USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches > Part 118
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
OLIVER D. CLARK,-Was born at the Clark homestead, Geneseo, N. Y., April 13, 1858, and received his education at the Geneseo State Normal school. graduating in the class of 1874. He then entered the Rochester University, graduating in 1884. From there he went to the Johns Hopkins College, grad- uating in 1889, and finished his schooling at Columbia University in 1893. His school days were interspersed with teaching. In 1884 and 1885 he taught as principal in the schools of Victor, N. Y., and from 1885 to 1888 at Baldwins- ville, N. Y., as principal. His last and present engagement as a teacher is at the Brooklyn High School as Professor of Biology and Natural Science. July 6. 1888 he was united in marriage with Elizabeth H. Buzzell, a daughter of Charles H. Buzzell, a resident of Rushville, N. Y. They have had three chil- dren: Oliva L., who died at the age of four and one-half years; Elizabeth A., born February 15, 1890; and Helen L., born March 2, 1895. Isaac A. Clark, father of the subject of this article, was born in Germantown, Pa., March 27, 1816. In the early part of his life he was a school teacher and was the author of a series of mathematical works. He received his education at Temple Hill
seminary and the Canandaigua Academy. On December 5, 1849, he was married to Sarah Durfee, a daughter of Oliver Durfee, of Palmyra, N. Y. They had five children: Lucina D., who died in August, 1864; Oliver D., Elizabeth R., born July 23, 1862, married William H. Payne, M. D., a profes- sor at the Michigan University; and Lucy D., born July 10, 1865, married William C. Albertson of New York, and they have one child, Robert D. Mrs. Payne and Mrs. Albertson are both graduates of the Geneseo State Normal and of the University of Michigan. The death of Isaac A. Clark occurred Decem- ber 13, 1899, the week of their golden wedding anniversary.
MICHAEL C. BRADLEY,-A prominent dentist of Avon, N. Y., was born at Holley, Orleans county, N. Y., March 11, 1867. While an infant his parents removed to Rochester, N. Y., where later he attended the city schools. In 1885 he commenced the study of dentistry with Dr. Buchanan, of Rochester, remaining with him until November, 1889, when he commenced the practice of his profession at Avon, N. Y. Realizing the need of a better education, he decided to enter the Buffalo University, where he took the dental course and graduated in 1899. During his college course he continued his practice, divid- ing his time between his office and the University and studying evenings, thereby being enabled to keep up with his classes. February 2, 1889, Dr. Bradley was united in marriage with Miss Frances Agnes Wartman, a resident of Rochester. They have four sons, Harold Wartman, Percival Gould, Mertou Herkimer and Courtney Simmons.
WILLARD P. SCHANCK,-A prosperous farmer and dairyman of the town of Avon, was born at Greece, Monroe county, March 28, 1862. He attended the Union schools of Pittsford and later the Rochester University. In 1883 he purchased the John Hillman farm of 125 acres situated one mile east of
1
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Avon, on which he has since resided. This is in many respects a model farm. Naturally rich, the soil is kept in the highest state of productiveness by artifi- cial and natural fertilization. The farm is well stocked, Mr. Schanck having bred and imported Ayrshire cattle for a number of years now has one of the finest herds of pure bred stock in the country. October 15, 1884, he married Hannah A. Loughburrough, of Pittsford, and they have had one daughter Lura, who died and was buried on her fifth birthday in 1891. His paternal grand . father, John Schanck, was a native of Pleasant Valley, New Jersey, and served as captain in the Revolutionary war. So vigorous was he in the discharge of his duties that a price of hfty guineas was placed upon his head by the British government. He married Maria Dennison, of Pleasant Valley, and they had thirteen children, of whom nine were sons. Hendrix, the eighth son, was born and reared a farmer. He married Sarah Schanck, of Freehold, N. J .. and afterward removed to Brighton, (now a part of the city of Rochester. ) where he purchased 150 acres of land a large portion of which he devoted to the culture of peaches, and for many years was known as the "Peach King." They had eleven children, all of whom lived to maturity, They were Peter, Mary. Sarah, Lafayette, Elizabeth, John, Gertrude, Cassie, William, Henry and Adelia. John, the sixth son, was born at Pleasant Valley, in 1825. lle mar- ried Mary Jane Pardee, of Irondequoit, Monroe county, and had two children, Sarah and Willard P. Sarah married C. A. Seaman, a citizen of Honeoye Falls, where they now reside.
LOVETTĘ P. WEST,-A former well known citizen of the village of Lakeville and town of Livonia, was born December 24, 1841. His grandfather, Hezekiah West, a native of Connecticut, was killed at an early age by the falling of a tree. His widow and nine children then removed to the state of New York. Erastus West. the third eldest of the family, was born in Hartford, Conn. At an early age he developed a decided talent for mechanism and secured a position in a factory in Pennsylvania. While engaged at this place
he invented a carding machine which was made in the factory and put on the market in quantities. In 1815 he journeyed by wagon to Livonia and upon their arrival found only a few white families in the locality, which was still a favorite hunting ground of the Indians. Soon after their arrival in Livonia, Mrs. Sophronia Bucklin West died, leaving three children: Perry, DeForest and Experience. Shortly after the death of his wife Mr. West returned to Pennsylvania and married Lucy M. Burns, who was born in that state May 6, 1800. The young bride accompanied her husband to his home in Livonia on horseback. Nine children were born to them: Lovette, Ziba H., Covil G. who died at the age of nineteen, Lucy M., Elisha, Jonathan B., Frank G., Erastus N. and Thomas Henry. The father died at the age of seventy and the mother was eighty-eight years of age at the time of her death. February 23, 1888, Lovette P. West obtained his early education in the schools of Livonia and later took a course in Poughkeepsie, "Eastman" Business College.
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He afterward became travelling salesman for the firm of Johnson and Company, with whom he remained eighteen months. He then purchased the interests of the other heirs to his father's estate. For three years he occupied the position of foreman of a manufacturing concern in Jeffersonville, Indiana. On return- ing to Lakeville he embarked in a mercantile enterprise which he carried on successfully for eleven years. Mr. West was the prime mover in accomplishing the building of the railroad from Lakeville to Conesus Lake Junction, which has been of inestimable value to the community. This road, of which he became President, was in 1886 sold to the Erie Railroad Company. In 1869 he married Hattie M. Dimmick, daughter of Shubael Dimmick, of Susquehannah county, Pa. Mrs. West's paternal grandfather was an officer holding the rank of Cap- tain in the Revolutionary army. Mr. and Mrs. West have reared five children: Harry F., Erastus L., Charles S., Florence L. and Livingston D. Mr. West was a republican and cast his first vote for President Lincoln. He has held the office of postmaster, at Lakeville and for many years served as Justice of the Peace. He was a valued member of the order of Masons, having joined that society many years ago. His death occurred March 6, 1904.
EVERETT DOTY, -Of the firm of Belden and Company Incorporated, has been a resident of the village of Geneseo since 1882. His father, George W. Doty, was born in Hamlin, Monroe county, N. Y. He married Phebe B. Whipple, a daughter of Job Whipple, also of Monroe county, to whom was born one son, E. Everett. George W. Doty died in 1864 and his wife. Phebe B. Whipple, died in 1898. E. Everett Doty was born at Hamlin, N. Y., July 1, 1862. He attended the public schools of the neighborhood and later took a course in the Brockport Normal school. When nineteen years of age he came to Geneseo and entered the office of Belden and Company, produce dealers as clerk and later became a member of the firm. He was joined in marriage, June 30, 1887, with Mary McIntyre, a daughter of Levant C. McIntyre, of Batavia, a former president of the First National bank of that place. Four children have been born to them. Lawrence E., born in 1889. Harold A., born in 1892, Kenneth M., born in 1896 and Robert L., born in 1903. In 1897 the firm of Belden and Company Incorporated was organized and Mr. Doty became president of the new company, which office he still holds. Both Mr. and Mrs. Doty are closely identified with the Presbyterian church of Geneseo, of which they have been members for many years.
JOHN L. WHITE, -Was born in the White homestead at Mount Morris, April 18, 1869. His father, George White, having lost his parents, sailed with his brother from Ireland when only nine years of age and his brother thirteen. They landed in New York and came first to Ramsey's, N. Y., where they secured employment and remained working on various farms until 1851 when George
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came to Mt. Morris, where he purchased land and established a home. With keen insight, he chose for liis location the rich bottom land lying near the vil- lage, this soil so rich and productive, under his management soon paid for itself and he was enabled to purchase more land, which he did from time to time and the farm today comprises over 600 acres, all under a high state of cul- tivation, and owned and managed by his two sons, John L. and George. His family consisted of a wife and five children: George, Mary, John L., Alma and Rachel who died in 1881. John L. White married Florence L. Brown, of Rochester, and they have two children, Donald Freeman and an infant.
JOHN M. McVICAR, -A prominent citizen of Conesus, N. Y .. and dealer in wagons and agricultural implements at that place, was born May 6, 1858. His early education was received at the Conesus school and was followed by a course in the State Normal school at Geneseo, N. Y. After leaving the Nor- mal he devoted some seven or eight years to teaching, after which he engaged as a clerk in a Conesus store where he remained about twelve years. In 1899 he purchased a lot, erected a building and embarked in the agricultural imple- ment business which has proved a financial success and has developed into one of the largest implement concerns in the county. Mr. McVicar has also achieved some prominence in the field of local politics. He is now serving a second term as town clerk and in the fall of 1903 was a candidate on the Denio- cratic ticket for the office of sheriff and although defeated he is deserving and received much credit for the clean, vigorous campaign he waged. He has been identified with the K. O. T. M., as its record keeper since its organization in 1895. His marriage to Miss Grace E. Sanford, daughter of James V. Sanford of Newark, N. J., occurred in 1884 and they have two sons, George and Ken- Both Mr. and Mrs. McVicar are members of the Universalist church, the former having been trustee of the church for the past fifteen years. His father, John McVicar, was also a native of Livingston county, having been born in the McVicar homestead near Scottsburg, N. Y. For seventeen years he conducted a hotel at Conesus and also speculated in live stock which he shipped to the eastern markets. He was an energetic, enterprising citizen and was well known throughout this section of the country. He died November 7, 1899, aged 76 years. His wife, formerly Elizabeth Thorpe, of Conesus, is still living and makes her home in that village.
neth.
HARLEM G. CHAMBERLAIN,-A retired farmer and well known citizen of the town of Mount Morris, was born in West Sparta, March 20, 1838. His grandfather, John Chamberlain a native of Vermont. emigrated to the Empire state and settled in Cayuga county. He married Lydia Horsford, also a native of New England, who after the death of Mr. Chamberlain resided with her son, Harlem G. Sr., the father of our subject. Harlem G. Chamberlain, Sr. was
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
born and reared in New England. When a young man he came to this county and purchased eighty acres of timber land in West Sparta. There he erected a log cabin in which he and his young wife began their married life and in which were born nine of their eleven children. He cleared and improved his farm, encountering all the difficulties and obstacles under which the early pio- neers labored, and in time replaced the log cabin with a substantial frame house in which he resided a number of years. He subsequently purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres at Union Corners, in the town of Mount Morris, where he remained until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-three. His wife, formerly Anna Bush, a native of Cayuga county, survived him. Nine children were born to them, namely, Emily, Orsamel, Amplius P., Albert O., Alonzo B., Lavina B., Lucetta L., Harlem G., and Lucinda R. Harlem G. Chamberlain obtained an education in the public schools of Mount Morris. He assisted his father on the farm, remaining with him until the latter's death, when he removed to the village of Mount Morris, where he resided and at the same time was engaged in farming on lands lying within the limits of the vil- lage. In 1877 he disposed of that property and purchased the farm on which he now resides, consisting of one hundred and ninety-three acres of the rich bottom land of the valley. This land he has brought to the highest point of productiveness. In August 1862, Mr. Chamberlain enlisted in Company F., 136th New York Volunteer Infantry. This was one of the most active of the New York regiments and took part in twenty-three engagements. He received an honorable discharge at the close of the war in June, 1865. He was joined in marriage with Emma A. Sherwood, a daughter of Rev. Abijah Sherwood, a Baptist minister of Tioga county, Pa. There have been born to them four children; Anna, Fanny, Ella and Carl. Mr. Chamberlain, while still residing on his farm, is not now its active manager, having a few years since delegated that work to other hands.
JOHN H. HUGHES, -Manager of St. John hotel, Nunda, N. Y., is a native of that village, where he was born May 16, 1855. He early became identified with the business interests of the town, having in 1877 established a restaurant in a portion of the building he now occupies as a hotel. A few years later larger accommodations were secured adjoining the restaurant and the place was converted into a hotel and named the St. John. This hotel enjoys a most lib- eral transient trade and also provides for a large local patronage. September 15, 1880, Mr. Hughes was joined in marriage with Miss Margaret Fitzgerald, of the town of Portage and they have one son, John F. Mr. Hughes has for years been prominent in local politics and is an active worker for the success of the Democrat party.
JAMES E. LOCKINGTON, -A successful cigar manufacturer and whole- sale tobacco dealer, of Lima, N. Y., was born in that village September 4, 1854. After obtaining an education in the common school he engaged with D. E.
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Walker, a cigar maker of Lima, as an apprentice and remained with him a num- ber of years. In 1877 he purchased the cigar manufacturing business, then owned and conducted by A. Crandall and Company, to which in later years he added the wholesaling of tobacco, and has since managed the business with a degree of efficiency and force that placed it at once upon a solid financial foot- ing and resulted in an enlargement of his field of operations and consequent in- crease of trade. His goods may now he found in the leading establishments of Livingston and adjoining counties. In politics, Mr. Lockington is a demo- crat and has devoted considerable of his time and talents in an able performance of the duties of the various offices to which he has been elected. He was twice elected to the office of Supervisor of the town of Lima, for two terms be served as sheriff's deputy, and for five years he has held the office of town collector.
FRANK FIELDER, -Cashier of the Citizens Bank of Dansville and one of the prominent and influential citizens of that place, is a native of England, hav- ing been born at Brighton, England, in July 1834. His paternal grandfather, Richard Fielder, of Tenterden, Kent, England, was the owner of the famous old Woolpack Inn of that borough, where were held the county assizes. His paternal grandmother was Catherine Cage Fielder, of Milgate Park, Bearstead near Maidstone, Kent. When Frank was a lad of thirteen years, his father, Charles Lawrence Fielder, with his family consisting at that time of Eliza Hooker Fielder, his wife by second marriage and four children; Charles Sid- ney and Alfred, aged respectively eighteen and ten years, Rowena an infant and Frank; came to America and located at Islip, Long Island, where they remained for a time and removed to Fowlerville, Livingston county. Frank Fielder received a practical education in the public schools and later engaged as clerk in a store at Fowlerville. During the years 1857-8 and 9 he was em- ployed by the firm of H. C. Blodgett and Company of Rochester, N. Y., and the two years following he was engaged in the mercantile business for himself at
Islip. In 1862 he came with his family to Dansville, where he has since resided. For a number of years Mr. Fielder was in partnership with his brother, Charles S., in the dry goods business in Dansville, and after the latter's death he continued the business which under his management prospered and grew to large proportions. The failure of the old First National Bank in 1887, and previous to that the closing of the Dansville Bank, had left the village without banking facilities of any kind, a condition of affairs not only inconvenient but dangerous to the business interests of the place, therefore the establishment of a reliable banking institution became imperative. Mr. Fielder with the co- operation of several of the leading business men of the town took the matter in hand and with characteristic energy proceeded in the organization of a bank- ing company. As a result the Citizens Bank of Dansville was established, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, and at the first meeting of the board of directors Mr. Fielder was selected as cashier, a position he holds today and is eminently fitted to fill. Under his careful conservative management, this bank
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
holds a position in the front rank of similar institutions in the state. Mr. Fielder has always taken an active interest in educational matters. He was formerly a trustee of the Dansville Seminary, and took a leading part in the contest which culminated in the establishment of the free school system for Dansville in 1883. Since that time he has been a member of the Board of Education, of which he has been president for several years. He was largely instrumental in the establishing of the Livingston Circulating Library in 1874 and became president of its board of trustees. In 1894 he, with others, succeeded in converting this library into a free public library.
Mr. Fielder is a valued member of the Livingston County Historical Society and in 1894 served that society as its president. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fielder are members of the Presbyterian church, the former baving held the position of trustee or elder for many years in that church. Mr. Fielder has twice been married. Ju 1860 to Ortha O. Beach, who died in May 1879, leaving three children, Ortha Belle, now a teacher of English literature in the East Denver, Colorado, high school. Frank Sidney married Martha Teller Irwin, of Albany, and is now a successful physician in New York city; Josephine married Bur- roughs Edsall, of Colorado Springs, Colo. Burroughs and Josephine Edsall have three children, Clarence Sidney, Thomas and Catherine Belle. Mr. Fielder was married to his present wife, formerly Mrs. Adelaide Swift Carpenter of Falmouth Mass., in August 1886.
HERBERT J. SCHMITZ, -A native of Prussia, was born December 31, 1845. His education was begun at the Gymnasium of Germany from which he graduated in 1863. Four years later he came to America, locating in New York, where he secured employment with a firm of importers. In 1872, owing to ill health, he decided to spend a year on a farm near Saratoga, N. Y., and the following year he accepted the position of teacher of French and German at Ingham University, LeRoy, N. Y., remaining there until 1875, when he returned to Germany and finished his University course, later receiving the degree. P. H. D., at Strasburg. In the winter of 1877, he was tendered the position of principal of Ingham University, which he accepted and continued in that capacity four years. He then resigned to accept the position he now occupies in the State Normal School at Geneseo, N. Y., as teacher of chemistry, physics and natural science. Dr. Schmitz was married in 1881 to Anna M. Smith, daughter of Timothy A. Smith of Watertown, N. Y.
FRANK J. ALVERSON, -A prominent attorney of Dansville, N. Y., was born July 20, 1867. In 1887 he entered the law office of J. M. McNair of Dans- ville, as a student, remaining with him about three years. He then studied with John A. VanDerlip and later with Bissell and Foss. He was admitted to the Bar at Rochester in April, 1893 and has been in active practice at Dansville
Cela Marlene
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since that time. In March, 1891 while still pursuing his studies, he was elect- ed Justice of the Peace. He has also served two terms as police justice. July 19, 1893, Mr. Alverson was united in marriage with Maria Remmel, daughter of Frederick Remmel, a business man of Corning. N. Y. They have one child, Donald, born June 12, 1900. He is a member of Phoenix Lodge, No. 115, F. and A. M., and Dansville Chapter, No. 91, R. A. M.
AMASA HARWOOD MARTIN, -The eldest child of Alexander and Roth (Harwood) Martin, was born at North Bloomfield, N. Y., June 19, 1824, and died September 23, 1898 on the farm, in the town of Lima, where he had lived for fifty-three years. He was a resident of that town for more than seventy years, and was well known as a progressive farmer and successful business man. His hospitable home and its surroundings, indicate his interest and delight in that which tends to make life enjoyable, and amid such surroundings his years were passed. He received his education at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. After leaving school he engaged in mercantile pursuits but subsequently adopt- ed the more congenial occupation of farming. He was a member, and liberal supporter, of the Universalist Church at North Bloomfield and for many years was trustee and treasurer of the Society. He was also trustee, and for several years president of the board of trustees, of the Clinton Liberal Institute at Fort Plain, N. Y. He was married, May 16, 1854, at Hague, Lake George, N. Y., to Julia Ann, daughter of Nathaniel and Charlotte (Harwood) Garfield ; of this marriage there were three children, Jane Elizabeth (Mrs. George W. Atwell, ) Alexander who married Mary B. Houghton of Little Falls, N. Y., and Dean Garfield, who married Martha Windecker, of Little Falls, N. Y. Mr. Martin was of New England ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Stephen Martin, was born at Norwich, Conn., January 26, 1761; in May 1777, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted at Mansfield, Conn., in the Continental Army, and was discharged in 1780; he married March 27, 1782, Bethiah R. Barrows of Mansfield, Conn. Alexander Martin the ninth child of this marriage and fath- er of Amasa H., was born at Paris, N. Y., January 10, 1800, and died, in the town of Lima, August 8, 1877. He married, March 26, 1823, Ruth Harwood who died July 21, 1875; she was the daughter of Simon and Ruth (Hall) Har- wood of Pittsford, Vermont. For almost a century the home of the family has been in the town of Lima, and four generations have been identified with its history.
ALFRED L. VANVALKENBURG, -One of the leading merchants of Dans- ville, N. Y., has been identified with the business and social interests of Dans- ville since 1895. He was born in Wayland, April 25. 1861, and a liberal educa- tion which included a course in the Geneseo State Normal school, amply pre- pared him for a successful business career. He first conducted a general mer-
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
chandise business at Cuylerville, N. Y., until 1889 when the Singer Sewing Machine Company appointed him as their representative with headquarters at Cleveland, Ohio. In 1895 he established his present business in Dansville, which has since developed into one of the largest musical establishments in Western New York. In 1883 he was united in marriage with Cora S. Johnston, of Geneseo, N. Y., daughter of the late Lawrence Johnston. of Webster, N. Y., and their family consists of a son and daughter, Earl W. and Mazie R. Mr. Van Valkenburg is prominently identified with a number of social organizations. He is at present Prophet of the order of Red Men, a member of the Maccabees, Odd Fellows, Haymakers, Sons of Veterans and the Protective Fire Company No. 1. Mr. Van Valkenburg is a thoroughly public spirited citizen, progres- sive in his ideas, and a valued member of the business fraternity of the village of Dansville.
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