Landmarks of Orleans County, New York, Part 83

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

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Hornsby, Rev. Henry, was born in Stourton, Warwickshire, England, August 19, 1821. His parents, James and Rosanna (Sweetman) Hornsby, came to America in 1839 and settled in Ontario county. In 1843 the family moved to Murray, in 1845 to Clarkson, Monroe county, and in 1847 to this town, locating on lot nineteen. James Hornsby was born February 14, 1794, and died November 11, 1883; his wife was born April 26, 1792, died April 13, 1883. Rev. Henry Hornsby, in 1849, married Mianda Jenks, of Kendall, who died in 1866. His second wife is Sophia R., daughter of Charles Dugar, who settled in Yates in 1847. Mr. Hornsby began the gospel ministry in the M. E. Church in Sweden, Monroe county, in 1852, and as a pastor in that denom- ination was stationed as follows: Grand Island, 1853; West Falls, 1854; a mission in Buffalo, 1855 ; Franklinville, 1856-57; East Otto, 1858; Java, 1859-60. He then joined the Free Methodist Church, which he served : Kendall, 1861-62, 1865 ; Yates and Carlton, 1863-64 ; Perry, 1866-67 ; Java, 1869. His health failing he was then superannu- ated and settled permanently at West Kendall. Recovering, he was chairman of the Gene- see District from 1876 to 1880, when he was again superannuated, and since then has given his attention to his home and to the cause of the church, with which he has so long been connected. He was one of the originators, and a liberal contributor, of the Orphanage and Home of the Free Methodist Church at Gerry, Chautauqua county, in 1886, having been since the organization its president and one of its trustees, and for several years its financial agent. This benevolent institution is designed for the care of aged men and women and orphans without regard for color, nationality or religious affiliations.

Johnson, Stephen, was a soldier under General Putnam in the Revolutionary War. His son, Stephen B., served in the War of 1812. The latter was born in Washington county, N. Y., May 19, 1794, moved to Jefferson county, came thence to Yates in 1817, and died in Lyndonville, February 24, 1855. In 1819 he married Maria, daughter of Simeon Gilbert. She died December 27, 1874. Mr. Gilbert came to Yates from Oneida county in 1817 and settled on the farm now occupied by Mrs. Swift, where he died about 1834. Mr. Johnson's children were Stephen G., Cornelia (Mrs. Wilson Tuttle), Cynthia M. (Mrs. Hiram Deline), Dr. Nathan P., and Lydia S. Stephen G. Johnson was born October 16, 1820. In 1846 he married Harriet Blanchard, of Vermont, and had three children : Clarence A., Dr. Harvey B., and Charles B. Mrs. Johnson died in August, 1867. Dr. Nathan P. Johnson, born in 1827, long a practicing physician in Or- leans and Niagara counties, died in January, 1888. Miss Lydia S. Johnson was an army nurse under Miss Dorothy L. Dix, going to Washington in September, 1862, and serving in the warehouse, the Dunbarton street and the Union Hotel hospitals in George- town, and in the Wold Street Hospital in Alexandria until March, 1863, when she was stricken with typhoid fever and came home. In the fall of 1864 she returned to Wash-

LANDMARKS OF ORLEANS COUNTY.

ington, and was soon assigned to hospitals at Fortress Monroe, where she served until July 28, 1865. Miss Johnson was the only nurse Orleans county sent to the Civil War. Since her discharge she has resided in Lyndonville. Clarence A. Johnson, born No- vember 2, 1848, enlisted in Battery H, Ist N. Y. Light Artillery, September 5, 1864, and served until his discharge May 30, 1865. He joined the G. A. R. in Framingham, Mass., in 1871, and has been commander of the local post four years.

Andrews, J. A., was born January 2, 1842, in the town of Ridgeway on the farm he now owns. In June, 1867, he married Emma H. Bacon ; their family consists of four children : Avery V., Anna D., Allen B. and John R., also a niece, Alice P., who has lived with them from infancy, now Mrs. W. Edgar Hedley, of Buffalo. J. A. An- drews's father was Avery V. Andrews, born in New Hampshire, but removed with his parents to Vermont. His mother's maiden name was Anna Tanner, a native of Ver- mont. J. A. Andrews's parents took up the farm he now owns from the Holland Pur- chase Company.

Avery, Albert, was a native of Connecticut, but at an early age went to Onondaga county, where he was an extensive business man, dealing in and shipping salt and carry- ing on a store. He left that region about 1839 and came west, locating for fourteen years in Yates and then coming to Barre, on the farm now owned by Mr. Homer Waldo. In 1868 he sold the farm, and afterward lived in Elba and Oakfield, dying in the latter town in September, 1893. His wife was Emily Geer, and to them four children were born : Francis G., of Barre; Lura, wife of Willis A. Grinnell, and now dead ; John, now in Michigan ; Charles B., of Oakfield. Francis G. Avery was born February 16, 1839, and was brought up a farmer, though after his education at Albion Academy he taught school several terms. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, 27th Regiment N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, and served until the spring of 1862, when he was discharged for disabilities, from which he has never quite fully recovered, In 1864 Mr. Avery came to his present farm, which is known as one of the best in the southern part of the town. March 24, 1863, Francis G. Avery married Sarah Jane Bliss. Their children are as fol- lows : Emily, wife of Charles Porter ; Lillian, wife of Edward Shotwell ; Helen, wife Albert Grinnell; Albert, and Charles.

Bragg, Solomon, was one of the pioneers of Barre, coming to the town in the fall of 1818, bringing a cow and an ox team. Solomon and his son Nathan each took a tract from the land company. The children of Solomon Bragg were as follows: Levi, Na- than, Joel, Lydia, Lucy, Lucretia, and Dolly and Polly (twins). About 1819 or 1820 Nathan went to Scottsville and there married Lavica Vannocker, by whom he had two children : Sylvester, of Barre ; and Luana, wife of S. K. Wyman. Nathan Bragg died in Barre in November, 1881, and his wife June 29, 1854. After the death of his first wife Nathan married the widow Groff. Sylvester Bragg, who for nearly half a century has been one of the leading and most influential men of Barre, was born November 9, 1824, and has always lived within 100 rods of his present residence. He has always been a farmer, and his industry and perseverance have been rewarded by success. Further, he has provided generously for his children as they have matured and started in business. Mr. Bragg is one of the staunchest Republicans in Barre, and has served

FAMILY SKETCHES.

es assessor ten years, supervisor three years, and is now highway commissioner. Feb- ruary 4, 1846, Sylvester Bragg married Eliza Ann Whiting, of Shelby, and to them seven children have been born, viz. : Nathan, a farmer of Barre; Henry, who died at the age of nineteen ; Oscar, who died at sixteen : Lillie, wife of George N. Brown, of Barre ; Eugene and Ulysses Grant, both of Barre ; and Lovinna, wife of Elmer Bliss.

Brown, J. B. was born in Connecticut, June 10, 1840. His parents moved west and settled in Missouri when he was fourteen years old. In 1877 he came to Ridgeway and has lived in Knowlesville since 1886. Mr. Brown married Fannie E. Ostrander, and they have two daughters, Melissa S. and Fannie C. Mr. Brown enlisted early in the war for six months' service, and subsequently entered the 4th M. S. M. Cavalry, U. S. Volunteers, and saw service along the Missouri and Kansas frontier throughout the war.

Blood, S. P., was born in Lyndonville, April 17, 1857. His parents moved to Ohio in 1875, and when twenty years of age S. P. came east to Niagara Falls and learned the milling trade. After milling a while in Medina he went to Minneapolis and worked eight months in the Pillsbury " A " Mill. He then came to Medina and worked for Mr. Hoag six years. After a short time in Oakfield he went into partnership with Mr. Spoor in the flour and feed business, and in February, 1893, formed the present partnership with George R. Timmerman in the old Hoag Mill. In 1882 Mr. Blood married Lina M. Moore, and they have two daughters : Jessie and Pearl. Mr. Blood's father was S. P. Blood, and his mother was Emily (Fuller) Blood. His grandfather, Jackson Blood, came into the town of Yates in 1824, and was one of the pioneers of this county.

Burnham, William, came from New England at an early date and settled in Murray, where he took a farm about a mile north of Holley. He married Phoebe Sprague, and their children were : Warren, who married Eunice Miller and resides at Brockport ; Charlotte, who married Martin Evarts, of Clarendon; Lucinda, who married John Brackett, of Clarendon ; William, jr. ; Elias (deceased) ; Ozro, who married Polly Wetherbee and settled in California; Oski, who married Nancy Day and settled in Iowa; Mary (deceased); Jasper (deceased) ; Chauncy, who married Eusebia Root and in 1880 removed to Michigan. William Burnham, jr., died in 1862, was a farmer, and, with the exception of a short residence in the west, has spent his life in Murray on the old homestead. He married Mary J. Bushnell, and their children were: Helen, who married William Bickford; Emma, who married Hiram E. Bronson; Phoebe, who mar- ried John Opp ; Charles O. (deceased) ; and Fred W., who is unmarried.

Bronson, Hosea, was the first of the family to settle in Orleans county. He was a native of Vermont and a son of Samuel Bronson, and came to Murray about 1836. He was a carpenter by trade and always followed that business. In 1841 he married Caro- line, daughter of Elisha Blodgett, of Murray, and in 1858 settled in Holley, where the remainder of his life was spent. His children were two sons: Elisha D., born July 1, 1843, and Hiram E., born January 4, 1846, both of whom settled in Holley, and both are carpenters. Elisha D. Bronson was married in 1872 to Jean Milne, daughter of Charles Milne, of Murray, and they have two children, Bernard and Edith. Hiram E. Bronson married Emma, daughter of William Burnham, of Murray, and their children are : Maude, who married Horace A. Hose, Bertha, Donald F., and Ralph.

LANDMARKS OF ORLEANS COUNTY.

Blodgett, Elisha, was born at Middleburgh, Vt., in 1787. His father, Samuel Blod- gett, served in the Revolutionary War and was twice captured by the Indians. Elisha Blodgett came from Vermont in 1810 and settled in Henrietta, Monroe county, where he remained until 1822, when he came to the town of Murray and settled on the Ridge road east of Sandy Creek. For many years he was industriously engaged in the stave business, buying and shipping large quantities by canal to eastern cities. Mr. Blodgett was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Holley. He married Lois Cowles, and to them were born three daughters and one son. Hiram Blodgett, the son, settled in Kendall and was a farmer. The daughters were: Caroline, who married Hosea Bron- son, Amanda, who married Harry Bradley, and Orpha, who married Bernard Sawyer. Elisha Blodgett died in 1856.

Brace, Joseph N., was born in Shelby on the farm, where he now resides, February 17, 1848. In 1876 he married Martha Gillis, daughter of John S. Gillis of Ontario county, and they have one daughter, Inez G. Mr. Brace's father was Norman Brace, and his mother Catherine N. (Jameson) Brace. Norman Brace was a son of Asa and Eunice (Brown) Brace. Mrs. Brace's mother was the daughter of Hugh and Jeanette (Brock) Jameson. Joseph N. Brace was appointed State inspector of public works in November, 1893. He has also held town offices, and is a member of the County Demo- cratic Central Committee.

Berry, Albert M., was born in New Jersey, August 27, 1823, and when thirteen years of age drove to Orleans county with his brother with a horse and wagon. His people settled in Yates, and he was educated in the Albion Academy. He has followed farming all his life most successfully. In 1849 he married Martha Porter, who died in 1886. They have two children living, Eugene S., and Mrs. John Bland of Medina.

Cook, George H., was born in Clarendon in 1839, a son of Merritt Cook. The latter was a son of Lemuel, jr., and grandson of Lemuel Cook, who was a native of Pompey, Conn., and served in the Revolution. He settled first in Onondaga county, and from there removed to Clarendon, this county, at an early date. He was a farmer and lived to the great age of 107 years, dying in Clarendon. His children were: Miles, who served in the war of 1812; Lyman, Lemuel, jr., Curtis, Seeley, Worthy, Gilbert, Han- nah, Esther and Electa, all of whom lived to old age. Merritt, son of Lemuel, jr., settled in Clarendon, and was a farmer. He married Jane Darrow, and their children were: Mary, George H., Charles, Emma, Ella and John. Mary married Alson Blod- gett, and settled in Minnesota ; Charles is a farmer of Clarendon and married Eveline Glidden ; Emma married Lyman Smith of this town ; Ella married Judson Bolton, also of this town ; John married Mary Morton and settled in Michigan. George H., with the exception of a few years (spent in Wisconsin), resided in Clarendon till 1885, when he removed to Murray and bought a farm south of Sandy Creek. In 1861 he married Mary Field of Oakfield, N. Y., and they have an adopted daughter, Sadie, and an adopted son, David H. Cook. George H. Cook died in 1892.

Castle, Reuben S., was born in the town of Parma, Monroe county, N. Y., January 21, 1820. He attended the district schools. In 1836 his first business experience was as clerk with Messrs Grant and Ellicott, merchants in Medina, Orleans county, after which

FAMILY SKETCHES.

he attended the Lima Seminary in the years 1837 and 1838. He then spent five years as clerk with Messrs Grant and Turner who had the contract with the State for build- ing the aqueduct across the Genesee River, at Portage, Allegany county, on the Gene- see Valley Canal. In 1844 he went to Shelby Centre, Orleans county, and conducted a general mercantile business under the firm name of R. S. Castle & Company eleven years; served as town clerk several years and postinaster, whose commission was issued by the then president, James Buchanan. In 1855 he came to Medina and has been in the grocery and various other kinds of business here several years. Mr. Castle has been assessor in Medina ten years, and is now serving his fourth term, has been a justice of the peace of the town of Ridgeway, and police justice several years in Medina village. In 1846 Mr. Castle married Sarah A. Bathgate, born in 1826 and said to be the first white child born in Medina. They have buried three children and three sons, and three daughters are now living. Mr. Castle claims to be a Jeffersonian Demo- crat.

Filer, John H., was born in Ontario, Canada, November 18, 1854, and was educated in the Toronto Normal School. He holds a first class grade A certificate, the highest grade issued in the Dominion. In 1876 he came to the United States, attended the Brockport Normal a short time to get the ways of the schools of this State, and has been constantly engaged in teaching since that date. He has been principal of Water- port and Knowlesville Union Schools eight years (three years in the former and five years in the latter). During that time he took a three years' correspondence course in the Chautauqua University and received a diploma for the work done. He is recog- nized as an able and successful teacher. In 1895 he married Cora M. Parkman.

Grinnell, Paul, was born in Barre, July 14, 1823, and has always followed farming. In 1846 he married Sarah Butler, and they have five children : Ervin, Edwin, Cynthia (Mrs. Sanborn) of Virginia; Florence (Mrs. Elliott) of Buffalo; Alice (Mrs. Smith) of Medina. Mr. Grinnell's father was John Grinnell, and his mother Praxana (Tink- ham) Grinnell. John Grinnell was a native of Saratoga county, and came to Barre, Orleans county in 1820.

Gorman, Charles A., was born at Great Bend, Susquehanna county, Pa., October 19, 1853. At the early age of fifteen he left the farm and went to work in a stone quarry at Shelby Basin. He remained there ten years, advancing himself not only in his trade and business, but in education. He became foreman of a quarry and succeeded in obtaining a two years' course in St. Joseph's College at Buffalo. During his college course he bought and sold stone in Buffalo. During the earlier years of his struggle to advance himself he received much assistance and encouragement from the Le Valley family of Shelby Basin and attributes his success to them. At the age of twenty-eight. Mr. Gorman was the owner of a quarry, and for the last twelve years has been one of the leading quarry men of this county. He has occupied various positions of trust and responsibility, and was once nominated for member of Assembly by the Democratic party and the vote he received in the Republican stronghold showed his great personal popularity. In 1883 Mr. Gorman married Margaret Kearney, who died in June, 1893. They had two sons and two daughters. h

LANDMARKS OF ORLEANS COUNTY.

Geballe, I. H., was born in Germany April 1, 1846. He came to America in 1868, landing in New York, where he spent several years as clerk in the clothing line. He then moved to Rochester, and from that point peddled through this part of the country, from Rochester to Suspension Bridge. In 1875 he came to Medina, and embarked in the clothing business. His first venture was not successful, but immediately making a rearrangement of his business, he made a fresh start, and during the past eighteen years has built up a splendid clothing trade. There is no larger clothing establishment than his between Buffalo and Rochester, and he constantly carries a large and carefully selected stock of ready made clothing and gent's furnishing goods. Mr. Geballe is recognized as one of the leading business men of Medina, and is also well known in social circles. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, of the Odd Fellows, A. O. U. W., Knights of Maccabees and Free Sons of Israel. He is also a director in the Medina Loan Association and holds a seat in the Corn Exchange. Of late years he has been giving attention to the wholesaling business with much success, and contemplates going into it entirely in the not distant future. Mr. Geballe is a stockholder in a sash and blind factory in Middleport, and of his city property special mention might be made of his handsome residence on Center street. In 1876 Mr. Geballe married Hen- retta Lesser, and they have five children, three sons and two daughters.

Howell, H. B., was born in 1841 at Olcott, N. Y., entered the army in defence of the Union in 1861, where he was promoted to captain, and was discharged in 1865. He immediately took up his education where it was dropped and began school again at Clinton Liberal Institute, thence to St. Lawrence University under the able tuition of Dr. E. Fisher in the theological department. In 1869 he was ordained a minister in the Universalist Church, and has been settled in Ridgeway, Leroy, Clifton Springs and other places, but finally retired from active work in consequence of voice difficulty. In 1873 Mr. Howell married Helena A. Bowen, and they have one daughter and three sons. Mr. Howell has recently given his attention to farming, while at the same time answering many professional calls. His father, John Howell, was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor, Va., and his mother's maiden name was Elmira Olmsted.

Hetsler, Frederick G., was born in Wheatland, Monroe county, November 14, 1823, and was educated at Yates Academy. He was left an orphan at the age of seven, thereafter practically made his own way in the world, and with much success. At the age of eighteen he went on the road as traveler, and followed this business twenty-six years. In 1871 he came to Medina, and eventually purchased the fine block in which he has since conducted his business of jobber and dealer in tobacco, cigars, confectionery, etc. In 1845 he married Sarah Mariah Clark, who died in December, 1891. They have one son, Frank. Mr. Hetsler's father was George, who married Lydia Van Auken, and his grandfather was Frederick Hetsler, who was one of the pioneers of Monroe county, and was on the site of Rochester when only two log houses stood in the wilds where the city now stands.

Hood, Mrs. Emma L., is a daughter of R. C. Tompkins, of Knowlesville. In 1873 she married Harry R. Hardick, who died in 1885. Mr. Hardick belonged to one of the best known families in the county. In 1890 she married N. G. Hood, and they con-

FAMILY SKETCHES.

ducted a general store in Knowlesville in which the post-office is located, Mr. Tompkins being postmaster.

Hood, Silas M., was born near Knowlesville, town of Ridgeway, May 10, 1840, and excepting during the war has always followed farming. He enlisted July 17, 1861, in Company A, 3d N. Y. Cavalry, and has the honor of belonging to the first company of cavalry mustered into the volunteer service for three years. He is a brother of Sam- uel I. Hood, for whom S. I. Hood Post, of Medina, was named. In 1866 he married Lucy Elizabeth Haynes, and they had two children, Mary E., now Mrs. Gillett, and Samuel I. His mother died when he was an infant. April 5, 1876, he married for his second wife Mrs. Mary F. Pratt, of Gaines, and they have two sons, Willis Mainvill and S. Burroughs. Mr. Hood's father was David Hood, who came from Sencca county in 1816, and his mother Elizabeth Burrough Hood, from Ovid, Seneca county, and sister of Hon. S. M. Burrough, who was member of the State Legislature several terms; also member of Congress at the time of his death.

Hunt, Daniel F., was born in Vermont in 1813, and came to Orleans county before he was four years of age. He still resides on the old Hunt farm, a mile north of Ridgeway. He married Tryphosa Greenman and they had seven children, four of whom are living : William, Bert, Nora and Addie. Mr: Hunt's father was Daniel F. Hunt, and his mother, Abigail (Batchelor) Hunt, both natives of Vermont. Mr. Hunt's first wife died April 11, 1880, aged seventy-two years, and in 1892 he married Saman- tha Greenman Dutcher.

Hunt, Edmund L., was born in Camillus, Onondaga county, July 5, 1822, and came to Orleans county in 1848. In that year he married Emeline Jackson, daughter of William and Martha (Comstock) Jackson. Mrs. Hunt was born April 25, 1827, in the same school district in the town of Ridgeway where she now resides. Her grand- father Jackson came from England with his parents and settled in Schenectady county. Mr. Hunt's father was Lorenzo Hunt, a native of the State of Rhode Island, and his mother was Ann (Comstock) Hunt, of Onondaga county, this State.

Ingalls, Lewis, was born in Hartford, Washington county, June 8, 1817, and when young learned the blacksmith trade, but has generally been a farmer. At the age of twenty-one he began life for himself, working farms in Geneseo, Livingston county. From here he went to Nunda, Allegany county, where he purchased land; thence to Perry, Wyoming county, and finally, in 1850, moved to Orleans county, and located three-fourths of a mile from Gaines village. In 1856, Mr. Ingalls purchased his present excellent farm, located in the southeast quarter of the village of Albion, and here he has continued to reside until the present time. Lewis Ingalls began life destitute of means, his only capital being his determination to succeed, coupled with a strong constitution and excellent health. As a farmer and business man, his life has been abundantly successful, and to-day he is in the enjoyment of a competency. Until he was twenty-six years of age, Mr. Ingalls's faith was atheistical, but after a long and critical attention given to prophetic and historic portions of inspiration was converted and became a true Christian, this change being the result of his own meditation, unaided by any known human influences. From then until the present time Mr. Ingalls has

LANDMARKS OF ORLEANS COUNTY,

devoted much of his life in heralding the gospel among his fellow men, and as an expounder of Bible truths he has but few equals in the county. His early education was limited, but in his maturer years he became a student of Greek, was self taught, and is now unquestionably familiar with the classics, and translates Greek scriptures into English. Mr. Ingalis is not identified with any church society, yet he inclines toward Methodism. In 1838 he was married to Sarah Warren, then a resident of Livingston county, but a native of Massachusetts. Of this marriage one child was born, Mary L., wife of Foster Udell, a large and successful fruit grower in Brockport, western New York.

Johnson, James, born in Saratoga county, March 28, 1819, settled in Ridgeway in 1850, moved thence to Yates in 1882, and died June 24, 1890. He held several minor town offices, and was prominent in local affairs. February 26, 1840, he married Lois Sarah Olmstead, born August 1, 1821, died in November, 1883. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Moore. His children were: Marian A., born December 2, 1840, deceased ; Elizabeth, born August 10, 1842, deceased; Louisa D., born September 26, 1844 (Mrs. Henry J. Clark) ; William H., born March 4, 1846; Mary E. (Mrs. Art Ferris), born September 24, 1847; James Ernest, born May 17, 1849; and Lena A. (Mrs. John Ferris), born September 19, 1856. James E. Johnson is a farmer in the southeast part of the town. Rodney Clark, son of James, was born January 1, 1798, came to Yates with his father in 1818, and married, January 16, 1822, Sally Weld, who was born October 24, 1801, and died August 6, 1826. Their children were: Lurana (Mrs. Erastus King), Martha (Mrs. Chester Field), and Laura (Mrs. Russel Jackson, who married second, George Swan). His second wife, Sally Barrett, who died January 14, 1840, left no children. February 16, 1842, he married third, Mrs. Priscilla (Paxon) Doty, and had two children, of whom Henry J. is a farmer near Lyndonville. She died February 2, 1892, aged ninety-three years.

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Landmarks of Orleans County, New York, Part 83

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