USA > New York > Genealogical and family history of central New York : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the building of a nation, Volume II > Part 26
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when Daniel and his two sons came to Niag- ara county, settling in the town of Somerset, where Milton followed farming for four years. About 1843 he bought a farm of eighty-five acres in Newfane on the Coomer Road. This tract was then covered with timber. He began a clearing, which continued until sixty-five acres were under cultivation. Here he resided until his death. He was a hard working man of good standing in his community. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and a Republican in politics. He married (first) Caroline Smith, in Saratoga county, 1831 ; married (second) Caroline Bennett Austin, 1842, born in Ticon- deroga, New York, 1818, died 1898. Chil- dren: 1. William A., born 1843, in Somerset, New York, died, 1887, in Newfane; he was a veteran of the civil war; married (first) Olivia Stratton, (second) Jennie C. Palmatier, (third) Alice Bixler. 2. Martin Van Ness, of further mention. 3. Mary, born 1850, mar- ried J. F. Smith, of Lansing, Michigan ; child, Mabel, married W. Swick.
(VI) Martin Van Ness, youngest son of Milton and Caroline Bennett (Austin) Doug- las, was born July 20, 1846, on his father's farm, Coomer Road, Newfane, Niagara county, New York. He received his educa- tion in the public school, Lockport Union School and Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York, finishing his studies in 1866. For a year he was with his uncle in Wisconsin farming. In the fall of 1867 he came to Lockport, where he engaged as a „teacher of bookkeeping and penmanship in the public schools. He remained in this position for thirteen years, establishing a reputation as an instructor. In 1880 he resigned and until 1885 was engaged in the insurance business. In 1885 he entered the employ of the Lock City Brewing Company as accountant. He is now (1911) secretary of the company and general manager. He is past master of Niag- ara Lodge, No. 375, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was secretary from 1888 to 1898: past high priest of Ames Chapter. No. 88, Royal Arch Masons, of which he was secretary from 1872 to 1898 ; member of Bruce Council, No. 15, Royal and Select Masters, of which he was recorder from 1874 to 1898; past eminent commander of Genesee Com- mandery, No. 10, Knights Templar, of which he was recorder from 1885 to 1898: member of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; was first master workman of John Hodge
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Lodge, No. 69, and treasurer since 1890. He married (first), October 16, 1867, Mary Morse, of Wisconsin, who died at Lockport, 1872. He married (second), December 1, 1873, Almeda Armstrong, born 1846, at Lock- port, died there 1888; before marriage a teacher in the public schools; child, Camille D., born June 29, 1876.
DOUGLAS This family descends from Thompson Douglas, a well- to-do farmer of county Down, Ireland, where he died in 1889. He never came to the United States, but lived and died on his homestead in Ireland. His wife, Anna (Shaw) Douglas, survived him and spent her last years on the home farm. Thompson Douglas had fifteen children : Agnes, married a Mr. Brown and resides in Ireland; John, died in California; Margaret, married a Mr. Whiteside, deceased ; James ; William R. (of whom further ) ; Hugh, lives in Ireland ; Davis, died in California; Sarah Mary, married a Mr. Brown, deceased; Thomas; Thompson ; Brown; Grace, died unmarried; three others supposed to have died in infancy.
(II) William R., son of Thompson Doug- las, was born in county Down, Ireland, Janu- ary 30, 1847, died in Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York, January 6, 1910. His boy- hood days were spent on the farm and in at- tendance at the government schools. At the age of sixteen years he came to the United States, settling in the village of Westfield in December, 1863. He learned the trade of marble cutter, but at the end of his years of apprenticeship was compelled to abandon it on account of ill health caused by inhaling the dust raised in chiseling the marble. He then learned the trade of moulder, which he fol- lowed until the shut down of the Lock foun- dry in 1870. In that year he began working as a clerk in the grocery store of his uncle. Robert Shaw, continuing in that capacity until 1874, when he was admitted to a partnership, forming, with his uncle and J. R. S. Cosgrove, the grocery firm of R. Shaw & Company. Dur- ing the next eight years there were several changes in the personnel of the firm, but Mr. Douglas remained during that entire period. In 1882 he purchased the interests of all his partners, becoming sole owner and proprietor. He continued in most successful and lucrative operation of the same business until his death in 1910. He was a most capable, courteous,
upright and generous man of business. His integrity was proverbial, all agreeing that his word indeed was "as good as his bond." He was warm-hearted and generous, giving freely to the relief of those in distress. He was truly mourned by a host of friends. On be- coming a voter Mr. Douglas at once affiliated with the Republican party, and, while never seeking office, took the liveliest interest in the success of his party and in the public welfare of his village. He was elected a mem- ber of the board of education in 1888 and was annually re-elected (often without oppo- sition) until his death. His services to the cause of education were invaluable and fully appreciated by his townsmen. He was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, which he served for many years in an official capacity. He was a member of Summit Lodge, No. 219, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Westfield Council, No. 81, Royal Arcanum.
He married, November 19, 1873, Mary Winsor, of Westfield, who survives him. Children: John Robert (of whom further) ; Harry Winsor, born June 2, 1877; married Myrtle Sutherland; William Minford, born November 14, 1880; Elizabeth A., born March 26, 1883, died 1886; James Robinson, born January 5, 1886, married Clara Mary Kent ; Alice Ruth, born February 22, 1889; Grace, April 1, 1891 ; Margaret, March 28, 1895.
(III) John Robert, eldest son of William R. Douglas, was born in Westfield, New York, July 27, 1875. He was educated in the public schools, and began business life as a clerk in his father's store. He was interested in pub- lic men and affairs and for nine years was private secretary to S. Frederick Nixon, speaker of the New York house of assembly, and a noted Republican leader. During the intervals when the legislature was not in ses- sion he returned to his old position in the store at Westfield. After the death of Mr. Nixon, Mr. Douglas received the appointment of assistant librarian at Albany, a position he held until January 1, 1911, when he resigned to accept the postmastership of Westfield, as- suming control of that office the same day. He has always been an active party worker, served for eight years on the Republican county committee and was for six years its secretary, resigning that office in 1911, on be- coming postmaster. He served two terms of three years each as trustee of the village corporation of Westfield, and has always
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shown a deep interest in the welfare of the village and town. On the death of his father, in 1910, he was appointed administrator of and continued the mercantile business for the estate, assisted by his brothers, one of whom, James R., is also assistant postmaster. Mr. Douglas is unmarried.
Anna (Shaw) Douglas, wife of Thompson Douglas, and grandmother of John R. Doug- las, was a daughter of James Shaw, a large linen manufacturer of Ireland. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres in county Down, on which his linen mills were built. He gave employment to from four to six hundred hands, also operating a general store for their convenience. He was well known for his energy and enterprise and was a leading man in his section. He died No- vember 9, 1849, aged fifty-seven years. He married Margaret Robinson, who died in 1837. His father, William Shaw, was a lifelong resi- dent of county Down, where he died, aged eighty-seven years.
Mary (Winsor) Douglas, wife of William R. and mother of John R. Douglas, was born in Westfield, New York, November 17, 1854, daughter of David Winsor, born in the county of Kent, England, in 1814, died in Westfield, 1863. He came from England to the United States in 1851 with wife and three children. On the passage his daughter Anna, aged two and one-half years, died and was buried at sea. He settled in Chautauqua county, New York, where he continued his English occupa- tion, farming. His farm was in Westfield. After several years he abandoned farming and secured employment in the Lock foundry. His wife, Serenia (Hollands) Winsor, born De- cember 16, 1821, died in 1904. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (James) Hol- lands. Children of David and Serenia Win- sor : Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips, deceased : John, lives in Corry, Pennsylvania ; Anna, died at sea : Mary, married William R. Douglas.
The first record found of this SEAGER family in Connecticut is at Simsbury, as follows: "Richard Segar and Abigail Griffin were joyned to- gether in marriage March the twentieth one thousand six hundred eighty-two." This is followed by: "Richard Segar dyed March 19, 1697-8. and his wife Abigail dyed March 31, 1697-8." The next entry is: "John Segar, Richard Segar's son, was born March 1687-8.
Joseph Segar, Richard Segar's son, was born in the year 1692." The Cattaraugus county family descends from Joseph (1) Seager, who was a brother of Richard and uncle of the Joseph born 1692. There is no record of him found further than that of the birth of his son Joseph (2). His wife was Mehitable, daughter of John Parsons. She was born 1682, died November 27, 1725.
(II) Joseph (2), son of Joseph (I) and Mehitable (Parsons) Seager, was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, December 30, 1704. He married, March 26, 1730, Dorothy Alford. Children: Joseph (3), born March 23, 1731 ; Dorothy, January 27, 1734; Mica (Micah) (of further mention). (Perhaps others.)
(III) Micah, son of Joseph (2) and Dor- othy ( Alford) Seager, was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, April 22, 1736. He married and had a son Micah (2) (of further mention).
(IV) Micah (2), son of Micah (1) Seager, was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, about 1765. He married (first ) Lois Graham ; (sec- ond) Susan He settled in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, about 1812, with his family. His sons became land owners of that town and his descendants yet possess the lands they cleared. Orestes, Hector and An- son Seager later settled in Cattaraugus county. Children, order of birth not known: I. Aurora. 2. Anson, born 1805 : settled in 1833 in Conewango, Cattaraugus county, New York, where he was a land owner and justice of the peace ; married Aurora Harmon ; chil- dren: Caroline, Charlotte, Delia, William H. and Micah (3). 3. Schuyler. 4. Hector. 5. Orestes, married Lucinda Ashley : children : Rachel A., Schuyler, Adeline and Edward. 6. Maria. 7. Michael. 8. Levi, married Sophia Streeter. 9. Philomena.
(V) Hector, son of Micalı (2) Seager, was born March 14, 1793. in Simsbury, Connecti- cut, died in Conewango. Cattaraugus county, New York, 1859. He came with his father to Phelps, New York, where he remained un- til 1831, then in company with his brother Orestes, came to Cattaraugus county, settling in the Conewango valley. Hector owned a farm of two hundred acres and became an in- fluential man of his day. He was a warm friend of the cause of education, taught school, did conveyancing and served in a high official position in the county school board of educa- tion, and as supervisor. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist
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Episcopal church, serving as class leader for many years. He married, November 14, 18II, Sarah, daughter of Captain Woodward. Six of their children were born in Phelps, two in Conewango. I. David, born 1815, died 1832. 2. Fidelia, married Jason Gould; two children: i. Frank, married Lewis Carr; his son Jason married Olive Mason. ii. George Green, married Aurilla Saunders. 3. Julia Ann, married Edwin Pinney ; one child, Eliza, died aged seventeen years. 4. William Nor- ton, married (first) Sophia Eldred ; three chil- dren: i. George, married Elizabeth Gage; four children: Grover Cleveland, Earl, Alida and Mabel. ii. Foster V. iii. Elizabeth. He married (second) Caroline Crum ; three chil- dren: iv. Lida. v. Harriet. vi. Cora. 5. Lois. 6. Alvina, married Daniel Bowen; one child, Hector M., married Etta Woodworth, and has Hester. 7. George E. (of further mention). 8. Charlotte, married Darwin Carl; one child, Nettie C., married Edwin Payne, and has Florence and Darwin.
(VI) George E., son of Hector and Sarah (Woodward) Seager, was born in Cone- wango, Cattaraugus county, New York, Feb- ruary 6, 1833. He was educated in the public schools and during the winter terms of 1850- 5I attended Chamberlain Institute. He worked on the homestead farm until he became of legal age, then purchased a farm for himself. After the death of his father he purchased the interest of the other heirs and became owner of the old homestead. This property he still owns and has cultivated for him on the share plan. In 1870 he became a manufacturer and purchaser of cheese and butter, a business that developed to immense proportions. Although now seventy-eight years of age, Mr. Seager is in daily management of a business upwards of $200,000 yearly, and in earlier days it ex- ceeded $300,000. He is a thorough man of business and gives little evidence that years are upon him. In 1874 he located his resi- dence in the village of Randolph, where he now lives (1911). He was made a Mason in 1871 and is a past master of Elk Creek Lodge, No. 359, Free and Accepted Masons. He has taken the degrees of Capitular Masonry, but the charter of his chapter being surrendered he never affiliated with any other. He organized the fire department of Randolph and was chief for many years. He was presi- dent of the village corporation five years and a member of the school board nine years. He
was chiefly instrumental in organizing, finan- cing and building the water works system of Randolph, and in every way furthers the in- terests of his town. He is also a director of the State Bank of Randolph. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Congrega- tionalist. For business activity and intense public spirit Mr. Seager may well be styled Randolph's "grand old man."
He married (first) Ruth Myers, born 1836, died 1859. He married (second) Nettie Bige- low, born September 17, 1839, daughter of John (2) and Caroline (Wells) Bigelow, and granddaughter of John (I) and Temperance (Spencer) Bigelow. Caroline Wells was a daughter of Asa and Betsey Wells. Children of first wife: I. Minnie L., born March 16. 1868; graduate of Allegheny College, of Meadville, Pennsylvania ; married Leland Van Rensselaer. 2. Frank L., born in Conewango, New York, March 23, 1876; was educated in the public schools and Chamberlain Institute. He began business life as a clerk, then entered the State Bank of Randolph, as messenger and clerk, and is now assistant cashier and a director. He has served as president and trus- tee and treasurer of the village corporation, trustee of the fire department and treasurer of the school board. He is a member of the Congregational church, and of Elk Creek Lodge, No. 359. Free and Accepted Masons. He is a public-spirited citizen, a "worthy son of a worthy sire." He married Elizabeth Crowley. Child, Kate Crowley, born August 31, 1907.
The Keep family of Lockport, KEEP New York, are lineal descendants of John Keep, of Longmeadow and Springfield, Massachusetts. John Keep is first mentioned in the records of Springfield as a resident there in 1660. In 1663 he was elected selectman, and seems to have been a man of a good deal of importance in Springfield at that time, serving on many committees and juries. In 1667 he was hayward of Long- meadow, and in 1668 was surveyor of high- ways in Springfield town. He appears fre- quently in the records until 1676, when he met his tragic death. On Sunday, March 26. he was on his way to church in Springfield with several others, and was attended by sev- eral troopers of the colony. Notwithstanding their protection, they were attacked by In- dians and several were killed, including John
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Keep, his wife, and son Jabez. This is known in history as the "Longmeadow Massacre." John Keep married, December 31, 1663, Sarah Leonard, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, December 13, 1645, daughter of John and Sarah Leonard, of an important colonial fam- ily. Children : Sarah, born December 5, 1666; Elizabeth, November 15, 1668; Samuel, of further mention : Hammond, born June 28, 1673; Jabez, born December II, 1675, mur- dered by Indians.
(II) Ensign Samuel, eldest son of John and Sarah (Leonard) Keep, was born August 22, 1670, at Longmeadow, Massachusetts, died Angust 23, 1755. After the loss of both father and mother, when he was but six years old, he was taken by his grandmother Leonard, who lived in Springfield, and afterward was reared on the farm of an uncle. He became himself a farmer, and served in the militia with rank of ensign. He married, February 27, 1695, Sarah Holton of Longmeadow, born September 25, 1678, died June 20, 1754. Chil- dren : John, of further mention ; Samuel, born November 12, 1700; Sarah, August 23, 1703 ; Jabez, March 10, 1706; Elizabeth, May 22, 1709: Jemima, July 17, 1711; Josiah, Novem- ber 30, 1713; Abiah, December II, 1715; Stephen, October 26, 1717; Eunice, March 3, 1720.
(III) John (2) eldest son of Ensign Sam- uel and Sarah (Holton) Keep, was born June 22, 1698, died July 28. 1757. He settled at Brimfield (now Monson), Massachusetts, where he was one of the first settlers. At the first town meeting held there he was chosen fence viewer, later was assessor, and was se- lectman in 1749-54. He died and is buried at Brimfield. He married Abigail Munn, born October 17, 1700, died October 5, 1787, daugh- ter of James and Mary Moody Munn. Chil- dren: John (2), born March 15, 1725; Eliz- abeth, August 6, 1726; Jabez, March 2, 1728; Abigail, March 28, 1730; Sarah, September 27, 1732; Eunice, September 9, 1734; Eunice (2), January 3, 1736; Simeon, February 15, 1737; Mary, January 28, 1739; Caleb, of fur- ther mention; Seth.
(IV) Captain Caleb Keep, tenth child and fourth son of John and Abigail (Munn) Keep, was born at Springfield, Massachusetts, De- cember 10, 1741, died at Homer, Cortland county, New York. He was a farmer, and when the revolutionary war began at once took an active part with the colonies. He marched as
sergeant with Captain Freeborn Moulton's company, Colonel Danielson's regiment, on the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775, from Mon- son to Cambridge, and took part in the stir- ring events of that day. He appears as lieu- tenant of Captain Joseph Thompson's com- pany, Colonel Danielson's regiment, August I, 1775. He continued in the service and be- came captain of the Ninth Company, First Regiment, Hampshire county, Massachusetts militia. After returning from the army he set- tled at Monson and resumed his occupation of farmer. He had as distinguished a civil career as he had military. In 1794 he was elected selectman and served several terms. In 1793-94-97 he was elected to the general court of Massachusetts from Monson, and held other positions of trust. Late in life he removed to Homer, Cortland county, New York, where he died. He married
Children : Mercy, born March 17, 1771; Clarissa, October 6, 1772; Martin, December 20, 1774; Rhoda, March 19, 1779; Chauncey, of further mention.
(V) Chauncey, youngest child and second son of Captain Caleb Keep, was born Novem- ber 5, 1784, died in Homer, New York, Octo- ber 12, 1853. He settled in Cortland county, where he became a man of prominence and in- finence. He was a Whig in politics, and in 1830 was elected a member of the New York house of assembly, serving with distinction until 1836. He was one of the first board of trustees of Cortland Academy in .1819, and always maintained his interest in that institu- tion. He was connected with various business enterprises of his section, and aided in the de- velopment of Cortland county. He married Prudence Wolcott, born May, 1789, died No- vember 28, 1869, at Homer, New York, daughter of Parmenis and Mary Wolcott, and a direct descendant of Roger Wolcott, one of the early colonial governors of Connecticut. Children : I. William, born May II, 1812, died at Lockport, New York, July 29, 1865: he was a banker, presidential elector in 1857; married Frances Rhodes of Syracuse, New York. 2. Sophia, born 1813, died 1854. 3. Mary Wolcott, born 1817, died May 29, 1884. 4. Chauncey (2), born June 29, 1819, died No- vember 10, 1874, at Lockport, New York. 5. Henry, born October 20, 1820, died May 4. 1897, at Chicago, Illinois. 6. Charles, born April 4, 1823, died August 30. 1893. 7. Al- bert, born April 30, 1826. 8. Augustus, born
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August 29, 1829, died August 22, 1906. 9. George R. (of further mention).
(VI) George R., youngest child and seventh son of Chauncey and Prudence (Wolcott) Keep. was born at Homer, New York, April 3, 1832, died at Lockport, New York, August 23, 1903. He was educated at Cortland Acad- emy, Homer, and in 1849 joined his brothers in Lockport, New York, and with them was engaged in merchandising, conducting a gen- eral and clothing store. He remained in mer- cantile life in Lockport until 1877, when he disposed of his interests and removed to Chi- cago, Illinois, where he established in the manufacturing of boots and shoes. He con- tinued in active successful business life until 1893, when he retired. He was a man of great executive ability, and handled successfully the various enterprises with which he was con- nected. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and a Republican. He mar- ried, June 7, 1865, Jennie M. Roberts, who died June 3, 1899. Children: Ralph S., of further mention; Augustus Wolcott, born February 16, 1880, died March 5, 1881.
(VII) Ralph Spencer, eldest son of George R. and Jennie M. (Roberts) Keep, was born in Lockport, New York, March 20, 1874. He was educated in private and public schools of Chicago, prepared at St. Paul's School, Con- cord, New Hampshire, and entered Williams College in 1893. After completing his college studies he entered the employ of the National Exchange Bank of Lockport, New York, re- maining three years. He then became con- fidential secretary to his uncle, Augustus Keep, continuing with him until his death in 1906. Mr. Keep is a director of the National Ex- change Bank, and since 1906 has not been en- gaged actively in any business. He is a ves- tryman of Grace Episcopal Church, Lockport. His clubs are: The Buffalo, Buffalo Country, Lockport Country and Tuscarora. His col- lege fraternity is Zeta Psi, Zeta Chapter, of which he is trustee.
He married, June 15, 1904, at Lockport, Gertrude Ingersoll Van Epps, born June 5, 1880, daughter of Robert T. and Belle (Inger- soll) Van Epps. Child: Wolcott Keep, born December 5, 1906.
SHAFER This family settled in the American colonies prior to the revolution, coming from Sweden, where the family had been seated for
many generations. The emigrant ancestor, John Shafer, was born in Sweden, came to Amer- ica and settled in Fredericksburg, Maryland. He served as a private in the revolution, and in 1804, with his family, removed to the town of Rush, Genesee county, New York, where he purchased a farm and conducted it with the aid of his sons. He lived to be an old man and reared a large family. He married Eliza- beth Steele, born 1760, died 1864, at the great and unusual age of one hundred and four years. She was well known in the neighbor- hood, and retained unusual vigor until well along toward the century mark.
(II) Peter, son of John and Elizabeth (Steele) Shafer, was born in Fredericksburg. Maryland, 1799, died in Niagara county, New York, March, 1885. He was taken to Rush, Genesee county, New York, with his father in 1804, He grew up to farm labor, an occu- pation he always followed. He settled in the town of Yates, Orleans county, and in 1849 moved to the town of Olcott, Niagara county, New York. He married Eleanor Fenton, of Orleans county, New York. Children: Sid- ney, died at Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1907; Ira, died young, in Olcott, New York; Electa, born 1824, now (1911) living in Olcott; Sophronia, died in 1862, at Olcott; Belinda, now living in Olcott, aged eighty years ; James, a farmer, now aged seventy-eight years ; Hor- ace, died 1856; Homer, a farmer of Olcott, now aged seventy-four years ; Esther, now liv- ing at Ransomville, New York, aged seventy- two years; Franklin, born April 24, 1841, in Orleans county, now living in Olcott ; Eugene, of further mention.
(III) Eugene, eleventh child and seventh son of Peter and Eleanor (Fenton) Shafer, was born in the town of Yates, Orleans county, New York, August 19, 1843. He was six years of age when his parents removed to Ol- cott, Niagara county, where he remained on his father's farm until his marriage. He was educated in the district schools, and has de- voted his life to fruit farming. The homestead farm in Olcott, where he worked with his father, was the place of the first experiment in grafting apple trees, and was a point of a good deal of interest at that time. Having retired from the farm, he is now living in Ol- cott, making a specialty of fruit culture, mostly different varieties of the apple, for which the farm is famous. He is an ardent Republican and much interested in public affairs.
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