USA > New York > Genesee County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Genesee County, New York, v. 2 > Part 22
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Gill. James, is a native of England, and was born April 4 1834. His stepfather, George Thomas, came to Stafford in 1842, where he died in 1956. James Gill ar- rived in Genesee county to 1544, was educated in the common schools, and has followed farming all his life. For ten years he was school trustee, and in various ways has proved his usefulness as a citizen. His life has proved him to be a man worthy of the confidence and respect of his fellows. His wife is Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Moore of England; then children are Caroline F. Heddon, Sarah Gill Kingdon and Ralph G.
Sinth, Stanley M., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Le Roy, February 20, 1561. Ilis father, Chauncey M. Smith, was a leading physician of Le Roy, and married Comeha A. Collins; hedied in 1-64. Stanley M. South was educated in the common schools and the academy of Le Roy. In 1876 he engaged in the drug business. He is village treasurer and was for four years foreman of the Oatka Hose Company and in 1-97 was elected chief of the fire department; he is also president of the Gen-
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esee & Wyoming County Fuemen's Association. Ile married Orpha C., daughter of Philo and Sarah L. Lull of Norwich, N. Y. Mr. Smith is an upright, enterprising man, interested in the advancement of the public institutions of the town, and is every way is a worthy citizen.
Halbert, William R., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Sep- teniber 14, 1419, and on May 24, 1825, emigrated to America, coming on what was then a large sailing vessel of 450 tous burden, being eight weeks on the ocean, le was three days in reaching Albany and three more in arriving at Utica, where his father met him at the canal, there he remained ten years, working in the cotton mills part of the time. At the age of nineteen he went to Canada and worked on a farm for three years, and in 1813 came to Le Roy, where he has since lived as a farmer. In March, 1852, Mr. Halbert married Ellen E. Pierson, daughter of Lind- Pierson. Mrs. Halber: cied January 15. 1853, on the farm where Mr. Halbert now lives in his eightieth year. Mr. Halbert has served as highway commissioner xx years, inspector of election twelve years, and has been elder in the First Presbyter- ian church of Le Roy over twenty-ave years
Bartlett, Ruft, p. o. Le Roy, was born in New Hampshire, May 15, 1-24, a son of Jonas and Edles ( Robertson, Bartlett. His mother died in 1>10 and his father in 1874 Mr. Bartlett was brought up on a farm. educated in the common schools, and in 1948 married Sarah B. Hood of Massachusetts; their children are I-abella G .. Edward R., Charles L. and Grace E. In 1853 Mr. Bartlett went to Geneseo to super- intend the Big Tree farm for Jame- S. Wadsworth, where he remained six years. removing to Illinois, where he resided until the fall of 1864, when he came to Le Roy and engaged in the nilang bisiness. Mr. Bartlett has been trustee of the village. was poormaster eight years, and assessor seven years. He is one of Le Roy's rep- resentative business men, of sound integrity, and a man of more than ordinary in- fnence in the development and progress of his town.
Harmon, Edwin M., was born in Wheatland, Monroe county, N. Y., July 8. 1531, educated in the common schools, and brought up on a farm, which occupation he followed until thirty-five years of age, when he engaged in the milling business in Scottsville, where he continued for seven years. In 1871 he went west and located in Champaign, IM1 , where he was special agent for Lycoming Insurance Company for five years On account of ill health he returned east and came to Le Roy in 1×79, and engaged in the insurance business, which he has since continued successfully Ile represents the foll wing insurance companies North America, German American. Philadelphia Underwriters, Hanover Fire Association of Philadelphia. New York Underwriters, Royal, Phoenix of Hartford, Phoenix of London, Lancashire, Connecti- cut, Commercial U'mon and Niagara, Norwich Union, Equitable Life Insurance Co., Hartford Steam Boller and Lloyd, Plate Glass He has built up a very fine insur- ance business in this section and has become well known all throughout the county. He was elected town clerk in March, 1599, for one year, is a stockholder in the Ch- izens' Bank and a member of the I. O. O. F. Oscar Harmon, a brother of Edwin, raised a regiment, the 125th Illinois, and went out with them as colonel ; he was killed
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at Kenesaw Mountain as they started for the sea, and was taken to Dansville, II1 .. for burial.
Gillett, Samuel, was born in Orange county, N. Y., August 6, 1523, a son of Isaac and Eleanor (Vail) Gillett, natives of Orange county, N. Y., of which the family were pioneers. The maternal grandfather. Benjamin Vail, was a captain in the Inchan wars and was killed at the battle of Minnesa. Isaae and Eleanor Gillett came to the town of Stafford, Genesee county, in the spring of 1814, purchased a farm and lived there until their death : they had six elnldren, three of whom are living. Isaac Gil- lett died in 1867. Samuel Gillett was educated at Montgomery and Chester Acad- emes; he taught school for several winters, beginning when sixteen years of age: the first winter. he taught for $13 per month. He has been engaged in farming for many years, owning sixty acres where he resides, having sold several hundred acres; he has also been engaged in other business, being interested in a hardware store in Sioux City, lowa. He has been supervisor of the town several years and was pres- ident of the Le Roy Academic Institute for a rumber of years; has been assessor and highway commissioner, and has been prominent in nearly all public affairs and is a valued citizen. Although now seventy-five years of age. he is yet quite active. On February 16, 1845, Mr. Gillett married Sasan Board; they have eleven children living. Mir. and Mrs. Gillett celebrated their golden wedding ia 1895, there being present all their children and twenty-five grandchildren, and Mrs. Gillett's sister and her husband who stood up at the wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Gillett are members of the Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder for many years.
Stemmer, Samuel, p. o. Le Roy, was born in Switzerland, July 15, 1-29, a son of John Steiner, a native of Switzerland, who emigrated to Monroe county in 1850, and Magdalena Straham, his wite. He died in 1873. Samuel Steiner was educated in the common sehools and engaged in the locksmith business for five years. In 1849 he came to Monroe county, and to Le Roy in 1873, where he engaged in farming. He married Katherine Marvan, who died in 1959. Mr. Steiner is one of Le Roy's progressive farmers, whose career has been marked by integrity, industry and a de- sire to promote the well-being of the community in which he resides.
Seyffer, George G., p. o. Le Roy, N. Y., was born in Le Roy February 9, 1562. His father. Gottheb Seyffer, was a native of Germany, and came to Genesce county about 1848, he was a tinsouth lle married Mary Mutehler of Germany, they are the parents of Edward, Frederick and Carrie Seyffer Stevens. George G. Seyffer was educated in the comision schools and for eight years was connected with N. B. Keeney & Son's commission house. April 1, 1944, he engaged with the Erie Rail- road and has been promoted to station agent. He has been secretary of Oatka Hose Company for ten year. Mr. Seytfer is a thorough business man, of untarnished reputation, and performs a citizen's duty in forwarding the welfare of his town.
Rogers on, Edward, a native of Yorkshire, England, was born in 1851, and came to Canada when but a youth and remained in Toronto until 1850, where he was en- gaged in the dry goods and hat business. In that year he came to Le Roy and la .
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came associated with W. D. Matthews in the malting business Mr. Roger-op remained with had a- manager until Matthews's death in 1955, when the busines was conducted by his son, Wilmot D. Matthews, and Mr. Roger-on became a partne: In 1894 Mr. Kogerson formed a company and purchased the business outright, an ! carried it on as the W. D. Matthews Malting Company, which continued unti. October 1, 1897, when the business was absorbed by the American Malting Cor .- pany, with Edward Rogerson as manager, which position he has since filled They have twenty-two branches distributed throughout the United States The season's output from this establishment if from 600.000 to 700.000 bushels with an average ot sixty employees. Mr. Rogerson has paid -triet attention to the business and has made it one of the best of all the branches. He is one of Le Roy's most substantial citizens, progressive and a. ways has an open purse for the advancement of the village. Ile was president of the village for two years, isone of the trustees of the Methods. Episcopal church and owns a fine fruit farm near the village. He is a stockhadde. and director in the Citizens' Bank of Le Roy. In 1879 Mr. Rogerson marite ! Marion R. Matthews, who died in 1985, and in 1890 he married Minnie U. Hazeltop By his first wife he had four children and two by the second.
Cleveland. Dr. John F., was born in St. Catharine, Ontanto, February 25. 1597 His parents were natives of New York State, but moved to Canada for a short time and while there John F. was born. The family are descendants of Moses Cleveland. who came from England and undoubtedly are related to Ex-President Cleveland The parents both died in Canada and the children came to the United States, Di. Cleveland received his primary education in Canada, came to New York city and took up the study of medicine, and was graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1965. He was a medical cadet at the Ladies' Home Hospital on Leving- ton avenue, New York city, for some time. After graduating he became acting assistant surgeon U. S. A., first ordered to Elmira, N. Y., then transferred to Hart's Island, New York, where he had charge of 3, 400 rebel prisoners and where he re- mained until the close of the war. In 1870 he located in Le Roy, where he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice, and is numbered among the oldest and most promment physicians in this locality. He was a member of Genesee County Med- ical Society while it existed. He is president of the village board of health. Dr. Cleveland has a fine home and is enjoying the fruits of his industry. In 1871 he married France. V. Fisher, a native of Wyoming, N. Y. ; they have one son. Harold F. Cleveland, aged eighteen years.
Randall, Perry, was born at Stafford, Genesee county, N. Y .. July 16, 1822, a son of Stephen and Rachel (Fifieldb) Randall, Stephen Randall was born in Nottingham. N. H., in 17-2. marited in Danville. Vt., to Rachel Frield, who was born in Grim un- town, N. 11., in 1717. They emigrated to Genesee county, arriving in Le Roy after a journey of three weeks in the depth of winter February 2. 1815. They brought with them their family of nine children, a span of horses, two yokes of oxen, thise cows and $1, 109 in gold. With the energy and decision characteristic of the father and headof the family, the farm was bought and the family moved in within twenty- four hours. The farm consisted of 150 acres, lying in that excellent tract, just cast
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of Morganville, then wild, with only three acres of clearing and a log house built thereon There was no road laid out to their place, so they were obliged to leave their team and luggage over night in the road oue and a half miles east of them. Where the house now stands was an unbroken forest of heavy beech and maple trees; with industry and prudence the farm was soon cleared up and paid for and has ranked for many years among the first in the county. They raised to maturity a family of fourteen children, and at the death of the father in 1859 they were all living, but at this date (1898) there is but one living, Perry, the youngest of the family. On January 16, 1-6%, at the death of Rachel Fifield Randall there were 267 descendants of the family living. seventy-five of whom dined together at the Ran- dall homestead Their house was ever distinguished for its hospitahty; the church to which they belonged also received a hearty support. Mrs. Randall died in her ninety-first year and received an honored burial from her descendants and neighbors. Of the descendants of this family all have been honored and respected and some of them have reached distinction; three of the grandsons were officers in the United States army, and one of high standing made a tour around the globe, commissioned by the Government; another is a minister of eminence, and General Brewster Ran- dall, the second son, was a resident of Ohio for many years, where he was made a member of the Legislature and later became Speaker of the House. His oldest son is Prig .- Gen. George Morton Randall of the U. S. A. Perry Randall was raised on a farm in the town of Stafford; be received such an education as the schools of those days afforded, including one term in a select school which was hekl in the house of his father. He remained ou the same farm which his father purchased until the spring of 1503, when he retired and removed to Le Roy and purchased his present beautiful home, where he is spending his days in comfort Ije still owns the old homestead and has added to it antil now he owns 750 acres, which also comprises the old homestead of his wife's family. On October 29, 1846, he married Mary 1 .. Batchelder, born June 1, 1824; they had seven children: Isabelle, wife of Henry Seymour, who died in 1974: Orange F. ; William P. ; Alda M. ; Emma A. (deceased) ; Frederick S. now district attorney of Genesee conuty ; and Fannie W., wife of F. H. Dunham of the Batavia bar. Mrs. Randall died October 1, 1892, beloved and rev- erenced by all with whom she came in contact. This is one of the oldest families in the county and one of the most respected. Mr. Randall has been a man who has devoted his time to his farming interests and has been very prosperous. He has many times been called to fill offices of honor and trust but many more times has refused to accept such offices The family has always been highly respected, liberal in their views and purse and favorably known throughout the county.
Woodward, Orator F., was born in Bergen, Genesee county, N. Y., July 26. 1556, a son of Abaer T. and Phoebe Lyman) Woodward. In 15% Mr. Woodward en- gaged in the patent medicine business on a small scale, and his business has since grown to immense proportions. In 1896 he added the manufacture of "Grain-()." and in less than fifteen months it had spread from the Atlantic to the Paenic. This is a drink made from grains and is designed for people who cannot drink coffee or tea. lle has a plant consisting of four large buildings, all of which he owns indi- vidually : also has one of the finest residences in the county. His business is one of the
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largest of its kind, and his goods are known all over the continent. He is president of the board of water commissioners. He married Cora L. Talmage of Le Roy. they have five children.
Root, Charles, was born in New York State and was a resident of Detroit, Mich. He married Alice, daughter of Hiram W. Ha-call, who was a native of Le Roy, and a prominent lawyer. Charles Root was a banker and merchant in Detroit and a large dealer in lumber. His children were George K. and Marshall J. Mr. Root died in New York in March, 1988. He was a man of upright character and of more than ordinary business ability.
Stone, Dr. Frank L., was born in Oneida county, N. Y., December 25, 1935, a son of John H. and Maria (Tiffany) Stone. He was educated in the public schools and Collegiate Seminary at Whitesboro, N. Y., and Kingsville Academy of Ohio. Ile began the study of medicine and was graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- lege, New York city, in 1565. He began his practice with his preceptor in Oriskany. N. Y., where he remamed one year, coming thence to Genesee county, N. Y., in the spring of 1868. locating at Stafford where he remained until 1879. when he temove 1 to Le Roy and has since been in active practice there. He is a member of the tien- esee County Medical Society; New York State Central Metlical Society: New Yor's State Medical Association: New York State Association of Railway Surgeons, has been surgeon for the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad for ten years, and was elected cotoner in 1ss and has hell the office ever since. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., of which he is an examining physician. He was town clerk for four years while a resulent of Stafford. He is a Republican and has taken a very active interest in politics. On January 1, 1865. Dr. Stone was married to Ellen M. Br.erly . they have one daughter living.
Curtiss, Stephen F., was born in the town of Le Roy. N. Y., September 6. 1424, a son of Azor and Catherine (Fowler) Curtiss, who were natives of Ver- mont and Connecticut respectively. His mother was a daughter of Thomas Fowler. and sister of Dr. Stephen, who emigrated to Little Sandusky, Olno, about 1814. His brother's wife was a coast of Gen Robert E. Lee. This branch of the family all went to Ohio. Azor Curtiss came to Genesee county. N. V., in 1512. settling just cast of the village of Le Roy, near the old Ganson Hotel. Here he par- chased a tract of land and put up a blacksmith shop, where he carried on business for several years, then moved to Stafford, but returned to Le Roy two years later and opened a furnace. He ran this for a couple of years, across the road from the old Ganson House, and then started two furnaces, one of which was on the site of the Episcopal church and the other on the site of John Maloney's grocery store ; he also started one at Richville. Ile carried on this business for a number of years and finally sold out and fived retired until his death, which occurred about 1998. He was inspector of cleetions for a number of years, was quite promment in his day and i man who had the respect of all who knew him; he was a prominent Mason, was high priest of his chapter tor a time, and a Scottish rite Mason, he was here during the famous Morgan excitement. He was the father of eleven children by his first wife
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and eight by his second; four of the former and four of the latter are living Stephen F. Curtiss was raised on a farm, educated in the district schools and worked for his father in the furnaces until mineteen years of age, first as an employee, working his way through the different positions until he had charge of the factory, turning out twenty parlor stoves and ten cook stoves daily. He continued this business until the factory was sold, when he went on the road selling stoves. He later went to Canada, making a set of patterns which he took with him, and had his stoves made there to save duty. He remained in Canada eighteen months, where he was very successful. He then bought a farm five miles from Le Roy in the town of Bergen, and farmed it twelve years, when he returned to Le Roy and purchased a store and was engaged in dealing in barley, oats, corn, wool and all kinds of produce and agri- cultural implements and bought and packed pork every fall. He also owned and conducted a lumber yard for over twenty-five years, doing an immense business. In 1889 he sold out and has since been retired from active business, having accumulited a competency, and is now living to enjoy the fruits of his industry. Mr. Curtiss held the othce of justice of the peace eleven years in Bergen and eight years in Le Roy. He purchased a farmi of 1563 acres in Le Roy, which he now looksafter. The Curtiss family is well known in Genesee county and Mr. Curtiss has long been iden- tified as one of the most substantial and worthy citizens of the town of Le Roy. He was made a Mason in November, 1846. in the old roand house temple at Le Roy, and is the oldest living Mason in Western New York ; he was acting master of his lodge, has been high priest of his chapter for thirteen years and has held all the subordi- nate offices in both lodge and chapter, and every year of his office has made an ad- dress, which has been cop.ed in the nuoute book of his chapter and in newspapers; he has been very active in both Blue Lodge and Chapter and is one of the best known Masons in Western New York. We copy hete a part of his address, delivered to Le Roy Chapter No. 183. December 7, 1996, paying tribute to two of his most de- voted comrades and brothers. " Early in ott Masonic career we were taught that the cradle and the coffin tand in juxtaposition to each other, and that the moment we begin to live that moment we begin to die. Although during the past year the dread messenger has not frequently called for those who were members of our chap- ter and prominent in our councils, yet remembering that he regards neither age. talent, or condition, that he enters the palatial rest lence as well as the humble home, and in every instance takes those whom we love and honor, let us offer a fraternal tribute to the memory of our companions who have laid aside the tools of their opera- tive labors and have gone to their reward. Companion George A. Rathbun joined Le Roy Chapter July 20, 1566, and died September 26. 1896. He was born in Le Roy and when a young man moved with his father's family to Ridgeway, Pa., where he devoted himself to his profession, that of law. He was highly esteemed and was elected to various offices of trust by his friends. His friendships were constant ; his devotion to Masonry was sincere, and his loss a severe one to the fraternity and especially to Le Roy Chapter. Companion Wilham Huyek joined Le Roy Chap- ter February 3, 1965, and on the 3d day of Angust, 1>06. we heard the inevitalde tidings that one more companion had passed to the undiscovered country from whose b mirne no traveler returns. The first feeling is one of sadness, a pang of per- sonal loss: we start unconsciously when gathered in our accustomed places, we look for his familiar face, we wait patiently with the faint hope that he. always pane tual,
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may for this night at least, be detained for a short time. Companions, many times have I entered this hall happy and cheerful, eager for the hearty hand shake and words of welcome which I invariably received, and now see only the vacant seat and miss the familiar face. The sad realization comes, no matter how well we have been prepared, like a sudden shock. Here it is that we have met together for many happy hours; here it is that our lives have been slowly welded together in one beautiful mould as it were ; and bere it is that we must recognize the loss of our departed com- panion, and here it is that the bonds of union should strengthen our love for each other, sanctified by that deeper love for his that is gone. Having known Companion Huyck from boyhood and always on familiar terms, and traveled miles together, always enjoying each other's confidences and secrets, I probably knew him better than any other man : and I can truthfully say that no honester man or more sincere Mason ever crossed the threshold to the door of our chapter. I cannot say and I will not say, that he is dead; he is just away, with a cheery samle and a wave of hand, he has wandered into an unknown land, and left us dreaming how very fair it needs must be singe he lingers there. Now, companions, as I retire from this high and honorable office to again to take my place in the tank and file of the craft, I feel it my duty to express to you an abiding sense of profonnd gratitude for the honor that you conferred upon me and the many courtesies and your hearty co- operation. Yon as of cer- and companions have in keeping the morality and char- aeter of your chapter. You should see to it that none but good men and true are permitted to pass the outer courts of the sanctuary, and when they having conceived a high and exalted opinion of our ancient and time honored fraternity are permitted to pass through our forms and ceremonies, you are hereby charged not to permit the ceremonies or any part thereof to be marred with levity or anything that would cause offense to the most fastidious; but on the contrary, to exemplify your work in the most solemn and impressive manner and prove to the candidate that the object of Masonry is to elevate man, not to degrade him, but make him think better of hit !- self, his neighbor, his family and his God. Then will he have a higher and more exalted opinion of Masonry, be an esteemed friend and worthy companion. With the exception of the church, there is probably no institution on earth that so surely and constantly accompanies the progress of industry and civilization as that of Ma- sonry ; wherever its seats are establishedI there is the greater assurance of just and equitable government, bosiness honor and personal integrity, and of domestic virtue and general happiness. With what honest pude and sincere satisfaction most these observations fill the Beasts of all true and zealous craftsmen; for wherever it is established social enjoyment and commercial safety can be regarded as secure in the largest sense that is possible to human nature. Let us always, therefore, by moral deportment, manly digaity and prudent zeal, earnestly devote our best energies to its maintenance and avancement, then will we be better fitted for that house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens. Let us as we start for out homes go out of this chapter fully determined to redouble our assiduity in the cause of capitular Masonry, taking with us the pick of renewed zeal, the crow of a uniform work and the spade of united erost, then will we be fully prepared to remove the rubbish lying about our chapter and then our brethren of the symbolic degrees, seeing our in- creasing activity, will listen to become Royal Arch Masons and ass st in the great and glorious work of rebuilding our mystic temple without the hope of fee or reward.
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