USA > New York > Wyoming County > History of Wyoming County, N.Y., with Illustrations, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents > Part 85
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JOHN A. MORLWALK was born in the town of Palmer, Mass .. September Bist, 1794, of Scotch-Irish descent. He resided at home until be was sixteen years old. From that time until he was twenty-one be worked out summers by the month, and winters attended school. October. 1815, with $30 in cash, he put his pack on his back and started for the "Genesee Country." He stopped a few weeks in Otsego county, and arrived at Batavia the last of December at the house of his brother-to-law. The day after his arrival he started off on foot ten miles, to the town of Alexander, to see the trustees. and made a contract to teach their sobool-borrowing a borse to ride back- and on Monday, the first of January, 1816, be commenced teaching in a log sobool-house, and boarded with the families whose children attended the sobool. The next day after his term of sobool expired be engaged for one year (1816) in the service of Judge Cummings, of Batavia. In the summer of 1817 be first came to Warsaw, still in the employment of Judge Cummings, who had erected a flouring and an oil-mill, wbiob Mr. MoElwain and a brotber of Judge Cummings had the management of for some years. Dur- ing that time he enlisted in all the enterprises that were calculated to benedt the county or town, and that he continued to do through life. His first effort was in organizing a Young Men's Library Association, which was car- ried into effect, and was very useful for some years. He identified himself in 1880 with the Clintonian party, in opposition to D. D. Tompkins. After Clinton's day he was identified with the Anti-Masons, who elected bim sberit of Genesee county to 1831. From that time be was recognized as a Whig. and was elected to the Assembly in 1887, and to the Senate in 1868 and 1868, serving in both places with honor and usefulness. After the disorgan- ization of the Whig party he was jadependent in politics, and voted for such persons as he thought best qualified for the omces. He was county treas- urer five years; was State appraiser of lands to be mortgaged for banking purposes, and was assignee for Wyoming county under the national State bankrupt law as long as it was in force. He was president of the remarkably successful Wyoming County Mutual Insurance Company twelve or four- teen years. He was one of the first subscribers to and a director in the new cemetery association, and was for four years its president. He was a di- rector and the treasurer of the old Warsaw and Le Roy Railroad Company. and one of the party who surveyed it, and was for a time a director in the Buffalo and New York City Railroad Company in 1868. At the first organ- ization of the Episcopal church be was elected warden, and remained so through life, and was a liberal supporter of that church. He was confirmed about twelve years before his death, and lived in the faithful observance of all the ordinances of the church. It was more, perhaps, by bis exertions than any one else's that Wyoming county was formed and the public build- ings located at Warasw. He spent in 1840 and 1841 six months' time in Albany on the subject, and when it was effected the supervisors of the new county appointed him one of the commissioners to erect the new public buildings. In 1843 be built the large brick hotel on the corner of Main and Genesee streets-tben an ornament to the village, and the first brick build- ing put up after the court-bouse. General MoElwain was one of the first to organise the Wyoming County Agricultural Society, and was made one of its managers and elected its treasurer, and remained suod until the grounds were purobased and all the improvements made. Afterward be was for some years president of the society, and during the whole time be bad control of its finances. One of the last public services be performed was aiding in the erection of an exhibition ball, the summer before his death, which was changed to a two-story building largely through his erer- tions. While in the Senate in 188 and 1863 be procured the passage of the law that abolished the old district sobool system in Warsaw, and adopted the union free sobool plan. He was one of the board of education nearly twenty years, being president of the board during the time the stone sobool- house lot was purchased and the house built, and the lots in different parts of the village for primary schools were secured and buildings procured to put on them, and all in successful operation. Mr. McElwain's business after he left the grist and oil-mills, aside from his public duties, was keeping a public house, running the early stage linea and farming. His integrity. prudence, energy and strong native common sense won him success in all these callings, and secured for him the confidence and esteem of his fellow
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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES, TOWN OF WARSAW.
oftisens. He was a fine type of the resolute and public-spirited citizens who subdued the wilderness of western New York, and were worthy pioneers of the present calightened and prosperous community. He died on the End of Marob, 1876.
THOMAS MORNERE, father of Mrs. S. Menton Howard, was of Bootob de- toent. He came to America in 1784, and was a resident of Perry until 1612. when he moved to Warsaw, where be died in 1877. He reared. a family of four children, of whom Mrs. Mary' Ann Howard was the second born. Sbe was born in Perry, May 18th, 1896, and married 8. Menton Howard, of Perry, October Bist, 1848. He was a son of Samuel and Boxy Howard, natives of Connecticut, and was born April 8th, 1838. He spent four years during the war in the custom house at New York. In 1813 he came to Warsaw, and was connected with the Warsaw Manufacturing Company until January, 1874. He died January 6th, 1874, leaving a family of four children well provided for. He was deeply interested in educational interests, and served as waper- intendeat of schools many years.
EREN O. MoNAIR, son of David A. and Julia W. MoNatr, was bord in Kalamasoo, Mich., January 1st, 1860, and came to Wyoming county in May, 1871. Previous to this time Mr. MoNair was a resident of Washington, D. C., ten years. having been connected with the banking house of Jay Cooke & Co. as paying teller. Since 1813 he has been cashier of the bank at Warmaw. Mr. MoNair is a member of the Episcopal oburoh, and has been vestryman for several years. He is treasurer of the Warsaw union sobool board.
HORACE A. METOALF, son of Hubbard and Marola Metcalf, was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego county, February 6th, 1884. In the fall of 1854 he went to Buffalo and entered the bank of White & Co. as clerk, and was afterward cashier. In the fall of 1865 he came to Warsaw, and was connected with the Wyoming County Bank a year. He spent the winter of 1866-57 in Now Orleans, and in the spring of 1807 returned to White's bank in Buttalo, where he was employed until 1869, when be again came to Warsaw, and in conneo- tion with A. B. Lowrence built the first gas works, under the title of the Warsaw Gas Light Company, which made gas from resin. In 1865 they die- posed of the property, which was afterward burned. Mr. Metcalf, in com- pany with Mr.H. B.Jenka, built a tannery and managed it until 1864, when Mr. Metcalf sold out and again entered the Wyoming County Bank as clerk and book keeper. In 1889 he was elected cashier, which office be still bolds. He has been one of the trustees of Warsaw village three years, and a member of the ezalse board one year. He was married May aist, 1859, in Minnesota, to Mies Ellen L., daughter of Porter E. and Sarah Walker. They have two daughters-Louise, born August 4th, 1883, and Virginia E., born March 17th, 1971. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf are members of the Congregational church.
CYRUS R. MERCHANT is & son of Lot and Tabitha Merchant, natives of Manssobusetts, who came to Warsaw in 1806 and reared a family of nine children, six of whom are living. of whom Cyrus R. Merchant was the youngest. He was born July 2th, 1898, in Warsaw, where be bas since lived. In October, 1877, he came to his present location on Bast HILL. He is a farmer and the owner of two hundred and forty-five acres. He was married January 1st, 1849, to Mary E., daughter of Martin and Rhoda Bryant, of Vermont. They have five sons : Frederick, the youngest, now lives with his father. Mrs. Merchant is a member of the Baptist church.
WARREN S. MEROHANT, son of Cyrus and Mary E. Merchant, was born in Warsaw, May 5th, 1856. He attended the union sobool until 1876. In 1877 he took one of his father's farms to work on shares, and is now living on the same. He was married February $7th, 1877, to Lura A. Wood, daughter of Daniel and Ann Wood, of Best Rushford, Allegany county. They have two children-Bons and Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Merobant are members of the Baptist church.
WILLIAM D. MENER is a son of Isaac and Survilla Miner, who were born respectively April 12th, 1792, and August 18th, 1796, in Stonington, Conn. Both are living and are in perfect health and active in mindand body. Wil- liam D. Miner was born in Cayuga county, October 8d, 1824, and came to Wyoming county in 1626. He lived in Castille twenty-five years, and in Perry ten years. In 1861 he was elected sheriff of Wyoming county, and came to Warsaw, where he has since resided. Mr. Miner was married De- camber 28th, 1848, to Mies Elizabeth S., daughter of James and Ruth M. Bayles, of Castile, Wyoming county. They have three sons, named respeo- tively E. Fay, William D., jr. and John H. E. Fay, a member of the Frank Banking Association, of Corning, Ia., married Miss Lottie S., daughter of Otis S. Buxton, who for many years was doorkeeper of the House of Repre- contatives, Washington. D. C. The youngest son, William D., jr., is also married, and is in business with his brother in Corning. Ia. Jobn R. is as- detant postmaster under his father, who was appointed postmaster to all a Vacancy in July. 1875, and reappointed in December. 1875. He also beld the office of supervisor of the town of Warsaw" in 1809. Residence, 63 Main street.
JOHN W. MONTGOMERY, Son of James and Elizabeth Montgomery, was born in Ireland, May 4th, 1837. His father was born in 1783, and died in 1806. Mr. Montgomery came to America in 1850 and settled in Warsaw, where in 1868 be opened a boot and shoe store. He has been in the same line of trade dinos. His store was at 29 Main street, but was removed in June, 1880, to 17 Main street, which store he had recently bought. He was married in War- saw, February 9th, 1800, to Mise Anna Crawford, daughter of Malcom and Elizabeth Crawford, by whom he has had seven children, dix of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Montgomery has held the office of elder since December 8th. 1871, and was ordained December 21th, 1871. Residence on East Court street.
WILLIAM W. MOODY was born in Le Boy, Genesee county, jo 1860. In 1870 he came from his native town to Warsaw, where he is a produce merobant. He has been town clerk two years. and clerk of the village of Warsaw one year. June 14th, 1877, be married Riisebeth, daughter of Henry and Fliss- beth Garietsee, of Warsaw ..
NOBLE MORRIS is a son of Solomon and Olive Morris. Solomon Morris was born in Hampton, N. Y., in 1787. and Olive Morris in Orwell, Vt. They came to Wyoming county in 1806. Noble Morris was born March 21st, 1817, in Warsaw. When twenty-two years of age he went to Gainesville, where he remained three years. and returned to South Warsaw and ran & mill one year, which he had previously purchased. Going back to Gainesville be went into partnership with N. Park in the dry goods trade. In November, 1846, he came to Warsaw, and the firm of Hodge & Morris, hardware dealers, was formed. In 1862 Mr. Hodge sold his interest to 0. 8. Buxton, and the firm was Morris & Buxton until C. & T. Buxton bought a one-third interest and the style of the firm became Morris, Buxton & Co. Three years later Mr. Morris sold out his interest to the other partners, and three years later he and 8. D. Lewis purobased the business of Buxton & Co. Morris & Lowis continued business until February, 1678, when Edward H., son of Noble Morris, bought the interest of Mr. Lewis, and the firm is known as N. Mor- ris & Son. Noble Morris was married September 1st, 1842, and again Febru- ary Etnd, 1806, to Mrs. Helen L., widow of George Benedict. He bad two children by the first wife-Edward H. and.Lottie. Mr. Morris has been trus- tee of the village several years.
BOLOMON MORRIS, son of Solomon Morris, was born August 9th, 1787. in Washington county. He came to Warsaw about 1808, and located on a farm a mile and a half south of the village. He was married August 28d. 1810. to Mrs. Nobles, widow of Dwight Nobles, by whom he bad seven children, five of whom are living. He held the office of supervisor fifteen years. and was county superintendent of the poor a number of years. . He was a surveyor, and for some time did the surveying of the town. He died November 20th, 1889; Mrs. Morris died September 2nd, 1808, aged sixty-nine. Luther M. Morris, son of Solomon and Olive Morris, was born at Warsaw, January &d, 1815. In 1868 be worked for his father by the month. In 1887 be rented his father's farm for three years. After his father's death be took the farm and settled with the other beira. He was married May 2nd, 1844, to Lucy F. Bradley, daughter of Daniel and Banice Bradley, by whom he has had a son -Charles L. Morris, born at Warsaw, February 16th, 1846. He has always lived with his father. He was married October 11th, 1806, to Emma Trues- dell, daughter of Philander and Elisa Trucedell, of Warsaw. They have one child, Frank L. Morris.
DE WITT MUNGER is & son of Raymond R. and Elim Munger, natives of Connecticut, who came to Wyoming county in 1816 and settled -in Warsaw. Raymond B. Munger was married three times, De Witt being the second son by the second marriage. He was born October 15th, 1842, in Warsaw, and lived at home until be was twenty-three. He then worked a farm three years. In 1806, in partnership with "Mat" Keeney, be opened a livery stable in Warsaw village. The firm existed four years; then Mr. Munger was in partnership with Mr. Andrews one year, and has since been sole pro- prietor. He was married in January, 1864, to Fanny A., daughter of Willis and Elizabeth Felch, of Castile. They have had four children, two of whom are living-Fannie and Charlie.
PORTER B. MUNGER is a son of Morgan M. and Parnel E. Munger, natives of Connecticut, who came to Warsaw in 1816 and settled on West Hill, where Mrs. Munger still resides, Mr. Munger having died in 1858. leaving a family of ten children, of whom Porter B. Munger was the third. He wes born September 15th, 1889. He lived at home until August, 1802, when be enlisted in Company D. 180th N. Y. volunteers (afterward 1st K. Y. dra- goons), and served until discharged, May 2nd, 1866. Returning to Warsaw, he worked at farming for a time. He was married to Maria B. Hoisington, who died April 18th, 1876. October 28d. 1878, he married Agnes F., daughter of Harvey and Esther Tuttle, of Warsaw. He worked on the Brie Railway ten years. March 1st, 1875, he was elected constable and collector, and has since beid those offices. He has two daughters by his first wife. named Bianch P. and Lilian F. Munger. Mr. and Mrs. Munger and Lilian are members of the Congregational church.
SAMUEL J. MUNGER, son of R. R. and Elisa Munger, was born at War- saw. November 24th. 1888. He lived at home and worked on his father's farm until be was eighteen years old. In 1856 he worked at the miller's trade in the old Warsaw Mills, now known as the Premium Mills. In 1859 be worked at his trade in Wisconsin. In 1800 he returned to Warsaw, and was engaged in farming three years. In 1868 he bought the South Warsaw Mills, and is the present owner and operator of the same. He was married June 11th, 1868, to Nanoy Jodd, daughter of David and Jane Judd, by whom he had two children. one of whom, Carrie Bell, is living. Mrs. Munger died August Eind, 1806, aged twenty-six. Mr. Munger was married April 29th, 1809, to Henrietta M. Felch, by whom he had three children. Mrs. Munger is a member of the Baptist church.
GEORGE C. OTIS, son of Amos and Emeline Otis, was born at Wethersdeld. March 24th, 1811. At the age of seventeen he worked a part of his father's farm ou shares. Becoming aware of the necessity of an education, at the age of nineteen be entered school at Brockport, Monroe county, where be remained two years. In 1842 he resumed farming, and in 1864 bought what . is known as the Stanton farm, in the Wyoming valley, three miles north of the village of Warsaw. In 1878 be rented his farm and moved to the village, where he now resides. He was married December 18th, 1867, to E. Rose Warren, daughter of Jabez and Mary Warren, of Warsaw. They have one daughter, Carrie D. Mrs. Otis is a member of the Presbyterian church.
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HISTORY OF WYOMING COUNTY, NEW YORK.
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WARREN F. PROK, son of William B. and Permella Peok, was born March ast, 1889, in Covington, and moved to Middlebury with his parents in 1841. In 1878 he came to the town of Warsaw, where he now lives. He was mar- ried September 18th, 1878, to Emily Hatoh, daughter of Milton D. Hatob, of Warsaw. They have two children, Eva Bell, born June 29th, 1875, and Cas- dus B., born June Ist. 1879.
REV. JOSEPH BASTBURN NAMAU, D. D., was born in Norristown, Pa .. March 18th, 1837. He is the son of the Rev. Charles W. Nassau, D. D., who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania when he was seventeen years of age, and was licensed to presch before be bad attained his majority; became pastor at Norristown, and subsequently a successful educator as professor and president of Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., and later still as principal of the female seminary in Lawrenceville, N. J. Dr. C. W. Nassau died in Trenton, N. J., August 6th, 1878. The son, Dr. Joseph E. Namen, made a profession of religion while a student in Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., and in his sixteenth year united with the Presbyterian cburob in that place. He graduated from Lafayette in 1846, with the first honors of bis class, and was immediately chosen tutor in the college. This position, after two years, he resigned, to become classical professor in the high sobool and seminary in Lawrenceville, N. J. He entered the theological seminary at Princeton, N. J .; in 1849, and taking the full course graduated in 1868. He bad been licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Newton in 1851. In 1863 and 1864 be was principal of the female institute in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. This position be resigned early in 1856, desiring to enter more fully on the work of the ministry. During the summer of that year be supplied successively the Presbyterian churches in Fagy's Manor, Pa., and Warsaw. N. Y. While supplying the latter church he was in September unanimously chosen pes- tor, and October 24th, 1866, was installed by the Presbytery of Genesee River. Dr. Nassau's pastorate at Warsaw still remains unbroken, and bas been much blessed. Under his ministry the church has prospered and stead- ily grown in numbers and usefulness. It has enjoyed several special revi- vals, and has uniformly exerted a widespread Christian influence, and been distinguisbed for the seal and harmony of its members. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity, in 1872, from his alma mater, Lafar- ette College. For more than twenty years be has been the stated clerk of his presbytery, often moderator of presbytery, twice moderator of synod. and several times a commissioner to the general assembly. He has always taken an active interest in the causes of temperance and education, and is a trustee in several literary institutions. Dr. Nassau is emincatiy a sobolariy divine. His sermons show a critical power of analysis of his subject, and a keen acumen in dissecting the motives which dominate men of different modes of thought. He is clear and logical in reasoning, and polished and concise in diction. He is frank and fearlees in his denunciations of evil, whether in state or churob, at home or abroad ; but never censorious, and his reproofs are always taken in the spirit in which they are administered- as a part of the explicit duty of a faithful pastor and friend.
SAMUEL W. PERKINS, son of Elam and Lydia Perkins, was born at Hamp- ton, Washington county. January Mind. 1809. In February, 1814, be came with his parents to Warsaw, and lived with them until be was twenty-two. In 1886 be drove stage from Warsaw to Moscow, and the same year be bought fifty-five sores of partly improved land on lot 63. He has since added to it two hundred and eighty-five sores. When he made the first purchase he did not have a cent. and borrowed money to pay for having the papers made out. He has held the office of assessor. He was married March 28d. 1832, to Mary Densmore, daughter of Ephraim and Sarah Densmore, of Warsaw, by whom be bad six children. five of whom are living. Mrs. Per- kins died July 18th, 1879, aged sixty-eight. Mr. Perkins is a member of the churob of United Brethren. His father took up a farm of eighty-three sores wben be came to Warsaw, and lived on it until he died. He was mar- ried in 1803 to Lydia Wheat, by whom he bad nine children, of whom eight lived to be men and women. He was born in Cheshire, Conn., December 4th, 1788, and died April 16th, 1883. His wife died December 18th, 1885, aged seventy-seven.
SAMUEL D. PURDY (son of Albert and Sarah Purdy, natives of Vermont, who came to Wyomlug county in 1830 and settled in Perry) was born July 11th, 1828, in Manchester. Vt., and came with bis parents to Wyoming county. Albert Purdy was a merchant, and Samuel D., after be was old coough, assisted his father in the store. They traded in Perry until Septem- ber, 1864, when they came to Warsaw. Samuel D. Purdy was in the grocery trade in 1856, and in 1866-61 was employed in 8. A. Murray's dry goods store. He then bought Mr. Murray out, and traded on his own account until De- cember, 1868, when be sold his stook, and for ten years rented bis store. In April, 1878, he again occupied the store, and in July, 1879, the firm of 8am- uel Purdy & Sons was formed. Mr. Purdy was married August Xlst, 188%, to Frances M., daughter of Edmond and Doroes Bainbridge, of Warsaw. They have three children-Mary Eva, Albert Edmond and Charles Gridley Furdy.
MAURICE R. QUACKENBUSH, son of Isaso and Patty Quackenbush and twin brother of Paul Quackenbush, was born January Sist. 1857, in Plice (then in Allegany county). He had one sister. His father's family came to Wyoming county in 1836, but Mr. Quackenbush remained in Pike, attending school, and afterward entered Union College. March 4th, 1663. he came to Warsaw and entered the county clerk's office, and except during three years has since been employed there as deputy clerk and notary public. He was married in February, 1879, to Miss Mary L., daughter of John and Nancy Ridge, of Middlebury. Mrs. Quackenbush is a member of the First Presby- terian church of Warsaw.
GEORGE C. SHATTUCK was born in Attion, in 1849. He is a grocer, and bes long been a resident of Warsaw. In 1878 he married Miss M. Dunbam. daughter of Alonso and Harriet Dunham, of Warsaw. He was a charter member of Cataract Hose Company, of Warsaw, and has since been ita fore- man, assistant foreman and treasurer.
JOMW H. SLOCUM (son of Peleg, jr., and Catharine Booum, natives of Rhode Island, who settled in Warsaw in 1880, and reared a family of seven children, of whom John H. was the oldest) was born in Rhode Island, April 14th, 1812, and came to the town with his parents. April 19th, 1837, he re- moved to his present location, in the eastern part of the town, where be owns sixty-nine and a half acres of land. He has been a carpenter and joiner and a farmer. He was married Angust $7th, 1837, to Mary Ann, daughter of John and Esther Cottrell, of Ontario county. They have three children-William C., George D. and Mary E. Mrs. Boouma is & mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Slocum is's Republican po- Mitically.
JOHN B. SMALLWOOD, son of Michael and Elizabeth Smallwood, was born at Warsaw, July 19th, 1888. He graduated from Genesee College, at Lima. in 1865. In 1863-66 he was professor of mathematics at the Perry Academy. From the latter year to 1878 be was a farmer. In the fall of 1800 he was 'elected school superintendent of Wyoming county, and served three years, In 1878 be was re-elected to the same omce. He was married December 7th. 1866, to Octavia J. Atkinson, dangbter of Martin and Amanda Atkinson, by whom he has five children-Mabel R., aged twelve : Grace A., aged ten : Ruth, aged eight ; William T., aged six ; Charles B., aged four. .
WILLIAM W. SMALLWOOD is a son of Michael and Elizabeth Smallwood, natives of England, who came to America in 1819 and settled in York, Liv- ingston county. In 1838 they came to Warsaw and built a log cabin in the woods, where the smallwood homestead now stands. They bad a family of seven children, of whom William W. was the fourth. He was born Deoem- ber 18th, 1847, and lived at home until be was twenty-five. He was married December 28th, 1871, to Eloise, daughter of Henry and Nancy Martin, of Orleans county. They have three sons and one daughter. Mr. Smallwood holds the office of assessor. Mr. and Mrs. Smallwood are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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