USA > New York > Yates County > History of Yates County, N.Y. : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 50
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Bragg, Ethan, born in Erie County, N. Y., about 1822, married Eliza Finch, of Milo, by whom he had two children, Martin and Zalmuna. In 1862 Mr. Bragg enlisted in the 126th Infantry New York Volunteers, and was discharged with his regiment. Zalmuna Bragg, born March 27, 1857, in Milo, was educated in the public schools and in Starkey Seminary and Oberlin College. August 20, 1885, he married Ida A., daughter of Sanford Kriss, of Starkey. Mr. Bragg is a farmer and fruit grower. His maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Buxton, William W., was a son of John Buxton, jr., and the grandson of John, sr., the latter one of the pioneers of Milo. William W. was born in Milo August 9, 1837. He started out in life with a determination to possess a thorough education, but financial reverses coming to his father changed his plans and compelled his return to the farm. He exhibited a remarkable inclination and taste for geology and mineralogy, and in these fields he has indulged so far as time would permit. His chief oc- cupation is farming and fruit and grape growing. In 1861 Mr. Buxton married Sarah C. Babcock, by whom he has two children, John G. and Watts. The latter died in infancy.
Cheney, T. Apoleon, born in Leon, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., March 16, 1830, was educated in the public schools and graduated from Ober- lin College, June 12, 1851. He married Julia R. Towers, of Conewango, N. Y. She was born April 9, 1829. They had five children : Louis A., Julia E., Willis, Francis and George B. Louis A. Cheney was born April 29, 1852, at Leon, N. Y. He is a fruit grower and apiarist. March 5, 1875, he married Ida J., daughter of Samuel P. Bryant of Covington, Tioga County, Pa. They have one daughter, Mabel, living, born February 5, 1889.
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Chubb, Ira, became a resident of Himrods in Yates County, in 1887, but was a native of Steuben County, N. Y., being born at Bradford in 1845. He was a farmer. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, 161st New York Volunteers, and served three years and three months. He was scalded on a gunboat and made prisoner at Sabine Pass. There- after he was confined in the rebel prisons at Husted, Hemstead and Tyler or eleven months, before being exchanged. He then rejoined his command and completed his term. In 1866 Mr. Chubb married Rebecca Dickinson, by whom he has two children. Since living at Him- rods he has devoted his time to speculation.
Cornell, William, born in Ireland March 6, 1841, came to America with his parents in 1851, and first located in Bradford, Steuben County, N. Y. He then lived with Daniel Washburn in Altay, Schuyler County, N. Y., one year and six months, and then resided with his uncle, Will- iam R. Baskins in Starkey, until he was twenty-one years old. He then came to Milo and worked for George L. Jones. September 4, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, 148th Infantry Volunteers, and partic- ipated in the battles of Chapin's Farm and Fair Oaks. In the latter fight he was captured with fifty- six others of his regiment and taken to Libby Prison, where he remained a short time, and was then taken to Salisbury, N. C., where he remained until February 22, 1865, and was then taken to Raleigh, where he was paroled and sent to Wilmington, N. C., where he and others were turned over to the United States au- thorities and sent to Annapolis, Md. He was discharged July 19, 1865, at Elmira, N. Y. December 30, 1865, he married a daughter of Henry Spears, of Tyrone, Schuyler County, N. Y. They have two children, Eva and William.
Dewey, David E., the proprietor of the popular resort known as the " Ark," was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1842. At the outbreak of the late war he was in the south and was conscripted into the Confederate service. After three years he deserted and came into the Union camp. He was wounded on the first day of the Battle of the Wilderness. He afterward resided in Wayne County, Michigan, and came to New York State in 1876. In 1880 he purchased the "Ark " property from Calvin Carpenter, remodeled it and improved it, and made it the popular re- sort that it is. The mineral springs here have become almost famous.
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Dunn, Homer W., was born in Painted Post, Steuben County, N. Y., March 4, 1814, was educated in the public schools, and was a farmer by occupation. January 17, 1839, he married Mary A., daughter of Rus- sell A. Hunt, by whom he had five children : Rebekah A , Theron T., who married Carrie A. Holden and resides in Chicago, Ill. ; Florence H., who married Thomas Ellis and lives in Watkins, N. Y. ; Willis C., Carrabel, who married S. Frank Swarthout and resides in Milo. Rebekah A. and Willis C. are unmarried and remain at the homestead with their mother. Mr. Dunn is a successful farmer, giving particular attention to breeding fine stock.
Fiero, John C., was born in Ulster County, N. Y., October 28, 1816, a son of Abram and Mary Fiero. In April, 1842, he came to Milo Cen- ter with a stock of goods, and started in trade. He was in business here for six years, when he moved to Cass County, Mich., where he kept a store for three years. Returning thence to Milo, Mr. Fiero bought the old Abel Hunt farm, on which he has since lived in com- fort and quiet. On the 14th of February, 1844, in Milo, he married Mary A., daughter of William W. Aspell. Five children have been born of this marriage : William H., Frank J., John A., Helen and Etta. John C. Fiero is one of the strong Republicans of Milo, but of late years he has taken no active part in politics. He was assessor of the town three years.
Gano, Emmett, born in Dundee, June 7, 1850, was the son of Joseph and Adaline (Reader) Gano, and the youngest of six children. Emmett was reared on his father's farm, and at the age of twenty started out for himself. In 1874 he bought from Penfield Mulford 124 acres of land in Milo, one of the best and most pleasantly situated tracts in the town. On this property Mr. Gano has made material changes and improvements and now has ten acres of vineyard, six acres of berries, fourteen acres of apple orchard, and between 400 and 500 peach trees. On June 12, 1888, he married Ruth Ann, daughter of Henry and Marietta Hicks, of Penn Yan, N. Y. Mr. Gano and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Penn Yan.
Gardner Family, The .- Mary Reynolds married George Gardner, of North Kingston, R. I. She was a firm believer in the doctrines of Je-
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mima Wilkinson, and one of her most faithful followers. Leaving her husband behind she brought her children, Dorcas, Abner and George, and settled near the Friend's residence on the west shore of Seneca Lake. Dorcas Gardner, born in 1779, married Eleazer Ingham, jr., and their children were John, Abigail, Mary, George, Rhoda, Rachel and Nancy. Abner Gardner, born in 1781, married Mary, daughter of Rowland Champlin, in 1814. Their children were Mary S., George W., Rowland J., and Abner. The father died in 1860, the mother in 1858. Mary S., unmarried, died in 1839; George W., born in 1816, married Mary, daughter of Daniel Husted, reside in Torry. Their children are Melville G., married, and a prosperous citizen of Michigan; Hannah, married, and living in Michigan ; Charles, single, residing with his par- ents; Mary married and at home.
Gardner, Rowland J., was born in 1821 and married first, Lydia L., daughter of Henry Hunt. His second wife is Emma, daughter of Ste- phen Bennett. They reside on lot 21. Mr. Gardner is a prominent stock grower and an honored and useful citizen. Their children are Rowland J., born in 1865; Jonathan J. born in 1867; Mary L., born in 1870; Lee B., born in 1873 ; George A., born in 1875 ; and Emma D., born in 1877. Rowland J., Jonathan J., and Mary L., are married and live near the paternal home. Abner Gardner, jr., born in 1825, married Sarah, daughter of John Stone. Their children are Rowland J. 2d, born in 1850, and Abner Elmer, born in 1862. Both sons are married and are intelligent, useful citizens. Intelligence, thrift and hospitality mark all the members of this family, and the heads of these families have all been honored by the suffrages of the people with positions of trust and honor.
Haines, Egbert, born in Putnam County in the town of Southeast, January 5, 1824, was the son of Edmund and Sarah Haines. He lived for a time in Chenango County, but in January, 1854, went to Torrey, Yates County. In 1881 Mr. Haines bought an excellent location near Penn Yan, and since that time has made his home at the latter place. On December 14, 1846, he married Amelia Townsend. They have no children. Both are members of the Baptist Church at Benton.
Henderson, James A., son of Samuel and Henrietta F. Henderson, was born in Milo, March 24, 1822. At the age of twenty-eight he
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commenced railroading on the Erie and later went to Georgia and Mis- sissippi, where he was at the commencement of the war. He was not conscripted into the Confederate service, but stayed south voluntarily, conducting trains and doing other railroad service under military authority. In 1863 he returned to Milo and purchased 137 acres in the south part of the town. Here he has since lived, devoting his time to agricultural pursuits. In 1858, at Brooklyn, N. Y., Mr. Henderson married Mary E. Abbey, by whom he had four children. In 1871 Mrs. Henderson died, and April 3, 1888, Mr. Henderson married Mary E., daughter of Alexander Bell.
Hollowell, John B., was born in the town of Milo on the farm on which he now resides on October 5, 1820. He was the son of Joseph and Eleanor Hollowell, old and highly respected residents. Joseph was a shoemaker by trade, but took to farming as a more suitable occupa- tion. Both he and his wife died on the farm now occupied by John B. The latter has always lived on this farm, but the improvements he has made have entirely changed its appearance. John B. Hollowell mar- ried Mercy E. Sprague, and to them have been born six children : Eleanor, De Witt, Olive, John, Alice and Franc. He is a prominent member, steward and class-leader of the M. E. Church at Milo Center. In politics he has been a Republican, but is now a staunch Prohibi- tionist.
Hyatt, Nelson, was born in Covert, Seneca County, N. Y., March 2, 1831, the son of Abram and Mary (Smith) Hyatt, of that place. He has followed various occupations commencing as school teacher, then as in- structor in music, followed by several years as editor of weekly newspa- pers (the Dundee Record, Waterloo Observer and the Ovid Independent), and at other and intermediate times his favorite calling, that of teaching music. While connected with the Dundee Record he studied law in the office of Seeley & Wolcott, and was admitted to practice in 1857, but has never practiced his profession. About 1875 he came to reside in Milo, just outside the limits of Penn Yan. Here he has entered into a fine grape and fruit-growing business, together with music teaching. In 1862 Mr. Hyatt married Celia Wright, of Waterloo. Two children have been born of this marriage.
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
Jones, Seth Nelson, son of Seth and Rachel (Fitzwater) Jones, was born in August, 1833. Both parents were of old pioneer stock in the county, and both were members of respected families. The old Jones home farm is still in the family, the property of Seth N. At eighteen years of age S. Nelson started for himself. He worked on the farm summers and taught school winters. About eighteen years ago he came to Himrods, and entering commercial life as the active member in partnership with G. S. Ayres, became a dealer in grain, coal, lum- ber, seeds and phosphates, doing an extensive and successful business. In 1858 he married Margaret Rapalee, by whom he has had one child, Herbert A. Jones.
Jones, Asa L., born in Milo, October 1I, 1826, and a son of Seth and Rachel Jones, has always been a farmer, teaching school winters, with few exceptions, from 1847 to 1872. Prior to 1872 he and his brother Loring owned a farm in Starkey. In politics Mr. Jones is in- dependent, taking no practical active part in the prevailing conduct and management of the different organized parties, but possessing a lively interest in local, State and national affairs, as becomes every good citizen.
Jones, Josiah, came to the State of New York in 1806, and located near the village of Himrods. His son Seth, born August 23, 1786, in East Greenwich, came with his parents from Vermont to Milo when a young man. February 5, 1823, he married Rachel, daughter of George Fitzwater, of Milo. She was born December 13, 1796. They had five children : George L., Asa L., born October II, 1826; Loring G., born January 6, 1830, died May 25, 1890; and Allen C. George L. Jones, born May II, 1825. was educated in the public schools and in Starkey Seminary. After a varied career he settled on a farm and October I, 1867, he married Mary E., daughter of Samuel Embree, of Torrey. Allen C. Jones was born in Milo, Novmber 22, 1835, was educated in the public schools, and is a prosperous farmer. March 6, 1866, he mar- ried Eliza, daughter of Moses Rapalee, of Torrey. S. Nelson Jones, born August 10, 1833, received an academic education, and is a farm- er and grain, coal and lumber dealer. February 4, 1858, he married Margaret, daughter of Miles G. Raplee, of Milo. They had one son, Herbert A. Mrs. Jones died April 27, 1883. Herbert A. Jones was
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born October 24, 1860, and was educated in Starkey Seminary. In 1882 he began farming and the nursery business on the homestead farm, and has made a successful business in all branches. December 14, 1881, he married Josephine E., daughter of John H. Plattman, of Bellona. They have had two children, Leslie Gordon, born August 29, 1886, and died June 16, 1891, and Margaret Maria, born February 17, 1889, now living.
In 1830 there left England for America a colony of farmers under Winthrop and Salstonstall, and among them were William, Nicholas and Roger Knapp, brothers. William located in Watertown, Mass., in 1630. His children were William, Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, Judith, John and James. Nicholas settled at the same place. By his wife Eleanor he had seven children : Jonathan, Timothy, Joshua, Caleb, Sarah, Ruth and Hannah, In 1648 he moved to Stamford, Conn., where he had two children, Moses and Lydia, by his wife, Unity. Roger located in New Haven, and later at Fairfield, Conn., where by his will he mentions his wife Elizabeth, and children Jonathan, Josiah, Lydia, Roger, John, Nathaniel, Eliza and Mary. James Knapp came from Dutchess County to Cortland, and thence to Yates County in 1815. He served in the war of 1776 as drum major for over six years, and was in the Indian raid with General Sullivan in 1779. He married Lucy C. Ball, by whom he had four children, Anna B., Samuel C., James A., and Pamelia. The parents died in 1831, aged respectively sixty-seven and sixty - six years. James A. Knapp was born in 1794, and in 1816 married Margaret Heltibidal. They had nine children, George H., Mar- sena V. B., Aaron P., Samuel A., Mary L., Charles F., Oliver C., Will- iam C., and Franklin R. The latter was born in Penn Yan, June 18, 1844, and was a soldier in the Union army during the Rebellion. October 2, 1867, he married Frances A., daughter of John and Lucy A. Shepard, of Milo. She was born at Reed's Corners, Ontario County, N. Y. Her father, John Shepard, born in Norfolk, England, came to America in 1838 and located in Gorham, Ontario County, N. Y. Mr. Shepard moved to Himrods in 1876, and was proprietor of the hotel which Mr. Knapp now conducts, for eighteen years.
Longwell, Andrew, born in Bath, N. Y., in June, 1840, was the youngest son of Orrin and Rebecca Longwell. The father came to Milo in
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1857, settling on the farm on which Andrew Longwell now lives, and on which he died in 1867. The place descended to him on his pay- ing the interests to the other heirs. In 1867 Mr. Longwell married Rebecca Miller, by whom he has had three children.
McFarlane, Duncan, was born in Dunbartonshire, Scotland, in 1788. About 1835 he married Christina Smith. They came to America and located at Hamden, Delaware County, N. Y. They had eight children, Jane, Helen, Mary, Andrew, John S. and Margaret. Andrew wasa soldier of the late war and died in Andersonville Prison. John S., born June 21, 1835, in early manhood was a farmer. May 2, 1861, he married Margaret J., daughter of William Fraser, a Presbyterian minister of Hamden, Delaware County, N. Y. They have had seven children, William A., M. Lizzie, Nellie C., Jennie S. and Jessie C. (twins), Mar- garet, and one who died in infancy. William A. is a merchant with his father. John S. McFarlane enlisted in Company C, 14th Inf. New York Vols., August 26, 1862, and served until the close of the war. He was promoted corporal October 1, 1864, and subsequently second ser- geant. Upon his return to Milo he was section foreman on the North- ern Central Railroad for eight years. He then became a general mer- chant in Himrods. He is a member of Sloan Post, G. A. R.
Miller, David, tenth of fourteen children born to Samuel V. C. and Esther C. Miller, was born in New Jersey and came with the family to Milo in 1823. David was born September 13, 1822, and lived on the old family homestead on Lake Keuka. He is a farmer and vineyardist, having been one of the pioneers of the latter industry in this locality. In. 1868 he married Pricilla A. Haight, of Jerusalem, of which marriage three children have been born. Two of these, Jessie M. and David E., are living. The old farm comprises 118 acres, of which twenty are in vineyard.
Miller, James, was born in Steuben County, N. Y., March 22, 1819, the eldest of five children. Soon after he reached the age of ten years his father died, leaving a farm of fifty acres partly improved, and an ox team. With the assistance of a brother and his mother, James carried on the farm and kept the family together until he attained his majority. His time was spent alternately on the farm and in the district school
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during these early years, supplemented by a brief attendance at the Penn Yan Academy. After teaching school for a few terms, and at- tending an academy and a select school, he entered the academy at Aurora, Cayuga County, in 1842. He then devoted his attention to the lumber and transportation business until 1850, when he assumed the management of the farm on which he now resides. Mr. Miller married, August 31, 1843, Hannah Benedict, whose father owned their present farm, which is Mrs. Miller's birthplace. They have two sons and a daughter, of whom the oldest son died December 21, 1881. The youngest son is now married and has a son and a daughter living. James Miller's daughter graduated from Vassar College in the class of '77. She taught Greek and Latin in the Chambersburg Female College one year and in Vassar College three years. She married Rev. P. W. Dor-
sey and now lives in Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Miller is a leading farmer and an ardent advocate of the modern methods of agriculture. He is a writer of considerable ability upon agricultural topics, and in this field he has wielded a potent influence. It is safe to say that he doubled the products of the farm he occupies, and in the State at large has, through his teachings, materially increased the average farmer's income.
Miller, Samuel V., son of Samuel and Esther (Cutler) Miller, was born in New Jersey, February 8, 1814, and has lived in Yates County the greater part of his life. He is a farmer, the occupation to which he was brought up. May 8, 1842, he married Adeline (who was born May 15, 1815), daughter of Allen Vorce, by whom he had six children, Gertrude, Lois, Frank, Esther, Ella and Adeline. Mrs. Miller died March 15, 1861, and November 14, 1864, Mr. Miller married Drusilla, daughter of Jonathan Miles, by whom he has had three children, Sam - uel M., Charles W. and Lizzie B. Samuel V. Miller has for many years been one of the prominent men of Milo, though not conspicuous in public office. He is one who has been identified with the best interests of the town.
Nichols, Loring G., was born in Milo, August 22, 1822, the only survivor of four children born to Alexander and Mary Nichols, the lat- ter of whom will be remembered by a few of the older people of Milo as having been a tanner and currier of the town. Loring G. was brought up in part to his father's trade but gave his attention more
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particularly to farming. The old family homestead and farm are now his. At the age of twenty-three Loring married Charlotte Guile, daughter of Libbius B. and Minerva Guile, by whom he had four chil- dren, Libbius M., who married Lottie Sherman, Andrew F., who mar- ried Frances Briggs, Minnie C. (Mrs. C. H. Jennings), and Dora M. (Mrs. Frank Owen). Mr. Nichols is comfortably and pleasantly situ- ated on his excellent farm, just south of Milo Center. In politics he is a Republican. He has held some of the minor offices of the town. He is a member of the Second Milo Baptist church.
Owen, Ira, a prosperous farmer, was born in Milo April 28, 1827, the son of Jonathan and Freelove Owen. His father's children were Allen, Ira, Benjamin, Leonard, Minerva and Mary Jane. At the age of twenty- two he married Diantha, daughter of Ezekiel Swarthout. Three chil- dren have been born to them: Georgia (Mrs. Eugene Lewis), Lola (Mrs. Orson Brundage), and Merton, who carries on his father's farm, married Eva Bogers. Ira Owen has always been a farmer; he lives at Second Milo, about one mile from his farm property, and in politics he is a Republican, but takes no active part in the councils of his party. The family are members of the Second Milo Baptist Church.
Plimpton, John, came from Massachusetts and settled in Milo about 1796. He had eight children : Esther, who married Enoch Sherman ; Rachel, who married Carlton Legg; Moses, who married Betsey Col- dren; Aaron; John, who married Harriet Holden ; Rhoda, wife of Robert Taft; Polly (or Mary), wife of Chapin Taft; and Henry, who married Mary Ann Worden. All are now dead. Aaron Plimpton, born in Massachusetts in 1788, came with his father's family to Milo in 1796. He returned to Massachusetts in 1810, but came again into Milo in 1812 and afterwards worked in Abraham Wagener's mill at Penn Yan. He bought a farm some years later, and lived and died thereon. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of George Hiltibidal, and a native of Sunbury, Pa. They had five children, viz .: Daniel, George W., Stephen V. R., Mary E. (Mrs. Andrew Thayer), and Ezra W. Aaron Plimpton died in 1866 and his wife in 1872. He was a prominent Democrat, but not an office seeker or holder, his interest was that of the substantial citizen, and not of the politician. His son, George W. Plimpton, lives on the homestead farm. He was born August 17, 1824, and has spent
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his life in the town and on the same farm. In 1855 he married Caro- line Stone, by whom he has had three children, two of whom, Ida E. and Aaron, are living. Mr. Plimpton is a Democrat by conviction.
Raplee, Delanson Munger, born in Milo, April 1I, 1824, was the son of Ezra and Amarillus (Dains) Raplee. On his mother's side he is descended from one of the pioneers of western New York. He has always been a farmer in Milo and a successful, substantial one, too. In 1851 he married Elvira, daughter of Jonas Perry, of Otsego County. They have had three children : Frank P., Mary Frances, and Freddie A.
Raplee, Miners, son of Miles and Maria Raplee, was born in Milo October 23, 1841. He was reared on his father's farm, where he lived until his father's death. In his stables on his splendid farm on the Bath road in Milo can be found some of the best bred horses in Yates County, among them, the horse "Stillman" a half brother to the famous " Jerome Eddy " and son of old " Louis Napoleon ". Mr. Raplee has a number of exceptionally fine animals. In 1877 he married Roena, daughter of James Spooner, of Milo, and they have had two children, Irene and Corrinne (twins).
Scutt, Seymour S., born in Columbia County, August 4, 1825, was the son of Henry and Mary Scutt. The family came to Milo in Novem- ber, 1825, and settled in the south part of the town. In 1849 Seymour S. married Mary A., daughter of Thomas Fitzwater, an old resident of Milo, who came into the town at the age of five years, from Pennsyl- vania, and spent his life here. Mr. Scutt is a successful farmer and one whose interests are centered in his farms rather in public affairs. He is a Republican, but has never sought or held office. Both he and his wife are members of the Second Milo Baptist Church.
Shearman, George, one of the most energetic men of the country during his time, was born in Dublin, Ireland, March 24, 1790. He left home at the age of fourteen, and came to America. After living in Otsego two years he came to Penn Yan about 1808, where he had a store near the corner of Main and Jacob streets. Here he was engaged in trade some twenty-five or thirty years. He built a hotel-the " American"-near, or on, the site of Cornwell's Opera House block, and a grist-mill, a potashery, and a distillery on the outlet. One of his 68
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