USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Ontario county, New York : with illustrations and family sketches of some of the prominent men and families > Part 47
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
the academy he entered the law office of Hon. E. G. Lapham, and in due course was admitted to the bar. Subsequently he formed a part- nership with J. P. Faurot, which continued a few years, and after its conclusion he practiced alone until his death. On the 6th of May, 1857, he married Margaret, daughter of Robert Walker, of Canandai- gua. She still survives him. They had no children.
Of unquestioned integrity and devoted to his business, Mr. Callister drew around himself a large clientage. His industry was unintermit- tent, and through his foresight and sagacity in making investments, he was enabled to accumulate a large property. In politics he was an un- wavering Democrat ; but his inclinations were not towards public office, which he never sought. He was supervisor of the town several years, but he accepted the position because he thought it his duty and would enable him to benefit the community. For several years he held the position of president of the Ontario County National Bank, in which office his rare financial ability rendered him a valued and efficient officer.
Socially Mr. Callister was modest and unassuming, courteous to all, and one whose friendship, when once bestowed, could be trusted under all circumstances. His death took place on the 23d of August, 1888.
DR. A. B. SMITH.
He is a son of the late Hon. Caleb Smith, who was one of the pio- neers of that locality, settling there with his parents when a boy, and here he grew up to be a man of more than ordinary intelligence and prominence in the community. His principal occupation was farming, but his fellow citizens showed their confidence in him by selecting him for various public positions of responsibility. He was for many years a county and circuit judge, and discharged the duties of these offices with ability and discretion. Dr. Smith was educated at Lima, and studied his profession in the old Geneva Medical College, from which he graduated in 1844-5. The year following he attended lectures at the School of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, from which he re- ceived a post graduate diploma, and settled in Ovid, N. Y., for his 65
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
first practice. Very early in his professional career he began to have grave doubts as to the reliability of the allopathic practice in which he had been taught. In a few years this led him to adopt the homeopathic school, and further study resulted in the develop- ment of theories and practice, since carried out with the most grati- fying success in the celebrated institution with which he has long been identified. In 1853 Dr. Smith came to Geneva, and occu- pied the old hotel as a hygienic institute, at first in connection with his brother, Dr. Horace Smith. Almost from the first he began improve- ments in the building and its surroundings, to adapt it more fully to his purposes. These improvements have progressed until there is nothing of the early structure left but the frame.
The Institute now comprises the main building of wood and brick, which extends one hundred and fifty feet on Washington street, and is four stories high, with a front on the park of over fifty feet. Adjoining this is a wing to the south on the park with a front of fifty-two feet. Broad and light balconies extend along the front of the several stories of the main building, as shown in the opposite engraving, which command magnificent views of the lake and surrounding coun- try.
Entering the main building in front, the visitor finds himself in a broad and airy hall which extends the entire length of the Institute, with elegant public parlors on the right in front, and offices and other rooms on the left. The halls and rooms are -substantially the same on all the floors. There has been no sacrifice of comfort and sanitary con- ditions in the provision of the rooms, for they are large and well ven- tilated, and the whole building is fitted with hard wood floors. The old tortuous stairway has been removed to make way for broad, easy flights, which are supplemented with an elevator. There are modern appliances for perfect heating by steam, and lighting by electricity. The whole basement interior was long since torn out, to give place for immense boilers, which supply steam for heating and cooking, and to operate the dynamo which generates the electricity, etc. There are over eighty rooms for guests, nearly every one of which has its win- dows opening upon attractive views, and all of which are large and comfortable. .
GENEVA HYGIENIC INSTITUTE.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
On the second floor is a large and convenient gymnasium, which in this Institute is an important element in the treatment. This gym- nasium is furnished with various appliances, most of which are the in- ventions of Dr Smith, and all adapted to some specific purpose through exercise of weakened parts; for in the course of Dr Smith's study and practice, after his radical departure from old methods, he became con- vinced of the futility of drugs, as taught by the old medical school, es- pecially for chronic complaints, and he has demonstrated, not only to his own satisfaction, but through the permanent relief of scores of patients, that there is a better way. In his treatment every hygienic condition is carefully observed. The usual variety of baths are used besides the electro-thermal, galvano chemical, and turkish, with em- ployment of electricity according to the best modern practice, by which polypoid of all the internal cavities are removed and all forms of internal and external tumors, such as ovarian and uterine, incested and fibroid, also those of the breast, are often dispersed.
By the mechanical appliances, with the co-operation of skilled assist- ants, introducing the Swedish movement and all forms of exercise definitely directed to desired parts of the body, the most astonishing results have been obtained, and a great array of grateful people is scat- tered throughout the country whose testimony is eloquent in praise of the Institute.
Besides the many who have sought and are seeking the benefits of this home-like Institute, many others suffering from general debility find here an ideal place for rest and recuperation. No better location could be selected for the purpose, for it is characterized by pure air, good water, a beautiful lake, and sanitary conditions that cannot be excelled.
For forty years Dr. Smith has made the Geneva Hygienic Institute his constant study and unflagging care. Possessing firmness tempered with gentleness, far above the thoughts of mere selfish gain, and giving his zealous and personal attention to all his large family, even to the sacrifice of his own energies, it is not wonderful that his success has been so marked.
He never fails to increase in all who come under his administration feelings of gratitude and friendship, which have often continued through
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
life, and endear him to-day to thousands who will, perhaps, never see him again. Dr. Smith was married in 1847 to Jane M. Hughes, who died some years ago A niece, Miss Alice S. Reynolds, their foster daughter, married Dr. J. C. Knapp, who is associated with Dr. Smith in conducting the Institute, where his professional skill and untiring zeal have done much for the welfare of the Institute.
NATHAN J. MILLIKEN.
Nathan J. Milliken was born in Keene, Cheshire county, N. H., Sep- tember 27, 1821. In 1836, being then in his fifteenth year, he entered the office of the Cheshire Republican in Keene as an apprentice, and there he learned the " art preservative of all arts," serving the stipulated term of three years. After that the limited education he had received in the common schools of the village was supplemented by a few months' attendance at Hancock and Keene Academies. In 1840 he be- came a resident of Burlington. Vt., finding employment temporarily in the printing offices there, and, although not a voter, took an active in- terest in the exciting presidential campaign of that year. Subsequently he was employed for a time on the Essex County Republican at Kees- ville, N. Y., and during the summer of 1842 was entrusted with the editorial and business management of the paper, while the proprietor absented himself on account of ill health. This gave Mr. Milliken his first experience as the conductor of a political journal. Two years later, in 1844, he purchased a half interest in the Republican, of which he had the management during the Clay campaign. Disappointed and cha- grined by the defeat of the great American orator and statesman, he sold out to his partner and resolved to seek his fortune elsewhere. In 1845 he purchased and assumed the management of the Seneca County Courier at Seneca Falls, which continued under his control until 1848, when he refused to support General Taylor, the Whig nominee for the presidency, and again sold out Joining in the " Free Soil " movement under the leadership of Van Buren and Adams, he started a new paper, entitled The Free Soil Union, which was discontinued after the election. Three years later he removed to Canandaigua and established The Onta-
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
rio County Times, the first number of which was issued January 10, 1852. The Times at the outset took an advanced position as an organ of the Seward, or anti-slavery wing of the old Whig party, and thus became a pioneer in the Republican movement. The first Republican county con- vention in Ontario county was held in the fall of 1855. Mr. Milliken was then nominated for sheriff, which nomination he declined. The conven- tion then nominated him for county clerk, which he also declined after a careful study of the situation. His associates on the ticket did likewise. The way was thus opened for the calling of a " People's Convention," which was held a few weeks later, and by which Mr. Milliken was again placed in nomination for sheriff. This nomination he finally accepted, but was defeated at the polls, as were the other candidates on the Peo- ple's ticket. In 1861 he was nominated by the Republican convention for county clerk and defeated, and in 1864 was nominated and elected to that office. He was an ardent supporter of James G. Blaine, and in the campaign of 1884 was placed upon the Republican ticket as a can- didate for Presidential elector. In August, 1890, he was appointed postmaster at Canandaigua by President Harrison, which office he still holds. The Times is now published by the firm of N. J. Milliken & Son, and is a strong factor in the interests of the Republican party of this county. Mr. Milliken married in 1853 Miss Orline O. Sutton, of Seneca county, and they have four children, two sons and two daughters. The oldest son, Charles F. Milliken, is the present work- ing editor of the paper which his father founded over forty years ago. Mr. Milliken was present at the first log-cabin mass meeting that was held in Massachusetts, in the famous campaign of 1840. It was held at Northampton.
GEORGE STILLWELL CONOVER.
George S. Conover was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., November 7, 1824, a son of Peter and Catherine Conover. For a time he was engaged in mercantile trade in New York ; following which, in April, 1850, he left Brooklyn and took up his residence on a farm of fifty acres on the banks of Seneca Lake, in the town of Varick, Seneca county ; here he resided until September, 1870, when he removed to Geneva, which
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
place has since been his home. While not a politician as the distinction is usually understood, Mr. Conover has been more or less connected with politics, being allied to the Democratic party. Before leaving Brooklyn he was active in the interests of his party; in 1856, after coming to Varick, he was elected supervisor, and was chairman of the board; in 1872 he was trustee of the village of Geneva, and in 1873 and 1877 was elected president of the village, serving each time a term of two years. He also served as police justice for a brief period in 1880-81, filling a vacancy caused by the death of the incumbent.
But it is to his active interest and painstaking labor in local history and Indianology that Mr. Conover may attribute the high estimation and wide appreciation in which he is held. Ilis "Kanadesaga and Geneva " has received unqualified encomiums from the press and lead- ing members of historical societies ; his lectures upon early history have been well received, and he has also rendered much valuable help to local and State historical societies by his researches and contributions. He compiled and edited "General Sullivan's Indian Expedition, 1779," published by the secretary of state in 1887, which is an accepted authority concerning that undertaking. He is an honorary member of the Waterloo (N. Y.) Library and Historical Society, of the New Jersey, the Livingston County, and the Rochester Historical Societies, and the Society of Antiquity of Worcester, Mass .; also corresponding member of Buffalo, Oneida, and New York Historical Societies.
So prominent has been his interest in horticulture that Mr. Thomas Meehan, the veteran horticultural editor, wrote him January 24, 1891 : " The great eminence of Geneva as a horticultural centre is mainly due to your early encouragement and influence."
For forty years he has been a member of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, deeply interested in Sunday- school work, serving his church first as a deacon and afterwards for twenty years as an elder, and was several times a member of the General Synod, and each time on important committees.
Mr. Conover married, November 8, 1843, Augusta, daughter of Henry and Maria Joralemon, who died June 5, 1852, having borne him four sons and one daughter. May 4, 1854, he married Catherine Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Lavina Gambee, of Varick, by whom he has had one son and two daughters.
BETWEEN two breaths what crowded mysteries lic -- The first short gasp, the last and long-drawn sigh ! Like phantoms painted on the magic slide, Forth from the darkness of the past we glide, As living shadows for a moment seen; Traced by a ray from one unchanging flame. Then seek the dust and stillness whence we came. - OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
PART II. FAMILY SKETCHES.
FAMILY SKETCHES.
Attwood, Daniel F., Geneva, was born in Androscoggin county, Me., February 9. 1853. In 1872 he was book-keeper for Roseor G. Chase & Company, came with them to Geneva in 1872, and remained in their employ until 1886, when he went into the insurance business, being one of the founders of the Ontario Mutual Accident Associa- tion, originally a local company, but now having a place of business in New York city. In 1877, associated with Dr. N. B. Covert, E. A. Walton, S. F. Gascoigne, M. S. San- ford, D. W. Hollenbeck and others in the organization of "The People's Building, Loan and Savings Association," a company having a reputation of solidity and worth, second to none of its class in the State. Of this association Mr. Attwood has been secretary since its incorporation, and most of its success is due to his efforts. (A more extended sketch of the association will be found elsewhere in this volume.) Mr. Att- wood is an earnest Republican worker, and has held the office of village clerk and president, being elected to the latter position in February, 1891. In 1876 he married Caroline A. Parker, of which union two children have been born.
Aldrich, Nathan, late of Farmington, was born in Farmington, May 25, 1824, was educated in the district schools and was a farmer. He was justice of the peace more than thirty years, and a public-spirited citizen. October 15, 1845, he married Lydia S., daughter of Edward and Harriet Herendeen, who was born April 30, 1824. They had six children : Helen M., born November 9, 1847; Charles H., born June 15, 1849 ; Harriet L., born June 14, 1851; Julius F., born January 2, 1854; Clarence E., born May 31, 1856; Mary E., born August 20, 1858. Mr. Aldrich died April 10, 1888. Helen M. and Clarence E. are both deceased; Charles H. married Charlotte Cobb of the town of Manchester, and has these children : Ida L., Mary H., Edna G., Fred J., and Frank C. Harriet, whose marriage is noted in another family ; Julius F. married twice, first Abbie Smith, descendant of one of the oldest families of the town. She died August 12, 1882, and he married second Eva King, formerly of the town of Man- chester, and they have two sons: Clarence G. and Floyd C .; Mary E. married Carlton A. Davis, of Farmington. Mr. Aldrich's father, John, was born in this town, October 30, 1790, and married Leonora Aldrich, formerly of Massachusetts. They had six chil- dren : Silas, Edward, Nathan, Sally, Phoebe, and Adelia ; and his father, Nathan, was born in Adams, Berkshire county, Mass., 1789, and came to this town, one of the first pioneers ; sowed the first wheat sown in the town, and returned to Massachusetts. In the spring of 1790 he came with his family, and later built the first framed house, which is now owned by Willis D. Newton, of Victor, who married his great-granddaughter.
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
Ambush, Stephen J., Geneva, was born in Prince George's county, Md., in 1830. He was owned by Miss Amelia Frazier of that county. In 1852 she gave him his freedom. He resided in Washington twenty years, and in 1855 married Miss Martha E. Taylor. of Geneva, formerly of his native State. They have two children : Donglass C. and Harriet E. The family resides on West street and owns good property.
Appleton, Richard W., East Bloomfield, a native of Norfolk, England, was born July 8, 1840. He is a son of Robert and Maria Appleton, natives of Norfolk, England, who had two sons and five daughters. Subject of sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of twelve years he came to Ontario county. He lived one year with an uncle in West Bloomfield, and then for three years worked on a farm in Richmond. He then learned the miller's trade, and after three years learned the shoemaker's trade and followed it two years. The war then broke out, and April 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-third New York Volunteer Infantry, and served two years. He was in thirteen engagements, the principal ones being at Will- iamsburg and Seven Day before Richmond. He was wounded at Antietam and taken to Frederick City hospital, and April 12 was transferred to a hospital in Baltimore, whence he was taken to David's Island, where he remained until his discharge, May 25, 1863. He then followed shoemaking in Richmond, Bristol and East Bloomfield Station until 1873, when he established a boot and shoe store at the latter place. In 1885 he added a full line of groceries and men's furnishing goods, and has since done a very successful business. He is a Democrat, and was postmaster at East Bloomfield Station during Cleveland's administration. Mr. Appleton married Mary A., daughter of Richard Appleton, and they had two children: Frank R., a teacher of music, and who assists in his father's store ; and Agnes M., who is a student in East Bloomfield Union School. Mr. Appleton is a charter member of 1. O. U. W. of East Bloomfield, and he and family attend St. Peter's Episcopal Church, of which Agnes M. is a mem- ber. Mr. Appleton assisted in building the church and is one of the vestrymen.
Appleton, Richard, East Bloomfield, a native of Worsted, Norfolk county, England, was born December 10, 1845, a son of Richard, a native of the same place, born Sep- tember 18, 1800, who was a weaver for many years. He also, while in England, kept a hotel. His wife was Elizabeth Frary, a native of Worsted, England, by whom he had six sons and seven daughters. In 1851 Mr. Appleton, wife and nine children came to America ; seven of the children survive. The first winter Mr. Appleton resided in East Bloomfield. He then purchased a place in Bristol, which he traded for a hundred acres. After a few years he sold this at a profit, and purchased seventy-six acres in East Bloomfield, and here he erected a residence, which he sold later. He and his wife are members of the Church of England. Mr. Appleton died March 28, 1882, and his wife February 12, 1885. Richard Appleton, jr., was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He started in life by working by the month, though he had none of his wages until twenty years of age. He then farmed two years, and later learned carpentry, which he followed eighteen years. He and his brother William were in partnership as carpenters for many years, and during that time made several purchases of houses and lots. They finally separated in business in 1887. Our subject
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FAMILY SKETCHES.
now owns 130 acres, on which in 1890 he erected a residence. December 15, 1870, Mr. Appleton married Mary A. Wolston, a native of Hickland, Norfolk county, Eng- land, born September 29, 1851, and a danghter of George and Sabina Wolston, of Eng- land, who came to America in 1852, and settled in East Bloomfield. The children of subject are: Fred R., G. Wallace, Howard C., Alice L., and Carl H. Mr. Appleton is a Republican.
Wolston, George, a native of Norfolk, England, born in 1833, is one of nine children of Jeremiah and Ann (Knapp) Wolston, natives of England. In 1853 George came to East Bloomfield, and for four years worked at farming. For the next eight years he rented land. He then purchased one hundred acres which he improved at a cost of $2,000, and in 1886 he added one hundred acres. Mr. Wolston married in England Sabina, daughter of John and Mary Nudd, and they had eight children : Mary, Sabina, Elizabeth, Louise (deceased), John E., Alice S., George H., and Mand. Mr. Wolston is a Democrat. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church at East Bloomfield.
Appleton, William, Canandaigua, was born in Norfork, Eng., November 16, 1847, and was in his third year when his father, Richard, came to this country. He first. settled in E. Bloomfield where he lived about ten years, then moved to Bristol and lived about eight years, moving back to Bloomfield where he bought a farm, and spent the balance of his days. He died in 1883 aged eighty-three years. He married in Eng- land, Elizabeth Frary, and they had thirteen children, six of whom are living. William was the youngest son. He was given a good education in the common schools and as- sisted on the farm until twenty, when he went as an apprentice to learn carpentry. After serving three years he went into business for himself, and for twenty years has followed the trade, building many fine residences. He generally employed four hands and was always found with plenty of work. He has never taken an active interest in politics, but is a man respected and looked up to by all. He has for many years been the trustee of Centrefield school. In 1889 he bought the farm of 146 acres where he now resides, making 186 acres he now owns. He married in December, 1871, Lena N. Woolston, of E. Bloomfield, and they are the parents of two children : George W., and Irene L.
' Adams, Judge William H., Canandaigua, was born in Lyons, Wayne county, N. Y., March 27, 1841. He was educated at Walnut Hill School in Geneva, of which the late Rev. Thomas C. Reed was principal. When about eighteen years of age he entered the law office of Smith & Lapham at Canandaigua, where he was studying at the breaking ont of the war. In the fall of 1861 he aided in raising a company for the Ninety-eighth N. Y. Vols. and served two years, first as lieutenant then as captain, and as assistant adjutant-general on General De Forrest's staff. At the expiration of his term of service in 1863 he was admitted to the bar, and settled in Canandaigua where he engaged in the practice of his profession. He was for some time in partnership with Hon. Elbridge G. Lapham, but upon the election of Mr. Lapham to Congress, this relation was terminated and the business of the firm was continued by Mr. Adams. In the fall of 1887 Mr. Adams was nominated on the Republican ticket for justice of the Supreme Court for the Supreme Judicial District, and was elected over John D. Teller, of Auburn,
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
by a majority of 8,602. Judge Adams married, September 27, 1865, Charlotte L., daughter of Hon. E. G. Lapham, and their family consists of two sons: Elbridge L., a practicing lawyer of Rochester, and Lewis II., a coal merchant of Canandaigua.
Adams, Lewis H., Canandaigua, was born in Canandaigua in 1869, a son of Judge W. HI. Adams. Lewis H. was educated in the Canandaigua Academy under N. T. Clarke and at Fort Hill Preparatory School. He then spent two years as bookkeeper at Mc- Kechnie's Bank, and in 1888 he went to Tacoma, Wash., where he engaged in banking business, working his way up from extra hand to receiving teller. He returned, and was secretary and treasurer for Wescott Brothers Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., one year. March 1, 1892, he engaged with P. J. Mallory as agent for coal, and the following May bought out the yard from him, which he still conducts. He is now selling abont 3,000 tons of Lehigh Valley coal per year. Mr. Adams is secretary of the Protection Volun- teer's club, and a member of the Canandaigua executive committee of the Republican clubs of Ontario county.
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