USA > New York > Erie County > Sardinia > History of the original town of Concord : being the present towns of Concord, Collins, N. Collins, and Sardinia, Erie County, New York > Part 73
USA > New York > Erie County > Collins > History of the original town of Concord : being the present towns of Concord, Collins, N. Collins, and Sardinia, Erie County, New York > Part 73
USA > New York > Erie County > Concord > History of the original town of Concord : being the present towns of Concord, Collins, N. Collins, and Sardinia, Erie County, New York > Part 73
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These hardships and exposures brought on disease of which he died before the close of the war. His son, Ebenezer, was as soon as of suitable age, apprenticed to a man in New York city to learn the shoemaker's trade. At the age of nineteen, the master signified his intention to whip him for some delin- quency, and he departed without leave, in quest of a friend in
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what is now South East, Putnam county, N. Y., with the hope of obtaining the means with which to purchase his time. This was readily done and he was honorably discharged.
At this place he made the acquaintence of Betsey Seymour whom he married before he was twenty-one years of age. In 1816, when they removed to the Holland Purchase, the family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood. Nathaniel, who returned to Dutchess county where he married and ever after resided. Jesse, who was twice made Justice of the Court of Sessions of Erie county. Orin, who was elected Sheriff of Erie
county. Timothy, who became an eminent physician, practicing first in Hamburg, afterwards in the City of Buffalo, of which city he was Mayor for one term.
Harrison, who died, leaving one son, Daniel N., who has served one term in the Congress of the United States, taking a position in that body seldom reached by a new member. Stephen, born in Erie county. who was elected County Judge of his native county. Melinda, who married Salmon Washburn, late of Boston, Erie county, and Maria, who became the wife of Daniel R, Newton, late of Hamburgh.
Marcus L. Lockwood, son of Philo, served as a Member of the Legislature of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Lockwood cared for his children and they were a blessing to him, aiding him very materially in clearing his farm, and erecting his buildings. As he had no money or lands to bestow, he gave each of his sons his time at the age of eighteen : no inconsiderable endowment to a youth of that age if properly utilized. He moved in a humble sphere, but acted well his part : " Here all the honor lies."
He lived to the ripe age of eighty-four, and died at the residence of his son Jesse, the favorite of the family, especially of the children, of whom he was in turn very fond and indul- gent.
David Stickney, Jr
David Stickney, Jr., and his wife Hannah, were the parents of ten children-nine boys and one girl, all born in the Town of Sardinia :
Edwin, Charles, Everett, Mary Jane, George Albert, Austin,
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Cassius, Julius and Wilmot. Seven of the ten are still living.
Mary Jane, the only daughter, died when eight years of age. Albert and Julius died soon after they became of age.
Austin N. Stickney, the subject of this sketch, was born in Sardinia, Dec. 22, 1841 ; lived there until the Spring of 1854, when his parents sold out and moved to Illinois, taking the boys with them. In the August following, his parents and grandfather were stricken down with cholera, all dying within the space of two weeks. Austin returned to Sardinia soon after ; worked on a farm from that time till the War broke out ; enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Company A, New York Volunteers-a two years' regiment ; served his time and re- turned home ; married Martha J. Matteson, daughter of Charles and Diana Matteson, of Sardinia ; Engaged in the mercantile business at Holland village in the Spring of 1873 ; continued in the business up to the Spring of 1883 ; was appointed chairman of the purchasing and auditing committee for Erie county, an office created by the Legislature of 1883, the duties of which consisted in purchasing the supplies used in the city and county hall, the jail, penitentiary and almshouse ; the following Fall, he was elected keeper of the Erie County penitentiary, by a majority of six hundred and twenty-three.
Austin and Martha Stickney have but one child, a daughter, Floy Bell, born in Holland, July 22, 1873.
Almer White,
An active and useful man in community, came to Concord at an early day, and followed the business of farming, cattle buy- ing and driving. Cattle raising fifty or sixty years ago was universal among the farmers, and this stock generally found a market East. Large droves would be bought up and driven to market carly in the Fall. Mr. White followed this business quite extensively, besides he owned and conducted a farm. In the Winter of 1859 he was stricken down with consumption, and died the following Summer. He reared a large family of children of which only three are living, viz :- William, Edwin, and a daughter.
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William White,
Son of Almer, is a farmer, and lives in Zoar. He was united in marriage July 3, 1851, to Miss Cordelia Hammond, by whom he has three children, viz :- Almer, born Aug. 4, 1852 ; Clark, born Aug. 23, 1854, and Charlotte L., born Jan. 6 1861. Mrs. White died in 1862. Mr. White was again married July 4, 1871, to Miss Mary Baker, by whom he has one child, viz :- Maria, born July 27, 1880.
Almer White,
Son of William is a farmer and resides in Zoar. On March 4, 1875 he was married to Miss Jennie Baker, by whom he has four children, viz :- Grace, born June 2, 1876; Nellie, born September, 19, 1878; Alma, born April 6, 1880, and Mabel. born Jan. 28, 1882.
Clark White,
Second son of William, is a farmer and lives in Zoar. Oct. 3, 1876 he was married to Miss Lucy E. Babcock, by whom he has one child, viz :- Ward, born Aug. 17, 1878.
Harvey J. Tueker,
Third son of Nathaniel Tucker, was born in the town of Brant, Erie county, N. Y., May 23, 1844. His father was born in the town of North Collins in 1817, and was a son of Abram and Anna Tucker, who were of the first settlers there in 1810, and who have the credit of erecting the first log cabin in what is now North Collins. Harvey's youth, up to his twelfth year, was passed upon his father's farm. The Summers were spent in the duties and labors of farming, and the Winters were de- voted to the district school. In the Summer of 1866, young Harvey was thrown from a mowing machine and had his right hand severed just below the elbow. The loss of this useful member banished all thoughts in his mind of ever becoming a farmer, and he turned his attention to a profession. Two years he attended school at the Gowanda Academy, and again two years at the Oberlin College. At the age of seventeen he entered the law-office of Horace Boise, at Hamburg, where he remained one year. His room-mate and fellow student while there was Senator Robert C. Titus. Both were
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compelled to teach district school Winters to defray ex- penses. The next year Mr. Tucker entered the law office of Austin & Austin of Buffalo, where he remained one year. The year 1863 was the darkest in our national calendar and the young law student, then but seventeen years old and with only one hand listened to the call of his country, and he enlisted that Winter a company of one hundred men for the 24th Reg- iment New Vork Volunteer Cavalry and received a commission as First Lieutenant of Company M, same Regiment. Before the Regiment entered active service Lieutenant Tucker resigned and was appointed Sutler of the same Regiment, a position he held until the close of the war. The next year he passed in the Oil Regions. Then he returned to his native town and opened a country store, at North Collins, and the same year, June 10, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily Tucker. He remained in business at the latter place until 1872, when he sold out and removed to Buffalo. In January, 1873 he was appointed Assistant Keeper of the Erie County Alms House. a position he held for one year, when he resigned to accept the appointment of Keeper of the Insane Asylum, where he re- mained four years, at the expiration of which he again returned to Buffalo and entered into a partnership with a brother, in the commission trade, continuing this business until 1880, when he was appointed Jailor of Erie county, a place he occupied two years, when he resigned and purchased a lease of the Tre- mont House of Buffalo, and still remains its genial and popular landlord.
Mr. Tucker has always been a staunch Republican and has taken an active part in politics.
Alonzo U. Lockwood.
Alonzo U. Lockwood was born in East Hamburg, Erie county, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1829. He is one of a family of eight children, four boys and four girls.
Mrs. Mary E. Waite, the only surviving sister, is still a resi- dent of East Hamburg; the other girls having died when young ladies.
His three brothers, Philander, George, and Lafayette, are all residents of the county, and prominent citizens of the localities in which they live.
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In 1857, Mr. Lockwood married Cornelia A. Skinner, daugh. ter of Palmer Skinner, of East Hamburg, and in 1864, moved into the town of Boston, and in the year 1873, represented his town on the Board of Supervisors. The year following, he moved to West Falls, where he still lives, enjoying the reputa- tion of being a gentleman and a man of honor.
Archibald G. Preston.
Mr. Preston's father, Joel Preston, was born near Providence, R. I., Sept. 23, 1797, and was married there in 1815, to Lucinda Griffith, sister of the late Archibald Griffith, of Concord. They lived in Providence until 1824, when they moved to Otsego county, N Y., where they remained until 1840, when they moved to Concord, where they lived until their deaths: Mr. Preston died Dec. 9, 1861 ; Mrs. Preston died April 23, 1868.
Their children were, Curtis O., born 1816, lives in Wisconsin. Amarilla, born 1818, married Walter Bates, lives in Pennsylva- nia. Joseph, born 1820, died in infancy. Sarah M., born 1822, died 1825. Archibald G., born Dec. 6, 1824. James F., born 1826, died 1829. Lucinda, born 1828, died 1829. Mary A., born 1830, married S. J. Parker, and died in Arcade, in 1862. Edwin W., born 1832, died in rebel prison on Bell Island ; was a member of 24th Iowa Regiment. Eugene L., born in 1835, lives in Missouri. Sarah M., born 1839, married Wm. Lord, lives in Adrian, Michigan.
Archibald G. Preston was born in Otsego county, N. Y .; came to Concord with his father's family, where he lived until 1854, when he went to California, via Nicaraugua route ; was there three years, during which time he helped survey the route for the first railroad built in California. He returned to Con- cord, where he remained until 1866, when he removed to York- shire, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., where he now resides. He was a member of the N. Y. State Guards, and has been Com- missioner of Highways in Yorkshire.
Mr. Preston has been twice married : first in 1849, to Susan King ; second in 1862. to Melvina Smith, daughter of the late Calvin Smith, of Concord. They have one son, Arthur E. born Nov. 7. 1863.
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William W Lawson.
His father, Richard Lawson, came to Buffalo from Liver- pool, England, about forty years ago, and became one of the leading, active business men of the city. He was possessed of a large amount of real estate in the lower portion of the city, was proprietor of the old Commercial Hotel, and the " Rob Roy " House, that old Buffalonians will readily call to mind. He died about fourteen years ago, leaving four children-two sons and two daughters.
William W. Lawson, the subject of this notice, was born in Buffalo on the 16th of June, 1845. He was educated in the public schools of the city and subsequently a graduate at Bryant & Stratton's College, where he received a thorough business education. After leaving the College he entered the service of Mr. David Bell, an extensive foundryman and machinist, with the view of learning a trade. Not fancying a mechanical calling, after a few months with Mr. Bell, he changed his plans, and went into business with his father-in-law, Mr. James Farthing, an extensive stock dealer and butcher. The concern bought and sold cattle at East Buffalo, upon a large scale, kept an extensive slaughter-house, and maintained a popular retail market on Main street, corner of Eagle street, for a number of years. He was first elected to the office of Supervisor in 1871, from a strong Democratic ward by a decis- ive majority, and after a year's acceptable service in the Board, he was re-elected in 1872.
In 1874, Mr. Lawson was elected to the Assembly from the Second Assembly District, consisting of the Second, Third, Fourth and Sixth wards. In the Assembly Mr. Lawson was a member of the Committees of Privileges and Elections and Pub- lic Printing. In 1875, he was renominated. The result was a majority of 1,194, a gain of more than one thousand from the previous year. During his second term Mr. Lawson was Chair- man of the Committee on Petitions of Aliens, and a member of the Committees on Commerce and Navigation, and Printing.
He was an effective committee worker, and was assiduous in attending to the duties of his office and in looking after the interests of his constituents. The Republicans of the county placed him in nomination for the office of Sheriff in 1876, and
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he became a candidate for a more important office and before a larger constituency. The canvass occurred during a Presi- dential campaign and the contest was a spirited one and des- perately fought. The Democracy nominated a popular candi- date and an experienced politician, and Mr. Lawson suffered defeat.
When three years had rolled around he was again made the party's standard bearer for the office of Sheriff. The unanim- ity of the convention gave him a good send-off in the canvass and he came out of the conflict with victorious banners flying, on which was inscribed a majority of over five thousand. Mr. Lawson entered upon the duties of the office of Sheriff, Janu- ary 1, 1880, and discharged them for three years with general satisfaction to the public and with credit to himself.
On March 4th, 1864, Mr. Lawson married Adelia J. Farthing. daughter of James Farthing of Buffalo. Four children-two sons and two daughters-have been born to them making a happy family of a half a dozen, equally divided as to sex, that are cozily domiciled in a newly completed mansion on Rich- mond avenue.
A. Bartholomew, Esq.
Mr. Bartholomew was born in North Collins, Feb. 28, 1837. Attended school in Springville in 1853 or '54, and graduated at the State Normal School at Albany in 1857. Mr. Bartholo- mew has taught twenty-three terms of school in thirteen dif- ferent towns of Erie county. After graduating at the Normal School, he studied law with Hon. C. C. Severance, of Spring- ville. Was admitted to the bar Nov. 13, 1861, and commenced practicing at Hamburg in 1866 ; came to Buffalo in 1870, where he has since practiced his profession.
He was married in 1864, to Florence Cutler of Holland, N. Y. They have four children, viz .:
Alice M., born June 25, 1866. Nellie C., born April 23, 1868. Edward W., born Dec. 25, 1870. Glenni A., born Oct. 16, 1878.
Mr. Bartholomew had eight brothers and sisters viz .:
John P. resides near Meadville, Pa. Mary married Charles Winner and resides in North Collins. Elizabeth married Chris- tian Burgot and resides in North Collins. Catharine resides in
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Buffalo. John A. died in Chicago in 1878. Charles resides in North Collins. Phoebe died young. Abram, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Bartholomew's father, Philip Bartholomew, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, April 4, 1790. He was four years in Napoleon's army. He came to this country in 1836, and settled on lot thirty-six, Collins. Died Aug. 24, 1863.
Joseph P. Sampson.
Mr. Sampson's grandfather, Peter Sampson, Jr., was born in Taunton, Mass., in 1747. He married Elizabeth Perry, in 1773. Of their thirteen children, Peter Sampson, Jr., father of Joseph P., was the eldest ; he was born in New Salem., Mass., Dec. 30, 1773, and was married in 1793 to Sarah Kellogg. They had a family of thirteen children :
Sally, born 1793, died in 1796. Gamaliel, born 1795, died in 1870. Lucy, born in 1796; married Mr. Maklem, and died about 1870. Sally (2d) born 1798 ; married William Shultus, and since died. Sandford P., born in 1800, died in 1825. Han- nah, born in 1802 ; married Truman Bensley, and died in 1854. John H., born 1805, died in 1829. Roxana, born 1809. Elizabeth, born in 1813 ; married Dr. Poole, of Springville, and died in 1843. Nancy, born 1815, Joseph P., born Nov. 5, 1819. Peter M., born 1810; died in 1845. Frank S., born -, died in 1849.
Peter Sampson, Jr., moved with his family to Concord in 1816, from New Salem, Mass., making the entire journey with cart and oxen. He located on lot twenty, township six, range six. Soon after coming. he took the contract for carrying the mail from Buffalo to Olean, via Townsend Hill, Springville and Ellicottville. It was the first regular mail carried between those points. From Buffalo to Springville. he drove a wagon first, then a coach. From Springville to Olean the route, the greater part of the way, led through the wilderness ; this stage of the journey was made on horseback. Joseph P. speaks of accom- panying his father on the same horse, when a boy, to learn the way, and afterwards being sent occasionally over the route alone. Mr. Sampson carried the mail about ten years.
After some years' residence in Concord, he moved to
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Ashford, Cattaraugus county, where he served as Supervisor of that town eight years and was also Justice of the Peace about the same length of time. Mr. Sampson was well and favorably known in Erie and Cattaraugus counties. He died in Ashford, Dec. 8, 1836.
Joseph P. Sampson was born in Concord ; resided in Ash- ford until 1868, when he moved to Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, where he has since lived, except two years spent in Springville and five in Arcade. Is a farmer; was married Jan. 27, 1853, to Mrs. Mary A. Hakes. They have one son, Joseph F., born March 22, 1859 ; married Nellie McIntyre.
From the United States Biographical Dictionary of Illinois, published in 1876.
John R. Bensley.
Mr. John Russell Bensley was born on the first of May, 1833, at Springville, Erie county, N. Y., and is the son of Eaton Bensley and Sophia (nec) Russell, both of whom were among the pioneers and early settlers of Concord. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Bensley received his education at Springville Academy. At the age of eighteen he began life as a clerk in a country store and acted in this capacity for three years when he purchased the stock of his employer and became proprietor. In 1857 he removed to Du Page county Illinois and in 1858 located in Chicago, establishing himself as a general commission merchant, in which business he has con- tinued until the present time.
From a small beginning he has steadily advanced, keeping pace with the growth of the city, until he stands at the head of two of the most prominent houses in Chicago, whose business transactions are surpassed in magnitude by but few firms in the city.
In 1868 the firm extended their business to the live stock trade, under the separate firm name of Bensley Brothers & Co., and this business has grown to be scarcely less important than their grain trade.
Mr. Bensley is an able, shrewd and careful business man, and he has held various official positions in connection with the Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, of which he has long been a member. ' In 1868 he was elected a member of the Com-
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mittee of Arbitration. In 1872 he was chosen a member of the Board of Directors, and in 1874 was elected Vice-President. In 1876 he was elected its President by a handsome majority. In 1873 he was appointed by Governor Beverage a member of the Committee of Appeals on grain inspection for the State of Illi- nois. In 1876 was made President of the Board of Trustees of Hyde Park, where he resides.
He was married in 1854 to Miss Mary A. White, daughter of Almer White of Concord. She died in 1862. He was again married to Miss Augusta F. Fuller, daughter of Elijah Fuller, of Wyoming county, N. Y.
Always genial and courteous in manner, overflowing with good humor, generous to a fault, everywhere a pleasant com- panion ; he especially delights in the endearments of home and brings his choicest offerings to the shrine of the household gods. Mr. Bensley freely ascribes much of his success to the powerful auxiliaries of home influences, where his efforts have always been seconded by intelligent co-operation and courageous self-sacrificing support.
Since the above was written, Mr. B. has held various respon- sible positions on the Board of Trade, as member of committee of appeals ; chairman of a committee to secure a location and erect suitable buildings for the accommodation of the Board- a labor of no small magnitude when we consider the amount of money required and the conflicting interests to be harmonized or overcome. All difficulties have been surmounted and a commodious building is well under way. He is also President of Hyde Park, an extensive municipality adjoining the City of Chicago. But perhaps no one thing so clearly demonstrates the entire confidence which men in responsible positions repose in Mr. Bensley, as his appointment as Receiver of the firm of McGeogh, Everingham & Co., the lard kings ; and the prompt- ness, energy and ability with which he discharged that duty shows how well that confidence is deserved.
George E. Bensley.
George E. Bensley was born in Concord, Erie county, N. Y., Sept. 7, 1823. His early life was principally spent on the farm with his parents. In 1850 he purchased of his grandfather,
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Deacon John Russell, his farm, together with fifty acres be- longing to his father, and carried on the dairy business until 1856, when he sold out the farm and engaged in the grocery trade in the village of Springville, in which he remained until 1862. He then closed out the grocery and formed a partner- ship with his brother, J. R. Bensley, in the grain commission business in Chicago, in which he still remains. In 1868 they opened a live stock commission business at the Union Stock Yards, Chicago, where they still continue the business.
On the 20th of February he was united in marriage with Miss A. L. Tanner, daughter of Deacon Joseph Tanner, of Attica, N. Y. They have had four children :
The oldest, C. R. Bensley, is interested in the live stock firm. Ella F., is living with her parents. Lottie, died at the age of three years and one month, and George died in infancy.
For the past thirteen years Mr. Bensley has been an Elder in the Ninth and Sixth Presbyterian churches, but has recently taken a letter and united with the Plymouth Congregational church, which is in many respects more in conformity with his views of church government.
Albert Haight.
Albert Haight, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the Eighth Judicial District of the State of New York, was born in the town of Ellicottville, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., on the 20th of February, 1842. His father, Henry Haight, was born at Glen's Falls, N. Y., where one or two generations of the family had lived before him. When a mere boy he came to Western New York, and found employment as a farm hand in the towns of this county, first in Brant, afterwards in Collins, and finally he located in Elicottville, where he carried on the business of farming on his own account.
Before leaving this county, Mr. Haight married Miss Sarah Sisson, of Collins, and the subject of this notice was the issue of this union. Mr. Haight moved to Gowanda when Albert was about a year old, and operated a farm in that locality, and three years thereafter, in 1846, he returned to this county and settled at West Falls, in the town of Aurora, where he contin- ues to reside upon his well kept farm.
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Albert was reared near the little village of West Falls, amid the surrounding, influences and opportunities that environ country-bred boys. And they may have been the very best surroundings after all, and have furnished the necessary discip- line for subsequent growth and development. The success and eminent attainments of country-bred boys in America are not uncommon. Indeed, it has almost become a settled rule to which exceptions are not numerous, that the most successful men in business in the professions and in public life are country born and reared.
Mr. Haight had the experience of farmer's boys generally. The needs of the family required his services in " doing chores" and attending to light farm work as soon as he was old enough for these duties. The Winter months were spent in the dis- trict school, and in Summer, farm work absorbed the attention of the future jurist. Wood-chopping, sugar-making, fence- building, plowing, sowing, weeding, haying, harvesting, and such other employments as are incident to farm life were the lot and fortune of young Haight. These labors tended to de- velop his physical strength and to discipline his mental facul. ties for the sterner duties of life.
After two or three brief terms at select schools, Mr. Haight entered Springville Academy at the age of sixteen, for a semi- nary course of three years. The habits of industry and frugal- ity already inculated by parental example and discipline, taught him the importance of making the best possible use of his time and opportunities. He realized the fact that his future de- pended upon the equipment he was to secure at the brief term for which he had entered the Academy, and he studied accord- ingly. At the end of the three years, he left the institution as well fitted for the duties of a business life as are the average graduates of colleges and universities.
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