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 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
TOWN OF BENTON.
Arnold, Israel Harrison, was born in Jerusalem December 3, 1816. His wife, Susan Ann Cleaveland, was born December 19, 1816. They were married December 26, 1841. Their children were Israel Carlton, born August 6, 1843, died April 13, 1888 ; John Cleaveland, born Sep- tember 15, 1855, died January 9, 1865 ; and George Benjamin, born
560
HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
December 24, 1848, married Mary Lloyd, December 9, 1873. Israel H. Arnold was well known in Yates County as a surveyor, a business man, and a friend and parent of exceptional worth. His business life was successful, and at his death, May 25, 1881, he left a good estate. He came to Benton in October, 1843. His wife died February 28, 1861. George Benjamin Arnold, youngest son of Israel H., is the owner and occupant of the Benton home property on which he has an extensive nursery. His children are Susan Ann, Maud Lillian, George B., jr., and Lloyd Carlton.
Barden, George Riggs, son of George and Dolly (Witter) Barden, was born in Benton August 17, 1812. His father was poor, and as George R. was one of the oldest of thirteen children, he was early put to work on the farm. At the age of twenty-five, he married (in 1837), and started for himself on the farm on which he now lives and of which he is the owner. His wife was Elmira Sutherland, and their children were Ashley W., Lucy A., Jennie E. and Theda H. Mrs. Barden died March 17, 1863, and January 31, 1865, Mr. Barton married Jane Wil- kinson. He is one of the pioneer Republicans of Yates County, being a delegate to the first county convention of that party. In 1859 he was elected to the Assembly. He and his family are members of the Bap- tist Church, of which society he was one of the trustees for twelve years. He is one of the deacons at the present time and a member of the pul- pit committee.
Barden, Llewellyn J., the present school commissioner of Yates County, born in Benton, April 15, 1853, is the son of Martin W. and Margaret E. Barden, and the second of their ten children. He was educated in the common schools and at the Penn Yan and Canandaigua Academies. Later he attended a business college at Rochester. Com- mencing at the age of eighteen, Mr. Barden taught school for four or five years, one year being at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, where in 1874 he married Jennie E., daughter of George R. Barden of Benton. They have had five children, four of whom are living. For some years Mr. Barden lived at New Haven, Conn., being employed as book-keeper. In 1890 he was elected county school commissioner.
Becker, Alfred S., was born in Columbia County, N. Y., in 1838, the son of David L. and Sarah Becker. The family came to Benton about
561
FAMILY SKETCHES.
1849 and located where Alfred now resides. At that time David L. Becker was married to his second wife. Alfred was a child by the first marriage. David married a third wife, and died in Penn Yan in 1875. At the age of twenty-one Alfred began working the farm on shares. In 1863 he married Kate, daughter of William Best, of Benton, by whom he had two children, Sarah, wife of Charles F. Walker, and Edgar L. Kate (Best) Becker, wife of Alfred, died, and four years later Alfred married Anna Durry, of Jerusalem. Two children have been born to the second marriage, Alfred D. and Ralph C. Alfred S. Becker is one of Benton's substantial farmers. He has 125 acres, twelve of which are in vineyard, and six in fruit and berries.
Dorman, James, born in Seneca, Jefferson County, in 1824, was the son of Alanson and Eleanor Dorman, and the seventh of their thirteen children. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of twenty-one he started out to make his own way in life. He went west to Wisconsin and Iowa, locating in the latter State, but he soon returned and went to work by the month. In 1864 he came to Benton and bought the old Foster Watson farm, where he has since resided. On January 13, 1859, Mr. Dorman married Maria, daughter of Charles Ayres of Benton. They have two children, Mary J. and Dennie M., both living at home.
Earl, Albert, born in Benton, November 6, 1839, was the fourth of seven children born to Arthur and Sybil (Conklin) Earl, both highly respected residents of Benton, and both representing an element of pioneership in the town. Arthur Earl was a farmer and Albert was brought up to farm work. In 1850 his father bought the place on which Albert now lives. The latter owns 130 acres near Seneca Lake.
Earl, Edwin L., son of the late Jeptha Earl, was born in Benton, N. Y., January 10, 1838. He was reared on the farm and is now the owner of 175 acres of excellent land. At the age of thirty- one he mar- ried Caroline Coffin, by whom he has had five children: George Jeptha, Henry Clay, Charles, Eliza and Edwin L., jr. Mr. Earl is a Democrat in politics, but takes no active part in town or county affairs. He has no strong religious preferences, but inclines towards Universalism.
Edmonds, Aaron, born in Fairfield County, Conn. In 1797 he married Harriet Folliott and became a resident of Benton in 1834. His family
71
562
HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
is as follows : Ann Maria, Sarah, Robert S., and Harriet E. (Last mentioned was born in this town). Robert S. Edmonds was born April 5, 1830. His life has been devoted to the farm. In 1855 he married Mary, daughter of David Buell, by whom he had one child, Lillie, wife of John R. Gardner, of Potter. Mary died in 1860. In 1863 Mr. Ed- monds married Caroline, daughter of Stephen Seaman, of Saratoga County. One child, Robert Lee Edmonds, has been born to them.
Gage, Samuel B., son of Samuel G. and Martha (Cole) Gage, was born in Benton November 23, 1834. The old Gage farm was formerly known as the Gillette place, and came to Samuel B. upon the father's death. It contains about 150 acres. Mr. Gage married, in 1853, Lois Ann Bunnett, of Benton, by whom he had three children, S. Granger, Ida and Arthur. Mrs. Gage died in 1888. Mr. Gage is one of the leading Republicans of Benton. For two terms he had the office of supervisor. Once he was the nominee of his party for sheriff but was defeated. In 1890 he held the office of road commissioner.
Gristock, Thomas, born in Somersetshire, England, March 1, 1835, came to the United States at the age of twenty years, residing for a short time in Cayuga County and then coming to Benton, Yates County, where he has since lived. In 1865 he bought the Remer farm of 100 acres, in Benton near Penn Yan, on which he has some of the best farm buildings in the township. Mr. Gristock is generous and public spirited. His wife was Sarah Hurford, an English lady, by whom he has had three children : Thomas J., now living in Michigan ; Ella, wife of Frank Kipp, of Torrey ; and Frederick W., who assists his father on the farm.
Hurford, Henry, was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1832, the son of James and Lydia Hurford. Henry came to the United States in 1853, when for several months he worked out by the month in Penn Yan and elsewhere. In 1866 he bought the John Lapham fifty-acre farm, where he now resides. In 1853 Mr. Hurford married Eliza Gris- tock, by whom he has two children. Henry Hurford takes an active interest in the affairs of his town. He is a firm Republican and is now serving his third term as assessor.
Hurford, William, was born in Somerset, England, in December, 1845, the youngest of nine children of James and Lydia Hurford.
563
FAMILY SKETCHES.
He came to this country in 1853 and began work as a laborer. In 1858 he bought the Lemuel Sprague farm of eighty acres, near Spencer's Corners in Benton, and this he has increased to 100 acres. In 1861 Mr. Hurford married Julia A. Holden, of Penn Yan, by which marriage these children have been born : Charles, Harry W., Bradley C. and Perley. William Hurford has been a successful farmer and a generous provider for his family. He has started his sons in business.
Hyatt, Harrison, was born in Milo, March 22, 1814, the son of James and Betsey Hyatt of that town. At the age of twenty-six Harrison started out to work by the month, continuing for five years, when he bought the farm in Benton where he now resides. He has been twice married, his first wife being Hannah Schofield, who died January 3, 1887. He married second Eliza Schofield in October of the same year.
Lewis, Thomas J., was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., April 27, 1811. When two years of age his father, Joseph C., moved to Starkey, and he (Thomas) remained there until 1840, when he came to Benton. In 1834 he married Sarah A. Ayers, of Starkey, by whom he had five children. He died May 28, 1882, and his wife October 17, 1890. Charles G., the oldest son, was born October 5, 1835. On December 4, 1866, he married Emma J. Morgan, by whom he has two children, Hattie A. and George W. His wife died February 7, 1877. Mr. Lewis is a farmer. May 16, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, Twenty-third New York Infantry and served ten months, being discharged March 1, 1862, for disability. He re-enlisted August 10, 1863, and was mustered out at Petersburg, Va., June 27, 1865:
Lewis, Thomas J., a native of Cayuga County, came to Starkey in in 1812, and to Benton in 1840. His wife, whom he married in Starkey, was Sally Ann Ayers, and their children were Charles G., Agnes A., Wilson A., Eli and Frank E. Thomas J. did in May, 1882, and his wife in October, 1890. Charles G., Wilson A. and Eli served in the war of 1861-65. Wilson A. died in Knoxville, Tenn., in the army. Eli was born in October, 1840. He was educated in the common schools and in Penn Yan and Dundee Academies. Eli Lewis enlisted at Washington, D. C., in 1863 in an engineer corps. After two months
564
HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
he came home and in the fall re-enlisted in Co. H, Fifty-eighth New York Volunteers, Infantry. He was sergeant, and was mustered out at the end of his term of service. December 24, 1873, he married Sarah C., daughter of Joshua Washburn, Gorham, Ontario County. He is a farmer by occupation and is living on the farm he bought in 1873.
Mallory, Almon C., for a quarter of a century devoted his life to ministerial work in Benton. He was born in Cornwall, Litchfield County, Conn., and was ordained as minister of the Baptist Church on September 30, 1840. During his forty-five years in the ministry he was pastor of but three churches, eleven years at Wayne, Steuben County, twenty-four years at Benton Center, and ten years at Covert, Seneca County. He died in Benton, September 17, 1888. His chil- dren were Sara H., who became the wife of James S. Williams, and died in 1867 ; and Bradley T., a farmer and insurance agent of Benton Center.
Mariner, Buel, born in Connecticut January 6, 1775, died in Benton, N. Y., January 6, 1852. His wife, Esther Lord, born August 10, 1784, died September II, 1875. They were married in Connecticut and had children as follows: John, born June 20, 1808, died in Illinois ; Jew- ett, born August 12, 1811, died in Jesusalem, N. Y. ; Eliphalet, born August 20, 1813, died in Illinois ; Orin, born December 28, 1816, lives in Illinois; Henry, born March 10, 1818, resides in Illinois; Myron, born July 7, 1810, resides in Bloomfield, Ontario County ; Jay Lord, born September 29, 1822, died in Milo in 1849; and Homer, born March 1, 1825. Buel Mariner came to Yates County about 1820, and bought 260 acres. He was one of Benton's most successful farmers. Homer Mariner, youngest of the children of Buel Mariner, is recog- nized as a leading farmer and influential citizen of Benton. He first married in September, 1849, Caroline Sutherland, who died October 26, 1879. Their children were Eva, Floyd A., Jay E., Esther L. and Lin- coln. His second wife was Cornelia Bristol, widow of John Gray, a former resident of Cortland County, and whom Mr. Mariner married May 18, 1881.
Mead, Joshua, the pioneer of the Mead family in Benton, came from Putnam County, N. Y., and located on Pleasant Ridge in 1820, where he and his wife died, both in 1866. Their children were Gilbert,
565
FAMILY SKETCHES.
Elizabeth, Jane, Joseph, William, Mary and John. Gilbert Mead, born November 25, 1811, was a prominent farmer and stock dealer. Janu- ary 2, 1834, he married Catharine Barnes, by whom he had two chil - dren, Joshua and George W. The latter died in May, 1891. Joshua Mead was born January 3, 1835, and has always lived in Benton. Feb- ruary 29, 1860, he married Isabella Goundry, of Milo, and to them six children have been born: Catharine R., Georgiana, Mary R., Byron G., Frank H. and Ada Belle. Joshua Mead commenced business life poor ; he is now a comfortable farmer, having 175 acres of good land.
Merrifield, John, came to Benton from Columbia County, N. Y., in 1823, and settled in the west part of the town. He resided in the county until 1844, when he removed to Michigan, where he died in 1851. He had a family of eleven children, all of whom are living. The oldest son, John, was born September 10, 1809, and when thirteen years of age came to this county with his parents, where he has always resided. He is a farmer and owned at one time 400 acres of land. He was su- pervisor of Benton five years, and was several years excise commis- sioner. He married Mary Crank, of Columbia County, by whom he had four children, only one of whom now lives, John Wesley, born De- cember 23, 1832. He married Elvira Crosby, and has two children, Sarah E. and John S. He is an apiarist and has 100 colonies.
Peckins, Charles R. (son of Elipha), born Febuary 28, 1832, in Ben- ton, was educated at the common schools of Benton and select schools of Penn Yan. When twenty years of age he commenced dealing in agricultural implements. which business he carried on twenty- five years. He was in company with John S. Sheppard under the firm name of Sheppard & Peckins six years in Penn Yan, then returned to the farm and is now engaged in farming, and has been justice of the peace since 1882. He married Ella A., daughter of Seth B. Briggs, in 1861. They have three children ; Burnett, Martha J., and Villa B. Elipha Peckins was born in Massachusetts, and when a small boy he came to Benton with his parents. They had a family of sixteen children. He bought a farm and carried on carpentering and joining. He died in 1888 aged ninety-four years. Of his four children three are living.
Platman, John H., was born in February, 1827. His father was Joseph Platman, and his mother Sarah (Alabaster) Platman, both of
566
HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
English birth. The family came to Geneva in 1837, and a few months later to Benton. John H. Platman has been twice married. His first wife was Mary M. C. Ward, by whom he has one child, Alice M., wife of David M. Scott In 1854 Mrs. Platman died, and two years later Mr. Platman married Catharine Disbrew by whom these children have been born : Josephine E., Elmer E., Samuel E. and George H. George H. died in 1871.
Remer, William T., was born in Benton, May 15, 1824, the son of .
Aaron and Phebe Remer, who are elsewhere mentioned in this work. Although his career has been devoted to the farm, Mr. Remer has never- theless been much in public life. He was educated in the district schools and attended the Albany Academy. He was one of the organ- izers of the Republican Party in Yates County, and has ever since been identified with its fortunes. Commencing in 1859 he served three years as sheriff of the county. In 1863 he was appointed provost-marshal for this congressional district, and held that position to the end of the war. He has also been supervisor of the town of Benton. In 1849 Mr. Remer married Mary H., daughter of Anthony Trimmer, of Benton. Four children have been born to them, three of whom are living.
Scofield, Ebenezer P., whose comfortable residence and excellent farm are in the northwest part of Benton, was born where he now lives, on September 1, 1822. He was the son of William and Patience Scofield, and the fifth of their seven children. The home farm of his father came to Ebenezer by descent. He was supervisor of Benton for two years and is a prominent member of the M. E. Church at the Center. June 21, 1855, Mr. Scofield married Elizabeth Stokoe, by whom he had five children, viz .: Frances Jane, wife of Russell Chapman ; Clarence W., of Benton ; Charles D., of Benton; and John S. and Mary Edith, who live at home.
Scofield, William, a native of Connecticut, came to Benton, Yates County, N. Y., shortly after the year 1800 and engaged in farming. He had seven children, of whom Hiram, the oldest, was born in Benton, April 13, 1813, and was married. He had two children, Mary E. and Emily J., both deceased. Mrs. Scofield was a daughter of Squire Nash, one of the first settlers, and a prominent citizen in Steuben County. He
567
FAMILY SKETCHES.
was a supervisor and a justice of the peace for several years. Mrs. Patchin, of Benton, an aunt of Mrs. Scofield, is the grandmother of Judge Patchin, of Detroit, Mich. Hiram Scofield has always been en- gaged in farming. Both he and his wife have been active members of the M. E. Church for over fifty years. He has also served as class leader and steward.
Shaw, Guy, born in Barrington, December 4, 1820, was the son of Jeremiah and Betsey Shaw of that town. At the age of twenty-one Guy left the home farm to make his own way in life. He attended school at Canandaigua two years, preparing himself for teaching, and thereafter he taught school eight winter terms. His summer months were spent on farms. In 1843 his father died, the family then residing in Ontario County. In 1848 Guy bought the Thomas Lee farm in Benton. Here Mr. Shaw has since lived, with the exception of four years. In 1843 he married Laura L. Pierce, by whom he has three children. Guy Shaw is a factor in Yates County politics. He was an original Free Soiler, but became a Republican on the organization of that party. In 1863 he represented the county in the Assembly. For the last twenty years Mr. Shaw has acted independent of politics and has inclined to the Farmers' Alliance. Both himself and wife are mem- bers of the M. E. Church, he having been formerly one of its trustees.
Spencer, George W., of Benton, who was born and died in the town, was one of its foremost citizens. He married Eliza M. Wheeler, of Potter, February II, 1852. They had one child, Frank E. Spencer, now a resident and successful business man of Benton. Mrs. Spencer died April 2, 1860, and October 23, 1862, Mr. Spencer married Mary E. Wheeler, a sister to his first wife. One child, Charles P. Spencer, was born of this marriage. George W. Spencer died October 19, 1878. Frank E. Spencer, born August 23, 1855, on February 28, 1882, mar- ried Fannie V., daughter of Joseph R. and Frances M. Bell, of Dundee. They have one child, George Harold. Mr. Spencer is a successful fruit grower. His farm has sixty- six acres of good land, twenty five acres of which are in fruit.
Sprague, Daniel, born in Jerusalem, June 14, 1828, was the son of Robert and Melinda Sprague. His parents were poor and Daniel was
568
HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
early obliged to go out to work. At twenty- two he married and com- menced to work on shares the farm in Benton on which he now resides and owns. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Sprague's business life has been more than reasonably successful. He is regarded as one of Benton's substantial men. In 1849 Mr. Sprague married Arabella, daughter of Elipha Peckins, a respected resident of Benton. Three children were born of this marriage, Charles, James A., and Edward. Mrs. Sprague died in May, 1886.
Stanton, Benjamin, was born in Gorham, Ontario County, February 24, 1798. April 20, 1820, he married Polly, daughter of Benjamin Dean, born March 10, 1800. They settled in the north part of the town. Their three children were Martha E., George B., and Mary J. None of them is now living. Benjamin was an extensive farmer. He died in 1846 and his wife June 18, 1879.
Lloyd, Charles, was born in Cheshire, England, in 1820. About 1837 he came to America and located in the town of Benton, where he engaged in farming. November 12, 1857, he married Emily Stanton Holmes, and they had one child, Mary E., who resides here. Mr. Lloyd died October 9, 1879, and his wife in 1883. Norman Holmes, son of Joshua, was born in 1820. He married Norah A. Stanton, daughter of Benjamin Stanton and had one child, Harriet E. He died January 20, 1853.
Swarthout, Heman Chapman, one of Benton's representative farmers, born in Barrington, September 21, 1842, was the youngest of the chil- dren of George F. and Roena Swarthout. At the age of seventeen Heman started out for himself and for several years migrated from one place to another, living most of that time in Ohio and New York. In 1876 after his mother's death he bought the farm in Benton he now occupies. It embraces over 100 acres and is in a good state of cultiva- tion. In 1866 Mr. Swarthout married Eliza Jane Barber, by whom he had two children, both dying in infancy. His wife died in 1885 and in February, 1887, he married Sarah A. Prichard, of Benton.
Tallmadge, Milo, was born in Barkhamsted, Litchfield County, Conn., and became a resident of Benton, N. Y., in 1865. He purchased first, a farm near William T. Remer's, but in 1872 he bought his present
569
FAMILY SKETCHES.
place. The children in Mr. Tallmadge's family are : Ellen, widow of the late Capt. Martin S. Hicks; Sarah, wife of Henry S. Rood, of Ben- ton, and Harvey C., who now manages the farm.
Taylor, James W., born in Benton, May 17, 1844, was the youngest of three children born to Alva and Ardalissa Taylor. James was reared on a farm and learned the trade of wagon- making and blacksmithing. In 1885 he built the shops at Benton Center, where is now his residence and place of business. In 1870 Mr. Taylor married Harriet, daughter of Elnathan R. Hunt. They have no children.
Underwood, Horace, one of the most widely acquainted men of Ben- ton, was born in Jerusalem, September 21, 1825. When Horace was seven years old the family moved to Potter, and when about sixteen he started out to work by the month, continuing so for about five years. He then bought a farm near Rushville, and followed that with the own- ership of a number of others. He was of a speculative turn of mind, and an excellent judge of property, both in value and productiveness. In 1866 he moved to Bellona and afterwards lived three years in Penn Yan, that his children might have the advantages of the village schools. During this time Mr. Underwood was keeper in Auburn and Sing Sing prisons. In 1870 he returned to Benton and in 1871 came to his pres- ent farm of 230 acres. In 1849 he married Rachel R. Warner, of Potter, by whom he has had four children, two only of whom are now living. In Potter Mr. Underwood was assessor nine years and four years justice of the peace. In Benton he has been assessor one and supervisor two terms. During the war he was enrolling officer in the provost-marshal's office. Mr. Underwood is a Republican.
Waldron, James, a native of Jersey City, N. J., learned the trade of coach-making and came to Geneva, N. Y., when a young man. Here he married in 1824, Jane, daughter of James Rice, a Revolutionary vete- ran. In 1833 they moved to Dresden and lived there for five years. He then moved to Michigan, but owing to the malarious character of that country he returned to Yates County and purchased what was called the Elder Goff farm where he lived until his death, which occurred October 3, 1883. His wife died April 17, 1872. Their children were Helen, John, Elizabeth, Henry, Edwin and Anna. Helen died March
72
57
HISTORY OF YATES COUNTY.
22, 1837, aged twelve years. John died December 5, 1846, aged nine- teen years. Elizabeth married Henry Coon and died in Washington, D. C., March 21, 1872. Henry, a physician, married Emma Byrnes, in Washington, located in Barnesville, Md., where he was stricken with consumption and returned to Benton, where he died August 2, 1861. One child, Anna, survives him. Edwin married Esther Crosby, of Ben- ton, October 16, 1861, and resides on the homestead. He is a breeder of thoroughbred Jersey cattle and is a thorough, practical farmer. Anna married James Williams. They reside in Orleans County, N. Y.
TOWN OF STARKEY.
Andrews, John T., a son of Ichabod and Lola T. Andrews, is a native of Greene County, N. Y., born May 29, 1803. He was reared on a farm, received a business education in the common schools of the old town of Reading. In 1828 he engaged in the mercantile business, at Reading, continuing until 1832, when he was elected sheriff of this county in which capacity he served three years. In 1835 he was elected a member of Congress, serving one term with distinction and honor. At the close of his Congressional term he again turned his attention to the mercantile business, forming a partnership with Martin & Vosburg at Dundee. They carried on a successful business for several years. Mr. Andrews married in Steuben County, Miss Ann Eliza Andrews, daughter of Amherst Andrews, in 1831. One daughter was born to this union, who died in infancy. Mrs. Andrews died in 1877. Mr. An- drews is one of Dundee's most prominent and enterprising citizens.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.