Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 79

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

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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).

He married, August 30, 1910, in Jamestown, Alta Mae, born May 18, 1887, at Arkwright, Chautauqua county, New York, but a resident of Jamestown since 1894. She is the eldest daughter of Morris E. Towne, a furniture jobber of Jamestown, who married Effie E. Sharp. Children: Alta Mae, Jessie Allene and Mildred Alberta Towne.

ERNEST The Ernest family originally settled in Pennsylvania, where Conrad Ernest, grandfather of Dr. Clark E. Ernest, was a farmer of Perry county. The family records show him to have been of the sixth generation, as follows: (I) Henry(1), (II) John, (III) Samuel, (IV) George, (V) Henry (2).

(VI) Conrad Ernest, son of Henry (2) Ernest, was a resident farmer of Perry county, Pennsylvania. He married Chatarina Ernest, and had issue.

he served three years, receiving $50.00 a year. He was now twenty-one, and having thor- oughly mastered his trade, bade adieu to the scene of his early privations and set out to make a name and home for himself. For- tune directed his steps and brought him to Lockport, Niagara county, New York, where for the following twenty-two years, 1835-57, he followed his trade, becoming one of the well-known builders of the section. He then purchased a small farm on "Johnny Cake" ridge, where he lived until his purchase of the farm four miles south of Gasport, Niagara county, which is now known as the "old Ernest homestead." His life was one of toil, but he met life's duties with a stout heart and achieved a success fairly earned.

He married, May 8, 1838, at Lockport, Elizabeth Dysinger, born July 25, 1815, died October 1, 1908, daughter of David and Cath- erine Dysinger, of Lockport. Children: Jo- siah F., Henry A., John W., Sarah C., Ellen J., David Eugene, Daniel M., Clark E., Alida L.

(VIII) Dr. Clark Edwin Ernest, youngest son of Henry (3) and Elizabeth (Dysinger) Ernest, was born at Royalton, Niagara county. New York, August 7, 1858. His early education was secured in the public schools and a college preparation at the Union school, Lockport. He determined on a profession and secured entrance to Buffalo University, medical de- partment. Here he was graduated M. D., class of 1888. He began and continued the practice of his profession in Buffalo, where he was in successful practice until 1909. He then disposed of his business and removed to Gas- port, where he established in practice and still continues. He is a skillful physician and holds high rank in his profession. His spare time and hours of recreation are devoted to fruit culture, his home being the old Knapp farm. He is a member of the Niagara County and New York State Medical societies; he is a Republican in politics.

(VII) Henry (3), son of Conrad and Chat- arina (Ernest) Ernest, was born January 12, 1814, at Tryon Foundry, Perry county, Penn- sylvania, the youngest of a large family. After his mother was widowed she was obliged to break up the family, their support being be- yond her means. Henry and one of his sis- ters were bound to Alex, father of Alex K. McClure, the well-known statesman and writer, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He re- mained with Mr. McClure until he was six- He married, June 27, 1894, Mary E., born September 15, 1867, daughter of Dr. Knapp. Children : Lois, born December 15, 1898: Franklin Liscomb, December 29, 1903. teen, having received in that time just nine months schooling. He then worked for Mr. McClure for some time, receiving $2.50 monthly as wages. He then worked in a cloth dressing mill for a year, receiving as The English Monsons belong- wages his board and clothes. He had now MUNSON ing to the peerage have a recognized history extending reached the age of eighteen years and saw the necessity of having a settled trade. He ap- . through five centuries. According to "Burke's prenticed himself to a carpenter, under whom

Peerage," John Monson was living in 1378.

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and denominated of East Market Rasen, county of Lincoln, from whom lineally sprang William Monson, Esq., who died in 1558. It is the opinion of eminent members of the fam- ily that their common ancestor was a Dane. The name is common in Denmark, and that portion of England where the family were dwelling in the fourteenth century had been overrun by the Danes.

(I) Thomas Munson, American ancestor, was among those exiles who left England for conscience sake, brave and spirited men who were loyal to their God and their convictions. He was born in England about 1612, died May 7, 1685. It is not known how or when he came to America. He is first found of record in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1637, where he performed service in the Pequot war. He re- ceived a grant of one hundred acres, which was confirmed by the general court, May 13, 1637, no doubt in recognition of his services in that war. In 1639 he became one of the pioneer settlers of New Haven, Connecticut, where he acquired a house lot in February, 1640. He was one of the sixty-three signers of the "Agreement." He took the oath of fidelity July 1, 1644, and was appointed ser- geant of the "trayned band," a title he bore for nineteen years. May 19, 1656, he was chosen one of seven townsmen (selectmen). In 1661 he was appointed "Ensigne," and was assigned "seat No. 2 of the shorte seats in the meeting house." April 28, 1663, "Ensigne Thomas Munson and John Moss were chosen deputies for the jurisdiction General Courte for the yeare ensueinge." In 1665, after the union of New Haven Colony with Connecti- cut Colony, John Winthrop, governor, he was chosen deputy to the general assembly. July 6, 1665, he was confirmed by the general as- sembly lieutenant "of ye traine band at New Haven." In 1666 he was again chosen deputy, and in 1668 assigned a new seat in the meet- ing house; he was now 'one of the thirteen per- sons seated "in the first seat" in the gallery. April 29, 1668, he was elected one of seven townsmen (selectmen), and in 1669 again chosen deputy; in fact, this office was be- stowed upon him, as well as that of select- man, almost continuously until his death in 1685. At a session of the general court, held at Hartford, August 7, 1673, the following "special order" was passed : "Whereas there is now at present a great appearance of danger

toward the Colony by the approach of the Dutch, for our own safety and defence till the general court in October next, it is now or- dered by this court that the committee here- after named, viz: The Governor, Deputy Gov- ernor, and assistants (five others), and Lieu- tenant Thomas Munson, are hereby empow- ered to act as the Grand Committee of this Colony in establishing and commissioning of military officers, in pressing men, houses, ships, barques, or other vessels, arms, ammunition, provision, carriages, or whatever they judge needful for our defense, and to manage, or- der and dispose of the militia of the colony in the best way and manner for our defense and safety." This was the first appointment of the grand committee, or as afterward termed "council of war." During King Phil- ip's war he was in command of troops in and around Saybrook, and May 15, 1676, was ap- pointed captain of New Haven county soldiers, and in 1682 was a commissioner to treat with the Indians. September 29, 1684, he was for the last time elected deputy to the general court, and May 7, 1685, he closed an exceed- ingly useful and busy life. He was continuously in the service of town, colony and church until the last. He married Joanna -, born about 1610, died December 13, 1678.

(II) Samuel, only son of Thomas and Joanna Munson, was baptized in New Haven, Connecticut, First Church, August 7, 1643, died 1693. He was made a freeman of New Haven, May 9, 1667, and assigned in the meet- ing house a seat with fourteen others in the "second seat in the gallery." In 1670 he was one of the thirty-nine men who signed the agreement to become "Planters" and settle in the wilderness north of New Haven, now Wallingford, Connecticut. Here he was as- signed a house lot on the "Long Highway" (Main street) and a farm of eight acres. He was chosen selectman in April, 1672, and June 7, "Samuel Munson shall be allowed forty shillings for maintaining and beating the Drum in good order for the yeare ensuing." In 1674 he was again chosen one of five "townsmen." King Philip's war now being waged, he was appointed "Ensigne of Wallingford Traine Band." Under date of September 10, 1677, it was "voted that Ensign Munson shall have fourty shillings allowed him for meeting in his house this yeare." He was chosen "lister" in 1678, and one of the two sealers of leather.

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November 27, 1678, occurs the first mention of schools in the town record. December 24 it was voted to allow ten pounds for a school- master and three pence per week for each scholar attending. April 12, 1679, Samuel Munson was chosen to serve as the first school- master. He was successively auditor, select- man, treasurer, and recorder of the town. In 1682 he apparently returned to New Haven to reside, perhaps to make a home for his widowed father, perhaps to become master of Hopkins grammar school. The earliest record book of the Hopkins grammar school begins with 1684, under date of January 4, "agreed that Ensign Munson go on with the grammar school at New Haven to make up his year current, and his allowance to be forty pounds per annum as formerly, also that trial be made of the sufficiency of the said Ensign Munson and if he be sufficient to instruct or fit hopeful youth for the College that he have fifty pounds for the ensuing year." Three months later he "laid down his charge," and was succeeded by a graduate of Harvard College. It is uncer- tain whether he was rector of the school one, two or three years. He was one of the sealers of leather in New Haven, 1683-85-86, and in 1692 was lister and constable. This useful life ended the following year. He married, October 26, 1665, Martha, daughter of Will- iam Bradley.

(III) Samuel (2), son of Samuel (1) and Martha (Bradley) Munson, was born Febru- ary 28, 1688-89, died November 3, 1741. He spent his life in the town of Wallingford, Con- necticut, where he held the office of town clerk. He married (first ) Martha - who died January 7, 1707; (second), March 10, 1708, Mary, widow of Caleb Merriman, and daugh- ter of Deacon Eliasaph Preston. She died November 28, 1755. Children of first wife: Solomon, born February 18, 1689; Samuel, August 25, 1691, died about 1710; Marlo, Feb- ruary 15, 1694; William, October 13, 1695: Waitstill, of whom further; Eunice, Septem- ber 13, 1700; Obediena, October 13, 1702; Catharine, June 3, 1704. Children of second wife: Tamar, December 5, 1708; Lemuel, Feb- ruary 5, 1709; Merriman, November 30, 1710; Mamie, December 16, 1712; Lent, November 16, 1714.

(IV) Waitstill, son of Samuel (2) and Martha Munson, was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, December 12, 1697, died there March 6, 1789. He spent his life in Walling-

ford, and at the age of twenty-six was a sur- veyor of highways "in ye east society," and when thirty-two was the first of six grand jurors. In 1743 he was both surveyor of high- ways and grand juror. For those times he was considered a wealthy man. He married, December 10, 1719, Phoebe, daughter of Caleb and Mary (Preston) Merriman, born Septem- ber 16, 1699, buried December 11, 1772. Chil- dren : Reuben, of whom further ; Hannah, born February 20, 1723; Samuel, December 7, 1724; Phobe, June 14, 1726, died January 25, 1745- 46; Solomon, March 19, 1728; Waitstill, No- vember 24, 1729; Medad, August 31, 1731 ; Mamie, January 20, 1734, married, September 26, 1751, Thomas Carrington; Martha, June II, 1738, died January 27, 1739; Martha, Jan- uary 16, 1740, died January 26, 1740.

(V) Reuben, son of Waitstill and Phoebe ( Merriman) Munson, was born May 9, 1721, died June 7, 1780. His name is seen in the records of Farmington as early as December. 1747, when he was twenty-six years old. His residence until 1753 was on the west side of the town "in that division of land next Water- bury." He and his brother Waitstill then bought one hundred and forty-two acres with house and barn "south-westward of ye great plains." According to Gad Andrews "he lived in the north part of Flanders District under the mountains." He married, December 29, 1741. Mary Chittendon, who died January 15, 1801. Children : 1. Stephen, born September 30, 1742, at Wallingford, Connecticut. 2. Moses, September 24, 1744, at Wallingford, Connecticut. 3. Reuben, December 22, 1746, at Wallingford, Connecticut. 4. Phoebe, bap- tized March 19, 1748-49, in Southington. 5. Mary, baptized April 14, 1751, in Southington. 6. Sarah, baptized March 18, 1753, in South- ington. 7. Joel, baptized March 30, 1755; fought in the revolutionary war ; died at Stam- ford, Connecticut, September 19, 1776. 8. Ben- jamin, baptized May 8, 1757, at Southington ; fought in the revolutionary war, died at Wall- ingford, 1777. 9. Martha, baptized October 12, 1760, at Southington ; died August 20, 1799. 10. Samuel, born July 9, 1762.

(VI) Samuel (3), son of Reuben and Mary (Chittendon) Munson, was born in Southing- ton, Connecticut, July 9, 1762, died in Port- land, Chautauqua county, New York, 1841. He came to New York state prior to the year 1800, settling first in Oneida county. In 1818 he settled in Chautauqua county on a farm in

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the town of Portland, situated on the old Elli- cott road. He built a home from logs cut on his farm, prospered, and in 1828 built the resi- dence now standing, the property of Porter Z. Ellis. He was a brickmaker by trade and fol- lowed that occupation many years, in connec- tion with farming. When the second war with Great Britain made a demand for soldiers he responded to the call, went to the front, and served with gallantry and distinction. After coming to Portland he engaged in agriculture until his death. He married Martha Barms. They had nine children.

(VII) Samuel C., son of Samuel (3) Mun- son, was born in Oneida county, New York, March 14, 1803, died in Chautauqua county, New York, June 9, 1883. He was fifteen years of age when his father moved to Chautauqua county. Like many others his parents thought that farm work was of more importance than an education, consequently Samuel C. had such schooling as could be had without taking him from other work. But the winter months were well improved and he was well grounded in the rudiments. On attaining his majority he purchased a farm of fifty acres from the Hol- land Land Company, and on it built a house now owned by his son, Alson N. He became one of the best and most successful farmers of the town. Good stock was his delight and an abundance of the best could always be found in his barns and pastures. He was active and energetic, always striving for ad- vancement, both in personal and town affairs. He was a Republican in politics, but took lit- tle part in politics, his tastes being for the quiet of home. He married, in 1823, Polly Hulbert (nee Shuff). Children: Hannah, born January 31, 1826, died January 31, 1847; Harry S., born February 4, 1824, died August 4, 1902; Milton J., May 23, 1828; William A., July 12, 1831, died October 22, 1892; Alson N., of whom further.

(VIII) Alson N., youngest son and child of Samuel C. Munson, was born in Portland, Chautauqua county, New York, April 20, 1834. He obtained a good public school education, and on arriving at manhood began farming on his own account. Prior to 1886 his home and business were in Portland, since then in Westfield. He is one of the pioneers of the grape industry in his section, his being one of the first vineyards planted. For many years he was engaged in buying and shipping grapes for a Chicago firm, and has the honor of load-

ing and shipping the first carload of grapes from Westfield. His purchases were large during his years in the shipping business. His present residence is Westfield, where he is well known and honored. He is a Democrat in politics. He married, January 1, 1862, Julia, daughter of William Healy, of Chautau- qua. Children : Fannie Adell, born February 21, 1863, died September 7, 1865; Harlan Lawrence.

(IX) Harlan Lawrence, only son of Alson N. and Julia (Healy) Munson, was born in Portland, Chautauqua county, New York, August 27, 1870. His early education was ob- tained in public school No. 3, of West Port- land. In 1885, the year before the removal of his parents to Westfield, he entered West- field union school from whence he was grad- uated, class of 1888. Deciding upon the legal profession he entered a competitive examina- tion for a scholarship in Cornell University. He passed the examination with the highest average and in September, 1889, entered the law school, continuing until June, 1891, when he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He continued another year, graduating Mas- ter of Laws, in 1892. He was admitted to the bar in Buffalo, New York, in June of the lat- ter year, and at once began the practice of law in Westfield. In 1893 he was associated with the Buffalo law firm of Marcy & Close, but in 1894 returned to Westfield, forming a legal partnership with Arthur B. Ottaway, in whose office he had been a clerk during the summer of 1890. Mr. Munson has had a successful career and stands high in his profession. He served a term as trustee and as village presi- dent and is interested in all that pertains to the public welfare. He is a Democrat in poli- tics and soon after his return to Westfield was the party candidate for surrogate of Chau- tauqua county. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church, which he serves as trustee. His college fraternity is Phi Delta Phi (Cor- nell Law School).

He married at Ripley, New York, Septem- ber 12, 1900, Bertha E. Bennett, who died January 15, 1908, aged forty years, daughter of Lyman Bennett, of Ripley. Child, Donald Bennett, born at Westfield, November 30, 1902.

John (2) Hooker, son of John

HOOKER (1) Hooker, was born in or near Brandon, Vermont, in 1806, died in Cattaraugus county, New York,

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June 24, 1888. He settled in the town of Perrysburg, Cattaraugus county, and for many years was a leading farmer and prominent citi- zen of that town. He married Philena Water- man, born in Massachusetts in 1813, died 1883. Among their children was a son, Warren B.

Judge Warren B. Hooker, son of John (2) and Philena (Waterman) Hooker, was born in Perrysburg, Cattaraugus county, New York, November 24, 1856. He was educated in the public schools and at Forestville Academy, being graduated at the latter, class of 1876. He worked on the farm until he decided to adopt the profession of law, when he entered the office of John G. Record, in Forestville, continuing his studies there until 1879, when he was admitted to the New York bar. He began practice in Forestville, continuing until 1882, when he removed to Tacoma, Washing- ton, remaining two years, then returned to New York, locating in Fredonia, Cattaraugus county. While yet a law student he was elect- ed, in 1878, special surrogate of Cattaraugus county, holding that office for three years. This was the beginning of his public service, which has continued with slight interruption until the present time (1912). In 1889 he was elected supervisor of the town of Pom- fret, Chautauqua county. In 1890 he was the choice of both political parties for re-election, a well-earned tribute to his faithful and effi- cient services in behalf of the interests of all his townsmen. He practiced law in Fredonia during the period between his location there and 1890, when he was nominated by the Re- publican convention of the then thirty-fourth congressional district as their candidate for congress. The district comprised the counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Allegany. He was elected by a majority of five thousand seven hundred and twenty-six votes over his Democratic opponent, and after serving his term was re-elected in 1892 and again in 1894, when his majority was fifteen thousand three hundred. In 1896 he was again a candidate, being elected in that year by a plurality of twenty-seven thousand four hundred and twenty-six. In 1898 he was again the stand- ard bearer of his party and was again elected. When he was first sworn in as a member of congress he was the youngest member of the house of representatives and his nomination in the convention was over able and well-qual- ified members of his party. For his second

term he was nominated by acclamation, a merited and highly appreciated compliment. His subsequent nomination was a strong en- dorsement of his political career, as the party was not destitute of able, ambitious men. His official and unusual merit decided that his re- tention in congress for ten years was amply justified and strongly demanded by the voters of his district. He served on many leading committees of the house, and in the fifty- fourth congress was appointed by Speaker Thomas B. Reed chairman of rivers and har- bors, one of the most important. He did not serve out his fifth term, as in 1898 he was appointed by Governor Frank S. Black jus- tice of the supreme court of New York state, eighth judicial district, to fill a vacancy. At the next election held in 1899 he was elected to the same office for the full term of fourteen years. On December 8, 1902, he was appoint- ed by Governor Odell to the appellate division. Judge Hooker is a jurist of eminent fairness, and commands the deepest respect of his as- sociates on the bench and of the entire bar. He is learned in the law, and the opinions handed down are reached after the profound- est study of the law bearing on the subject. His public career of over thirty years is an unblemished one and may well stand as an example of application and fidelity.

Judge Hooker married, September 11, 1884, Etta E., daughter of Chauncey Abbey. Chil- dren, born in Fredonia: Sherman Abbey, May 5, 1887; Florence Elizabeth, May 6, 1890.

The first 'member of this branch BUSH of the Mosher family (see pages 78-81 of this work) relative to whom any authentic information can be as- certained was Jonathan Bush, born in 1650, died in 1739. He married Sarah Lamb, and in 1680 moved to Enfield, Connecticut, where the descendants of the family resided for a number of generations.

(II) Jonathan (2), son of Jonathan (1) and Sarah (Lamb) Bush, was born in 1681 in Enfield, Connecticut, died February 28, 1746. He married Hannah , born in 1691, died January 18, 1730.

(III) Joshua, son of Jonathan (2) and Hannah Bush, was born in 1710, died Septem- ber 20, 1793. He married Esperance - -, born 1708, died March 14, 1791.

(IV) Captain Jonathan (3) Bush, son of

Jas # Excitero

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Joshua and Esperance Bush, was born March 3, 1748. He served in the colonial forces of the revolutionary war, and rose to the rank of captain. He married Patience Killam, who bore him ten children, namely: Ruth, Editha, Jonathan, Abial, Patience, Ozias, Tabitha, Lu- ther, William, Joshua.

(V) Ruth, eldest daughter of Captain Jon- athan (3) and Patience (Killam) Bush, mar- ried Captain Thomas Abbe (also spelled Ab- bey), of Enfield, Connecticut, whose name often appears in the annals of Connecticut during the war of independence. From June to December, 1776, he was adjutant of Ches- ter's Connecticut state regiment. A late num- ber of the Connecticut Quarterly, in referring to the early history of Enfield, Connecticut, said: "News of the fight at Lexington, April 19, 1775, reached Enfield by mounted messen- ger the Sunday following. The people were in their meeting house and a drum being procured the drummer marched around the meeting house beating the long roll furiously.

Around it Thomas Abbe's drum re-echoed the first volley at Lexington. The meeting suddenly came to an end and early the next day 74 men commenced their march to Boston." Children of Captain Thomas and Ruth (Bush) Abbe (after this the name was usually spelled Abbey) ; Harry (Henry), Hor- ace, Horatio, Harvey, Herman, Hadasah, Har- riet.

(VI) Harry (Henry) Abbey, eldest son of Captain Thomas and Ruth (Bush) Abbe, was born in Enfield, Connecticut, September 3, 1787, died August 26, 1875. He resided in Guilford, Chenango county, New York, from whence he removed to Ellington, Chautauqua county, New York. He married, May 1, 1814, Eva Ingersoll, born August 8, 1789, died Jan- uary 23, 1857. Children : Oliver, Albert, Lor- hama, married - Hart; Ruth Ann, mar- ried James ; Sally, married Day; Lucretia, born 1816, died 1897, married, in 1844, Ephraim Mosher (see Mosher VIII).

EILERS The Eilers of Lockport trace their descent to Bernard Eilers, born in Rheims, Kingdom of Westphalia, Prussia, in 1806, died there in 1848. He was a prosperous German business man, owned and operated a flour mill, kept a house of entertainment and transferred freight between Buchold and Munster. He was an important man in his town and employed

many men. He married and had four children, including two sons, Bernard J. and Frank.

(II) Bernard J., son of Bernard Eilers, was born in Rheims, Westphalia, Prussia (now a part of the German Empire), March 9, 1832, died March 7, 1900, at Rochester, New York. He was well educated in the excellent German schools and was engaged with his father in his various undertakings. In 1856 he came to the United States in a slow sailing vessel that con- sumed eleven weeks in the passage. . He at once settled in Rochester, New York, and for four years was engaged with the Myers Ship Building Company, of that city. He then be- came master mechanic for the Genesee Paper Company, remaining with them until he retired from active business life at the age of sixty years. He married, in 1853, in his native land, Frances Bove, of Buchold. Eight children, four of whom grew to maturity. I. Bernard J. (2), born January 30, 1855; married Ma- lone Ackerman, of Rochester, New York, where they now reside; five children. 2. Christina, born 1858; unmarried. 3. Joseph H., of further mention. 4. Mary, born 1865; married John Uebbing, of Buffalo, New York; eight children.

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Genealogical and Family History of Western New York, Volume I, Part 79

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