History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches, Part 116

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 116

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).

CHARLES S. LYNDE, -- A prominent hardware merchant of Dalton, was born at Machias. Cattaraugus county, November 4, 1844. At the opening of the civil war and when only seventeen years of age he enlisted in Company D, 105th Infantry. His company was stationed at Washington. His term of enlistment being for one year he re-enlisted and became a member of Company M, Second New York Mounted Rifles. This company was in active service at the front from the beginning of the struggle with the Southern forces until Lee's surrender at the cluse of the war. Soon after the date of his enlistment in this company they formed a part of the army under General Sheridan and participated in many notable battles, among which were the battles of Spott- sylvania, Cold Harbor, North Anna. the Siege of Petersburg, both battles of Hatch's Run, Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Farmville, Jetersville, and took a decisive part in the last engagement resulting in the surrender of Lee. During the battle of Dinwiddie Court House, Mr. Lynde was taken prisoner, but was released by the Union soldiers, the victors in the battle, after a brief captivity of one-half hour. He received his discharge at Petersburg, Va.,

August 10. 1865. He then returned to Machias and took up the study of den- tistry and afterwards conducted an office in Machias and Franklinville. He

then went west, and the year following he spent in travel through the western states, finally locating at Aurora, Ill., where he conducted a hotel for some time. He also at a later date ran hotels at Jackson and lonia, Mich., leaving the latter place in 1877. He came to Dalton and engaged in the hardware business with his brother James, with whom he remained until 1896, when his health failing, he sold his interest to his brother and in 1902 he again became the owner, this time the sole owner, of the business which he is now very suc- cessfully conducting. Mr. Lynde's marriage to Jennie Crane of lonia, Mich., touk place October 1, 1877, and they have had five children, as follows: Mamie E. A., now in the senior class at the State Normal school of Geneseo; Jennie, who was a twin to Mamie, died when two years of age; E. Maude, a teacher

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

near Dalton ; John A., who assists his father in the store, and Blanche attends the Dalton school, Mr. Lynde has for many years taken a prominent part in local politics and in 1885 was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of Supervisor and during the second year was chairman of the board. He was one of the organizers of the Dalton G. A. R., was its commander for six con- secutive terms, and was at the head of the committee appointed to secure their new hall. He has been a trustee in the Dalton Methodist church for nine years. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his community. Thoroughly public spirited and with an unwavering confidence in the pros- perity of the village of Dalton, Mr. Lynde has at various times headed move- ments for the erection of modern buildings of a public nature, He was largely instrumental in bringing about the erection of the new Methodist church and was one of the leading spirits that gave to Dalton the new public school build- ing it so much needed.

EMME LIGHT,-A native of Canada, was born at St. Edward, Lower Canada, November 28, 1847. His education was obtained at the district schools of the neighborhood, which he attended during the winter months, and in the summer season assisted his father in the care and management of the farm. In 1861, when fourteen years of age, he went to Plattsburg, N. Y., and during the three years following worked for J. W Bailey, a large nurseryman of that place. He then for a time worked in a saw mill in Plattsburgh, then took up the milling trade and eighteen months later secured a position as miller with the Boston Mill at Rochester, N. Y., where he remained a number of years. He was employed at other mills in Rochester until 1874, when he came to Livingston county. He first located at Hemlock Lake, where he leased mill property and operated a grist mill until 1879, then came to Avon and purchased the site of the mill formerly owned and operated by Griffin and Dobney, located about three miles south of Avon village. This mill had shortly before been destroyed by fire. He erected upon this site the present structure which is fully equipped with modern mill machinery of every description. In 1897 he opened a salesroom in the village of Avon, which he operates in connection with the mill. In addition to flour. feed and grain he also handles seeds and some produce. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Adeline Caswell, of Rochester, N. Y., and their family consists of John B., now superintendent of the mill, who married Jennie Harrington, of Rochester, N. Y., and has three children; Fannie, married Dennis Davin, a merchant of Avon, and they have two children; William, unmarried, is employed in the mill, as is also Frank, the next younger; and Addie and Harry are attending school in Avon. Mr. Light is essentially a self-made man and a prosperous merchant. His early life, spent in hard unrequited toil on his father's farm, imbued within him the elements of industry which with natural thrift and an intelligent management of his business interests, has placed him among the leading business men of this vicinity.

BIOGRAPHICAL

EDWARD J. MCLAUGHLIN,-Of Caledonia, was born in Batavia, N. Y., September 10, 1868. He attended the public schools of that place and also learned the meat business, which he followed in that village until 1893, when he took the management of the Allen & Peet meat market on East Avenue, Rochester, N. Y., where he remained two years. He then removed to Caledonia where he has since resided. Upon his arrival here he purchased the old established meat business of Bostwick & Son, and he now enjoys a thriving trade which is largely owing to his thorough knowledge of the business and the esteem in which he is held by the citizens of Caledonia.

JAMES B. FRAZER, -A well known citizen of Livingston county, was born in Springwater, February 26, 1849. His grandfather, David Frazer, came to this section from Pennsylvania, cleared and subdued a portion of the wilderness, established a home and raised a large family. His son, David, Jr., the father of James B., at the age of twenty-one purchased a farm in Sparta, which he successfully carried on for many years. He died in 1876, aged fifty- three. His wife, Maria Reamer, died in May, 1892, aged sixty-nine.

Janes B. Frazer came with his parents to West Sparta as an infant and resided there until 1895. After his father's death the took possession of the homestead, to which he gave his attention exclusively until 1893, when he formed a partnership with his brother and established warehouses in Dansville for the sale of wagons and agricultural implements, since which time he has become identified with several successful business enterprises, among which is the hardware firm of Frazer, Green & Leadingham, of Geneseo, N. Y. He married August 20, 1874, Sarah VanMiddlesworth, of Cayuga county, N. Y. They have seven children, Nellie, Mary, Julia, Ethel, John, Grace and Mabel. Mr. Frazer has twice beld the office of town collector and for ten years was supervisor of the town of West Sparta. Ile has also served as superintendent of the pour. He is a republican in politics, and well versed in the principles of his party.

DR. CHARLES J. MILLS, -- A prominent and prosperous dentist of Mount Morris, is a native of Livingston county, having been born in the town of Springwater, January 12, 1844. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Mills, a native of Connecticut, left his home in the early part of the nineteenth century and journeyed westward. He located in Rochester, where he purchased real estate and passed the remainder of his days. Rochester at that time was but a grow- ing village and he was one of its early settlers. The land he purchased included that on which the Third Presbyterian church now stands and a large part of the property in that vicinity. He married a Miss Popeman, a native of France, where she grew to maturity and came to America as a music teacher. His son, Dr. Charles Mills the father of our subject, was born in Rochester, where he

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

afterward received a thorough classical education. £ He also took up the study of medicine, but later studied dentistry in which be perfected himself and became one of the foremost dentists in Rochester. He was twice married, his first wife being Adeline Jennings, of Macedon, a daughter of John Jennings, a native of Vermont, who migrated to Wayne county at an early day and settled at Macedon. Only one son, Charles J., was born to them. Mrs. Mills died at the early age of twenty-two. The son, Charles J., was cared for by an aunt until eleven years of age when the father was again married and he thereafter resided with them. Mr. Mills took for his second wife Harriet Chapman, of New York city.

Dr. Charles J. Mills, our subject, first attended the district schools and afterwards the Rochester High school, which he left to enlist in the service of his country. On May 2, 1862, he joined Company E, 27th New York Infantry, which was immediately ordered to the front, their first engagement being the battle of Bull Run. After one year's service Dr. Mills was stricken with typhoid fever and was discharged. Upon his recovery he assisted Major Downey in raising Company E of the Thirteenth New York Volunteer Infantry and received the commission of second lieutenant. Preferring the cavalry service, he resigned and joined the Eighth New York Cavalry as sergeant of Co. M, remaining with that company until the close of the war. Sixty-eight different battles and skirmishes were participated in by this famous company and the Doctor was twice wounded. At the close of the war he with his com- rades were present at the Grand Review, and he received his discharge in June, 1865. Ile then returned to Rochester and began the study of dentistry. He first located at Lima, this county, where he resided until 1882, when he came to Mt. Morris, where he has since achieved success in the practice of his profession. Mr. Mills was several times appointed Aide-de camp on the Depart- ment and National staff, and in 1898 was chief mustering officer of the Depart- ment of New York, G. A. R. He has twice held the office of President of the Livingston county G. A. R. He was joined in marriage with Anna J. Artman, daughter of Abram Artman, a citizen of Sparta, on July 16, 1867. Dr. Mills is a member of Union Lodge F. & A. M. of Lima, and the Mt. Morris Chapter. He is also a member of the Genesee Valley Lodge A. O. U. W., and is Past Commander of J. E. Lee Post, G. A. R.

OTIS L. CROSIER, -An influential citizen of the town of Portage, re- siding at Oakland, N. Y., was born at Searsburg, Bennington county, Ver- mont, December 14, 1832. His father, Joseph Crosier, also a native of that place, was a farmer and by trade a carpenter. In 1854, when twenty-one years of age, Otis came to Livingston county, locating at Mount Morris and for four years peddled goods through the surrounding country. He then traveled on the road for a commercial house for about four years, and in 1862 at the out- break of the Civil War enlisted in Company H, 136th Regiment New York Volunteers under General Wood. Among the many stirring engagements in

BIOGRAPHICAL

which his company took part was the battle of Gettysburg at which time Mr. Crosier was taken prisoner. He however escaped a few days later while being conveyed to Libby prison. He was shortly after this made wagon master of the train, which position he held until the close of the war, receiving his dis- charge in June, 1865. He then spent a year or two in Vermont and New Hampshire and returning located at Portage and for two years acted as travel- ing salesman for a harness oil concern. In 1868 he purchased a one-half in- terest in the foundry and agricultural manufacturing business of Henry Car- ter at Oakland, N. Y., and five years later acquired the.entire business which he has since owned and which his son John S. now carries on. Mr. Crosier is a strong republican in politics and has served his town and county very acceptably in various offices. In 1885 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors. He has served as Highway Commissioner two years, Justice of the Peace two terms, town clerk three years and town assessor one year. Mr. Crosier has conscientiously and carefully administered the duties of the several offices to which he has been elected and has well earned the entire confidence of the community in which he has so long resided. He is a member of the G. A. R., and his membership with the Masons dates back to 1857. His mar- riage to Martha F. Lyon, of Portage, took place in 1869 and they have three children. John S. married Mattie Whitney, who died June 30, 1903, leaving one son. Dr. Rollin O., a practicing physician of Binghamton, married Eliza Wilson. Lottie L. married Rev. Frederick A. Hayward and they have one son.

JAMES ANNIN, Jr., -Of Caledonia, was born in Boston, Mass., in 1850. When two years of age his parents removed to LeRoy, N. Y. where he after- ward received his education. In 1872 he turned his attention to a fish culture and at once established a fish hatchery at Caledonia, locating the same on the Campbell farm, on the west side of the famous Caledonia Spring creek. Today Mr. Annin's hatchery is the oldest private hatchery in the United States. He makes a specialty of raising fingerlings or yearlings, of Brook, Brown, Rain- bow and Lake trout. The trout eggs are sent to all parts of this country and many sections of the world. Private preserves in the Adirondacks and else- where are stocked each year from this hatchery. In 1880 Mr. Annin made an exhibit of trout eggs and fish hatching apparatus with the Fisheries Associa- tion, of Germany, in connection with the World's Fair held at Berlin in that year, for this exhibit he received a very beautiful diploma. From 1895 to 1900 Mr. Annin was superintendent of all the New York State Fish hatcheries, and it is largely owing to his experience and management that they have been brought to their present high standard. Mr. Annin was married in 1877 to Jeanette Campbell, of Caledonia. Their children are James C., Harry K. Marguerite and Howard. Joseph Annin, a native of Scotland, came to LeRoy, from Cayuga county N. Y., in 1808, and had five children. His eldest son, William LeRoy Annin, was the first male child born in LeRoy, after that town

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

recieved its name. His fourth son James Sr .. was born at LeRoy in 1828 and in 1848 married Priscilla Keith, of Boston, Mass. Peter Campbell, Mrs. Annin's grandfather, acquired from the Pulteney estate, in 1799, the property on which the Campbell and Aunin families now reside. The first religious service of any kind, ever held in the town was held in the Campbell homestead. In 1802 at the Campbell homestead, assembled neighbors, who organized themselves into a religious and civil society.

JOHN O. VANDERBELT .- Of Geneseo, N. Y., a former manufacturer and dealer in harnesses and saddlery, and now conducting a livery and omnibus business, was born in Mansfield, Amsterdam county, N. J., March 1. 1826. His father, Cornelius Vanderbelt, a native of Milford, N. J., was a blacksmith by trade and was also noted as an expert in breaking colts and training horses for the turf. He made a specialty of manufacturing hand-made snaps which were quite celebrated at the time and much in demand. He died in 1833 at the age of thirty-two. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Ann Olp, was a daughter of John Olp, also of New Jersey. Of the three children born to them, only one survives, John O., the subject of this article. After the death of her husband. Mrs. Vanderbelt with her son removed to Mt. Morris, making their home with the former's parents on a farm which he had purchased near that village.

John O. Vanderbelt passed his early days on this farm and received his edu- cation in the district schools of the neighborhood. At the age of sixteen, he began learning the harness making trade at Mt. Morris and the year following, in 1843, he came to Geneseo, where he finished bis apprenticeship. In 1848 he opened an establishment of his own and has since that time been identified with the business interests of Geneseo. Mr. Vanderbelt is widely known as the owner of a flourishing livery and stage establishment in Geneseo, which he has conducted a number of years. On December 31, 1849, Mr. Vander- belt married Helen M. Reed, a daughter of Mortimer Reed. They have had in all six children, as follows: Delia M., now a widow; Elizabeth R., the wife of A. R. Scott, editor of the Republican at Geneseo, having three children : John A., a druggist in Rochester, who married Lucy Maples, Mary, who died at the age of twenty-four, an accomplished young lady especially skilled in music; Charles R. a dentist in Rochester; and Hattie, who died at the age of three years. Mr. Vanderbelt is a musician of considerable repute, having led the village band for many years.

EDWIN B. OSBORNE,-Mount Morris, was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., January 22, 1853. His education was obtained in the Trumansburg village schools and also at the Poughkeepsie Business University. At the age of eighteen he took a clerkship in a hardware store in his native place, where he

BIOGRAPHICAL

remained eight years, during which time he acquired a thorough knowledge of the bardware business in all its branches. In 1883 he came to Mount Morris and purchased the hardware business which L. C. Brigham established in 1850 and which Mr. Osborne has since profitably conducted. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jackson, of Dunkirk, N. Y., and their family con- sists of five children: Jackson E., Donald H., and Harold T .. Clinton P. and Blanche H.

FRED T. BRINKERHOFF-Until recently the leading photographer of the village of Nunda, N. Y., was born in the town of Mt. Morris, June 27, 1880. His early life was passed on the farm assisting his father until he became of age. As a boy he became interested in photography and early evinced an apti- tude for the profession. He became skillful as an amateur, producing some very excellent work. Upon reaching his majority he purchased the photograph establishment of F. E. Hewett at Nunda, which proved a profitable invest- ment. On November 1, 1903 he sold the photograph business to W. M. Robin- son who is conducting it at the same location. Mr. Brinkerhoff is now engaged as machinist with the Foot Manufacturing Company of Nunda. In 1902 he was joined in marriage with Lida Carney, a daughter of James Carney, a prominent farmer of Nunda. Mr. Brinkerhoff is a member of Nunda Tent, No 252, K. O. T. M.

ARCHIBALD WASSON-Was born in Buffalo, N. Y., February 8, 1860. His education was obtained in the excellent public schools of that city. Ilis father, Archibald Wasson, Sr., was a native of Livingston county, having been born in Leicester where he spent the early years of his life. He followed book- keeping as an occupation for some time in Leicester, then removed to Cuyler- ville, N. Y .. where in company with Captain Delano he was for a time engaged in the mercantile business. Fire, however, destroyed their establishment and Mr. Wasson removed to Rochester, where for a number of years he served the Genesee Valley Canal Packet Company as its Rochester agent. He continued in that capacity until the abandonment of the canal as a water way when he moved to Buffalo where he passed the remainder of his days.

Archibald Wasson, our subject after completing his education, was for sever- al years engaged in hotel work in New York, Brooklyn, Chicago and St. Louis, and came to Mt. Morris in 1888 where he opened and still conducts an establish- ment for the sale of groceries. Mr. Wasson is a clean cut, active. enter- prising business man. He carries an inviting stock of staple and fancy groceries and intelligently caters to the better class of Mt. Morris trade. For the past five years he has assisted the New York Tribune in their laudable work of furnishing the little street waifs of New York a summer outing, where, away from the dirt and turmoil of a large city with an abun-

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

dance of wholesome food, clean surroundings, and pure, healthy air to breathe they thrive and gain daily the strength they cannot acquire amid tenement surroundings. Mr. Wasson cares for about one hundred of these children each year. June 22, 1892, he was united in marriage with Amanda E. Perry, former- ly a teacher in the Mount Morris High schools. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wasson are members and supporters of the Methodist church in which the former has held the office of trustee the past ten years. He has also served as superinten- dent of the Sunday school for eleven years.

BENJAMIN E. JONES, -Postmaster of Nunda, was born in the town of Purtage, November 5, 1875, and received his education at the Nunda High school. In the fall of 1891 Mr. Jones was appointed deputy postmaster under H. C. Ellwood, republican, and also served under C. J. Swain, democrat, until 1899, when he received the appointment of postmaster, which office he still holds. Mr. Jones is a republican in politics and has always been keenly alive to the interests of that party and has been more or less identified with the party in the local feld. As postmaster he fills the require- ments and performs the duties to the entire satisfaction of the commun- ity. He is a Master Mason, being a member of Keshequa Lodge, F. & A. M. No. 299 and the Nunda Lodge K. O. T. M. His marriage with Minnie Crotser, of Scottsburg, took place in July, 1898.

THEODORE F. OLMSTEAD,-Cashier of . the Genesee Valley National Bank of Geneseo, N. Y., was born at Lakeville, Livingston county, September 16, 1836. His father, Lucius F. Olmstead, who was a native of Vermont, was born March 10, 1796. Lucius F. Olmstead when a young man settled at Cayuga Bridge, N. Y., and constructed two miles of the Seneca canal at that place. In 1835 he erected the saw and flour mills at Lakeville, which he operated until 1854. These mills are still known as the Olmstead Mills. In 1858 he removed to Geneseo, where he lived in retirement until his death, October 15, 1868, at the age of seventy-two. His wife, Emeline Willard, was born at Cayuga Bridge, November 1, 1805, and was a daughter of Loring Willard, of that place. They were married April 9, 1822, and became the parents of nine children. namely: Loring W., born March 12, 1823, died January 4, 1868, aged forty-five; Francis A. and Lucius Asher died in infancy; V. Francis E., born December 6, 1838, died September 29, 1872; Franklin W., born December 15, 1831, died 1868; William H .. born March 25, 1828, died December 25, 1848; Mary L., wife of A. W. Daniels, of Geneseo, born October 3, 1825, died December 20, 1902; Charles E. D., born September 14, 1846, died at St. Paul, Minn., May 6, 1899, and Theodore F. The mother died April 4, 1887, aged 82 years.

Theodore F. Olmstead the sole surviving member of the family, received his education at the common school and the Canandaigua Academy. February 24,

BIOGRAPHICAL

1858, he entered the Genesee Valley National Bank as bookkeeper and teller , and June 25, 1881, was promoted to assistant cashier, which he held until December 17, 1884, when he was appointed to his present position, that of cashier. He has also been a director in the bank since 1877. Mr. Olmstead's executive ability and strict integrity are highly appreciated in Geneseo, where he has held numerous offices of trust. From 1870 to 1875 he served the county as its treasurer. He is secretary and treasurer of Temple Hill Cemetery and a member of the Board of Water Commissioners, of which he has been secretary and treasurer. He has also been a member of the Board of Health and for several terms served as village trustee. For sixteen years he was secretary and treasurer of the Geneseo Gas and Electric Light Company, and for a number of years was a director of the Geneseo Glove and Mitten Factory. On May 13. 1861, Mr. Olmstead married Laura E., daughter of the late Dr. Daniel Bissell. They have had but one child who died in infancy.

TIMOTHY C. STEELE-Of Mount Morris, is a native of Hamilton, On- tario, having been born at that place August 26, 1858. When seven years of age his parents came to this place where they have since resided. Mr. Steele received a good common school education, after which he learned the broom making trade which he followed nine years. He then during the two years following clerked in a grocery store and while serving in that capacity acquired a thorough knowledge of the grocery business. Possessed of an ambitious spirit, Mr. Steele established himself in the grocery business in Mt. Morris in 1888, which he has since conducted upon enterprising and progressive lines. In 1879 he was united in marriage with Susan Sturm, daughter of Morris Sturm. of Dansville, N. Y. They have four children: George E., James LeRoy, Beatrice and Dorothy.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches, Part 116

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