USA > New York > Seneca County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Steuben County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Cortland County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Yates County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
USA > New York > Wayne County > History of Central New York : embracing Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Tompkins, Cortland, Schuyler, Yates, Chemung, Steuben, and Tioga Counties, Volume III > Part 9
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
at Straits Corners, North Spencer and Halsey Valley. Ten years later Mr. Rider became interested in the feed business at Tioga Center and for two years owned and operated mills there. He was next employed by the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company at Sayre, Pennsylvania. In September, 1917, Mr. Rider enlisted for service in the World War and served at Camp Dix, New Jersey, before sailing for overseas duty in May, 1918. He saw active service at the front as a member of Company H, Three Hundred and Tenth Infantry, Seventy-eighth Division. He served in the following engagements: St. Mihiel offensive, Belleau Woods and Meuse Ar- gonne. After his discharge in June, 1919, Mr. Rider returned to Tioga Center and until July, 1930, was interested in the creamery business at that place. He then came to Owego as superintendent of the Newark Milk & Cream Company.
In September, 1916, Mr. Rider was united in marriage with Miss Grace Stetler, of Tioga Center, the daughter of William and Lucy (Taylor) Stetler. Mr. Stetler was born in Tioga County and resides at Owego. His wife, a native of New York, died in 1928. Mr. and Mrs. Rider are the parents of two sons: Floyd J., Jr., born in 1917; and Leland E., born in 1922.
Mr. Rider is a Republican, a trustee of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with Tioga Lodge No. 534, F. & A. M., American Legion, and Tioga Sportsmen's Association.
George M. Decker, D. D. S .- One of the prominent citizens and able professional men of Tioga County is George M. Decker, well known dentist of Owego. He was born at Appalachin, New York, November 22, 1873, the son of Marvin and Frances (Patterson) Decker.
Marvin Decker, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. Both he and his wife were natives of Owego and died in 1906 and 1889, respectively. He was a farmer and spent his life at Owego and Apalachin. To Mr. and Mrs. Decker were born four children: 1. C. W., lives at Newark Valley. 2. George M., the subject of this sketch. 3. Lola Welch, lives at Syracuse. 4. Char- lotte Greene, lives at Owego.
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George M. Decker attended Apalachin High School and Buffalo High School, and in 1898 received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery at Buffalo Dental College. After two years of practice at Troy, Pennsylvania, he was appointed to the U. S. Army and received the commission of first lieutenant, U. S. Army Dental Corps. He then served under General Wood in Cuba until 1902 and was transferred to the Department of Colorado and resigned after three years in the service. Since 1904 Doctor Decker has continued in practice at Owego. He is a member and past presi- dent of the Valley Dental Society, a member of the Sixth District Dental Society, New York State Dental Society, and American Dental Association.
Doctor Decker was married (first) June 1, 1898, to Miss Grace L. Little, of Candor, New York, the daughter of Llewllyn and Mary (Phelps) Little. The former died in 1896 and the latter in 1916. Grace L. (Little) Decker died May 22, 1925, and is buried at Candor. To this union was born a son, Dwight D., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history.
In December, 1926, Doctor Decker married Mrs. Cora Steele Barton of Owego, the daughter of John F. and Adelaide (Muzzey) Steele. Mr. and Mrs. Steele were born at Newark Valley. He died in July, 1904, and his wife died in February, 1923.
Doctor Decker is a member of the vestry of St. Paul's Episco- pal Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, being past master of Friendship Lodge. He also was president of the Tioga County Agriculture Society for seven years. Politically he is a Republican, and has been village trustee and school director. He also was president of the Owego Board of Education for seven years.
Doctor Decker is president of the Ahwaga Hotel Corporation.
Scott B. Chaffee, who is superintendent of Borden's Farm Products Company, at Candor, is one of the reliable and well known business men of Tioga County. He was born at Potter- ville, Pensylvania, April 28, 1884, the son of Herbert W. and Ida D. (Spencer) Chaffee.
1
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Herbert W. Chaffee was a native of Pennsylvania, born at Potterville. He was a farmer and stonemason contractor. He died in 1917 and is buried at Potterville. His wife was also a native of Potterville and died in 1892. Their children were: 1. Earl R., lives at Beaver, Pennsylvania. 2. Carl A., lives at Potter- ville. 3. Mabel, who died in 1894. 4. Scott B., the subject of this sketch. 5-6. Gay S., and Fay H., twins, live at Potterville. Mr. Chaffee was a Republican and a member of the Congregational Church.
Scott B. Chaffee attended the public schools of Potterville and in 1906 received a degree from Pennsylvania State College where he had specialized in dairying. He then was appointed manager of the butter factory of the Farmers Co-operative Company at Potterville. After a year he located with the Mutual Milk and Cream Company in New York City, and in April, 1908, was sent to Lime Rock, Connecticut, by the Bordens Farm Products Com- pany. After five years in that plant he was transferred to De- posit, New York, as dairy inspector, and remained there from 1913 until 1917. In the latter year he was sent to Catatonk, New York, as plant superintendent. He then assumed his present duties as superintendent at Candor, July 1, 1918. Mr. Chaffee has com- pleted twenty-five years of service in the company's employ.
In 1908 Mr. Chaffee was united in marriage with Miss Annabel Dickinson, of Taconic, Connecticut, the daughter of Elmore S. and Martha (Brown) Dickinson. Mr. Dickinson was born in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and died in 1932. His wife, a na- tive of the same county, died in 1916, and is buried at Fortuna, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee have been born three chil- dren : 1. Irene G., born in 1912, a graduate of Candor High School, class of 1929, was a teacher for two years, now attends Hartwick College at Oneonta, New York. 2. Herbert E., born October 1, 1914, attends Candor High School. 3. Scott B., Jr., born in 1926, died in infancy.
Mr. Chaffee is a member of the Congregational Church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World. He is also treasurer and a member of the volunteer fire department. Politically he is a Republican.
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
Truman Short Stevens .- A member of one of the oldest fami- lies in Ontario County, Truman Short Stevens is prominent as the capable commissioner of public welfare, as well as superintendent of the Public Welfare Home near Canandaigua. He was born at Richmond, Ontario County, November 22, 1873, the son of Edward K. and Louise A. (Reed) Stevens.
Edward K. Stevens was born on the old Stevens homestead near Richmond, in December, 1838, and throughout his life was a farmer. He was the son of Jesse Stevens, Jr., whose father, Jesse Stevens, had come to Ontario County from Massachusetts during the very early history of this section. All were successful farm- ers. In 1847 Edward K. Stevens married Miss Louise A. Reed, the daughter of Wheeler Reed, also natives of Richmond, Ontario County. To them were born three children. Both are deceased.
Truman S. Stevens grew up at Richmond and received his schooling at Honeoye. In 1892 he entered Genesee Wesleyan Sem- inary, from which he was graduated in the following year in the business course. He took two more years of work in the same institution, and then engaged in general farming on the Stevens homestead until 1924. He removed to Honeoye in that year and conducted a general insurance business there until August 1, 1929, at which time he received his present appointment as commis- sioner of public welfare in Ontario County.
On October 6, 1897, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage with Miss E. Allene Beam, the daughter of D. Willard and Eliza (Doo- little) Beam, of Ontario County. To Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were born three children: 1. Ethel Louise, born December 25, 1900, attended Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, married Clayton Harvey, of Hemlock, New York, and they have three children. 2. Eliza Gertrude, born October 21, 1904, a graduate of Honeoye High School, class of 1921, married Daniel Sayre Beam, lives at Hem- lock, New York, and they have two children. 3. Edward Willard, born August 3, 1907, a graduate of Honeoye High School, class of 1926, graduated Rochester Business Institute, now cost account- ant for the Indian Splint Company, of Rochester.
Politically, Mr. Stevens is a Republican, and he has held the offices of supervisor and town committeeman. He is a member
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
of the Congregational Church, and is Past Master of Eagle Lodge, No. 619, F. & A. M., of Honeoye, and a charter member of Livonia Chapter, No. 311, R. A. M. He also is Past Patron of Eagle Chap- ter, No. 350, O. E. S., and was assistant grand lecturer in 1927. He was the first Master of Honeoye Grange, and still maintains his residence at Honeoye.
Dwight D. Decker, who is popular throughout Central New York as the owner and manager of the Ah-Wa-Ga Hotel, at Owego, is a veteran of the World War. He was born at Troy, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1899, the son of Dr. George M. and Grace (Little) Decker.
A complete sketch of Dr. George M. Decker, of Owego, appears elsewhere in this history.
The early education of Dwight D. Decker was received in the public schools of Owego and in 1916 he was graduated from Owego Academy. He is also a graduate of Mercersburg (Pennsylvania) Academy and spent one year at Cornell University. In 1918 he enlisted in the U. S. Army for service in the World War and was sent to the officers training school at Camp Taylor, Kentucky, where he was commissioned second lieutenant of artillery. He received his discharge March 1, 1919, and now holds a commission in the U. S. Officers Reserve Corps. After his discharge Mr. Decker returned to Cornell University as a student of agriculture for two years. In 1921 he purchased the Ah-Wa-Ga Hotel prop- erty and the following year took over adjoining property in order to enlarge the hotel. The entire structure was completely remod- eled in 1931 and is now thoroughly modern in every respect.
In 1922 Mr. Decker became the owner of Hiawatha Island in the Susquehanna River, near Owego, and he completely stocked the place with pure bred Guernsey cattle and hogs. Products from this fine farm keep Ah-Wa-Ga Hotel supplied with milk, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and meats. Mr. Decker holds mem- bership in the National Guernsey Breeders Association.
In 1921 Mr. Decker was united in marriage with Miss Lucille Baldwin of Owego, the daughter of Carson and Martha (Stewart)
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
Baldwin. Both were born at Painesville, Ohio. Mr. Baldwin died in 1926 and is buried at Owego. His widow resides here. Mr. and Mrs. Decker have no children.
Mr. Decker is a Republican, a member of the Episcopal Church, and belongs to the Owego Country Club, B. P. O. Elks, and Cham- ber of Commerce.
Louie H. Comstock is among the substantial citizens of Owego, where he has been superintendent of Evergreen Cemetery since 1913. He was born at Lovelton, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1869, the son of Elmer and Orpha (Hulbert) Comstock.
Elmer Comstock, a native of Pennsylvania, died in May, 1932. With the exception of ten years spent in the hotel business at Me- hoopany, Pennsylvania, Mr. Comstock was interested in farming throughout his life. He held the offices of village supervisor, school director and auditor. His widow resides at Lovelton. Their children were: 1. Louie H., the subject of this sketch. 2. Pierce, lives at New Milford, Pennsylvania. 3. Anna, who died in 1928. 4. Lydia Laman, lives at Sayre, Pennsylvania. 5. Ada, lives at Lovelton.
Louie H. Comstock was reared and educated at Lovelton. He was employed for two years in the glass factories at Corning, New York, and also was associated with his father in the hotel business. For one year he was manager of the Wyoming House at Tunkhan- nock, Pennsylvania, and in 1903 came to Owego as manager of the Central House. Before his appointment as superintendent of Evergreen Cemetery he served as a member of the Owego police force.
In 1893 Mr. Comstock was united in marriage with Miss Cath- erine Carpenter of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, who died March 2, 1929. She was the daughter of Cort and Jane (Wiltsey) Car- penter. Mr. Carpenter died in 1892 and his wife died in 1894. They are buried at Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Comstock were born two children: 1. Earl, born in 1894, died in 1903. 2. Harrison L., born in 1896, a graduate of Owego
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
Academy, lives at Elyria, Ohio. He married Miss Anne Collins, and they have a son, Harrison Comstock. 3. Catherine, born in 1898, married Judson Hulbert, lives at Owego. They have three children: Louis, Ruthanna, and Catherine. 4. Elmer, born in 1903, unmarried, lives at Owego. 5. Eleanor, twin sister of Elmer, married Ernest Dodd, lives at Owego. They have two sons, Elmer and William. 6. Harriet, born in 1906, married Joseph Emm, lives at Syracuse. They have a son, Joseph, Jr.
Mr. Comstock is a Republican and has served as school com- missioner. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Leslie R. Fancher, who is proprietor of the Liberty Photo Com- pany, at 34 Lake Street, is one of the enterprising young business men of Owego. He was born here, January 18, 1897, the son of John and Eleanora (White) Fancher.
John Fancher is deceased. He was born at Oneonta, New York, and his widow is a native of the town of Tioga, Tioga County. She now lives at Owego.
Leslie R. Fancher has always lived at Owego. He is a gradu- ate of Owego Academy and studied electrical engineering. He then spent five years with the Commercial Motor Car Company as cost accountant, and in connection with that work he also did commercial photography for the concern. In 1922 Mr. Fancher established his own business at Owego. He has recently special- ized in aerial photography.
On July 14, 1919, Mr. Fancher was united in marriage with Miss Rosalena M. Somers, of Elmira, the daughter of Eli T. and Anna (Russell) Kaley Somers. Mr. Somers, a native of Connecti- cut, died in 1926, and is buried at Owego. His widow was born in the town of Tioga and lives at Endicott. Mr. Somers was inter- ested in the building and contracting business for a number of years at Warren, Pennsylvania, and later located at Endicott, New York, in the same business. He was a Republican and a trustee of the Methodist Church. By a former marriage Mrs. Somers had a son, Lester J., who lives at Binghamton. To Mr.
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
and Mrs. Somers were born the following children: 1. Budd Rus- sell, who was killed in action during the World War, while serv- ing at the front during the Argonne Drive, October 11, 1918. He is buried in France. 2. Rosalena M. Fancher. 3. Holmes W., lives at Endicott. 4. Howard A., lives at Apalachin, New York. 5. Lorin D., lives at Endicott. 6. Joseph N., lives at Endicott. 7. Leola Ruth Corwin, lives at Endicott.
Mr. Fancher is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge, Binghamton Consistory, thirty-second degree, Kalurah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., B. P. O. Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Rotary Club, and Chamber of Commerce. His wife holds membership in the Order of the Eastern Star, of which she is Past Matron and Past Grand Officer of the State.
Archie N. Searles, who has spent his entire life in the town of Owego, is prominent throughout Tioga County, having served as sheriff and chief of police. He was born January 30, 1889, the son of Homer and Emma (Corbin) Searles.
Homer Searles, who died in 1912, was a native of the town of Owego. His wife was born at Warren Township, Bradford Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and died in 1921. They are buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Owego. Mr. Searles engaged in general farming and also owned and operated saw mills throughout the county. He was a Republican, and for eight years held the office of highway commissioner. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. They were the parents of three sons: 1. Carl, lives at Syracuse. 2. Archie N., the subject of this sketch. 3. Howard, lives at Owego.
Archie N. Searles is a graduate of the Owego public schools. After eight years in the employ of the Owego Bridge and Iron Company, he became a member of the Owego police force in Jan- uary, 1914. In the following year he was made chief of police, in which capacity he served continuously until 1929. Mr. Searles was elected as sheriff of Tioga County in November, 1928, and for three years successfully filled that office.
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
On October 10, 1915, Mr. Searles married Miss Salinda Finch, of Owego, the daughter of Russell R. and Estella (Deyo) Finch. Both are natives of Owego. Mr. and Mrs. Searles have a daugh- ter, Marian M., born at Owego in 1918.
Politically Mr. Searles is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church, and he belongs to the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and Tioga Sportsmen's Association. Mr. Searles and his family have traveled extensively and have recently completed an 8,000-mile motor trip through the south- west.
Lester S. Geer .- Numbered among the substantial business men of Waverly is Lester S. Geer, funeral director, whose estab- lishment is located at 462 Fulton Street. He was born at Elmira, October 13, 1891, the son of Elmer E. and Anna R. (Smith) Geer.
Elmer E. Geer and his wife are natives of Owego and now re- side at Elmira. He is a cabinetmaker by trade and has been thus employed at Elmira since 1892. Mr. Geer is a Republican, a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. To Mr. and Mrs. Geer were born two children: 1. Lester S., the subject of this sketch. 2. Marguerite Van Noy, who died in 1920.
Lester S. Geer obtained his education in Elmira and is a grad- uate of Elmira Free Academy. He then entered Barnes College of Anatomy and Science of Embalming, and he is a graduate of Simmons School of Embalming at Syracuse. Mr. Geer was located with S. B. Hubbell & Son, funeral directors of Elmira, for three years, and in 1917 located at Waverly as manager of the Grumme Funeral Home. He served in that position until 1928, and has since conducted his own business in this city. He purchased the Hugh Brown estate, which was completely remodeled. It ranks as the city's leading undertaking establishment and maintains com- plete ambulance service.
In 1912 Mr. Geer married Miss Bertha L. June, of Elmira, a graduate of Elmira Free Academy, and Meeker's Business Insti-
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
tute. She is the daughter of Frank B. and Elvira (Stratton) June, natives of Canton, Pennsylvania. Mr. June died in 1920 and his widow lives in Elmira. Mr. and Mrs. Geer have a daughter, Mar- guerite L., student.
Politically Mr. Geer is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Methodist Church and he belongs to Waverly Lodge, No. 407, F. and A. M., past master; Waverly Chapter, No. 245, R. A. M .; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Rotary Club; and Waverly Board of Trade. He is a member of Tri County Funeral Directors Association, New York State Embalmers Asso- ciation, and the New York State Funeral Directors Association.
Elliott C. Woodford .- One of the better known young business men of Tioga County is Elliott C. Woodford, who is identified with the Woodford Pharmacy at 29 Lake Street, Owego. He was born here, May 16, 1897, the son of Charles G. and Anna May (Chitry) Woodford.
Charles G. Woodford, deceased, was a representative citizen of Owego. He was born on a farm near Candor, August 31, 1851, the son of George and Mary (Loring) Woodford. After his grad- uation from the district schools, he attended Lowell's Business College at Binghamton, and then located with the dry goods busi- ness of Gridley Brothers, at Amboy, Illinois. He was subsequent- ly connected with the Knapp Dry Goods Company at Waverly, New York, and in January, 1886, entered the services of the First National Bank of Owego as bookkeeper. In 1895 he succeeded the late Francis E. Brockway as teller, and was made cashier of the institution August 3, 1915. Mr. Woodford was granted a leave of absence as cashier on account of ill health in 1926, and resigned during the following year. He died July 30, 1931, and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Owego. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and belonged to B. P. O. Elks, Owego. Anna May (Chitry) Woodford was born at Owego and died there De- cember 17, 1927. She was the daughter of Francis and Mary (El- liott) Chitry, and was born June 28, 1859. As a young woman she
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HISTORY OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
taught school at Newark Valley, Union, and Owego. She compiled and published the first literary calendar in this section of the country. It contained famous quotations for each day of the year and its publication proved a successful undertaking for her. She was a well educated woman and possessed unusual business ability. She also became prominent in the social life of Tioga County and was a charter member of the "Women of 1915," an organization which had for its slogan "Preparedness, Protection and Peace." It was founded for the purpose of arousing women in America to the conditions and needs of the time. It was Mrs. Woodford who maintained that the word "peace" should be a part of the club's watchword. In the fall of 1919 she was elected a member of the Board of Governors of the New York City Eu- phony Society, an organization formed during that year for the purpose of elevating the standard of American music, as well as to afford the music lovers of New York City and vicinity with an opportunity of hearing famous artists in public concert work. She was also a member of the Mary Arden Shakespeare Club of New York City, which had an exclusive membership of twenty- four. She was active in the state and national work of the Feder- ation of Women's Clubs and had traveled extensively in this coun- try and abroad. Her sisters were: Stella E. and Clara E. Chitry of Owego; and Mrs. Fred M. Curtis of Roseburg, Oregon.
The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Woodford was Elliott C., the subject of this sketch.
Elliott C. Woodford is a graduate of Owego Academy and New York Military Academy at Cornwall. In 1920 he engaged in busi- ness in Owego as proprietor of the Woodford Pharmacy, which he had purchased from Walter B. Partridge.
In 1921 Mr. Woodford married Miss Mary Chubb, of Rome, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Ward and Minerva (Sibley) Chubb, natives of Illinois and Pennsylvania, respectively. They located at Owego in 1902, and still reside in the village. Their children were: 1. Helen, married William Halstead, lives at Owego. 2. William, lives at Kenville, New Jersey. 3. Harry, lives at Owego. 4. Mary Woodford. 5. Mildred, married Charles Ballou. 6. Sib- ley, lives at Owego. 7. Dorothy, married Harold Mercereau, lives
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at Endicott. 8. Alice, lives in New York City. 9. Beatrice, a nurse, lives at Syracuse. Mr. and Mrs. Woodford have no chil- dren.
Mr. Woodford is a Republican and served as a member of the village board during 1923-24. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to B. P. O. Elks, and Tioga County Sports- men's Association. Mr. Woodford is an ardent fisherman and hunter, and is the owner of a summer home on Hiawatha Island, near Owego.
John Holland Johnson, who died June 28, 1931, was for many years identified with the financial interests of the city of Penn Yan as president of the Citizens Bank. He was born at Canan- daigua, New York, August 2, 1853, the son of Daniel C. and Mary (Billings) Johnson.
Daniel C. Johnson was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in 1809. He was a wagon maker by trade and spent the greater part of his life at Canandaigua, where he had settled in 1847. He was married in that year to Miss Mary Billings, the daughter of William Billings, a pioneer of Canandaigua. They had five chil- dren, of whom John Holland, subject of this sketch, was the third in order of birth.
John Holland Johnson was a graduate of Canandaigua Acad- emy and attended Hobart College, at Geneva. He then read law in the offices of William H. Smith, of Canandaigua, and was admit- ted to the bar in 1875. Mr. Johnson was then associated in prac- tice with Frank H. Hamlin, of Canandaigua. He came to Penn Yan about 1870 where he formed a partnership with John F. An- drews and Augustus Franklin, under the firm name of Andrews & Johnson. They engaged in the real estate and loan business until 1899, at which time Mr. Johnson became interested in the organization of the Citizens Bank of Penn Yan, being associated with Henry M. Parmele, now president of the Hamlin National Bank, of Holcomb, New York; Frank H. Hamlin, of Canandaigua, John F. Andrews, John A. Underwood, Fred H. Lynn, and Lori- mer Ogden, all of Penn Yan; and Howard L. Woodruff, of Dundee.
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