History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 64

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 64

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FREDERICK P. ROOT.

Frederick P. Root was born October 13, 1814, in the town of Charlton, Sars- toga county, New York, to which place his parents bad removed in 1811 from Hebron, Tolland county, Connecticut. In the spring of 1818 the family removed to Sweden, Monroe County, at that time the town of Murray, Genesee county, and " settled on the place now owned by the subject of this sketch. Although many settlements had been made in this town several years previous, but little opening bad been made in this locality, which was then almost an entire wilderness. His father purchased one bundred acres, nearly all a dense forest, which he cleared and brought under cultivation, and afterwards added one hundred acres to it. The only educational advantages of those days were those afforded by the new country common schools. These Frederick attended in the winter months- working on the farm in the summer-until he was seventeen years of age, when the failing health of his father, followed a year later, in 1833, by his death, threw upoo bim the care and management of the business. But his thirst for study sod knowledge was unabated, and his evenings and every spare hour were devoted to it and to reading useful books, never allowing any time for play and amuse- ment. Io music, for which he had a natural talent, he became proficient by careful application, and taught it with success. but never neglecting the interests of his father's estate. He was the oldest of eight children, whose interests in the estate he bought out as fast as they became of age, to which he has since, by industry and careful management, made considerable additions. When twenty- three years of age he married Marian E. Phelps, of Hebron. Connecticut, in w. one industry and frugality he found an efficient aid to success. Mr. Root has been a constant and unceasing worker, and now, after forty-five years of an active business life, he is hale and healthy, while every other member of his father's family has long since passed from the seeues of mortal life. Industry, economy, aud integrity were the first and last lessons of his boyhood. They have been the guide of his life, which is attested by the success he has met with in business, and the high respect and love of his neighbors. Although Mr. Root has been edled to several positions of trust, and taken a proper interest in political matters. the whole ambition of his life and motive spring of every effort has been to be a good farmer. Every other movement was secondary to this. In politics a sincere Republican, and an inveterate foe to human slavery in every forin, no man was more patriotic, or contributed material aid and moral support to the republic, in its late struggle for life, with more liberality; and the brilliant record of Sweden owes not a little to his efforts for the maintenance of free government. Mr. Root has been five years supervisor of the town, and five years assistant Assessor of internal revenue. besides other nominations,-once for State senator .- always at the call of his neighbors, for he was no place-secker. But few men have devoted more constant study to the principles of farming, or done more to develop it as a science, in pursuit of which all his large wealth has been attained. Hlis views on this subject are regarded authoritative, and for many years he has b wo a special contributor to agricultural journals, and repeatedly president of

agricultural societies aml farmery' clubs in western New York. Twenty years 320 be erected the magnificent farm buildings on the old homestead represented in this work, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, which is one of the must attractive houses in the town. With a knowledge of mechanics, in 1843 he invented and patented a grain separator and cleaner, which was extensively used. and sotue years after a wheel cultivator, which was largely used by the farmers. Of sound judyment, high character and integrity, and uncompromising morality. Hon. F. P. Root has been one of the most substantial men of Monroe County, and a powerful aid in developing the resources of his town, building up and advancing the best interests of society,-a man of broad charity, generous liberality, and manly honor.

LUTHER GORDON ( BROCKPORT).

In every department of life there are heroes whose vast achievements become monuments of the possibilities of man. They are not confined to any profession, but are found in every trade, business, or wherever the genios of success, which measures heroism, is unfettered in life and action. While those sterling virtues. sobriety, perseverance, and energy, will carve success in every enterprise. it is not often that a career so triumphant in every effort is presented as that of Luther Gordon, now one of the most solid and wealthy business men of Brockport. His parents were both of the sturdy New England stock. John Gordon, his father, was a native of Cavendish, Vermont, and his mother, formerly Harmony Wood- worth, of Connecticut. In the early part of 1809, John Gordon visited Rochester with a view of purchasing a farm that included the site of the Powers block and a large part of the city, but regarding the price-four dollars per acre-too dear for the quality, be, in company with the Gary brothers, pushed on in the wilder- ness, and made one of the first settlements in Allegany county. Ou June 12 of the same year he and Wm. Gary felled the first tree ever cut in the town of Rush- ford. He died there February 12, 1841.

His son, Luther Gordon. the subject of this sketch, was the second of five children. He was born at Rusbford, Allegany county, February 8, 1822: con- sequently at his father's death was nineteen years of age, when he struck out boldly for himself, formed a partnership with Henry White, and leased a furuace belonging to Saml. White. Seven weeks after he bought the whole interest, and began the construction of a much larger building of his own, to accommodate a more extensive and constantly increasing bosiness, which, eight months later. was completed and in foll operation. After seven months' occupancy he sold tite whole business to Mr. White, and bound himself never to reopen in that busines in Rushford. Meanwhile, he had invented the well-known " Genesee plow," which became very popular, and is still manufactured at the same works, and usedl extensively. Between the following April and December he erected and filled with goods two stores at Rushford, and for fourteen years conducted a large busi- ness in general merchandise. Besides this, and covering a period of nearly sixteen years, he dealt largely in stock, buying and driving to eastern markets in the summer, and in the lumber trade in the winter. He made it an infallible rule to sell his own stock, mostly sheep and cattle, never depending on agents, and never to approach the bar for a drink of liquor or a cigar, neither of which he ever used, and throughout that whole business never met with the slightest loss. lu 1856 he began the lamber business in Brockport by purchasing all the interest in the firm of Boswell, Walker & Hood, except the latter, and five years later bought that also. In 1858 he built the five residence where he now reside -. sold his stores and stock in Rushford to Geo. Coiborne & Bro., and in 1839 re- moved his family to their new home in Brockport, In 1860. in connection with Geo. S. Weaver, of Albany, New York, he leased a large saw-mill of W. L. I'. Little. at East Saginaw, Michigan, and manufactured and shipped lumber to Brockport and various other points. Two years later he bought a half-interest. and after four years' ownership sold it to the Flint and Marquette Railroad Colu- pany. In the summer of 1872 he and his brother, W. L. Gordon, built a lars" saw-mill at Sterling, Michigan, which is doing a very extensive business, manu- facturing lumber from their own tract of nearly seven thousand acres of pite timber-land, which he and Geo. S. Weaver had commenced buying in 186-, and shipping immense quantities to all the Eastern markets. In 1863 the National Bank association was organized in Brockport, and Mr. Luther Gordon, who own- a controlliog interest, was made president, which office he has held ever stner. and in 1873 and '74 the magnificent structure it now occupies was erected. lle also built a saw-mill in 1867, on the Allegany river, four miles above Clean It manufactures mainly hendock and hard wood lumber. For several years, in the carly part of Mr. Gordon'+ lumber trade, he dealt largely in Rochester, selling a great portion of his lumber to the agents of Anson Brown. Three years ago,

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

in 1873, he sold his lumber business in Brockport to Elias Garrison and Charles Benedict, and three months later, with his brother, James Gordon, repurchased it. It is now conducted hy Luther Gordon, brother, and son.

Mr. Gordon was married April 24, 1848, in Allegany county, to Miss Florilln Cooley, of Attica, Wyoming county, a very estimable lady, to whose wise counsel aud aid he ascribes, in a great measure, his unexampled success in life. She died in Brockport, on the 18th of February, 1809. Mr. Gordon has raised but one child, his son, Geo. C. Gordon, who is now in partnership with him, and an active, capable business man.

Mr. Luther Gordon is pre-eminently a self-made man. Beginning life at eighteen, with his natural resources for his capital, and the limited education afforded by the ordinary district school of a new country, he has worked bimself up step by step to a point attained by but very few in a generation. With a grasp of perception that could comprehend the intricate details of a variety of vast busi- ness interests, and a masterly management of all, he has conquered success in every movement of his life, and stands forth to-day an illustrious example to young men of the capabilities of character and manhood.

J. D. DECKER

was born in Hamptonburg, Orange county, New York, June 17, 1836. His father was a German, and his mother of Welsh ancestry. His grandfather, Johannes Decker, early espoused the cause of the colonists, and, joining the colonial army, served gallantly during that arduous struggle for independence. Like the greater portion of the prominent public men of this period, the subject of our sketch obtained the rudiments of his education at the district school Hia studies were afterwards continued at the parsonage of Dr. Arbuckle, an eminent divine, residing at Blooming Grove. From the tutelage of Dr. Arbuckle he entered the select school of Hoo. Robert Denniston, a former controller of the State, where he received his preparatory education. He entered Yale College, and porsued his studies with that energy that has marked his subsequent career, and graduated in the class of 1855. At the close of his college days he had decided to enter the legal profession, and in the same year. 1855, came to Brock- port, and commenced the study of the law in the office of Holmes & Palmer. In 1858 he was admitted to the bar in the city of Auburn, and began practice in Brockport, which he continued with great success nntil 1865, when he purchased the banking interest of Mr. Holmes. He managed this business until 1873, when he disposed of it to Raines & Knox, and resumed the practice of law. Mr. Decker bas a lucrative practice, and his unflinching determination and indomitable will, coupled with integrity and fine talents, have placed him among the leading. mem- bers of the bar in western New York. He is ever foremost iu matters concerning

the public welfare, and was very instrumental in seenring the location of the State normal school, of which he has been treasurer since its organization. Ile bas also officiated as member of the local board of managers. Upon the formation of the Republican party he espoused its cause, and has since remained a zealous and uncompromising advocate of its principles. He is held in high esteem in political as well as social and business circles, and in 1873 received by acclamation thur nomination of his party for the office of State senator, and, though receiving a very complimentary vote, was defeated by ITon. Jarvis Lord. In July, 1876. he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the twenty-eighth district, com- prising the counties of Monroe, Orleans, Ontario, Yates, Livingston, Chemung, and Allegany.

On the 13th of June, 1860, Mr. Decker united in marriage with Emily, daughter of Isaac Palmer, and their family consists of four children,-two sons and two daughters.

THOMAS CORNES ( BROCKPORT).

Thomas Cornes was born in the county of Kent, England, on July 10, 1813. He was the third of eight children, and emigrated with his father, when ten years of age, to Morrisville, Madison county, New York. On March 20, 1833, he married his first wife, Sarah Coleman, of Morrisville, by whom he had five children, and in May, 1834, he removed to Brockport, where he arrived on the 15th, and settled with his family in the same house he now occupies. On Decem- ber 30, 1848, he met with a severe loss in the death of his wife. Of his five children four are now living, three in Brockport and one in Buffalo. Mr Cornes was married again April 15, 1851. He had one child by his second wife, a daughter, who died in infancy, and on December 28. 1874. his wife also died. Mr. Cornes has always been a very prominent man in Brockport, and has been a powerful ally in support of every movement for the interest of his village. In politics be is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, and in that party has probably been the leading man in this part of the county. In 1851-52 he was canal collector of Brockport, and during the war of the rebellion, which he sustained with zeal and spirit, he was three times elected supervisor. when his party was in the minority. He has frequently been chosen delegate to State conventions by his party, which he ably represented. He was probably the most effective man in securing the normal school to Brockport. He has followed the butcher business ever eince he came, except from 1864 to 1870, and established a distillery in 1838, which he conducted a short time, selling out in 1840. He has been very successful in business and amassed a large fortune, though io 1867 he lost thirty thousand dollars' worth of property by fire. He now owns one hundred and seventy acres east of the village, fifty of which is in the corporation. which is well stocked, and a very valuable property.

CLARKSON.

CLARKSON in its original extent formed the northwest corner of Monroe County, and embraced the fourth and fifth townships, or more than one-half of the Triangle tract. It extended along Luke Ontario over nine miles, north and sonth nine aod one-half miles, and east and west on the south line about six and two-thirds miles, giving an area of 47,161 acres, or nearly seventy-four square miles. Each township is divided into sections, and subdivided into lots of one hundred and twenty acres each, similar to the whole tract. From 1814 to April 2, 1819, Clarkson belonged to and was a part of the town of Murray, in Orleans county, by which name it was then koown. At the latter date it was set off from Murray, incorporated a new town, and named in honor of General Clarkson, a large landholder, wbo donated one hundred acres to the town. The organization was completed at the first town meeting, held April 4, 1820, at the house of Abel Baldwin, which resulted in the election of the following-named officers, viz. :

Supervisor, Aretas Haskell ; Town Clerk, Gustavus Clark ; Collector, E. Cook ; Assessors, Frederic R. Stewart, William Cook, Billa Cook ; Commissioners of Highways, Isaac Allen, Samuel A. Perry, Jonathan Cobb ; Commissioners of Schools, Nathaniel Rowel, Gustavus Clark, Ariel Chase; Inspectors of Schools, Abel Baldwin, Wm. Graves, Ezekiel Harmon ; Overseers of the Poor, Eli Han- aibal, Walter Billings; Pound-master, David Forsyth ; Constables, Aretas Has- kell, Robert Walker, Wm. Lamport, Worden F. Perry ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Gustavna Clark ; and thirty-six Overseers of Highways.

On October 11, 1852, Clarkson was divided into two towns, and the south division, consisting of the south three-quarters of the fourth township, retained the original name, embracing twenty tl:onsand seven hundred and seventy-four acres,-over thirty-two square miles.

BURFACE.

The surface of the town is very level, except in the southern portion, where the celebrated ridge, on which is located the Ridge road, extends from east to west. This ridge is continuous from Lewiston to the vicinity of Oswego. and of Dearly equal elevation, ranging from thirty to fifty feet above the general level of the country on the north, and was presumably formed by the action of the waters of Lake Ontario. Ages ago it formed the beach of a much larger lake than at present, from which in the unrolling of the years it has gradually receded, an- covering a barren soil, that required a cycle of time and sunlight to fructify into vegetable life, preparatory to a heavy growth of timber. The soil is of great strength and fertility, well adapted to the cereals and to fruit culture; in the sonth part it is a sandy and gravelly loam, and on the ridge dry and warm, aod especially suited to early crops. Ou the north, extending across the town from east to west and lapping over into Hamlin, is an extensive clay belt, two miles wide. Io early days, before the water-courses were cleared, surface water covered it, and gave to it the appearance of marsh and swamp.

STREAMS.

Ie the east part of the town the north branch of the Salmon flows north and northeast into Parma at the northeast corner, and in the southwest corner West creek rises, and flows northeast through the town into Hamlin. On the west Sandy creek enters from Orleans county, runs about one and a half miles in the town, and passes ont. Several other streams, tributary to the two former, flow parallel, affording drainage to every part of the town, and leaving it well watered. In common with this section of country, salt springs were found in this town and worked quite extensively at times. Erastus Haskell ond Stephen Baxter were among the earliest settlers cogaged in the manufacture of salt, as did others be- fore the canal opened other sourecs to obtain it. Two hundred ner's of land in the northern part of the town, upon which were located the strongest salt springs, Were reserved by Le Roy and Bayard for the benefit of the settlements, which were open to all who desired to work them. Deer licks were also quite .umerousם

EARLY SETTLERS.

The history of the early settlers of this town has not heretofure been correctly givce. Sketches of its early history, as given by Dr. Abel Baldwin, himself an

early settler, give 1809 as the date of the first settlement. There are, however. aow living in the town one or two persons who came and settled in 1808, an-1 who state that there were others in the town before they came. According to the record at the Le Roy land office, Moody Freeman bought a lot in IS03, and located it about two tuiles north of the Ridge, on the Lake road. It is acknow]. edged that he is the first settler, but there is no evidence that he setthel the same year of his purchase. In 1804, James Sayres purchased at Clarkson Corner-, where Joel Palmer now lives, and was the first settler on the Ridge road, which was probably the same year. Also, Eli Blodgett bought the same year. In 1sus. Simcon Daggett, one-half mile west of the Corners, John and Isaac Farewell. north of the Ridge, John Fowle, William Davis, David Stauton, Dr. Noah Owen. and Benjamin Boyd, bought land, and nearly all became settlers, doubtless, soon after their purchase. There were twelve lots purchased in town in the year, and prior to 1805, and it is improbable that all the purchasers delayed settlement until 1809. Up to that time there were but three lots sold in Sweden and tive in Hamlin, but no settlements recorded so early, when there most certainly should have been. In 1806 ten lots were sold, and eight in 1807. Many of these pur- chasers were known to be early settlers by those who came in subsequently. Neue of them are now living. In 1800:, Olney F. Rice settled on lots 2 and 3 in sec- tion -, and in 1808 Robert Hoy. from New York city, with a family of seven children, James, John, Robert, Jr., Jane, Ann, Nancy, and Betsey, settled one mile north of East Clarkson ; Thomas. Caleb, Robert, and MI. Brown, ucar the same place, also from New York. Eldridge Farewell, John Mallory. Isaac Lin- coln, Eli Mead, Wilber Sweet, L. W. Udall, Robert Clarke, Alvin Hamlin, Dan- forth Howe, Eli Randall, Jonathan Mend, and Elisha Lake in other places. Mem- bers of some of these families are now living. In 1810 there was quite an in- crease of settlers. Among them were David Forsyth. who first cleared the Wuod- land from the Corners one-half mile west on the south side of the Ridge road. James, Adam, and Henry Moore, from Albany county, who settled two mile- north of Ladd's Cornere; Silas Taft, on the farm now owned by S. Rowel, and Simeon B. Nathan and John Daggett, west of Clarkson Corners; William B. Wordee, Henry Grinnell, Isaac Randall. Wathe Billings, and others. About this time or before, James Ladd settled at East Clarkson, which gave it the name +f Ludd's Corners, Ebenezer Toles at the same place, and H. MeCall, who probably catue sooner. Dr. Abel Baldwin, a native of Norwich, Vermont, removed from Saratoga, where he had been a few years in the practice of his profession, and settled in Clarkson Corners in 1811. Although he was not a pioneer, he was one of the first to make substantial improvements. After a few years' practice he erected the first frame public-house, and kept tavern until he retired to a furia in 1825. He became distinguished as a farmer. In the same year Dr. Nathaniel Rowe, from Ilanover, New llampshire, settled on the Ridge road near the Cor- Ders, where he practiced until he died in 1826. Also in ISI1. Deacon Joel l'aimer came from Lima, where he had settled in 1808, and bought out James Sayres. and commenced the business of tanning in a small way, which is still conducted in the original building. It was the first business of the kind in town. Deacon Palmer has been a prominent and exemplary man, useful to society, and a devoted Christian. He was in the war of 1812, under the command of Captain Erastus Haskel, who commanded a company from Clarkson, and was present at the sonic of Fort Erie. He is still living, hale and hearty, at the advanced age of eighty- nine. I'p to this date, 1811, but little was known of the Ridge road, it being miy a wagon track through the woods, with no permanent bridges across the streamny.

Frum titne immemorial an Indian trail had existed, so well beaten by the con- atant passing and repassing of small parties of Indians on their fishing and hunt- ing trip, as, together with its natural fitness; to cause it to be chusen as the line of a great public highway. Rude ents, hacked in the bark of large trees along the trail, representing Indians in various attitudes, bears, and other forms, to suit their erude fancies, were to been seen many years after the Ridge rund was ty -. nl. The town of Clarkson, like other town- of the triangular tract, was but little im- proved prior to the war of 1812, though many settlers had located and made small improvements. In 1912 the war almost stopped further settlements till it- close in 1815. Many of the settlers were drawn into the army, others were

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.

frightened away, yet a few who were residents of other towns came in during this period, because it was thought to be a favorable locality. Joshua Fields came in from Bergen in 1813, Bannister Williams in 1812, Lewis Swift in ISI2, and Gustavus Clarke in 1815. During the war. Clarkson, or Murray Corners, as it was then called, became quite a noted place. The Ridge road was improved for the transportation of stores and umunitions of war to Lewiston, and this being the half-way place from Canandaigua, it was oide a stopping point for all tearusters and travelers. After the war. and until the Erie canal was built, it was the great business point west of Rochester, and between it and Lewiston. The Lake road from Le Roy and the Ridge road from Rochester to Niagara-both great thor- oughfures-combined to give it importance, and enterprising men seeking the best locality for settlements could find none more prominent. Perhaps no town in western New York has been as much favored in this respect. Of physicians, there were Drs. Baldwin, Harmon, Elijah Rowe, Nathaniel Rowe, Tabor, Perry, and later, Drs. Murdock and Tozier. Of lawyers there were Hon. Joho Bowman, Hon. S. B. Jewett, ex-judges of the court of appeals, Hon. S. L. Seldon, and Hon. H. R. Seldon, the latter ex-lieutenant-governor of the State of New York, and William Bowman, son of Hun. Julin Bowman. Of eleruymen, Rev. William James, afterwards pastor of the Brick church, Rochester, Dr. Nurris Bull, and Rev. C. E. Furman. The early merchants were also men of distinction. Among them was Gustavus Clark, possessed of great business ability, an active, intelli- gent, and generous-hearted man. Henry Martyo. his partner and successor, has since been an able and successful banker of Buffalo. James Seymour, cousin of the ex-governor, and one of the founders of Brockport, was an able business man, who began trade in Clarkson. Hiel Brockway, who first started and gave name to Brockport. al-o first began business in Clarkson, and helped to construct Blodgett's mills. Joshua Fields, who was one of the builders and business men of Brockport, was still another of Clarkson's settlers. The high anticipations entertained for building up a business plice at this point called together the most enterprising of the early emigrants, and had the Erie canal ruo one mile farther north it would have been onule a place of great importance, and Brockport would . not have been named. It has now a population of about three hundred, which has varied but little for the past forty years.

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History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences, Part 64

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