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 78
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between that and his property in Henrietta. He has been very prominent in town affairs, having served as town clerk, assessor, commissioner of highways, etc. Int 1839 he married Samantha, daughter of Samuel Titus. She was born in Henrietta in 1817. Their children are Julius, who died in 1893; Cora, Cassius, Mrs. Lavina Holcomb, of Henrietta; Frank, who died in New Orleans in 1884: and Samuel T., of Rochester.
Wiltsie, James M., of Pittsford, and one of the foremost business men of that place, was born in Duanesburg, N. Y., December 25, 1829. His late father, Thomas Wiltsie, one of a family of fifteen, came to Perinton in 1834, taking an active part in the affairs of that town, especially as an organizer and deacon of the Fairport Baptist church, and as a powerful enemy to the liquor traffic. Of his fourteen chil- dren, but three sons reached maturity; John T., the elder, died in 1867; James M., is the subject of this sketch, and the sole survivor or male representative of the family. The youngest son, George H., enlisted in 1862 in the 4th Heavy Artillery, and after surviving the vicissitudes of the field, and the horrors of a rebel prison, died at Annapolis, Md., in 1865. In 1849 James Wiltsie, with three companions, started for California overland, and the record in detail of that adventurous trip would alone furnish material for an interesting volume. Beyond St. Louis, which point they reached by raft down the Alleghany river from Warren, Pa., to Pitts- burgh, thence from Pittsburgh by steamer to St. Louis, from St. Louis by steamer up the Missouri river to Independence, Mo. Their path was almost untrodden save by the wiley savage and the bold argonaut himself. The last stage of 1,000 miles to Sacramento from Salt Lake, was made by a forced march of thirty days, a severe test of physical endurance. Mr. Wiltsie remained at the placer mines until the autumn of 1849, and returned via the isthmus, reaching New York on Christmas day. Mr. Wiltsie is senior member of the firm of Wiltsie & Crump, who conduct the largest retail business in Pittsford, and is also a heavy dealer in produce, coal and lumber. He is president of the Board of Health, member of the Board of Education, also of the Presbyterian church, and for three years represented Pittsford in the Board of Supervisors, the last year as chairman of that body.
James NcNall was born at Union, Conn., in 1796. He moved from Connecticut into Oneida oounty in 1806, and in April, 1811, he settled in Henrietta, where he lived up to the time of his death in 1885. When Mr. McNall took up his residence in Henrietta, the then village of Rochester was composed of an unfinished bridge, the ruins of an old mill, and a solitary log cabin. He commenced his pioneer life by splitting rails at fifty cents per hundred and receiving his pay in flour, pork and potatoes, which he transported to his home on his back. He sold his first crop of wheat for fifty cents per bushel and carried it up one flight of stairs. When the call was made for troops to defend Buffalo against the invasion of the British in the war of 1812, Mr. McNall, with his horse and wagon, were pressed into the service of transporting tents and military baggage from Avon to Buffalo, for which service he was in after years pensioned by the government. Mr. McNall had an excellent memory, and in his old age was fond of relating incidents connected with the early history of the country. He was present and witnessed the sham fight between the Yankees and the British opposite the present Arcade entrance on the first Fourth of July celebration in Rochester. He also took part in the great canal celebration here
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in 1824, and was among those who welcomed La Fayette to Rochester when he visited America the following year. In 1829 he was present and witnessed the last leap of Sam Patch at the Upper Genesee Falls. Mr. McNall's life reached back to the early days of the government under the present constitution. He was three years of age when Washington died, and nineteen when Napoleon fought the battle of Waterloo. He was one of the founders of the West Henrietta Baptist church, with which he held his membership up to the time of his death. Mr. McNall was twice married. He married Polly Brininstool for his first wife, and had four sons: Schuy- ler, James, Jacob, and William. His second wife was Susan Reynolds, by whom he had four children: Mary, Stephen, John, and Harriet. Of these eight children only four are living at the present time: James McNall, jr., Jacob B. McNall, Stephen R. McNall, and Mrs. Warren Caswell, all of whom reside in Henrietta, except the first named who lives in Chili.
Manning, William L., was born at Derrs, Columbia county, Pa., in 1846, at which place his father, the late Abraham Manning, was a miller. William remained in his native town until twenty-five years of age, having learned the carpenter's trade. In 1884 he came to Brighton and became associated with J. F. Le Clare, the well-known seedsman, and five years later established a copartnership under the style of Le Clare & Manning, at present controlling one of the most extensive and important industries of Brighton. Mr. Manning served with gallantry and distinction in the late war, as a member of Co. G, 178th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Among the battles in which he was a participant were, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, and the seven days siege of Petersburg, At Chancellorsville he was slightly injured by a bursting shell. Mr. Manning has always taken a leading part in local affairs and government. While a resident of Columbia county he served the county as mercantile appraiser and was three years county auditor. Mr. Manning is a Democrat, and it evinces his personal popularity that in March of 1895, he was elected president of Brighton village with no opposition ; he is also a notary public. In 1891 he completed a handsome modern residence on Park avenue. In 1866 he married Mary W. Derr, and their children are: Nancy K., now Mrs. De Hollander; D. Burnett, Myrtle E., and Ivy Leona.
Shaw, Mrs. Alice E., is a daughter of Orisimus Ferris, and married Albert Shaw, who died leaving two sons, Claude and Glenn. Mrs. Shaw came to,Webster in 1891 to care for the household of Dana Smith, her deceased sister's husband, and who was then the owner of the farm which her grandfather settled in early life, and which she now owns. Dana Smith was born in Penfield, the son of Amos Smith, and re- moved to Webster more than fifty years ago and resided there during the remainder of his life. He married Phebe Ferris, the daughter of Sherman Ferris of Webster. For many years he conducted a hardware and tin shop but retired from active busi- ness on account of ill health, and died February 21, 1895. Mrs. Smith died March 27, 1892.
Denniston, W. H., was born in Rochester March 10, 1850, a son of William and Henrietta Denniston, the former a native of North Ireland, who came to this country in 1836. Mr. Denniston lived in Rochester until his eighteenth year, when he went to Parma; there he was employed as a farm hand, supporting his mother until her death. After the death of his mother he removed to Hamlin where he remained for
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about five years. He then returned to Parma, entering the employ of Demerest & Effner as clerk. In 1870 he purchased the store and stock at Parma Center, where he has conducted a large and successful business. In 1888 he purchased a farm north of Parma Center. Here he has been a successful breeder of trotters and the place is now known as the " Buttonwood stock farm." In politics Mr. Denniston is a Re- publican. For eight years he served as town clerk and overseer of the poor, and for four years supervisor of his town. In the fall of 1890 he was elected member of as- sembly from the 3d district of Monroe, in which office he served four years. While in the Legislature he was on various committees, the last year being chairman of the excise committee. His whole career in the State Legislature was marked by keen energetic work for his constituents.
Baker, Charles J., is a son of Carl Baker, who came to Webster in 1859, and was a farmer having five sons. Mr. Baker was also a farmer until 1891, when he, in part- nership with his brother and Charles Hockenburger, built a flouring mill at Union Hill, where they do a large business. Mr. Baker married a daughter of Andrew Martin, and their two sons are Ernest L. and Orrin D.
Defendorf, Frank J., was born in Rochester, N. Y., February 24, 1855, was edu- cated in Rochester and the town of Greece. The family came to this town at an early day. Mr. Defendorf began business as a grocery merchant when eighteen years of age, which he has continued ever since. He is also a general produce dealer and handles the best variety of coal. His first appointment as postmaster at Bar- nard Crossing was May 6, 1878, under President Grant's administration, and was re- appointed March 19, 1889, under President Harrison's administration. In 1882 he married Alice C., daughter of the late ex-Mayor Lutes of Rochester, N. Y. They have two children, Fred C. and Flossie L. Mr. Defendorf's father, Elijah, was born at Fort Plain, Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1813, and came to Rochester when a young man. He married twice, first to Maria Mott, and three children were born to them: Emmett, Emily, and Albert, who married Emily Bailey, and had three chil- dren, Emmett Fannie, and Lulu. Albert Defendorf died in 1882, and his brother and sister died when young. Mrs. Elijah Defendorf died in 1852. For his second wife he married Harriett Bevier of Cayuga, formerly of Ulster county, N. Y. They have five children: Frank J., as above, George, Helen, Hattie, and Frederick. Mr. Defendorf resides with his father and people. The family are of Dutch and Swiss origin.
Dobbin, William H., of the firm of Dobbin & Moore, Fairport, dealers in lumber and manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds. Mr. Dobbin was born December 9, 1840, in Wellington, Ontario, where his father, John Dobbin, had been one of the earliest settlers, and where later in life, owing to his integrity, his courage and his good judgment in matters pertaining to business and government, he came to be one of the leaders in social, intellectual and political circles, henored with numerous offices of trust and responsibility, and much sought after for his wise counsels in private affairs. Owing to the lack of educational advantages and to the obstacles incident to farm life in a new country, it was only by great persistence and pure grit that William Dobbin was able to acquire even a common school education, and yet such was his desire to attain the highest possible plane intellectually that he went
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farther than this and prepared himself for the profession of a teacher, largely by his own efforts. This, however, he never engaged in, and took up the trade of carpen- ter and builder. In 1864 he married Margaret Calder, and realizing that his sur- roundings did not offer the advantages necessary for a full development of his powers, he determined to come to the United States in search of a place better suited to his needs. In 1866 he came to Fairport and began his career there as a carpenter. It was not long, however, before he found opportunities to better himself and by his ability to see them, to grasp them and to make the most of them, he soon became one of the prominent business men of the town. For eight years he carried on a successful business in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. In 1879 he en- gaged in the lumber business, and since then has been associated with C. C. Moore, a much respected citizen and a gentleman of character and ability. By in- dustry and economy they have built up one of the largest and most important indus- tries in Fairport. When in 1882 their planing mill was destroyed by fire, it was but nine days before the machinery was again in operation, a striking instance of un- daunted enterprise. Mr. Dobbin has also been one of the most extensive dealers in real estate in Fairport and has been largely engaged in building homes for the working classes, which are sold on easy terms, a form of practical philanthropy worthy of wider emulation. While never having aspired to political honors, Mr. Dobbin has taken a great interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and ad- vancement of Fairport, and has given freely of his time and energy for the upbuild- ing of the various institutions connected therewith. As president of the School Board for a number of years he did much to advance the standard of education, and he was largely instrumental in securing the present excellent system of water works, He is president of the Young Men's Christian Association, a deacon in the First Con- gregational church, and superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Dobbin has five children : Clarence E., a graduate of Cornell University, and now a landscape archi- tect in New York city; Mabel C., a student at Cornell University; Bessie C., Helen M., and Margaret H.
Gaston, Daniel D., was born in Wayne county in 1836, son of Joseph, who came from New Jersey and settled first in Penfield. Joseph Gaston then lived in Wayne county for some years, but afterward returned to Penfield, settling on the farm where Daniel D. now lives, where he died in 1879, leaving two sons, J. H. and Daniel D., and five daughters, Mrs. Jane A. Weeks, Miss Mary E. Gaston, Mrs. Emaline Foster, Mrs. Martha M. Holley, and Mrs. Margaret E. Voor- hees. In 1860 Daniel D. married Jane A., daughter of James K. Vosburg, by whom he has one son and three daughters: William S., Elva (Mrs. John Wolf), Elizabeth, and Estella (Mrs. Carl Marlett).
Chandler, George A., was born in Gasport, Niagara county, N.Y., August 6, 1860, and came with his parents to Charlotte, April 4, 1863, where he was educated in the public schools. His early life was spent on his grandfather's farm. He became a carpenter and joiner, and has been in the employ of the Rochester Electric Railway Company, was foreman of the car repair shop until 1893, when he was made second engineer in their electric power house at, or near, Charlotte. May 15, 1882, he mar- ried Nellie Archer, of Campbellford, Canada. They have one daughter, Alma, who is a student in the Union School at Charlotte. Mr. Chandler's father, George W.,
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was born in Connecticut May 2, 1825, and came to Moravia, Cayuga county, N. Y., when he was a small boy. He was educated in the district schools, and taught several years. In 1852 he went to California and worked in the gold mines and car- ried express and U. S. mail. He returned in 1858 to his home at Moravia. He married twice, first, in 1859, to Mary A. Olny, and went to reside at Gasport. They had one son, George A. Mrs. Chandler died March 29, 1873. October 15, 1878, he married Emma Mowatt, of Coburn, Canada. They had a son who died in infancy. Mr. Chandler died June 22, 1884. Mrs. George A. Chandler's father, Joshua Archer, was born in Scotland in 1830. His family moved to Belfast, Ireland, when he was a boy. He married Jane Atkinson, and came to Canada. They had ten children, five sons and five daughters. Mrs. Archer died in 1879. Mr. Archer resides at the old home in Canada. The ancestry of the family is English and Scotch.
Pearson, Harry M., was born in Philadelphia, Pa., April 11, 1851. The family moved to Superior City, Wisconsin, where he was educated in the common schools, and upon their returning to Philadelphia he completed his education there. He learned the tinner's trade and became an expert tin roofer, and is now a fruit grower in the town of Greece, where he has a fine fruit farm planted with the choicest varie- ties. December 19, 1878, he married Fannie S. Wilder, of this town, and they have three sons: Harry W., Eugene S., and Morley H. Mr. Pearson's father was born in Reading, Pa., in September, 1824, and has an excellent education. He married Mary R. Widowfield, of Philadelphia. They had six children. Two girls died in infancy. The father and mother are both living.
George Brothers, David and James, were born in Genesee county, N. Y., sons of Thomas George, who died in Penfield in 1891. These brothers, after several years' experience in the nursery and florist's business with prominent firms in the county, have opened extensive greenhouses in East Penfield, making a specialty of raising roses and clematis vines. By scientific research and long practical experience they are building up a trade of which they are justly proud.
Hopkins, J. W., youngest of eight children of Marvin and Jane (Phelps) Hopkins, was born in Pittsford, August 11, 1857. The scion of an important and historic family, he bears character above reproach, and is genial and popular. His aged mother, who is an inmate of his home, is a remarkable instance of physical and mental preservation, despite her eighty-three years. It was in 1830 that she was united in marriage to Marvin Hopkins, and of her eight children all survive except Mary; who died in infancy. They are James, Clarissa M., Mary, Dorothy P., Robert M., George, Chauncey I., and Jared W. Marvin Hopkins was a man of great enter- prise and public spirit, a prominent figure in the councils of the Democratic party, and in his town filled acceptably most of the public offices, having been supervisor in 1840, 1842, 1846, 1850, 1862. He died in 1867, and his death was widely considered as a public loss and a personal one. The elder son, James, is now in St. Louis, gen- eral manager of the Diamond Match Co. Dorothy is the wife of Charles W. Rogers, of Pittsford. Robert is a farmer, also of Pittsford. Clarissa is the widow of the late Lyman M. Barker. George is in business at Akron O., and Chauncey at Granger, O. The first of the family to become an American was John Hopkins, from Coventry, England, who settled at Cambridge, Mass., about 1634. Caleb, the
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father of Marvin, colonel of the 52d Regiment of militia, achieved distinction as a brave soldier no less than as a statesman. We are permitted to quote from a letter of Governor Tompkins dated Albany, February 21, 1817: "I recall the distinguished part you took in the militia and volunteers of the war, and the intrepid conduct exhibited by you in the various battles of that memorable struggle. I cannot com- municate an acceptance of your resignation without adding personal acknowledg- ment of my gratitude and approbation. Your friend and servant, Daniel D. Tompkins." Jared W. Hopkins was married February 1, 1893, to Lettie Maie Nye, of Pittsford, N. Y., daughter of Alvin E. Nye. They have one child, Irving Nye Hopkins, born March 28, 1895.
Gray, George N., was born in Mexico, Oswego county, N. Y., July 4, 1860. He was educated in the public schools, and his early days were spent on the farm. He was employed on the Great Lakes for ten years, and was promoted to second mate on several vessels. In 1885 he joined the United States Life Saving Service at Os- wego. N. Y., as a surfman. On December 12, 1894, he was promoted to the position of Captain of the United States Life Saving Station at Charlotte, N. Y., having a crew of eight men in charge. February 12, 1878, he married Carrie E. Rickard, of his native place. Mr. Gray is a member of Genesee Lodge No. 507, F. & A. M., Rochester, N. Y. Captain Gray's father, Sardious, was born in the Mohawk Valley, in 1829. His parents moved to Oswego county when he was two years old, where he was educated. He was married twice, first to Dora Harrington, and they had six children, one of whom was George N. Mrs. Gray died in 1875. The second time he married Miss Briggs, and they reside in Mexico, Oswego county. Mrs. Gray's father, Josiah Rickard, was born in Mexico, in 1836. He married Angerose McDon- ald, of his native town, and they have had three children, one son and two daugh- ters. Mrs. Rickard died April 16, 1889. The ancestry of the family is Dutch and Scotch.
Beardsley, Warren F., was born in Warsaw, in 1839, and is the son of David and Meribah (Thayer) Beardsley, grandson of William, whose father was Andrew Beardsley. David Beardsley was born in 1813, and came to Penfield in 1846, and died in 1888, leaving one son, Warren F., who married in 1870, Celia, daughter of Richard Embury, and granddaughter of Thomas, who came from England and was an early settler of Penfield. Mr. Beardsley has always been a farmer and settled where he lives now in 1863. He has one son, Homer D., and one daughter, Mabel E.
Harris, George F., was born in Penfield in 1823, and was the son of William and Sally (Schocraft) Harris. In 1847 he started with his brother, Robert Harris, as a farmer, they having bought the farm together. In 1853 he bought Robert's share. He married Maria R., daughter of George Hart. She died in 1892, leaving one son, George F., of the firm of Harris & Nagle, of Webster, dealers in furniture and car- rying on the undertaking business, and two daughters, Lydia M. and Minnie L., who have kept house for their father since their mother's death. Mr. Harris is one of the best farmers in Penfield, as is shown by the. fine farm buildings, as well as by the thrifty condition of the stock and crops.
Loyd, Orrin, was born in Penfield, in 1857, and is the son of Orlando and Mary
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Loyd, and grandson of Armour Loyd, who settled in Penfield, in 1804, and died leaving three sons, William, Samuel and Orlando. The latter died in 1894, leaving one son, Orin, and one daughter, Florence, now Mrs. Ammon Curtis, of Chili, one other daughter, Effie, died in infancy. Orrin Loyd has always remained on the farm where his father lived and died. He married Sarah, daughter of George Sal- mon, and they have two daughters, Ethel M. and Mary E.
Whiting, Lawson J., was born in Webster in 1854, and is the son of Jonas, and grandson of John F. Whiting, who was one of the earliest settlers of Webster. In 1875 Mr. Whiting married Rosalia, daughter of Nathan Kelly, and in 1876 moved into the Kelly homestead in Penfield, where he is a farmer. Their six sons are Na- than P., Leslie M., Morse E., Reuben W., Edwin B. and John B. Mrs. Whiting's mother was a daughter of Ebenezer Pierce, and a granddaughter of Samuel Scrib- ner, both of whom were among the early settlers of Penfield. Mrs. Rosalia Whit- ing is granddaughter of David Kelley, and the great-granddaughter of David, sr., who once owned all the land now comprising Penfield and Webster.
Weaver, William, was born in Perinton in 1855 and is a son of Michael Weaver, who came from Germany in 1840 and settled in Perinton. Later he bought a farm, where he now lives, in East Penfield. In 1877 Mr Weaver married Ellen Grenze- bach, and bought the farm where he now resides. They have two children: William H. and Lillie C.
Turrill, Edward, was born in Susquehanna county, Pa., in 1818, and came to Pen- field with his father, James B., in 1828. James B. died in 1849 leaving five sons and two daughters. Jerome B., Leman W. and Edward remained in Penfield where Ed- ward and Leman W. were for many years contractors and builders, but for the last few years Edward Turrill has lived retired. Mr. Turrill has been twice married, his first wife dying in 1889, leaving three daughters and two sons; he then married Ruamy Strong, daughter of Dewitt C. Strong, one of the early settlers of Webster.
Lotz, John, was born in Nassau, Germany, September 19, 1824. He was educated in his native land. He came to the United States in 1847, and was the second one to emigrate to America from that town; he located in Rockland county, N. Y. In 1849 he came to Rochester; being a shoemaker, he at once entered the employ of the firm of Sage & Pancost,'for whom he worked seventeen years. His first purchase was five acres of land on Jenning street, at that time not within the city limits. November 27, 1851, he married Catharine Herman, of Irondequoit, by whom he has seven children, Henry, Louisa. Emma, Charles, Ella, Clara, and George. Mr. Lotz's father, Peter, married Catherine Hild, by whom he had five children, Mr. Lotz being the youngest and the only one living. Mrs. Lotz's father, John J. Herman, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1790. He was an old soldier, having fought in Bonaparte's army. He married Catherine Nagle; they came to the United States in 1833, locating in this county; six children were born to them at this time, Mrs. Lotz being three years old, one child died while crossing, and was buried at sea, two chil- dren were born after they came to America. Mr. Herman died in 1862 and his wife in 1890. Mr. Lotz has been a resident in the town of Greece for twenty-five years; by his industry, he has acquired a fine property.
Stone, George B., was born in the town of Greece September 10, 1861. His edu-
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cation was obtained in the common schools, and is a fruit farmer by occupation. April 19, 1888, he married Jessie M. Wilson, of his native town and they have two children, Hattie L, and George W. Mr. Stone's father, J. Bryant, was born in the town of Greece May 3, 1837, was educated in the schools of that early day, and a farmer by occupation. November 22, 1859, he married Harriet Davis, of Charlotte. They had one son, George B., as above. Mr. Stone died November 28, 1867. Mrs. Stone's father, Mark Wilson, was born in Pennsylvania July 14, 1831, was educated in the common schools, and reared on his father's farm. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade. May 31, 1856, he married Esther Harding, of Pennsylvania, and they had four children: Edith, Carrie, Jessie M. as above, and Benjamin. Mrs. Wilson's great-grandfather's two oldest brothers were killed in the Wyoming massa- cre, and many of her relations in the early wars.
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