Landmarks of Orleans County, New York, Part 77

Author: Signor, Isaac S., ed
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1084

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

child of our subject is Lottie, born May 21, 1861, who married Charles Stilson, of Barre, Orleans county, and has one son, Charles B., now attending school at Rochester. Mrs. Stilson died in Carlton, December 3, 1884. The following article may not be out of place in this connection, referring as it does to the wife of our subject's oldest child, George N. At the time of Lincoln's nomination for the presidency, Grace Bedell, then a child of twelve, had given her by her father (a zealous worker for the Lincoln party) a picture of the future president. The little girl viewed the likeness with a critic's eye, and decided that Mr. Lincoln would look. better with whiskers, and with the consent of her parents she wrote him a nice little letter, expressing her childish views, and asked him to answer her through his own little daughter, if he had not time to write her him- self. Mr. Lincoln replied as follows: "Springfield, Ill., September 19, 1860. Miss Grace Bedell :- My dear little miss, your very agreeable letter of the 15th is received. I regret the necessity of saying I have no daughter. I have three sons, one seventeen, one nine, and one seven years of age. They, with their mother, constitute my whole family. As to the whiskers, having never worn any, do you not think people would call it a piece of silly affection (affectation), if I should begin it now. Your very sincere well wisher, A. Lincoln." Mr. Lincoln later decided to accept the advice of his young friend and cultivate whiskers, and while en route to Washington to take his seat in the official chair, he stopped at Westfield, made a speech from the platform of his car, when he alluded to this incident, saw and kissed his young friend, and said : "Grace, you see I let these whiskers grow for you."

Buell, Miles S., was born in Benton, Yates county, January 17, 1842, and is a son of Lewis T. Buell, who came to Orleans county in 1848, and located in Murray. He married Maria Brown, and their children were: Caroline O., William W., Lucelia J .. Justina A., and Miles S. Lewis T. Buell died July 2, 1870. Caroline Buell married Albert Leonard. William is a farmer and settled in Murray, and married Roby E. Curtis. Lucelia married Nelson M. Root, of Murray; Justina married George Rose- velt, and settled in Brockport, N. Y. Miles S. Buell has always resided in Murray, and is a farmer. On January 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 105th New York Infantry. He participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, Thoroughfare Gap, and Second Bull Run, and November 22, 1862, was discharged on account of wounds received in the latter engagement. He married, December 22, 1875, Emily Smith, nce Bromly, of Alexander, Genesee county.

Beardsley, H. Spencer, is a descendant of Levi Beardsley, born in Connecticut in 1776, and died in Carlton in 1866. His wife was Esther Crary, born in Connecticut, and died in Phelps in 1810. Their children were: Delilah, Artemisha, Harmon C., Martha A., Levi A., of whom Harmon C., father of our subject, was born in Kent, Conn., September 29, 1804, and died in Carlton, December 30, 1871, having settled in that town in 1827. In 1828 he married Cynthia Bacheldor, born in Danville, Vt., July 13, 1805, who still survives. Her father was Samuel Bacheldor, a native of Massachu- setts, born April 21, 1765, and died October 8, 1819, who married Anna Richardson, also born in Massachusetts, who died September 22, 1849. Harmon C. Beardsley had these children : Sally C .. born January 27, 1830; Samuel H., born October 11, 1833 ; H. Spencer, born October 22, 1847. The latter was educated in the public schools at

LANDMARKS OF ORLEANS COUNTY.

Carlton, and reared on a farm, following farming and carpentry until about 1886, when he bought the store at Sawyer. May 4, 1888, he was appointed postmaster at Sawyer, which position he now holds. He has also served as commissioner of highways three terms, and is now overseer of the poor at Carlton. He is a member of Renovation Lodge No. 97, F. & A. M., of Albion. December 18, 1872, he married Etta M. Hoag, born July 17, 1849, and their children were: George J., born June 15, 1875, died August 15, of the same year; and Gordon C., born June 8, 1883. Our subject's farm was taken up by his father in 1826, and has never been out of the family.

Bartlett, John R., was born in Sweden, Monroe county, March 7, 1829, a son of Samuel G., whose father, John, was a native of New Hampshire. The family is sup- posed to have come originally from Wales. Samuel G. was born in Groton, N. H., July 13, 1799. November 7, 1825, he married Elmira Phelps of the same place, and moved to Yates, Orleans county, shortly after, settling in Sweden, Monroe county, where he followed farming. In 1852 he came to Clarendon. Samuel G. died Decem- ber 24, 1875, and his wife, Elmira, July 12, 1854. Their children were: Clarissa, born August 8, 1826; John R., born March 7, 1829, Ruby M, born June 1, 1831 ; Henry P., born July 19, 1833; Mary J., born April 6, 1836, and Eliza A., born Feb- ruary 14, 1838. John R. resides in Clarendon, is a farmer and in politics a Democrat. January 21, 1856, he married Sarah M., daughter of Colonel N. E. Darrow of Clarendon, and their children are, Clara E., born August 5, 1860, who married George M. Moore September 15, 1881 ; and Lewis D., born November 23, 1863, who married Cora I. Rod- well June 21, 1886.

Bailey, Jeremiah, was a native of Whitestown, Oneida county, born November 10, 1803. In April, 1844, Mr. Bailey and family came to Orleans county and located in Gaines on an eighty-acre farm, to which he added until he owned 240 acres. His wife, whom he married in 1827, and who survives him, was Laura Williams, and they had three children : Lewis, who died young ; Abner B. and James. Abner B. was one of the successful men of the county. He was for several years in the grocery trade with his brother James at Albion, but retired shortly before his death. His only son, Lewis, is now a wealthy dry gooods merchant of Cleveland, O. James Bailey was born in Whitestown October 25, 1834. At the age of eighteen he was employed for three years by Deacon Harvey Goodrich, and later was a partner with Charles Baker nearly fifteen years, dealing in fruit and produce, which he combined with farming and other interests. This has been his chief occupation, though for twenty years he has been identified with the grocery trade in Albion, which he started with his brother Abner in 1871. Abner retired in 1879 and James continued till 1882, when the firm of James Bailey & Son was formed, as grocers and commission merchants at 61 Main street Albion, and their fruit house is on the railroad near freight depot, capacity 8,000 barrels. James Bailey has been successful in all his business adventures. He is interested in the County Agricultural Society and much of the advancement of that society is due to his efforts and leadership, he being one time its president. He was the first to develop Oak Orchard on the lake, and his beginning has resulted in a beautiful summer resort. In politics he is a Democrat. April 2, 1857, Mr. Bailey married Mary Jane, daughter

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of Gershom R. and Adelia S. Cady, by whom he has had two children : Herbert J., now in business with his father, and Frank Hamilton. who died August, 1868.

Barker, James Madison, was born in Providence, Saratoga county, N. Y., March 18, 1809. His parents, and indeed all his relatives, were Friends, and he was reared among these estimable people. In his early business life he was actively engaged in manu- facturing scythe snaths, and also had partnership interest in a tannery. For a number of years he superintended the work of a large farm. In June, 1837, he married Emily, youngest daughter of Hon. Isaac Gere, of Galway, Saratoga county, and in the Gere homestead were born his four children, Jennie B., widow of the late Francis Larned of Chicago; Harriet G., widow of the late Henry H. Hewitt of Bloomington, III .; Wil- liam E. and Julia E., both of Albion, N. Y. In 1868 Mr. Barker and family removed from Galway to Albion and for a time was in the coal business with Smith D. Shourds, but devoted his attention mostly to investments in other localities. After years of failing health and a few weeks of acute suffering he died November 8, 1877, aged sixty- eight. Mr. Barker was a man of unusually fine presence, and possessed great natural excellences of character. Although a resident of Albion only nine years, he had in that short time endeared himself to all who came within the circle of his acquaintance, and in the words of his pastor " was as near the model man as we often meet in our journey through life." At the time of his death he was senior deacon of the Baptist Church, and very few could pass out of church and home and be more sadly missed than was this most honorable citizen, and true servant of God.

Blake, Ashley, was born in Clarkson, Monroe county. January 22, 1846, the youngest of five children of Amaziah and Ann (Thomas) Blake. When thirteen years old Ashley went to Carlton and for the next seven years lived in the family of his sister, Mrs. Cap- tain Murray. He became interested in the lake and the possible revenues he might receive from carrying picnic parties along the south shore, and bought a yacht and did a successful business. Through this means he became acquainted with business men of Albion, and when the pleasure seasons were at an end he found ready employment in the village. He worked for a time with Battles & Bennett, but during his employment with that firm he had for a time command of a sailing vessel on the lake. Later on he was interested in business with Mr. Goodman. The firm were dealers in liquors and cigars. During their continuance in business, a period of about seven years, the firm was abundantly successful, much of the credit being due to the energetic efforts of Mr. Blake. After the death of Mr. Goodman, subject was out of business for a time, but eventually returned to trade and continued ten years without a partner. He retired in May, 1886, and after three years began dealing in apples, and was a large operator. Mr. Blake has been for many years the owner of fine bred horses, and to-day he pos- sesses the best animals in the county, some being very fast. He is the owner of a good farm, which is carried on his personal direction. He is a Democrat, has been village trustee and assessor, and is now serving his third term on the Board of Excise. June 28, 1876, he married Mary, daughter of Capt. David and Catharine Hardie, and they have had five sons, three of whom are living.

Behnke, William H., Kendall, was born in Prussia, Germany, January 30, 1850. He came to America in 1871 and settled in Rochester, where he married, April 27, 1872,

LANDMARKS OF ORLEANS COUNTY.

Henrietta Tarraschke. In February, 1877, they moved to Kendall, and have resided in their present home since 1881. Mr. Behnke has been promiently identified with the German element of the town, taking an active interest in civil, educational and relig- ious affairs, and being with two others largely influential in establishing the German Lutheran Church and parochial school at Kendall village. His children are: Frederick W., Louisa H., William H., Edward H., Martha M., Richard W., Ella C. (who died in infancy), and Paul C.

Blott, Jonathan, was a native of London, England, born June 4, 1813, and came to this country when about nineteen years of age in company with Robert Lewis, the latter going subsequently west where he died. Jonathan Blott was a butcher by trade and for a time sought work in New York and Albany He finally found his way to Albion where he worked at odd jobs until a position was offered at his trade. After many discouragements Mr. Blott finally got into business. Five years from the time he came to Albion he returned to England, and there, on November 24, 1839, married Sarah Harris, daughter of Thomas Harris of London. In 1840 Mr. Blott and wife came to Albion, and in after years this persevering and industrious man became identi- fied with some of the best interests of the village. The close of his I.fe found him possessed of a competency, while personally he was regarded as one of the most promni- nent merchants of the county seat. Mr. Blott died February 28, 1873. Four times during his residence here he returned to his native country. His children were: Jona- than, Sidney (dead), Rosa (dead), Emma (dead), James and Alfred. The Blott Build- ing on Main Street was erected in 1866.

Bishop, Francis M., born in Oakfield, Genesee county, March 22, 1851, is a son of Dr. John E. Bishop. Dr. Bishop conducted a drug store for a time at Akron, Erie county, but in 1858 he settled in Holley, purchasing the drug business of D. W. Frye. Dr. Bishop married a Miss Hackley of Batavia, and they had four children : Kate A. John E., Jennie E., and Francis M. Mr. Bishop was a Republican, but never aspired to public office. He was a prominent member of the Baptist Church of Holley. His death occurred in February, 1864, since which date the business has been carried on by his widow and son, Francis M. F. M. Bishop married in 1879, Kate H. Knickerbocker, and they have two sons, Oscar H., and Frank, and one daughter, Irene S. Mr. Bishop is a member of the Baptist Church, the State Pharmaceutical Association, and the American Pharmaceutical Association. John E. Bishop settled in Syracuse, where he is a practicing physician.

Bennett, Charles, was born in Devonshire, England, November, 25, 1833, and was the youngest of eleven children born to James and Mary Q. C. (Godfrey) Bennett. His father was a fuller and cloth dresser, and all of the sons were brought up in the same occupation. At the age of twenty Charles and his brother James came in a sailing vessel from Plymouth to this country, being five weeks on the voyage. They landed at Quebec and went to Bowmanble and there found work, Charles found work tending mason ; from there he came to Charlotte, thence to Gaines, where his brother, William HI. Bennett, then lived, and where Charles found work as a day laborer. He worked at various occupations for several months, and in the next spring was employed on the

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enlargement of the canal. He then spent one sunimer in the quarries and followed that by two years packing flour. In this latter connection he learned the cooper's trade in the fall of 1857, and at that he worked for three years. By living frugally he managed to save a little money. In the winter of 1861 he went to Canada but soon returned to Eagle Harbor. By this time he had saved $250, and with that money bought and remodeled a barn into a cooper shop, borrowed an additional sum to pur- chase stock, and became a manufacturing cooper at Eagle Harbor. This was the begin- ning of what afterward proved to be a very successful business. although it was at- tended with some misfortunes and many vicissitudes. The present firm, which is com- prised of Charles and William Bennett, William Lee and Nathaniel Cole, had its origin in the little business started way back in 1861 by Charles Bennett, and to-day the senior partner is the active man of the firm. Mr. Bennett bought his farm in 1877. It contains eighty-two acres, and is one of the best in that part of the town. When he landed at Quebec in 1854, Mr. Bennett had but a half sovereign in his pocket, to-day he is in very comfortable circumstances. In 1856 Charles Bennett married Isabella Lee, daughter of William Lee of Eagle Harbor. No children have been born to them but they have had five by adoption. One of them, James T. Hayman, was in the 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ; was promoted to lieutenant of colored regiment, and was shot at Petersburgh in 1865. Another, William Hayman, was in the 2d N. Y. Mounted Rifles, served through the war, returned home and died soon after. The third child was Jennie S. Lee ; the fourth Fred E. Bennett, and the fifth Charles J. Bennett, who lives with his foster father. Since 1872 Mr. Bennett has been a Prohibitionist, form- erly he was a Republican. For many years he has been a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, for twenty years one of its officers and is now superintendent of its Sunday school.

Bassett, William R., son of William L., was born in Rhode Island, April 9, 1802. In 1820 he removed to Clarkson, Monroe county, whence he came to Kendall in 1829, and started a blacksmith shop. Two years later he removed to a farm near the lake shore, where he also carried on blacksmithing, and where he died June 12, 1889. He was probably the first permanent blacksmith in town, and was active in church and civil affairs, served as assessor and was supervisor in 1849, 1850, 1853 and 1854. He married Olive Munger, who died March 9, 1877. Their children were Chauncey M., Edwin H., Harriet R. (Mrs. Joseph P. Mulford), Charles L., Laura J. (Mrs. A. W. Bar- nett), Catherine C. (Mrs. Oscar Munn), Emily L. (Mrs. Ira P. Bates), William W., Frank and Anna (Mrs. E. W. Nicholson).

:Bridgeman Charles S. Guy Bridgeman, son of Judge John Bridgeman, was born in Vernon, Vt., March 15, 1774, and removed to Kendall in 1834, settling where Charles S. now lives, where he died February 21, 1853. February 10, 1797, he married Eunice Hapgood, of Petersham, Mass., who was born July 22, 1774, died August 22, 1862. Their children were Nancy, born December 2, 1797, died April 11, 1843; Lydia, born February 25, 1799, died April 22, 1882; George, born December 26, 1800, died June 6, 1883 ; Levi, born January 22, 1802, died September 29, 1864 ; Thomas, born March 26, 1803, died September 13, 1803; Miranda, born July 11, 1804, died May 1, 1845 ; Eunice, born May 2, 1806, died August 25, 1808; Horatio N., born February 28, 1808,

LANDMARKS OF ORLEANS COUNTY.

died March 4, 1874 ; Electa, born July 24, 1809; Guy C., born April 13, 1811, died April 25, 1872; Oliver H., born March 3, 1813; John F., born April 23, 1815, died November 14, 1815; and Lucretia S., born December 11, 1816. Jesse Bridgeman, a brother of Guy, also came here in 1834 and died at Kendall Mills. Oliver H. Bridge- man married Amanda Sedgwick and has had three children : Mary A. (Mrs. E. A. San- ford), Charles S., and Emily S. (Mrs. B. F. Stangland). Charles S. Bridgeman was born June 5, 1849, and married Mary R., daughter of Rev. Milo Scott, by whom he had these children ; Charles S., jr., Arthur C., Margaret A.,'and John S. He was asses- sor three years and in March, 1894. was elected supervisor af Kendall. Rev. Milo Scott became pastor of the Kendall M. E. Church in 1861, officiating two years, and died in Clarkson, Monroe county, in 1864.

Burt, Joseph H., Kendall .-- Erastus Burt, son of Jonathan, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., January 7, 1795. He came to Ontario county in 1817, where he taught school, and where he married Elizabeth Hall, whose father, Joseph, was a major in the War of 1812 and a colonel in the State militia. After returning to Vermont, Mr. Burt moved to Wayne county and thence to Monroe county, whence he came to Kendall in 1841, set- tling on lot 16, where he died November 4, 1844. Mrs. Burt was born January 6, 1803, and died January 10, 1879. Their children were: Antoinette, died in infancy ; Joseph Hall, born in Vermont, February 28, 1820; Elizabeth D., born in 1822, died March 5, 1831; Erastus C., born February 7, 1825, died July 31, 1825; Christina G. (Mrs. Den- nis Densmore), born April 3, 1828; Mary A., born April 11, 1832, died January 16, 1834; Laura S. (Mrs. Cyrus Garlock), born January 2, 1835, died November 6, 1892 ; and John H., born January 29, 1837. Joseph Hall Burt married, March 15, 1843, Eunice Maria Comstock, born February 22, 1820, stepdaughter of Joseph Corbin, sr., and March 15, 1893, celebrated their golden wedding. Their children are: Charles Franklin, born September 17, 1850, and Erastus Joseph, born September 2, 1857, both residing in Kendall. Mr. Burt was justice of the peace nine years and held other minor town offices. Charles F. Burt was graduated from Cornell University in 1875, and is now a justice of the peace. December 28, 1881, he married Laura A. Quinn, and has two children : Lulu E., born June 11, 1883, and Charles W., born April 22, 1891. Eras- tus J. Burt married, November 17, 1880, Isabell, daughter of George W. Bird, and has one son, Elbert L., born November 27, 1882.

Bennett, Nathaniel Smith, Kendall .- Michael Bennett, son of Jeremiah, was born in New Jersey, August 29, 1791. During the War of 1812 he removed to Ontario county, N. Y., where he married, in 1814, Olive Smith ; they had six sons and six daughters ; Nathaniel Smith Bennett, born August 13, 1818, being the second child and oldest son. In 1820 the family came to Clarendon, and during their residence there Jeremiah Ben- nett and his wife removed thither, died, and were buried in a cemetery in that town. In April, 1834, the family settled in Kendall, where Nathaniel S. has since resided, and with him the father passed the last years of his life, dying February 27, 1884, aged ninety-three. In November, 1845, Nathaniel Smith Bennett married Adelia C. Han- lin, who died April 17, 1854. They had two children : Addison Henry, born August 15, 1846; and Nancy Adelia, born April 13, 1841. January 31, 1856, Mr. Bennett married second Mrs. Miranda Mead. Mr. Bennett was a charter member of the West

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Kendall Free Methodist church, in which he has filled responsible positions. In poli- tics he was first a Whig, but has always been a staunch Republican since the organiza- tion of that party. He has been elected to various important town offices, having been justice of the peace, assessor for a number of terms, and supervisor in 1864-65. In 1873 lie was appointed by Governor Robinson a loan commissioner for the county, which of- fice he held ten years, until a change in the State administration. In all of these posi- tions he served with signal ability and strict fidelity. His daughter, Nancy A., mar- ried Ambrose A. Clark, January 27, 1876. Two children, Frank and Lillian, were born to them, Frank having died in infancy. They reside in Kendall. Rev. Addison H. Bennett, his son, united with the Genesee Annual Conference of the Free Methodist church in September, 1873, and for twenty years has been actively engaged in the min- istry. ten years of this time being district chairman (presiding elder). He has been treasurer and since June, 1890, a trustee of the A. M. Chesbrough Seminary at North Chili, Monroe county. He has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Gene- see Conference of the Free Methodist church since 1888, and secretary of said board since 1889. October 24, 1872, he married Celia A. Romer, and has one son, Milton Na- thaniel, born September 23, 1873.

Barry, Benjamin, came to Yates in 1816, settled on what is now the Webster farm, and died in 1822. His children were : Phoebe (Mrs. Benoni Hall), Richard, Benjamin, jr., Samuel, Frank, James, Sally (Mrs. John Gorham), Archibald, Isaac, and Jemima (Mrs. John Eaton). James Barry, born June 16, 1799, married, in 1820, Martha, a daughter of Hezekiah Bullock, who settled in Ridgeway in 1814 and in Yates in 1816. Mr. Barry died April 9, 1889. He was one of the founders of the M. E. church and long a trustee and class leader. Their son, Benjamin B., is a justice of the peace, and since 1871 has been local correspondent of the Medina Tribune. Richard Barry was born May 12, 1785, served in the War of 1812, and died at Yates Centre about 1870. His wife, Elizabeth Muncy, died June 30, 1859. Their children were: Cynthia (Mrs. Benjamin Bullock), born December 13, 1806; Nathaniel and Benjamin R. (twins), born November 30, 1808, still living in town ; Ransom, born March 16, 1811 ; Samuel, born March 17, 1813 ; Jane (Mrs. Grosvenor Church), born May 2, 1815; George, born July 28, 1817; Sena (Mrs. William Church), born August 25, 1819; Hannah (Mrs. F. H. Daniels), born October 30, 1821; Henry, born February 27, 1824; and Charles, born August 5, 1826. Of these children eight are living, and Mrs. William Church is the old- est woman born in town who still resides here.

Bates, Ira B., Kendall .- Samuel Bates, the first permanent white settler in the town of Kendall, was born in Haddam, Conn., August 9, 1760. He served three and one- half years in the Revolutionary War, in a New Hampshire regiment, being with Wash- ington at Valley Forge, and was under General Sullivan in his memorable expedition against the Indians in Western New York. While in this latter service he reached the Genesee River and shooting a duck he was obliged to cross to get it. The locality im- pressed him so favorably that he resolved to emigrate hither as soon as possible, but upon leaving the army he resided first in Randolph, Vt., and subsequently in Burling- ton, whence he came to Kendall in 1812 and located lot 111, where his grandson, Ira

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Landmarks of Orleans County, New York, Part 77

Author: Signor, Isaac S., ed Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Syracuse : D. Mason Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Signor, Isaac S., ed
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Syracuse : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 1084