USA > New York > Wayne County > Landmarks of Wayne County, New York, Pt. 1 > Part 14
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Dr. William Greenwood settled in Ontario village in 1811, as the pio- neer physician of that town, and he continued in practice until his death in 1829. He was much respected as a physician and as a citizen.
A Dr. Bigelow settled in Williamson before 1815, and was, perhaps, the first physician in the town. After seven or eight years he sold out to Dr. Josiah Bennett, who practiced there until his death, being the second physician in the town. Dr. Bennett came in 1815. He was the father of Hon. John P. and Charles Bennett, who reside in Will- iamson village. John B. Bennett is the foremost citizen of the town; he held the office of sheriff, member of assembly in 1890, and has been supervisor since 1879.
Dr. Gain Robinson was practicing in Palmyra in 1812, and was prob- ably preceded a few years by Dr. Reuben Town. Dr. Robinson was from Massachusetts and continued in practice until his death in 1830. He also conducted the first drug store in the village. Dr. L. Cowen also practiced early in that village and carried on a drug store.
Dr. Peter Valentine settled in what is now the town of Rose about 1819. He was the first postmaster, appointed in 1822, the office being named " Valentine's," afterwards "Albion," and finally " Rose." Dr. Valentine was the first physician in the town and the first supervisor.
Dr. John J. Dickson, born in 1807, practiced medicine in Rose forty- five years. He was justice of the peace twenty years, and was a mem- ber of the Legislature in 1845. He settled in the town about 1829, and died in 1874.
Hon. Allen S. Russell was educated as a physician in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, graduating with honor in 1864. He served as assistant surgeon and brigade surgeon in the Civil War. Returning to Marion he engaged in practice and has carried on a drug business. He was elected to the Assembly in 1875 and again in the fol- lowing year.
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Dr. James M. Wilson, of Wolcott, was born in Washington county in 1807. He graduated from the Vermont Medical College in 1829, and soon afterward settled in Huron. Three years later he located in Wol- cott, where he was very successful in his practice. He was supervisor ten years; was elected to the assembly in 1842 and in 1850. In 1846 he was the candidate of the Democratic party for member of Congress, but was defeated by a small majority. He died August 17, 1881. His son, Benjamin Wilson, is also a successful physician.
Dr. Alfred P. Crafts was born in Cherry Valley, N. Y., in 1826; grad- uated from Union College in 1851, and from the Buffalo Medical College in 1855. He was appointed assistant surgeon at Washington in 1862, and after the close of the war settled in Wolcott. He had previously practiced in Sodus and Huron. He was elected to the Assembly in 1879. He died in Wolcott, December 18, 1880.
Dr. S. Hiram Plumb was born in Greenfield, N. Y., February 19, 1819. He attended lectures in the medical department of the Univer- sity of New York, and began practice in 1846. He enlisted from Vic- tor, N. Y., in the 24th N. Y. Volunteers, and later was made surgeon of the 82d Regiment, still later was brigade surgeon of the 1st Brigade, 2d Corps, and chief of the operating staff of the division. During the last year of the war he was surgeon-in-chief of the 2d Division, 2d Corps, with rank of colonel. Mustered out in June, 1865, he returned to Red Creek, where he died full of professional honor August 13, 1880.
Dr. David Arne went to Wolcott village in early years. He was act- ive, capable, and very ambitious, soon acquiring a large practice. He also was active in public affairs, held the office of justice of the peace, and subsequently was side judge of the County Court. He was the first supervisor of the present town of Wolcott in 1826, and was member of assembly one term. He finally removed to Auburn, N. Y., and died there. His son, George H. Arne, resided in Wolcott, and built a fine residence on New Hartford street.
Dr. Romain C. Barless, twin brother of Rollin C., was born in Hoosick, N. Y., October 19, 1833, studied medicine with his father-in-law, Dr. Thompson, of Sandy Creek, and began practice in Rose Valley in 1858. Hle served as a musician three years in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and has since resided in Rose. His son, Clayton J., is owner and edi- tor of the Farmer's Counsel and Times at Rose.
Dr. Robert Ashley, a native of Massachusetts, came to Lyons about 1805. He owned a lot on the corner of Broad and Queen streets, and 17
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built a frame house there, which was afterwards sold to Lyman Sher- wood. He was a man of fine personal appearance, and a good physi- cian and citizen.
Dr. Charles Culver, who died in Lyons, October 18, 1854, was one of the older and more prominent physicians of that village.
Dr. Linus Ely, of Clyde, died in that village April 30, 1864, at the age of seventy-nine years. His professional career was long and honor- able.
Dr. Jeremiah B. Pierce, a man of prominence both in and outside of his profession, died in Lyons on the 10th of April, 1862, at the age of seventy-two years.
John Knowles, sr., practiced long in Lyons, and died there Novem- ber 19, 1864, aged sixty-nine years.
Dr. Nelson Peck settled in Lyons about 1827. He was a public spir- ited man and mingled considerably in political affairs, and held the of- fice of inspector of schools many years. Kindhearted and benevolent, he lived a long and upright life, and died much respected May 28, 1866.
Dr. William May died in Palmyra, September 10, 1865, at the age of fifty-seven years. He was a successful physician and respected as a man.
Dr. S. Olin was one of the older physicians of Sodus, to which town he went in early years and died at South Sodus, April 5, 1865, aged sixty-seven years.
Dr. Ryland J. Rogers was born in Palmyra, May 14, 1819, and be- came a prominent practitioner. He removed to Suspension Bridge in 1854.
Dr. Hiram Mann, who died in Lyons, October 2, 1865, at the age of seventy-seven, was not only a leading physician, but was conspicuous in public affairs. He held the office of sheriff in 1837-40.
Dr. William G. David, of Lyons, died August 17, 1877. He was a native of New Hampshire, a graduate of Williams College, and of the Harvard Medical College in 1855. IIe settled in Lyons about 1859, was surgeon of the 98th Regiment in the Rebellion, and was universally es- teemed as a physician and a citizen.
Dr. Lawrence Johnson was born in Savannah in 1845; left Falley Seminary early in the late war, enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery, and served to 1865. Returning home he studied medicine with Dr. C. M. Lee, of Fulton, N. Y., and at Bellevue, graduating in 1868. He be- came a leading physician, removed to New York, and died there March 18, 1893.
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Dr. William Vosburg died in Lyons, June 15, 1870, aged forty-four years. He was prominent in his profession and an excellent citizen.
Dr. George P. Livingston was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1826, and settled in Clyde in 1859, coming here from Brockport, where he had practiced medicine and dentistry. He graduated from the Albany Medi- cal College in 1847; served in the navy in the war with Mexico, stationed at the Brooklyn navy yard; held the office of coroner nine years; and was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow. He died in Clyde, Decem- ber 22, 1888.
Dr. Charles M. Kingman, who died at Centralia, Va., in April, 1886, at the age of sixty-five years, practiced medicine in Palmyra more than twenty years with success. He was a graduate of Hamilton College.
Dr. Hurlburt Crittenden was the first physician in Walworth in 1810. Dr. Seth Tucker was the pioneer of his profession in Marion, and prac- ticed there many years.
Dr. Mortimer Franklin Sweeting was born in Marcellus, Onondaga . county, N. Y., in August, 1817. He graduated as a physician from the Geneva Medical College in 1850, and settled in South Butler in 1852, where he succeeded Dr. Clarendon Campbell. Dr. Sweeting had a long and successful career. He was the father of Volney H. Sweeting, of Lyons, and of Dr. Sweeting, of Savannah.
The reader will find in Part II. of this work personal notes of many other physicians of the county.
CHAPTER XII.
THE PRESS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
The inhabitunts of Wayne county, as it is now constituted, were fa- vored with local newspapers before the organization of the county, not only those published in Canandaigua and Geneva, but others in the vil- lages of Palmyra and Lyons. While the newspaper death-roll in this county is as long as usual in similar communities, it is true that public journals have been founded here and are still in existence that give their readers the world's news, and wield a powerful influence on the politics, morals and general public affairs of this section of the State.
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The first newspaper published in what is now Wayne county, was the Palmyra Register, the first number of which appeared November 26, 1817. It was founded by Timothy C. Strong, who continued, with sev- eral changes of title to October, 1823, when the business passed to Pomeroy Tucker and E. P. Grandin; they changed the name of the pa- per from the Western Farmer and Canal Advocate, to the less cumber- some title of Wayne Sentinel. Mr. Grandin soon retired from the firm, and for nearly forty years thereafter the Sentinel enjoyed a prosperous career, under Mr. Tucker's direction. Mr. Tucker was a native of Pal- myra, and a man of exceptional qualifications as a politician and writer. A firm and consistent Democrat, he gave his journal a reputation and prestige gained by few other country newspapers, in the western part of the State. The managers of the old Whig party in this vicinity met in the Sentinel and its editors, foes that were valiant in the field. John M. Francis, who became one of the leading editors of Troy, and a fore- most journalist of the State, was with Mr. Tucker twenty-eight years, and there learned well the details of newspaper management. Mr. Tucker died in Palmyra, in July, 1870. Upon the organization of the Free Soil party in 1848, the Sentinel espoused its principles and sup- ported Van Buren. In 1852 Henry Harrington purchased the estab- lishment, and sold it to A. J. Mathewson in 1855 and in 1857 it was bought by W. N. Cole, who continued the publication to 1860, when it was discontinued.
The next paper started in Palmyra was the Palmyra Freeman, first issued March 11, 1828, by P. D. Stephenson. Shortly afterwards it was sold to J. A. Hadley, who removed the business to Lyons.
A monthly publication called the Reflector had an existence in Pal- myra from 1828 to 1830. It was started by O. Dogberry, and on Jan- uary 9, 1830, Luther Howard and Erastus Shepard began publishing the Western Spectator and Anti-Masonic Star. It was soon afterwards merged with the Anti-Masonic Inquirer at Rochester. The Palmyra Whig was begun in February, 1838, by William A. Cole and Samuel Cole, and in the fall of the same year was removed to Lyons.
The Palmyra Courier was established in 1838, by Frederick Morley, who continued it to 1852, when it was sold to J. C. Benedict. In Jan- uary, 1853, B. C. Beebe bought the establishment, changed the name of the paper to the Palmyra Democrat and in the fall of the same year again changed it to the Palmyra American. In August, 1856, E. S. Averill purchased the business. The Republican party . was then just
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organized and Mr. Averill restored the journal to its former name -- Palmyra Courier- and turned its support to the new party. Up to that time little attention had been given in the local press to home news, a condition which Mr. Averill at once corrected, enlarging his paper for the purpose. He was promply rewarded with an increased circulation, which encouraged him to make a second enlargement. In April, 1857, he purchased an entire new dress for the paper and otherwise improved it, and in the next year enlarged it, making it one of the largest as well as one of the ablest journals in Western New York. In 1865 another enlargement was made, and the Courier, now about forty years under Mr. Averill's control, is still a power in the Republican party and a source of honor and profit to its owner.
E. S. Averill, the oldest newspaper man in service in Wayne county, was born in Albany in 1835. He was collector of canal tolls at Pal- myra from 1863 to 1868; was postmaster in 1871-72, and has been a member of the Palmyra Board of Education. He is married and has four children.
The Wayne County Journal was established in Palmyra on the first . Thursday in July, 1871, by Anson B. Clemons and his son, Fred. W. Clemons. This was the first printing office in Wayne county to intro- duce steam power. The Journal was successful from the beginning and earnestly and ably supported the Republican party. A. B. Clem- ons was a writer of ability and especially well informed in political his- tory. His death took place on May 27, 1873, the business being there- after conducted by his son. A building, a part of which was designed for the printing business, was erected in 18:5. A fire on September 17, 1826, almost wholly destroyed the printing plant and building, but both were promptly replaced. On the 14th of November following the front of this structure was partially burned. During about one year the establishment was in control of Miles Davis, but Mr. Clemons practically owned it until about 1883, when an incendiary fire destroyed the prop- erty and the paper was discontinued.
The Wayne County Dispatch was founded in Palmyra September 21, 1892, by F. G. Crandall, proprietor, and A. F. Du Bois, editor. The Dispatch is Republican in politics, four pages with eight columns to the page, and a handsome and able example of modern country jour- nalism. It has steadily increased in circulation since its first number. On September 1, 1898, Mr. Du Bois was succeeded in the editorial chair by R. N. Backus, but it is now edited and published by Mr. Cran-
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dall. Mr. Crandall conducted a job printing business in Palmyra since January, 1885.
The Palmyra Democrat was founded in August, 1885, by Cole & Os- goodby. It was a four-page, eight-column paper and supported the Democratic party. Mr. Cole went out of the firm at the end of about two years, but soon returned and Osgoodby retired. F. W. Cole then continued the publication until April, 1894, when it suspended, except- ing brief periods when he leased the office to other persons, while he filled the position of traveling correspondent of the Buffalo Horse World.
A Baptist journal, named The Record, was started in Palmyra by Rev. J. R. Henderson in October, 1891, and discontinued September 12, 1893.
Purdy's Fruit Recorder and Evaporator, a quarterly, the character of which is indicated by its title, was started in Palmyra by A. M. Purdy several years ago, and a new series commenced in 1890. During about a year past it has been issued monthly, with eight pages of four columns each.
The Worker and Shareholder was started in Palmyra in May, 1889, by F. G. Crandall, as a four-page monthly, in the interest of building and loan associations, and kindred organizations. It is still continued by him.
The Palmyra Journal was established in Palmyra, July 11, 1894, by the Journal Printing Company, consisting of Edwin K. Burnham, George W. Knowles, and John E. Weier, the latter acting as editor. The suspension of the Democrat seemed to this company to leave a good field for a staunch Democratic paper, and the Journal will endeavor to occupy the field. It is a handsome, well-edited paper, and deserves the patronage of its constituents.
John E. Weier is a native of Lewis county, and son of Rev. E. A. Weier, who settled in Lyons as pastor of the Evangelical Church, and died in Albany, November 11, 1890. The son learned the printing trade in Buffalo, beginning in 1887, and continuing it in Albany and Rochester. He located in Newark in 1892, where he was associate editor of the Newark Courier, and continued until he assumed his con- nection with the Palmyra Journal.
The first newspaper published in Lyons began its existence prior to the erection of Wayne county, the first number having appeared August 3, 1821, with the title of The Lyons Republican. George Lewis was
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the publisher. The paper was 20x28 inches in size, four pages of five columns each, two dollars per year. It contained about five columns of advertising. This journal was short-lived, its last issue bearing date in February, 1822.
The Lyons Advertiser was established in May, 1822, by Hiram T. Day. In 1828 he sold out to E. J. Whitney, who changed the name of the paper to Wayne County Patriot, and later had as partner W. W. Whitney. In 1830 the establishment passed to Barber & Chapman, who changed the name of the paper to The Western Argus, and made it active in support of the anti-Masonic party of that period. Soon after- ward Mr. Barber sold his interest to G. H. Chapin, and the new firm continued until 1835, when the property passed to W. F. Ashley & Company. They sold in 1838 to Ezra Jewell, who died in the next year, and the establishment passed to Marsh & Poucher, who moved it into what is now the rear of the Getman building on William street, and enlarged the paper to six columns to the page. In 1841 Mr. Marsh retired, and in September of that year William Van Camp bought the business. In 1842 he transferred it to Charles Poucher, who removed the office to the Center building, which now constitutes a part of the Ira Mirick malt house. In 1849 S. W. Russell purchased the establishment and changed the name of the paper to The Lyons Gazette. He con- tinued it until 1852, when William Van Camp again became proprietor, continuing to June, 1856, when he purchased from Pomeroy Tucker of Palmyra a new establishment, from which had been issued five numbers of The Wayne Democratic Press, and consolidated the two papers, retaining the latter title. An additional column was put on the paper, and an era of prosperity in its career began, which has ever since con- tinued, and during which it has been recognized as a leading organ of the Democratic party in Western New York. In 1869 the office was removed to the Masonic Block. In 1872 power presses and other im- proved facilities were added to the plant, and the paper was enlarged to eight columns to the page. The journal continued to increase in circulation and influence, and from 1884 to 1890 was conducted by William and H. T. Van Camp, sons of William, sr. (before mentioned). Since 1890 William Van Camp has conducted the business alone. The office is admirably equipped with the best and latest improved presses, type, etc.
William Van Camp, sr., was born in Madison county in 1820, and went with his parents, while young, to Seneca county on a farm. He
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began work at the printing trade in Palmyra, acting as clerk in his employer's book store evenings. He bought the Lyons Gazette, and later of Pomeroy Tucker the Wayne County Democratic Press, and con- solidated the two papers. He died in Michigan, March 24, 1884. He was father of three children, William, jr., Harry T., and Mrs. E. W. Hamm, all living in Lyons. William Van Camp, jr., was born in 1855, and was associated with his father, on whose death he with his brother Harry took the Business.
We mentioned a page back the starting of the Lyons Republican by by George Lewis, August 3, 1821, and the suspension of the paper in February, 1822. Mr Lewis went to Pennsylvania, where he died in 1839. The present Lyons Republican and its legitimate predecessors passed through a long and varied career. The Palmyra Freeman, which had been published by D. D. Stephenson, was sold to Jonathan A. Hadley in 1830, who removed the plant to Lyons and changed the name of his paper to The Lyons Countryman. In 1831, when the anti-Masonic excitement was prevailing, the title "Anti-Masonic Recorder" was added to the former name of the paper, and Myron A. Holley was as- sociated with Mr. Hadley in the business. The issue of the paper was suspended the same year, but Mr. Holley at once began the publication of the Lyons American, which in 1835 he transferred to William H. Childs, who removed it to Clyde. In 1839 the Palmyra Whig was re- moved to Lyons by William N. Cole, and the name changed to The Wayne County Whig. Mr. Cole was for a time in partnership with Frederick Morley, and also with his brother, James Cole, and continued his connection with the Whig until 1850. In that year, when Millard Fillmore was president, Mr. Cole was postmaster at Lyons, and knowing that a majority of the Whig party in Wayne county held views adverse to his own, he decided to sell his paper. He resided in Lyons until 1863, and was afterwards publisher of the Wayne Sentinel in Palmyra. Bartlett R. Rogers succeeded as publisher of the Whig; John Layton next, who sold to Saxon B. Gavitt and Alexander B. Williams. About a year and a half later they sold out to Silas A. Andrews, who trans- ferred the property to William Van Marter. In the fall of 1852 it passed to Rodney L. Adams, who infused new life into the business, enlarged the paper and started it on a paying basis. In 1855 the name of the paper was changed to The Lyons Republican, and it soon became a journal of influence and high character. In 1859 Mr. Adams sold to William T. Tinsley, who had been his foreman and assistant in editorial
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work. The paper lost nothing by this change. Mr. Tinsley was a practical printer as well as newspaper man, possessed of high intel- ligence, an able writer, and a man of sound practical judgment. He soon made the Republican a power in polities, and a welcome guest with a large number of patrons. He continued the publication to October 1, 1889, when he sold to William G. David, formerly editor of the Canandaigua Journal. Mr. David sold on January 1, 1891, to the firm of Tinsley & Sherwood (W. T. Tinsley, the former publisher, and C. R. Sherwood). Mr. Tinsley died April 28, 1893, and Mr. Sherwood became sole proprietor. In 1882 Mr. Tinsley built the handsome brick structure on William street for his business, and removed thither from Church street. The plant is now one of the largest and most complete in this county.
William T. Tinsley was born at Whittlesea, England, June 13, 1833, his second birthday occurring on shipboard while with his parents on their way to America. His father was William Tinsley, an artist of merit and a somewhat eccentric genius. The son's education was ob- tained in the common schools, but is was constantly added to and broadened through his life by reading and habits of close observation. His private library was one of the largest in Wayne county. At an early age he entered the office of the Watkins Express, and there learned the printing trade. Afterwards as a journeyman printer he found work in many of the villages of Western New York and in Freeport, Ill. In the latter place he met Emma Guiteau, whom he married in 1858, soon after settling in Lyons. In 1859 Mr. Tinsley, who had for some time been foreman of the Lyons Republican, purchased the establishment, and in a short time built up a business and produced a journal that ranked among the leading Republican newspapers of the interior of this State. Mr. Tinsley possessed all of the attributes of the successful editor, as well as of the progressive business man. His integrity was unimpeachable, and while of a retiring disposition, he could assert his rights and maintain them. In June, 1886, he visited his old home in England, returning in the fall. The Republican, up to his death, ex- cept three years when it was owned by William G. David, received the best energies of Mr. Tinsley's mind and hand. In January, 1891, as above noted, it passed to Tinsley & Sherwood. In March, 1891, Mr. Tinsley underwent the operation of lithotomy, and from that time until his death, March 28, 1993. be gradually failed March, Iss ?. Their children were as follows:
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Henry.G. Tinsley, of The Pomona (Cal. ) Progress; Mrs. Francies A. Leach, of Kansas City, Mo. ; Mrs. Boyd P. Hill, of Freeport, Ill. ; and Mrs. Clement R. Sherwood and Miss Emma Tinsley, of Lyons. In December, 1885, Mr. Tinsley married Hannah Rogers Taft, who sur- vives him, as do also two brothers-Charles Tinsley, of Minneapolis, and James H. Tinsley, of Brooklyn.
In a brief view of Mr. Tinsley's life, read at the twenty-seventh con- vention of the New York Press Association, June 28, 1893, it was said: As a citizen he was helpful and courageous; as an editor keenly alive to the possibilities of his high calling and a faithful herald for the good and true in all things, quick to see the gist of anything offered for his columns, and apt in putting it into presentable shape; as a writer meth- odical, careful, able and often brilliant; as a publisher far sighted and progressive; as a business man prompt, industrious and reliable; as a comrade genial and generous; as a politician brave, powerful and aggres- sive; as a Christian a meek and lowly follower of the Saviour; as a hus- band always the lover; as a parent tender and affectionate; as a friend intuitively considerate, chivalric and true. Indeed, it was in this last phase of his character that we knew him best. He drew his friends to him with cords of love which bound like hooks of steel. Once your friend he was always your friend, and stood ready to prove his friend- ship, not by words, but in deeds.
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