USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 67
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Mr. Mills being fresh from the graduating schools of medicine and surgery, was the first to introduce the " flap operation" in amputations in the army of the west, the "circular" being the former in use from time immemorial. For this he was promoted by Surgeon DeCamp, of Baltimore, of the United States Army, to the head of the Medical and Sur- gical department of the army. After the close of the war while in Washington attending the court martial of Col. Fremont, Hon. Wm. L. Marcy then Secretary of War, tendered him a commission as Assistant Surgeon in the regular army, under the Act known as the ten regiment bill, to increase the standing army, which he declined. After an absence of nearly three years, he returned to Mt. Morris, and soon after at the request of a commit- tee of citizens, delivered an address on the " Mexi- can war and its incidents," which, by special requests from committees, was repeated in Nunda and Perry. In June, 1849, Dr. Mills was united in marriage to Mary E. Mills, only daughter of Hiram P. Mills, Esq., of Mt. Morris. She is a most estimable lady, possessing those admirable traits of character which make the domestic circle cheerful and happy. The marriage has been one of happiness and reciprocal affection, deepened and brightened by the flight of time. Six children were the fruits of this marriage, two of whom only sur- vived to maturity.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
In the spring of 1850, the Dr. removed to Roch- ester, N. Y., where he opened a drug-store, and al- though the business proved remunerative, it was too small and contracted a business to suit his broad and comprehensive mind. He therefore embraced the first opportunity presenting itself to sell out his stock of goods, and engaged in the con- struction of public works for the State of New York. Here he found ample scope for his busi- ness qualifications, and was rewarded by a liberal compensation, which afforded him a competency for life and enabled him to retire from business in the fall of 1868.
In 1863, he was appointed a delegate by the Mayor and Common Council of Rochester, to re- present that city in the National Ship Canal Con- vention, held at Chicago in June of that year.
In November, 1870, he removed to Mt. Morris, his native village, and purchased the homestead grounds upon which he was born, but which had passed out of the family. He enlarged and taste- fully improved the mansion, constructing elaborate and costly outbuildings, embellishing the grounds which embrace nearly five acres of land with pleas- ing walks and shrubbery. This home is situated in the northern part of the village, at the extremity of Main street, and overlooks the broad valley of the Genesee for miles around. The imagination can hardly conceive of a more beautiful situation. The view of the surroundings and landscape scenery would inspire the muse of a poet, and imbue the imagination of the painter with all the beautiful inspirations of his creative art. Here the representative red-men of the forest used to come in bygone times to see "Sa-nun-ge-wa," (General Mills) their friend and counselor-not unfrequent- ly settling difficulties between the white settlers and the Indians, as well as other matters of more grave import.
Here Mary Jemison, better known in history as the "Old White Woman," paid, it is said, her last visit in the Genesee Valley, the cherished home of her youth, before leaving for the Buffalo Creek Reservation, in 1830, to reside.
Ilere upon these grounds, made historic by the white and red man, Doctor Mills ( "Hod-a-gents- sa-nun-ge-wa," a title given him by the Seneca nation of Indians in honor of his father, which in- terpreted signifies in the Indian tongue "Doctor Big Kettle ;" in our language, Dr. Mills,) devotes a large share of his leisure time to literary pursuits. He was one of the founders of the Livingston County Historical Society, also of the Livingston County Pioneer Association. He has been presi- cent at different times of both societies, and has labored zealously for their success, which appears now established.
He is known as an easy, flexible and forcible writer. Under the nom de plume of "Corn-planter" is the author of a series of articles on Indian history. He also published an elaborate and the only com- plete history of the Mt. Morris tract. The Doctor has attained nich reputation as a public speaker and lecturer. He delivered an address before the
Wyoming Historical Pioneer Association at the dedication of their dog-cabin at Silver Lake, in 1878, and was there greeted by an immense audience, 20,000 people having assembled at the lake on that occasion. His address before the State Associa- tion of Mexican War Veterans, at Detroit, Sept. 14, 1880, was another masterly effort. His review of the results and benefits of that war to the coun- try, and the claims of the veteran soldiers upon the government for a pension, are unanswerable. In February, 1878, he delivered a lecture on the Pre-Historic Races in America, by special invita- tion, at Dansville. His audience consisted of the clergy, lawyers, physicians, professors in the Semi- nary, and leading business men, and literary ladies and gentlemen of the place, who were unanimous in their approval.
In August, 1877, he delivered an oration on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Livingston County Pioneer Association, at Long Point, Con- esus Lake, holding the vast audience, thickly inter- spersed with ladies, for more than an hour, during the last half of which a threatening thunder storm seemed rapidly gathering, with but limited shelter accomodations at hand, save that offered by the friendly and wide-spread branches of the stately forest trees.
He has delivered at various times acceptable addresses upon agriculture and its kindred sub- jects before the Farmers' Association of his town, on the occasions of their annual gatherings after harvest. To him they look for counsel and advice in local affairs effecting their welfare. He is a fearless and bold advocate of the people's interest and is regarded by them as one of the few men in whom implicit confidence can be placed.
He is President of the Board of Education of Mt. Morris, President of the " Mills Water Works Company," was appointed in December, 1880, by the Board of Supervisors of Livingston county on the commission to devise ways and means to sup- ply the Poor House, Insane Asylum and other buildings belonging to the county with an abundant supply of pure water for sanitary purposes, domestic use and for fire purposes. The commission was a success, and reported to the Board in April, '81, for their consideration, plans of the work with esti- mated cost, to supply upon the "gravity system " the two former requirements, also the latter.
In politics Dr. Mills has always been a Demo- crat, firmly, but never obtrusively, sustaining his principles. He was never an office seeker, pre- ferring private life and its retirement and the good opinion of his fellow citizens to public office, although occasionally accepting positions of honor and public trust tendered him. He admires in men the distinction of moral worth, integrity, industry and virtune, and all men who possess these traits are equal in his estimation.
Though retired from active business life, what- ever tends to promote the growth of his native vil- lage or beautify it, finds in him a zealous and efficient advocate. A son of a pioneer who was conspicuous for enterprise and upright dealings,
321
JONATHAN PHILLIPS-CHESTER FOOTE.
and valuable in doing those things which have so largely tended to make Mt. Morris reach its present advanced and progressive condition, it is not sur- prising the son should emulate the example of his father, and reflect his virtues in whatever pertains to the public interests and welfare of his native vil- lage. In 1873 he published an article exhibiting the feasibility and necessity of constructing water works to supply the village of Mt. Morris with water, and June 4th, 1879, at the request of the Trustees of the village, met the citizens in a public meeting to discuss the subject to which he had previously called their attention. His able and well matured plans for the construction of water works were accepted, and the works were con- structed the same year with that push and energy characteristic of the man, who furnished the entire capital himself. The expectation of the public in their construction were more than realized and a grand success was achieved. The health of the village has materially improved since the con- struction of these works, aside from the great con- venience of an abundant supply of pure and whole- some water for sanitary and domestic purposes brought to the doors of the citizens, as well as to protect their property from destruction by fire. For this enterprise, and the great blessings result- ing therefrom, the citizens are indebted wholly to Dr. Mills.
Courteous, kindly disposed, self-reliant, clear- headed and gentlemanly in his demeanor, Dr. Mills never stops at trifles, but presses right on to the successful completion of whatever he undertakes. In his domestic relations he is peculiarly fortunate and happy. Two amiable and accomplished daugh- ters-Jennie and Isabell, and their estimable mother-adorn his household and contribute largely to his happiness.
JONATHAN PHILLIPS.
Jonathan Phillips was born in Romulus, (now Varick,) Seneca county, November 2, 1810. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (Scoby) Phillips, natives of New Jersey. They settled in Cayuga county, about 1800, and soon thereafter in Seneca county. They came into this county in 1826, where the father died December 22, 1874, aged eighty-eight years, and the mother January 31, 1870, aged seventy-eight years. They had eleven children, only three of whom are now living, viz :- Calista, Isaac and Sophronia. Jonathan, the sec- ond of the family, when in his twenty-second year, left the home of his parents, (where he had lived up to that time, assisting his father on the farm and attending the district school winters, the only advantages for an education he ever enjoyed,) and worked land on shares for about five years. Then he bought the farm on which he lived till he died, and which is now operated by his widow. He moved into a log house which was on the place and occupied that until he finished the pres-
ent fine residence in 1853. He at first purchased only 50 acres, but added from time to time till he owned 360 acres in his home farm, and in other localities about 200 acres, making his estate con- sist of 560 acres. He was a most thorough and successful farmer, and for about sixteen years be- fore his death was very extensively engaged in buy- ing and selling live-stock; and it may safely be said that as a farmer and speculator he was to be ranked with the first in the town of Mt. Morris.
In politics he was a Republican, but never an office-seeker. He took a lively interest in the suc- cess of his party, and sustained its measures and advocated its principles with a warmth that is al- ways characteristic of the earnest partisan.
April 25, 1832, he married Violetta, daughter of Richard and Hannah (Keeler) Akers, natives of New Jersey, who came to Seneca county in 1823, and to this county in 1825. Her father died De- cember 22, 1866, aged about ninety years, and her mother, aged ninety-six years, is still living and residing in Michigan with her daughter Jane, wife of Samuel Klady. They had seven children, four of whom are now living, viz :- Violetta, Jane, John G., and Aaron. He died March 15, 1870, in the sixtieth year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have had three children as follows :- Sarah Jane, born February 10, 1833, married Charles Moyer, of Mt. Morris and died February 5, 1875 ; Janette H., born June 23, 1839, and died January 16, 1842; Adella Z., born May 2, 1850, married L. DeWitt Smith, of Geneseo, and lives now with the mother on the old homestead.
CHESTER FOOTE.
Chester Foote is one of the oldest residents now living in the town of Mt. Morris. He was born in the town of Kingsboro, Montgomery county, N. Y., April 27, 1790. His parents were Joseph, Jr., and Beersheba (Burr) Foote, of Conn. Joseph, Jr., was born about 1755. He served his country during the Revolutionary war as cavalryman. He died in Kingsboro in 1790, aged about 35 years. His wife survived him many years, and died in Ohio at the great age of one hundred years. They had four children, Levi, Joseph, Beersheba and Chester, of whom Chester alone is living. The mother married for her second husband Isaac Flowers, by whom she had three children, Lucy, Sylvia and Livinia, all now dead. For her third husband she married Thomas Thompson, of Ohio. No children were born of this marriage.
After the death of his father, which occurred when Chester was about two months old, Mrs. Foote kept her four children together as long as possible, but soon had to place them out among her rela- tives until they became old enough to support themselves. At the age of nine years Chester was taken into the family of his uncle Aaron, a brother of his father's and lived with him until his marriage with Fanny Hoofcoot, Feb. 25, 1812. She was born in 1792.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Four years after this marriage Chester moved to Trenton, Oncida county, where he carried on farming about three years. In 1817 he moved with his family, consisting of wife and one child, and what few goeds he had to Western New York, passing through Mt. Morris, which was then a small settlement, to his destination at Plum Creek, Allegany county. He found a small settlement at Nunda, also one at Solomon Williams' on the old short tract road, which was merely marked out through the woods. A short distance beyond Mr. Williams' there was a very steep hill, on which the snow had been thawing quite rapidly, so that the horses' feet balled up, causing them to slip and stumble so badly that before reaching the top of the hill the horses were drawn back again by the weight of the sleigh to the foot of the hill. After several attempts they succeeded in gaining the summit and about dark reached a creek in which the melting snow had caused the water to rise so high that it carried off the log bridge which spanned it. Finding it impossible to cross with the sleigh, he unharnessed the horses and placing his wife on one rode the other himself and carried the child. After crossing the creek, while on their way, his wife, not being accustomed to riding on horseback, would occasionally fall from her elevated position, and he would spread a blanket on the snow and lay the child on it while he helped her to mount again.
About twelve o'clock at night they reached their destination, and the next day he brought over the sleigh and goods. They brought provisions with them sufficient, as they thought, to last till they were started, but provisions were becoming so scarce among the settlers that when a new comer arrived they flocked in in such numbers to make acquaintance and get something to eat that in a few days the future began to look gloomy to Mr. Foote and his family. While meditating on the subject one evening, they fancied they heard a voice, saying: "Arise and get thee hence ;" and obedient to the summons, they packed their goods the next day and returned to Mt. Morris where they settled about a mile south of the village, on land owned by the father of John R. Murray, the latter now a resident of Mt. Morris. Here Mr. Foote lived about three years, when he moved to West Sparta, where he resided till about 1832, when he purchased and moved to the farm in Mt. Morris where he now lives. Here his first wife died June 10, 1827, aged sixty-four years, ten months and three days.
In 1863 he married Mary Bingham, and having rented his farm to his son Norman, moved to Nunda and resided there six years, when the death of his second wife occurred. He then re- turned to his farm. Since leaving Nunda he has lived at times with all of his children.
In 1870 he sold his farm to his son Norman, with whom he spends half of his time and the re- mainder with his son Giles W. He is a remark- ably well preserved man, but the signs of old age are manifesting themselves in the loss of hearing
and impaired eyesight. There have been born to him eight children, one of whom died in infancy. Those that reached maturity are named as follows : Maria, born Dec. 31, 1813, died Dec. 13, 1839 ; Eliza, born Nov. 8, 1816, died April 15, 1854; Giles W., born July 11, 1818 ; Chas., born Oct. 15, 1822; Norman, born Sept. 15, 1824; Mary, born Sept. 14, 1826, and Harriet, born Jan. 8, 1834.
COL. REUBEN SLEEPER.
(COL. REUBEN SLEEPER.)
Col. Reuben Sleeper was born in Laurens, Otsego county, February 22, 1798. He was of Quaker descent and enjoyed vigorous health, being of temperate habits. He early espoused the temperance reforin and abandoned the sale of spirituous liquors, even at a sacrifice of business interests. With only a common school education he, at sixteen years of age, entered upon a clerk- ship in his native town in a "general dry goods and variety store." In 1821, he, with his partner, Abner Dean, engaged in the mercantile business at Manlius, Onondaga county. In 1823, they re- moved to Mt. Morris, and for some time kept the only store in that town. For years their goods, bought in New York, were brought up the Genesee river from Rochester, being, from Rochester, poled up, on flat boats, a distance of one hundred and thirty miles. Also goods were brought by teams from Albany in favorable weather. After occupy- ing a small wooden store for four years, they re- moved it, and erected the first brick building in the place. In 1828 the partnership was dissolved, the brick building being sold to the partner of Mr. S., and he opened in another building a store, continu- ing there till he built a store on a lot adjoining his residence. In April, 1827, he married Lucretia C.
323
CONESUS-ORGANIZATION.
daughter of Rev. Dr. Lyman, of East Haddam, Conn., who survives him. On the incorporation of the village in June, 1835, he was chosen President of the Board of Trustees, and at the time of his death was the last survivor of the Board chosen at that time. He retained that position several years, the late Hon. George Hastings acting as clerk. After the death of the first president of the Genesee River Bank, he was chosen President, and served in that capacity for a long time. Col. Sleeper was widely known throughout the Genesee Valley and Western New York, as a successful business man and a man of strong and earnest convictions, of great industry and sterling integrity. On all public questions he was independent and acted without regard to self-interest or policy. Being early known as an Abolitionist, his house for years was the resting place of fugitives from slavery, fleeing to the Queen's Dominions, and his integrity of charac- ter and strict sense of justice led him to adopt and advocate principles that were not popular with the people. He was a man of culture and extensive reading and a courteous gentleman. During a residence of about fifty years he held many posi- tions of public trust with credit to his sagacity and integrity. He retired from active business in 1856, but at the time of his death, May 11, 1872, was director of the Genesee River National Bank, hay- ing held that position since its organization, and being a public spirited man he took an active in- terest in all public improvements.
CHAPTER XXIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONESUS.
THE town of Conesus is situated on the eastern border of the county, and contains an area of six square miles. It is bounded on the north by Livonia, on the south by Sparta and Springwater ; on the east by Canadice, (Ontario county ;) and on the west by Groveland.
The town lies between the beautiful lakes of Conesus and Hemlock. Its surface is quite uneven, with a higher general elevation than any town of the eastern range.
Several ranges of hills extend through the town, most of them small ; the largest being the "Mar- rowback Hills," in the eastern part, and what is known as "Turkey Hill," in the western part .*
At points in the larger range the hills rise to an elevation of several hundred feet, in which vicinity
several fatal accidents have occurred, the most no- table being that of the death of a citizen named Hamilton who, in an attack of delerium tremens, leaped over the rocks and was dashed to pieces below.
From near the center of the town begins the Calabogue valley * which extends into Springwater.
The town derives its name from Conesus Lake, which was named for the celebrated Indian chief, Conesus. f
The town was first organized in 1821 as Free- port.
Before the year 1820 Conesus was divided into two parts, the eastern, belonging to the town of Livonia, and the west part to the town of Grove- land.
At that date the two towns belonged to the county of Ontario, and all of the different articles of agreement for lands were dated in the above named towns and county before 1820.
In 1820 the first attempt was made for the or- ganization of the town, but on account of certain irregularities the organization was not effected till 1821.
The name Freeport was given to the town by the early squatters, who supposed the land to be free to all who came here to settle, and who as erroneously supposed that building a brush fence around their quasi claims was all that was neces- sary to secure to them the future ownership.#
When a few years after the actual owners came and claimed the land, some of the squatters, when they discovered the invalidity of their titles, left for parts unknown, while a number who had thus seized their land, supposing it to be without an owner, refused to yield their claims, causing no little disturbance and some important law suits which were in the courts of the State for several years, but which were finally decided in favor of the right- ful owners.
For three years the town retained the name of Freeport, when, in 1824, through the influence of a man named Bugbee, it was changed to Bowers-
* Or Calabogue Hollow, as it is sometimes called. The name signifies " The Headless Place."
t The Indian name for Conesus Lake was Ga-ne-a-sois, or Gah-nyuli- sas, meaning-" Place of Nanny Berries,"-a small mealy berry which al one time grew there in great profusion.
# Doty's History says the name of Freeport was derived from the following circumstance :-
" A squatter, who had been a sailor, settled on a particular lot near the brow of the western hill.
"After fencing it in and making some improvements, he was forcibly driven off by the owner. The ejection provoked the landless pioneer, who, at some pains, published his version of the story, urging that how ever ready other sections might be to welcome emigrants, this particular region was no 'free-port.' "'
This, from the meaning of the term, " free-port," would seem to be the most probable version, though the other is given as correct.
* These names are of local derivation. The name " Marrowhack, " as applied to the largest range, was derived from this instance : Two men- inhabitants of the town-engaged in a personal conflict. One of them was from this region of hills, and he getting the better of his adversary the bystanders exclaimed to the vanquished-" He's got too much mar- row in his back for you, boy !"
Turkey Hill was so named on account of the numerous fowls of that species stolen from the dwellers in the valley by pillaging families who lived on this hill. The name signifies " Many Stolen Turkeys."
324
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
ville, in honor of the Bowers family who then owned here a large tract of land.
The inhabitants, however, soon became dissat- isfied with this name and petitioned the legislature to again change it. This petition was signed by a large number of inhabitants. At the same time a remonstrance was raised against the proposed change which did not prove successful, and after retaining the name of Bowersville one year it was in 1825 changed to Conesus, which name it has since retained.
Among the early purchasers of land in this town were Phelps and Gorham, a number of years before the first settlement of the town was made by white men.
After they had retained possession of the land a certain length of time, they transferred their claims, in part, to Henry Bowers and Sir William Pulteney, and a small tract to what was then known as the Canandaigua Academy, situated at Canandaigua, N. Y.
This tract consisted of five lots, which, a few years after, were numbered as lots Nos. 16, 54, 80, 89, 110, a total or 814 acres.
In 1819 or '20, a few years after Bowers and Pulteney had obtained possession, they laid this tract of land out into lots, and numbered them from r to 139, including a tier of lots on the east side of Hemlock lake that formerly belonged to the town, which were numbered 10 and 20, and parts of lots 30, 39, 40, and 57, which have since been transferred to the county of Ontario. They also laid out part of Hemlock lake into lots, as Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, which they reserved for those who wished to purchase water privileges.
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