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 51
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
partners was Solomon D. Weaver, and during their association the firm operated two saw -mills, two grist-mills, and two distilleries. Mr. Shear- man met with reverses that cost him his fortune, but others profited by his financial downfall. He retired to his farm south of the village, and engaged in the mercantile business in Penn Yan with a partner, Daniel B. Bissell, carrying on the largest dry goods business in this part of the country. After closing out this business, he engaged in grain buying. From this time on, his son Oliver, although quite young, was associated with his father, and at his death continued the business. Mr. Shearman was a captain of Light Horse Cavalry, having the largest company in the State, and escorted Gen. La Fayette on part of his tour through this State. He was always a Democrat and served as county clerk several
terms. He was very public spirited and one of the foremost promoters of the building of the canal from Dresden to Penn Yan. On the 3Ist of March, 1811, he married Rebecca, daughter of David Wagener, by whom he had these children : Abraham W., William, Mary Ann, Mary Ann 2d, George, Rebecca, Eliza, Isabella, William 2d, Charles, Oliver G., and Eleanor. Of these children, only four, George, Charles, Oliver G., and Eleanor are living. Mrs. Shearman was a pious woman and a devoted Methodist, being one of the first class of fourteen, who held meetings about in private houses, before a church was organized. An incident is told of her having gone to Geneva, a distance of sixteen miles, on horseback, to attend Love Feast, and being then refused admission because she had two feathers on her bonnet. Mr. Shearman was trus- tee of the church and their house was a regular stopping place for all Methodist ministers. George Shearman died December 26, 1859, and
his wife January 14, 1855. George Shearman, jr., born July 28, 1818, is the oldest representative of his family in the county. He is a substan- tial farmer of Milo, and one whose efforts in life have been rewarded with more than a fair degree of success. December 5, 1840, he married Phebe Baxter, of Milo, by whom he has had two children, Abram and Mary, the latter the wife of Capt. Abraham Gridley. The farm on which Mr. Shearman lives was formerly known as the Stewart farm, and this Mr. Shearman purchased before his marriage, about the year 1838. He is a devoted member and trustee of the Penn Yan M. E. Church.
Spooner, Leonard T., was born in Milo November 27, 1819, the son of Luther and Hannah Spooner, both old and respected residents of the
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town. On January 1, 1844, Leonard married Mary Ann Nichols and settled on the farm where he now lives. He has always been a farmer, careful and conservative in action, but true to his convictions of right. One child was born to them, Marvin L. Spooner, a graduate from Syr- acuse University, and at present a professor of mathematics in Keuka College. Mrs. Spooner died, after an illness of only a few hours, July 26, 1891. M. L. Spooner was married August 10, 1881, to Lina A. Hunt, daughter of Adam Hunt. They have two children, L. H. Spooner, born August 4, 1888, and Laura M. Spooner, born August 4, 1890.
Stone, John and Abigail (Winship), were pioneers in Milo, N. Y., coming from Chester County, Pa., in 1797 and locating on the farm now owned by Calvin H. Stone. In their family were nine children. John Stone died in the town in December, 1873. Calvin H. Stone has always lived on this farm, having been born here September 15, 1815. The property was sold to him by his father prior to the latter's death. In 1849 Calvin married Mary A. Keeler by whom he has two children, John A. and Charles A. Mr. Stone was formerly a Democrat, but changed his views on account of his opinions on the slavery question, which to his mind made Democracy and anti-slavery incompatible. He has since then been a strong Republican, and as such was assessor of his town for twenty-three years. He is also a faithful member of the Second Milo Church (Baptist) and for about thirty years has been super- intendent of its Sunday school.
Swarthout, John, was born in Barrington, May 13, 1835, being one of the younger children of George F. and Roena (Russell) Swarthout. Of the older branch of this family mention will be found in another part of this present volume .. George F. Swarthout died in 1853, leav- ing $900 to each of his children. With his share John bought a part of the Owens farm in Milo. In March, 1858, he married Ann E., daughter of Jonathan Spencer. Two children have been born of this marriage, neither of whom is now living. John Swarthout is considered one of the successful farmers of Milo, and one who finds profit as well as pleasure in his work. He is prominent in town affairs and is a staunch Republican. He has held the office of commissioner of highways for more than nine years.
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
Swarthout, William R., was born in Barrington, August 20, 1823, the third of eleven children born to George F. and Roena (Russell) Swarthout. William R., more familiarly known as Deacon Swarthout by reason of his long term as deacon (thirty years) of the Second Milo Baptist Church, commenced life as a farmer by buying fifty acres from his father, but between that and the time of purchasing his present farm, he had lived on various farms in the town and in Torrey. His present property was formerly known as the Baxter Kinney Place, containing 100 acres, and located about a mile south of Penn Yan. In 1845 he married Hannah Ann Spooner, by whom he had two children, Hor- tense and Hattie M., both of whom are married. Deacon Swarthout has been an industrious and successful farmer.
Three brothers of the Taylor family came from Wales, England, to America at an early day. One was killed by the Indians. John Taylor was born in Sheffield, Mass., March 13, 1771, being on his father's side of Welsh descent and on his mother's side of Scotch. He died in Starkey on March 9, 1857, revered by all as an upright citizen. One of his children by his second marriage was John W., who was born September 18, 1819, in Starkey and was educated in the public schools. He spent one year in Ovid Academy and two years in Canandaigua Academy, graduating finally from Wabash College in 1851. He went south and taught in the academy at Raleigh, Tenn., for one year and for two years was tutor in a private family at Holly Springs, Miss. He then returned to his native State and was admitted to the bar and practiced law with Kernan and others. May 17, 1854, he married Elizabeth T., daughter of Russell A. and Ann M. Hunt, of Milo. They had one son, Frank R., born June 7, 1860, in Canandaigua. After attending the common schools Frank R. spent three years at Penn Yan Academy and one year in Hobart College at Geneva. He then taught school for three years. November 24, 1886, he married H. Anna, daughter of Amos E. Vanorsdall, of Himrods. She was born October 7, 1864. Mr. Taylor is a prosperous farmer and fruit grower.
Thayer family, the. Jacob Thayer, son of Simeon Thayer, one of the pioneers of Yates County, was born September 29, 1806, and died in September, 1886. His wife, Sarah Ann McIntyre, was born August 27, 1815, and died in June, 1883. They were married September 26, 1830.
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Their children were Archibald, born June 22, 1831 ; Susan N., born May 9, 1833, died June 5, 1869 ; Simeon, born May 18, 1835 ; Sylves- ter N., born May 7, 1837 ; Jacob W., born April 7, 1839 ; James K., born October 30, 1841 ; and Angeline A., born June 4, 1847. Archi- bald Thayer, better known from his long service on Crooked Lake as Capt. Archie Thayer, left the lake in 1887 and moved to the homestead farm where he now has one of the best vineyards in the town of Milo. December 25, 1855, he married Minerva Wheeler.
Thayer, Jacob W., son of Jacob Thayer, was born in Milo April 7, 1839. He bought a sixty acre farm from his father on the lake road and in 1864 he purchased a fifty- acre farm on the Bath road. This latter has been sold in parcels until Mr. Thayer has but little left-about seventeen acres-which is all in vineyard. On November 15, 1859, he married Marietta, daughter of Joel Workman, of Milo. They have two children, Anna Amelia and William Joel. Mr. Thayer has been an extensive traveler, selling agricultural implements over a territory of eleven States for D. M. Osborn & Co. of Auburn. He is also the in - ventor and builder of a binder that has done excellent work.
Thayer, James, the son of Simeon Thayer, the pioneer, was born May 29, 1810 (died January 8, 1881), and married Zenecia, daughter of Allen Bassett, of Barrington, by whom he had six children : James A., Emma, Laura, Fanny, Mary and one who died in infancy. James Thayer is remembered as having been one of the best farmers and one of the foremost men of the town of Milo. James A. Thayer, who suc- ceeded his father in the ownership of the farm, was born in Milo, April, 26, 1843, educated in the common schools and Prof. Ayres' select school, also at the Penn Yan Academy, and at the age of sixteen began teach- ing winter school, continuing for eight years. In 1867 he married Allie, daughter of James Lawrence, of Milo, by whom he had one child, May, the wife of H. E. Huie, of Springfield, Mass. Mrs. Thayer died Septem- ber 22, 1884, and in January, 1886, Mr. Thayer married Nellie S. Huie, of Rushville, N. Y., by whom he has one child, Zenecia. He is one of the most progressive and successful farmers of Milo, having been honored several times with positions of trust and importance. He was clerk of the board of supervisors in 1883-84, school commissioner of Yates County from 1885 to 1891. For a number of years he has been president
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
of the County Teacher's Association, is now a director of the Farmer's Alliance Insurance Co., and for several years served as secretary of the Yates County Agricultural Society. He is a prominent member of the M. E. Church and for three years was superintendent of its Sunday school.
Thayer, James K .. the sixth child of Jacob Thayer, and the grandson of Simeon Thayer, was born in Milo, October 31, 1841. He lived at home until twenty years old, when he started out to make his own way in life. Two years later he married Helen C. Freeman, of Milo, by whom he had two children, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Thayer's farm comprises sixty-one acres of land on the east shore of Crooked Lake. He is a thrifty and industrious farmer and fruit grower. In politics he is a conservative Democrat. Both himself and wife are members of the Penn Yan M. E. Church.
Thayer, Simeon 2d, born in Milo, May 18, 1835, was the third child of Jacob and Sarah Ann Thayer. Simeon was reared on the farm ; for one year he was foreman on a railroad construction train. He first began farming where Jacob W. Thayer now lives. His present property is a twenty-three-acre vineyard on Lake Keuka. In 1856 Mr. Thayer married Elizabeth Raplee, who died, leaving two children. His second wife was Mary Morris, to whom one child has been born.
Youngs, Isaiah, was born in Milo, N. Y., August 19, 1819, and was the second of six children born to George and Rebecca Youngs, both of the later being old and highly respected citizens of the town. Isaiah was brought up to farm work, and at the age of twenty-five commenced conducting his father's farm, being the same that Isaiah now owns. He lived there from 1846 to 1887, when he removed to his present loca- tion. In 1846 he married Sybilla L., daughter of John Matthias, of Milo ; four children were born to them, of whom one is deceased. Mr. Youngs is one of Milo's substantial Democrats, and as well one of the town's foremost citizens. For one term he held the office of town assessor.
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VILLAGE OF PENN YAN.
Barden, William W., M.D., born in Penn Yan, January, 1845, read medicine with his father, Henry Barden ; graduated from Pennsylvania Homeopathic College in 1869, after which he located in Penn Yan, where he has practiced since. Married in 1882, Cornelia McCartey, of Penn Yan.
Barden, Henry, son of Otis, was born in Benton in 1806. He gradu- ated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1833, and began practice in his native town, continuing there for several years, locating finally in Penn Yan about 1840, where he died in 1873. He married Caroline Purdy, of Benton, by whom he had two children, Helen, wife of Cornelius S. Van Wyck, who resides in Benton, and W. W., a phy- sician who resides in Penn Yan.
Beebe, George, born in Albany County, became a resident of Penn Yan when about twenty-four years of age. He was employed by Tim- othy Brigden in a carriage shop which stood where the present large Beebe factory is now located. In 1872 the plant burned, after which Mr. Beebe bought the land and erected new buildings. For a time W. H. Whitfield was a partner in the business of carriage manufactur- . ing. The firm of Beebe, Whitfield & Co. continued eleven years and then dissolved, Mr. Beebe since conducting the business. His chief manufactures are carriages and speeding carts. He furnishes employ- ment to about twenty-five hands. The works are in Jacob street in Penn Yan village. In 1862 George Beebe enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. In March, 1857, at Mohawk, N. Y., he married Ann Eliza Woolever, by whom he had two sons. Ann E. Beebe died in 1878. In 1879 he married Susan M. Nelson, of Little Falls. One child has been born of this marriage.
Comings, George A., born in Bergen County, N. J., March. 31, 1856. When twelve years of age, his father, Morris Comings, moved to Penn Yan. George attended the common schools of Penn Yan, Cook and Geneva Academies, and in 1883 he married Eda L. Shepherd, of Roch- ester, by whom he had one son, Jesse A. George A. taught school
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
three years, and was clerk for Morgan & Perkins for ten years. In March, 1891, he opened a coal yard under the firm name of Shepherd- Comings Coal Co., on Jackson and Shepherd streets.
Dintruff, Jacob, a native of Penn Yan, came to Potter about 1800, be- ing one of the pioneers in that town. He was a farmer, and had twelve children, of whom four sons and one daughter survive. John L., the third child, was born November 27, 1821, and was educated at the com- mon schools of his native town. He married Lucy Thomas, of Potter, by whom he had five children, two deceased. He was engaged in farming until 1849, when he removed to Italy, and carried on a saw- mill for two years. In 1851 he moved to Middlesex and carried on farming there until 1871, when he was elected sheriff of Yates County. He then removed to Penn Yan, where he has since resided. He was road commissioner three years in Middlesex, was assessor six years, supervisor two years, has been six years assessor in Penn Yan corpora- tion, was vice-president of Yates County Bank four years, and is a member of the firm of Dintruff & Dwelle, wool dealers-the largest in Yates County. Mr. Dintruff has been in the business thirty-five years.
Doubleday, Dr. Charles E., son of Dr. Guy L., was born in Italy, N. Y., April 3, 1864. Both his father and grandfather Elisha, were also physicians. His early education was attained in the schools of Penn Yan. He read medicine with Dr. Nathan Jacobson, and in 1887 he graduated from the Syracuse Medical College. He then spent two years in Europe, where he was a student in the Universities of Heidel- berg and Vienna, at the former place being under the tutelage of Prof. Arnold. Dr. Doubleday opened an office in Penn Yan in April, 1890. He has done much work with the microscope. During his vacations he spent considerable time traveling in different parts of Europe. Dr. Doubleday has been health officer of the village of Penn Yan. He has attained eminence and honor even thus early in his chosen profession and bears with modesty and becoming dignity the mantles descended from father and grandfather.
Drake, Capt. Alexander H., son of Philip L., was born October 18, 1832, in Starkey. He was educated at the common schools, and served several years as clerk in the hotels in Penn Yan, Canandaigua, and
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ยท Geneva, and fifteen years in Kansas City. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- pany H, Thirty-third New York Volunteers, from Geneva. He en- listed as private ; at the organization was made second lieutenant, and at the organization of the regiment was made first lieutenant, May 25, 1861. After nine months' service he was promoted captain, June 24, 1862. He was captured at Williamsburgh, N. C., May 5, 1862, and after three and a half months of imprisonment was exchanged. He was in Libby prison twenty days, then taken to Salisbury, where he was paroled. On September 13, 1887, he married Ida Wagoner Thompson, widow of Nelson Thompson, and daughter of George Wagoner.
Elmendorf, Charles, was born at Canandaigua, May 13, 1829. His father was Joseph Elmendorf, well known as one of the early business men of the little village. His mother was Catharine (Chittenden) El- mendorf. They came to Canandaigua from Durham, Greene County, N. Y. Charles was the eldest of three children, viz .: Charles, William, and Eliza. His father was a dentist and to this occupation Charles was brought up and educated by his father, and was associated with him until the death of the former in December, 1871. In September, 1863, Charles Elmendorf made an extensive trip to Nicaragua and California, being away nineteen months. In April, 1865, he returned to Penn Yan, where he has since been engaged in dentistry. For a time, when about twenty-one years of age, Dr. Elmendorf practiced at Rushville, remaining there about a year. From Rushville he went to Jefferson- now Watkins, Schuyler County, N. Y.,-where he practiced dentistry about two years, when he returned to Penn Yan. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, having passed the chair of N. G., and is also P. C. P. of Penn Yan Encampment, I. O. O. F. He is a P. M. of the local lodge of the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion a Free thinker. He says he " never 'took any stock ' in the supernatural religion of any church or sect," believing " that just, charitable, moral conduct towards his fellow-men is all that is necessary to become ac- ceptable to any of the gods."
Gage, William Hoyt, was born near Bellona, June 22, 1810. His wife, Abigail Reed Fargo, was born April 7, 1810. They were married February 9, 1832. William Gage's father, Reuben Gage, was born in Dutchess County, N. Y. At the age of sixteen, William learned the
69
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HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
trade of carriagemaker at Penn Yan, at which he worked several years, in various places. He later purchased the Kipp farm in Benton and be- came a farmer. About ten years ago he bought the Stewart place on Flat street where he now resides. Mr. Gage is the owner of more than 200 acres of land.
Hewson, Robert C., a solid business man and an enthusiastic sup- porter of the Greenback party, was born in Milo in 1831, the son of Fisher W. and Hannah (Chissom) Hewson. He read law with Frank- lin & Van Allen, and with Van Buren & Prosser, and was admitted to the bar. Hs practiced but little, however, having a stronger interest for other pursuits. His business life has been devoted to lumbering mainly, and fruit growing. About 1880 he started the evaporator at the " head of the street," and in 1890 established the feeder mill on Sucker Brook. In 1888 Mr. Hewson married Lue A., daughter of Haverly Brooks, of Auburn. Mr. Hewson's mother was one of the first settlers in Penn Yan.
Hopestill, R. Phillips, was born in Tioga County, Pa., August I, 1835, the eldest son and child of Samuel and Sarah (Beecher) Phillips. Samuel was a dentist. After his elementary education was acquired he made a study of dental surgery under his father's instruction. Later he attended the lectures of the Baltimore Dental College. In 1857 he commenced professional work at Winchester, Va., and there he was at the outbreak of the war in 1861. His professional interests being such that he could not leave at the time, he voluntarily enlisted as private, but was promoted to the lieutenancy of Co. K, of the 10th Vir - ginia cavalry, and served until July 2, 1863, when he was captured at Gettysburg by the Union troops, and thereafter held at Johnson's Island in Lake Erie. After his release Lieutenant Phillips resumed the profes - sion of dentistry successively at a southern city, in Tioga County, Pa., at Bath, N. Y., and finally at Penn Yan, in 1887, where he has since re- mained, occupying commodious and elegantly equipped offices. Asso- ciated with him in business is his son-in-law, Robert S. Wrean, under the firm name of H. R. Phillips & Wrean. Dr. Phillips is genial and companionable. He is something of a sportsman, fishing, hunting and yachting being his chief recreations. His yacht, The Thistle, is one of the staunchest and fleetest on Lake Keuka .. The wife of Dr. Phil-
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lips is Pamelia Ann Rednor, of Potter County, Pa. They have five children.
Kelley, Charles, the genial proprietor of the Central House in Penn Yan, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1831, and in 1846 came to America with his father and stepmother, making the entire distance from his home to Penn Yan by water. He learned the painter's trade and worked at it several years, and afterward read law with A. V. Har- pending for a time, but did not continue the study. In 1860 he bought a part of the property now covered by his hotel and soon after made other purchases. In 1862 he helped to raise a company for the Rebel- lion, and was mustered in in October, 1862, he taking a commission as second lieutenant of Co. C, Forty-fourth New York Volunteers, Infant- ry, " Ellsworth's Avengers." He was mustered out in 1864 with the rank of brevet-captain. Returning from the service, Captain Kelly re- modeled his Jacob street property and opened a hotel. The buildings were burned in 1872 and at once rebuilt. The Central House is one of the most popular hostelries of Penn Yan. In 1876 Mr. Kelly married Margaret A., daughter of Francis Graham, of Geneva. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are living.
Knapp, Clarence H., born in Barrington June 5, 1846, was the son of Jesse C. and Rachel M. Knapp, of that town. His father was a farmer, and on the farm Clarence was reared and lived until about twenty-one years of age, when he went to Elmira and was engaged for the next five years as grocer and fire insurance agent. Leaving Elmira Mr. Knapp went to Addison, and was a furniture dealer and undertaker for five years. While residing at this place he began traveling on the road, and so continued until the fall of 1884, when he came to Penn Yan. The next year he established his present business of furniture and undertaking. Mr. Knapp is regarded as one of the enterprising and successful business men of the village. In 1882 he married Ida J. Bates, of Utica. In politics he is a Republican, but is not active in party work.
Lanning, Daniel, son of Isaac and Catherine (Swartz) Lanning, was born in Starkey May 16, 1816. At the age of twenty-one Daniel com- menced farming, continuing until 1854. In 1856 he moved to Penn
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Yan to assume the office of sheriff, to which . he had been elected the preceding fall by a majority of over 1,600. Prior to coming to Penn Yan, Mr. Lanning was three years supervisor of Starkey, and afterward held the same office three terms in Milo. He was President Arthur's appointee to the postmastership at Penn Yan in 1882 and served four years. He has also held the office of village trustee and has been other- wise prominently identified with local and general Republican politics. His business life has been successful and he is now regarded as one of the substantial men of the county seat. He is vice-president of the Yates County National Bank. On December II, 1836, Daniel Man- ning married Mary Myers, daughter of Jacob Myers, by whom he had no children. Mrs. Lanning died December 21, 1879.
Lawrence, John, a native of New Bedford, Mass., born September 6, 1753, was a ship builder, and came to Milo in 1789, settling two and one-half miles south of Penn Yan, where he carried on the mercantile business for years. He had four sons and five daughters, most of whom lived and died in this county. His oldest son, Meletiah, born October 18, 1774, was educated in New Bedford, Mass. He married, in 1810, Mary Alford, of Milo, by whom he had four children, of whom Judith A. is the widow of D. Ogden; and Sabra A. is the widow of Oliver Stark, and resides in Penn Yan.
Le Van Bender, Joseph, born near Philadelphia, Pa., August 23, 1840, was reared on a farm and at the age of sixteen commenced work in a store. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and after a brief service was discharged, with the rank of second lieutenant. He re- enlisted and served as first lieu- tenant of Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, till the close of the war. Having studied medicine before entering the service, he now completed his course and practiced several years in Wyoming County, before coming to Penn Yan. His medical education was acquired in Baltimore, Buffalo and New York City, and his practice is after the eclectic school.
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