History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 59

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976

USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 59

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By his first wife he had no children, but by his second left an only son, Perry Amidon Bly, then aged five months. Dr. Bly was universally respected and be- loved. He always bore the deportment of a man of the highest culture in society. and in every department of life he was a man who made his presence folt by hi- social and intellectual acquirements; honest and upright in business transactions. a citizen virtuous and law-abiding. a friend firm and steadfast, a husband indul- gent and affectionate. He died in Rochester, May 10, ISTG.

150

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

GEORGE G. CLARKSON

was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. May 3, 1811. He came with his father's family to America in 1819, and settled in Philadelphia Here they remained about two years, and returned to Edinburgh. In 1825 he returned to America, and located in New York city, and io 1842 removed from New York to Rochester, where he has since remained. Mr. C. was educated in Edinburgh. Early in life he engaged in mer- chant tailoring, and has successfully carried on that business since. Upon locating at Rochester he immediately manifested much interest in all public matters, socie- ties, etc. He was president of the Atheneum, and is a prominent Mason and Odd-Fellow, and in the latter fraternity held the office of district deputy graod master. For a number of years has served as trustee of the Monroe County Savings Bunk, and for the past five years has been president of that institution. He was elected mayor of Rochester for the years 1874-75, and discharged the doties of his official position to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In 1833 he was married to Mary M. Parsells. of New York. Their family consisted of six children, viz. : George P., a manufacturer, residing in Buffalo ; Thomas B., an attorney, residing in New York ; Jesse E., wife of George Thrall, present propri- etor ofthe Grand Central, at Omaha ; Alonzo R., book-keeper, and Frank M., civil engineer, residents of Rochester : and Mary M., wife of Lieutenant Wm. C. Man- ning, United States army. Mrs. Clarkson died ie 1863. In 1865, Mr. C. united in marriage with his prosent wife, Miss Elizabeth E. Bushnell, a native of Fair- field, Herkimer county, New York.

COLONEL JOHN GRAHAM KLINCK

was born in Madison county, New York. Angust 17, 1820. When a young mao he came to Rochester, where he resided for a time, and was an active mebiber of the Mechanics' Association. From this city he went west, and at the breaking out of the rebellion entered the Union army, and rapidly mose from the rank of cap- tain to that of brevet-colonel. He was chiefly employed, however, as quarter- master. On his return to this locality he became a resident of Brighton, and by his public spirit, generosity, and benevolence at once took rank among the leading men of the city. He was a strongly built, energetic, untiring man, with an iron constitution.

Colonel Klinck was n prominent Old-Fellow, being a member of Genesee Lodge and Glide Encampaient. He was the chief biover in the organization of Klinck Lodge, and was also a member of the Veteran Grays. January 1, 1840, he united in marriage with Laora B. M. Bowen. of Rochester. She was torn in Waterford, Ohio, April 13, 1820. Their family consisted of five children, viz.,

Frances A., Graham B., Millard F., Martha L., and Lilly S., all of whom are living, except Millard and Graham.

Colonel Klinck was killed by the falling of a building, December 5, 1873. The following is an extract from a eulogy delivered on the deceased by the Ret Dr. Muller: "The struggles which he had been forced to make in early life tend. J to develop all his energies of mind and body. He was a man whose intense ron- victions made him a determined advocate of any cause he espoused. His benevo- lence kaew co bounds. One of his last aets -- that of lecturing on the night before his death for the benefit of a widow and her children-illustrated the whole tepor of his life. He was a man of radiant spirit ; a man whose face w.1. always full of cheer and sunshine ; in a word. one of those rare men who mak .. the world all the better for having lived in it. As a father he was affectionate and kind; as a friend, generous, true, and constant ; as an Odd-Fellow, he was a beloved brother, one to whom friendship, love, and truth were no unmeaning terms; as a soldier he was brave and true, aod as a business man honorable and enterprising."

ISAAC ASHLEY.

The subject of this sketch was born in Galway, Saratoga county, New York, December 3, 1796. He was the youngest of a family of six children. In 1802 he went with his father's family to Richfield, Otsego county, thence to Brookfield, Madison county, thence to Sangersfield, Oneida county, and from thence to Paris. In 1817 he came to Conesus and negotiated for the purchase of thirty acres of laod at ooe dollar per acre. This tract was located near Hemlock lake. He com- menced business with a capital of $12.50, his other earthly possessions consisting of the civibes upon his persoo. He bad oo axe with which to begin the clearing of the forest, nor a morsel of bread to eat. He was, however, possessed of an indomitable will, and in every way well qualified to endure the hardships and pri- vations iocident to the settlement of a new country. In the year 1825 the Erie canal was completed, and during this year Mr. Ashley, together with a brother, came to Rochester, and commenced keeping a small public-house. He remained in this house about two years, and was then out of business about fourteen months. the ooly period from the 1st of May, 1825, that he has not been keeping a hotel. He next became the proprietor of the Union Hotel, a small wooden structure located on the present site of the office of the Rochester Union, where he remained .. three years. In December, 1832, he assumed control of the National Hotel. which he left May 1, 1835, and in the following month took possession of the Clinton Hotel, where he has since remained its popular and efficicot landlord. February 23. 1829, he united in marriage with Charlotte Carlisle, of Genesce county. She died in Jannary, 1873, deeply mourned by relatives and friends. Mr. Ashley has reached the age of over fourscore years, but is yet hale and hearty, with every appearance of being spared many years. He is one of Rochester's most highly esteemed and venerable citizens, and may the remaining years of his earthly pilgrimage be passed peacefully, and when the insatiate archer, Death, summons him away may he go

" Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, And lies down to pleasant dreams."

JOHN STRAUB

was born in Würtemberg, Germany, io 1825. He remained there uoti sixteen years of age, when he went to Switzerland, and stayed ahont a year. From this place he went to Paris, and subsequently to England, and finally returned to hi- native country, and remained there until twenty-eight years of age, when he deter- mined to seek a home in the new country, and in 1853 he embarked for America. Upon his arrival in this country he immediately proceeded to Rochester, where he located, and where he has since remained. Ile first worked at the butcher trade, and subsequently engaged in the grocery business, in which, by industry aod honest dealing, he has succeeded in building up a good trade. His fine busi- ness block is a four-story brick structure, located on Lake avenue, and is a suodel of beauty and convenience. It was creeted in 1874. Mr. Straub was married to Susanna Moss, in this city, in 1835. A few years since, desiring to see the " fatherland." he made a trip to Germany, and, after a pleasant visit, retaracd to America, conteot to remain in the land of his adoption.

PLATE XXVIII.

Hiran Sibley

Lameu lière.

151

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

C. R. TOMPKINS.

C. R. Tompkins, one of the prominent manufacturers of Rochester, was born October 27, 1822, in the town of Fishkill, New York. His ancestors were all mechanics, and many of them mechanical geniuses, his grandfather belonging to the type and style of General Putnam. When nine years of age, his parents re- moved to Litchfield, Connecticut, where he was brought up and educated. His father, John G. Tompkins, was by trade a cooper, carpenter, and joiner, but his principal business, in which he engaged very extensively, was the manur'teture of packing-barrels for the New Haven market. All the proceeds of his labor, aside from the actual support of his family, were devoted to the education of his chil- dren, for whom he manifested the greatest solicitude and interest. The subject of this sketch was early entered into the medical academy at that place (formerly known as the old law-school), at which he graduated, when seventeen years of age, for the practice of medicine. After completing bis academical studies, his parents wished him to take a thorough collegiate course in that profession, as their choice, and for which his studies had been preparatory; but, with a strony predilection for mathematics, his favorite study, and an inherited genius for mechanical work and appliances predominant, he threw up the study of medicine, already distaste- ful to him, and determined to perfect himself as a machinist. With this in view, be came to this State, and at Matteawan, on the Hudson, commenced his trade as ao roprentice at machine forging. This was his first apprenticeship. After serv- ing his time, he worked six months as a journeyman; but while an apprentice, being unusually apt and skillful, he received wages nearly equal to those of a journey- man. After recruiting his health, which had failed him, he served a second ap- prenticeship at machine finishing, which he completed with great success. His highest ambition then was to be at the head of the machinist trade, and whatever he uodertook he grappled with a will and a determination to succeed. Immediately after completing his first apprenticeship, he married Miss Gertrude Dates, of Poughkeepsie, whose grandparents-of Holland-were the first settlers in Hack- ensack. He was married at the latter place, February 15, 1843, by Rev. C. Vao Cleef. He resided about one year with his wife at Matteawan, and then removed to Newburg, where, his health failing him, he was compelled to retire from busi- ness. Soon after be removed to Middletown, Orange county, where for four years he was principal of the Middletown Union school. Having then regained his health, he associated himself with the New York and Brie Railroad as engineer, from which he was soon after transferred to the Newburg branch, and given charge of its shops. Here he remained as master-mechanie about three years, when he resigned hia position, and in the following fall, about the time of tho consolidation of the New York Central Railroads, he accepted the position of en- gineer on the new line running between Albany aud Utica. Not being satisfied with the position, he left it in the winter of 1853, after remaining with the com- pany about six months. In the following apring, in 1854, he came to the city of

Rochester, where, a few months subsequently, he took charge of the tool manu- factory of Gibson & Co. Ile remained in this position-as manager -- until June, 1856, when he founded bis present business, which, by his energy and intelligent management, has grown and been extended to its present proportions, es repre- sented in this work. Mr. Tompkins is one of the solid, substantial men of Roch- ester, to whose business grasp and energy the city owes ita growth in prosperity and wealth for the past twenty years. Since receiving a partner in his business he has transferred to him a great part of the care and responsibility of the enter- prise, while he and his family devote themselves tore to the enjoyments and cuu- forts of life upon the well-carved abundance of his labors. Mr. Tompkins has four children now living,-three daughters and one son. The eldest daughter is the wife of Thomas Smith, and the second the wife of C. S. Siddons, both living in the city. His mother is still living at the age of eighty-five years, his father having died five years ago at the age of seventy-oine, and kept house to the time of his death. His ancestors were noted for their longevity.

LEWIS SWIFT

was born February 20, 1820, in the town of Clarkson, where, also, he passed his boyhood, acquiring his early education within the walls of Clarkson Academy. But naturally gifted with keen observation, a retentive memory, and the power of discrimination, nature was to him an open book, and early he became remarkable for his love of natural science, which, in later years, was concentrated on astronomy, in which branch, by important discoveries therein, he has achieved an enviable fame. Passionately fond of books, and reading critically, his mind became a Storehouse of knowledge, gatuered from the choicest field's of literature; and hence. thongh he claims no college as his alma mater, he is emphatically a learned man. though possessing great simplicity of character and without ostentation. His title of A.M. has been bestowed by acclamation of the people.

His specialty as an astronomer is comet-seeking, in which he has been, and is, an indefatigable watchman, keeping vigil night after night while the world has slept, and that, too, exposed to the inclemencies of our northern clime with only heaven's canopy above him." But his search has been rewarded by the fuding of six comets. Of three the original discoverer, one of which, Comet III. of 1862, was very brilliant, being surpassed in brightness and length of train by only six others of this century, and was, aside from this. an important comet, inasmuch as it gave rise to the theory of the identity of shooting-stars and comets. This comet, found by him July 16 of that year, was two days later seen at Cami- bridge observatory, and a half-hour later still at the Dudley observatory ; ten days later it was found in Europe. It was visibile for three weeks, and on Angu-t 27 had a tail twenty-five degrees in length. Its period equals one hundred and twenty-three years, and consequently it will not return until the year 1985. This comet travels in the path of the August meteorie shower. Of the remainder he has the honor of independent discovery, so called, being first in this country. Among these is the comet of 1871, which for some weeks he hoped to claim as his own by right of priority of discovery, but tidings coming from Europe of its having been seen there eight days previous, he was obliged to accept secondary honory.

Our distinguished visitor of two years ago, the Coggian Comet of 1975, was seen first in this country by him, and he also had the last view of it as it descended beneath the waves of Lake Outario to return no more forever. His eye, so thoroughly trained to descry faint telescopic ohjects, contiuned to see it, while others failed because of its nearness to the sun.

In 1869 he, with a party of astronomers led by Professor Ilough, of the Dudley Observatory, at Albany, went to Illinois to observe the total eclipse of the sun, and carried thither his telescope, the largest on the ground. The published aud tabulated reports of that expedition, as given in volume ii. of the Aunals of the Dudley, attest how much reliance was placed by its chief upon his onserva- tions. Possessed of natural eloquence, and filled with love for his chosen science, he has betaken himself to the rostrum, where his cuthusiasin finds graceful ontlet and imbues his hearers with a kindred interest in the great themes of which he treats. Ilis lectures are given under the auspices of the Northwestern Lyreum Bureau of Janesville, Wisconsin, whose manager, J. A. Bliss, a genial man of much energy and observation, was born in Rochester. He has been twice married, his first wife dying in 1863. He has five children.

. Professor Swift had formerly, at his bome 10 Cortland county, an observatory will revolving domo and telescope equatorially mounted, but since his romoral lo Rochester bas star-gazed under the open sky.

HISTORY OF THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES . OF

MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

INTRODUCTORY.

AMERICA is a nation of pioneers ; its whole history is the history of early settle- ments, with all the exciting scenes and deprivations of frontier life, and the gradual unfolding and development of a community complete in its organizatioos, dis- tinctive in its character and expressions, and rich in the higher elements of domestic, social, and religious life. Each locality, in all the general features of its record and experience, is inevitably reflected by that which suceceda it. The pioneer moves on to the front, pluages into the interminable forests with his household goods around him, and rises a king and conquerer. Strong, self-reliant, and panoplied in the aggressive energies of his ancestors, the priceless legacy of over two hundred years that have coursed down through the generations from Plymouth Rock, he girds himself for the conflict, and while with strained visivo he strives to penetrate the wilderness beyond, his car catches behind him the hum of the advancing tide of empire. Here he erects his altar, builds his home, levels the forest, calls down the sunlight to thrill with life the sleeping soil and adorn its surface with blossom and fruitage, until nature, smiling in her supreme loveli- ness, yields bim the richest treasures of her busom. Here is laid the key-stone in the arch of a new social structure, above which are to cluster nod unfold all the arts and elements of the highest civilization. From its free inception and no- fettered growth were evolved those sterliog forces that enabled our fathers to institute and perpetuate a republic which, for adaptability to its people, finds no parallel on the planet. The very surroundings of the American pioneer iniplant within him a spirit of liberty that tolerates no abridgment, and the conscious manhood, thus nofolded as a heritage to his children, becomes the strongest pillar of defense to their liberties. Here we see the importance of colle ting in succes- sive order all the scenes and events of a community's growth, from the earliest settlement, its first germo. to its f'ull organization and its most recent form, together with the influences, local characteristics, or other combinations that may have modified or directed its development. We are thus enabled to grasp the science that underlies and governs its life, and to comprehend those immense fuirces which in the first settlement, two hundred and fifty-six years ago, and through the count- less repetitions of its history in subsequent years, have unrolled an empire of forty millions of people. The whole work, from birth to maturity, is typified in the history of a single locality, and, as a lesson of life, should be perpetuated in im- perishable records to our children and children's children, as the science of com- monal, and even of national, development.

NORTHAMPTON.

Before proceeding to the history of the towns west of the Genesee river, it is necessary to understand the existence and dissolution of a local nrganization, now obselete, which formerly existed, and embraced all that part of the State lying between the Genesce and Niagara rivers. Although now existing only in the early records, and the memories of ull citizens fast passing away, it once had life and farm, with its officers, elections, laws, and powers that have left their imprese on the early works and improvements of western New York, and the political foruritions that have followed. Like the miserable worm, which, in the everlasting circuit of nature,

dies and loses its form in giving birth to the butterfly, it laid the grondwork of all the county and towo organizations now dotting its surface, whose growth was matured by the decay of the original structure At that time all the western part of the State belonged to Ontario county, and on April 4, 1797, that portion of the county west of the Genesee was organized into the town of Northampton. Below are given the minutes of the first meeting, held at the house of' Peter Shaffer, in what is now Scottsville, together with the names of the first officers elected, as recorded in the original town-book, now in possession of the clerk in the town of Parma, viz .:

ORGANIZATION.

" The first meeting of the people of the town of Northampton, county of On- tario, April 4, 1797, at the house of Peter Shaffer. Be it remembered, that in town meeting, held in the towa of Northampton and county of Ontario, on the 4th day of April, 1797, the votes were taken by Gud. Wadsworth, Esq., of the town of Hartford, for the town of Northampton."

Supervisor, Colonel Josiah Fish ; Town Clerk, Eli Granger ; Assessors, Peter Shaffer, Jeremiah Olmstead; Commissioners of Highwaya, Gideon King, Peter Shaffer, Joseph Morgan ; Constable, Hinds Chamberlain ; Constable and Col- lector, Simon Kiog; Path-masters, Christopher Dugan, Joseph Morgan. Josiah Fish ; Overseer of the Poor, Peter Shaffer ; Fence-viewers, Christopher Dugan, Isaac Scott.

The officers elected were sworn, according to law, to the faithful discharge of their respective offices, by Gad. Wadsworth, Esq. Fifty dollars were voted to be raised, to pay the necessary expenses of the town.

For the first year of the organization of this town, public money was granted for school purposes, as appears from the following record, under date of 1797. It appears from a certificate received from Richard M. Green, clerk of the board of supervisors, that there will be due to this town, the ensuing year, 835.64 for the support of schools in the town. In the following year, 1798, this sum was inerral to ¿61.30.

A bill. showing the receipts and expenditures for the first year of the town of Northampton, was presented by Colonel Josiah Fish, supervisor, and accepted in towo meeting, April 5, 1798, a correct copy of which is here given :

Statement of money granted and expended in the year 1797, by Josiah Fisk. Supervisor.

$50 00

Money granted by the town. board of supervisors.

10 00

Paid to Peter Shaffer. for service ...

: 50

: My Flush Krat, for service.

12 00

: El Granger,

4.50

.4 Gidenn king.

4 50

Jeremish (instead.

4 50

= for town hunky

7 00

te Thum is Whiteonth, for chetion-boxes.

7 50

Amount of expenses for the venr 1797

47 6+

Balance due. in the banile of the supervisor.

Pant Su000 King, for collection

44 Col. J. Frau, for bis owu services.

Town Les

152

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

153

Peter Shaffer was elected the first schval commissioner of the town in 1793, and in 1799 the first school committee was chosen, which consisted of the follow- ing persons : Chapman Hawley, Joseph Morgan, and Josiah Fish. In the same year the town was divided into five road districts, and in 1800 into seven districts, some of which extended from the Genere to the Niagara river. In 1801 was voted a bounty of three dollars for every wulf killed, which, in 180G, was increased to five dollars, and one dollar per dozen for rattlesnakes. The very sparse settle- ments, widely scattered over the vast expanse of territory embraced within the jurisdiction of the town of Northampton, male the execution of official duties, on the part of town officers, extremely difficult for many years. There were but very few roads opened, and those were in a condition so new that in some seasons of the year travel was almost impossible, and the tax collector found it more protita- ble to himself, in some instances, to pay the dues from his own scant resources than to attempt to penetrate to some of the most remote settlements. Especially was this the case in the northern portion of the town previuus to the opening of the Ridge road, when the most practicable road to the Niagara was across Lake Ontario, and up on the Canada side. The only Indians in the vicinity belonged in the tribes of the Tuscarawas and the Canawcangus, between whom and the young settlements there always existed the most friendly intercourse. Never, from the earliest settlement in this most beautiful portion of the Stite, were there any violated pledges, or injudicious action in any way tending to disturb the peaceful relations between the two ruces, which forever remained unbroken. There were two old and well-beaten Indian trails: une leading from Canawaugus, near

the site of the village of Avon, northward to the month of the Genesee river; the other from the mouth of the river, westward to where Lewistown now stands on the Niagara river. Over the former was opened the original Canawaugus road. and projected to the Atchinson settlement, but which was long ago vaented, andl the name applied to the road now leading from Spencerport tu the lake. through Parmnu. The latter was opened as a public highway at the outbreak of the war uf 1812, to facilitate the movement of supplies, and followed the summit of a ridge nearly the whole distance, which gave it the name of Ridge road. Other highways were upened in various localities, for the convenience of distant settle- ments, without much regularity, most of which were afterwards vacated and re- opened on lut lines.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 59

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts Number of Pages: 976

Author: McIntosh, W. H. cn; Everts, Ensign, and Everts, Philadelphia, pub
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Ensign and Everts
Number of Pages: 976