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 98
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In 1825 he was married to Laura Crittenden, of Hartford, where he remained till about 1835, and then removed to the " Empire State," locating at Rochester, where he at first opened a retail boot and shoe store on the corner of Main and St. Paul streets. This proved to be the most successful establishment of the kind in Rochester, and gradu- ally developed into a wholesale trade.
His first wife having died, Mr. Grant was again married, Sept. 8, 1863, to Margaret, daughter of Hector McLean, Esq., of Caledonia.
In 1865 he opened an exclusively wholesale busi- ness on Exchange street, which he conducted till about 1874, when he retired from active business, having amassed a large fortune. His trade had increased from $1,000 the first year, to $500,000, the last year. He was the founder of the house now known as L. P. Ross'-the largest in Roches- ter.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle of Jan. 22, 1877, says of Mr. Grant :-
"The death of such a man as G. P. Grant deserves more than a passing notice in our columns, as he was in many respects a remarkable man.
" Through his long course of over fifty years as a merchant in active business, he maintained an un- blemished reputation and credit, conducting his business through the two greatest commercial panics ever known in this country-in 1837 and 1857- always paying every debt in full that he contracted, and never even asking an extension. * * *
Mr. Grant was the first person in Rochester to in- troduce the practice of selling goods on the road by samples, which is now so generally adopted by all kinds of trade.
" He was a man of remarkable memory, retain- ing his recollection of events which transpired dur- ing his business life with remarkable accuracy.
" His genial and pleasant manner of relating his reminiscences, made him a very agreeable and en- tertaining companion. He leaves many friends who will sincerely mourn his loss, and wish the country had more such upright, active business men as was G. P. Grant."
Mr. Grant was eminently a self-made man, the sole architect of his own fortune. He was method-
ic, prompt and reliable in all his transactions. As an example of his promptness, the following is stated :-
" During the last fourteen years of his life he resided in Caledonia, going by rail to his business in Rochester every morning, and returning to his home in the evening, and during the whole of which time he was never known to miss his train."
He was a liberal, benevolent, and unostenta- tious man, ever ready to lend a helping hand to those who in his opinion, were deserving of his as- sistance.
In politics he was a strong Republican, and though seeking no political preferment, he quietly wielded a very strong influence.
During the life of Mr. Grant's first wife, they adopted a daughter, Mary A. Grant, whom they loved as dearly as though she were their own. She was married to Charles, son of Nathan Wild, Esq., of Valatie, Columbia county, N. Y., where they now reside. They have six children, of whom the sons, in connection with their father, are extensive- ly engaged in the manufacture of cotton.
Mr. Grant died at Caledonia, Jan. 18, 1877, at the age of seventy-six years. Mrs. Grant is left with an ample competence and still resides in Caledonia, the pleasant village of her nativity, with her sister, Miss Catherine McLean. Col. A. H. McLean, Mrs. Grant's brother, and their much loved aunt, Mrs. John McLean, comprise at present (1881) the entire family. In 1838 she became a member of the United Presbyterian church of Caledonia, and has ever remained an ac- tive and devoted member of that congregation.
COL. ARCHIBALD HECTOR MCLEAN.
Col. Archibald Hector McLean is the only son of Hector McLean, and was born in Caledonia, July 20, 1820. Hewas brought up on a farm, and received his education at the district schools, with the exception of two terms-in 1839 and'40-spent at the " Wesleyan Genesee" academy at Lima.
In 1843 he engaged in wool trading, at the same time carrying on business on his father's farm in Caledonia. About 1853 he purchased a farm of two hundred and eighty acres adjoining that of his father's, comprising with the first about six hun- dred acres, which he continued to manage, in con- nection with his wool business, till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he expe- rienced a reverse of fortune, having on hand at the time a large quantity of wool, which suddenly de- clined in value and had to be disposed of at a sac- rifice.
Having previously invested in real estate in De- troit, he removed there in 1861 and became a real estate agent. Desiring a larger field of operation he removed to Chicago, immediately after the large fire there, and opened a real estate office, in which he continued till the great crash or panic of 1873. All movement in real estate being then blocked, he
465
COL. A. H. McLEAN-DUNCAN A. CAMERON -WILLARD H. SMITH.
commenced operating in grain, still attending to whatever business was offered in the office. He remained in Chicago till 1877, when he was called to Caledonia to assist his sister, Mrs. Grant, in the settlement of her deceased husband's estate.
Colonel McLean has ever taken a great interest in military affairs. When only fifteen years of age, he accepted a position on Col. Gordon's staff, and passed through the different gradations, from Lien- tenant to Colonel, in the 77th Regiment of the N. Y. State militia, of which he had command for six years.
On the breaking out of the war of the Re- bellion, Jas. S. Wads- worth offered him any position on his staff he might choose, but the Colonel's financial mat- ters were such as to re- quire his personal at- tention, and he could not accept.
In 1848 Colonel Mc- Lean was elected to the New York State Assembly of 1848 and '49, and being reëlect- ed served in the ses- sions of 1849 and '50. In the latter year he hal charge of the bill for the establishment of the Genesee college in connection with the seminary at Lima, which is conducted under the patronage of the Methodists. 'The Colonel who, ten years previously was a stu- cent at the old sem- inary, took a deep in- terest in its success, and it was doubtless mainly due to his in- fluence, that the bill was passed.
Duncan M.Cameron
In 1852 the Colonel assisted in organizing and constructing the Canandaigua & Niagara Falls Rail Road and was for six years an active director in that company.
In politics Colonel McLean is a Republican, and has always taken an active part in the interests of that party.
In religious sentiment he is a United Presby- terian, and is a genial and social gentleman.
DUNCAN A. CAMERON.
Duncan A. Cameron was born in Invernesshire, Scotland, on Christmas day, 1783. He was the third son of Angus and Catherine (McPherson)
Cameron. They first located at Johnstown, Mont- gomery county, N. Y., and after remaining there about a year, removed to Caledonia, where, in 1805, Mr. Cameron purchased a tract of land which he cleared and afterward cultivated till near the time of his death, which occurred in 1823. His widow survived him till 1839.
Duncan A. spent the early years of his life on his father's farm, and on the 23d of March, 1813, he was married to Sarah McColl, of Argyleshire, Scot- land, by whom he had eleven children, as follows: Angus (died in infancy) ; Hugh, an attorney, in LaCrosse, Wis .; Dun- can, a farmer, residing in Wisconsin ; Mary and Catherine, resid- ing on the old home- stead ; Margaret E. Wilson, residing in Cal- edonia; Daniel (dead); Angus, U. S. Senator from Wisconsin, resid- ing at LaCrosse ; Du- gald (dead) ; Charles, a farmer, now living in York ; and Alexander (dead).
In politics Mr. Cam- eron was a Whig till the organization of the Republican party, when he joined that party, and took an active in- terest in all political matters. In religion he was a strict Presbyteri- an, and rigidly opposed to any innovations of the tenets of that sect.
The happiness of Mr. Cameron's married life was suddenly changed to sadness, when Jan. 14, 1863, the loving wife who had passed with him through many years of trials, was called away from his side and the society of many dear friends. He was not, however, left many years to walk the paths of life alone, but Dec. 3, 1868, quietly passed away to the other world. He was one of the leading repre- sentative farmers of the county, and at the time of his death, his farm, which is situated about three and a half miles southwest of the village of Cale- donia, fully illustrated that labor and perseverance will accomplish much if only properly applied.
WILLARD HUNTINGTON SMITH.
Willard Huntington Smith was born in Chester- field, Mass., Sept. 30, 1785, and died Dec. 25, 1856. He was the fourth son of Joseph and Ann (Stuart) Smith. At the age of six years his parents
466
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
removed to Bernardston, Mass., where he remained engaged in agricultural pursuits until eighteen years of age when, feeling that this mode of life was entirely unsuited to his tastes or inclinations, he resolved to adopt a different one. Having a good common school education, and unaided by his father who had a large family of children, he left home and entered the academy at Salem, Mass. Upon leaving that institution, he placed himself under the tutorship of Rev. Orville Dewey. By teaching at intervals he earned sufficient to enable him to finish his preparatory course, and entered the junior class of 1808 in Williams College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1810.
From thence he went to Albany, where he com- menced the study of law in the office of Bleeker & Sedgwick. He read during the day, and devoted his evenings to the instruction of a class of young gentlemen who were fitting themselves for college, and was thus enabled to pay his board and other expenses. He remained in Albany till after his marriage on Nov. 24th, 1811, to Mary, youngest daughter of Col. Caleb Johnson, of Hampstead, N. H.
In August, 1812, he went to Waterford, N. Y., and entered the office of Samuel M. Huntington, where he completed his law studies. October 17, 1813, he was admitted to the bar by Hon. James Kent, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, and in December of the same year came to Caledonia (then Genesee county). It being impossible for him to obtain a boarding place for himself and wife, he rented the rear part of the "red store" owned by Col. Robert Mckay, at the west end of the village, where they com- menced housekeeping and remained two years.
In the meantime he had purchased a village lot, consisting of half an acre of land, of Mckay L. Mumford-that being all any one individual could, at that time, obtain for building purposes-and succeeded in procuring from another party a deed of a half-acre lot adjoining his, upon which he built the house in which he resided till his death. For about two years he used a portion of this house for an office, and then built one upon the same lot near his home.
March 2, 1814, he received the appointment of Master in Chancery, under Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor, "to have and to hold said office during our good pleasure." In 1823 he was reappointed to the same office under Gov. Joseph C. Yates, and was again appointed under Gov. Wm. L. Mar- cy, holding that office till the Court of Chancery was abolished.
March 17, 1826, he was appointed County Judge, under Governor DeWitt Clinton, and March 4, 1831, was reappointed to the same office. March 24, 1832, he received the appointment of First Judge of Livingston county, under Gov. Enos T. Throop, which office he continued to hold till June, 18.47.
His wife died March 26, 1844, aged fifty-nine years, and on May 1, 1845, he married for his second wife Charlotte, widow of Colonel Thomas
Johnson of Syracuse, N. Y., youngest daughter of Moses Johnson, a former merchant of Canandaigua. She survived him three years, and is buried by the side of his first wife in the cemetery at Mumford, where also his mortal remains repose.
He had seven children, four of whom are now living as follows :- Lloyd K. in Rochester; Fran- ces Connor, widow of the late Dr. Harlow W. Wells, now residing in Caledonia ; Mary Ann Stew- art, wife of Thomas Frothingham of Rochester, N. Y .; and Sarah Lovejoy, wife of Hon. Wm. N. Em- erson, also of Rochester.
The legal attainments of Judge Smith, were of a high order. He was a man of sterling integrity, irreproachable moral character, and ever a genial and instructive companion. These characteristics combined with fine literary tastes, and a highly cultivated intellect, endeared him to a large circle of friends. When upon the Bench, his clear and comprehensive mind enabled him to dispatch busi- ness with great rapidity.
His is a fragrant memory and no eulogium can add to it one jot or iota in the estimation of those who remember him. His was a progressive mind, and to the latest moment of his hfe, his intellect remained perfectly clear, and his last hours were peaceful and serene. Perfectly resigned to the will of his Father, and with an unfaltering trust in his Redeemer, he passed away, cheered by the hope of a blessed immortality beyond the grave.
DR. HARLOW WILLARD WELLS.
Dr. Harlow Willard Wells was born in Leyden, Mass., April 15, 1809, and died Oct. 13, 1877, aged fifty-eight years.
He was the fifth in descent from Thomas Wells, who in company with his two brothers, emigrated from Colchester, England, in 1636, to Hartford, Conn., and from there to Hadley, Mass., in 1639.
Simeon Wells, father of Dr. H. W., removed from Leyden to New Haven, Oswego county, N. V., in 1816. In 1826, at the opening of the Van Rensselaer Academy in the adjoining town of Mexico, Dr. Wells was enrolled as a student of that institution. After completing his course of studies there, he entered the office of Dr. Patrick G. Hard, as a student of medicine, and after taking three courses of lectures in the "Fairfield Medical College," of Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., was in 1834 graduated as doctor of medi- cine.
Among his classmates were Drs. Jewett and Simmons, of Canandaigua; Dr. McCollum, of Lockport ; Prof. James P. White, of Buffalo ; and the late Dr. John B. Witbeck, of Rochester, N. Y.
In April, 1834, he came to Caledonia, and at the age of twenty-five commenced the practice of his profession, in which he continued to labor suc- cessfully during forty-three years.
In the fall of 1845, he was chosen to represent his county in the State Legislature, as Assembly-
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H. W. WELLS
467
HARLOW W. WELLS, M. D .- DANIEL McPHERSON-HECTOR MCLEAN.
man, but served only one term. His colleague was the late Gov. John Young. In 1852 he was elected Supervisor and held that office two years.
During the last forty years of his life he was part of the time engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a man of strict integrity, and untiring energy, and was eminently kind and generous to those around him. He was emphatically the poor man's friend, and in his professional capacity the needy and suffering ever found in him a kind and ready helper. The noble qualities of heart which he possessed endeared him to a large circle of friends, and commanded the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he had spent the greater portion of his life.
He was married June 26th. 1837, to Frances Connor, eld- est daughter of Hon. Willard H. Smith, of Caledonia, N. Y. Mrs. Wells has been left in possession of an am- ple competence, and is a lady of refinement and culture, possess- ing much force of character. She is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, taking great interest in all benev- olent movements tend- ing toward the ameli- oration of society and advancing the cause of religion.
land, April 9, 1828. He was brought up on his father's farm and received his education at the dis- trict school and the academy at Riga, Monroe county. At the age of twenty-one he purchased a farm in Wheatland, which he disposed of, after working it a few years, and in 1854 bought his present home in Caledonia.
Jan. 14, 1857, he was united in marriage with Hattie M., daughter of Geo. B. Chace, Esq., of Cas- tile, Wyoming county, N. Y. They have one son, Frank Chace, who is living with them on the home- stead, and who married Miss Franc, daughter of Rev. B. R. Swick, of Lima.
37.1117
Mr. McPherson has followed the vocation of a farmer combined with that of the in- ventor, until within the last ten years, during which time he has leased his farm and devoted his whole time to invention. He has now seven differ- ent patents on grain- binders, and Cyrns H. McCormick, of Chi- cago is manufacturing them.
At first Mr. Mc- Pherson met with dif- ficulties and reverses, bnt such has been the history of many of our principal inventors, and he is now begin- ning to reap the re- ward of his labor.
(DANIEL McPHERSON.)
DANIEL McPHERSON.
Duncan W. McPherson, the father of Daniel, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1793, and came with his family to this country in 1798. He first settled in Johnstown, Montgomery county, where he remained till 1801 and then removed to the Genesee country, and there purchased and cleared a tract of land upon which the residne of his life was spent. In 1807 he was married to Catharine McArthur, who was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1798, and emigrated to America in 1801. They had ten children, five of whom are now living. In religious sentiment Mr. McPher- son was a Presbyterian. He died in 1868, and his wife who still survives him is a lady of superior in- tellect and resides in Wheatland, Monroe county N. Y.
Daniel was the fourth child and second son of Duncan W. McPherson, and was born in Wheat-
HECTOR MCLEAN.
The subject of this sketch was born in Argyle- shire, Scotland, in 1776. He was the oldest of seven children, and emigrated to New York city in 1805.
Small events sometimes decide the fate of nations, as well as individuals and families, and the destiny of the McLean family was probably de- cided by a difficulty that occurred between the father of Hector, and the factor of the landlord on whose estate the family resided. They had an altercation at the public house in the little town where they lived, and the factor received a severe drubbing. During the absence of the landlord for several years on the Continent, the aggrieved fac- tor taking advantage of his master's absence, re- fused to renew the lease of the farm.
Hector had contemplated coming to America, but received strong opposition from his parents and other members of his family. When his father lost the farm which had been under the control of
468
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
his ancestry from time immemorial, he was so sorely grieved that he decided at once to ac- company his son to America, binding him under the solemn obligation, that whatever their destiny might be in the "New World " while living, in death their bones should repose in adjacent graves.
By occupation, Hector was a seafaring man, carrying on commercial transactions between Greenock, Glasgow, and the numerous Islands off the coast of the West Highlands, and his father was a well-to-do farmer. They disposed of their interests in Scotland, and with all their worldly effects embarked from Greenock for the New World in October, 1805. After a tempestuous passage of over nine weeks, a distant view of land was obtained off Sandy Hook. Just then a British man-of-war hove in sight and fired a shot across their bow, as a signal for them to stop. A "press- gang" came on board and claimed Hector and his two brothers as "lawful subjects of His Majesty," who were endeavoring to escape from the kingdom of Great Britain. Resistance was worse than useless, for the "French war" was then raging, and the King wanted soldiers and sailors.
The poor captives showed their clearance from the port of Greenock for America, but all in vain. No time was allowed for parleying, and the peremptory order "get ready and go aboard the boat," sent a thrill of horror to the hearts of the stricken captives. The tears of their aged parents were unavailing, but finally money, offered as a ransom, softened the obdurate heart of the British officer, and he consented to their release on the conditions that three of the vessel's crew should be substituted, and that they should hand over to him all their money and valuables.
Through the efforts of McLean and his brothers working before the mast, the vessel was brought to port, but when the family landed in New York they had not the means to purchase a night's lodging, and only their sturdy hands and resolute hearts, to brave the terrors of a rigorous winter. A temporary lodging was procured, and the follow- ing morning Hector and his brother Charles found work as stevedores on the dock, and soon earned a sufficiency to make their parents and family comfortable.
Hector subsequently obtained work in the Brook- lyn navy yard, where he earned the money to pur- chase a farm in the Genesee valley. In the meantime the family removed to Stamford, Delaware county, N. Y., where Hector soon found his wife, in the per- son of Annie Mcintyre, of Harpersfield.
In the winter of 1813, Hector and his wife started in a temporary sleigh drawn by one horse, for their new home in the west, and on the route received the news from an escaped soldier, of the burning of Buffalo, and the ravages of the Indians on the white settlements.
Hector was half inclined to turn back, but his wife, who was a woman of great courage, combin- ing substantial good sense, insisted on their pro- ceeding on their journey, as a runaway from camp never brought good news. They arrived at their
new home in mid-winter, and commenced clearing the forest, preparatory to making a home for themselves and family. They received a "High- land Welcome " from the Scottish settlers at Cale- donia, and great kindness and encouragement from all their neighbors.
When Commodore Yoe came with his fleet to the mouth of the Genesce river, and threatened to destroy the village of Carthage, McLean and his neighbors volunteered and marched for the protec- tion of the town. After the close of the War of 1812, the early settlers experienced great difficulty in obtaining a market for their products, but after the construction of the Erie canal, remunerative prices were obtained, land advanced in value, and general prosperity prevailed.
Although experiencing many hardships, Mr. McLean found himself, after a few years of indus- try and frugality, the possessor of a comfortable home. He attributed his success in life, in no small degree, to the sound judgment and wise counsel of his wife who possessed fine literary tastes and a seemingly intuitive knowledge of the world which was truly remarkable.
Long before leaving Scotland, Mr. McLean united with the Scottish Presbyterian Church, and finding a similar organization in Caledonia he and his wife united themselves with, and remained active and consistent members of the United Pres- byterian Church of that place.
In politics, he was a Whig and Republican and held many important trusts in Church and State. His sound judgment and kind heart made him the trusted counselor, the valued friend, and the frequent peace-maker. He was generous to a fault, and his benign sympathy for humanity might have led him to give to the undeserving. He was in- tolerant to all that was base or false, asking noth- ing he considered unjust, and submitting to noth- ing he considered to be wrong.
He died at Caledonia, surrounded by his family and numerous friends, in 1869, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, surviving his wife, who died in 1853. He was buried by the side of his father in the cemetery at Caledonia, thus fulfilling the solemn promise made to him before leaving the land of his birth.
Mr. McLean was a strong, muscularly built man, capable of enduring great mental and physical labor. His children who survive him are :- Mrs. G. P. Grant, Miss Catherine McLean, and Col. A. H. McLean, all of whom now (1881) reside in Caledonia.
DAVID WALKER.
David Walker is the eldest son of William Walker, who was born in Broadalbin, Montgomery county, (now Fulton county,) in the year 1779. He (David) was born at Johnstown, Montgomery county, May 21, 1806, was brought up on the homestead at Broadalbin, and educated at the dis- triet school of the town. In 1829, at the age of
Hector M . Jean Jean
469
DAVID WALKER -LIMA.
twenty-three years, he left the old home and took up his residence in Caledonia. He followed the occupation of farming till within the last twenty years, during which time he has retired from active business life. On the 18th of March, 1835, he was married to Isabelle Robertson of Broadalbin, N. Y. She was born July 8, 1806.
David Walker
Mr. Walker is a member of the United Presby- terian church, and has officiated as deacon of a church for nearly forty years. In politics he is a Republican, and, though never having sought of- fice, has been elected several times in his town. He was town Supervisor in 1864 and 1865, and has been Justice of the Peace for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have passed the " three score years and ten " of their lives and still appear ex- ceptionally well preserved. By an upright life of industry and integrity they have secured a compe- tency for a comfortable support during their de- clining years, and have justly gained the respect in which they are held by all who know then.
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