Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history, Part 51

Author: Peck, William F. (William Farley), b. 1840; Raines, Thomas; Fairchild, Herman LeRoy
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Boston : Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1160

USA > New York > Monroe County > Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history > Part 51

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).

James H. Thatcher was reared on the paternal farm, and inherited the thrifty characteristics and noble patriotism of his worthy ancestors. He attended the dis- trict schools of his native town and finished at the old Webster Academy, which was long ago destroyed by fire. In the outdoor life of agricultural pursuit he acquired a strong, robust constitution, while the educational advantages he enjoyed equipped a naturally bright intellect for the various duties of life. On the 8th of August, 1862, following a strong patriotic impulse to aid his country in her hour of peril, he enlisted at Ontario in Co. B, 138th N. Y. Vol. Inft., which was afterwards changed to the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. In this he served until the close of the war, being honorably mustered out of service at Syracuse as first sergeant on July 24, 1865. His army life from first to last was characterized by faithful adherence to duty and the highest and noblest patriotism. He participated in all the battles and engagements of his regiment, notably Cold Harbor, both Petersburgs, Sailor's Creek, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and Appomattox, being present at the final charge at Petersburg, at Lee's Surrender, and at the grand review in Washington.

Returning from the war Mr. Thatcher settled permanently in Webster, Monroe county, where, on November 15, 1865, he married Miss Frances E., daughter of James L. Fox, of that town. He engaged in farming on his present farm of seventy- five acres a little west of Union Hill, and continued until about 1889. For fifteen years he had been extensively engaged in buying and selling fruit. In 1890 he formed a partnership with E. W. Bancroft, under the firm name of Bancroft & Thatcher, and not only continued the established fruit business but also carried on a hardware and furniture store at Union Hill. In February, 1895, he sold his interest in these enterprises to his partner and retired to private life.

Mr. Thatcher has ever taken a lively interest in public affairs, lending his aid and influence in the cause of every good movement, and heartily promoting the progress and advancement of his community. He is an unswerving Republican, a staunch advocate of the principles of his party, and a prominent factor in local politics. He was collector of the town one year, assessor for seventeen and a justice of the peace for the past seven years. He is deacon and trustee of the Webster Presbyterian church, and in religion as well as education takes an abiding interest. He is also a prominent member of Thomas Farr Post, No. 275, G. A. R. of Webster. In a pleas- ant and attractive home in the hamlet of Union Hill, he and his estimable wife are enjoying in retirement the accumulations of profitable, successful, and honorable careers.

Char Flighthouse

BIOGRAPHICAL.

CHARLES F. LIGHTHOUSE.

THERE are not a few gentlemen of Rochester who by their own efforts have risen to prominence in business, political and society circles, and one of them is Charles F. Lighthouse. Through the enterprise of which Mr. Lighthouse is the originator this city is represented in every city, county and hamlet having a post-office in the United States. He is a native of Rochester and was born April 24, 1855. He is one of the younger men of the city, and yet one of the best known. In early life he received a training in the best schools of the Flower City, and soon after entered upon a most successful business career. He is a tanner of extensive experience and wide repu- tation. In 1879 Mr. Lighthouse established himself in business as a manufacturer of horse collars, and was very successful. In 1889 the Post-office Department at Wash- ington awarded him a contract for the exclusive manufacture of gevernment mail bags made of leather only. In August, 1893, he was awarded another contract for canvas mail bags, and at once began the manufacture of them also. His work has met the requirements of the government in each instance and he has to-day an ex- tensive manufactory on Court street near Washington Park as the result of his un- tiring efforts, which is a pride to the city. An average of twenty-five skilled hands are employed in this establishment and over 1,000 mail bags per week are manufac- tured for the government service. The products of the house meet every demand of the mail service, being light, handy, safe and durable, and are the pefection of utility and convenience.

Socially Mr. Lighthouse is a genial gentleman. He is very prominent in Masonic circles and as a business man his standing is most excellent. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, has a large circle of acquaintances and friends, and manifests a deep interest in the welfare and advancement of his native city,

RUFUS ADAMS SIBLEY.

RUFUS ADAMS SIBLEY was born at Spencer, Mass., December 3, 1841, being a lin- eal descendant of John Sibley, who came from St. Albans, England, and settled at Salem, Mass., in 1629, about ten years later than the settlement of Plymouth. He is also a lineal descendant of that Henry Adams who arrived from Devonshire, Eng. land, and settled at Quincy, Mass., in 1632, to whom President John Adams erected a monument in the old burying ground at Quincy, Mass., which bears this inscription -" In memory of Henry Adams, who took his flight from the dragon persecution in Devonshire and alighted with eight sons near Mt. Wollaston." Also he is a lineal descendant of John Livermore, who arrived in New England in 1634, and settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1642. At the age of fifteen Mr. Sibley taught the winter term in a district school, and a second term the year following. At seventeen he entered a general store as clerk and bookkeeper, where he remained five years, leaving this situation for the purpose of completing his studies in civil engineering at the Law- rence Scientific School of Harvard College. He decided, however, to accept a posi- tion in the office of Hogg, Brown & Taylor, at Boston, remaining there three years,

LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.

when he resigned in order to commence the dry goods business in Rochester, N. Y., under the firm name of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr, in March, 1868. Mr. Sibley was married, October 11, 1870, to Martha, daughter of Rev. John Haven, of Charlton, Mass., who died in 1883, leaving a son, Edward R. Sibley. He married Elizabeth Sibley Conkey, in 1885, by whom he has two children. Since the foundation of the business house referred to, Mr. Sibley has been closely identified with the growth and prosperity of the city of his adoption, and has large interests in other portions of the United States. The twelve story fire-proof structure, known as the Granite building, in Rochester, erected by the firm of Sibley, Lindsay & Curr, in 1893, is an important contribution to the growth of the city. Mr. Sibley is a trustee of the Rochester Savings Banks, of the Rochester Trust and Safe Deposit Company, of the Security Trust Company, the Industrial School, the City Hospital, and the Univer- sity of Rochester, and a director in several corporations, and is, at the present time, actively engaged in the dry goods business with his partners in Rochester, New York city, Erie, Pa., Minneapolis, Minn., with offices in England, France, Germany, and Switzerland.

STEPHEN W. RANDALL.

STEPHEN WILLARD RANDALL is a great-grandson of Rev. Stephen Randall, a native of Massachusetts, who was born June 1, 1763, and died April 16, 1828. Stephen Randall 2d, the eldest son in the family of seven children of Rev. Stephen, was born April 5, 1786, and on February 9, 1809, was married to Lois Lord. In 1827 they emigrated from their New England home to the then wilderness of Western New York-the far famed Genesee country-and purchased in the town of Hamlin, Mon- roe county, what has ever since been the family homestead, where he died July 20, 1861. Of their six children, Andrew Jackson Randall, the third son, was born April 24, 1815, and at the age of twelve came with his parents to this section. On Septem- ber 14, 1837, he married Juliette King, whose birth occurred July 5, 1815. Enduring many of the hardships of pioneer life they, by untiring industry and good manage- ment, continued to improve and add to the ancestral acres until the farm became what it now is, one of the most beautiful and productive of the many in this world- famed fruit garden of Western New York. They were liberally endowed with the sterling characteristics of old-time New Englanders, and with commendable zeal firmly and enduringly implanted those worthy attributes in the community. In 1861 he erected the large family residence, in which he died August 28, 1879. His widow survived him until March 24, 1892, when her death occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Augusta Northrop, in Reading, Mich. Mr. Randall was not without political honor. He always took an active interest in local affairs, lending his aid and influence in the cause of all worthy movements, and in 1869 represented the western district of Monroe county in the State Legislature. He left four children: Louisa L., born May 14, 1841, married to David W. Conklin on June 19, 1861; Har- rison L., born May 4, 1845, married, September 8, 1868, Juliette Elliott; Augusta, born April 10, 1855, married to W. Burr Northrop on September 21, 1882; and Stephen Willard, born January 26, 1847.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Stephen W. Randall has been a life-long occupant of the old homestead in Ham- lin. Possessed of a liberal education he is one of the very few who have always "stuck to the farm." He inherited all the lofty principles of manhood and the worthier attributes of nature which characterized his New England ancestry, and has applied them effectively to the practical career of an agriculturist. Coming into possession of the paternal acres by purchase, and subsequently the adjoining farm, he has given his attention to fruit growing, and by advanced methods of horticul- ture, improved machinery, and high grade stock has kept well abreast of the times. He takes a lively interest in town affairs, seeking always the advancement of the community, and every worthy project finds in him a firm friend and substantial sup- porter.

September 10, 1873, Mr. Randall married Ella B. Watson, who died February 21, 1879, leaving an only child, Clayton B., born January 13, 1875. His second wife, whom he married September 28, 1880, was Lottie A. Watson, who died December 1, 1882, leaving also an only child, Lottie A., who was born November 16, 1881. Sep- tember 12, 1889, Mr. Randall married, third, Lizzie A. Genung, whose death occurred December 5, 1893, at the age of thirty-three. Their children were Lewis Willard, born August 26, 1890, and Mary Edna, born January 29, 1893.

HENRY H CRAIG.

HENRY H. CRAIG, one of the largest lumber dealers in Western New York, was born in Cobourg, Canada, November 15, 1841, was reared on a farm, and was edu- cated in the public schools near his native city. In 1858 he came to Rochester, where he entered the employ of E. H. Hollister, lumber merchant, with whom he remained ten years, rising to the position of foreman. In 1866 he engaged in a similar business for himself in partnership with the Crouch brothers under the firm name of Craig & Crouches. This firm continued for ten years and carried on an extensive wholesale and retail lumber trade. Mr. Craig then established his present business under his own name, which is the largest in the city and extends throughout New York State and into New England.

Outside of his lumber operations Mr. Craig has been one of the most enterprising citizens of Rochester and for many years was prominently identified with a number of leading corporations, etc. He was one of the organizers of the Lake Ontario Beach Improvement and Vulcanite Paving Companies and served as president of both until 1895 and 1894 respectively. He was also a director in the German Ameri- can Bank and one of the directors and consolidators of the Rochester Gas and Elec- tric Light Company. He was one of the originators of the present Rochester Railway Company, which was formed by the consolidation of the old Rochester City and Brighton Railway and Crosstown South Park Railroad Companies, in the latter of which he was a director. He is a 32d degree Mason, being a member of Rochester Consistory A. A. Scottish Rite as well as of Genesee Falls Lodge, No. 507, F. & A. M., and Monroe Commandery Knights Templar. He was heavily interested in the coal and elevator business and formerly owned a half interest in the elevator at

LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.

Charlotte, which he built. For many years he was also interested in the coal firm of H. F. Drake & Co. He was the prime mover in securing the elevation of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. tracks through the city and himself drafted the act which passed the Legislature and effected that important work. Always manifesting an active in- terest in public affairs he has taken a prominent part in local politics and represented the Eighth ward in the Common Council for four years, where he labored faithfully for the welfare of his constituents and the city at large.

In 1864 Mr. Craig married Miss Harriet Knox and they have three sons and six daughters, all living.

GEORGE J. OAKS.

GEORGE J. OAKS was born in Rochester February 9, 1843, the son of George Oaks, who came to this city from Germany in 1839. His mother, Mary Ann, was a daugh- ter of Jean Pierre Pronguey, who arrived in this country with his family from France in May, 1823, being among the first settlers of Irondequoit. Mr. Oaks was educated in the public schools of Rochester and at St. Charles College in Maryland. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. G, 13th N. Y. Vol. Inf., and in the following September was trans- ferred with his company to the 3d N. Y. Vol. Cavalry. In September, 1862, he was commissioned second lieutenant of Co. E, 151st N. Y. Vol. Inf. ; in November of the same year he was made first lieutenant of Co. D; and in June, 1863, he was pro- moted to captain of that company. During this period he served as aide-de-camp to Gen. William H. Morris, 1st Brigade, 6th Army Corps, and later, in August, 1863, was transferred as aide-de-camp to Major-Gen. James B Ricketts. In the Septem- ber following he was appointed ordnance officer of the 3d Division, 6th Army Corps, Major-General Ricketts commanding. Captain Oaks participated in every battle and skirmish in which his regiment was engaged, including first Bull Run, Culpep- per Court House, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Tolopo- tomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Monocacy, Charleston, Winches- ter, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, the Fall of Petersburg, Sailor's Creek, and Appomat- tox. At Monocacy, where a part of the 3d Division fought Early's army and saved Washington, he was wounded, but after ten days returned to his command; at Cedar Creek he saved the 6th Army Corps ordnance train from being captured; and at the Fall of Petersburg on April 2, 1865, he was brevetted major for gallant and meritorious service. On March 27, 1865, he was granted a twenty days' leave of absence, but while in Washington learned of the battle of Five Forks. Hastening to the front he arrived about dusk on April 1; at 4 P. M. on the 2d of April the 6th Army Corps broke through the enemy's lines, and, with other corps of the army, pressed Lee's army to the final surrender at Appomattox.

He returned to Rochester with his regiment July 1, 1865 and in the following September entered the employ of S. Rosenblatt & Co., of which firm he became a member in 1876. Upon the death of Mr. Rosenblatt the firm name was changed to Oaks & Stern, and in July, 1877, the present firm of Oaks & Calhoun was formed.

Mr. Oaks is prominent in musical, Masonic and G. A. R. circles, and in 1894 was elected deputy commander of the Union Veterans Union of New York State. In

BIOGRAPHICAL.

1893 he was chosen first deputy commander-in-chief at the G. A. R. encampment in Boston, and in August, 1894, he received the unanimous election as commander-in- chief of the national organization. He is also a companion of the Commandery of the Loyal Legion; a member of the Genesee Falls Lodge, No. 507, F. & A. M .; of Rochester Consistory 32d degree of the Scottish Rite Masons; of Damascus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. He has always taken on active interest in the progress and welfare of the city, and is promi- nently identified with its business and social life.

JOHN D. WHIPPLE.

THE subject of this sketch was born in the town of Duanesburg, Schenectady county, N. Y., February 28, 1826, hisgrandfather, David, having settled there in 1796, locating on a farm. Two of the brothers of this ancestor participated in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars; one of them, William, accompanying General Montgomery in his Canadian expedition, and, like his general, losing his life at the attack upon Quebec. The other, Samuel, served throughout the Revolution and at its close moved to the Western Reserve, finally settling upon the land granted him by the government on the Maumee River, near the present city of Toledo, where the family is still represented. The three brothers were natives of Rhode Island. David Whipple married Joanna Jones of Dutchess county and one of their children, William, born in Dutchess county August 22, 1785, a farmer by occupation throughout his life, married Elizabeth Tallman of Schenectady county and became the father of seven children, viz., David, Griffin, Tallman, John D., Sorinda, Joanna and Margaret. William Whipple died July 14, 1851, having survived his wife who died May 15, 1840. John D. Whipple was educated in the district schools and a select school and spent his early life upon his father's farm, but came to Rochester in 1854 and soon moved to Irondequoit, where he raised produce on his farm for four years and then engaged with produce dealers as accountant and manager for about four years. In 1862 he engaged in that business for himself and followed it successfully for twenty-nine years when he retired from active operations therein and came to Irondequoit with view to enjoy his pleasant home associations more fully and cultivate his extensive fruit orchard. In 1878 he became warmly interested in a movement directed to the building a railroad connecting his town with Rochester, and, with a few other gentle- men, secured the right of way between that city and Sea Breeze, completing the Rochester and Lake Ontario Railway during the following year. Mr. Whipple was elected director of the road upon the organization of the company and served in that capacity until 1893 when it was sold to the Rochester & Brighton Railroad Company. He is a consistent Republican and his value has long been recognized by his towns- men, who, for two terms, kept him in the office of town clerk, and have now re- elected him to serve his fourth term as supervisor. In 1850 he married Jane A. Marsh of Duanesburg, and they had four children, Isabel, Marsh, Florence A., and Carrie E. Isabel married Joseph Walzer of Irondequoit and they have fourteen children ; Marsh married Susie J. Bumpus of this town and they have one daughter, Almeda. This gentleman continued the business founded by his father in Rochester

LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.

and is well known and active in the line. Florence A. married Allison J. Potter of Rochester and they have two children, Florence and Carl: Carrie E. married Louis Gerber also of Rochester and they have three children, Reta, Frances and Ward. Mrs. Whipple died March 16, 1882. For his second wife Mr. Whipple married, in 1884, Mrs. Maria Walzer, formerly Mason, of Irondequoit.

Mr. and Mrs. Whipple are members of the First Universalist church of Rochester, and he has been a trustee for a number of years. In 1891 they became impressed with the need for religious instruction in their town and after much effort on their part succeeded in their project of erecting the present Irondequoit Union Sunday School chapel.

HENRY STEAD HEBARD.

CONSPICUOUS among among the more prominent business men of the city of Roch- ester during the period of its development and growing prosperity stands the name of Henry Stead Hebard, who was born in Saugerties, Ulster county, N. Y., March 10, 1827, and moved here with his parents when four years of age. He received his education in the public schools of the city and at the old Collegiate Institute, where he studied under Dr. Chester Dewey, the most famous of Rochester's early teachers. Reaching his majority at a time when so many young men were rushing to Califor- nia in the pursuit of gold, he too, was attracted by the tales of untold wealth and prepared to make a journey westward, but his father, who had long conducted an extensive marble business, dissuaded him from casting his lot with the human stream of "forty-niners" and offered him an interest in the marble works. The offer was accepted and his vocation fixed, and the Hebard Marble Works, enlarged and de- veloped by the son, became well known throughout the State and Nation. He con- tinued the business until his death, making it one of the largest of the kind in the country, and acquiring a reputation which only years of faithfulness and shrewd management will establish. He was practically a life-long Republican and few men took more active interest in the progress and welfare of his party. From 1857 to 1862 he served as a member of the Common Council, representing the old Fourth ward, in which he always resided. His valued services in that body placed him among the leaders of the time and found expression of popular approval in his nom- ination for mayor in 1862, for which he was defeated by only thirty-seven votes. (The city then was overwhelmingly Democratic and for many years before and after- ward was in control of the Democratic party.) Two years later he was a candidate for the same position but again was defeated by a small majority. In 1865 he became a member of the first Police Commission, Jacob Howe being his colleague, and to- gether they laid the foundation for the present police department of the city. Mr. Hebard continued in that capacity until 1872. Upon the organization of the East Side Savings Bank in 1869, he was made its vice-president and in 1876 became its president, a position he held till his death. In 1873 and 1874 he was a member of the old Board of Public Works, and in 1875 was elected supervisor of the Fourth ward, declining a renomination the next year. He was for fifteen years a volunteer fireman and for many years a trustee of the fire department. He was long one of the man-

BIOGRAPHICAL.

agers of the Western House of Refuge, now the State Industrial School, and for one year was president of the board. In 1880 he was a presidential elector and voted for Garfield and Arthur, and subsequently President Arthur offered him the postmaster- ship of Rochester, which he generously declined in favor of D. T. Hunt, who held the office at the time. On March 4, 1890, he was commissioned postmaster by Pres- ident Harrison, but died on the 11th, widely respected and esteemed.

He was a member of several societies, a Scottish Rite Mason, a member of Valley Lodge F. & A. M., and of Monroe Commandery K. T .; for many years a trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal church and president of the board, and a member of the club bearing his name. The Hebard Club is composed of well known Rochester men, and for one of its recreations makes an annual excursion as a body, to some lo- cality of interest.

In 1853 Mr. Hebard married Miss Harriet M. Hazen, a niece and adopted daughter of Benjamin Shipman, for many years treasurer of the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. Their children were Emma Jane, wife of John P. Weston of Roch- ester; Harriet Eloise wife of Charles O. Weston of Washington, D. C .; Benjamin S. of Rochester; and Cora Eliza (Mrs. Anson S. McNab), who died in Rochester August 15, 1895.

In all the positions and relations of life Mr. Hebard distinguished himself as a man of considerable attainments, of singular executive ability, and of great energy and foresight. He labored faithfully for the good of the city, and zealously promoted its interests. He was a man of steadfast integrity, and, endowed by nature with con- spicuous business talent and with keen insight into human nature, he stood in the community as a type of the upright citizen and man of affairs.

ARTHUR G. YATES.

ARTHUR G. YATES, second son of Judge Arthur Yates, was born at Factoryville, (now East Waverly) N. Y., December 18, 1843. His grandfather, Dr. William Yates, was born at Sapperton, near Burton-on-Trent, England, in 1767, and studied but never practiced medicine; being the eldest son he inherited a large estate and the title of baronet, and throughout life was distinguished as a philanthropist. Dr. Yates was a cousin of Sir John Howard, the philanthropist, and Sir Robert Peel, statesman, and was himself one of the most noted benefactors of his age. At his own expense he built and conducted an asylum for paupers and the treatment of insane at Burton- on-Trent. In 1799 he came to Philadelphia, Pa., and was the first to introduce vacci- nation in this country, a work to which he devoted much time and money. In 1800 he returned to England but soon came back to America and from Philadelphia, in company with Judges Cooper and Franchot and General Morris, ascended the Sus- quehanna River to the Butternuts Valley, where he met the daughter of a prominent settler, whom he married. The couple went to England, but two years later returned to the United States, where they thereafter resided. Having disposed of Sapperton to his brother Harry, Dr. Yates purchased a large estate in Butternuts (now the town of Morris), Otsego county, N. Y., where he died in his ninetieth year, widely respected and esteemed, He spent his fortune in carrying out his benevolent ideas,

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.

Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history, Part 51

Author: Peck, William F. (William Farley), b. 1840; Raines, Thomas; Fairchild, Herman LeRoy Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Boston : Boston History Co. Number of Pages: 1160

Author: Peck, William F. (William Farley), b. 1840; Raines, Thomas; Fairchild, Herman LeRoy
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Boston : Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1160