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 87
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Bush, Conrad, came from Seneca county to Parma about 1828 with a large family of children, among them Henry, Gilbert, Rachael, Polly, Christopher and Peter, and of these only Gilbert survives. He was born in Seneca county in 1805, and married Mary Holmes. Of their children three grew to maturity: Rebecca A., who married Lewis Ireland; Hannah, wife of Willard S. Peck, and Mary C., who mar- ried George D. Kenyon, and resides in California. His first wife died about 1846, and Mr. Bush married, second, Charlotte Brewer, now deceased. Gilbert Bush is a self-educated and well informed man, who by frugality and industry has amassed a good property. He is still active, though ninety years old. Willard S. Peck was born in Lewiston, Niagara county, May 7, 1828, and was a son of Alva and Lovica Peck and the seventh of their nine children. Both parents are now deceased, having died when Willard was but nine. Since that time he has been forced to make his own way in life, and his efforts have been plentifully rewarded. He resided in various towns of this county before settling permanently in Parma, his first farm having been in Clarkson. He now owns and occupies one of the best appointed places in the town. In 1855 he married Hannah Bush, and they have had one child, Fanny Adelia, who died aged nineteen.
Berridge, William R., whose comfortable home and splendid farm are located just east of the village of North Parma, was born in Parma, September 28, 1843, a son of William Berridge, one of Parma's foremost men of his day. William R. was a farmer, and an active and energetic young man, whose career was suddenly cut short in 1879, he having died October 26, of that year, January 1, 1868, he married
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Bessie White Draffin, daughter of William Draffin, of this town, and their children were Marietta, who married Philo P. Clapper, of Parma; Maggie I., and Mabel, who died in childhood. Mr. Berridge is remembered as one of the active young men of Parma, and a leader in the Democratic party. He was a member of the Baptist church.
Bulkeley, H. L., was born in the town of Sweden, January 27, 1848. His father, Guy R., was a native of Genesee county and came to Monroe in 1842. His wife was Elsie A., daughter of Peter Smith. His death occurred in 1889, in his seventy- second year. H. L. Bulkeley was educated in the Brockport Collegiate Institute, and in 1873 married Emeline, daughter of Seth Harris. Our subject is one of the prosperous and successful men of the town.
Bass, Loring, who for many years was a carpenter and builder of Parma, was a native of Otsego county. He died in Parma Center in 1885, and his wife in 1887. They had five children who grew to maturity: Hanford, Adelbert, Amelia A., Velora and Ella. Hanford Bass was born March 5, 1839, and followed farming until Octo- ber, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. C, 26th N. Y. Vols., and was in the service twenty- one months, being mustered out July 2, 1863, at Utica, after which he was wardmaster in the General Hospital at David's Island two years, returning to Parma July 4, 1865. He then engaged with his father as carpenter and builder, which partnership con- tinued twelve years, after which he was engaged ten years for himself. In 1885 he opened a lumber yard at North Parma, and in 1890 added a coal yard. He has also dealt in other wares and carried on an extensive and successful business. He has also been active in political affairs in Parma, serving two years as village president. In 1866 he married Adeline Castle, and their only child, Libbie, died aged twenty. Abram Castle, of the pioneer family of Castles in Parma, had several children, among them being Emeline, Polly, Nelson and Clark. Emeline went to Chicago; Polly married Nelson Taber and removed to Tompkins county. and Clark died in Parma. Nelson married twice, his second wife being Emeline Hall and their chil- dren are as follows: Adeline, Amy, Frank, and one who died young. Nelson Castle died at the age of eighty-three.
Barrett, T. E .- The Barretts are of an English family, and long of commercial im- portance at Portsmouth, England, where Robert Barrett was born in 1817 and be- came in later life a skilled joiner and boat builder. In 1835 he came to America and settled in Rochester, first practicing his trade of calker, and later establishing an in- dependent business as builder, with a dry dock at Charlotte. In 1895 we find him retired from a successful business, making his home on a suburban farm near Pitts- ford, purchased in 1888, consisting of 150 acres of choice land. Of thirteen children born to Robert Barrett, but two sons survive: Thomas E. and Robert, jr., the latter now operating a lighter in the waters adjacent to New York city. Thomas Barrett still conducts a large boat-building business at Lock 66, the firm being Robert Barrett & Son. In 1874 he married Lydia Yeoman, of Rochester, by whom he had four children. She died in 1880. His present wife was Annie L. Cleary, of Roches- ter, by whom he has three children.
Beedle, Ichabod, was born in Sweden, December 20, 1821, a son of James, one of the pioneers of the town, and bought a tract of woodland, which he cleared. He
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married Abigail Beedle, and of their ten children four survive. His death occurred in 1827 in his fifty-fifth year. Ichabod Beedle was educated in the public schools, and in 1845 married Mary Wheelock, by whom he had one son, Rufus. He is a practical and successful farmer, taking an active interest in all local affairs.
Bailey, David L., was born in Haddam, Conn., in 1817, ason of Jonathan R. Meigs Bailey, born there in 1779, whose father was Jacob, a native of England, who came to America, and was killed at the battle of Stony Point, July 16, 1779. Jonathan was reared on the homestead and for many years followed carpentry. He came to this town in 1827, and settled land now owned by our subject, where he followed farming and also plied his trade, being a mechanical genius. He manufactured many elagant clock cabinets for the old-fashioned wall clocks, many of which are still stand- ing in the houses in this region. One of these old clocks still stands in the hall of our subject's home, which was made by Jonathan in 18J1. The wife of the latter was Hannah Shaler of his native place, born in 1781. Their children were Jonathan, Sallie N., Chauncey, Hezekiah, Meigs, David, Cynthia S., Marvin S. and Harvey. They died on the old homestead, cared for by their son, David. Mr. Bailey has al- was followed farming, and has taken some interest in politics, having served nine years as commissioner of highways. In 1844 he married Laura G. Brainard, of Had- dam, Conn., and their children are Brainard T., Charles H., and Harriet A , wife of William King, of New York. Charles H. was elected justice in 1889, but resigned to accept the office of under-sheriff, having served five years in that capacity. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife is Elizabeth A., daughter of John and Sarah A. Springer, of Henrietta. Mrs. Bailey is a daughter of Roswell and Laura Brainard, of Connecticut. Mr. Brainard was for many years an officer on Blackwell's Island, and his father was Ansel, son of Josiah Brainard, who was a lieutenant in the Revolution. He came to America in the Mayflower.
Doane, Dr. W. H., of Pittsford, was born in Springfield, Ontario, October 28, 1866, a son of the late well-known and eminent physician George H. Doane, M. D. The elder Dr. Doane was also of Canadian birth, and came here in 1877, after eight years practice at North Branch, Mich. His death occurred here in 1892 at the age of fifty- five years. W. H. Doane may be said to have begun his medical studies in childhood, under the tuition of his late father. In 1886 he entered the Homoeopathic Medical College at Chicago. Graduating in 1889, he at once began practice, opening an office in Pittsford, where he ranks high as a physician, and where he is highly esteemed not less as a man and citizen, than in his professional capacity. In 1889 he married Miss Ida May Seeley of Rochester, and their children are Ruth D. and Harold S. Dr. Doane is a member of several medical societies, among them the New York State Homœopathic Society, thereby keeping abreast of current medical research.
Drake, sr., Elihu, a Connecticut farmer, came as far west as Chautauqua county in 1851, and remained there six years, engaged in agriculture. In 1857 he settled in Pittsford, reaching the advanced age of eighty-four. His wife was Susan Boughton, of East Windsor, Conn., and their only child was Elihu A., jr. The elder Mrs. Drake survives her husband, and is now an inmate of her son's home at Pittsford. Mr. Drake is a master of several trades, among them being that of cigar making, and of carpentry and building. While a resident in Chautauqua county, he married
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Elizabeth O. Granger, and of their four children, but one is now living, F. H. Drake, the well-known druggist at Monroe and Alexander streets, Rochester. The other children died in infancy.
Dunn, W. S., was born in Brockport, February 6, 1861. His father was a native of Ireland, and came to America in 1845 and settled in Brockport. William S. was educated in the Normal School at Brockport and later learned the trade of carriage trimmer. In 1885 he went to Rochester, and learned the undertaker's business, in which he established himself in Brockport in 1891, and in which he has met with much success, employing only the latest and most improved methods. He also carries a full line of furniture. In 1887 he married Cora Cunningham, and their children are Leslie and Cecil.
Doty Family, The, is almost inseparably connected with the early history of both Ogden and Sweden. David, the pioneer, came from Albany county in 1811, and settled on the Doty farm. Lazarus Doty, oldest son of David, had previously looked over the lands and found them good, and there were four of the family who came, two settling in Ogden and two in Sweden. David's children were Lazarus, who died in Michigan; David, who died where George now lives; Asa, who died in Brockport; Anson, who resides in Sweden; Vina, who died in Sweden; Peggy and Polly, both deceased. David Doty, jr., married Mehetable Leonard, and their children were William, Henry, Lydia, George W., Harrison, Sarah, Nancy, Susan and Lottie. David and wife both died at the home of their son George W. The latter is one of Ogden's best informed and well-known citizens, born July 4, 1830. After graduating from Brockport Academy he taught school in this vicinity twenty-three years, a record only equalled by his long service as choir leader in the M. E. church, which covered a period of forty-five years. Mr. Doty is also prominent in temperance work, having joined the Good Templars in 1856, and has been a temperance lecturer many years. He has also been a member of Ogden Grange, P. of H., and has held all the offices. In 1861 he married Helen F. Allen of Parma, and of their three children only one now survives, Clarence A. Mr. Doty has also served as justice of the peace and is a trustee of the M. E. church.
Davison, Ezekiel, a resident of Fairport for more than half a century, was born in Monmouth county, N. J., in 1819. His father, James, was a farmer. When twenty- one years of age Ezekiel came to Fairport and learned carpentry, following it until 1854, when he removed to Michigan, and the next year settled in Illinois, where he remained twenty years, engaged in farming, and at one time he and a brother oper- ated 700 acres. In 1876 Mr. Davison returned to Fairport, since which he has led a somewhat retired life. But his mature judgment and uncompromising probity have made his services as assessor almost imperative, and he has for many years filled that position with great credit. In 1851 Mr. Davison married Katharine C. Ellsworth of Ontario, Wayne county. Her father, Michael Ellsworth, was a soldier of the war of 1812, receiving a pension for his services. He was by trade a blacksmith, and of English birth, as are also the Davison family. Mr. Davison is now enjoying a well- earned rest from his long and active career, having a pleasant home surrounded by every comfort.
Freeman Brothers, James, and Patrick, are the leading dealers in agricultural im-
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plements, carriages and wagons, coal and wood, in connection with which they con- duct a general repair shop and a blacksmith shop. They were born in 1852 and 1855 respectively, sons of Michael, a native of Ireland, born in 1828, a son of James Free- man, also of Ireland, who reared three sons and one daughter. Michael the father, came to America in 1849, coming direct to Rochester, where he resided ten years. From 1859 to 1890 he was engaged in farming, and since 1873 he has resided in Wheatland. His wife was Catherine Kenedy, of his native place, and their children are James, Patrick, Michael, Mrs. Mary Skivington, Margaret, who died aged twenty- two, Jennie, deceased wife of James Kane of Rochester, Catharine, who died aged twenty-two, and Johanna E. James learned blacksmithing at Mumford in 1876, and in 1889 the brothers formed a partnership, and have built up an extensive trade. James has served three terms as collector in this town. His wife was Susan Kane of Riga, and they have one child by adoption, Harvey. Patrick has served as poor- master two terms, constable one term, and is now serving as highway commissioner. In 1884 he married Mary A., daughter of John and Elizabeth McFarland, and they have one child, John L., born January 9, 1885. The brothers are members of the Knights of Maccabees.
Fehr, Jacob, was born in Switzerland, and came to America in 1853, and to the farm where he now lives in 1854, where he is known as one of the thrifty farmers of the town. His wife was Elizabeth White, and they have two sons, Jacob S. and Franklin, who assist in conducting the homestead farm.
Fox, George W., is a son of Martin, and a grandson of Martin, sr., who came to this town in an early day and settled on the farm where George W. now resides. Mr. Fox is a farmer, and also does quite an extensive business in evaporating apples. He married Jennie, daughter of Ira Lounsbury, of Penfield, who died leaving one son, Claud M. His present wife is Nellie, a sister of his first wife.
Filkins, George S., was born at Penfield, June 14, 1838, and for many years has been a prominent builder of Fairport. His father, Isaac, was a farmer. Starting in life without capital, save energy and integrity, Mr. Filkins has hewn his own way to success and to an honored place among his fellow men. He had barely reached man's estate when he became a soldier of the "Old Thirteenth," and during two years of active service was a participant in many of the great battles. Like most of the gallant veteran soldiers, he is a staunch Republican, and has long been a trustee of the village. In 1863 he married Ada Benedict, by whom he had two sons, Allen G. and Ernest, who are now among the active business men of Fairport, operating a market and grocery in the brick block at No. 30 Main street, erected by Mr. Filkins in 1888. Mrs. Ada Filkins died in 1879, and in 1883 he married, second, Mary White, of Montezuma. Her children are Anna, Clarence and Howard. Her death occurred July 4, 1892.
Fishell, Henry, is a son of John, whose father, Henry, came from near Gettysburg, Pa., to Rush in 1808, when John was a child. The elder Fishell bought land and settled on Hoyeoye Creek, the homestead being still in the family. Of their seven children, John married Sarah Bell, of Rush, and had seven children. She died in 1845, and he married second Mary Fishell, a second cousin, by whom he had fourteen children. Of the twenty-one, eighteen are living and in prosperous circumstances.
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John Fishell died in 1879. Henry Fishell was the oldest son, and he married Corne- lia Elwanger, and lives on a farm near Five Points. He has one son, Archie D., and a daughter, Hattie M. John Fishell was a man of means, and the father of these children. Margaret (Mrs. William Bell), Henry, Lovina (Mrs. Wheeler), Susan (Mrs. Bell), Maria (Mrs. Kellogg), Benjamin, Sarah (Mrs. Burton), Celinda (Mrs Burgett), Lovira, who died young, Caroline (Mrs. John Burgett), deceased. Miles A., William R., Martin, who resides on the old homestead, John, who died in Michigan, Helen, a widow, who resides at home, Emma (Mrs. Benjamin Hovey), Ada (Mrs. William Henry), Delia (Mrs. Longtier), and Avery.
French, M. D .- In the earliest annals of Monroe county the name of Alvin S. French occupies an honored and prominent position. He was of an old Connecticut family, and a pioneer settler here, where he first lived in a log cabin, the site for which he cleared with his own axe. M. D. French was born at Brighton, November 1, 1839, and educated chiefly at East Henrietta Academy. He had but fairly reached man's estate at the outbreak of the late war, and in 1862 enlisted in the 18th N. Y. Battery, participating in the battles and sieges with bravery and good fortune. Just prior to enlistment Mr. French married Arminda Brown, of Brighton. Since 1865 they have resided on the farm near Pittsford, where their modern residence was erected in 1890. Mr. French has served as assessor, and is a valued member of the G. A. R., the Masons, and the order of Patrons of Husbandry.
Fellows, William, was born in Penfield in 1832, a son of William, who came from Sheffield, Mass., in 1816 and died here in 1888, leaving three sons, William, John and George. His mother was May, daughter of Horace Bush, and her mother was a daughter of Gen. John Fellows, of Sheffield, Mass. Mr. Fellows resides on the old Bush homestead, is a farmer, and has for the past four years been a highway com- missioner. He married Sarah, daughter of Andrew Lincoln, who erected the Lincoln Mills in Pittsford.
Fahrer, John, was born in Penfield in 1864, and is a son of John and Anna (Wan- deron) Fahrer, who came from Germany to Penfield about 1850. His father died in 1888, leaving one son, John, jr., as above. John married, January 6, 1892, Carrie S., daughter of Michael Brahler, and they settled on their present farm.
Frost, S. P., was born in Steuben county, November 13, 1833. His father, D. D. Frost, was born in Danbury, Conn., the family having been among the earliest settlers of that State. D. D. Frost married Mary Eggleston, and of their five chil- dren two survive. He learned the carriagemaker's trade, and was also identified as a farmer, and in the mercantile business at Attica, where his death occurred in 1879. S. P. Frost was educated in the common schools and the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary, after which he engaged in the hat business until April, 1861, when he en- listed in the 25th N. Y.S. Militia as sergeant on the non-commissioned staff, and re- enlisted September 10, 1861, as private in Co. B, 91st N. Y. Vols., was promoted first lieutenant and sent to Florida, remaining until September 18, 1862, when he re- ceived an honorable discharge, and returned to Attica, engaging in the men's furnishing business. In 1867 he came to Brockport and bought the clothing and men's furnishing business which he now conducts. In 1861 Mr. Frost married Tem- perance, daughter of Peter Van Zandt, of Albany.
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Fincher, John Alexander, was born in Seneca, N.Y., in 1799, and died in Ogden in 1870. Although not a native of this county, he was for many years a resident here, and one of Ogden's most respected men. He began his business life here in the employ of Isaac Colby. In 1825 he married Betsey, daughter of Ephraim and Lydia Colby, the first white female child born in the town. She was born in 1803 and died in 1871. Their children were Elvira P., of Michigan; John A., of Rochester; Maria B., of Michigan ; Jesse E., of Dakota; Sarah C., of Michigan; and Martha E., who married Joseph Parker and resides on her father's old home. Mr. Fincher bought the old Tucker place after a varied residence in the town. He was a successful man and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow-townsmen. His death occurred in 1870. Joseph Parker was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1834, and at the age of eight came with his parents to this country, settling first at Medina, and later in Michigan. In that State Mr. Parker married, first, Lydia A. Eebb and had one child, Charles R., of Ogden. In 1893 Mr. Parker married, second, Martha E .. youngest child of John A. Fincher, and lives on the old farm in Ogden.
Edmunds, James M .- Among the men who may be considered personal landmarks of Brighton, none occupies a more prominent place than Mr. Edmunds, who has for more than sixty years occupied the same home in the central part of the town. He was born at Adams, Jefferson county, June 25, 1809. Eliphalet Edmunds, his father, came here with his father in 1824, and this was his home until his death seventeen years later. James is the sole survivor of a family of ten children, of whom he was the youngest. Since his maturity he has always occupied a prominent place in local affairs, and now in the ripeness of his declining years commands the regard and esteem of all who know him. Besides holding minor offices, he has been assessor, and commissioner of schools. His wife, now deceased, was Melvina Sperry, of Greece. Their children are Julia, Roxana, James P., and Omar.
Adams, Franklin and Leon F .- Franklin Adams was born in Penfield, in 1824, a son of Silas and Clarice (Baker) Adams, and a grandson of Jesse Adams, who came from Massachusetts and settled in East Penfield in 1801, where he died. Jesse Adams left two sons, Moses and Silas, who died in Missouri. Franklin Adams settled on the farm where he now lives in 1837 and has always been engaged in farming. He married Cynthia --- , who died leaving one son, Leon F. He mar- ried Anna Kiley, by whom he has one son, Franklin. He lives on the farm with his father.
Allen, Lucia, Miss .- The earliest permanent settlers in Monroe county east of the Genesee River were the Sheffer family. Peter Sheffer, sr., was a native of Germany and came to America with his family in 1771, settling in Pennsylvania. In July, 1789, they came to Bloomfield, Ontario county, where he purchased 1,200 acres of land. This he apportioned between his three daughters, and in December of the same year, with his two sons, Peter and Jacob, he located on the west side of the Genesee River, where Peter Sheffer, jr., purchased a tract of 470 acres of Ebenezer Allen, known as Indian Allen. Here the Sheffers continued to live until 1797, when a frame dwelling was erected, being the first one beyond the river. In 1790 Peter jr., married Elizabeth Schoonover, whose father had settled south of Scottsville that same year. Jacob Sheffer died in 1795. To Peter and Elizabeth Sheffer were born
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eleven children. Peter and Jacob Sheffer brought apple seeds from Pennsylvania and planted the first orchard on that side of the river in 1799. Peter Sheffer, jr., built a grist mill on Allen's Creek in 1811. He was a man of thrift and enterprise and became one of the wealthiest men of his time. He served as justice of the peace and held other important offices. He died September 21, 1851. His children were Peter, Levi, Daniel, George, Loren, Jacob, Roswell, Elizabeth, Nancy, Esther and Maria. All but Jacob and Elizabeth reached maturity, and settled in the towns of Wheatland and Chili, where many of their descendants still reside.
Aldridge, Erastus, was born in Victor, Ontario county, April 10, 1836, a son of Gilbert Aldridge, of Orange county. The family were of English descent, and early settlers of Massachusetts. Gilbert married Keziah Tooker, and made the journey from Orange county to Victor in an ox-cart. In 1855 he came to Sweden, this county, where he engaged in agriculture. He died in 1867, in his seventy-sixth year. Erastus was educated in the Brockport Collegiate Institute, and in 1860 married Frances A. Green, who died October 12, 1869. He married, second, in 1871, Mrs. Julia H. Wiltsie, daughter of Alpheus Vrazey. In 1868 he engaged in the grain, produce and wool business, which he still continues. Our subject is one of the leading business men of his town, taking an active interest in all local matters.
Allen, Isaac, was born in Clarkson, October 15, 1822. His father was Isaac Allen, a native of Enfield, Conn., and the family were of Welsh descent, and trace their descent from John Allen, who was buried at Enfield in 1640. Isaac came to this county in 1815, and a year later returned to Connecticut, and married Mary Terry, returning to Clarkson, where he was identified with the hat business for years. He died in 1885, in his ninety-first year. In 1848 Isaac married Rebecca A., daughter of Allen Hobbie, and they have one son, Orel S. Capt. Henry Allen was born in Clarkson April 26, 1836, and in 1862 enlisted in Co. A, 140th N. Y. Vols., and partici- pated in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Cold Harbor, Gettysburg and Petersburg, holding the rank of captain before his honorable discharge in 1864. Returning to the farm, he married, in 1865, Addie Henyon, who died in 1872. In 1876 he married, second, Helen E. Perigo, daughter of Guy P. Perigo, and they have five children: Claude A., George R., Barton H., Mrs. Maud A. McClenithen, and Bertha Allen. Mr. Allen has served as assessor and supervisor, and has held a prominent position in public affairs.
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