Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history, Part 62

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 62

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Miner, John E., was born in Clarkson April 9, 1836. His father, Hiram, was a native of Littleton, N. H., and came to Monroe county in 1824, bringing his young wife (Mehitable Martin, also of Littleton, N. H.), and a few necessaries for house- keeping, and settled in the western part of the town of Sweden. In 1831 he removed to Clarkson and settled on the farm now owned by his youngest son, John E., a part of which was owned by Hiram T., another son, who died in 1881. Besides these two sons there were four daughters born to Mr. M., of whom only one is now living- Mrs. Abigail Miller of Brockport. In 1875 the wife and mother died, a few months after they had celebrated their fiftieth marriage anniversary, a happy event, in which their children and grandchildren joyfully anticipated. In 1878 he married Mrs. Mari- etta Butler of Brockport, who died in August, 1892, about three months previous to his own death. Mr. Miner was a man thoroughly interested in agriculture; in poli- tics a staunch Republican. He was a man honored and loved by all who knew him. An earnest Christian worker, one ever ready with heart and hand to aid in the causes of religion and education. For sixty-five years he served as trustee of the M. E. church of Brockport, and was chairman of the board for forty-five years. He died in 1892 in his ninety-second year. John E. Miner was educated in the public schools. In 1859 he married Louise A., daughter of Smith Glidden of Clarendon, Orleans county. They have one daughter, Charlotte H. Our subject has followed in the footsteps of his father, and has filled various positions of trust and responsibility in the town.

Benedict, Allen, late of Fairport, and a valued member of society and church, was born in Tioga. county, January 30, 1834. His father, Nathan, came to Penfield in 1844, engaging in farming, as did Allen until 1876, when he removed to Fairport. During the late war Mr. Benedict served eighteen months in the 8th N. Y. Cavalry, after which his health was greatly impaired, and his death occurred September 10, 1893. He married Lovinia J. Gowdy of Watertown, N. Y., in 1884, who survives him. A constant attendant of the Congregational church, he was one of the trustees for several years. Reserved without being morose, strict without a censorious spirit, his quiet thoughtful ways won the esteem of all who were intimate with him,

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Kingsbury, John H., was born in Brockport, August 16, 1844, a son of Samuel, a native of Tolland county, Conn., who married Phoebe, daughter of Silas Spaulding. The Spauldings trace their lineage back to England and the year 1300. Samuel Kingsbury came to Monroe county about 1835, settled in Brockport, became one of the leading business men of the town and engaged in the produce business. He died in 1855. John H. was educated in Brockport, and later took a business course at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, and returning to Brockport was ap- pointed clerk in the canal collector's office, where he remained three years. In 1865 he entered the First National Bank as teller, and remained seven years. In 1872 he established the private bank of Allen & Kingsbury, and on Mr. Allen's withdrawal in 1875, the business was continued by Mr. Kingsbury, who has since conducted it. In 1874 he married Emily, daughter of Ezra H. Graves, and they have had three chil- dren, John C., Emily M. and Ida G. Mr. Kingsbury has served five terms as village president, seven years as treasurer, and for ten years has served as a member of the Local Board of the State Normal School, being its treasurer for five years. He has also filled the position of junior warden of St. Luke's Episcopal church for ten years.

Berry, Thomas C., was born in the town of Riga, September 6, 1832, a son of John, born in Manchester, England, who settled in Riga in 1826 with his parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Berry. They bought a farm on Black Creek, where the father died shortly after, leaving his wife to take care of a large family. John and Mary Berry, his wife, resided at Hardack Corners for several years, later, in 1832, coming to Brockport, where he followed trucking for a time, and also engaged in the coal busi- ness. His death occurred in 1891, in his eighty-fifth year. He was a prominent factor in town affairs, and was poormaster for nine years. Thomas Berry was edu- cated at Brockport Collegiate Institute, and learned the moulder's trade, being fore- man of D. S. Morgan & Co.'s works for years; also a stone mason. He has also been engaged in the whip, glove and mitten business. In 1856 he married Mary E. Lewis of Syracuse, who died in 1888, leaving three children: Thomas L., Ed. J., and Katy A. He is now living with his second wife, who was M. J. Kelley of Brockport, N. Y.

Gee, Horace B., was born in the town af Virgil, Cortland county, May 11, 1859. His parents moved to Arcadia, Wayne county, N. Y., in 1861, and he was educated in the public schools and the Normal School at Mansfield, Pa. He studied medicine at Newark, N. Y., with Dr. Nutten about three years, and was also in the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and in the medical depart- ment of the Buffalo University, graduating therefrom in 1885. He practiced in West Bloomfield, Ontario county, two years, and is now located in Rochester, in which city he has practiced for the past seven years. He is now editor of the New York State Medical Reporter, and a member of the Monroe County Medical Society. Sep- tember 23, 1884, he married Ellen W. Da Foe, of this city, and they have had two children, Ethel G. and Mildred W.

Goff, Henry H., who since 1879 has been well known throughout this State as sec- retary of the New York State Grange, was born in Henrietta September 20, 1821, a son of Roswell Goff, who married Betsey Thompson. The grandfather, Elder Goff, was an earnest worker in the Baptist ministry, and came to Western New York be- fore 1800. He settled in Rush in an early day, and the place was named Goff's Set- b

LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.

tlement after him. Here he died after forty-two years in the ministry. Roswell Goff was a farmer in Rush for many years, and died in Michigan. At the age of nine years Henry Goff began work for himself. His mother had died during his young childhood, and he was forced to make his own way in life. At the age of six- teen he began teaching, which he continued winters for ten years. He was then chosen town superintendent, and finally county superintendent for the western dis- trict, in both of which capacities he served with satisfaction. We next find him as a teacher in the House of Refuge, but failing health compelled his retirement. He came to Spencerport in 1850, and taught school one year, but soon became interested in the construction of the railroad through the town, and he was appointed first sta- tion agent, in 1852. He removed to Holley in 1854, and was agent there several years. In both places he was interested in the produce business, his local partner at Spencerport being Charles Brigham. Their association continued about twelve years, when in 1874 Mr. Goff succeeded the firmn. In this year he joined the then infant Grange, and soon became a leading member. In 1879 he was elected secre- tary of the State organization, which he has filled to the present time, much of its success being due to his efforts. Mr. Goff purchased the old Colonel Brown farm in Ogden, in 1862, where he has since resided. In 1850 Henry H. Goff married Sarah E., daughter of Harvey J. Wright, and their children are Frank M., a practicing lawyer of Rochester, and Burton M., connected with his father's produce business in Spencerport.

Drake, John N., was born in Clarkson, N. Y., February 2, 1854. His father, Elijah, was a native of Cayuga county, and came to Monroe county in 1832. He married Martha E., daughter of Rev. Morris Bull, D. D., and died January 26, 1889, in his sixty-ninth year. The family trace their descent to Sir Francis Drake. Samuel Drake, his great-grandfather, was a colonel in the Revolutionary war. John N. was educated at the Brockport and Geneseo Normal Schools, graduating in 1872. He began the study of law in Rochester, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. Remov- ing to Brockport in 1881 he established a general practice. In 1878 he married Louise E., daughter of Rev. Alfred A. Graley, and their children are Merle G., Henry J., Margaret L., and Catherine M. Our subject has served as justice of the peace ten years and clerk and attorney of the village of Brockport since 1883. He has compiled and published a volume entitled "The Village Charter," which is a complete compilation of the laws governing all villages in the State.

Foskett, William A., was born at Walworth, Wayne county, May 29, 1834, of an old Massachusetts family. His father, Asaph G., was instantly killed, December 23, 1834, by the bursting of a threshing cylinder at his farm. Mr. Foskett in 1887 en- gaged in the grocery trade at Fairport, retiring from that business in 1891. He is a man of wide information, original character, and independent views. He has for many years been a notary public here and in Wayne county, and a trustee of the vil- lage of Fairport. His early educational advantages were limited, but he has by per- sonal research become thoroughly conversant with legal and business forms, and his services have been in frequent demand in formulating testamentary documents and in the settlement of estates. He married, February 4, 1863, Lucy V. Wyman, daughter of Abel and Artemissa Wyman of Walworth, Wayne county, N. Y.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Nichols, Isaac, one of the pioneers of Ogden, came from Becket, Mass., in 1804, cleared a place in the forest, built a log cabin, and returned for his family, which comprised two sons and three daughters. He died at the age of sixty-four. Of his sons, Charles K. was for many years an enterprising farmer of Ogden. He married Wealthy Wheeler, by whom he had six children: Isaac, Lester S., Hiram D., Kim- ball C., Wealthy A., and Warner. Mr. Nichols died January 27, 1894, and his wife in 1890. Lester S. Nichols, one of Ogden's enterprising business men, was born February 8, 1829, and his life has been one of constant activity. At the age of twenty-six he bought a farm of fifty acres in Ogden, where he lived seven years, then purchased the flour mill at Spencerport, which he rebuilt and conducted from 1861 to 1867 with success. Later he was a merchant at Spencerport. He has also followed farming, and is the owner of one of the finest farms of the town. In 1855 he married Parley K., daughter of Josiah Rich of this town, and their children are Fleming W., a merchant at Spencerport; Nancy M., Ernest L., in business in Paris, France; Alice P., wife of Dr. F. A. Winnie of Brockport; and Sidney S. Lester S. Nichols has been a prominent factor in county politics, having served as assessor nine years, supervisor two terms, postmaster under Cleveland's first administration, trustee of the village several years, besides holding other positions of trust and responsibility. Josiah Rich came from Washington county in an early day, and in 1818 kept a hotel at Spencerport village, where he died in 1844. His first wife was Hannah Skinner, by whom he had six children; his second wife was Polly M. Brookins, and they had eight children.

Cook, Willis.C., M. D., was born in Bergen, Genesee county, June 25, 1832. Was educated in the common schools and in 1883 entered the medical department of the Niagara University of Buffalo; in 1884 he entered the Northwestern University of Ohio, medical department, and in 1885, graduating from the Toledo Medical College in the same year. He located in Brockport where he engaged in the practice of his profession, and is now enjoying a very large practice. In 1855 he married Adeline Hawks, who died in 1857; second he married Mary, daughter of Philip Williams of Paw Paw, Mich., and their children are Francis W., Karl R., Jay W., Curtis L. and Lenoir. Dr. Cook served during the late war as follows: First enlisted in Novem- ber 16, 1861, as a sergeant in Co. K, 13th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was discharged at De- troit for disability November 3, 1862; enlisted again as veterinary surgeon 9th Mich. Cav., and served till the close of the war, being discharged at Lexington, N. C., July 21, 1865. His father, Curtis Cook, was a native of Pompey Hill, Onondaga county, and settled in Bergen in an early day, later moved to Clarendon, Orleans county, where he died December 1, 1883, aged eighty-one years; he married Betsey Snow Brown, daughter of Elijah Brown of Vermont, who was one of the first three white men to settle in Byron; took a farm where he died in 1852, at the age of eighty-six years. Lemuel Cook, grandfather of Willis Cook, was a native of Norwich, Conn., and served in the Revolutionary war under General Washington, who personally signed his discharge papers. After the war he settled at Pompey Hill, and later moved to Bergen, from there he went to Clarendon, where he died at the advanced age of one hundred and seven years, the only Revolutionary soldier known to be alive at that date, March 6, 1863. Betsey Snow, wife of Curtis Cook, still lives on the old homestead in Clarendon at the age of ninety-one years.

LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.

McGill, J. W., M. D., one of the foremost medical practitioners of Fairport, was born in Durham county, Canada, March 31, 1862. His father was Benjamin McGill, of Scotch ancestry, who has spent much of his life as a farmer; he died February 7, 1895, in Peterborough, Canada, at the advanced age of eighty years. His wife was Jane Byers, of Irish nativity, by whom he had ten children. Our subject began his medical studies with Dr. P. D. Carpenter of Pittsford in 1882, later entering the University of Buffalo, from which he graduated in March, 1886, and began practice at Fairport, where he is already highly esteemed, both as a man and a physician. His wife is Sarah Helen, daughter of Julian McVean, who died in Wheatland, Mon- roe county, March 20, 1895, and a niece of Alexander McVean of Rochester, N. Y. They have a son, Donald Cameron, born May 11, 1891. At the present writing Dr. McGill is engaged in the completion of an elegant residence at No. 28 South Main street, Fairport.

Arnold, William B., who died July 16, 1888, was one of the best known and most influential men Ogden has ever produced. He served as justice of the peace thirty- four years, and supervisor several terms, and enjoyed the highest esteem and confi- dence of his fellow townsmen all his life. He was born April 23, 1827, and was a son of Enoch Arnold, and a grandson of pioneer Daniel Arnold. William attended school at Brockport, and later at Rochester, graduating from Union College in 1850. He also read law, though he never practiced, having promised his father to live on the farm in Ogden. However, he possessed the qualifications of a successful lawyer, and his abilities were appreciated by those in authority, for he was frequently ap- pointed manager of estates and property of deceased persons. He was chairman of the Republican County Committee two years, and for many years trustee and clerk of the Center Presbyterian Church. His farm, which comprised 300 acres, he worked, though doing little of the manual labor himself. In 1850 he married Emma, daughter of Rev. A. Sedgwick, by whom he had six children; William S., of Adams Basin ; Fred, Anna, who married Charles J. Smith; Ida, Fred W. 2d, and Edward W., of Ogden. Rev. Alvin Sedgwick was a native of Connecticut, a graduate of Williams Col- lege, and entered the ministry in early life. His first pastorate was Ogden Center, and his service has covered a period of twenty-five years. By his first wife, Lucy Whitman, he had three children, Henry, Emma L., and George F. His second wife was Harriet Thompson, and they had one child, Hattie L.

Bown, George G., who in 1862 established the Fairport Carriage Works, was born at Ancaster, Ontario, November 1, 1835. His father, Edwin A., was a blacksmith, and in straitened circumstances, so at the age of thirteen George came to live with an uncle at Penfield, and thereafter made his own way through life. He first learned blacksmithing, which he followed several years, locating first at Walworth, later at Penfield, and in 1862 came to Fairport, where he began carriage making in a small way. In 1886 the factory was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt the next year, when Mr. Bown took his three sons, F. F., G. W. and W. E. Bown into partnership, the firm being George Bown & Sons. A younger son, Byron A., graduated from Colgate University in 1894, and is reading medicine in Buffalo. Mr. Bown had three daugh- ters: Mrs. H. Leavens of Rochester; Mrs. R. L. Estes of Fairport; and Gertrude, who died a short time after her marriage to Rev. W. A. Harris. Mr. Bown married in 1856 Mary Forman of Walworth. In the Baptist Church of Fairport, in local poli-

FAMILY SKETCHES.

tics, in business circles and society in general Mr. Bown has always taken a leading part and has done as much or more than any other citizen towards building up the place by building and general improvements.

Butcher, Ephraim, whose excellent farm in the eastern part of Parma is among the best in the county, was born in Suffolk county, England. With his father, Charles, he came to Parma in 1856, and worked by the month two years. About 1859 he bought a farm of sixty-four acres and lived on it seven years. About 1866 he bought the farm he now owns and lives upon, which is north and directly oppo- site the first farm he owned. His father moved to Yates county about twenty years ago. Mr. Butcher has been a farmer since his youth and is a man of much determi- nation of character, hence his success in life. He is a member and trustee of the Christian church. In Parma Mr. Butcher married Sarah Rushforth, by whom he had five children: Charles E., and J. Milton, of Parma; Alfred R., of Elmira; William Wadsworth, of Parma; and one other, who died in infancy.

Staples, Robert, was born in Branford, Conn., in 1793, and came to the town of Sweden in 1816, where he was recognized as one of the largest farm operators in the town. He married Eunice, daughter of Perry G. Smith, and of their family one daughter, Mrs. Kendall of West Sweden, survives. Our subject was one of the lead- ing men of the town, holding office as supervisor, assemblyman (two terms), and being active in all charitable and benevolent works. His hand was ever extended to the needy, and his influence given to advance and benefit his townspeople. His death occurred September 4, 1891, in his seventy-eighth year.

Spencer, Joseph A., was born at Spencerport September 12, 1828, a son of Daniel Spencer for whom the village was named. When Joseph was six years of age his father died, but the mother kept her family together, and sent our subject to school, and later to the then famous Canandaigua Academy. At the age of seventeen Jo- seph began work for himself, and engaged in farming, soon being regarded as one of the town's active and successful young men, and to-day has a competency as the re- sult of his early industry. A part of his father's estate came to him, independently of which Mr. Spencer has been a self-made man. A leader of his party in the town, he is by no means an office seeker. The farm on which he now lives was taken up by his uncle, Austin Spencer, in 1808, the latter purchasing of John Carl. Joseph A. Spencer married Isabelle G., daughter of Harvey Wright, by whom he had four children: Foster W., of Spencerport; Frederick C., who died aged twelve; Mary B., wife of Burton H. Goff; and Edward C., of Spencerport. The wife of our subject died in August, 1890.

Walker, Henry A., although but a recent comer to Fairport, is already rated high as a man and citizen, as well as an attorney. He was born at Charlestown, Mass., in 1844. His father, George Walker, was a sea captain in the East India trade. Although but a boy at the outbreak of the war, he ran away from home and enlisted in Co. A, Fifth Maine Infantry, and during his service, which continued from April, 1861, to February 10, 1866, he was for personal bravery successively promoted to first lieutenant, captain, and brevet-major; he was severely wounded at Malvern Hill, and while a member of General Sheridan's personal staff, was again severely wounded at Cedar Creek. After the war he studied law at Harvard College, and in 1871

LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.

opened at office at Boston, Mass., afterwards removing to West Medway, Mass. He was sent to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1873 and 1874, and was for twenty one years a justice, besides holding various other minor official offices.

Goetzman, Charles, has been one of the active business men of Webster since 1870, when he bought the store then at West Webster, and in 1873 built the store now con- ducted by his sons, Charles L. and John E. Mr. Charles Goetzman represented his town on the Board of Supervisors in 1882-83, '84-85, has also served as postmaster since 1870, which position he now holds. Before coming to this town he conducted a store in Rochester for ten years.

Payne, George W., was born in South Greece, Monroe county, May 17, 1846. He was educted in the public schools, supplemented by two terms of academic instruction at Parma Institute. He was a farmer until the age of thirty-one; at thirty-three he became foreman for Henry Brinker & Co., of South Greece, in the general produce business, for four years. At the age of thirty five he began a business in evaporating fruit, to the extent of many thousand bushels annually, which he carried on for thir- teen years. He has also been a produce dealer in connection with the above, for the past six years, doing a very successful business. June 26, 1894, he married Hattie P. Gorsline of Lake Avenue, Rochester. Mr. Payne's business is at South Greece, but since his marriage he resides in Rochester. His father, Seth P., was born in St. Lawrence county, August 3, 1817, was educated in the schools of that day, and was a carpenter and later a farmer. In 1842 he married Rachel S. Bull of this county, and they have have had four children: Julia E., who married John Hart; George W., as above; Manley H., and Sarah L., who died in her fourteenth year. Seth P. Payne came to this town in 1839, and now lives retired, as one of the town's representative men.

Holmes, Harris, was born in Franklin county, Vt., January 1, 1844. His father, Lucas Holmes, was a native of the same place, and the family were of English de- scent, settling at an early date in Connecticut. Lucas Holmes married Jane M., daughter of Alfred Wheeler, and came to Monroe county in 1848, where he was iden- tified with the farming interests of the locality. He died in 1885 in his seventy-third year. Harris Holmes received his education in the common schools, and in 1883 married Mary E., daughter of James Sime.

Capen, Franklin F., was born in Brockport, June 15, 1835, a son of Benjamin F. Capen, the latter a native of Scipio, N. Y., who came to this town in 1818, where he engaged in farming. He married twice, his first wife having died early in life. His second wife was Phoebe Fitch of Salem, Washington county, N. Y. F. F. Capen was educated in the common schools and at Brockport Collegiate Institute, and fin- ished his studies at the M. E. Seminary at Lima. Returning to the farm, he married in 1857 De Ette Baker of Bridgewater, Oneida county, and in 1882 removed to the village of Brockport and engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, fertilizers, harness, etc. In 1887 he organized a shoe factory, and in 1892 organized a piano factory, being president of both companies, which are now in successful operation. Our subject is a leading business man in his town, identified with all interests tend- ing to promote the growth of the community, and has served as president of the village, supervisor, etc.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Henion, E. B., was born in Kendall, Orleans county, August 31, 1840, a son of William C. of New York city, whose father, David, came from Holland before the Revolution, moved from Albany to Buffalo by ox team and bought 200 acres of land at Cold Spring near Buffalo, later purchasing the Craig property, where he died in 1833. William C. Henion married Elizabeth B., daughter of Courtlandt Elliot, and was a farmer. He died in 1892 in his eighty-fourth year.

Efner, Charles, of Fairport, dealer in coal, produce, wagons, etc. About 1798 three brothers, Jonathan, Silas and Lewis Leonard, then aged respectively eighteen, twenty, and twenty-two, left their Connecticut home on foot, carrying on their backs their earthly possessions, also provisions for the journey, and after enduring the usual hardships of such a trip, with minor adventures, such as crossing the Genesee River on a broken ice-floe at Hanford's Crossing, and getting lost in the dense woods, they at last reached Atchison Settlement near Parma Center, where they located. Undiscouraged by hardships they hewed their way to comfortable homes, and all lived to extreme old age. Silas, the older brother, became the father of Mrs. Lucinda Efner, she being the youngest of a family of nine. Mr. Efner was born March 13, 1828, in Middleburg, Schoharie county, N. Y., where his father, Harvey, was a dealer in boots and shoes. He reached the age of ninety-four, and in fact the family on both sides are noted for their longevity. Charles Efner has spent most of his life in Monroe county, and has always been an active factor in business circles. In 1865 he kept a general store and lumber yard at North Parma, where he was for three years a director during the building of the R. W. & O. Railroad. After the opening of said railroad he conducted a coal and produce business at North Parma until 1895, when he established, with George Holman the extensive business con- ducted under the style of Charles Efner & Co. He has held all the official positions within the gift of his townsmen, from supervisor to postmaster, and was for sixteen successive years a justice and twenty-six years a notary.

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Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history, Part 62

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