History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches, Part 111

Author: Doty, Lockwood R., 1858- [from old catalog] ed; Van Deusen, W. J., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Jackson, Mich., W. J. Van Deusen
Number of Pages: 1422

USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches > Part 111

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FREDERICK BEUERLEIN, Jr. - A prominent citizen and successful merchant of Mount Morris, N. Y., is a native of Prussia, Germany, having been born at Rhein, February 20, 1852. In 1872 his father, Frederick Beuerlein, with his family consisting of his wife and four children, Frederick, Jr., Barney, Michael and Elizabeth, sailed from Bremen on the vessel " Donan" bound for America. They landed in New York after a rough and stormy voyage lasting two weeks and proceeded immediately to Dansville, N. Y. Mr. Beuerlein previous to leaving his native land was a farmer and upon arriving in Dansville he secured a farm where he remained the balance of his life. Frederick. Jr .. the eldest son. remained with his father until 1880, when he came to Mt. Morris and engaged as clerk for his brother Barney, with whom he remained eight years. He then, in 1888, opened the store he has since so successfully conducted. Their stock made up of groceries, and boots and shoes, is kept in a clean, inviting condition and an air of thrift and prosperity permeates the place. In April, 1878, Mr. Beuerlein was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Byers, of Wayland, N. Y., and four children have been born to them: his eldest son, Barney S. was born in Dansville, Livingston county, March 28, 1879. He attended the schools of Mount Morris and later entered his father's employ, with whom he has since remained.

CHARLES N. STROBEL-A prominent merchant and postmaster of Mos- cow, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., February 2, 1855. His education was obtained in the district schools of the neighborhood and his early life was passed on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-Que he came to Livingston County and first located at Greigsville, where he was engaged in the threshing machine business for about five years. He then removed to Kansas, where he farmed during the succeeding hive years. after which he returned east and for some five or six years operated a farm in Wyoming county. In 1891 he came to Moscow and purchased the grocery business of John Barrett. This he con- ducted profitably until 1900, when the fire that destroyed the business portion of the village destroyed his establishment as well. Ile, however, immediately opened in new quarters with a new stock of goods and is conducting a thriving business. Upon becoming established in his new quarters in 1900 he received

BIOGRAPHICAL

the appointment of postmaster, which office he now holds. In 1878 he was united in marriage with Mary J. Barrett, a daughter of William Barrett, an iu- fluential farmer of Greigsville, N. Y. They have three sons, Elmer M., Leon H. and William B. Mr. Strobel has acquired his present standing in the business community through his own efforts entirely, with no financial assist- ance from any source whatever, he has through the early practice of economy and with zeal and perseverance steadily advanced from a state of penury to one of modest independence. He is a member of the Mount Morris lodge of Masons and a valued member of the Historical Society of Livingston county.

FOSTER W. WALKER-Of Caledonia, N. V., treasurer of Livingston county, was born in Caledonia, June 4, 1848. His father, Andrew Walker, came to that place Irom Orange county in 1814, afterwards removing to LeRoy. Genesee county, where he died in 1884, aged ninety-four. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, with the rank of ensign. His father, William HI. Walker. was born in New Hampshire and with his seven brothers joined the patriots at the outbreak of the Revolution and gallantly served their country in its struggle for independence. Of the seven brothers, James was killed at the siege of Fort Meigs, Peter became a colonel of militia, and Thomas a captain of militia. Andrew Walker married Cloey Maxwell, of Deleware county, who died leaving one daughter, Jane, now Mrs. Foster Watson, of Benton, N. Y. He again married Elizabeth Hawley, a native of Edinborough, Scotland, and they had nine children: Andrew, James, John, Anna, Isabel, Elizabeth, William, Susan and Foster. Isabel, Susan and Foster are the surviving mem- bers of the family.

Foster W. Walker received his education at the LeRoy Academic Institute and the Oswego State Normal, graduating from the latter in 1868. He taught school for a number of years, both in New York and Michigan. In 1874 he engaged in the hardware business in Caledonia, which he disposed of four years later. In 1878 hè was elected school commissioner of the northern dis- trict of Livingston county, making him the first commissioner elected in that district. He was re-elected in 1881. In 1885 he again embarked in the hard- ware business in Caledonia, which he retained until 1897. In 1890 he was appointed by Judge Nash to serve the unexpired term of school commissioner caused by the resignation of R. A. Kneelaod. He was appointed county treasurer by Governor Morton in December, 1896, and in 1897 was elected to that office by a good majority and was re-elected in 1900. In 1877 he married Ella MuVean, of Caledonia, who died in 1901 leaving one daughter, Eleanor. Mr. Walker is a careful custodian of the county funds, is possessed of executive ability, and his honesty and integrity are unquestioned. He deserves and has the entire confidence of the citizens of Livingston county.

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

THOMAS RUSSELL -Of the town of Geneseo, was born January 29, 1855. His early life was passed on his father's farm in Geneseo until reaching his majority, when he took the management of the Williamsburg farm near the village, owned by Major William A. Wadsworth, and the fact that he is still the manager of this large farm testifies to his ability and success as a practical and progressive farmer. His marriage to Marion Willard, daughter of Ephraim Willard, of Leicester, N. Y., occurred March 15, 1883. Ilis father. Robert Russell, had for many years been a resident of Geneseo until his death, which occurred in February, 1901. His widow resides on their farm south of the village. They have had eight children, of whom Thomas is the eldest, namely: Mary, wife of Charles Edgerton, of Bergen, N. Y. ; Eliza, died at an early age; Robert resides on the homestead with his mother, as does Margaret and Edward. William resides in Groveland, N . Y., and Emma, the youngest, died at the age of eighteen.

MICHAEL E. GORE-One of the leading and progressive merchants of Mount Morris, N. Y., was born at Waterloo, Seneca county, N. Y., November 1, 1862. When a child his parents removed to Pittsford, Monroe county where he attended the district schools, later graduating from the Rochester High school in the class of 1879. He immediately thereafter accepted a position as bookkeeper with the firm of Burke, FitzSimons, Hone & Co., of Rochester, which he retained until September 1888, when he purchased a stock of general merchandise in Mount Morris and has since demonstrated his ability, in con- ducting a store along modern progressive lines. In 1886 he was joined in mar- riage with Mary Crissy of Rochester, N. Y.

SAMUEL BONNER-A substantial citizen of the village of Lima, was born in the town of Sparta, Livingston county, November 22, 1836. His grand- father, Samuel Bonner, came to America at an early day from Scotland or the north of Ireland and located on a tract of land in Sparta. This land he cleared and improved and ultimately converted into a productive and profitable farm on which he remained through life. His son, Benjamin Bonner. the father of our subject, was born at the homestead in 1807. He attended the district schools and assisted his father on the farm until the death of the latter when he purchased the interests of the heirs and became the owner of the property. In 1855 he sold this place and purchased a farm one and one-half miles east of Lima on which he remained ten years. He then removed to the village where he lived in retirement until his death in 1891 at the age of eigthy-four. His

wife, whose maiden name was Jane Logan, was a daughter of Edward Logan, of Sparta. Three children were born to them: Samuel, Edward Logan, and Rose J. Edward Logan Bonner, the second son, was born in 1839 and was twenty-two years of age at the outbreak of the civil war. lle enlisted in the

BIOGRAPHICAL

One Hundred and Thirtieth New York Infantry, afterwards changed to the First New York Dragoons, and was killed in the battle at Trevillian Station on June 12, 1864. Rose J., the only daughter, was born in 1849 and lives in Lima.

Samuel Bonner the elder son, attended the schools of Sparta and the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. His marriage with Cornelia T. Goodrich, daughter of Erastus C. and Sarah (Clark) Goodrich, took place in 1865. Mrs. Bonner died in 1875 leaving three sons: Edward L., Frank C., and William S. Mr. Bonner took for his second wife Mary Elizabeth Peck, a daughter of Richard and Rebecca Peck, who were pioneers of Livingston couunty. MIrs. Bonner is a direct descendant of William Peck, one of the founders of the New Haven colony in Connecticut. Mr. Bonner has until recent years made farming his occupation and is the owner of three fine farms all highly productive and aggre- gating nearly five hundred acres. For a number of years he has resided in the village of Lima. Mr. Bonner cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and has always been an ardent Republican. In 1890 and again in 1894 he was elected supervisor for the town of Lima, which is a strong democratic town. He has served as school trustee and for over thirty years has been school district clerk.

JAMES D. ANDERSON-Local agent at Avon, for Belden & Company, the well known firm of produce dealers, was born in the town of York. Septem- ber 2, 1866. His schooling was obtained in the neighborhood of his home and his early life was passed in York. December 4, 1892, he engaged with Belden & Co. as their buyer, in which capacity he remained four years, when he purchased an interest in the firm locally and became their agent at Avon. He was united in marriage October 30, 1895, with Genevieve Bogue, a daughter of Rev. H. P. V. Bogue, D. D., at that time pastor of the Central Presbyterian church at Avon. Dr. Bogue was pastor of that church twenty-five years and was chiefly instrumental in the securing of funds and the erection of the hand- some church edifice the Presbyterians now occupy. He married Genevieve Dillage, of Syracuse, N. Y., and they had a family of five children, of whom Mrs. Anderson was the eldest. Dr. Bogue now resides in Alliance, Nebras- ka. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have five children, James Dixon, Kate Bogue,

Genevieve Dillage, Margaret J. and Helen." Peter Anderson, the father of James, is a native of Scotland and came to this country about 1855 when twenty years of age. He remained in New York city three years and learned the trade of wagon making. In 1858 he came to York Village, Livingston county, and opened a wagon and carriage shop which he is still conducting. He married Margaret Dickson. also a native of Scotland, and six children were born to them. Jennie. John D., Thomas C., William M., James D., and Margaret W., all of whom are now living and married. James D. Anderson has long been prominent in the social and political life of Avon. He is a loyal Republican and has for two years been a member of the county republican committee.

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

Ile is a member of Avon Springs Lodge No. 570, F. & A. M. of which he is Master, and is chief of the fire department and foreman of the Hook and Lad- der Company. Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Central Presbyterian church and consistent workers therein.

S. TRUMAN SHORT-A retired farmer residing in the village of Hem- lock, is a son of Josiah Short, a native of Rehoboth, Mass., who in 1821 at the age of twenty-seven, journeyed westward and located in Ontario county, where he purchased ninety acres of land embracing what is now the town of Rich- mond. lle made the entire journey of five hundred miles on foot. He re- mained but a short time when with two companions he returned on foot to his native town where he remained two years. During that time, in 1523, he married Sarah P. Carpenter, of Rehoboth Shortly after their marriage, they returned with their earthly possessions in a covered wagon to Richmond. where they proceeded to clear the land and establish a home. This farm was sold by him in 1532 and he then purebased of Sylvester Wheeler a tract of land in the town of Livonia near what is now the village of Hemlock. It was in close proximity to what was then the thriving village of Jacksonville. A frame house was erected and here Mr. Short passed in comfort the remainder of his days. He died at the age of seventy-four years. Seven children were born to them, six of whom lived to maturity Josiah C., Orin L., S. Truman, Anna married Dudley Reed of Richmond, N. Y., Mary B., married Alvah Bullock, of Pawtucket, R. I., Cordelia S. died at the age of seven and Lurana N. mar- jed Lyman Ray.

S. Truman Short was born in Richmond, N. Y., November 19, 1829. He was educated in the lemlock district school, said to be the first school organ- ized in the county, and from 1849 to 1856 was engaged winters in teaching this school and sommers assisted his father in the care of the farm. He also taught for one year in Michigan. His marriage with Delia M. Stevens, daughter of Jesse Stevens, of Richmond, N. Y., occurred in 1856. Jesse Stevens was a native of Massachusetts and his family was one of the earliest who settled in Ontario county. His father kept an inn at Honeoye Flats and the farm he owned is still in the possession of the Stevens family. Mr. and Mrs. Short have four children: Jane C. married Ellis Stone, a farmer of Livonia. Della S. married Orvell Macomber, now of Saulsbury, Md. Mary S. married Dr. F. A. Wieker of Livonia Village, and Ernest T. married Bernice Smith and resides on the homestead. In 1856, shortly after his marriage, Mr. Short purchased a farm at Honeoye Lake which he sold after five years when he re- moved to the home farm and after his father's death purchased the interests of the heirs in the homestead, which consists of two hundred acres of produc- tive land lying north and east of Hemlock village. In politics Mr. Short is a loyal Republican. His first presidential vote was cast for General Winheld Scott in 1852, since which time he has taken an active interest in politics, local

BIOGRAPHICAL

and national. He has held for three years the office of assessor for the town of Livonia.

FRANK H. GRIMES-A well known agriculturist and hop grower of the town of Nunda, was born in the Grimes homestead January 20, 1855. Richard P. Grimes, the grandfather of Frank, was a native of Green county, N. Y. Upon reaching his majority he came to Livingston county and settled on a tract of land consisting of one hundred acres in Nunda located on East Hill. This land he proceeded to clear and subdue and ultimately brought to a high state of fertility. He erected substantial buildings including a frame barn, the first of its kind built in that locality. He married Betsey Donaldson. also a native of Green county, and one son John D., was born to them. Both Mr. and Mrs. Grimes were possessed of deep religious convictions and were charter members of the Presbyterian church of Nunda. John D. Grimes, the father of our subject, attended the district school and being studiously inclined took up self culture and prepared himself for college. He later became a teacher in the Nunda Academy, afterward resigning this position on account of deafness. He then resumed work on the farm and in 1875 began the culture of hops on an extensive scale at which he was very successful, having at the time of his decease forty acres devoted to that product. He was a man of advanced politi- cal views and an ardent Republican. He very ably served his town as assessor and also held the office of Highway Commissioner and later that of Census Taker. He was joined in marriage with Sarah Hovey, daughter of Alfred lovey and to them were born six children-Frank 11., Grace M. who died at the age of three and one-half years, Scott F., John D. Jr. who married Mar- guerite Walker, of Nunda, and resides in that village, Mills S., now a Presby- terian minister of New Jersey, and Blanche who married Fred LeClair of Nunda. John D. Grimes was born October 24, 1829 and died October 27. 1893.

Frank H. Grimes remained on the home farm and assisted his father in the management of the place until the latter's death, when he succeeded to the property. His marriage with Lydia J. Van Buskirk of Nunda took place in 1878 and their family consists of three children, Grace, Grant and Glenn. Mr. Grimes, like his father, is a staunch Republican and takes a deep and active interest in all matters of a public or political nature. The family are regular attendants of the Methodist church ot Nunda of which both Mr. and Mrs. Grimes are consistent members.

ALLEN S. EDDY-Late of the firm of King and Eddy, hardware mer- chants of Moscow, was born at Scipio. Cayuga county, N. Y., May 19, 1841. His education was obtained in the schools at Union Springs, which he attended during the winter months and assisted his father in the care of the farm during the summer months. He was united in marriage with Ada Botsford, daughter

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

of Eli Botsford of Leicester, in 1871, and four years thereafter she died, having two children, Day, who died at the age of six, and Eli, who died aged three months. For some years Mr. Eddy owned and worked a farm in Cayuga county and in 1887 sold it and purchased of A. J. King a half interest in the hardware business in Moscow. In politics Mr. Eddy was a Republican, a man of excellent financial judgment, of integrity and honor, he served his fellow townsmen with fidelity as town clerk for six years. His death occurred Sep- tember 14, 1904.

MILTON FELEY-Was born at Caledonia, October 17, 1870, and was edu- cated in the schools of that place. His early life was passed on the farm of his father, William Feley, who was born in Caledonia in 1831 and married Mary Cottingham, of the same place. They had five children: William, Stephen. Ernest, Milton and John. Mr. Feley died May 7, 1894. In June, 1901, Milton Feley accepted the management of Congressman James W. Wads- worth's farm at Caledonia. 'This farm comprises 2,000 acres of land and is known as the Street farm. Mr. Feley is a modern farmer and a successful one, and is well fitted for the management of this large property.

L. W. WARFORD-A prosperous farmer of Geneseo, was born in the War- ford homestead in 1845. His father. Theodore P. Warford. came to Geneseo about 1830 from New Jersey and for a number of years managed a large farm owned by James Wadsworth, but being of an enterprising, ambitious disposi- tion he afterwards purchased 143 acres south of the village of Geneseo, which he enriched and improved and afterwards beautified and made more valuable by erecting a fine modern residence and commodious barns and stables. His death occurred in 1896; his wife survived him until 1903, when she also passed away. L. W. Warford succeeded to his father's estate on which he now resides. In 1874 he married Harriet Begole, of Geneseo, and their family consists of three children: Ida, a student in the State Normal School of Geneseo, Daisy and Henry.

FRED H. CROFOOT-Of the Craig Colony. Sonyea, N. Y., was born in LeRoy, Genesee county, N. Y., April 28, 1850. Joel Crofoot, the grandfather of Fred, left Connecticut, his native state, in 1816, and with his young wife came west and located in the town of Pavilion. Genesee county, where he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land. The journey was performed in a covered wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen and occupied a period of some two or three weeks. They raised a family of seven children, of whom Gideon D., the father of Fred was the second. He was born in 1816 and remained a farmer

BIOGRAPHICAL

through life. He married Louisa S. Ilannum, a daughter of Chester Hannum, of Pavilion Center, in 1843, and four children were born to them: Fred H., and Frank M. now residing in the state of Washington; William R., a former attorney in LeRoy, N. Y., who died Dec. 7, 1897; and Lizzie M., who married Dr. Edward Royce and resides in Chicago, IHl. Mrs. Crofoot's father, Chester Haunum, was a veteran of the war of 1812 and first came to Western New York with Sullivan in his famous raid.

Fred H. Crofoot obtained his education in the public schools and the LeRoy Academy. He assisted his father in the care of the farm and later engaged in farming for himself, which he followed until April, 1896, when he came to Craig Colony. In 1874, he was joined in marriage with Miss Sarah Brown, a daughter of D. D. Y. Brown, of Wheatland and after fourteen years of wedded life Mrs. Crofoot died leaving no children. Mr. Crofoot was again married in

1889 tu Catherine McDonald, a daughter of Daniel McDonald of the town of York. The office of the Supervisor of the division of male patients at Craig Colony is a most important one and Mr. Crofoot, who has held that position during the past eight years, has ably demonstrated his entire fit- ness for the work. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Mt. Morris and of Hope Lodge, A. O. U. W .. LeRoy, N. Y.

A. J. KING, -A well-known and prosperous merchant of Moscow, New York, was born in Cayuga county, October 31, 1850. He received an education at the Perry academy. For a number of years after reaching bis majority he was engaged in farming near the village of Nunda on the State road. He came to Moscow in 1885 and opened a hardware store which proved a profitable ven- ture and three years thereafter he purchased ground and erected a commodious structure which he has since occupied. The late A. S. Eddy, his partner, purchased an interest in the business in 1895, since which time the firm name has been King and Eddy. Mr. King has always been a staunch supporter of the Republican party. He has held the office of town clerk two years and has served as town assessor. Public spirited and progressive, Mr. King has done much in a quiet, unobtrusive manner towards the betterment of the town of Leicester and the village of Moscow. His marriage to Mary E. Botsford. daughter of Eli Botsford, an old Livingston county settler, occurred in 1871. They have one daughter, Minnie E., who married Arthur Wheelock, of Leices- ter. Eli Botsford married Melvina Bolton, daughter of James H. Bolton, a well-known and prominent politician of an early day.

WILLIAM H. FARNUM,-The well known druggist of Avon, was born in Corning, N. Y., September 12, 1862. When ten years of age his parents removed to Avon, where he obtained his schooling. When eighteen years of age, he engaged as clerk in the drug store of Dr. C. A. Briggs, of Avon, with whom

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

he remained three years. Hle then purchased the business of his employer and has since conducted a profitable trade in drugs and medicines. On September 12, 1884, he was joined in marriage with Lillian M. Hall, daughter of Wallace W. Hall of Phelps, N. Y., and they have one son, William W., born in June, 1887. Mr. Farnum has for a number of years been prominently identified with the political interests of the town and has held various offices of a public nature. He has served three terms as village treasurer and is now serving his fifth year as town clerk. He has held the office of school trustee for the past fifteen years and was President of the Board of Education two terms. He is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, having been a member of that order for fifteen years, during which time he served two years as Master, and for the past twenty years has been a member of the Hook and Ladder Company of Avon. His father. William Warren Farnum, was a native of Massachusetts and when a young man came to Western New York and located at Corning. He engaged with the Erie railroad company as engineer and remained with them until the outbreak of the civil war. Ile served his country through the entire four years of the war as civil engineer. He married Sarah Whitcomb, daugh- ter of John Whitcomb, of lowa, and six children were born to them, five of whom are now living: Emma died in 1902. John C .. Kate, Nellie married H. L. Monroe of the state of Washington and has five children. Myra married George Plummer, of Rochester, and William H. The father died April 16, 1886, and Mrs. Farnum is residing with her daughter, Mrs. Plummer, in Rochester.

JOHN H. ADAMS,-A substantial agriculturist of the town of Livonia, residing near the village of Hemlock, is a native of Ontario, having been born at Richmond, June 27, 1858. His grandfather Isaac Adams, came from Con- necticut, his native state, with a family by the name of Reed, for whom he worked, the journey being made with an ox team. Some time later he pur- chased a small improved farm upon which he erected a log house which was some years thereafter replaced by a comfortable frame house. Here he and his wife, formerly Lucretia Holmes, reared a family and passed the remainder of their days. Ten children were born to them: Cyrus, Willis, John, Lydia, Susan, Timothy, Lucina, Esther, Isaac, and Chester. Their son, Isaac Adams. after reaching his majority, purchased a farm at Springwater, where he lived five years and returned to Richmond. In 1872 he came to Livonia, where he resided until bis death January 26, 1887. He married Hannah Becker, a daughter of John and Laurana Becker, to whom were born two children, a daughter Helen and a son John H. Helen married Alden Adams and resides in Livonia and she has one daughter, Ella.

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History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches, Part 111

Author: Doty, Lockwood R., 1858- [from old catalog] ed; Van Deusen, W. J., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Jackson, Mich., W. J. Van Deusen Number of Pages: 1422

Author: Doty, Lockwood R., 1858- [from old catalog] ed; Van Deusen, W. J., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Jackson, Mich., W. J. Van Deusen
Number of Pages: 1422