History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches, Part 117

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 117

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JOHN C. WITT .- One of the leading citizens of the town of Mount Morris, was born at Schenevus, Otsego county, February 28, 1835. Isaac Witt, the paternal grandfather, migrated from New Hampshire to Maryland. Otsego, county New York, where he sought to establish a home for his family in the midst of the primeval forest. Hle bought a tract of wooded land and with the help of his sons succeeded in his efforts in clearing the land and bringing it to a state of cultivation. Here he passed the remainder of his days. Ilis son, Samuel Witt, the father of John C., after his marriage, removed to the town of Worces- ter. Otsego county. where he purchased & hotel, which he owned and managed until his death, which occurred when nearly eighty years of age. llis wife, whose maiden name was Susan Cary, was a native of Vermont and a daughter of Isaac Caryl, a pioneer settler of Schoharie county.

John C. Witt began his business career as clerk in a general store and cne year later embarked in business for himself. IIc was engaged in the mercan -

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

tile business in Otsego and Schoharie counties until 1863, when he came to Liv- ingston county and for a number of years was engaged in various enterprises in Nunda, and Dansville. In 1878 he became the owner of the farm in Mount Morris which he now occupies, a portion of which lies within the limits of the village. He at the same time purchased a boot and shoe store which he con- ducted a year or two and sold, and has since devoted his attention to his agri- cultural and stock raising interests, which he carries on at his several farms, one of which comprises fifty acres of the Genesee flats and is very rich and productive. Mr. Witt has been twice married. His first wife, Catherine Moak, of Schoharie county, died in Canaseraga in 1872. In 1874 he was united in marriage with Helen Baylor, of Mount Morris, and they have one son Caryl. An earnest Democrat, Mr. Witt has always been accorded a seat in the councils of his party. In 1894 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, which he filled with honor five terms.

HON. WILLIAM Y. ROBINSON,-Member of assembly for this district, was born at West Sparta, December 14, 1843. His education was obtained at the common schools and the Nunda Academy. £ At the age of twenty-one he en- gaged in the drug and book business in the village of Nunda and has conduct- ed that business up to the present time. Mr. Robinson was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1879 and was re-elected the two succeeding years. He was elected a Member of Assembly in 1885 and 1886 from Living- ston county and was again elected to the same office in 1902.

JOHN F. DONOVAN,-Supervisor of the town of Mount Morris was born in Madoc, Canada, August 3, 1859. When two years of age his parents removed to Belleville, Canada. He attended the public schools of that place until nine years of age, when upon the death of his father in 1869, he came to Mount Morris, where he attended a night school one season which completed his ed- ucational advantages. He at once procured employment with M. J. Noonan as an apprentice, where he learned the trade of cigar making and incidentally acquired a thorough and practical knowledge of the tobacco business in all its branches. He remained with Mr. Noonan seventeen years, when in 1886 he opened an establishment of his own in Mount Morris for the manufacture and sale of cigars and tobaccos. The wholesale department of this business is yearly increasing in magnitude and covers the territory embraced in Livingston and the adjoining counties. In 1877 Mr. Donovan was united in marriage with Theresa Bauer, of Mount Morris, and they have seven children: John Francis, Ruth, Louis, Hildegard, Edward, Mary and Gertrude. Mr. Donovan is in every way a self-made man. With little opportunity for schooling he began "paying his way" at the early age of ten, and with a steadfast purpose at heart to be successful he has, through energy, ability and a strict application of

BIOGRAPHICAL

business principles established a business which ranks today among the solid concerns of the village. Mr. Donovan has for a number of years been prom- inent in political circles. He has three times been elected to the office of sup- ervisor for the town of Mount Morris and holds that office at the present time. He has held the office of town clerk for several years and was clerk of the board of education five years.

CHARLES AUSTIN, -A prominent agriculturist of Geneseo was born December 8. 1844. His parents, at that time resided on the Wicks farm near the village of Geneseo. He was educated at Temple Hill Academy which was followed by a course in the Rochester Commercial College. His father, Joseph Riley Austin came from Connecticut, with his parents in 1813. The journey was made with an ox team and two ox carts strapped together. They forded the Genesee river at Rochester where the Main street bridge is now located. Russel Austin, the grandfather of Charles, was the first sheriff appointed after Livingston county came into existence. He also served as supervisor and superintendent of the poor. Joseph Austin was born in 1812. He, for a num- ber of years, conducted the Big Tree dairy farm for the Wadsworths, later pur- chasing the Wicks and finally the farm our subject now owns and occupies, lying in the eastern part of the village within its limits. Joseph Austin mar- ried Agnes Elizabeth Wylbasky, a native of Russia, who came to America when eight years of age. They had one son Charles. Joseph Riley Austin died January 25, 1880, his wife having preceded him five years. Charles Austin, with the exception of two years spent as a clerk in a stationery store in Roch - ester, has always followed farming and dairying. He was joined in marriage with Frances A. McVicar of Conesus, N. Y., December 12. 1867. Two chil- dren have been born to them, Lizzie E. who died when six years of age and Julian R. a conductor on the street railway in Rochester. He married Sarah J. Tiffany of Medina, N. Y., June 30, 1903. Independent in politics Mr. Aus- tin favors the old time Republican. He has held various elective offices among them that ot constable which office he held several years. He was for several years an assistant in the County House and also the Craig Colony for Epilep- tics where he remained two years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Austin attend the Epis- copal church of Geneseo, having been members of that church and society for the past sixteen years.

BARNEY BEUERLEIN, -A prominent merchant of Mount Morris is a native of Rhein, Prussia. Germany, where he was born July 2, 1855. In 1872 his father, Frederick Beuerlein, with his wife and four children, viz. Freder- ick, Jr., Barney, Michael and Elizabeth, took passage on the vessel, "Donan" at Bremen bound for America, where, at New York, they landed after a stormy passage of two weeks. Previous to leaving his native soil, Mr. Beuerlein had

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

been a farmer and immediately on his arrival at New York he proceeded with his family to Dansville, N. Y., where he secured a farm and passed the remain- der of his days in quiet and contentment.

Barney Beuerlein was then seventeen years of age, and farm life becoming distasteful to him he secured a position with a Dansville clothing merchant, with whom he was employed four years. In 1877 he came to Mt. Morris, and with Nicholas Johantgen engaged in the clothing business until 1882 when Mr. Beuerlein purchased his partner's interest and has since with the able assistance of his two sons conducted the business alone. He was married in 1880 to Miss Rosa Zwerger, of Rochester, N. Y. who died in 1885, leaving two sons, Fred- erick and Carl, who assist their father in the management of his business. He was again married in 1886 to Celia Myers, of Rochester, N. Y., who died in 1900, leaving three children: Agnes, Urben and Julia. Mr. Beuerlein took for a third wife Mrs. Catherine Mullin, of Mt. Morris, whom he married in October of 1902.

JOHN FITCH, -A well known citizen of Oakland, in the town of Portage, was born September 20, 1823. His father Azel Fitch came to Oakland, at that time a part of Allegany county, in 1817. He came with Deacon Messenger and felled the first timber ever cut in that school district by a white man. He erected a saw mill and also built a grist mill, which was later run by Deacon Messenger. For a number of years he conducted a general store the first to be opened in Oakland, and ran it until 1851 when he engaged in the timber busi- ness, floating logs down the river to Rochester. He was the first supervisor elected in the town of Nunda when that town was a part of Allegany county. He was afterward elected to the Assembly from Allegany county and secured the passage of the bill authorizing the construction of the Genesee Valley canal. In 1840 he was appointed census taker of Allegany county and in that work his son John assisted. He married Mary Hill of Armenia, N. Y. and six children were born to them of whom John was the youngest. Of the members of this family all are dead excepting John and William Wayne (named after General Wayne) who now resides in California. In 1851 John Fitch took the store formerly conducted by his father and ran it four years. In 1856 he opened a wagon and blacksmith shop in Oakland, which he has successfully con- ducted until recent years. He married Anna M. Sweetman, a native of Dublin, who came to America with her parents when a child. The family located in Canada and in 1834 came to Portage. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch have been blessed with three children, Fredrica, now living in San Francisco, Cal., George Azel. who resides in Washington and Mary married Thomas E. Bridge who recently died in the Klondyke. She has two children. John Fitch has been a life long Democrat and has at various times occupied elective offices. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years and was Supervisor of the town of Portage five years. For several years previous to the closing of the Genesee Valley canal Mr. Fitch held the office of superintendent of that canal from

BIOGRAPHICAL

Rochester to Olean and closed it up when it was decided to abandon it as a water way. Thus it was that the son closed the canal that the father was instrumental in opening. Later when the question of a railroad along its course was agitated, he with O. L. Crosier and the late J. M. Griffith, both of Oakland, were delegates to Albany for the purpose of influencing legislation towards securing a railroad and were successful in their efforts. Mr. Fitch is a member of Kishequa lodge No. 299 F. & A. M. of Nunca.

TRUMAN A. HILL,-Late of Mount Morris, was a native of Vermont. having been born at Sunderland Bennington county March, 1832. When four years of age his parents removed to Cataraugus county, N. Y., and a few years thereafter took up their residence at Wethersfield, Wyoming county, where his father purchased a farm. As a boy he attended the district schools of the neighborhood and later graduated from the Attica High school. He then assisted his father in the care of the farm until 1852 when he went to Oakville, Canada and there learned the trade of machine and pattern making. Mr. Hill was intensely interested in his trade and made it a constant study. He was careful and economical and during his apprenticeship saved some four hundred dollars from his wages. In 1855, with two others, he opened a foundry and machine shop at Bradford, Canada, which they operated two years, when the shop was destroyed by fire. He then spent some time in the western states and in 1860 came to Mount Morris as foreman of the machine shop of Colonel Joseph Bodine, where he perfected his invention of the Bodine Turbine Water Wheel, in which he has since held a half interest. In 1869, he with Colonel Bodine, embarked in the manufacture of stoves and farm machinery at Jeffer- son City, Mo., which they conducted several years, Mr. Hill finally disposing of his interest to Col. Bodine. He then returned to Mount Morris and was employed by Sleeper and Rockefellow for several years, during which time he invented the "Missouri Grain Drill," which this firm has since manufactured and put on the market in quantities. In 1880 the firm of Sleeper and Rocke- fellow was organized as a stock company and Mr. Hill became a stock holder. He was made foreman of the shops and retained that position until 1893, when he retired from business. November 20, 1855 he married Mary E. Wolcott and three children were born to them. His wife's death occurred May 17, 1870. His second marriage took place January 21, 1878 to Sarah L. Wolcott, of Wethersfield, a sister of his first wife, and one child was born to them. Mr. Hill died April 25, 1904 and is survived by his wife and four children:

Albert T., Frank E., Edith M., and Eva E.

CHARLES W. WINGATE,-Of Avon, was born in the town of Rush, April 11, 1858. His father George Wingate, is a native of England, having been born at Lincolnshire. He came to America in 1856 and settled at Rush

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

where he conducted a farm for many years. £ He is now leading a retired life at Avon village. Charles W. Wingate was born and reared on a farm and has made progressive farming a study. For the past thirty years he has managed successfully the large 340 aere farm known as the "Storey" farm, owned by Major William A. Wadsworth. This farm is devoted largely to dairying and is well adapted to that purpose. Mr. Wingate is a supporter of the Democratic party and has for years been an active worker and a prominent factor in local polities. He has for the past six years held the office of highway commissioner for the town of Avon. His marriage with Lenor Wilson, daughter of Moses Wilson, of York, took place in 1887. They have two children, Lillian and Raymond.

RICHARD M. JONES, -A prominent and prosperous agriculturist of the town of Geneseo, was born at Springwater, March 13, 1836. His father who also bore the name of Richard, was a native of New Hampshire. He learned the trade of clock making; and upon reaching his majority left his home in Pittsford, N. H., and came to New York state, locating in Ontario county, where he conducted a foundry and also worked at his trade. He married Lucy A. Hickock daughter of William Hickock, of Ontario county, She was born in West Bloomfield and became the mother of twelve children. all of whom lived to maturity-Joseph, Carlos, Lucinda, John 11., Caroline, Catherine, Myron R., Richard M., Henry C., Emily, James S. and Lucy. The mother died in 1890 at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Jones removed to Spring- water, Livingston county, shortly after his marriage and there resided and worked at his trade until his death in 1846.

Richard M. Jones was but ten years of age when his father died and the family, being in straightened circumstances. he was obliged to seek employ- ment to aid in their support. He worked by the month for neighboring farni- ers until the outbreak of the civil war, when following the first call for volun- teers he enlisted in Company A, Third New York Cavalry. This was the first volunteer company of cavalry mustered in the United States service. Mr. Jones was with the Union Army during the three years course of the war, and his company engaged in nearly all the notable campaigns and battles during that trying period. He was once wounded by a ball which grazed his forehead, and twice had his horse shot from under bim. He was honorably discharged at Jones Landing on the James river, July 17, 1864. He returned home and for a time worked land on shares and afterward rented one of the Wadsworth farms, for nearly twelve years. In 1884 he purchased the farm he now owns, situated two miles east of the village of Geneseo, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of rich, productive land. In 1865 he married Amanda A. Jennings, daughter of John Jennings of Springwater. They have two children, Caroline E., and Richard, Mr. Jones is a member of A. A. Curtis Post No. 392 Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has been commander. A Repub- lican in politics, Mr. Jones has served his town in various capacities and was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1894.

BIOGRAPHICAL

JOHN M. PROPHET, -- Of the firm of Winters and Prophet, of Mount Morris, is a native of New York, where he was born July 29, 1856. The schools of that city and later the University of New York furnished him an excellent education, He became identified in a business enterprise there with Mr. John C. Winters, also a native of New York, and in 1879, having disposed of their business in that city, they came to Mount Morris and established the canning factory, which they have since developed into one of the largest concerns of its kind in the country, embracing as it does plants in Geneseo and Oakfield, N. Y., equipped with modern machinery and having a combined capacity of 10.000,000 cans of fruit and vegetables per annum). Four years ago this com- pany erected and installed a plant for the manufacture of tin cans used in their business. These are made in Mount Morris and furnish employment to many hands, John Prophet, the father of John M., came from England with his parents when six years of age and became a resident of New York city. where

he later became a successful merchant.

His death occurred in 1868. His wife who survived him, formerly Ann Eliza Brady, was a descendant of the Brady family who settled in New York over two hundred years ago and were prominent in New York social and business circles. Her brother. Hon. William T. Brady for several terms held the office of mayor of New York and was active in poli- tics during the early fifties. John M. Prophet married Margaret H. Knapp, of New York, in 1881.

They have had eight children, of whom seven are liv- ing. The eldest, Margaret H., died in November, 1897, at the age of sixteen. Those living are John M. Jr., an assistant in his father's office, Clara Louise, Ann E., Wilson B., Marion H., Eleanor B. and Marjorie K. Mr. Prophet has always been thoroughly alive to the welfare of the town in which he resides. has taken an active interest in its government and is an ardent supporter of public enterprises. He has held numerous public offices, including those of trustee, and president of the village. In politics, he is a republican. lle is a member of the Episcopal church of Mount Morris in which he has been warden for many years and is now senior warden.

WILLIAM GUY MARKHAM,-Of Avon, N. Y., comes from one of the oldest of New England families. About the year 1660 Deacon Daniel Markham the first of this family of Markhams emigrated to America, from England, and settled at Cambridge, Mass. William Markham, the grandson of Deacon Daniel and great-grandfather of our subject, married Abigail Cone Wiley of East Haddan, Conn., in June, 1761, They removed to the western part of New York state and settled in what was at that time the town of Hartford, now the town of Rush, about five miles north of the present village of Avon. Eight children were born to them. Both Mr. and Mrs. Markham died about the year 1790. Their eldest son, Colonel William Markham, married Phoebe Dexter in 1775. They reared a family of ten children of whom Guy, the father of William Guy, was the eighth. Colonel Markham built the present family residence in 1804 and this is one of the few old landmarks still standing, a

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY

representative of the substantial homes of the early pioneers. Guy Markham married Eliza Williams, a daughter of John and Mercy ( Weeks) Williams, descendants of an old colonial family.

William Guy Markham was born at "Elm Place," the family homestead, in the town of Rush, September 2, 1836. His education was acquired in the Lima Seminary, after which he engaged in farming. In 1858 he engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred Durham cattle and in 1872 began making a specialty of American merino sheep. In 1876 he designed and prepared the American Merino Register, the first register of individual pedigrees of sheep ever pub- lished. He was elected President of the New York State Sheep Breeders and Wool Growers Association in 1877, succeeding Dr. Henry S. Randall, and has held that office continuously to the present time. In 1879 he was elected the first President of the American Merino Sheep Breeders Association and held that office five years.

He held the office of secretary of the National Wool Growers Association, from 1876 to 1883, and was re-elected to the same office in 1894. 'The interests of those important associations were represented by Mr. Markham, who con- ducted the argument, for them, before the Tariff Commission in 1883. In the latter part of the seventies he began the exportation of sheep to foreign coun- tries, and in 1879 selected two hundred thoroughbred sheep for the Japanese government, which he delivered in person, afterward visiting China, India, Italy, France, Germany. England and Australia in the interests of sheep breed- ing. Resulting from his long experience and excellent judgment Mr. Mark- ham has been frequently appointed as judge of cattle and sheep at the principal fairs of the country, and at the Columbian Exposition, Chicago, in 1893, he acted as judge of American sheep. His exhibition of Rambouillet sheep from Prussia was regarded as the principal feature of the merino sheep exhibit at that fair. Mr. Markham has always aimed to breed to the highest standard of excellence and his success is but the natural outcome of years of intelligent labor and study. Mr. Markham has been Vice President of the State Bank of Avon since its organization, and is Secretary and Treasurer of the Pfaudler Company, one of the largest manufacturing establishments in the state. In 1880 he was married to Josephine Foote, daughter of Warren Foote, of Rush. They have one daughter, Mary. Mr. Markham is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights Templar.

THOMAS CLARK,-Of Caledonia, N. Y., was born in Wayne county, December 24, 1857. While he was still a child his parents removed to Scotts- ville, Monroe county, where he received his education in the district schools. At twenty years of age he accepted a position in a hotel at York as clerk, which he held until 1895, when he removed to Caledonia where he established a meat market, which he has since conducted with excellent success. From 1899 to 1900 Mr. Clark conducted the Spring Creek hotel which he made famous by a series of fish dinners which were participated in from time to time by many

BIOGRAPHICAL

people of note from Rochester and other cities. In 1883 Mr. Clark was joined in marriage with Mary O'Neil, of Scottsville. Their only child died when three years of age. Mr. Clark's father and mother were both natives of Ireland, where they were also married before coming to America. They arrived in New York about 1850 and immediately proceeded to Wayne county where they resided for a number of years.

NATHANIEL P. COVERT, -A prosperous and well known agriculturist of the town of Ossian, is a descendant of one of the early pioneers of Living- ston county. His paternal grandfather, Frederick Covert, left New Jersey, his native state, and journeyed westward during the latter part of the eigh- teenth century. He located in the town of Ossian and was. it is supposed, the first settler in that town. In the midst of the primeval forest he erected a log cabin and began the work of clearing and reducing the land to a state of pro- ductiveness. The cabin was finally succeeded by a plank house and this in turn by a comfortable frame dwelling, in which be passed the remainder of his days. He reared a family of ten children, ail of whom grew to maturity. His son, Frederick Jr., after reaching his majority purchased a farm in the town of Ossian, three miles west of the village of Dansville on which he resided until his death, which occurred in his sixty-seventh year. He married Ann Porter, daughter of Nathaniel Porter, the former owner of the farm, who acquired it from the government.

Nathaniel Porter was a native of New Jersey, and when a young man came to Livingston county, first locating near Dansville. later coming to Ossian, where he purchased two hundred acres of forest land. Here he and his wife reared a large family of children and passed their remaining years, finally dis- posing of it to their son-in-law, Frederick Covert, Jr., and it is now owned by Freeman Covert, one of his sons. Nathaniel P. Covert is one of two sons of

Frederick Covert, Jr., He was born on the farm in Ossian April 8, 1832, and during his early life assisted his father in its care and management. Later he purchased a farm in Ossian on which he has since resided. He makes a specialty of fine stock, in the raising of which he has been very successful. His farm is one of the best in the county, with a handsome residence and com- modious buildings for the storing of bay and grain, and housing of stock, and the land is constantly kept in the highest state of productiveness. He married Mariette Lemen, daughter of Thomas Lemen, a well known farmer of Ossian, and they have had four children, two of whom are now living Nellie Rowena married Bert A. Rowe, a farmer of Minnesota, and James L., married Carrie McNinch, daughter of Gould McNinch of Ossian, and they have a daughter Ethel. Mr. Covert is a Republican in politics and in the years 1876 and 1877 represented his town as a member of the county Board of Supervisors.

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History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches, Part 117

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