Landmarks of Monroe County, New York : containing followed by brief historical sketches of the towns of the county with biography and family history, Part 90

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 90

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Middleton, George H., was born in 1847, a son of George Middleton, of Wayne county. He married Margaret, daughter of James W., and granddaughter of Robert Kennedy, and they reside on a part of the old homestead which Robert Kennedy settled. They have three sons, Kirtland, George Maurice, and Ellis G. Their two daughters are Harriet E. and Margaret M.

Middleton, Harriet, is a daughter of James W. Kennedy, who was born in 1802 and died in 1850, and a granddaughter of Robert Kennedy, who came from Scotland to America in 1785, and settled in Webster on the farm where Mrs. Middleton now lives. The latter is the widow of John Middleton, who died in .883, leaving three children, Arthur R., W. Howard, and Martha G.

Moseley, L. P., was born at Lebanon, Madison county, October 10, 1809, a son of Araunah Moseley, of Massachusetts, who came to Madison county when twenty- seven, and was among its earliest settlers. The mother was of the old Hyde family, famous in the annals of the protracted litigation for the original estate. Araunah Moseley lived to be ninety-two, and the family is noted for the longevity of its male members. Leander acquired his education without the facilities now so universal, and recollects distinctly the "pine-not" period of his researches in the realm of literature. Now a genial gentleman whom eighty-five years have not withered men- tally, his personal resemblance to the late poet Holmes is quite striking. When he settled here in 1837 there were few but log houses in the region, and the forest yet awaited the settler's axe. In 1842 Mr. Moseley married Elizabeth Dewey, and their children are Anna, wife of C. C. Moore, of Fairport; Carrie, wife of Prof. M. E. Cooley, of Ann Arbor University, and Jedediah, a farmer at home.

Merritt, F. G., was born in the town of Parma, May 8, 1848, a son of Timothy Merritt, of Dutchess county. The family is of English descent, and the first of the name in this country came about 1700. Timothy married Abbie Carhart, and settled in Monroe county in 1840, in Parma, where he was identified with agriculture. He died in 1886, in his eighty-sixth year. F. G. Merritt was educated in the Brockport Collegiate Institute, taught school for three years, and then engaged at railroad work for four years. In 1876 he was connected with the Normal School as steward, and later as head engineer, resigning in 1894. In 1872 he married Mary E., daugh- ter of Elijah T. Watkins, of Prattsburg, Steuben county, a merchant of that town forty years, and one of the prominent men. Mr. and Mrs. Merritt have had three children, Herbert W., Maud, and Blanche.

Lester, Julius, was born in Brockport, March 9, 1861, a son of John, a native of Frankfort, Germany, who came to America in 1843, and settled in Brockport, where he was a well known manufacturer of shoes. He married Catherine Kimpal, and they had ten children. Julius was educated in the Brockport Normal School, and then entered the employ of R. W. Reed. In 1883 he established himself in business,

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and at present is the largest dealer in his line of fine dry goods, cloaks, etc., in the village. In 1886 he married Emma T., daughter of John Owens. They have had four children: Joseph, Frederick, Nathaniel, and Louise. Our subject is one of the leading business men of his town.

Lord, Mrs. Huldah, widow of the late Anson Lord, of Pittsford, was born at Hen- rietta, Monroe county. Her family came from Vermont in an early day in the his- tory of the county, and settled at Henrietta. Her father was Jonah D. Simonds, a well known physician of the regular school, who had a large and successful practice. December 10, 1832, she married Anson Lord, who was born at Ballston, Saratoga county, September 9, 1810. His father, Daniel Lord, was a hotel-keeper at Ballston, and it was because of his death in 1820 that Anson Lord came here to reside with his aunt, who had already settled here. For seven years he followed the trade of car- penter, later engaging in farming. The children of Anson and Huldah Lord are now widely scattered, and two daughters, Clara and Louise, are deceased. Mary J., the elder daughter, married Ichabod Benson, of Fisher's, N.Y. William is in Mendon, engaged in farming ; James, a resident of Rochester, where Mathias, next younger, is a physician; and Daniel the youngest son, is on a ranch in Nebraska.

Merkel, Henry, one of the substantial farmers of Pittsford, and a citizen universally respected, came to America in 1857, being then twenty-four years of age. He was born October 11, 1833, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and had learned and prac- ticed the weaver's trade before emigration. Twelve years after his settlement in Perinton he purchased in 1869 a farm of 100 acres, located in southern Pittsford, and there he now resides, surrounded by the tangible proofs of his own toil and frugality. In 1860 Mr. Merkel married Lizzie Christ, of his native town, and their children are Fred, Clara, Annie and Louis. The oldest son is a stationary engineer at Roches- ter, and the youngest son is at home. Both daughters are married and live in Pitts- ford. Mr. Merkel has also adopted a nephew, now eleven years of age, George Merkel.

Marsh, Jonathan E., a well known and prominent citizen of Pittsford, was born where he now resides, May 9, 1837. His father, of the same name, settled here in 1835, having come from Connecticut. The elder Marsh was a man of much enter- prise and public spirit, an adherent of the Whig party, and a pillar of the Presby- terian church. In 1849 he caught the infection of the gold hunters, but was attacked by a fatal illness before reaching California, and died soon after reaching San Fran- cisco. Of his six children but two survive: Mrs. Almira D. Wallace, of Coldwater, Mich., and Jonathan E., who, since his student days at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, has lived on the old homestead, being extensively engaged in farming. In 1872 he married Mary Pringle, of Perinton, by whom he had two children, William J. and Mary L. She died after six years. The son is now at Ann Arbor, Mich., pursuing a course in electrical engineering, and the daughter is a student at Fairport. The present Mrs. Marsh was, before her marriage, Jean Shaw, of Rochester, a lady of much culture, haviag been for several years a successful and popular teacher of that city.

Osbon, William, was born in Penfield in 1836, and was the son of Abner and Mary K. Mines Osbon, and grandson of Abner, who was among the early settlers of Pen-

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field Center. Mr. Osbon's father, Abner, came from Connecticut to Penfield in 1809, and settled at Higbie's Corners, and in 1849 moved to Penfield Center, where he was for some years highway commissioner, also overseer of the poor, and for twenty years justice of the peace. He had four sons, two of whom, William and John, were in the 8th New York Cavalry from 1862 to 1865, both entering as privates and being discharged, John as second lieutenant, and William as first lieutenant. In 1868 William married Frances Brownell, and now lives near where his grandfather settled and where he died in 1815.

Odell, Hiram, was born in Wayne county where his father settled in early life. He was a farmer for some years before coming to this town, and on his arrival here kept a market for one year, then in 1882 opened a wagon shop, which was burned in 1887. He rebuilt on the old site, where he now conducts a sash and blind factory, in partnership with his brother John, the firm being known as Odell Brothers. This firm were held in such esteem by their townspeople that several hundred dollars were raised to assist them after their loss.

Rogers, Mrs. Charles W., was before her marriage Dorothy, daughter of Marvin and Jane (Phelps) Hopkins. In 1866 she married Charles W. Rogers, a son of the well-known contractor of Rochester, Henry T. Rogers. Mr. Rogers was for a time engaged in business with his father, but a preference for country life led him to pur- chase in 1863 a farm in the town of Pittsford. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have had four daughters: Jennie E., Carrie L., Mary L., and Anna Belle. The artistic tastes of these young ladies find expression in charmingly executed oil paintings with which their home is embellished, and which are well worthy of exhibition to a larger public.

Richards, Gurdon, was born in New london, Conn., January, 9, 1817, a son of Robert, a native of the same State. The family trace their descent from five broth- ers who came from Holland in 1750. Robert married Lucretia Chadwick, and was a farmer in New London. Gurdon Richards came to Genesee county in 1839, and in 1844 married Lucy F. Field, daughter of Harvey Field, and they have one son, Maro A. In 1860 Mr. Richards came to Bockport and engaged in the grain and produce business, then spent a short time in the oil fields, and later engaged in the flour and feed business. He is a representative business man of the town, and served as assessor five years. He is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.

Root, Seymour H., was born in Sweden November 22, 1842. His father was An- drew, brother of F. P. Root, was a pioneer of this town, and married Almira How- ard, the daughter of Sampson Howard. The family traces its descent from Henry Root, who died at Westham, England, in 1580. Andrew was a prominent and suc- cessful farmer, and a man whose judgment was sought by many. He died in 1860 in his forty-fourth year. Seymour W. was educated in Brockport, and in 1867 mar- ried Lucy, daughter of J. B. Reed, and their children are Mary A. and Ada B.

Rockwell, Washington L., was born in Ohio, June 18, 1818. His father, Levi, a native of Massachusetts, went West and bought a large tract of land. He married Polly Thompson. W. L. Rockwell was educated in the common schools, and is a self-made and self-educated man. In 1846 he married Agnes J., daughter of Thomas

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Talcott. Mr. Rockwell has served his town as supervisor three terms, and in 1876-77 was elected to the State Legislature. He has also served as justice of the peace for twenty years, and has had a long and honorable record of public life.

Reed, John J., was born in Brockport, March 3, 1839. His father was Resolved Reed, of Lebanon, Mass., who came to this county in 1825 and married Nancy M. Wright. He was for years a manufacturer of boots and shoes, and also a carpenter. His death occurred in 1883, aged eighty-three. Our subject married Rhoda J., daughter of Charles Bates, and their children are Morton G. and Mrs. Evalyn Boyd. Mr. Reed has always been recognized as a man of conservative character and of strict integrity.

Robinson, Aaron, came to Ogden from Canterbury, N. H., in 1816, at the age of sixteen, driving an ox team the whole way. He became a successful farmer, and died in this town in 1889. By his wife, Rebecca A. Willard, he had two children : Willard, who resides in Minnesota, and Catharine, who married De Witt C. Brower. Rebecca Robinson died in 1871. John. Brower came to Ogden from New Jersey and was an early settler in the town. He was twice married and reared a family of chil- dren. The late De Witt C. Brower, who died December 29, 1890, was a son of the second marriage, and was known as one of Ogden's enterprising and successful farmers. He married Catharine Robinson, and after a year located on the old Rob- inson homestead in the southeast part of the town. The children of this marriage were Caroline, wife of H. W. Sperry; F. Willard, of Ogden; Edgar A., of Church- ville; Ellsworth A., of Ogden; Charles E., of Rochester; and Henry G., of Ogden. Catharine -R. Brower, died April 16, 1886. Ellsworth A. Brower, who now lives on the old farm, married Catharine, daughter of Henry S. and Helen Flagg. They have two children.

Rich, James M., a son of pioneer Josiah Rich (elsewhere mentioned), was born in Spencerport, March 16, 1827, and has always lived in Ogden. At the age of twenty seven (1854), he married Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim Brownell, and widow of William Rich, and settled on a part of the home farm. They have had two children : James F., who lives on the farm with his father; and Louisa, who died aged eight- een. Mr. Rich has been an energetic and economical farmer, and a man much re- spected in Ogden. Ephraim Brownell came to Rochester in 1822, to Ogden in 1830, and removed to Michigan in 1840, where he engaged in lumbering. Of his nine children, all except Elizabeth and Sophronia went to Michigan. The former married William Rich in 1840. Mr. Rich died in 1852, after which she married James M. Rich as above.

Rafferty, William and Thomas, well-known business men in Scottsville, were born there in 1842 and 1844 respectively, sons of Patrick Rafferty, a native of Ireland, born in 1810, whose father was William. Patrick was a carriagemaker, and came to this country in 1837, settling in Scottsville, where he obtained employment at his trade until 1841, then started a shop for himself, and established a large trade. 'In 1871 he retired and was succeeded in business by his sons. He was one of the found- ers of the Catholic church in Scottsville. His wife was Catharine Barnes, born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1812. She died in 1887 and he in 1888. The brothers have remained in partnership till the present time. They have added to their pos-

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sessions two large farms of 210 and 212 acres each, which are supervised by William, who also acts as bookkeeper for the firm. In 1894 the latter was nominated super- visor of the town, but declined to accept. He fills the position of trustee of the village school. Thomas married Ann Cassidy, and their children are Catharine M., and William J.

Reeve, Thomas, is a well-known and successful farmer, born where he now resides in Henrietta in 1827. William, his father, was a native of England born in 1794, who came to America in 1816, and to Utica, where he organized a company of eight young Englishmen for the purpose of taking contracts in excavating on the Erie canal. During the following seven years they made seven miles of canal, and he also assisted in cutting stone for the Brighton Locks. With the money made by his canal work he came to Henrietta, and bought fifty acres, which comprised a por- tion of the farm of Thomas Reeve. He died in 1856, being the owner of 296 acres, and a large amount of personal property. His wife was Ann Taylor, born in Eng- land in 1803, who came to this country at the age of sixteen with her mother and brother, landing in New York. A few months later she and her brother started from New York city and walked to Pittsford, much of the way through the forest, requir- ing three weeks for the journey. Of her eleven children, five survive: William, Thomas, John, Frederick, and Mrs. Sarah H. Mellows of this town. She died Jan- uary 24, 1894, aged ninety years. Thomas has remained on the homestead, where he has been very successful, doing a large loaning busines in connection with real estate. He has over 500 acres of land.

Randolph, Joseph, was born in 1828, a son of Benjamin H., and a grandson of Joseph Randolph, who lived in Wayne county, aud was the father of four sons. Benjamin Randolph came to Webster in 1834 and settled on the farm where Joseph now lives, dying in 1888. Joseph has one son, J. W., who now carries on the farm, and one daughter, Mrs. George Wizer.

Rightmire, N. A., of Fairport, dealer in harness and horse furnishing goods, was born at Berkshire, Tioga county, his father being Squire Rightmire of New Jersey birth, at one time a clerk in the custom house at New York. The latter removed to Berkshire, where he spent the rest of his life as a contractor. Mr. Rightmire is a practical mechanic, and is really master of several trades, having learned carpentry and blacksmithing. In 1874 he removed to Fairport, and for fifteen years was cus- todian of the premises of H. A. De Land. In 1890 he established the harness busi- ness at No. 17 South Main street. He is a citizen of upright character, and has been trustee of the village and of the Congregational church. In 1867 he married Anna Burns of Ovid, Seneca county, and they have four children: William G., Frederick R., Alice B., and Harry A. William, the elder son, is clerk at S. Morey & Sons'; Frederick is studying law, and both are high school graduates. One son, Francis L., died in 1872, aged one year, and in 1893 Mrs. Rightmire died,

Pease, Levi J., was born in Clarkson, January 21, 1823, a son of George Pease, a native of Hartford, Conn., and the family trace their lineage to the Puritans who landed in the Mayflower. George married Betsey Greene, and they came to this county in 1806, making the journey by wagon, and having to ford the Genesee River. They were twenty-four miles from the nearest mill at Rochester, and carried their

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grain through the woods on horseback. George Pease died in 1823, in the prime of manhood. Levi J. was educated in the common schools, and learned shoemaking. In 1840 he came to Brockport and engaged with Mason Davis, and in 1863 established the grocery business, with which he has been identified through his active business life. In 1845 he married Miranda Orcutt, daughter of Edward Orcutt.

Peterson, Axel, was born in Germany and came to America in 1875. He lived in Utica until 1884, when he came to Penfield and collected and shipped material for fertilizers until 1894, when he started a phosphate factory for himself. " His business office is in Rochester.

Parker, Clark, was born in Bristol in 1855, and was the son of Walter D. and Helen (Carpenter) Parker. He married Catharine Timmons, who died leaving two daugh- ters. His second marriage was with Helen Barnes. Mr. Parker has lived in Can - andaigua and various other places, and now resides on the old Higbie homestead, where his father, mother, and two brothers, Charles H. and Frank, live with him.

Peckham, Frank I., was born in Pembroke, Genesee county, November 13, 1859, a son of William S., of the same town, who was born May 21, 1824. The family came to Genesee county from Connecticut in 1823. William S. married Sarah C., daughter of Russell Munger, and their children are Frank I. and Charles N. In 1888 he came to Brockport, where he now resides. Frank I. was educated in the public schools, after which he engaged in farming for four years. In 1882 he built an apple evaporator in the town of Byron, and in 1885 came to Brockport and in connection with H. H. Hibbard engaged in the same business. Mr. Hibbard retired in 1891, after which our subject continued the trade alone. The plant has a capacity of 1,500 bushels per day, and in addition to this Mr. Peckham has put in a complete appara- tus for making vinegar. In 1881 he married Sadie E., daughter of John Wilson, and they have one child, Clara E.

Perry, Alfonso, M.D., came from Stephentown, Rensselaer county, where his early years were spent. In 1830 he married Marietta Platt, and settled in the town of Clarkson, where for years he was actively engaged in the practice of medicine. He was also prominently connected with town and county affairs, holding various posi- tions of trust and responsibility, being twice elected to the Assembly. His death occurred in 1870, in his sixty-fifth year. His hand was ever extended in aid of the cause of education and religion. His widow followed him in 1892, in her eighty- second year, having spent the latter portion of her life with Mrs. Augusta Bates. She was an example of true Christian womanhood, whose life was devoted to her family and the service of her Master.

Pitt, Thomas, is a son of William Pitt, who came from England in 1854 and settled in Brighton, where his son Thomas was born, and there the family resided for a number of years. They finally came to Webster in 1886, and settled on a farm, which our subject now conducts for his father, the place being opposite that of William Pitt.

Peets, Lemuel H., is a prominent life resident of Monroe county, born in Pittsford, June 24, 1825, a son of Hiram, who was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1798, who came to Pittsford with an uncle, with whom he lived. Most of his life was spent in

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Pittsford, and his last days were spent in Michigan with a daughter. He died in 1875. His wife was Roxie Sackett, daughter of Lemuel Sackett, who came to Pitts- ford in 1818. The line for the Erie Canal being surveyed across his farm, he took the contract of digging the canal for that distance, 180 rods. Their children were Frances, Lemeul H., Levantia, James, Mary, Martha and George. The mother died in 1858. Our subject began for himself as a farmer in Pittsford, on the home farm, where he remained several years. In 1859 he removed to Henrietta, and bought the farm where he now lives. He was an extensive dealer in cattle and hogs in his earlier life. He has served in various positions of trust and responsibility, among them being assessor, commissioner of highways, etc. In 1849 he married Adelia, daughter of Elijah and Lucy M. (Allen) Webster, of Connecticut, and their children are Helen E., wife of Willett E. Chase, of this town; Addie L., wife of Frank B. Lusk, of Pittsford; Henry F., and Charles W.

Patterson, W. H., of Fairport, dealer in cigars and tobacco, confections and fruit. Mr. Patterson was educated in Schenectady Lyceum and began his business life as a clerk in a dry goods store in that town. In 1857 he married Gertrude Wiley, of Florida, N. Y. (now deceased), and soon after engaged in the grocery trade near Schenectady. He had two children by his first wife: Harriet and Seely, the former deceased. His present wife was Gertrude Dickinson, of Oswego, and her children are Freeman N., who died young, and Lois M., born in 1887. Mr. Patterson was born at Florida, N. Y., July 29, 1836. His late father, Seely Patterson, a widely known and influential politician and speculator, was postmaster for twenty-five years at Pattersonville. the station having been originally named for him, and during a portion of this term William was his deputy. Seely Patterson died in 1882, and four years later our subject located in the Taylor block in Fairport as a grocer, then in 1887 established his present line of trade in the Chadwick block, where he was located three years, occupying since 1890 his present location in the Ives block. Mr. Patterson is one of the most genial of men, and is now trustee of the village.

Peters. Isaac E., was born in Macedon, September 30, 1846, a son of the late Xury Peters, of that place. Mr. Peters has been a railroad man all his life, entering the employ of the New York Central Company in 1866 as a brakeman between Roches- ter and Syracuse. During his twenty-eight years of service he has seen many changes in railway equipment and management. November 8, 1872, he married Mercy A. Peters, of Macedon, and soon after removed to Fairport. They have had one son, Walter, born November 17, 1880; and two daughters, Bertha and Edith, the former dying in infancy and the latter at the age of nine years. Mr. Peters was first in Fairport to supply his home with the new water service.

Parmele, James, came from Pompey and settled first in Mendon, when he was drafted in the war of 1812. In 1831 he removed with his family to Ogden, and located where James, his grandson, now lives. His children were Betsey, George W., Amos and Charles. James, the pioneer, was a justice of the peace, a man of much good sense, and it is said that during his twenty-four years of service not one of his judgments was ever reversed. George W. was born in Mendon in 1808, and died in Ogden January 24, 1889. His wife, Susan Burlingame, was born in 1811, and died March 24, 1881. Their children were Nancy J., who married Asa M. Baird,

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and James, a farmer of Ogden, now on the homestead. The latter was born April 11, 1835, and his occupations have been varied. He was clerk in Raymond's store at the Basin two years, and in 1855 went to Virginia and engaged in the public works, later going to North Carolina, and coming North just before the war. He has been on the old farm since 1861. In 1864 he married Martha W. True, and they have had three children: Susie, Nellie, and Ransom T. Ransom B. True was born in New Jersey in 1805, a son of Moses True, who settled in Riga. Ransom married, first, Martha Whittier, by whom he had two children, and second, Harriet Morse, and they had six children.

Price, George S., M.D., of Fairport, was born April 11, 1868. His father, George Price, was born here and spent most of his life in Rush. Of his paternal grand- father the same statement is true, an interesting instance of love of place. After four years at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary Dr. Price spent some time in the office of Dr. Kellogg, of Rush. His subsequent medical training was of a most thorough character, graduating in 1891 from the University of the City of New York, and later from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, O. Prior to his settlement in Fair- port, in 1894, Dr. Price passed a year in hospital practice at St. Louis, Mo. In the village of his adoption he is already highly esteemed both as a man and a physician. He holds the position of coroner and health officer.

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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 90

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