Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 47

Author: Hakes, Harlo, 1823- ed; Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > New York > Steuben County > Landmarks of Steuben County, New York > Part 47

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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

permanent growth. In 1893 his rapidly increasing trade demanding larger quarters, he removed the wholesale department to the old post-office building on Canisteo street, where we now find him; but he still continues to operate as a retail depart- ment, the old stand which is now popularly known as "Alley's Corner." In 1894 he fitted up with the most artistic taste "Alley's Cafe." He devotes his whole time and attention to his business, with no political or social aspirations except for his friends, for whom he is a hard worker. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. June 4, 1882, Mr. Alley married Isabel, daughter of H. C. Johnson, of Hornellsville. They have one child, Laura. The first born, Helen, died November 1, 1892, aged ten years.

Arthur, Arthur C., was born in England in 1862, and came to America in 1873, re- siding at Amesbury, Mass., at which place he managed the Amesbury Opera House successfully. In June, 1891, Mr. Arthur came to Corning to take charge of the Corn- ing Opera House, which was opened October 8, 1891, by Rose Coghlan. The Corn- ing Opera House is a $50,000 stock company and owned by prominent citizens. Corning, by its enterprise in erecting such a beautiful place of amusement, and its excellent method of management, has placed that city at the head of the dramatic profession in the Southern Tier.

Ames, Charles, was born in Leyden, Mass., in 1825, where the first sixteen years of his life was spent. He was educated in the district schools, and has been a resident of Addison just half a century. He was a pioneer of the sash, blind and door indus- try, and in 1845 established a factory here, with his brothers, Ambrose and N. H., having previously been employed in the factory at Truxton, N. Y. Two years later he bought an interest in the business, which he maintained for twenty years, then selling out, the next year he engaged in the hardware business under the firm name of Graham & Ames, and after fifteen years of close application to this business he relinquished it in 1884. The Ames family were originally from Somersetshire, Eng- land, Ebenezer, the father of, Charles, being a descendant of the famous old family of Bridgewater, Mass., who were identified with the early manufactories there, es- pecially the manufacture of agricultural implements, which have a world-wide repu- tation. In 1848 Charles Ames married Maria K., the elder daughter of the late Henry Wornbough, and they were the parents of one daughter, Frances, who married D. D. Cooley, and they located at Ashland, Nebraska, where she died. Mr. Ames is a Democrat, and has been president and trustee of this village. He is a supporter of the Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member.

Appleby, T. H., was born in Rochester, N. Y., where he learned the harness and collar maker's trade, and in 1887 embarked in business for himself at Painted Post, but soon after moved to Bath where he remained for five years. January 1, 1894, he located in Corning and has been conducting a much more extensive business. His trade is principally wholesale, and gives employment to thirty workmen, and amounts to $50,000 a year in volume.

Brown, George R., was born in Chemung county, N. Y., in 1840. He taught school in his younger days, and in 1864 came to Corning and has been in the employ of the Fall Brook system since that date, beginning as an operator, and has been promoted from time to time until appointed general superintendent in 1886. He is a member and president pro tem. of the Board of Education of the city of Corning.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Bowen, Edmund I., was born in Williamsport, Pa., March 16, 1866. Edmund S. Bowen, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, and is now the general manager of the South Carolina and Georgia R. R. Edmund I. is the youngest of a family of two sons, was educated in the Troy Polytechnic College, and his first employment was with the civil engineering department of the Erie Railroad Company, and served as assistant engineer until January, 1892, when he was promoted to the position of road- master, which he now holds. In 1895 he married Miss Kate Russell Burnham.

Beckwith, Philo, born in the town of Campbell, January 25, 1857, is the son of Griffin Beckwith, who was born in the town of Hornby, December 25, 1825, and grandson of Zenith Beckwith, who was one of the pioneer settlers of the town of Hornby. Griffin came to the town of Campbell in 1860, where he purchased the farm now owned by Philo. He married Margaret, daughter of Solomon Cushing, of the town of Dicks, Schuyler county, and they have two children: Philo C., and Martha, now Mrs. Joe Robinson, of Wellesboro, Pa. Philo was educated in the district school, and he has devoted his time to farming, and has also conducted a dairy for the last five years. His father died in 1889, aged sixty-four years; and the mother in De- cember, 1894, aged sixty-three.

Badger, Herbert L., son of Harvey P. and Louisa P. Badger, was born in Painted Post, and married Francis Tuell, of Penn Yan, and they have three sons: Arthur, Fred and Allan. Mr. Badger has a farm of fifty acres on which he raises fruit, grain, and tobacco. He has held the office of inspector of election for many years. He enlisted in the 20th New York Battery, in 1864, and served until the close of the war. He was in the detached service at Elmira under Col. Tracy. He is now commander of the G. A. R. Post, No. 611.

Bundy, George W., was born in Cameron, October 13, 1842, a son of George and Caroline (Smith) Bundy. George, sr., came from Otsego county, town of Pittsfield, when fourteen years of age, in 1827, with his father, Nathaniel. His wife, Caroline, was a daughter of Rev. David Smith and a native of Bath. Nathaniel Bundy was a carpenter by trade and his son George was a farmer. They were both very active in the M. E. Church of Cameron. Nathaniel was one of the first of the justices of peace and was familiarly known as "Squire Bundy." George Bundy, jr., married Mary J., a daughter of Caleb and Harriet (Roosa) Annable, by whom he had three children: Nelson O., Caleb C., and Melvin G. Nelson O. married Hattie Abbott and has one child, Cora. Mr. Bundy, jr., has been assessor nine years and highway commissioner seven years. He is past master of the Grange and has been State delegate. He is engaged in farming and owns a farm of 200 acres.

Brown, Daniel F., was born in the town of Hartwick, Otsego county, N. Y., Octo- ber 9, 1821. He spent two years at the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vt., and afterwards spent two years at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. He came to Corning in 1846 and completed his legal course in the office of Hon. Thomas A. Johnson, and was admitted in 1850. He was commissioned first lieuten- ant in 1862 by Governor Morgan, and served as quartermaster of the 86th Regt. N. Y. Vols. until the close of the war. He was appointed by President Johnson, in 1865, assistant collector of internal revenue for the fourth division of the twenty- seventh district of the State of New York, which office he held for nine years. He

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

was the first police justice of the village, and the first recorder of the city of Corning. With the exception of the period spent in the war, he has practiced his profession in Corning since 1850.

Blakeslee, Prof. D. A., A.M., was born in Savona, Steuben county, in 1837. He is the son of Lyman Blakeslee, who was born in the Green Mountains of Vermont, moving with his parents to Cortland county in or about the year 1813, thence to Steuben county in 1835, where he engaged in farming, which he followed until ad- vancing age compelled him to retire. He now resides with his daughter, Mrs. R. C. Morgan, of Hornellsville. The boyhood and youth of Professor Blakeslee were spent on his father's farm, attending school in the winter, and, later, teaching. In 1861 he entered Alfred University, where he appeared in a homespun suit of his mother's own work, and he graduated in 1866 with the degree of A.B. Later he was for eight years professor of English in the Normal department of his alma mater, which indicates the confidence and appreciation in which he was held by the faculty and students of that noted school. For thirteen years he was principal of Grammar School No. 2, in Elmira, for five years principal at Wellsville, and he has also held the principalship of the Union School and Free Academy in Addison, which has maintained, under his administration, its high standing among the schools of the county and of this part of the State. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1866 he married Miss Lizzie La Force, of Wayne, N. Y. They have one daughter, Julia La Force. also a graduate of Alfred University, who is the wife of Dr. William E. Barron, a well-known and popular young physician of Addison. Professor Blakeslee's work has always been of a high order, being characterized by simplicity and thoroughness, and his administration has been firm yet of such a type as to secure the hearty assent of the students, and to develop in them those elements of self-direction that grow up into the best manhood and womanhood.

Bingham, William C., was born in Boston, Mass., April 26 1843. Chester, his father, was a native of New Hampshire and a merchant and farmer. The grand- father, Jeremiah, was a native of Connecticut. He was a farmer and his father before him. Chester removed to Boston about 1830, where he engaged in the mer_ cantile business. He was the father of three children. William C., the only son, was educated in the public schools of Boston, Greene Academy, and under private tutors. At the age of eighteen he took up the study of law in the office of the late Hon. Horace Bemis, and afterwards with Judge Hamilton Ward, and was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one years. He began practice at Belmont, Allegany county, in 1864, where he remained until 1871. He then came to Hornellsville and entered into partnership with Homer Holliday, which partnership existed until 1887, when Mr. Holliday retired from active practice. Mr. Bingham was the first recorder for the city of Hornellsville, which office he held for four years, declining the nomination for a third term. In 1874 Mr. Bingham married Cornelia Bush, of Belmont.

Buvinger, H. Edward, was born in Hanover, York county, Pa., August 9, 1825. In 1835 his parents removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he remained until the spring of 1847, when he left the parental home and came to the State of New York, residing at Rochester and New York city. In September, 1850, he came to Hornellsville, and

FAMILY SKETCHES.

subsequently became superintendent of the Thos. Snell Shoe Mfg. Co., where he re- mained until 1853: and then entered the employ of the Erie Railway Company in the machine shop, where he remained until 1856, when he was appointed ticket agent for the same company, which he held until May, 1862, when he was transferred to the freight department as chief clerk and cashier, which position he has now held for thirty-three years, and a continuous service of forty-two years at this station. Mr. Buvinger was married July 22, 1851, to Susan Kress, of Dundee, Yates county, N. Y., by whom he had three sons. Darwin C., of New York city; Ernest, who died March 24, 1874, aged nineteen years; and Mark H., who is now residing with him. Mr. Buvinger has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for forty-nine years. He was initiated in St. John's Lodge No. 13 in Dayton, Ohio, in 1846, and in 1850 affiliated with Evening Star Lodge No. 44, of Hornellsville, N. Y. In 1852 Evening Star Lodge surrendered its charter, and in 1853 organized Hornellsville Lodge No. 331, of which he was a charter member, and senior warden, and master in 1855 and 1858. In 1868 Evening Star Lodge was reorganized, of which he was its master three years. He was high priest of Steuben Chapter, R. A. M., No. 101, in 1861, and in 1856 he joined De Molay Commandery No. 22, of Knights Templar, and was eminent commander in 1860 and 1861.

Balcom, Samuel, was born in the town of Greene, Chenango county, N. Y., De- cember 13, 1822. The Balcoms trace their descent from Henry Balcom, of Balcombe, England, who came from there and settled in Boston, Mass., about 1640. Lyman Balcom, father of Samuel Balcom, was associate judge of the County Court of Steu- ben county from 1840 to 1846, and elected to the State Legislature in 1867. He mar- ried Clarissa Hollenbeck of Greene, Chenango county, and died in 1881 in his eighty- second year. At thirteen years of age Samuel moved with his father to Campbell, Steuben county, where the family were prominent in the lumbering interests. He was educated at Oxford Academy, Oxford, Chenango county, where he was married in 1866 to a daughter of Henry Balcom of that place-Sarah L. Foote, by whom he had two children, Lillian Lynn and Lyman Hunnewell, and an adopted daughter, Mary Banks Foote. He died at his home in Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., September 23, 1890, and was buried at that place.

Buck, Moses E., was born in Connecticut, June 27, 1833, son of Alva H., who was also born in Connecticut. Alva H. came to the town of Bath about 1840, where he was engaged in lumbering up to the time of his death. He married Lucretia Ann Bailey, Connecticut, by whom he had five children: Moses E., Lucy, Martha, Susan, and John. His second wife was Miss Emeline Carr and his third a Miss Jane Totten. Moses E. was educated in the district schools of Bath and at the age of eighteen learned the carpenter's trade, which business he continued in for twenty years. He built the large barns on the stock farm of Samuel I. Haskins. He has also been en- gaged in the manufacture of chairs up to within two years ago, since which time he has been interested in a grist mill at Avoca. Mr. Buck married Ellen, daughter of Henry Willis, of Bath, by whom he had these children: Harry, deceased; Frances, wife of Aaron Shaver; Fred, Adella, and James, who is a graduate of Miller's Busi- ness College of Elmira and is now in the Hallock Bank of Bath. Mr. Buck has held the office of road commissioner. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Avoca Lodge No. 562. He and his family are members of the Baptist church.

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

Bassett, Fred L., was born in the town of Independence, Allegany county, N. Y., August 21, 1855. Baylis S. Bassett, his father, was born in Vermont, June 9, 1821, and came to Allegany county with his father, who purchased 100 acres of land. Baylis S. Bassett came to Bennett's Creek in the town of Canisteo in 1866, where he purchased 430 acres of land, which is still kept in the family. He married Ester Crandall, by whom he had seven children, Will C., Frank M., Fred L., Byron S., Lottie M., George C., and B. Shefield. Fred L. is a farmer, and married Velma C. Krusen, daughter of Daniel Krusen, of Greenwood, by whom he had three children, Lottie M., Ray L. and Earl.

Bassett, Will C., was born in the town of Independence, Allegany county, June 5, 1851. He is a man of great business ability, and at one time was a merchant in Canisteo village; running a general grocery store for about nine years, but of late years has devoted his time to the manufacture of cheese, and has a factory from which he can produce about 100,000 1bs. per year. He married Emma E., daughter of Henry Buttles, of Pike, Wyoming county, by whom he had two children, Lena E. and Floyd S., and is living on a part of the homestead farm. Mr. Bassett was as- sessor in the town of Canisteo for three years, and is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 65.

Bennett, George, was born in the town of Howard, February 14, 1836, son of Daniel N. Bennett, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1793, and came to the town of Howard in 1808. He was a farmer by occupation. He resided in Howard four years, was then drafted in the war of 1812, served about three months, and then re- turned to what is now known as Graves Hill, run a distillery about one year, then moved to the place where George was born, where he died in 1875, aged eighty-two years. By his industry he acquired an amount of property, which, at his death, was divided between seven children, each receiving about 100 acres of land. He was justice of the peace and supervisor of the town for four terms. Daniel Bennett mar- ried Clarissa Dolby, and they were the parents of eleven children, four of whom died in infancy: Merrilla, Alkali, Ladoska, Fidelia, Albina, George, as above, and Betsy. At the present time Fidelia, Albina, and George are living. George Bennett has de- voted all of his time to farming, and now owns a farm of 340 acres, and his village property consists of twenty-five acres on which are erected fine buildings. He mar- ried Orilla, daughter of Jason Ranger of Fremont, and they have four children: Miles, Erva, who died at the age of twenty, Fay, and Bert. Miles and Fay are mar- ried. Bert resides at home. Mr. Bennett has been a Mason for a number of years, and was supervisor of the town for one year.

Brickman, Samuel H., was born in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, November 17, 1852. Son of the Rev. Arthur O. Brickman, a Swedenborgian minister and editor of the " Messenger of the New Church." He was a native of Königsburg, Germany, and came to this country at the age of twenty. He was a captain and chaplain of the Third Maryland Cavalry, and died January 5, 1886. Samuel was the second son of a family of eleven children, and was educated in the city schools and Baltimore Academy, and at sixteen years of age went as clerk in his uncle's market at Oil City, Pa., where he learned the business and remained with him until 1882 when, with a desire of bettering his position and becoming a proprietor, came to Hornellsville and

FAMILY SKETCHES.

established a market at 23 Loder street. April, 1882, he built his present brick block at 13 Loder street, where he is now conducting the finest market in this city. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for ten years, Evening Star Lodge, No. 44. September 3, 1885, he married Matilda Benzinger, of this city, by whom he had two children: Helen Magdalen and Howard Keller.

Billings, Henry S., was born in the town of Waterford, Cumberland county, Maine, July 9, 1833. The third son of a farmer, he was reared on a farm with only the ad- vantages of a common school education. At twenty years of age he started out for himself and was for a while a citizen of Boston. He afterward removed to New York and entered the employ of William R. Barr, who was the first to introduce the sleeping car on the Erie railroad. In 1865 Mr. Barr sold his rights to the Pullman Co. and after a short time as a conductor for that company, he was sent to Kent, Ohio, as superintendent of a division, and after two years located at Hornellsville, where for a short time he had an office and was then made superintendent of the New York division with an office in the Mills Building, which position he held un- til the time of his death, which occurred November 7, 1890. Mr. Billings was for twenty years in the service of the Pullman Co. He was for thirty-five years a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and a member of the Hornellsville Lodge No. 331. In 1877 he he erected a beautiful home on Center street where his family still reside. In 1860 he married Roxana Caswell, a native of Harrison, Maine, and at that time a resident of Boston. An adopted daughter, Maude S., who is the wife of Isaac Ossoki of Hornellsville.

Barber, T. W., was born in Wantage, Sussex county, New Jersey, October 24, 1830. Daniel Barber, his father, was a native of the same county, and was identified as a farmer, and the family were of English descent, and among the early settlers in the State of Virginia. Daniel Barber married Margaret Montross, and they moved into the town of Starkey, Yates county, in 1835, and to Cameron, Steuben county, in 1836, where he died in 1873, in his seventy-first year. T. W. Barber was educated in the common school, and in 1850 he learned the carpenter trade, and in 1860 en- engaged in the mercantile business in St. Paul, Minnesota; and in 1861 he returned to Cameron, and has continued in the same business at Bath, N. Y., from 1867. In 1860 he married Filında A., daughter of Lewis Cross, by whom he had three children, Bert G., Belle B. and Grace E.

Bennett, Alonzo, was born in the town of Belfast, Allegany county, October 25, 1818. Solomon Bennett, his grandfather, was one of the twelve that first purchased the township, and was the first man to own and run a grist mill in the town of Can- isteo, and which was burned by the Indians. William Bennett, his father, married Mary Vanscoote, by whom he had ten children: Sarah, Pamelia, Thomas, Martha, James, Alonzo, William W. Nelson, Mary J., and Adeline. He was the builder of the old brick hotel, known as the Canisteo House. Alonzo remained with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he bought the farm where he now resides. He married Christianna, daughter of Esq. Elias Stevens, by whom he had ten children: Amy, Amelia, Adeline, Annetta, Ann, Augustine, Alonzo, Eva and Mary. Annetta is the wife of Dr. Williamson of this village. Mr. Bennett was for many years a rep resentative of the leading insurance companies of this and other States, and is a mem- ber of Morning Star Lodge of Masons No. 65.

LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.

Braack, Jacob, was born in the northern part of Germany, October 14, 1856, and came with his mother to this country in 1883. He was first located in Cadillac, Mich- igan, where he was employed for a month in butchering and was then two months in a saw mill. He then went to Grand Rapids, following the carpenter trade for three months and then entered the employ of the Voigt Milling Company as a miller, a trade he had learned in his native land. He was employed there for three years, and then went to Reed City where he became associated with G. W. Morris, and was foreman for him until the destruction of the mill by fire. In 1890 he became propri- etor of a mill in Dorr, Allegan county, and continued there for two years. In 1892 he came to Hornellsville and became a member of the firm of G. W. Morris & Co., where we now find him at the head of the milling department. Mr. Braack has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1892, now with the Evening Star Lodge, No. 44.

Burns, Capt. W. S., was born in Geneva, N. Y., November 24, 1833, son of Andrew Burns, who came from the North of Ireland in 1806, and settled in Geneva, and married Mrs. Mary Clarke, daughter of Archibald McLachlan, of Fort William, Scot- land, and a niece of Hon. Dugald Cameron, who came to Steuben county with Col. Williamson. Andrew Burns died in 1844, in his fifty-seventh year. W. S. Burns was educated at Hobart College, and then gave his attention to practical engineering in the United States and Canada. In July, 1861, he enlisted in the 4th Missouri Cavalry, at St. Louis, with rank of second lieutenant, and took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Fort De Russey, Pleasant Hill, Avoyelle Prairie, Lake Chicot, Tupelo, and the entire Red River campaign. During the last fifteen months he served as inspector-general on the staff of Gen. A. J. Smith, commanding the right wing of the of the 16th Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee. In October, 1864, he received an honorable discarge with the rank of captain, having served three months over his term of enlistment. In 1868 he came to Bath, and entered the land office of Hon. John and Ira Davenport. In 1863 Captain Burns married Sophie, daughter of Moses B. Savage, and they are the parents of three children: William S., S. Fanny, and Edward B. They buried one son, Charles C. Mr. Burns is one of the trustees of the Davenport Library and a member of the Board of Education. He is also a mem- ber of G. A. R., Custer Post, the Society of the Army of Tennessee, and the Loyal Legion.

Bradley, Hon. George B., was born in Chenango county, in 1825 son of Orlo F. Bradley who was a native of Connecticut, and came to Chenango county about 1800. George B. Bradley was admitted to the bar at Oswego, in 1848, and began practicing in Addison, Steuben county, the same year, and since 1852 has resided at Corning. He was a member of the State Constitutional Commission of 1872-73, and elected to the State Senate in 1873 and again in 1875. In 1883 he was elected to the Supreme Bench from the Seventh District, and in 1889 was appointed one of the judges of the second division of the Court of Appeals.

Burrell, Alphonso H., was born in Salisbury, Herkimer county, January 8, 1826 son of Samuel N., a native of this State. Samuel N. was a wagonmaker. He mar- ried Dorothy Miner, of Lansing, Tompkins county, by whom he he had eight chil- dren. Alphonso, after coming to Canisteo, in 1837, worked on his uncle's (William

FAMILY SKETCHES.

S. Thomas) farm until twenty-one years of age. He then learned the wagonmaker's trade with his father, at Covert, Seneca county. He then began business with Allen M. Burrell, a brother, in Greenwood in 1849, where he remained until 1865. Mr. Burrell was elected justice of the peace, which office he held for twelve years. He was appointed postmaster in 1862, which position he held until 1865. He then went to Angelica, where he finished reading law with Angle & Green and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1865. He then came to Canisteo, forming a partnership with William B. Jones, which partnership existed for two years. Wallace Worth then became his partner. June 13, 1849, Mr. Burrell married Sarah C. Allen, by whom he had four children: Marshall M., Marcello E., Fred, and Almon W., who was ad- mitted to the bar June 7, 1894, having read law with his father. Mr. Burrell is a member of Morning Star Lodge of Masons, No. 65. He was district attorney of Steuben county for three years, succeeding Butler in 1874.

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Landmarks of Steuben County, New York, Part 47

Author: Hakes, Harlo, 1823- ed; Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Hakes, Harlo, 1823- ed; Aldrich, Lewis Cass. cn
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1180