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 85
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
CHURCHES .- The pioneer settlers of the Gene- see country, though attracted hither by material considerations, brought with them a religious cul- ture and a love of the sacred institutions of religion which had shadowed with benign influence their eastern homes. Happily those who took up their abode east of the Genesee river were early brought under an influence which fostered these conditions, and reservations of land for church and school pur- poses were often made-a practice sedulously ad- hered to in regard to the lands which came under the agency of Mr. Wadsworth when it was in his power to conform to it. Not so west of the Gene- see, on the lands of the Holland Company, for, although promises of land were made for the first regularly incorporated religious society in a town- ship, they were not, except in "a very few instan- ces," fulfilled. Joseph Ellicott, the principal agent of the Holland Company, though an eminently worthy and able man, "disregarded the Sabbath, and was hostile to religious institutions. His in- fluence had an unfavorable effect upon the religious state of the Holland Purchase ; and for a period after the settlement .of that part of the Genesee country commenced, it was a common observation that Sabbath-day did not extend westward beyond the Genesee river."* Exception was made how- ever to the Scotch settlement at Caledonia, where, March 4, 1805, was organized the first Presbyterian church west of the Genesee river, by Rev. Jede- diah Chapman, a missionary of the General Assem- bly of the Presbyterian church. f
The first religious services in this town, it is
* Hotchkin's History of Western New York. 78.
t Ibid, 78-9.
400
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
believed, were conducted by missionaries sent out by the Missionary Society of Connecticut, the first of whom Rev. Aaron Kinne, penetrated the wil- (Ierness of Western New York as far as the Gene- see river in 1794, and preached to the scattered settlements in the valley. The first settlers in the eastern part of the town were persons of Scotch-Irish descent from Pennsylvania, with strong Calvinistic sentiments, and warmly attached to the Presbyte- rian form of government. Among these princi- pally, though its members were drawn from the entire town, was organized in the fall of 1795, by Rev. Samuel* Thatcher, a missionary in the em- ployment of the General Assembly of the Presby- terian church, The First Presbyterian Church in Geneseo, which was, with the exception of the one organized by the same agency the same year at Charlestown, (Lima,) the first in this county. The organization was effected at the house of John Ewart, who, in conjunction with Daniel Kelly and James Haynes, all from the same neighborhood in Pennsylvania, were the first elders.
The Church first met in private houses, at Mr. Ewart's, at a house near Bosley's mills, and at what was afterwards known as the Field's Farm, on the lower road to Dansville. " To these widely sep- arated places would those settlers walk, men, women and children, through the woods and along Indian trails, for the privilege of meeting their neighbors in the worship of God."t After the "town house" was erected-in 1797-they wor- shipped occasionally in it.
The Church, says Hotchkin, " was for a number of years in a low state, and for most of the time destitute of the preaching of the gospel and living in the neglect of stated public worship; but it af- terwards revived, and its circumstances were more prosperous."# Its first pastor, Rev. John Lindsley, was installed by the Presbytery of Geneva, Jan. 29, 1806. Soon after its organization other settlers, who were Congregationalists, mostly from New England, came in, and though they worshipped with the Presbyterians for a few years, they could not harmonize, and a separation took place in 1810. The Presbyterians then removed their place of wor- ship to the east part of the town, meeting in the school-house in winter, and frequently in summer
ยท Rev. John Mitchell in A Centennial Discourse, contaming the Ilis- tory of the First Presbyterian church of Geneseo during its first eighty- one years, and Rev. Geo. O. Folsom, in a Historical Discourse on the fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of the 2d Presbyterian church of Geneseo, make this name Samuel Thatcher ; while Hotchkin and other authorities consulted give the name Daniel Thatcher.
t Historical Discourse, by Rev. G. P. Folsom, 13.
# Hotchkin's History of Western New York, 29-30,
in Benjamin Winn's barn. In 1843, their first house of worship was erected, and the old building is still standing opposite its former site, though converted to other uses. In 1855, the present church edifice was undertaken, and for convenience of access, was located just over the town line, in the village of Lakeville. During the first thirty years the progress of the Church was slow, for in 1825 the number of communicants on the roll was only 32 ; in 1836 the number had increased to 155, and in 1846, to 180. In 1864 the number was 140. Since that time the number has somewhat de- creased through deaths and removals, yet there have been some members added to the church every year .* The Church still retains its original name, notwithstanding its removal to the town of Livonia.
The Presbyterian Church of Genesco Village was organized May 5, 1810, by Rev. Daniel Oliver, a missionary from Massachusetts, and was composed of twenty-one persons, who being Congregation- alists, severed their connection with the First Presbyterian Church in Geneseo, because they could not affiliate with them, viz :- Elizabeth Reed, Mary Rew, David Skinner, Jerusha Skinner, David Kneeland, Mercy Kneeland, Cephas Beach, Dolly R. Beach, Delight Finley, Samuel Finley, Louise Chappell, Abigail Case, Alice Skinner, Betsey Finley, Candice Beach, Sylvia Kneeland, Annis Alvord, Russell Lord, Nabby G. Kneeland and Sibyl Lawrence. David Skinner waschosen Mod- erator; Samuel Finley, Clerk ; and David Skinner and Cephas Beach, deacons.
Without any settled pastor they enjoyed, for several years, the services of transient ministers and missionaries, among whom were Messrs. Daniel Oliver, John Lindsley, Aaron C. Collins, Robert Hubbard, Wheelock, Pratt, Millis and Butrick ; and in the absence of these listened to sermons read by Deacon Beach. In 1814, they adopted the Presbyterian confession of faith and united with the Geneva Presbytery.
The town house, which had been moved to " Temple Hill," came under the control of the church, and was arranged with pews and a gallery, the former of which were taxed for the support of the church. In 1811; a novel method of providing for the support of the gospel was inaugurated. It consisted of a fund-denominated the "sheep- fund"-to which a certain number of sheep were contributed, the increase and wool of which were
* A Centennial Discourse, by Rev. John Mitchell, 1876. For a more extended account of this Church, see History of Livonia.
I. SE W. Ward
Rev. Ferdinand DeWilton Ward, D. 1)., son of Levi (M. D.) and Mehetabel (Hand) Ward, was born in Bergen, Genesee county, N. Y., July 9, 1812. His parents moved from Killingworth, Conn., in 1807, to the "Genesee country," where his father held many public positions of honor and responsibility, being for sixty years agent of the State of Connecticut in the sale of their extensive land tract in Western New York. The family removed to Rochester in 1817.
Rev. Dr. Ward was graduated from Union Col- ege, New York, (Dr. Nott, President,) and the Theological Seminary at Princetown, N. Y. He spent ten years in India, as a foreign missionary, accompanied by his wife, (Miss Jane Shaw, of New York city). He was also pastor of the Pres- byterian church in Geneseo for twenty years ; Chaplain in the 104th New York Volunteers dur- ing the late war; and District Secretary of the American Bible Society for three years. He was an extensive tourist through Great Britain, the Con- tinent, Naples, and many other places, and was the author of many volumes in English and Hindu
languages. Among these are "India and the Hindus," (re-issued in London and Edinburgh) ; " Christian Gift ;" " Ecclesiastical History of Roch- ester ;" "Summer Vacation and Abroad ;" and "Expositions of the Parables," (in Tamil).
Dr. Ward's public life commenced at twenty years of age, and has been long, laborious, and eventful. Of his three children, Sarah resides in Philadelphia, Pa., wife of John Brinton, M. D .; William S., is Superintendent of extensive gold and silver mines in Colorado; and Ferdinand makes his home in Brooklyn, having an office of large business in mines, stocks, etc., in Broadway, New York city. A son and daughter were buried in India. Connected with Dr. Ward's family are Hon. L. A. Ward, ex-Mayor of Rochester; the late Hon. Moses Chapin, Judge of Monroe county; the late Hon. Samuel L. Selden, Judge of the Court of Appeals ; Hon. Freeman Clarke, Member of Con- gress and Comptroller of the Currency ; Hon. Ed. Smith, ex-Mayor of Rochester and American Con- sul at Baden, Switzerland ; and H. A. Ward, Pro- fessor in Rochester University.
40I
GENESEO VILLAGE-CHURCHES.
to be applied to that object. The flock began with 48 sheep, to which the Wadsworths donated 20, W. H. Spencer, 3, Mr. Kneeland, 3, and oth- ers 2 and I each. In 1817 it had increased to 324 sheep and lambs. In 1820 the proceeds of the sheep as sold began to be invested in landed security, and in 1826 amounted to about $300, which was finally used in building the session-room first occu- pied by the Church.
Sept. 1I, 1815, the Society connected with this church was incorporated as the Geneseo Gospel Society, and Joseph W. Lawrence, Samuel Finley, Isaac Smith, Wm. H. Spencer, Samuel Loomis and Timothy P. Kneeland were elected trustees. In 1816, the subject of erecting a meeting house was agitated. The foundation was laid early in the spring of 1817, and the house raised in June, 1817, but was not finished till some time after. It was dedicated Jan. 1, 1818, the sermon being preached by Rev. Mr. Axtell, of Geneva. The site was given by William and James Wadsworth.
Sept. 3, 1834, the Church, which during the pastor- ateof Dr. Bull had followed the Congregational form of government, formally adopted the Presbyterian form of government, and elected the following Board of Elders :- Charles Colt, Cyrus Wells, Jr., Jacob B. Hall, Samuel A. Hubbard, Chauncey Parsons, Levi Goddard, Truman Hastings, Wm. H. Stanley and Owen P. Olmsted.
Oct. 21, 1858, during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Ward, a division occurred on the question of " old" and "new school," and a large membership separated from this church to form the Central Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, (O. S.) The last report made to the Presbytery before the division showed a membership of 234; after the division it had on its roll 130 resident members. April 1, 1880, after a separate existence of nearly twenty-two years, the Churches reunited, and as- sumed the name of The Presbyterian Church of Geneseo Village. The united membership is about 450.
Immediately after the reunion a subscription was commenced to raise funds to build an addition to the house of the Central Church, the latter of which was to form the Sabbath School room and church parlors of the enlarged building. Work was commenced on the new structure in Septem- ber, 1880. It was to be built from plans furnished by the New York architect, Mr. Valk.
In addition to the two churches, a session room and parsonage connected with the house of the Second Church, and two first-class organs, the Socie-
ty also own a farm of 100 acres in the central part of the town, which was deeded to them as a gift by William and James Wadsworth, April 13, 1816.
The Sabbath School was organized about 1820. Jacob B. Hall, Orlando Hastings, Mr. Fairchild, Miss Harriet Wadsworth and Miss Mary Law- rence were the first teachers. The present Super- intendent of the school is Col. John R. Strang. Mr. Wm. A. Brodie is Assistant Superintendent. The attendance at school is about 270.
The following have been the successive pastors and stated supplies of the church :-
Pastors-Rev. Abraham Foreman, installed July 12, 1817, dismissed Nov. 17, 1819, and died at Geneseo, August 20, 1850. Rev. Norris Bull, D. D., installed June 19, 1822, dismissed July 3, 1832, and died at Lewiston, Dec. 8, 1847. Rev. John C. Lord, D. D., installed July 31, 1834, dismissed Oct. 28, 1835. Rev. John N. Lewis, D. D., in- stalled Oct. 3, 1838, dismissed April 5, 1841, died at New York, Oct. 5, 1861. Rev. Benjamin B. Stockton, installed Nov. 8, 1843, dismissed Sept. 25, 1848, died at Williamsburg, June 10, 1861. Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D. D., installed Sept. 25, 1850, dismissed June 22, 1857, but continued to supply the pulpit until Oct. 31, 1858, now residing in Geneseo. Rev. George P. Folsom, installed Feb. 2, 1859, dismissed October, 1868. Rev. Isaac N. Sprague, D. D., installed in February, 1869, dismissed in April, 1877. Rev. Josiah E. Kittridge, the present pastor, who was installed April 18, 1877.
Stated Supplies-Rev. T. Spencer, in 1836; Rev. Elam H. Walker, in 1836 ; Rev. Mr. Snyder, in 1837-8 ; Rev. Charles Morgan, in 1842-3.
The Central Presbyterian Church of Geneseo, as we have seen, was formed by the division of the Second Church, and was organized by a commis- sion from the Genesee River Presbytery at Gen- eseo, Oct. 21, 1858. Rev. F. DeW. Ward, D. D., who severed his connection as pastor with the Second Church, Oct. 31, 1858,* was called to the pastorate of this Church Nov. 7, 1858, and sus- tained that relation ten years. A large and com- modious house was at once erected on the corner of Second and Center streets, and was dedicated Jan. 3d, 1860. Succeeding the cessation of Dr. Ward's labors, Rev. Henry Neil, D. D., supplied the pulpit for about three years. Rev. C. R. Durfee then assumed the pastorate and continued his labors till the reunion took place.
* llis resignation was tendered Sept. 11, 1858, and its withdrawal urged, but refused.
zot
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
St. Michael's Church, Geneseo, (Episcopal,) was organized at the residence of Ebenezer Belden, in Geneseo, May 17, 1823. Col. Wm. Fitzhugh presided at the meeting, and he and David War- ner were chosen Wardens, and Samuel W. Spen- cer, C. H. Bryan, Eli Hill, David Shepard, Daniel H. Fitzhugh, David A. Miller, Chauncey Morse and Marinus Willet, Vestrymen.
The congregation worshipped in the Court-house until their church was erected in 1828. It was consecrated on Thursday, Jan. 28, 1829, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart, who on that occasion also confirmed fourteen persons.
The services were conducted by Rev. Richard Salmon, who was chosen rector in December, 1824, and resigned in May, 1827. The parish was vacant till Sept. 8, 1827, when Rev. L. P. Bayard was chosen rector. He continued his labors till June 29, 1830, when he resigned. A vacancy existed till March 10, 1831, when Rev. Robert B. Croes was chosen rector. He entered upon his duties on Sunday, May 1, 1831, and resigned the rectorship July 12, 1833. He also extended his labors to Moscow, Dansville, Avon, and Mt. Morris, discontinuing his visits to Dans- ville when Rev. George Bridgman took charge of that parish, in October, 1831, and resuming them after Mr. Bridgman left, in the spring of 1832. On Wednesday, April 17, 1833, St. John's Church, at Mt. Morris, was organized, its constituent mem- bers comprising several of the communicants of this Church.
During Mr. Croes' ministry a difficulty existed between him and the vestry which became more aggravated, until finally the services were neces- sarily suspended and the church locked up. Bishop Onderdonk instituted a trial of Mr. Croes at the presentment of the vestry some time in the early part of 1853, and though he was found guilty of imprudence, nothing affecting his moral or religious character was elicited. This had a lamentable effect upon the parish, which was broken up as to any practical existence and much divided and distracted. A vacancy now followed till March, 1834, when Rev. W. l'. Page was chosen rector. He resigned in April, 1838. In Decem- ber, 1838, Rev. Lloyd Windsor succeeded to the rectorship, and resigned in January, 1842.
In the fall of 1841, the church edifice and grounds were thoroughly and handsomely repaired and put in order at considerable expense, under the direction of Allen Ayrault and H. P. North, a committee of the vestry for that purpose.
After the departure of Mr. Windsor there oc- curred a vacancy of some months, until August, 1842, when Rev. Edward Ingersoll took charge of the parish. He resigned in March, 1844. His successor was Rev. Henry B. Barlow, who assumed the rectorship in September, 1844, but shortly re- linquished it on account of ill health. Rev. Wm. J. Bakewell was rector from November, 1845, to September, 1849. To him succeeded Rev. Thos. Mallaby, who resigned in November, 1852. After an interval of seven months Rev. John W. Birch- more, of Massachusetts, became the rector, con- tinuing his services till April, 1859.
Mr. Birchmore was succeeded in the rectorship by Rev. Rollo O. Page, who resigned in Septem- ber, 1862. Rev. Wm. Norman Irish was called to the charge of the parish July 1, 1863, and resigned it Jan. 1, 1868.
During Mr. Irish's rectorship the present church edifice was erected in 1866, on the site of the old one, in which the last services were held Sunday, Dec. 31, 1865. The corner stone was laid in August, 1866, by the Rt. Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese, and the church was consecrated by the same prelate Sept. 7, 1867. This beautiful brick structure, with the iron fence, which has since been taken down, cost over $33,000, $25,000 or more, being the generous gift of the Wadsworth family.
Rev. George S. Teller succeeded to the pas- torate in May, 1868, and left the parish April 10, 1871, in December of which year, Rev. Charles Del. Allen took charge. He resigned in the spring of 1875. Rev. W. A. Coale, the present pastor, entered upon his labors as such July 25, 1875, coming from the diocese of Maryland.
The number of communicants in September, 1880, was 176; the number of families, 90; the number of individuals, 450. The church is valued at $30,000 ; the rectory, at $4,000 ; and the organ at $3,000.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Geneseo was incorporated February 19, 1825, "at the brick academy in the village of Geneseo, * * where the M. E. Church statedly attend divine * worship," and adopted the name of The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the toron of Genesco. Stephen Hoyt, Henry P'. North and other members met for the purpose of elect- ing trustees. Stephen Hoyt and Medad Curtis were chosen to preside; and Medad Curtis, Stephen Hoyt and Henry P. North, " being discreet per-
403
GENESEO VILLAGE-CHURCHES, SOCIETIES.
sons of said congregation," were elected to serve as trustees.
When the church was organized is not known, as no record of the fact has been preserved. But very early Geneseo was a preaching station of the Genesee Conference, formed in 1810. In 1807, Father Hudson came here to reside.
The Church continued to worship in the " brick academy" until 1826, when their house of worship, a small brick structure, was erected. A new church seems to have been built in 1851, in which year and in 1852, Rev. Robert Hogaboom was the preacher in charge, for in the minutes of the trus- tees' meetings it is recorded that the annual meet- ing of 1852 was held " at the session-house of the new Methodist church," Feb. 13th of that year, and adjourned to the house of the pastor. Pre- viously the meetings were held in the "brick chapel." At the annual meeting of the trustees in February, 1867, the "St. James (M. E.) Church of Geneseo," is first mentioned.
The records are very meager, and do not admit of a connected history of the Church. It is doubt- ful if there are any records other than those kept by the trustees.
The present pastor, O. S. Chamberlayne, com- menced his labors with this church in the fall of 1878. The number of members in October, 1879, was 185 ; the attendance at Sabbath-school-offi- cers and teachers 24, scholars 180-204. The value of the church was $7,500, and parsonage $4,500. The benevolent contributions for the year were $219.65. M. L. Perkins is Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
St. Mary's Church of Geneseo, (Catholic.) was organized in 1854, in which year also that church edifice was built. It is a wooden structure, uncome- ly in appearance, and was built through the exer- tions of Rev. Father Michael McGuire, who preached here some three years previous to and during the building of the church. Regular monthly services were held for several years previously in Concert Hall and the Court House, by non-resident priests. Various priests have officiated here, but none have resided here. The present pastor is Rev. John J. Donnelly, who also officiates at Mt. Morris and Nunda, at the former of which places he resides. The membership at first was very small, but has increased until now the congrega- tion exceeds five hundred. Several years ago the Church purchased of the heirs of James Wads- worth two acres of land for a cemetery, paying therefor $300. The ground on which the church
stands was donated for the purpose by James Wadsworth.
The First Baptist Church of Genesco, was or- ganized Dec. 31, 1872, at a meeting held in the ves- try room of the Methodist church in the village of Geneseo. Rev. Walter Holt was chosen chairman and H. G. Baker, clerk. Rev. Reuben A. Water- bury, a Professor in the Geneseo Normal School, visited those in the vicinity who held to Baptist doctrines, and awakened a desire among them for the formation of such a church. At the meeting in question, Prof. Waterbury read the New Hamp- shire Confession of Faith, to which the following persons subscribed and became the constituent members of the Church :- R. A. Waterbury, H. G. Baker, Alanson Ranger, (died March 23, 1878,) N. A. Gearhart, Asahel Norton, (now dead,) Niles L. Norton, Levi Jones, Horace Kelsey, Daniel Young, Fanny Ranger, Mary VanMiddlesworth, Mary E. Norton, Philena Young, Mary Young, Phebe Dean, Clara L. Curtiss, (died March 27, 1873,) Eunice L. Jones, Amy H. Baker, Rhodilla Kelsey, Sylvia J. Berry and F. A. Waterbury.
From its organization until Dec. 1, 1875, the church enjoyed the ministrations of Prof. Water- bury, who still performed his professional duties in the Normal School. He was succeeded at the lat- ter date by Rev. J. J. White, who continued his labors until April, 1877. He was succeeded by Rev. S. W. Culver, who commenced his labors the same month and year and still continues them.
The Church first worshipped for a few weeks in Concert Hall. Rorback's Hall was soon after secured for that purpose, and the Church has since worshipped there, having now the exclusive con- trol of it by rental.
February 2, 1878, the Church and Society per- fected a legal organization by the election of N. A. Gearhart, G. I. Dean and H. G. Baker, trustees.
The Sabbath-school was organized April 6, 1873, N. A. Gearhart was chosen Superintendent, a posi- tion he has since held; Rev. R. A. Waterbury, Assistant Superintendent ; and Miss Vira Skiff, Secretary and Treasurer. The attendance at Sab- bath-school is 9 teachers and 96 scholars.
SOCIETIES .- Geneseo Lodge No. 214, F. E. A. M., was warranted March 14, 1851. The constituent members were :- Edward R. Hammatt, Master ; Jacob B. Hall, S. W. ; Walter Smith, J. W .; James W. Wood, Jr., Henry Chamberlin, Elijah H. Per- kins, Daniel H. Bissell and David Wattles. The present officers are :- Wm. A. Brodie, M. ; Samuel Cully, S. W .; E. Fish, J. W. ; George Mercer,
404
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Treasurer; A. R. Scott, Secretary ; Josiah Curtis, S. D .; A. L. Tournor, J. D). ; Josiah Warren and Alvin Hurlburt, M. of C. ; Samuel H. Blyth, Tiler. The present number of members is 68. 'The Lodge meets the 1st, 3d and 5th Thursdays of each month in Masonic Hall, in the Rorback Block.
A lodge of masons existed here many years pre- viously, but little is now known concerning it. It was known as Comet Lodge of Geneseo, and went down during the anti-masonic times.
Geneseo Lodge No. 138, A. O. U. IV., was or- ganized March 13, 1878. The first officers were :- Allison R. Scott, P. M. W .; Frank N. Burt, M. W., Walter T. Howard, G. F. ; Samuel H. Blyth, Over- seer; Clayton B. Potter, Recorder; Elisha B. Rebban, Financier; llenry L. Arnold, Receiver ; C. H. Knowles, I. W. ; Charles A. Youngs, Guide ; George S. Williams, O. W. In September, 1880, the lodge numbered 33. It meets the ist and 3d Mondays of each month in Masonic Hall.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN CROSSETT.
William Crossett, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in the County Antrim, Ire- land, in 1763. The date of his arrival in America is not known, but after a short residence in Phila- delphia he came to Livingston county, about 1794, and settled about a mile south of where the village of Geneseo is now situated. Here he pur- chased four hundred and seventy acres of land and carried on farming until he died. His first wife was a Miss Rice of Livonia. By her he had ten children, all of whom are now dead except Lydia, now Mrs. Jasper Parish, living in Branch county, Mich. His second wife was Sally Pond, of the town of Geneseo. They were married about 1814, and the result of the union was five children, as follows :- Harriet, who married Edmund Bosley, and is now residing in the town of Mt. Morris ; William, who died in 1850 ; John, born Feb. 13, 1817, now residing on the old homestead ; Eliza, living in St. Clair county, Mich., and Julia. The latter married John Hamilton, and after his death married a Mr. Wright, and is now living in Branch county, Mich. Wm. Crossett, the pioneer, at the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 29, 1829, was the owner of twelve hundred acres of land. For many years he kept a store on his farm and supplied the Indians and white settlers with neces- saries. From the Indians in exchange for goods he obtained large quantities of valuable furs, upon which he realized large profits. When he came here and commenced his labors in clearing his
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.