Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history, Part 89

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 89

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Hartshorn, John, was born in Orange county, August 25, 1819, a son of Joseph, also of Orange county. John was educated in the public schools and is a self-made man. In 1845 he married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Ivins, by whom he has had four children : Benjamin L. John S., Mrs. C. Ellis and Mrs. W. Palmer. In 1850

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he came to Monroe county and bought a farm, which he has since conducted, and is esteemed one of the representatives citizens of the town.

Hines, Daniel C., was born in Clarkson, now Hamlin, July 7, 1844. His father, Paul, was a native of Sand Lake, Rensselaer county, and the family is of Scotch descent. He married Keziah Crandall, and in 1840 removed to Clarkson from Berlin, Rensselaer county, and in 1850 came to Brockport and entered the employ of Sey- mour & Morgan. In 1853 he associated with A. B. Harmon in the marble trade, and in 1855 went to Medina and engaged in the same business, remaining until 1874, when he returned to Brockport. Daniel Hines was educated in Medina Academy, August 22, 1862, enlisted in the 17th N. Y. Independent Battery Light Artillery, serving at Manassas, Chapin's Farm, Signal Hill, etc., and was present at Lee's sur- render, receiving an honorable discharge June 12, 1865. Returning to Medina, in 1881 he removed to Brockport. In 1867 he married Hannah Barker, who died in 1879, and his second wife was Mary A. Donovan, by whom he has two children, Clarence E. and Hamia B.

Harrison, Edward, was born in Manchester, England, January 12, 1831, and came to this country in 1855. He settled in New York for a year, removed to Orleans county and remained three years, and in 1859 came to Brockport, and engaged in merchant tailoring, which trade he learned in England. In 1862 he married Mary Riley, and their children are E. C., of Montreal; Rev. John F., pastor of St. Mark's church of St. Paul. Minn .; Joseph, who is associated with his father in business; George C., principal of the Latin School at Plainfield, N. J. Our subject is a repre- sentative man of his town, holding various positions of trust and responsibility, and has the esteem of all.

Harris, Robert, was born in Penfield in 1826, and is the son of William and Sally (Schoolcraft) Harris. His father, William Harris, came from Scotland to Fulton county in 1802, and to Penfield in 1806. Mr. Harris is one of eleven children, and began working on a farm by the month, saving enough to buy, with his brother George, a farm which they carried on for some years, finally dividing in 1862, when Mr. Harris settled where he now lives, and is one of the leading farmers. In 1853 he married Adelia, daughter of Isaac Crippen, who settled and died on the farm where Mr. Harris now lives. They have two sons, James and Fred, and one daughter.

Humphrey, Nathan M., was born in Elmer, N. J., and came to Henrietta in 1872, with his father, Rev. Jessie T. Humphrey. In 1889 he graduated from the Philadel- phia Medical College, and the same year began the practice of medicine in Penfield. In 1891 he married Edith Maxwell, by whom he has one son, Nathan.

Hebbs, James, is a son of Thomas Hebbs, who came from England with his wife Elizabeth (Heath) Hebbs, to Brighton in 1849 and to Penfield in 1860. He was a farmer, and died in 1892, leaving his wife, who died one year later, and two sons, James and George ; also two daughters, Mary E. and Emma J.

Higbie, Myron R., was born in Penfield in 1845, and was the son of Alanson and Lucy (Rundel) Higbie. His grandfather, William Higbie, was one of seven sons of Jacob, who settled here in an early day. William had four sons, Nathaniel, Silas,

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Abijah, and Alanson. The latter had three sons, Myron, George and Frank. Myron married Mary, daughter of John G. Wheeler, and settled where he now lives. They have two daughters, Edith and Florence.

Hopkins, Robert M .- In another part of this work may be found a sketch of Caleb and Marvin Hopkins, the latter the father of Robert, who was born in Pittsford, August 22, 1847, and has always been a resident either of this town or its immediate vicinity, except for a period of three years from 1864 to 1867, which he spent at Granger, O., where at one time his brother James (the elder son of Marvin and Jane Phelps Hopkins) was operating a general store business. Upon the death of his father in 1867 he returned to Pittsford and subsequently engaged in farming. He is also largely interested in the breeding of choice horses. December 24, 1873, Mr. Hopkins married his present wife, Mrs. Emma E. Day. Their only son, Jared, was born July 6, 1887, Mr. Hopkins is and has been for many years an active member of the Northfield Lodge, F. & A. M.

Johnson, Walter W., M. D., was born in 1859 at Naples, Ontario county. Having completed, in 1883, a course at the Normal School at Geneseo, he began in 1884 his medical studies at the New York Homoeopathic College and Hospital. Graduating with honors from this institution in 1887, he opened an office at Pittsford, where he is already recognized as a practitioner of great skill, especially in diseases of the nervous system Dr. Johnson's father was a mechanical engineer of great ability, and hereditary transmission of skill and inventive genius is evinced by Dr. Johnson's talent in this direction, much of his elaborate electrical and other medical apparatus being of his own construction. It is a curious fact that the records of Dr. Johnson's family for five generations mention no member devoted to a professional life. In 1884 Dr. Johnson married Asenath Woodworth, of Baraboo, Wis., and their children are Aldred, Walter and Isabelle. Dr. Johnson's mother is a niece of the celebrated Dr. Bullion, the noted savant and author.

Johnson, H. N., was born in Niagara county, November 13, 1838, a son of John, a native of Seneca county, and grandson of Isaac, a native of Scotland, who came to this country in 1805, and participated in the war of 1812. He first settled in Orange county, and later in Seneca and died in Niagara county. John Johnson married Mehitable, daughter of Abner Bailey, and was a well known Congregational minister in Western New York, and Gerrit Smith's lieutenant and right-hand man in assisting the escape of negroes into Canada. H. N. Johnson was educated in Yates and Wil- son Colleges, and followed farming till 1868, when he came to Brockport with Samuel Johnson, his uncle (the inventor of the Johnson reaper and mower), and engaged in handling agricultural tools, wagons, harness, etc., which he still continues. In 1859 he married Theresa, daughter of Heman G. Goodspeed.

Gordon, James, of Fairport, was born in Rushford, Allegany county, April 8, 1820. His father was John Gordon, also the father of Mrs. George W. Green of this place. John was a farmer and brick manufacturer of Rushford. Our subject was a mer- chant in the latter town and at Brockport prior to 1880, when he removed to Fair- port. He has been an extensive operator in the manufacture and sale of lumber both here and elsewhere. Of Scotch ancestry, and he himself the third of the same . name, his paternal grandfather came from Scotland and was taken prisoner of war

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at Saratoga. In Rushford Mr. Gordon ran the whole gamut of official life, holding everything from supervisor down, and with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He married Polly Bresler, of Rushford, and has one daughter, Alice, now Mrs. A. C. Hooker, of Fairport.

Howard, Major S. P., was born in Fairport in 1840. His father, the late Lorenzo T., came here from Bridgewater, Mass., in 1838, and was for many years one of the foremost citizens of the village. He was the elder brother of the firm of L. T. & J. E. Howard, carriage builders. He was a trustee of the Congregational church for thirty years. Major Howard's war record is one to which he may justly point with pride. Early in 1862 he enlisted as a private in Co. B, of the 108th N. Y. Vols. He partici- pated in many of the great battles, from Antietam to Lee's surrender, and was seven times wounded, but owing to the iron constitution of the Howard family, he is to- day a hale citizen in active life. After the war he engaged in farming here, where he still lives, surrounded by material adjuncts which elevate and ennoble his chosen calling. His elegant home contains many a token of camp and field, and of the old war days. January 1, 1862, he married Mariette, daughter of David Hine of Fair- port, and their children are S. Irving, Myron L., and Charlotte M. Mr. Howard has filled with credit many official positions in town government, and has served as assessor for nineteen successive years.

Henry, Robert W., one of Fairport's leading citizens and for sixty years a resident here, was born at Chatham, N. Y., January 28, 1814 During the next year his parents removed to Schoharie county, his father being a pioneer of the town of Sharon. Robert early learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed from 1834 to 1847 in the village of Egypt. He was then for seven years engaged in farming, but at this period suffered the loss of his faithful wife, who was Anna M. Snedeker, and the serious impairment of his own health, which necessitated retirement for several years from active life. In 1877 he became a resident of the village of Fair- port, where he has served on the village board, and as an assessor. The death of his wife in 1854 orphaned three small children, none of whom is now living.

Higbie, Nathan, late of Fairport, was born at Burnham in 1806. His father was a farmer, and he himself made that his own occupation, leaving behind a substantial fortune and an honored name. He was for a long time a resident of Penfield, where he had large business interests. About 1864 he retired from his active career, and ten years later removed to the village of Fairport. where he was highly esteemed for his nobility of character, and for the resignation with which he endured a protracted invalidism. In 1844 he married Marianne Wheeler, by whom he had three children: Jerome, since 1880 a resident of Deadwood, Dak .; Ella, who resides at home, and Anna, who died aged thirteen. Jerome is engaged in mining and real estate. The first wife of Mr. Higbie was Guelma Wing, and her children were Lucia, David, and Helen. Mr. Higbie died February 28, 1878, aged seventy-eight.

Klein, Bernard A., was born in Rochester in 1831, and removed to Webster in 1853, where he engaged in agriculture. His wife was Mary A. Greutzinger, who died in 1893, leaving these children: John G., Peter G., Joseph T., Bernard, Albert H., Rosa and Julia. The father of our subject, Bernard, came from Germany to this country and settled in Rochester in 1817, dying there in 1880.

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Knickerbocker, Benjamin, was born in Saratoga county and came to Parma in 1826. He was a cabinetmaker and painter, and started a chair factory at the Cor- ners many years ago. His wife was Lucy A. Leonard, born in Saratoga county in 1808. Adam Knickerbocker was born in Dutchess county in 1808 and came to Parma in 1830. He was connected for many years with the old Gulf mill, being a miller by occupation. He died in Orleans county, August 4, 1889. His wife was Caroline Leonard, and their children were Andrew, Judson, and William, of whom only Jud- son survives. Adam Knickerbocker was, like his brother, an energetic and home- loving man, much respected by his townsmen. Judson Knickerbocker was born June 12, 1833. He was brought up to the mercantile business, and for thirty years was connected with a large dry goods house in Rochester, and occupied a like posi- tion in New York city eighteen years. In 1891 Judson became a resident of Parma, and for the past two years has been in business at the Corners. He was also appointed postmaster in 1894. He married Helen M. Howes, by whom he had three children : James H., an artist of the American Press Association of New York city; Carrie, wife of T. H. Patterson, of Austin, Pa. ; and Frank, an employee of the Blue Line office in Rochester. Nathaniel Leonard was born in Newburgh, N. Y., in 1775, and his wife, Fanny, was born in Middletown, Conn., in 1784. They came to Parma in 1828, and both died in the town, Mr. Leonard in 1857 and his wife in 1869. Their children were Lucy Ann, Caroline, and William.

Kelly, Charles E., is prominent among the men of affairs of Brighton, and the scion and representative of a family whose local residence antedates the city of Roch- ester. Edmund Kelly, his grandfather, took up the land upon which Charles Kelly's home now stands in 1813, purchasing 640 acres of the government. He was of Scot- tish birth. His eldest son, Edmund, now a resident of Penfield, retired from active life at seventy four years of age. He was for a long period of years a foremost figure in the arena of local politics, and held positions of trust and responsibility for the Republican party. Charles was born in 18.4 at Hamilton, Ont. After completing his education at Rochester University, he settled on the old place, where his paternal grandfather once built a log house. In 1876 he married Miss Mary Salmon, of Brighton. Their children are George, William, Herbert, and Cora. Mr. Kelley has filled with credit many offices within the gift of his townsmen.

Lord, Nathan, was born in this town in 1823. His father was John Lord, of New England, and his mother was a native of New Jersey. He was educated in the com_ mon schools, and worked on his father's farm. His wife was Frances Poppino, of West Bloomfield, and at the time of his marriage he bought a farm in the northern part of the town on the Pittsford road, which he afterwards sold, and bought the John Smith place on the East Mendon road. In 1868 he purchased the farm on the Men- don Central road where he spent the rest of his life. His farm comprised eighty- seven acres, being one of the pleasantest in the town. The handsome home stands on an elevation which overlooks a broad expanse of beautiful country. There were these children: Frank, who married Eva, daughter of Homer Kimball, of Mendon Center; Frederick E. and Louis B., who own the homestead where they live with their mother. Mr. Lord died in 1887. He held many town offices during his life, and was a prominent man.

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Landon, Daniel, was born in Ontario, Wayne county, N. Y., in 1839. He is the son of John Landon, who came from New Jersey to Ontario, and in 1854 to Webster, where he lived until 1867, when he moved to Michigan, dying there in 1877. Daniel Landon married first Sarah, daughter of Russell Mason, who died leaving two daughters. He then married Frank, daughter of Henry C. Lewis. Mr. Landon settled where he now lives in 1861, and has always been engaged in farming. His father was a carpenter .-

Leisher, Jacob H., was born in Switzerland in 1843, and in 1853 came to Rochester with his father, Samuel Leisher, who died soon after reaching that place Jacob H. then came to Penfield where he worked on a farm until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. I, 108th N. Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war. He then returned to Penfield and engaged in farming, settling where he now lives in 1883. Mr. Leisher is a member of the Thomas Fair Post, G.A. R., and was for three years commander of the Post.

Leighton, Mrs. Kate B .- Occupying an important place among the early manu- facturers and builders of Rochester, we find the name of the late Thomas Leighton, who was the founder of the East Rochester Bridge and Iron Works, and to whose skill and genius no fitter monument could be erected than the great bridges of which he was the creator. He was born at Mt. Vernon, Maine, in 1818, and educated in the public schools of Augusta. His intimate and exhaustive technical knowledge of engineering was largely self-acquired. He came to Rochester in 1855, retiring from active life in 1882, having been a resident of Brighton for seven years. In 1856 he married Kate Breed, daughter of David Taylor, of Tioga. His death occurred February 2, 1886.

Nash, J. Sidney, junior member of the firm of Caley & Nash, of Brighton, manu- facturers of fine carriages and cutters. These gentlemen did not purchase their busi- ness, but built it up themselves, and they fully deserve the success they have achieved. The plant was founded by Thomas Caley, an uncle of the senior member, but has been greatly extended by the present firm, who in their busy season employ eight- een men. They are located on East and South avenues. The Nash family is of English nativity, the first comer being Edward, who was one of the founders of the city of Norwalk, Conn. Sidney's father was the late John B. Nash, the nursery man of Allen Creek, and where his widow still lives. Sidney was born at Allen Creek, May 30, 1853, and was for some years engaged with his father, in the nursery, and later learning the wagon-making trade, his specialty being woodwork, Mr. Nash is a Democrat in politics, and one of the Masonic fraternity since 1880. In 1875 he mar- ried Lillie Adamson, of Fairport. Six children were born to them: George Henry. Lillian Beatrice, Wayland P., Pauline, May Belle, and J. Sidney, the latter two be- ing deceased.

Norris, J. Frank .- Probably the oldest inhabitant of the village of Brighton is the venerable and well-preserved J. B. Norris, who was born at Hanover, N. J., October · 17, 1808, and whose father, John Norris, purchased and settled upon a Penfield farm, as early as 1818. When sixteen years of age, J. B. Norris learned the blacksmithing trade and worked at it in Brighton village during the ten years succeeding 1824, then for two years traveled about the country selling clocks, the celebrated wooden

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article then made a specialty of in Connecticut. In 1840 he became interested in growing small fruits, ann in pursuit of that industry has passed the balance of his active life, having been identified with its wonderful growth during those years. Mr Norris is still hale and hearty, carrying lightly his more than fourscore years. His elder son, George E. Norris, is postmaster of Brighton, having been an incum- bent of that office since 1890. J. Frank Norris, the younger son, is very extensively engaged in the nursery industry, largely extending the business established by his father, under the style of "Brighton Central Nurseries." His specialties are fruits and ornamental trees, roses, and shrubs. Born here in 1843, his education was com- pleted at Rochester Academy, and upon attainment of his legal majority he took charge of the business, having spent three years at Macon, Missouri. He married, in 1865, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Ambrose, the florist. Their children are Emma, now Mrs. Abram De Potter, Frank, and Lotta. Mr. Norris takes an active part in town affairs, being a trustee of the village, and prominent in Masonic circles.

Le Clare, J. F., was born at Oswego, in 1849, and when about twenty two entered the employ of Chase Brothers at Rochester. Seven years later he began business on his own account, with offices and shipping facilities at Brighton. This has grown into a very extensive and important business, employing in the busy season about one hundred and fifty men besides traveling salesmen and office force. This is known as the "Le Clare Nurseries," producing fruit and ornamental trees, grape vines, roses, shrubbery, etc. The rapid extension of the concern made the association of Messrs. Freeman & Manning expedient, as special partners, the former in 1884, and the latter in 1889.

McAmmond, Dr. John F., was born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1866, a son of Rev. Thomas McAmmond, whose father, John, was a native of Scotland, born in 1749, and who came to Canada in 1796 with his parents, and settled at what is now Ottawa City. John married Jane A. Foster, and had nine children. Rev. Thomas McAm- mond was reared on the farm, and graduated from the Victoria University in Coburg, where he prepared himself for the ministry, his home being in Ottawa. His wife was Jane Ann Hare, by whom he had these children: John F., Rev. Robert, Anna, Laura, and Luella. Our subject received his preliminary education in the public schools, and at the age of fourteen attended the Albert College in Belleville, Ontario, graduating to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons at Kingston, Ontario, from which he graduated in 1889. During 1888 he practiced medicine with his father- in-law, Dr. B. T. McGhie of Elgin, Ontario. In 1890 he removed to Scottsville, N. Y., where he has since practiced successfully, and established for himself a high pro- fessional and social reputation. In 1890 he married Margaret McGhie, and they have one daughter, Helen, born in 1893.

Little, Elijah H., was born in 1844, a son of Horace W., also of Henrietta, who was born in 1815. The father of the latter was born in Northampton, Mass., in 1784, and in 1811 bought land in Henrietta, where he lived in a log cabin and endured all the privations of pioneer life. He served for a time in the war of 1812, and was also one of the first school teachers of the region, one of the early supervisors of Henrietta, and was active in the building of Monroe Academy. His wife was Mercy Webster, daughter of John Webster, a pioneer of Rush. Their children were Horace, Harvey,

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Thankful, John and Mary. He died in 1860. Horace, father of our subject, was a farmer, and spent the last thirty years of his life on the homestead. He married Susan H. Burtrace, of Henrietta, and their children were William B., and Elijah H. He died in 1890. In November, 1861, when but a lad of eighteen, our subject enlisted in Co. I, 13th N. Y. Vols., but on account of ill health was discharged the following June. In 1863 he again enlisted, going out in the 1st Artillery, and was discharged in November, 1864. He participated in the battles of Hanover Court House, Gaines's Mills, and others. Returning to Rochester, he was for several years clerk in a mer- cantile establishment. He then spent some time in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and was for thirteen years a farmer in Greece. He then followed carpentry and was in the axle works three years in Rochester, and in 1891 returned to Henrietta, and took possession of the homestead. In 1866 Mr. Little married Clara D., daughter of Judson E. Williams, and they had one child, Frank B. His wife died in 1887, and in 1889 he married Anna M. Tyler, born in Boston, a daughter of Charles Tyler, now of Rochester.

Nichols, Almond F., was born in Henrietta on the homestead settled by his grand- father, in May, 1848, a son of Elijah E., a native of Herkimer county, born in 1812. His father. Isaac F., came to Henrietta in 1816, and settled on the farm now owned by our subject, and his brother Arthur. He was colonel in the State militia, was justice for many years, and died at the age of fifty-nine. His wife was Deborah Elwell, who died in 1856. Elijah, father of our subject, spent his life on the home farm, was deacon in the West Henrietta church, and married Lois C., daughter of a Mr. Boughtwell. Their children were Ellen F., Almond.F., Mary A., Marian, Ar- thur, and Florence E. He died in 1874, and his wife in 1890. Our subject has spent his life on the home farm of 140 acres, devoting some time to dealing in horses and cattle. He has represented his town three terms as supervisor, has also served as collector, inspector, constable, etc., and is often chosen as county committeeman ; he is also a Mason. In 1879 he married Dolly A., daughter of H. M. Calkins of Hen- rietta, and they have one child, Lois M.

Mason, Daniel G., M. D., was born in Walworth, Wayne county, in 1855, a son of Horace G., a native of Vermont, who came to Wayne county in an early day, and for many years engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages in Walworth. He also held many offices of public trust. By his wife, Phoebe Knapp, he had two children, Henry R., a farmer of Marion, Wayne county, and Dr. Daniel G. The parents died in 1877 and 1884 respectively. Our subject first attended the school of his native village, then Marion Collegiate Institute, and was for a time engaged in the drug business. In 1876 he entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York, graduating in 1879. He then formed a partnership with his preceptor, Dr. Samuel Ingraham of Palmyra, and in 1881 removed to Henrietta, where he has established an extensive practice. He is a member of the Rochester Pathological Society, and the Monroe County Medical Society. He is also connected with the Central New York Medical Association, and is a Mason. In 1879 he mar- ried Ida M., daughter of Deacon Harkness of Marion, and they have two children, Bessie, and Floyd. Mrs. Mason is an active worker in the Congregational church of Henrietta,

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Morley, John, was born in England in 1841 and came to America when but a boy. After residing in Penfield for some years he went to Rochester, where he worked for a period of fourteen years for one man, and then came to Webster and bought the farm where he now lives, and is engaged in general farming. His wife was Mary Bridgeman, whose father, John, came from England in 1851 and settled in Penfield, where he died in 1894. They have one daughter, Emily.

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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 89

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