Landmarks of Orleans County, New York, Part 93

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

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Pratt, George L., was born in Orleans county June 29, 1830. He was educated at Yates Academy and began teaching at the age of sixteen. After he gave up teaching he assisted his father, who was a farmer, and also engaged in the selling of plows and lightning rods. He was subsequently engaged in the foundry business at Wilson, N. Y. From 1860 to 1864 he traveled as a repairer of clocks, From 1864 to 1876 his prin- cipal business was life and fire insurance for stock companies. In 1876 he organized the Orleans and Niagara Mutual Fire Insurance Company, also the Dwelling House Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1880. He also built a wine cellar in 1869 and car- ried on the wine business successfully until it was destroyed by fire August 2, 1887, and was a total loss. In 1851 he married Frances A. Bonta, and they have two chil- dren, Mrs. F. H. Britt and Gertrude C. Pratt. In June, 1894, he contracted to take charge of the Shaker vineyards wine cellar at Wickliffe, Ohio, as superintendent.

Robbins, W. B., was born in Ripon, Wis., January 11, 1853. His first business was the coal trade, in which he was engaged for eight years in Chicago. He then went to Pittsburg, Pa., and was engaged in coal mining thirteen years. In 1892 he came to Medina, having purchased a large amount of stock in the Bignall Manufacturing Com- pany, of which he is secretary and treasurer. In 1877 Mr. Robbins married Rose, daughter of L. C. Bignall, vice-president of the Bignall Manufacturing Company.

Bailey, John, was born in the town of Ovid. Seneca county, November 16, 1831. His parents moved to Niagara county in 1834, and in 1856 he came to Ridgeway. In 1856 he married Malvina Hicks, and they have two daughters, Clara and Angelina. Mr. Bailey's father was David Bailey, his grandfather Abner Bailey, and his mother Annie Coovert.

Rice, Elisha R., Kendall .- Elisha Rice, sr., was born July 7, 1760, served in the Revo- lutionary war, and came to Kendall with his family about 1817. Zebulon Rice, his son,

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who was born in Vermont, July 4, 1793, settled in this town in 1815 on the farm now owned by his son Elisha R., who died May 11, 1884. He walked from Vermont, bringing a hand-sickle, which is still in possession of the family. At the age of eighteen he united with the Christian church and later with the Freewell Baptist society, and in the early history of the town frequently officiated at funerals. Before the original county of Genesee was subdivided and when the County Court was held at Batavia, he was frequently called as a juror, and made his way there through the thick forest, guided only by marked trees; for every civil suit he received twenty-five cents and boarded himself, and for criminal trials he received nothing. He was overseer of the poor many years and captain in the old State militia. On a corner of his farm was opened the first cemetery in the west part of Kendall, and his daughter Ursula and his mother were respectively the first and second persons buried therein, both in the fall of 1828. Of his brothers and sisters Elisha jr., Sarah (Mrs. Simeon Cowles), Mary (Mrs. Green), and Roxana (Mrs. Ryan Barber) became residents of this town. Zebulon Rice married, first, November 28, 1821, Wealthy Ripsome, who was born November 7, 1794, and died February 13, 1851. Their children were Elisha R., born January 7, 1823; Jasper, born August 3, 1824, died July 29, 1859; Ursula, born January 3, 1827, died September 15, 1828; Wealtha A. (Mrs. John Thomas), born January 2, 1829, died April 10, 1853; Malinda, (Mrs. Abner Harris), born January 19, 1832, died October 12, 1854 ; and Theophilus, born April 16, 1835, died February 22, 1842. Mr. Rice married second, May 9, 1852, Rilla A. Perry who was born November 2, 1795, and died April 24, 1881. Elisha R. Rice married, January 10, 1844, Julia A., daughter of David and Phebe Burnett, and their children are: Amelia U. (Mrs. J. C. Wing, and after- ward Mrs. Thomas Armstrong), Alice E. (Mrs. William D. Groves), and Ellen M. (Mrs. Aaron J. Warren). Mr. Rice has been highway commissioner, was an ensign in the State militia, and is a member and vice-president of the Orleans County Pioneer Asso- ciation. David Burnett and wife came to Western New York in 1832, settled in Mur- ray about 1834, moved to Kendall in 1847, and finally went to Erie county, where they died. From a local newspaper we take the following account of the celebration of the " Golden Wedding " of Mr. and Mrs. Elisha R. Rice : "On January 10, 1844, Elisha R. Rice was married to Miss Julia A. Burnett, by Rev. Mr Inman, now a resident of Ohio. In accordance with this fact about eighty friends and neighbors gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rice on their fiftieth anniversary day, January 10, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Rice began life together about one mile north of their present residence and resided there one summer, while they were building a house of their own. Here, in their first, own, and almost wilderness home, they lived until 1854. They then sold their place to a brother and went to the then far west, Elkhart, Ind., but on account of sickness they returned to New York State the same year and again purchased a home and remained in the vicinity of Mr. Rice's boyhood home till 1887. At the request of his father, they removed to the old homestead where he was born, January 7, 1823, and where he still resides. To them have been born three children, who are all living. two of them being present on this anniversary. A peculiar feature of this anniversary is that it is almost a combination of three in one: Birth of Mr Rice, January 7, 1823 ; marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rice, January 10, 1844; birth of the eldest daughter, Janu- ary 13, 1845. A rare instance, in this fiftieth anniversary was the invitation of two couples who had also sailed the sea of life and entered the golden harbor just a little before Mr. and Mrs. Rice. A number of valuable and costly presents were given which pleased the aged couple very much. All present enjoyed to the utmost t' e gen'al hos- pitality of this respected couple, and after remarks by Revs. T. N. Ta. ner, of East Kendall, and H. Hornsby, the company adjourned to the dining room and partook of a bountiful repast of luxuries which was enjoyed by all. The following gi eting: were given by Mr. Rice's little granddaughter, Edith Groves, a solo and two rec vatiors. The recitation, thus :

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E Grandparents, dear, we've come with joy to-night, And blessings true and dear,

Twined with fond greetings, pure and bright, 'To crown your fiftieth year.

The wreath contains no costly gems, No rare and fragrant flowers,

Fairer than buds or diadems,

This offering of ours.

For all your kindness, love and care, Each generous, noble part, Accept our gratitude, and wear The tribute next your hearts.

These friends who circle here to-night, The trusted and the true, With us in happy wish unite, And pledge their faith anew.

Thus will love's ministry, warm and deep, With friendship's light enfold Your lives, in holy charm, and keep, Your hearts from growing old.

Gently, as down the slope of years Your future footsteps tend, We pray His hand. through smiles and tears, May guide you to the end."

Fuller, Nathan R., is a grandson of Reuben, who with his brother Captain John Fuller, came from Bradford county, Pa., and settled in Carlton in 1811, where they purchased from the Holand Land Company about 128 acres. The father of our subject was Lyman Fuller, born in Sheshequin, Bradford county, Pa., August 16, 1808, and died on the farm taken up by his father, March 22, 1866. Lyman married Roxana Bar- num, who was born in Hartland, Niagara county, February 25, 1810, and dicd May 24, 1875. They were married in Carlton in 1827, and their family consists of four children, viz .: Phoebe Ann, horn in Carlton October 19, 1827, and was married to Warren Root, April 15, 1847, and had five children, dying in August, 1886; Lyman Victor, Inez, Ernest, Alta R., Nathan Wallace, and Charlotte and a twin sister born April 12, 1841, and died in infancy. Nathan R. Fuller attended the common schools of Carlton till nineteen years of age, when he attended Yates Academy where he finished his educa- tion. He is a Republican and has represented his town as assessor. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. of Waterport Lodge 178, and has been a member of I. O. O. F. of Eagle Harbor. Mr. Fuller was married September 18, 1859, to Abbie Root, who was born in Orleans county. Her father, Daniel Root, was born March 23, 1797, in Otsego county, and her mother, Annis Hastings, was a native of Canada. Moses Root, father of Daniel, was one of the first settlers of Carlton, and landed at the mouth of Johnson's Creek in 1804. Moses and his sons Reuben and Daniel took part in the war of 1812. The children of Nathan and Abbie Fuller were : Alta, born in Carlton, February 5, 1862, and died March 24, 1862; Lottie D., born in Carlton, April 20, 1863, and married Fred E. Willson, July 24, 1889, and they have one son, Glen F., born October 20, 1891; Evart Lyman, born May 27, 1875, and died March 17, 1876; Newel C., born September 2, 1878 ; Willie F., born July 18, 1881, of Rochester. Daniel Cash, great-grandfather of our subject, was born in New England in 1747, and in 1769 he and his wife, Mary Tracey Cash, yere married, in the Warwick Baptist church of Orange county. In 1776 they emigrated to Pittston, Pa., at wich time occurred the troubles with the Indians, Mr. Cash's timily being among those who were obliged to take refuge in the fort for safety from the Wyoming massacre. The children of Daniel and Mary Cash were : Isaac, Nathan, Reuben, Mehittable, Ziphorah, Polly, Betsey, Phoebe, and Pamelia. Polly was the grandmother of Nathan R. The father and mother of this family died in 1789 in Orange county. Nathan R. Fuller owns the farm taken up by his grandfather Reuben in 1811.

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Tupper, John C., was born July 8, 1832, at Pine Hill, Genesee county, a son of Menzus R. Tupper, who was a native of Tolland, Conn., and served in the war of 1812. The latter married Amarilla Warren, and their children were : Nathan L., who moved to Michigan and married Elizabeth Goodes; Cordelia, who married Wilbur C. Moreau, of Batavia; Sheldon, who settled at Indian Falls, and married Laura Bullock; Martha, who married Frank Moore, of Indian Falls; and John C., who came to Clarendon in 1839. The latter resided with his uncle until 1844, then with Elizur Warren until he was of age. From 1858 to 1865 he lived in Bergen, and with this exeption Clarendon has been his home. He is a member of Holley Lodge I. O. O. F., and was for fifteen years its treasurer, having been a delegate to the Grand Lodge several times. He is also a member of the Grange and the Alliance, and belongs to the Universalist church of Clarendon. In 1858 he married Ann J., daughter of C. H. T. Cowles of this town. She died in 1866, leaving one daughter, Emma A. He married second Jane A. Clark, of Clarendon in 1868. Emma A. married Fred H. Brook, and died in 1893.

Brennan, J. D., was born in Medina May 22, 1857, and was educated in the academy here. At seventeen years of age he entered the employ of Hauton Bros., and for eighteen years was book-keeper for that firm. Mr. Brennan was trustee of the village in 1891-92-93, and is the present postmaster, having been appointed by President Cleveland November 26, 1893. He took charge of the office December 1, 1893. He is the first Democratic postmaster in Medina for twenty-four years.

Walsh, Eugene, was born in Medina August 21, 1857, and was educated in the schools of this place. He was first engaged in the United States mail service for one year and then went into the liquor business, which he has since followed. Mr. Walsh is an active Democrat and is highly popular with his party, being a man who always stands by his friends. His father was William J. Walsh, a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1840. His mother was Eliza (Reardon) Walsh. Both are living in Medina.

White, A. H., was born in Cayuga county, September 21, 1849. His father was a farmer and apprenticed A. H., to the butcher's trade, but after three years he left it and went into the restaurant business in Auburn in 1876. He subsequently removed to Rochester and continued in the restaurant business. He next moved to Canandaigua and embarked in the hotel business. In 1886 he came to Medina and purchased the Bancroft house, the name of which he changed to White's hotel, and by remod- eling and conducting it as a first class hostelry, has made it one of the best houses between Buffalo and Rochester. Mr. White is also the owner of the Cottage hotel in Medina. He takes great interest in fine bred horses and breeds trotting stock. September 28, 1867, Mr. White married Ella Morgan, of Savannah, Wayne county, and they have had three children, all of whom are deceased.

Smith, John H., was born in Saratoga county October 14, 1849, and came to Orleans county in 1861. His father was a manufacturer and he was connected with his father's establishment before engaging in farming for himself. He makes a specialty of breed- ing black-topped Spanish sheep and Poland China swine. In 1877 he married Jennie Edison, cousin of Thomas Edison, the inventor. They have a family of four, three sons and one daughter, J. Alton, Percy, M. Leroy and Anita F. Mr. Smith's father was Joseph Smith, of Saratoga county, and his mother Elizabeth Hagedorn. His grandfather was Ralphus Smith. Mr. Smith is one of the enterprising and liberal- minded men of Orleans county.

Bidelman, Lorenzo D., was born in Shelby June 26, 1844, and has always lived in the town of Shelby. In 1868 he married Almeda Hill, and they have one daughter, Edith. Mr. Bidelman's father was Abram Bidelman, of Herkimer county, and his mother Lu- cinda Mikel. Abramı Bidelman's father was Henry Bidelman. The family is of Mo- hawk Dutch descent.

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Savage, George H., son of William H., was born in Madison county in October, 1859. He learned the stonecutter's trade. In 1882 he came from Onondaga county and settled in Holley, and engaged in the marble and granite business, making a spe- cialty of fine monumental work. He uses steam power and employs several men. Mr. Savage is a member of the Baptist Church of Holley.

Hurd. C. F., was born in Ludlowville, Tompkins county, April 17, 1853. He was educated at Yates Academy, and at the age of seventeen came to Medina and began his trade of jeweler. He established himself in business in 1876, and is now the leading jew - eler in Medina. In 1884 Mr. Hurd 'married Katie Brownell, and they have two sons, Frank Brownell and Charles F. Hurd, jr. Mr. Hurd's father was Seymour A. Hurd, and his mother Mary Frost. Seymour A. was the first white child born north of Johnston's Creek. The Hurds originally came here from New Jersey.

Casey, Patrick, was born in Ireland March 15, 1850, and came to America in 1871. He was engaged in the quarry business until a year ago. On April 1, 1894, he em- barked in the boot and shoe business in Medina. In 1871 Mr. Casey married Hannah O'Brien, and they have a family of two sons and three daughters. Mr. Casey is a member of the A. O. U. W. and is regarded as a liberal and enterprising business man.

Babcock, W., was born in Cayuga county July 22, 1840. His first business experi- ence was in a general store at Miller's Corners, Ontario county, where he was for five years. He then conducted a similar store at Honeoye Falls, Monroe county, for three years. For five years following he had a hotel in Fairport and then conducted a hotel for one year in Clyde. In 1887 he went to Kansas City and remained five years. In 1892 he came to Medina as proprietor of the Hart House. In 1867 Mr. Babcock mar- ried Emma L. Carpenter, and they have one son, Fred C., who is associated with his father in business. Mr. Babcock is a fourteen degree Mason, Scottish rite. His father, Lemuel, was a native of Cayuga county, in which his father was an early settler. His mother was Polly (Owens) Babcock.

Stanton, Lawrence, was born in Ireland in 1854, and came to America in 1871. He settled in Rochester and learned the trade of stonecutter. After remaining in that city four years he went to Canada and worked at his trade on the Welland Canal three years. He then went to Virginia and remained a short time. He next removed to Rhode Island, and from there to Canada a second time, where he remained a year and then returned to Albion. He shortly afterward came to Medina and worked at his trade for two and one-half years, when he established himself in the grocery business in 1883. He has been very successful as a business man and is ably assisted by his wife, who is a thorough business women. Her maiden name was Kate Brennan, and she is a native of Detroit, Mich. They were married in 1880. Mrs. Stanton was the daughter of Patrick and Margaret (McMullen) Brennan. Our subject is a member of the C. M. B. A., of the County Central Committee, and is not only an active politician, but is a popular man in his party.

Buell, Joseph Hand, was born at Marietta, Ohio, February 22, 1809, and is a son of Gen. Joseph, a native of Killingworth, Conn. He went to Ohio as a soldier in 1786, and until 1788 was stationed at Fort Harmon. He settled at Marietta, O., in 1789. He was one of the prominent men of the State, being judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and State Senator several years. In 1803 he was appointed one of the two ma- jor generals of the State Militia of Ohio. Joseph H. removed from Ohio to Rochester in 1828, and for several years was engaged as clerk in the dry goods establishment of W. H. Ward on State street. In 1832 he removed to Holley and engaged in the mer- cantile business. His brother, Hiram A., soon after became his partner, and they ac- quired a large and prosperous trade, the partnership existing until the death of Hiram A., in 1875. For over fifty years Mr. Buell was one of the most important business

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men of Holley, and for several years bought grain and produce. He was postmaster of Holley under Fillmore's administration. He married October 20, 1839, Sophia Church- ill, a native of Litchfield, Conn., and they have had three children : Harry J., Frances, and a son who died in infancy. Frances Buell married John B. Fuller of Buffalo, and they had five children : Frances B., Jennie S., Julia C., Grace E., and William B, who died in 1888. In 1885 Mr. Buell retired from business and was succeeded by his son, Henry J., who has since continued it. He is one of the stirring business men of the town, has been treasurer of the village ten years, was one of the organizers of the Hol- ley Electric Co., is one of the trustees and secretary and manager. He is a member of Murray Lodge 380 F. & A. M., and in 1890 organized the Glenwood Club, and is its treasurer ; is also secretary of the Holley Business Men's Association. Mr. Buell mar- ried in 1878, Mary, daughter of Alexander McCarge of Holley, and they have two children : Fred C., and Bessie H.

Morton, Darius M .-- Among the business men of Holley is D. M. Morton. His father Richard, was a native of Canada. Coming to Orleans county in 1870 he settled in Clarendon and engaged in farming. D. M. Morton first embarked in business in 1885 in the town of Hamlin, Monroe county, and for three years conducted a hardware busi- ness there. In 1886 he came to Holley, and with T. D. Matson engaged in the same business. This co-partnership existed until 1893, since which time Mr. Morton has continued his business alone. He is a member of Murray Lodge 380 F. & A. M. He married in 1878, Alice Elliott.

Henion, J. L., was born in Ontario county December 29, 1823, and in 1835 moved to Orleans county, where he has ever since resided. He learned the trade of harness maker and followed it for twenty-three years, but has also been engaged in the hotel business. In 1857 he married Mary E. Parsons, and they have one son, Louis E., who was born August 23, 1862. After a clerkship of seven years and five years in the ser- vice of the American Express Co., he embarked in the grocery business in Medina in 1891. In 1886 he married Carrie B. Graves, and they have one daughter, Frances E.

Bidleman, Samuel, was born in Herkimer county in 1806, and came to Shelby with his father in 1817. Three years later he was bound out to learn tanning with Isaac A. Bullard at Ridgeway Corners. Mr. Bullard soon died, and Samuel carried on the business until 1835, then moved to Gaines, where he bought the historic tannery built by James and Elihu Mather, which property and its owners were conspicuous figures during the period of Masonic excitement. Mr. Bidleman operated this tannery alone until 1841, and then formed a five years partnership with Robert Ranney. From 1855 to 1866 Mr. Bidleman and his son Henry, were proprietors, but in the latter year Charles Bidleman entered the firm, and under the style of S. Bidleman & Sons, the business was continued until 1873, when the buildings were burned. Charles Bidleman took the property in 1873, rebuilt the factory, and continued business until 1883, then selling out. Subsequently Charles conducted a grocery store at Gaines, but in 1886 sold out and came to Albion. Later he engaged in the hardware business for a time, but de- votes his attention principally to his western investments. May 17, 1829, Samuel married Eliza Prussia. and they have had six children : Leander, of Gaines; Henry O., who died in 1877; Eli, of Lansing, Mich .; John, of Albion ; Harriet E., wife of Daniel D. Hall, of Lansing, Mich., and Charles, of Albion. Charles Bidleman married, Janu- ary 3, 1866, Elizabeth Weaver, of Albion, and they have had five children. Samuel Bidleman, the pioneer, was a prominent man in Gaines for many years, and was elected to a number of its principal offices, notably supervisor and justice of the peace.

Clark, Matthew T., was a native of Rensselaer county, born April 13, 1832, and was the fourth of six children of William E., and Sally Clark. The father, who was a farmer, came to Monroe county in 1845, and when Matthew was sixteen he started out to make his own way in life. He worked several years as a farm hand,

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and then bought a small farm in the northern part of Barre. From that until the present time Mr. Clark has been a farmer mainly, yet has devoted some of his at- tention to other pursuits. He changed his residence to Barre Centre, and for the last five years has resided there continuously, being retired from active work. Mr. Clerk is a staunch Republican, and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He was once collector of Barre. In 1856 Mr. Clark married l'amelia, daughter of Alva and Orpha Mattison. They have one adoped daughter, Dora M. Pamelia Clark died December 3, 1893.

Rogers, William H., who is known as one of the best farmers in Barre, as well as one of its most progressive citizens, was born in Le Roy, February 21, 1835. At the age of thirteen he began for himself and has ever made his own way in life, and whatever of success he has gained has been the result of his own and his wife's unaided efforts. When a youth he went with his parents to Ohio, but returned to Spencer and worked in a tannery four years. Later he did a large business at Elba making barrel hoops, and still later, with his brother Joseph, he established a heading factory at Barre Center. On selling ont he bought the Weston Wetherbee farm, but now lives on the old Mix homestead. December 1, 1859, Mr. Rogers married Harriet, danghter of Charles and Philena (Salter) Mix. Five children have been born to them: Ella, wife of Eugene Bragg; Belle, who died at eighteen ; Florence, wife of Henry B. Jackson; Hugh M. and Arthur, both of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Rogers is a firm Republican. The family are members of the M. E. church.

Slack, John, was born in Ireland April 2, 1838, and came to America with his parents in 1850. He began work in this country as a water carrier and after being employed in various capacities for twenty-one years, in 1871 he went into the grocery business with his brother, Michael Slack. This business has been most successful from the first and is to-day one of the best and soundest establishments in Orleans county. Mr. Slack married Winfred O'Marrow in 1860. She died in 1870 leaving three children, one of whom is dead. He married Mary Lester in 1876. He had seven children living and two deceased. Of those living four are sons and three daughters. Mr. Slack is a prom- inent member of the C. M. B. A. and the C. B. L. societies of Medina.

Wetherbee, Weston, was a native of Washington county, born June 14, 1801. He settled after marriage in Onondaga county, and about 1837 came to Barre, where he afterward lived, and where his parents, Micah and Patience Wetherbee, came later on. Weston and Nicholas Wetherbee came on foot to the town. Micah's children were Nicholas, Martha, Hannah. John W., Alma, Weston, William, Artilisse, Patience, and Micah. Weston married first Anna Grinnell, and their children were Lyman, Albert, and Ansel; and Amelia A. and John H. who died in childhood. His second wife was Mary Ann Smith, by whom he had these children: Weston, Clarence, L. D., and Eva L. Weston, the father, was a successful farmer and accumulated a good property. He died March 8, 1874 and his widow still lives. Ansel Wetherbee was born in Spafford, Onondaga county, and came with his parents to Barre. He was brought up and has always lived on a farm, and is now numbered among the progressive and successful farmers of the town. In May, 1865, he married Mary E. Sheldon, and they had four children : George A .; Albert, who died at twenty-one; Gertie, who died in childhood; Walter A. Mr. Wetherbee's farm occupies 178 acres, and is among the best in Barre. He is a strong Republican.

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Landmarks of Orleans County, New York, Part 93

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