USA > New York > Wayne County > Landmarks of Wayne County, New York, Pt. 2 & 3 > Part 25
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Smith, Menzo, of Macedon, was born in the town of Ontario, Wayne county, April 28, 1839, a son of David Smith, a native of Ontario county (now Wayne county), who was born in Pahinyra June 5, 1805. The latter married Arvilla Pratt, a native of Madison county, by whom he had five children three now living. David was also a farmer and lived in the town for thirty years, dying December 24, 1893, his wife having died about sixteen years previously. Shubal Smith, the grandfather, conducted a dis- tillery where the Downing Brothers' malt house now stands in the village of Palmyra. Our subjeet has always followed farming. In December, 1869, he married Hannah, daughter of Seth Beal, one of the oldest families in this part of the county, and they have had five children : Beal M., Frank E., who died aged eight years ; Mary E., Walter l'., and Agnes G., all residing at home at the present writing. Mr. Sinth is a Repub- lican and served in the late war for nine months, in the Illth N. Y. Volunteers, Com- pany A.
Sutton, Ezra B., was born in Seneca Falls in 1850, and in 1870 became associated with the Cleveland Base Ball Club, as third baseman, remaining with that club until 1873, when he joined the Athletic Club of Philadelphia, remaining there until the close of 1876. Hle was then with the Boston Base Ball Club until 1890, being in conninual service as third baseman throughout the seasons of base ball for more than twenty years. In 1886 he bought his home in Pahnyra, and since 1890 he has furnished about 1,200 tons of ice annually to the citizens of Palmyra, cutting it all from his own pond. March 13, 1872, he married Susie M. McKeg, and their children are: Bessie, born in 1874, died in 1881, and Georgia May, born in 1889.
Sawyer, S. N .. was born in Palmyra in 1858, and educated at the Classical Union School here, and at the Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. He read law with S. B. McIntyre, and at the Albany Law School, and graduated in 1883. He then began the practice of his profession in partnership with David S. Aldrich, under the firm name of Aldrich & Sawyer, which firm continued till January 1, 1889, from which time he was alone until July, 1893, when he took a partner, and the firm became Sawyer & Tinkle- paugh. He was justice of the peace one term, village clerk from September, 1884, till April, 1893, when he was elected president of the village, and re-elected in 1894. He has been district attorney since 1889, and in politics is a Republican. He is also promi- nent in Masonic orders, being past master of Palmyra Lodge, No. 248; F. & A. M., past high priest of Palmyra Eagle Chapter, No. 79, R. A. M .; past master of Palmyra Council, No. 21, R. & S. M .; past commander Zenobia Commandery, K. T., No. 41 ; past distriet deputy grand master of Grand Lodge, of the State of New York. He is at present member of the Commission of Appeals, of Grand Lodge, of the State of New York. He was for three years secretary of the New York State League Building and Loan Association. October 20, 1885, he married Augusta, daughter of Rev, John G. Webster, of Pahnyra, and they have two daughters. Samuel W., father of our subject, was born in Camden in 1821, and moved to Macedon in childhood. He came to Pal- myra about 1840, where he has since resided. He has served as assessor, trustee and president of the village.
Sweeting, William H., M.D., was born September 22, 1851, at Victory, Cayuga county. His father is Mortimer F. Sweeting, M.D., a native of Oneida county, who came into Wayne in 1853, being still a practicing physician at Sonth Butler. His mother is Colan, daughter of Israel J. Clapp and Betsey (Swain) Clapp, of Butler, both deceased recently, at the advanced ages of ninety-seven and ninety-five, respectively. William HI. Sweeting received the basis of his education in South Butler, and at nine- teen years of age entered Cornell University, taking a scientific course. At twenty- three he entered the office of the Deputy Secretary-of-State Anson S. Wood, as clerk of criminal statistics. In 1878 he began the study of medicine with his father, and a year later entered the Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, remaining two years, and re-
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ceiving his diploma in 1881. He began practice in Lyons, removing to Savannah in 1882, where he has since resided. January 15, 1885, he married Mary E. Van Wickle, danghter of Simon and Maria (Lloyd) Van Wickle, of Savannah, by whom he has two children : Charles Lloyd, born May 16, 1890, and Marjory Amelia, born May 14, 1893. Dr. Sweeting has a large practice, and is very popular among his townspeople.
Sweeting, Volney HI., was born in Camillus, Onondaga county, September 19, 1840, a son of Mortimer F. Sweeting; remained there until about ten years of age, when he removed to South Butler, Wayne county, was educated in the common and classical schools at that place. In September, 1861, he left school and enlisted in Company E, 75th N. Y. Volunteers as a private, and continued with said regiment until the close of the war in 1865, receiving promotions to sergeant, first sergeant and second lieutenant. While second lieutenant had command of Company C; was with his regiment in the various engagements on Bayous La Fourche and Teche, and the Red River in Louisi- ana, and on the 14th of June, 1863, received a severe wound in the charge on Port Hudson on the Mississippi, from which he has never fully recovered. Also served on the James River, and in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, and after the battle of Cedar Creek left the Shenandoah Valley with his regiment, and proceeded to Savannah, Ga., where the regiment acted as a provost guard after its capture by General Sherman. After the close of the war returned to South Butler, and January 1, 1867, accepted the position of deputy county clerk with Judge T W. Collins, was also deputy clerk with A. H. Gates, and in the fall of 1875 was elected county elerk for a term of three years. In 1888 was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1891. In 1870 he married Anna E. Dratt, of South Butler, who lived but two years, and in 1876 he married H. Louise, daughter of Morton Brownson, of Lyons, and they have had two danghters, one of whom, Mary L. survives. Harriet T. died in 1893, aged thirteen years.
Taft, Newell, was born in Goshen, Mass., April 4, 1794, came to Wayne county, and settled in Lyons in 1816, where he established a manufacturing business, and as con- tractor and builder erected several dwellings and other buildings, and later established the first iron foundry in Wayne county, where he put in practical operation the first steam engine ever used in the community. This foundry became justly celebrated throughout the State, and its produets were shipped to all parts of the United States and Canada. He married Jane Sterrett, who was born in Elmira, and they had twelve children, five of whom are still living. He was a prominent business man of his town for over forty years, always interested in promoting its best interests, and particularly identified with the Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder and liberal supporter for more than fifty years. He died in December, 1874, at the age of eighty years, after a life which commanded the respeet of all who knew him. His son, Col. Edward F. Taft, served in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, was wounded at the battle of Monocacy, and lost a leg. At the close of the war he was appointed United States consul to Nica- ragua, but the climate aggravated the enfeebled condition of his health, and he was ob- liged to return to his home in Lyons, where he died January 20, 1867. The youngest son, James N., was also in the 9th Artillery, leaving college to enlist after his brother Edward was wounded. He also gave up his life at the call of duty, his death resulting from exposure while in the service of his country. Morton Brownson, deceased, was born in Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., December 15, 1816. Early in life he mani- fested a preference for mercantile pursuits, and while yet a young man was so fortunate as to accumulate a sum sufficient to enable him to embark in business on his own ac- conut. He came to Lyons in 1840 and established himself in the dry goods business. In 1842 he married Harriet J., eldest daughter of the late Deaeon Newell Taft, who sur- vives him. Soon after he disposed of his interest in the dry goods trade and en- tered into partnership with his father-in-law, who at that time was owner of the iron foundry on Broad street. For several years prior to his death he was not engaged in any active business. His family consisted of his wife and five children : Newell T.,
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who died in 1874; Willard HI., now commander in the United States navy ; Mrs. Vol. ney Il. Sweeting; Albert M., who died in 1882; and Jennie T. Mr. Brownson was prominent and interested in all the leading events of the town. He died May 30, 1891,
Sprague, John A., M.D., was born August 28, 1852, the only son of Dr. L. L. Sprague mentioned in this work. He was educated at Union Springs Academy, and studied medicine with his father for about four years, and graduated from the Medical Univer- sity of New York city in 1879. He located in his native village, where he has since had a successful practice. He has been coroner of Wayne county for three years, and health officer of Wilhamson from 1882 to March, 1893. Dr. Spragne is a member of Pultney- ville Lodge No. 159, F. & A. M., and of A. O. U. W., and also of the Select Knights. Ile is a member of the Wayne County Medical Society, and of the New York State Medical Association. On October 2, 1879, he married Maud A. Stevens, of New York city, but a native of Ohio. Her mother was Harriet Giberson, and resides in William- son. Dr. Sprague and his wife have three children : Edward A., Georgia M., and La- throp S.
Smith, F. B., was born in East Rush, Monroe county, January 1, 1845. His father, Isaac C., was a native of the same county, the family originally coming from New Haven, Conn. Isaac O. was a prominent farmer in his town, and died in 1884, aged sixty-nine years. F. B. Smith was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation; after which he returned to his father's farm, and in 1865 engaged in the livery business. In 1876 he engaged in the milling business, remaining there until burned out May 30, 1885, then, in 1886, came to Clyde and purchased the Clyde hotel property, one of the leading hotels in Central New York. At the age of twenty-one he married Adrienne C., daughter of Andrew Young, of Honeoye Falls, and they have three children : Charles M., F. Vernon, and Mrs. Lelia M. Cornwell, of Palmyra. Subject is identified in advancing the best inter- ests of the town.
Spencer, John M., was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, October 11, 1828. His father, Truman P., was a native of Columbia county. The family is of English descent, four brothers having come from England at the same time. John M. was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observa- tion. In 1844 he came to Clyde and entered the employ of John S. Gay, and in 1850 established the firm of Terry & Spencer, lumber dealers and builders. In 1852 he sold out and engaged ir the manufacturing of sash and blinds. After 1856 he made a spe- cialty of building and contract work. At the age of twenty-one he married Wealthy R., daughter of Peter Knapp, of East Newark, and they have had four children, two of whom are now living, Ford A., and Mrs. Christiana 'T. Brooks, of Clyde. Subject is one of the leading men of his town.
Sherman, Durfee A., was born in East Palmyra June 24, 1815, was educated in the public schools, and succeeded his father in the distillery business. When he attained the age of twenty-one he sold the business and became a drover for twenty years. In 1851 he moved to Newark, where he has since lived. He bought a warehouse where the opera house now stands, and became a dealer in produce and coal. In 1884 he erected the Sherman Opera House Block. February 9, 1837, he married Susan H. Fish, of Pultneyville, and they have five living children : Helen A., Francis A., Ste- phen F., Wilson H. and Julia. Mr. Sherman's father, Alexander, was born in Cam- bridge, New York, May 28, 1790, and came to this State with his parents when an in- fant, where they located in Palinyra. He married Amy Sherman, of this county, and they had six children : Ira D., Durfee A., Erastus, Abigail, Wilson O. and Myron, all deceased except our subject. Alexander died August 1, 1823, and his wife in 1832. Humphrey, the father of Alexander, was born in Rhode Island in 1758 and married Mary Durfee, of his native place. They had fourteen children, and settled in East Pal-
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myra, where they purchased from Phelps & Gorham 1,000 acres. Our subject's ma- ternal grandfather was a cousin of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence. Mr. Sherman's father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman celebrated their golden wedding February 9, 1887.
Siegrist, Dr. Alois, was born in Meisterschwanden, Switzerland, October 5, 1823, was edneated in the public schools, and studied surgery with his father, practicing three years. He then began the study of medicine and practiced both, doing military service on the German frontiers on the Rhine in 1848, and was assistant surgeon at the hospital. In 1851 he came to this country, first locating in Rochester at the time of the cholera. In the fall of 1853 he came to Newark, having practiced with much snc- cess since. He married Mary Ann Taeschler, of his native country, and they have one son, who was educated in the Union Schools and Academy. He married Mary An- drews, of Newark, and they have two daughters, Ella and Marie. He is agent for his father in caring for his property. Dr. Siegrist is one of the foremost real estate owners in Newark. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 250, of Newark, and a member of Wayne Encampment 85, 1. O. O. F., and his father was town clerk and surgeon in the old home in Switzerland twenty-five years. His grandfather, Jacob Siegrist, was a surgeon in the French army under Napoleon I.
. Stow, De L., was born in Clyde September 4, 1841. His father, William S. Stow, was a native of Middletown, Vt., and came to Clyde and engaged in the practice of law, building the office now occupied by his son, and which has been the place of bnsi- ness of father and son for seventy years as a law and insurance office, and is claimed to be the oldest insurance office in the United States. He married Maria A. De Zeng, daughter of Mayor Frederick A. De Zeng, who was one of the first settlers in Clyde, and who was one of the nobility of Germany. Mr. De Zeng was born at Dresden and came to America during the Revolution as major of one of the German regiments. After the close of the war he was largely interested in public enterprises for the devel- opment of Western New York, and was the father of the glass industry of the United States. De I .. Stow was educated at the Yates Polytechnic Institute and at Hobart College, Geneva. He read law with his father and was admitted to the bar December, 1862, and engaged in general practice. He married Miss Eunice S. Scott, daughter of Jacob Scott, and to them the following children were born : William S. Stow, who died in 1884; Alice, Agnes and Edith. Mr. Snow has been police justice of his town for twenty years.
Selby, Amos E., was born in the town of Nelson, near Cleveland, Ohio, in April 1850. He is the oldest son of Stephen F. Selby, was educated at Shaw Academy, East Cleveland, and spent two years at the Western Reserve University at Hudson, O. He commenced his business career as builder and architect, which he followed for a number of years. He married, in 1883, Evalyn Warren, of Cleveland, who was born at Warren, O., and daughter of D. H. and Martha (Robinson) Warren. Mr. Warren was a shoe merchant. He died in 1868, and his wife resides in Cleveland. They are the direct descendants from the Joseph E. Warren of Revolutionary fame, and trace their ancestry to one of three brothers, who came to Massachusetts in the Mayflower. Mr. Selby came to the town of Williamson in the spring of 1883, and purchased the farm where he has since resided and is largely engaged in fruit growing and evaporting. Mrs. Selby is a member of the Disciple Church, but they attend and support the M. E. Church at Pultney ville.
Sansbury, Alfred W., of Palmyra, was born in Princeton, N. J., in 1820, and came to Palmyra when about twenty-four years old. He clerked for Lovett & Scotten a few years, then for J. C. Lovett, who succeeded the above named firm, where he remained till the closing of the business. Mr. Sansbury then embarked in the furniture trade several years, but at the present time is not engaged actively in business. June 21,
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1854, he married Margaret A. Heminway, of Palmyra, the youngest of four children of Truman Heminway, of Palmyra, who died August 28, 1863. Mrs. Sansbury's mother, Mary (Aldrich) Heminway, died January 21, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Sansbury have had these children : Alfred II., born. February 8, 1857, died March 15, 1862; Mary Louise, born April 28, 1863, now Mrs. H. E. Milles, and Albert Truman, born June 18, 1866.
Sherman, the late Wilson O., was born in East Palmyra, Wayne county, April 16, 1821. Ile was educated in the public schools, and his early life was spent in that town. Jannary 3, 1850, he married Lydia A., youngest child of Stephen and Lydia Fish, of Newark, and moved to Newark, N. Y., in 1853, and they had one son, Charles W., who was well educated. On account of ill health he had to abandon a college course. He became a coal merchant and died when he was twenty-seven years old. Mr. Sherman was a farmer and produce dealer. He died March 4, 1870. Mrs. Sherman's father, Stephen Fish, was born in Middlebury, Mass., May 19, 1778. April 18, 1805, he mar- ried Lydia Bowman, of Leverett, Mass., who was born July 5, 1784. They had these children : Henry, William B., Emeline, Mary M., Henry L., who was mayor of Ro- chester, where he resides; Susanah II. and Lydia A. He died February 1, 1819. Mrs. Sherman's grandfather, William Bowman, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was a surveyor by occupation. He surveyed Montreal and Quebec. Her grand- mother lived until she was over one hundred years of age. They came here all the way from Massachusetts with ox teams. Mrs. Sherman has recently opened. three new avenues, and within a year has sold nine building lots.
Smith, Rnfus, was born in the town Arcadia April 2, 1838. His early life was spent on a farmi, and his education obtained in the common schools. He learned the trade of car- penter and joiner and was an efficient workman. He followed his trade until 1864, when he enlisted in Co. C, 111th Infantry, N. Y. Volunteers. He was in two general engagements and skirmishes, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Smith is a member of Vosburg Post, No. 99, G. A. R., department of New York, and has filled the position of senior vice-commander. Mr. Smith's father, Tunis M. Sinith, was born in Columbia county, January 30, 1798. Hle married "Catherine Fosmire, who was born July 30, 1807. They came to Bethel soon after marriage. They had ten children as follows: Stephen, James, Andrew, Charlotte, Julia A., Francis, Rufus, Eliza E., Celesta and Edwin, only four now living. He died March 24. 1874, and his wife January 20, 1883. The ancestry of this family is German and Dutch. They came to Western New York about the year 1820, and when they located in the town of Arcadia soon after, it was little more than a wilderness, the family were identified with the progress and prosperity of the town. Wild beasts were plenty, flocks of deer used to roam in the woods, with plenty of wild game.
Sands, Edwin, was born in Elbridge, Onondaga county, September 12, 1836. His father, Daniel Sands, was a native of Maine, and came to Jordan in 1816, where he was one of the prominent farmers of the town, and died in 1872 at seventy years of age. Edwin Sands was educated at Jordan Academy, after which he returned to his father's farm. In 1865 he leased the Franklin Honse in Clyde, and in 1866 he pur- chased the well-known Sands farm of ninety acres. Five years later Mr. Sands established a flour and feed busmess, to which he added a large line of fine groceries and crockery, also provisions, At the age of twenty-three he married Emily Abrams, daughter of Harvey Abrams, and they are the parents of two children, Herbert and Mrs. Laura Corrin. Mr. Sands has held office as trustee and has been elected super- visor.
Skinner, Salmon II., was born in Ballston, Saratoga county, January 9, 1816. His father, Major Adonijah Skinner, cavalry commander, was a native of Connecticut, and also a prominent farmer in Cambridge, N. Y. He afterwards moved to Monroe county, and died there on September 13, 1833, at the age of seventy-three. Salmon HI. was
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educated in the common schools, after which he returned to his father's farm. At the age of twenty -four he married Sarah H., daughter of Joseph Sanford, and they have six children, four of whom are now living, one son, Charles S., and three daughters: Mrs. Alice Mccutcheon, Sarah and Mary. In 1854 he came to Clyde and purchased the Clyde hotel property, which he exchanged for mill property in 1856. The same year he purchased a farm of 107 acres, which he now owns, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. His family was of English extraction, and took a prominent part in the Revo- Intionary war.
Stuart, Charles W., was born in Greene county, September 21, 1837. He was edu- cated in the district schools in that county until he was fourteen years old, when the family moved to Syracuse, where he finished his education He learned the jeweler's trade, and manufactured it ten years. In 1864 he came to Newark and began the nursery business, purchasing of parties who were in the business in a small way. In a short time he formed a co-partnership with his brother, John E., under the firm name of C. W. Stuart Bros. May 9, 1866, he married Caroline Eminons, of Greenwich, Fairfield county, Conn., and they have five children : Mary A., Charles H., Carolina M., Sarah R. and Kenneth E. Mary A. married E. V. Pierson, of Newark; Caroline M. married George H. Perkins, of Newark; Charles H. is in partnership with his father, in the retail department of the business. He was educated in Cornell University, where the youngest son is pursuing his studies at the present time. Mr. Stuart's father, Wil- liam Harvey, was born in Greene county, January 7, 1810. In 1835 he married Adeline Boardman, of Westerlo, Albany county, and they had four children, one died in in- fancy : Charles W., Silas B. and John E. He died by accident at a political gathering, A heavy wagon, drawn by forty-six yoke of oxen, ran over him. His wife resides with Charles W. Mrs. Stuart's father, Isaac Emmons, was born in New York, September 10, 1799, was educated in that city, and in early life was a grocer. Afterwards he re- moved to Connecticut. June 12, 1827, he married Mary E. Smith, who was born in Brooklyn, and they had ten children, seven survive: Henry O., Mary L., Francis, Amelia, Caroline, Virginia and Eliza. He died February 15, 1881, and his wife No- vember 5, 1880. Mrs. Stuart's father, Obed Sinith, ran the first steamer up the North river. Ile was a sea man, who sailed all over the globe. This Smith family can be traced to the Mayflower, to John and Priscilla Alden. The ancestry of this family are Scotch and English.
Sands, Alexander, was born in Westchester county, September 25, 1822. His father was Stephen, son of Samuel, who was a pioneer of Westchester county. The father of Samuel was James, who came from England in an early day. He purchased Block Island of the natives and some of the family are still on the island. The grandfather of subject, Samuel, was a farmer in Westchester county, and the homestead is still in the family. He and wife were Quakers. Stephen and family came to Cayuga county, in 1823, and bought a farm where they lived and died, he in 1865, aged seventy-four years. His wife was Charity Platt, and they had three sons and two daughters, all now living. She died in 1890, aged ninety- five years. Subject was reared on the farm, has been wool speculator about twenty years, and in the mercantile business at Lakeside a while where he built a store building. He now has 225 acres mostley bought and set- tled on in 1846, of which about 140 acres is set to large fruits of all kinds. In 1845 he married Abigail 1. Bates, born in 1824, and daughter of Orlando and Irene D. Bates, of Orleans county. Mrs. Bates was a Durfee, and died in 1829. Mr. Bates was a farmer and miller, and died March 15, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Sands have no children, but they reared a boy, John Scott, who studied law with Judge Cowles. He raised a com- pany of volunteers in Wisconsin, who chose him captain, but he took siek and died at Mound City, Ill. Mr. Sands is a Republican, has been twenty-five years postmaster at Lakeside, was provost marshal and enroling officer of the town during the war. They attend and support the M. E. church.
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