Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history, Part 73

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 73

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Garbutt, Robert R., was born in 1840, a son of William Garbutt, whose father was Zachariah, of the North of England, who came to this country in 1798, and settled in Sparta, where he worked at shoemaking. In 1800 he removed to Seneca. In 1803 he bought the farm in Wheatland, part of the family removing to it in the fall of 1804, the others in the spring of 1806; after seeing the family settled he started for Ken- tucky where he intended to locate. En route, he was taken ill and died at a point on the Mississippi River in 1807. William, father of Robert R., was active in public affairs, being among the first town officers. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Dow, natives of Glasgow, Scotland, who came to Livingston county in 1828. Their children were: Elizabeth, Margaret, William D., James, Phoebe, Zachariah, Robert and Philip. Our subject has followed farming from boyhood, with much success. In 1866 he bought and located on his present farm of 100 acres. In 1865 he married Jennie, daughter of Joseph Cox, jr., and their children are: John Z. and Roy C. John Z. married Nellie Moon and has one daughter, Elizabeth.

Probst, Frederick, was born in the village of Koppigen, canton Bern, Switzerland, in 1828. He was educated in the free schools of his native town and the secondary school at Kirchberg. At the age of sixteen he was sent to the canton de Vaud to learn French. Two years later he was apprenticed to the butcher's trade, at which he

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worked until coming to America in 1850. He went to Perinton, where he worked one year on a farm and one year for a butcher. He then secured an engagement as a teacher of German and French in the academy at Albion, N. Y., where he taught four terms. From Albion he went to Bloomington, Ill., where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1855 he married Elizabeth E., daughter of John Sargent of Mendon, who came from Newburyport, Mass., in an early day. Mrs. Sargent was a Mrs. Webster of Mendon, whose maiden name was Tirzah Stiles, coming from West- field, Mass., previous to 1817. In 1856 the Probsts returned to the Sargent farm, where they since lived. They have had but one child, a daughter, who died in in- fancy. Mr. Probst has been for many years senior elder in the Presbyterian church at Mendon, having been elected when a young man, and when the others with one exception were all aged men.

Gott, John, was the pioneer head of one of Ogden's most respected families, and though born in Connecticut, he came to this town from Pompey Hill, Onondaga county. He purchased the old Deacon Phelps farm on which he afterwards died. He was a school teacher before coming here, and was Wadsworth's land agent in the town. His children were Edward, who died in the army; Emeline, who married Jasper Barber; Maria, who married Nathaniel Webster; Harriet, who married Halsey Danforth ; Oscar F., Helen, who died young; Frank, of Spencerport; and John, who married Alma Ball of Pompey, Onondaga county. John Gott was supervisor of this town in 1840-41, was justice several years, and held nearly all the important offices of the town. He was a man much respected, and a prosperous citizen. Oscar F. Gott was born February 5, 1828, and like his father engaged in agriculture. In 1851 he married Martha Warner, and they have two children, William, a farmer of Greece, and Helen S., wife of S. H. Curtis, of Spencerport. Eleazer Warner settled in Ogden about 1815, living south of the Center, and here he died in 1828. His widow cleared the farm of debt, and educated her children. She died at the age of sixty-three. The children were Sylvester, who married Maria Day, and Martha, who became the wife of Oscar F. Gott.

Reed, J. B. (deceased). was born in Sweden, January 29, 1818. His father, John, came to Sweden in 1806, and settled on the farm which has been in the family for eighty-five years. John B. married Mary W., daughter of Joseph Emerson, who married Lucy Hill, and settled in the town of Riga, Monroe county, in 1809. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had four daughters: Mrs. Seymour H. Root, Mrs. George H. Rowe, Mrs. Fred J. Root, who died January 21, 1879, and Cora M. Reed. Our sub- ject was a practical and successful citizen and farmer, and has taken an active interest in all town affairs, being specially interested in educational matters. He died in 1879 in his sixty-second year. He was mourned by all who knew him for his many noble traits of character.

Williams, George E. (deceased), was a native of New Orleans. He spent his boy- hood at Hudson, O., and at the age of eighteen enlisted in Co. K, 19th O. Inf. Vols. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh by a musket ball, but continued to serve as aid on General Crittenden's staff. In 1871 he married Louise, youngest daughter of Nathan Fish, and they have had two children, Grace L. and Burr F. From 1868 to 1874 Mr. Williams traveled in the West, and in the latter year came to Brockport and

LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.

entered the employ of D. S. Morgan, with whom he remained till his death, in 1884, in his forty-first year. He was a man of unassuming manners, who had the respect of his townspeople. In 1885 Mrs. Williams was appointed a critic of the Normal School, and in 1891 was appointed principal of the Primary Department, being a graduate of that institution, class of 1868.

Fisk, Nathan, was born in the town of Penfield, January 6, 1804. His father, Nathan Fisk, came from Connecticut and settled in Pittsford about 1775. He married Rebecca, daughter of Abram Canfield, and they had ten children, four of whom survive. He later moved to Penfield, and died in 1825. Nathan, the oldest son, was educated in the common schools and is a self-made man. In 1831 he mar- ried Melinda, daughter of Obed Manley, and they have had eight children. Our subject is a prosperous and successful farmer, identified in advancing the best inter- ests of his town, and a man whose judgment is sought by many.

Hendee, Peter, was born in Webster in 1826, a son of Jacob, whose father, Zebu- lon, came to Webster in an early day and died there. Mr. Hendee married first, Harriet, daughter of John T. Whiting, who died, leaving two children, John J. and Mrs. Walker Levins. He married second, Melvina Richardson. Mr. Hendee has been on his present farm for more than forty years, engaged in successful farming.

Mann, William B., M. D., was born in Kendall, Orleans county, June 15, 1838. His father, Joseph, was born in Saratoga county, and the family trace their descent to Richard Mann, the planter, who settled at Scituate, Mass., about 1634. Joseph came to Orleans on horseback about 1824, and taught school for several years, later en- gaged in farming. He married Delia Eveline, daughter of William Barrow, a sol- dier of the war of 1812. Joseph Mann was a prominent man in his town, having served several years as supervisor, justice of the peace, etc. He died in 1882. Will- iam B. was educated at Ballston Collegiate Institute and in 1856 entered Hobart Col- lege, then studied at Albany, and in 1860 entered the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, graduating in 1861. The same year he was commissioned assistant surgeon in the United States navy, remaining in the service till May 12, 1865, at the close of the war. He then resigned and came to Brockport and engaged in general practice. In 1865 he married Sophronia E., daughter of Horace Clark, M. D., and they have five children: Horace, James, Charles T., Sophronia E. and Marjorie. Our subject is one of the leading members of his profession, and has for a number of years served as vestryman of St. Luke's church.

Downer, Mrs. Maria, is the widow the late George W. Downer, who was born at Lebanon, N .H., February 19, 1798. While a small boy, his parents removed to Sharon, Vt., and his youth was handicapped by his father's financial embarrassment ; but he early developed the sterling qualities which in later life distinguished him as a man among men. When eighteen years old he was at work by the month on a Perinton farm. In 1823 he married Matilda Whitehorn, of Fairport, and began life on his own account, in a log house. Rochester was the chief available market, and all produce was hauled by oxen. Mr. Downer himself possessed an iron constitu- tion, and an indomitable will, and his efforts were aided by a loving and prudent wife, by whom he had ten children, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. Downer's second wife, who survives him, was Maria Benedict of Fairport, Her only son, John

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B. Downer, died in 1881. George W. Downer was an active member of the Freewill Baptist church, and his death was widely mourned.

Chamberlain, Nelson, was born in Riga, July 9, 1826. His father, Moses, was a native of Berkshire county, Mass., and married Hannah, daughter of William Newell. They came to the town of Riga in 1815 and in 1827 removed to Sweden. He died in 1845 in his sixty-fourth year. Nelson Chamberlain laid the foundation of his education in the common schools and is a self-made man, At his father's death he bought the homestead, which has been in the possession of the family for seventy years. In 1845 he married Mary, daughter of Martin Sage, and they have two chil- dren, Mrs. Gertrude L. King, and Hattie A. Demary.

Burritt, A. C .- Stephen D. Burritt, son of Giles Burritt, was born November 3, 1824, and lived in Parma from 1835 to the time of his death, September 25, 1889. He was always a farmer and successful business man. He was twice supervisor and two terms assessor of the town. His first wife, whom he married October 8, 1845, was Lavina Cox, by whom he had five children: Delno C., William S., Mary L., Frank M., and Martha J., all living in Parma. His wife died April 18, 1879, and on November 3, 1881, Mr. Burritt married Anna, daughter of James Chase, by whom he had one son, Maurice Burritt. September 25, 1889, Mr. Burritt was killed by a kick of a horse. William S. Burritt was born June 11, 1851, and married, November 14, 1872, Sarah E. Garlock, by whom he has two children: Ferne L. and Mabel. Nicholas Garlock came from Canajoharie, Montgomery county, to Parma in 1833, and settled on a farm. Elisha and Sarah were his children by his first marriage. James Chase was the son of Isaac Chase, who came to Parma in 1834. He married Betsey Tripp, by whom he had four children: Helen, who married Daniel Anthony; Darwin, of Parma; Anna, who married Stephen D. Burritt; and Josephine, who married George Edgerton.

Kennedy, James K., was born in Pompey, and was the son of Thomas B., who came from Onondaga county and settled in Penfield in 1877, where they bought the old Hipp homestead. The mother was Mary McLinden Burns before her marriage. Thomas has six sons: William, a lawyer, served in the assembly two terms, from 1892 to 1894; Frank, Henry, George, John and James are engaged in agricultural pursuits. James Kennedy was elected justice of the peace in 1894, which office he now holds. There are two daughters, Rose A., a school teacher, and Mary E. Kennedy.

Parmenter, George W., was born in 1820, a son of Edmund and Sarah (Davis) Par- menter. Edmund came to Penfield about 1816 from Massachusetts, and his father was Rufus Parmenter, of that State. They were both agriculturists, and Edmund died in 1826. George W. married in 1865 Charlotte, daughter of Henry, and grand- daughter of Gen. John Fellows. George lived on the homestead until 1861, then on the farm now owned by C. N. Leonard, which he sold in 1875, and built the home where he lives now.

Harris, James, was born in Penfield in 1821. His father, William Harris, emi- grated from Scotland in 1802 and settled in Fulton county, this State, where he mar- ried Sally Shoecraft, a daughter of John Shoecraft, a Revolutionary soldier. In 1

LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.

June, 1806, William Harris, in company with his wife's parents, removed to Western New York and settled in the town of Penfield, now Webster, with the early history of which his name is intimately associated as the first teacher in the schools of the pioneer settlement. A few years later he removed to the farm in the town of Pen- field now owned by the family of his son, William Harris, jr., where he resided until his death in 1842. Eleven children were born to him, of whom nine settled in Pen- field, and all of whom have reared large families. Of these, four sons still survive, viz .: James, George F., Robert and Peter. James Harris, the oldest living son, and the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer, early inured to labor and disciplined in those rigid moral precepts and virtues so essential to a successful life. Like the youth of that day his education was limited to the common schools, except two terms at a select school in the village of Penfield. In his twentieth year he commenced teaching school, which he followed for several years. At the age of twenty-two he was elected justice of the peace, which office he held for a term of four years. In 1844 he was commissioned by Governor Bouck captain of a uniformed company of artillery attached to the 53d Regt. N. G. S. N. Y. He subsequently held the office of town clerk. Mr. Harris was always active in promoting the educational interests

of the county. He was one of the charter members of the Board of Trustees of the Penfield Seminary, and for many years its president. He also served several years as superintendent of schools. In 1853 he was elected supervisor of the town of Pen- field, and for fifteen years out of the following twenty-two served his town in that capacity. While yet supervisor, he was in 1875 elected county treasurer for a term of three years. Since then he has not held any public office. Politically Mr. Harris is a Republican, and during the war of the Rebellion he, together with his brothers, labored zealously and contributed largely to the support and successful prosecution of the war. Mr. Harris was engaged in trade in Penfield village from 1849 to 1856, after which he purchased and removed to the farm where he now resides. He was twice married, He was first married in 1847 to Martha Pope, a granddaughter of Gen. Jonathan Fassett, whose name is connected with the early history of this county. His second wife was Mrs. Mary L. Lewis, a daughter of the late Charles Lacy of Poughkeepsie. Mr. Harris has had six children. His second son Robert died in 1887 at the age of thirty-one. The other five survive. James D. lives at Fairport, N. Y. ; George H., of the law firm of Werner & Harris of Rochester, N. Y .; Mary K., Charles L. and Angie K., who reside with their parents. Though he has passed the allotted age, Mr. Harris retains in a marked degree his faculties both mental and physical. He has been prominently connected with the interests and business of the county, and by judicious management has passed through the various financial revolutions without embarrassment. Conscientious in the discharge of all duties both public and private, he sustains a reputation of the highest integrity.

Hovey, Treat J., was born in Sweden, Monroe county, N. Y., a son of Ebenezer Hovey, who married Nancy A. Treat. Ebenezer Hovey acquired a competence in buying and selling real estate, and was a prominent man in local affairs. Treat J. was educated in the common schools, and February 17, 1864, married Nellie A., daughter of Roderick Chapin. She died February 28, 1872; she bore him Hubert and Herbert, twins, born July 25, 1865. Herbert Hovey died December 17, 1884. Mr. Hovey married second, Elizabeth M., daughter of Aaron Gage, by whom he had

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these children: Aaron E. and Newton B. Mr. T. J. Hovey is highly interested in church, schools and farming, and is a man of prominence in the community.

Burrows, Walter E., was born in Herkimer county in 1859, and in 1864 came to Penfield with his father, Silas, who was a stone mason. In 1874 he began working for Henry E. Stanley. Mr. Stanley was born in Connecticut in 1808, and died in 1877, leaving three daughters, Mary, Cora, and Addie, now Mrs. Burrows. Henry E. Stanley, son of Lucy and Erastus Stanley, came to Brighton in 1811, and settled the farm now known as the Joseph Thorp farm, Allen's Creek, Brighton, and then came to Penfield in 1870 and bought the Clement Austin farm, upon which they all reside.

Guernsey, Duane L., son of the late Ezekiel B. Guernsey of Chautauqua county, N. Y., a prominent citizen of that county for a long term of years. Duane L. located in Pittsford, Monroe county, in the spring of 1872, purchasing at that time most of the real estate adjoining Pittsford village, on which is located the home residence, now occupied by himself and family. Mrs. Guernsey was Addie A. Wilmarth, whose ancestors were early settlers here. She died in 1884, leaving two children, Fred W. and Everett B., the latter a resident of Rochester and one of the firm known as the Beech, Birch and Maple Flooring Co. of that city, and the former a resident of Pitts- ford and associated with his father, Duane L., in business. Mr. Guernsey married in 1886 Mrs. Helen Person of Tuscumbia, Ala.

Loud, William P., of Egypt, than whom in local history no man of the locality is more fully posted, was born here three-quarters of a century ago, May 17, 1819, of Scotch ancestry .. His father, Oliver Loud, was born at Weymouth, Mass., and came to Palmyra, Wayne county, in the year 1804, where he met, and in 1806, married Charlotte Bateman of that town, a native of Vermont. Thence he removed in the same year to Egypt, in Perinton. Few, indeed, cherish definite memories of the period between 1812 and 1824, during which Oliver Loud kept hotel at Egypt, which at that time was the business center and place for holding courts for the town. He was also known as an almanac maker of great repute throughout Western New York, his copy being sought for by most printers in that part of the country. His family, consisting of six living to maturity, were Charles B., born in 1807 and died in 1854; Cullen, born in 1809 and died in 1889; and John, born in 1814, now living in Kansas; all of whom were mechanics and farmers, and although brought up in a hotel, they all lived temperate lives. Cullen also became a merchant and held the office of postmaster for the term of twenty to thirty years. Of the other sex, Susan, born in 1816, now living at this place; Charlotte, born in 1821, married Zadoc Stewart, of Niagara county, and died in 1873. William P. Loud was educated at at Macedon Center Academy, and by well-directed and indefatigable personal re- search. He was engaged in teaching from 1838 to 1845 in Wayne and Monroe counties. At the latter date he became interested in horticulture, and has for many years made a specialty of grape culture. A steadfast Republican since the organiza- tion of the party in 1854, he served as justice for the decade succeeding 1860, having declined further honors in that office, and has for many years been notary. Of wide and varied attainments, and of sterling personal character, Mr. Loud is a citizen of whom to know is to admire and respect. In 1847 he married Caroline Bortle of Egypt, and their only child, a son, died in infancy.

LANDMARKS OF MONROE COUNTY.

Minot, Morton, was born in Clarkson December 5, 1855. His father, Jonas Minot, was a native of Bristol, N. H., who came to Sweden in 1831, and through life was identified as a merchant at Brockport. He married Electa Frary Morton, a daughter of Oliver Morton, a well-known pastor of the Congregational churches of New Hampshire and Vermont and father of Gov. L. P. Morton. Mr. and Mrs. Minot were among the leading people of their town, actively identified with the leading events and best interests of the place. Mr. Minot died October 27, 1891, mourned by all who knew him. Both Mr. and Mrs. Minot trace their descent to the Pilgrim fathers of Massachusetts. Morton Minot was educated in the common schools, and in 1874 entered the Rochester University, from which he graduated in 1878. Later he entered the Kingsbury Bank, as cashier, remaining four years. In 1883 he en- gaged in his present business of dealer in general hardware. In 1888 he married Harriet Patterson, daughter of Mathew A. Patterson, a direct descendant of Elder Brewster of Plymouth colony, who came to this country in the Mayflower.

Brown, Prof. Frank H., principal of the Scottsville public school, was born in Ogden, this county, in 1856, a son of Nathaniel L., of the same place, born in 1827. He was one of seven children of Ezekiel F. Brown of Vermont, who came to Ogden in 1809 and settled. The latter while coming through the Oneida woods met with a serious accident by being struck with a falling tree. He was, however, kindly cared for by the Oneida Indians, with whom he remained three years, and ever after that his home was open to the tribe, who often visited him. Nathaniel L., the father, was born, lived and died on this farm. His wife was Mary A., daughter of Martin Kavanaugh, of Ireland, and their children were James N., Frank H., Adelbert L., and Mary A. He died in 1876. Our subject was educated in the schools at Adams Basin and the State Normal School at Brockport, and in 1877 began teaching. He has taught at Howard's Corners, Cattaraugus county, Adams Basin, and from 1880 to 1886 was principal of the public school at Spencerport. In 1886 he removed to Scottsville, where he has been engaged as principal ever since. He is a Democrat and was delegate to the May convention at Syracuse in 1891. He has been presi- dent of the Monroe County Teachers' Society for two years, is a member of the New York State Teachers' Association, and also a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is elder and trustee, also Sunday school superintendent. He is a Mason, and a member of the Gamma Sigma fraternity. In 1879 he married Char- lotte M., daughter of William and Lydia Lynn, of Spencerport, and their children are N. Adelbert and Winne F. Mrs. Brown is an active member of the Presbyterian church.

Burnett, Giles, was born in Webster in 1829, and is a farmer on land where his father, Isaac Burnett, settled in 1815. The grandfather was Thomas Burnett, who came from Orange county to Phelps in 1800. The mother of Giles was a Miss Wood- hull, whose father came to this town in 1811. Mr. Burnett married Mary J., daugh- ter of Rufus Foster, who was also one of the earliest settlers, and they have one son, Foster J., and one daughter, Pela May. Mrs. Burnett is a granddaughter of Abraham Foster, who settled in Webster about 1810.

Conover, L. A., of Egypt, is a son of the late Van Rensselaer Conover, who was born in Victor, Ontario County, and an early settler in Egypt. In 1845 he married

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Cynthia, daughter of Gersham Dunham, a well-remembered pioneer of Penfield. Mr. Dunham was for a period of eighteen years a justice, and for forty years a dea- con in the Congregational church. His daughter Cynthia, now residing with ber son Leander at Egypt, is nearly eighty years of age, but of unimpaired mental vigor, and her reminiscences of early times in Penfield are full of interest. Of her seven children all are deceased except Leander and one daughter, Mrs. Lillian Howe. Leander Conover was born at Egypt October 11, 1849, and now lives at the old home. He received an academic education at Lima and Macedon, and is a gentleman of broad views and sterling character. His first wife was Ella E. Warner of Lima, who at her death in 1888 left three children: George, Leander, jr., and Bessie. In 1892 he married Mrs. Harriet Shader, of Milo.

Farrell, James, was born in Henrietta in 1844, and began for himself when a lad of fourteen. In 1868 he purchased his present farm of 117 acres, which he has cleared and developed into a fine place, having also erected a comfortable residence and commodious barns, etc., and devoting much of his attention and time to the raising of fine stock. His father was Christopher Farrell of Ireland, born in 1812, who came to this country when a young man and engaged in farming, which he always followed. His wife was Rose Marr, of Ireland, born in 1814, who came to this country in 1834, in company with friends. Christopher and wife had four chil- dren: Ann, widow of John Kane, of Rochester; James, John, and Edward. The father died in 1850, leaving a little property, and the mother maintained the family and sent the children to be educated until they were able to care for themselves. She now spends much of her time at the home of our subject. In 1874 Mr. Farrell married Ellen Cassady, also a native of Ireland, and daughter of Peter and Ann Cassady. Their children are: Edward J., Walter B., Mary, Thomas, and Joseph.

White, John F., was born in Mittlene settlement in 1850; was a son of George W. White and grandson of Dr. Russel J. White of Albany, who was a practicing physi- cian for over forty years of that place. In 1861 his mother died. In 1862 he enlisted as drummer, was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry and died shortly after, leaving him an orphan. In 1863 he commenced work for Mr. Buckingham, working sum- mers and going to school winters, paying his own tuition. In 1868 he commenced work for G. W. Clark of Penfield, where he now resides. He has won the name of being one of the best farmers of Monroe county. In 1879 he married Minnie Hames, daughter of Benjamin Hames. He has one daughter, Clara.

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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 73

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