USA > New York > Genesee County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Genesee County, New York, v. 2 > Part 16
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Another paper of almost equal prominence supplemented the Tri- bune's statement by the following :
"He has been an immovable bulwark against the many fraudulent elements which constantly assail insurance interests, a vigilant guardian of the public weal in his sphere of duty, a thoroughly honest, single- minded, capable official. The breath of suspicion which poisons the records of many public men never reached him, for there was around him an atmosphere of incorruptibility which bade suspicion defiance and left not a single opportunity for the tongue of slander or scandal."
On March 9, 1893, Robert A. Maxwell was nominated by the Presi- dent to be fourth assistant postmaster general, and confirmed by the Senate, assuming his new duties on the 22d of that month. His rela- tions with President Cleveland had been of the most cordial character. They have been friends for many years, and the friendship and confi- dence of the former was evidenced by the tender of what is, in many respeets, outside the cabinet, the most influential position in the gift of the executive. During the service of Mr. Maxwell in Washington the famous stone land office of the Holland Land Company was purchased by a historical society and set apart as a historical museum. It was dedicated with imposing ceremonies on October 13, 1594, to the mem- ory of Robert Morris, the great patriot and financier of the revolution ; and through the influence of Mr. Maxwell six members of the Presi- dent's cabinet were present and took part in the ceremonies, the tablet being unveiled by the Hon. Walter Q). Gresham, Secretary of State, and the dedicatory oration delivered by the Hon. John G. Carlisle, Seere- tary of the Treasury. In 1869 Mr. Maxwell was married to Miss Mary McLean of Jackson, Washington county, N. Y. This union has been blessed with two children: William A. Maxwell, who resides in Chi- eago, and Marion Grace Maxwell, who died at the age of nine years.
SAFFORD E. NORTH.'
SAFFORD E. NORTH, a lifelong resident of Genesee county, was born upon his father's farm in the town of Alexander, January 22. 1852. a descendant of that sturdy pioneer stock to which the development of Genesee county is so much indebted. His grandfather, Noah North, who was born July 22, 17-5, moved from Connectient, and arriving in
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Genesee couuty in 1808 located on the farm in Alexander, where both Mr. North and Mr. North's father were born. The farm was then in the midst of the woods, and we of this later day can have no real ization of all the hardships, deprivations and arduous labor that such a location meant before the land could be made to return even a modest livelihood. Here on this farm, on January 4, 1813, was born the father of Judge North, James Agard North, and here Noah North reared his fam- ily of eight boys and girls. A man of superior attainments, Noah North personally attended to the education of his children, fitting several of them to be teachers. He died September 28, 1824, survived by his widow, Olive (Hungerford) North, and eight children. He was one of the earliest supervisors of the town of Alexander. His conscien- tious, upright life and sterling character left their impress upon the early life of the community in which he lived.
Jamies Agard North remained for over seventy years on the farm where he was born. In 1883 he removed to the village of Alexander, where he remained until the death of his wife, which occurred July 14, 1884. He then went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Edward H. (Olive) Putnam at Attica, N. Y., where he died November 9, 1893. He lived a life of complete devotion to his family, and enjoyed the respect and affection of all who knew him. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Shaw Safford, was a woman of unusual attainments. and was possessed of refined and scholarly tastes in literature. Four children were born to them. Olive, Safford E., James Agard and Myra, who died March 12, 1882, at the age of twenty years. Mrs. North was the youngest daughter of Elias and Rebecca (Shaw) Safford, who were among the early pioneers of Western New York, having moved from Albany.
Safford E. North received his education in the district schools, the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary at Alexander and at Cornell Univer- sity, where he took a partial course. At the age of sixteen years in a competitive examination he won the first scholarship at Cornell and entered with the first freshman class in that institution. After leaving Cornell he taught school five winters in Genesee county, working on his father's farm the rest of the year. In 1873 he commenced the study of the law in the office of the late Judge Lucius N. Bangs at Le Roy and later continued with William C. Watson at Batavia and was admitted to the bar at Syracuse, January 4, 1878. On the 27th of May the same year he opened his office in the First National Bank
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TRACY PARDEE.
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building at Batavia. The next year, although not a candidate for the office, he was nominated for village clerk on the people's ticket and was elected. He was again elected in 1829. In Isso he was elected district attorney and held the office two terms of three years each In 1888 he was elected county judge and surrogate and was re-elected in 1894.
Judge North is an ardent Republican and has done a great deal of political speaking, mostly in Genesee county, beginning in 1876 when a law student and continuing in every presidential campaign since. His services as a speaker have been in much demand in other direc- tions, and he has been called upon to deliver the principal addresses on patriotic and other public occasions, far more than any of his cotem- poraries in the county. Many of his addresses have been printed and are valued monographs on their respective subjects. He has been a close student in his profession but has also given much time to literary and scientific studies. lle has been interested in the work of the V. M. C. A. and was president of that organization at Batavia for three years. On the 23d day of November, Iss1, he was married to Cora MI .. daughter of the late Dr. Chauncey D. and Octavia J. (Clapp) Gris- wold, and to them have been born three sons: Robert, born No- vember 19, 1852; Alfred Safford, born August 4, 1884, died April 25, 1885; and Monroe, born April 21, 1982. The family are Episcopalians. Judge North is a member of the New York State Bar Association and of the New York Medico- Legal Society.
TRACY PARDEE.
TRACY PARDEE was born in Prattsburgh, Steuben county, N. Y., No- vember 26, 18ot, a son of Isaac and Martha Pardee. He came with his parents to Genesee county in 1828, and settled on the Town Line road, between Batavia and Oakfield. After obtaining his education he taught school several terms, and for a number of years was a farmer. He was one of the founders of the First National Bank of Batavia, and served as its president from June 29, 1865, until his death. He served two terms in the Legislature (1-47-1848), where he was recognized as a careful, consistent member, intent upon securing good laws and honest legislation. Ile exerted a strong influence in his town, and merited the confidence and good will bestowed upon him. He died July 30, 1883.
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On October 17, 1837, Mr. Pardee was married to Nancy A., daughter of John G. Satterlee, who was born November 18, 1819. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters: Charles P., George C., Mrs. Cornelia MI. Rowan and Mrs. Julia A. Kneeland of New York eity. The former was married to George H. Humphrey, who died in 1880; in 1882 she married Jerome Rowan, who was one of the founders of the Bank of Batavia, of which he was the first president, resigning in 1882. He died June 28, 1896. Mrs. Rowan died in Batavia March 2, 1899. She was a very estimable woman, of high intelligence, gen - erous and benevolent, and a conscientious Christian. A member many years of St. James's Episcopal church, she made provision that upon her death a large part of her estate should go to that society, besides making substantial bequests to the Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist and Free Baptist churches, and to the Batavia Relief Association. These generous and pious bequests will keep the name and memory of the giver in perpetual remembrance.
ELIPHALET PARISH.
ELIPHALET PARISH, father of Elisha MI Parish and grandfather of George E. Parish, was a pioneer of Genesee county. He was born in Massachusetts, January 16, 1186. In 1811 he migrated west, his outfit consisting of an ox teani, a wagon and a few utensils. He selected a tract of land, the site of the present town of Bergen, purchasing it from the original owners; here he settled in the forest, erected log buildings and began to elear the land of its timber and made him a home. He became an influential man in the community, and for many years was a deacon in the First Congregational church of Bergen; a man of the strietest integrity and faithful in all his relations as a Christian, neigh- bor and friend. Nothing but serious sickness could keep him from at- tending to the duties of the church, in which he has always took an active part. Ile was married four times, his first wife being Theodosia Brewster, daughter of Capt. Elisha Brewster of Worthington, Mass., who served his country through the entire Revolutionary war, receiv- ing his discharge in the handwriting of George Washington, a relic which he treasured sacredly through a long life. His second wife was Sallie Brewster; his third wife was Zipporah Brewster; all of these ladies were sisters. His fourth marriage was to Mary Ann Dennis, of
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Henrietta, N. Y. He was the father of eight children, as follows: Minerva B., wife of Horace R. Holt; Anna P., wife of Pitman Wilcox ; Oliver, who was married to Melvina Devereaux of Bergen; Elisha H., who was married to Mary Putnam; Theodosia, who was married, first, to C. W. Smith of Northampton, Mass., and second, to Franklin D. Kingman of Bergen; Eliphalet, who died in infancy; Zepporah, who was married to Charles Hall of Wheatland: and Sallie, wife of Frank Baker.
Elisha II. Parish was born in Bergen, May 27, 1820, and spent nearly his entire life as a farmer, the last five years, however, he lived retired in the village of Bergen. At the time of his death he owned three farms, including the original homestead. He was supervisor for a number of years and filled the office of school commissioner for several terms.
George E. Parish was born in the town of Bergen, N. Y., December 10, 1861, and received his education in the district schools and the Can- andaigua Academy. He learned the cloth-cutting trade in Batavia, where he lived for a time; and later conducted A merchant tailoring busi . ness in Bergen. He owns 250 acres of excellent farm land, including the original homestead of his grandfather. He married Marion H., daughter of William Squires of Churchville, N. Y .; she died October 26, 1883. On June 5, 1885, Mr. Parish again married, his second wife being Mary S., daughter of John Frazier of Phelps, N. Y.
SAMUEL PARKER.
SAMUEL PARKER was born in Elba, N. Y., September 22, 1834, son of Sherred and Sarah (Williams) Parker. Sherred Parker was born in Massachusetts August 4, 1794, and with his parents, Samuel and Mary Parker, eame to Byron, N Y., in 1806. Like many other early resi- dents of Western New York, he served for a time in the war of 1812. Hle was a prominent man in his town, publie spirited and liberal in his support of educational and religious institutions. He filled many posi- tions of trust, and his judgment was sought and respected; he died November 18, 1875.
Samuel Parker was educated in the common schools and at Albion Academy, He has been a practical farmer, making a success of that
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calling. He has been a justice of the peace, president of the Genesee County Agricultural Society, and during the years 1878 and 1879 was supervisor for Elba. He isa sound Republican and has voted the ticket since the organization of the party. In April, 1898, he was elected president of the First National Bank of Batavia, succeeding the late Levant C. MeIntyre. He brought to the discharge of his duties excel- lent judgment of men and affairs, long business experience and that other prime requisite for a successful bank president, public confidence. On April 10, 1561, Mr. Parker was married to Alice L., daughter of Orlo R. Clark of Elba (now of Batavia). Their children are B. Clark, who married Mary C. Fuller of Oakfield. H. Bert, and Carrie P., wife of Lewis H. Chase of Philadelphia. The family are attendants at the Presbyterian church.
DR. WILLIAM E. RICHARDSON.
PROMINENT among the professional men of Genesee county who have attained distinction was the late Dr. William E. Richardson, for many years a successful practitioner of dentistry in Batavia. Dr. Richardson was born on February 8, 1855, at Pinckney, Michigan He was a son of the Rev. Chester C. Richardson, a clergyman in the Universalist church, who preached in several different pastorates in western New York with great acceptance. Rev. Mr. Richardson's wife was Ann E. Rabell.
The early life of Dr. Richardson was passed in Michigan and in western New York and Pennsylvania. He took a thorough course of study in dentistry with Dr. Stillson, of Tidioute, Pa., and with Dr. Whitcomb, in Buffalo, becoming a very skillful operator. With unusual natural mechanical aptitude and passionate devotion to his profession, he was able excel in his work and to give uniform satisfaction to his patients. He made the instruments with which he did his first work and in operative dentistry was exceptionally skillful. He began practice in Bradford, Pa., but settled permanently in Batavia in 1880, where he soon acquired a large practice and surrounded himself with many staunch friends. While he was possessed of a genial temperament and other traits that might have given him extended social popularity. his close and unremitting devotion to his business kept him to a great
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WILLIAM E. RICHARDSON.
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DEAN RICHMOND.
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extent within his home circle; but wherever he was known he gained the respect and esteem of those with whom he came in contact.
On January 17, 1818, Dr. Richardson married Hattie Moulton, of Alexander, Genesee county. Three children were born to them: Elbridge M., a student in the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery; Edith M. and William C.
The death of Dr. Richardson took place on the 5th of December, 1897.
DEAN RICHMOND.
ALTHOUGH a large part of the life of this distinguished citizen of the State of New York was passed in other localities, the fact that his home during many years was in Batavia and that his descendants are still residents of this place, renders it important that a brief account of his career shall find a place in these pages. He was born in the town of Barnard, Vt., on March 31, 1504. and was a son of Hathaway and Rachel Dean Richmond, who early migrated to that part of this State of New York now embraced in the corporate limits of Syracuse, Onon- daga county, where his father was engaged in the early salt industry. Unfortunate in his business, the father removed to Mobile, Alabama. where he died, leaving a widow, two daughters and a son; the latter was Dean Richmond, who was then only fourteen years of age. The bereaved family were dependent upon their own exertions, and the young son promptly demonstrated his possession of those qualifications which were later to make him a power in the financial, railroad and po- litical life of New York State, and enable him to win his way to the front ranks of his generation. He resolutely took up the business left by his father and with little to start with except a burden of debt and his capital of native health and vigor, he soon began to make his way against the obstacles that confronted him. The market for salt which had heretofore been somewhat limited, was soon greatly extended and enlarged under Mr. Richmond's energetic and enterprising operations, and it was not long before he was in receipt of a good income. With this business finally firmly established he turned to other large enter- prises in which he commanded success. In 1842 he removed to Buffalo, where he established a commission and transportation business, dealing largely with the rapidly increasing products of the great West, which
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he forwarded to the eastern markets. To these operations he brought the sound judgment, untiring industry, and sagacious foresight of his advancing years, and in a few years he became one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of the lake region.
In the midst of his active business career Mr. Richmond made his first entry into railroad operations by being made a director in the Utica and Buffalo Railroad Company. With the completion of the direct line to Batavia he took up his residence in this village, where he afterwards built the handsome old mansion on Main street which is still the resi- dence of members of his family. When the competition of rival rail- road lines forced the consolidation of seven different companies into the New York Central Company in 1853, he was foremost in the struggle and his perseverance, ability, and influence carried the measure through the State Legislature. He was chosen the first vice-president of the company, and held that position until 1864, when he was elected presi- dent upon the retirement of Erastus Corning. His prominence and efficiency in railroad circles led also to his election as president of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern road, which position he occupied a number of years. During his connection with the New York Central the company placed the utmost reliance upon his counsel and never adopted extensive measures for improvement without his advice and approbation. He was the first American citizen to advocote laying steel rails. A trial was made and a large order sent to England, which was not filled until after his death. The vast importance of that meas- ure can be fully appreciated at the present time.
The space available in these pages will not permit detailed mention of the great number of business undertakings with which Mr. Richmond was connected. It must suffice to state that in each one and on every occasion he made his power felt for its promotion and success. He was inherently the active and enterprising business man, to the exclu- sion of political or social ambition. While he believed it the duty of every good citizen to interest himself in politics to the extent of keep- ing close watch upon the tide of events, and to labor for the triumph of principles of which his conscience approved, he never was an office seeker. With broad views, a clear knowledge of the principles of De- mocracy, he easily grasped the various phases of national politics and made his influence felt in the councils of the Democratic party. He was long in full enjoyment of the unlimited confidence of his political associates and no man of his time possessed greater party power in this
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State. He served as chairman of the Democratic State Committee from IS57 to his death in 1866.
Mr. Richmond's mental powers were no less commendable than his innate goodness of heart. Many of his noble deeds of benevolence might be mentioned, which were so numerous that they became well known to the public, notwithstanding his aversion to such a result. In the summer of 1866, after attending the State convention at Saratoga, he accompanied Samuel J. Tilden on a trip to Washington and Philadel- phia, returning to New York on the 18th of August. On the following day, while calling at the Tilden residence, he was stricken with illness which terminated fatally on the ?? th of that month.
Mr. Richmond was for many years a familiar figure in Batavia, where he had hosts of friends. In the later years of his life it was his eustom to attend to his business affairs in Buffalo, returning to his Batavia home twice in each week to enjoy the peace and comfort of his home circle. The Richmond Memorial Library, in Batavia, was a gift of Mrs. Mary E. Richmond, in memory of her son, Dean Richmond, jr., who died in 1865. The Richmond mansion is now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Kenney.
ARCHIE D. SANDERS.
HON. ARCHIE D. SANDERS was born in Stafford. N. Y., June 17, 1856. His father was John Sanders, a native of England, who came to Genesee county in 1845, where he was a merchant and farmer; he served as supervisor for three years, and in 1879 was elected to the As- sembly and re-elected in 1860. His wife was Elizabeth Dovell, whom he married in England; their children were three: Archie D., Ralph and Hette. Mr. Sanders died in 1882, aged sixty years.
Archie D. Sanders was educated in the common schools, at Le Roy Academy and the Buffalo High School. He is a farmer and dealer in produce in Stafford, N. Y. In 188; he was elected highway commis- sioner for four years, and in 1892 was elected supervisor and served three terms. In 1895 he was elected a member of the Assembly on the Republican tieket, and re-elected in 1896. In 1896 he was made a member of the Republican State Committee by the State Convention at Saratoga. In 1898 he was appointed collector of Internal Revenue for
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the Twenty eighth District of New York by President Mckinley. For many years he exercised a potential influence in the ranks of his party in the western past of the State.
DANIEL W. TOMLINSON.
DANIEL W. TOMLINSON, president of the Bank of Batavia, and one of the most thoroughly representative men of Western New York, was born January 1, 1819, the son of Daniel W. Tomlinson, who was a na- tive of Middlebury, Vt. At eighteen years of age, Daniel W. Tomlin- son, father of the subject, went to Mobile, Ala., as clerk in a large mereantile house and engaged in the cotton trade. A few years later Mr. Tomlinson became a partner in the business and accumulated a fortune there. In 1845 he removed to the town of Alexander, where he purchased the farm of Peter A. Remsen. He soon became a stock- holder in the old Exchange Bank of Genesee, was subsequently elected its vice-president, and finally became its sole manager. In 1850, after having bought up all the stock of the institution, Mr. Tomlinson re- moved it to Batavia, with the intention of locating it in a building ad- joining the old American Hotel, but that building being destroyed in the great fire of 1>50, the bank was located in a building adjoining the Eagle Hotel. Subsequently it occupied the quarters which afterward eame into the possession of the Farmers' Bank of Attica. Mr. Tomlin- son was one of the most publie spirited men of the town and county. He served as president of the village, and principally through his efforts the excellent waterworks system of the village was established. He was one of the organizers of the Batavia Gas Company, and was promi- nently identified with various other important private and public inter- ests in Batavia. His death, which occurred October 5, 1860, was a dis- tinct loss to the community.
The subject of this sketch, like his father, is regarded as one of the sagacious and far-sighted business men of Genesee county : conserva- tive and prudent, but liberal and public-spirited in affairs pertaining to the welfare of the community. Since 1882 he has been president of the Bank of Batavia, one of the strongest financial institutions in the State, outside the large cities. This bank was organized in 1826; up to 1882 it had not been suecessful, but with the beginning of Mr. Tom-
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linson's management the conduct of its affairs underwent a radical change and success attended its career. The payment of dividends was begun in the fall of 1883, since which time they have been regu- larly paid twice each year. In the meantime a surplus of over one hundred thousand dollars has been accumulated and in 1595 a hand- some fire proof banking house, probably the finest occupied by any country bank in New York State, was erected.
Mr. Tomlinson was married on December 6, 1871, to Una Redfield, daughter of the late llon. Heman J. Redfield. They have three children : Daniel.W., jr , Everett R. and Redfield. Two daughters have died.
Mr. Tomlinson is a member of the Batavia Club, of Batavia Lodge No. 115, F. & A. M., and has served as high priest of Western Star Chapter No. 35, and as commander of Batavia Commandery, Knights Templar. He is identified with other organizations, and has interests in numerous enterprises in Genesce county aside from his banking busi- ness. In politics he has always been a Democrat.
MORRIS W. TOWNSEND, M. D.
DR. MORRIS W. TOWNSEND was born in Monroe county, N. Y., August 27, 1822. a son of Edmund and Caroline (Scofield) Townsend. He received his education in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen years began teaching, which occupation he followel for several years. During this time he began the study of medicine, and in 1853 he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- phia, Pa. In 1858 he settled in the village of Bergen.
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