil- Point," her boiler exploded, killing eight per- dren : Caroline, married and removed to Ohio; Louisa, married J. S. Westbury ; Charles, of Lakewood, a veteran of the civil war; Fred- erick A., see forward; Augusta, married Ben- jamin Brown ; Christina, married Nelson Stan- ton ; Hannah. married Arthur A. Amidon, of Jamestown ; two sons died in infancy. sons and wounding several more. In 1867 the steamer "Post Boy" appeared on the lake. She was soon after purchased by Alfred Wilcox, who altered her build, and rechristened her the "A. R. Tew." . In 1869 she was destroyed by fire. Later, in association with others, he built a three-deck steamer, "The Mayville," one hun- dred and fifty feet keel and forty-two feet beam, with a carrying capacity of twenty-two hundred passengers. This and "The James- town" were the two largest boats on Lake Chautauqua. Captain Wilcox also built the "W. B. Shattock," now known as the "Pitts- burg," and, for forty years, was the best known captain on the lake. After abandoning active participation in lake navigation he engaged quite extensively in the real estate business, and has large holdings in Jamestown and vicinity, also considerable property at Melburn Beach, Florida. He built the Wilcox block, a three- story brick block, at 174 Fairmount avenue, and another at 183. Despite his years he gives personal attention to his affairs and is a man of influence in his city. He is a member of the Baptist church, of Jamestown, and a lib- eral contributor to the building fund of other churches in the city. In politics he is a Demo- crat.
Captain Wilcox married (first), March 10, 1850, Maryett Barton, born March 9, 1835, died March, 1895, daughter of William and Louisa (Ellsworth ) Barton. Children : I. One died in infancy. 2. Ida L., born February II, 1859; married Captain George J. Cornell, of Mayville ; child, John L. Captain Wilcox mar- ried (second) Clara Honneysett, born at May- ville, New York, daughter of James (2) and Ellen (West) Honneysett. James ( 1) Honney- sett came from England, February 18, 1826. and settled at Mayville, New York.
GRON The Gron family of Jamestown are of Swedish birth and parentage. Andrew Gron, the founder. was born in Sweden, and came to the United States with his wife and seven children, settling in the town of Busti, Chautauqua county, New York, in 1850. He purchased a small farm, on the plank road north of Mayville, which he cleared and cultivated, residing thereon until his death, at the age of seventy years. He was a Lutheran in religion, and a man of industry and thrift. He married Mary Simpson, born
(II) Frederick A., son of Andrew and Mary (Simpson) Gron, was born near Stockholm, Sweden, January 26, 1841 ; died November 9, 1904, and is buried in Lakeview cemetery. He came to the United States with his parents, and, until of age, lived with Ira Young, of Busti. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany F, Ninth Regiment, New York Cavalry, and saw three years of hard service. When his term expired he reenlisted, and served until the close of the war. His brother Charles served in the same company and regiment. They were both good soldiers and fought bravely for their adopted country. After the war the brothers settled in Jamestown, New York, and. for twenty-four years, were engaged in the livery business together. They were thrifty, successful business men and accumulated con- siderable property, including city holdings, a farm of one hundred acres near the city limits, and a brick block and residence on Spring street. All property was held jointly until the dissolution of partnership, when an equitable division was made. Frederick A. Gron was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Lutheran church. He was a just man, devoted to his family, and highly regarded as a busi- ness man and a neighbor.
He married, at Jamestown, March 21, 1871, Caroline M. Peterson, born in Sweden, Sep- tember 1, 1848, daughter of Andrew and Mary Christina Peterson. Children, all born in James- town : 1. Mabel, born April 16, 1872 ; married Charles Parks : children : Marjorie and Fred- erick Gron. 2. Bertha May, born July 4, 1874 ; graduate of Jamestown high school, 1893; now a teacher in public school No. 1. 3. Edna, born May 13, 1882 ; graduated from the high school, 1902, and taught, for one year, in the James- town public school ; in June, 1911, she married Herman Paquin, a grocer in Jamestown.
The name Hunt is from the Saxon HUNT word, "hunti," a wolf. The names, Hunt, Hunte, Hunter, Hunting, Huntting, Huntington, Hunton and Huntley, all have the same origin. Hundt, Huntus,
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Hontus, Hunding, Hundings and Huntingas are other old forms of this patronymic. The arms of one branch of the Hunt family is per pale, argent and sable, a saltire, counter- charged. Crest, a lion's head, erased, per pale, argent and sable collared, gules, lined and ring- ed, or. The crest, in the early days of the Hunt family, was always a wolf's head.
One of the first names, of whom any record exists, was Adam le Hunt, who lived at Not- tingham, England, in 1295. Ralphe le Hunt, who refused the offer of knighthood, lived in the fourteenth century. In the time of Henry VIII. a Henry Hunte lived in Yorkshire.
This branch of the Hunt family in America is supposed to spring from one of the younger sons of Thomas Hunt, of Shrewsbury, Eng- land, son of Richard Hunt, bailiff of Shrews- bury, in 1613. Thomas Hunt was high sheriff of Shropshire, in 1656, and a colonel in the service of parliament. He died 1669. Thomas Hunt, of Rye, removed to West Chester, New York, where he purchased the Grove Farm, which was patented to him by Governor Nich- ols, December 4, 1667. His will is dated Octo- ber 6, 1694. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Jessup. Children : Thomas, of fur- ther mention ; Josiah, a trustee of the town of Winchester ; Joseph ; John; Abigail, married John Pinckney.
(II) Thomas (2), son of Thomas ( 1) Hunt, of Grove Farm, West Chester, New York, was a trustee of the freehold and commonalty of the town of West Chester, in 1692. He mar- ried and has sons : Thomas, Augustus, Lewis, Robert, and a daughter Abigail.
(III) Thomas (3), son of Thomas (2) Hunt, was known as Thomas, of Hunt's Point. He married Sarah Ward. Children: Thomas (4), born 1727; Jesse, of further mention ; Ward, of East Chester.
(IV) Jesse, son of Thomas (3) Hunt, was . driver. He owned a small farm in Ellicott, high sheriff of Westchester county, New York, and proprietor of Hunter's Island. He mar- ried a Miss Staples. Children : Captain Thomas, Lieutenant Jesse, Samuel, and a daughter.
(V) Samuel, son of Jesse Hunt, was born in West Chester, New York, about 1750. He served in the revolution, as private of the First Regiment, Westchester county militia, under Colonel Joseph Drake. After the war was over he lived in Dutchess county, later in Columbia county. He married Margaret Currier, and had issue.
(VI) Stephen, son of Samuel Hunt, mar-
ried Bridget Sprague. Children : Lucy, born December 28, 1788; Jasper, August 20, 1790, died October 29, 1791; Elvin, of further men- tion ; Gibson, June 24, 1794; Amy, November 27, 1796; Amelia, November 9, 1798; Thomas, April 21, 1801 (whose sketch follows) ; David, May 18, 1804; Margaret, February 28, 1807, died September 28, 1889; Mary, August 19, 1809; Thankful, March 10, 1812.
(VII) Elvin, son of Stephen Hunt, was born July 15, 1792, died 1871. He came to Chau- tauqua county from Washington county, New York, where his parents lived near the eastern boundary. Elvin and his brother Thomas were famous makers of axe helves, ox yokes and farm tools, made of wood. Elvin was an ex- cellent worker in wood, having great natural mechanical genius. His goods were in great demand for their excellence, and the brothers were kept busily engaged supplying the de- mand. So great was the reputation of Hunt's goods that they always commanded the highest prices. Such goods now are of secondary im- portance, but, in those days, a good axe helve, yoke or other wooden tool was of great value and eagerly sought for. Elvin Hunt married Sylvia Lee. Children: Anthony, of James- town, deceased; Stephen, of Ellicott, deceased ; George, never married ; Jasper, of Jamestown, deceased, married Lavilla Sherman ; John L., of further mention; Reuben, of Jamestown, deceased, married Eveline Bailey, and has one son, Fred C., of Jamestown ; Desire, deceased, married Samuel Bratt; Bridget, died unmar- ried; Amelia, deceased, married Edward Taft.
(VIII) John Lee, son of Elvin Hunt, was born in Washington county, New York, April 12, 1830, died June 7, 1874. He was well edu- cated, and followed the calling of an agricul- turist all his life. He was a great lover of fine horses, and was an expert handler and
now Jamestown, west side, near the boat land- ing. He was a Republican in politics. He married Aurilla Nelson, born November 21. 1833, daughter of George and Julia (Wake- field) Nelson, died July 23, 1904. Children : I. George E., born November 25, 1854; for the past twenty years has been engaged in the livery business at Falconer, Chautauqua county, New York; he married Lizzie Loucks; chil- dren : John Lee and George E. (2). 2. Frank, of further mention. 3. Kate, died in infancy. 4. William H., born November 18, 1868; now a resident of Jamestown, New York : married
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Alice Oddy (or Eddy) ; child, Charles Donald. 5. Corydon H., born July 28, 1870, died Febru- ary 22, 1872.
(IX) Frank, second son of John Lee Hunt, was born in the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua county, New York (his birthplace now within the corporate limits of the city of Jamestown), January 28, 1857. He was reared on the home farm, where he early developed the great love for horses and other animals that has been one of the ruling characteristics of his life. He was educated in the primary, intermediate and high schools of Jamestown, and remained at home until the death of his father. He then purchased the home farm, in association with his brother, George E. He finally abandoned agriculture, and, for two years, worked for S. E. Millspaugh, at the insurance business. In 1885 he entered the Ontario Veterinary Col- lege, at Toronto, Canada, whence he was gradu- ated Doctor of Veterinary Surgery, in 1887. He then returned to Jamestown, where he opened an office and began the practice of his profession. His practice grew rapidly, causing his removal to more spacious quarters. The press of business became so great that he form- ed a partnership with Dr. Frank G. Shepard, state veterinarian, which still continues. Their hospital, the largest in the city, is well equipped for veterinary work, and accommodates all classes of animal patients. The firm's offices are at 214 Washington street. Dr. Hunt owns a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres, in the town of Harmony, which he pur- chased in 1902. He is a member of the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Knights of Maccabees. He is a Unitarian in religious faith, and a Democrat in politics, al- though, for many years, he was affiliated with the Republican party.
He married (first), September 23, 1887, at Jamestown, Kate L. Crosby, born in the town of Poland, Chautauqua county, April 15, 1854, died June 19, 1895, daughter of Eliakim and Angeline (Emory) Crosby. She was a woman of fine education and unusual talent. She taught, for thirteen years, in the schools of Jamestown, including the higher branches of the high school. She was a member of the Unitarian church, and a woman of pure Chris- tian life. He married (second), in Jamestown, May 20, 1903, Charlotte Bertha Wing, born at Naples, Ontario county, New York, July 25, 1871, daughter of Pratt and Helen Bertha (Jones) Wing. She was engaged in the millin-
ery business. She is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and a lady held in the highest esteem.
(VII) Thomas (4) Hunt, seventh
HUNT child and fourth son of Stephen (q. v.) and Bridget (Sprague) Hunt, was born April 21, 1801, died in Chau- tauqua county, New York, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. His parents lived in Washington county, New York, near the east- ern boundary line. In 1830, in company with his brother Elvin, he came to Chautauqua county, settling in the town of Busti, on a farm. The old log house in which he lived is yet standing. Thomas and Elvin were both expert woodworkers, and famed in their day for the superiority of their ox yokes, axe helves and other wooden tools used in that day. Little importance now is attached to such tools, but then they were in great demand, and those made by the Hunts were deemed the very best. Thomas was also a farmer and owned his own land. He was held in high regard by his neigh- bors, among whom he lived for over half a century. He married Lucy Nelson, born March 15, 1802, died January 23, 1872. Children : Eliza, deceased ; Cornelius, of further mention ; Charles, of Jamestown ; Laura, deceased; Cal- vin, of Jamestown; Stephen; Mary, deceased; Wilson, died in childhood.
(VIII) Cornelius, eldest son of Thomas (4) and Lucy (Nelson) Hunt, was born in the town of Cambridge, Washington county, New York, May 27, 1827. He was a child of three years when his parents came to Chautauqua county. He attended the district school when a boy, but, at the age of twelve years, began working in the woods and in the shop, cutting pine logs and making oak staves, taking up, at that early age, a man's work. At the age of eighteen years he began working on the farm of William H. Tew, remaining fifteen months, receiving ten dollars monthly for his services. He next worked for Abram Martin, of Kian- tone, continuing until he was twenty-one, when he married and began housekeeping in James- town. He worked in the rake factory, and later in the furniture factory, as a finisher, continuing twenty-seven years. He purchased thirty-four acres of land, lying within the cor- poration limits, and, from time to time, erected dwellings thereon, also doing a profitable real estate business. He has now been a resident of Jamestown over sixty years, and is one of
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the well-known, highly respected men of that city, as well as one of the very oldest living residents. He is a Republican in politics, and, for twelve years, served as a member of the board of health. For over half a century he has been an active devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served as steward, class leader and trustee.
He married, January 1, 1848, Clarinda A. Hanchett, born 1829, died 1910. She is buried in Lakeview cemetery, by the side of her daughter Cora, in the Hunt-Meredith lot, where a suitable monument marks her resting place. Children : Grace, died aged nine years; Olive, died aged six years; Cora, born May 15, 1856, died August 19, 1880, she married Jackson C. Meredith, born January 17, 1847, died January 18, 1899.
Mr. Hunt, since the death of his wife, has made his home with the Brainard Taylor Hark- ness family, of Jamestown. Mr. Harkness is a grandson of Jacob and a son of Henderson Harkness, born at Granville, New York ; mar- ried Sarah, daughter of William Bishop; chil- dren : Julia, Brainard T., Edward, Sarah and William. Brainard T. Harkness was born in Salem, Washington county, New York, July 3, 1845. He was educated in the public schools and at Salem Academy. He learned the trade of blacksmith, which he has followed up to the present date (1911). Since 1880 he has been in the employ of the Hall Company, at James- town, New York. He is a veteran of the civil war, having enlisted, December 26. 1861, in Company D, Fourth Regiment, New York Heavy Artillery. He saw hard and continu- ous service with the hard-fought Army of the Potomac, participated in many of the historic battles of the war, escaping injury until May 19, 1864, when he received a severe wound which incapacitated him from further service. He is a Republican, and past commander of James M. Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic (serving in 1907).
He married, February 10, 1875, at James- town, Effie Belle Tefft, born there, October 3, 1850, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Tefft. a veteran of the civil war, Company E, Twenty- first Regiment. New York Cavalry. ranking as sergeant. Mr. Tefft married Harriet Melinda Hanchett. Children : Frank, Effie B. and Theo- dore. Children of Brainard Taylor Harkness : I. Louis Tefft, born March 12, 1877 ; superin- tendent of the Empire Voting Machine Com-
pany ; he married Myrtle M. Guild. 2. Harriet Melinda, born April 12, 1878; educated James- town high school ; resides at home.
The family of this name is of BROWN that splendid Scotch race that has made its impress for moral-
ity and progress in every land which has been opened up to civilization, and its members are found in every honorable walk in life.
(I) Major James Brown, paternal grand- father of Donald S. Brown, was a native of Scotland, where he died at an advanced age. He served in the British army, and attained the rank of major. He married Margaret Mc- Conochie, by whom he had three children, two of whom lived to maturity-Colonel James M .. of whom further, and Flora, who remained in Scotland.
(II) Colonel James Malcolm Brown, son of Major James Brown, was born November 24. 1825, in Woolwich, the principal military depot in England, his father then being there on duty. He received his early education in Scotch schools, and was subsequently sent to a Scotch university, where he studied pharmacy. His enterprising spirit being awakened to the possi- bilities open in the United States, he came here in the fall of 1844. The war with Mexico was then impending, and his inherent military spirit led him to enlist, in January, 1845, in Company A, Fourth Regiment, United States Infantry, in which was serving Lieutenant (afterwards General) U. S. Grant, and that young officer and young Brown became well acquainted, and, for some time, shared the same tent. Mr. Brown's knowledge of medicine having become known he was soon appointed hospital steward. and was afterward promoted to the rank of assistant surgeon. He served in all the battles of General Taylor's army until his regiment was detached to join General Scott. under whom he participated in all the battles and operations from Vera Cruz to the Mexican capital. After peace was restored Surgeon Brown was stationed at Fort Mackinac until January 22, 1850, when he resigned.
Locating in Detroit, Michigan, he read law. was admitted to the bar, and practiced his pro- fession until 1853, when he removed to James- town, New York. He there resumed law prac- tice, and also took an active interest in mili- tary matters, serving with the Lowry Light Guard, Company B. Sixty-eighth Regiment,
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New York Militia, as captain. He was among the first to respond to President Lincoln's call for troops, after Fort Sumter had been fired upon. He recruited and organized Company B, Sev- enty-second Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry (first known as the Third Regiment, Sickle's Excelsior Brigade), and was elected captain. May 28 he left, with his company, for Camp Scott, Staten Island, where he was mustered into the service of the United States. He resigned his captaincy, November 5, 1861, in order to organize the One Hundredth Regi- ment, New York Volunteers, of which he was commissioned colonel. This regiment became a part of the "Eagle Brigade," and, under com- mand of Colonel Brown, participated in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, from the siege of Yorktown to the battle of Seven Pines, or Fair Oaks, where he fell at its head, May 31, 1862. His body was never recovered. He was a soldier of peerless courage, and a most efficient officer. He fell in defence of the liberties of his adopted country, and left a record of which it may be justly proud. His name is maintained in honor by James M. Brown Post, No. 285, Grand Army of the Re- public, and his memory will live through all time in the annals of his town, county and state.
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