USA > New York > Erie County > Our county and its people : a descriptive work on Erie County, New York, Volume II > Part 38
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Wilber, Albert, Collins, was born in Collins, February 28, 1832, and was a son of
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John Wilber. He was educated in the common schools, since which time he has been engaged in farming. In 1853 he married Ruth, daughter of David Bartlett, and they have one son, Milton B., burying their eldest son, Willis, in the prime of man- hood.
Reynolds, Herbert A., Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in the last named place, December 20, 1852. Hisfather, Newman, was a son of Abraham Reynolds, who was a pioneer of Erie county. Norman Reynolds married Semantha, daughter of Ely Page. Herbert A. Reynolds was educated in the common schools of Collins and Spring- ville, Forestville and Bath Academies. He read law with Frank B. Johnson and C. C. Torrance and was admitted to the bar in 1883. He was elected justice of the peace for twelve years, was appointed postmaster under the late Harrison administration and held the office for about five years. January 1, 1895, he was appointed a clerk in the office of the clerk of Erie county, and in January, 1896, was promoted to the position of special deputy clerk of the Supreme Court, which place he now holds. He is now serving his fifteenth consecutive year as a member of the Board of Edu- cation of Collins Center Union Free School. In 1878 he married Grace E., daughter of Stephen W. Hudson, and they have three children, Lottie L., Elizabeth and Dor- othy, and reside in Collins. Center, N. Y.
Atwood, Harley L., Collins, p o. Collins Center, was born in Danby, Vt., June 25, 1847. His father, Harley, was a native of Scituate, R. I., and was engaged as ship- ping master in Providence, R. I., which business he followed through life and died in 1858. His mother was Amelia Chace, daughter of Ephram Chace, who was en- gaged in the African coast trade from Providence, R. I. After the father's death the family came to Collins in 1859, and H. L. Atwood was educated at the Spring- ville Academy and was graduated from the medical department of the University of Buffalo in 1872. He practiced two years in the Erie County Penitentiary and one year was post mortem examiner in Buffalo. In 1878 he came to Collins Center and established his present practice. In 1881 he married Gertrude, daughter of Alexan- der W. Popple, of Dunkirk, N. Y. Dr. Atwood is a member of the Board of Pension Examiners, a member of the New York State Association, Erie County Medical So- ciety and Lake Erie Medical Society.
Conger, Mary A., Collins, p. o. Collins Center .- Eli Heath was the youngest son of Sargeant Heath, and was born in Livingston county, N. Y., April 24, 1805. During his minority he obtained a good common school education, and September 24, 1829, he married Vicena, daughter of Hosea Sheffield. He removed to Erie county in January, 1831, and purchased a farm, then a wilderness, one and a half miles north of Collins Center. His summers were spent clearing and cultivating his farm, and during the winter season he taught school, and they endured all the privation and hardship incident to pioneer life. For a number of years he was superintendent of common schools for the town of Collins. He was a man of intelligence and upright- ness of character. In early life he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, and every effort to advance its interests found in him an active and efficient helper. He died September 3, 1847, missed and mourned by his family, the church and the com- munity in which he lived. His widow died November 21, 1893, at the age of eighty- six years and nine months. Mr. Heath left four children, viz .: Hosea S., born in
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York, Livingston county, N. Y., December 3, 1830; he married Paulina S. Wheeler, February 23, 1859; he practiced law in Hamburg a number of years and died July 5, 1894. Cyrene, born May 15, 1835, married Amos Roberts, January 1, 1851, and re- sides in Waterford, Pa. Mary A., born October 23, 1838, married Noah, son of Almond D. Conger, May 8, 1864; they had three children, one of which survives, Almon N. Conger of Hamburg, N. Y. Noah Conger died April 27, 1873, at the age of thirty-two. William H., youngest child of Eli Heath, was born June 7, 1841, and married Sophia Byron, November 21, 1866. He resides at North Evans, N. Y.
Flansburg, Fay, Collins. p. o. Collins Center, was born in Saratoga county, Feb- ruary, 1851. His father, Aaron Flansburg, was a native of the same county and his grandfather, John Flansburg, came from Holland about 1770 and was among the pioneer settlers of Saratoga county. Aaron Flansburg married Sallie Vanavery, and was a farmer in Saratoga county all of his life. Fay Flansburg was educated in the common schools and in 1876 came to Erie county, settling in Marshfield, where he engaged in cheese making. In 1881 he came to Collins Center and engaged in the same business, having twenty-two factories under his supervision. In 1875 he mar- ried Ettie, daughter of John Potter.
Johnson, John H., Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in Collins, May 29, 1835. His father, John T. Johnson, was a native of New Jersey, and came to the town of Collins in 1818. He married Candace, daughter of George Graham, and died in 1872 in his seventy-fifth year. John H. Johnson was educated in the common schools and has always followed farming. In 1858 he married Helen, daughter of Israel White and they have two sons, Daniel H. and Frank. Mr. Johnson has served as assessor twelve years and supervisor four years.
Wilber, M. E., Collins, was born in that town, where his parents. John and Chris- tian Wilber, were among the first settlers. He was educated at Gowanda Academy and Lawrence University. After receiving his schooling he gave his attention to farming, and for some twenty years has been engaged in handling agricultural im- plements and shipping farm produce. In 1867 he married Mary E., daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Barry, and they have three children, Frank, Henry and Pauline C.
Tanner, Isaac W., Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in the town of Collins, February 24, 1818. His father, Warren Tanner, was born May 4, 1786, in northern Vermont, and grandfather, Joseph Tanner, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Warren Tanner came to the town of Collins in 1810 and bought of the Holland Land Company the farm where his son now lives. He married Hannah, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth .Wilber, and served as highway commissioner, assessor and justice of the peace. He died October 30, 1864, in his seventy-ninth year. Isaac W. Tanner was educated in the common schools and in 1839 married Betsey A., daughter of John D. and Susan Beverley, and they had three children, Warren, Eveline and Hannah.
Setter, Anton J., Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in the town of Eden, March 26, 1847. His father, Anton Setter, was a native of New Germany and came to America in 1832, settling in the town of Eden, where he was identified as one of the first millwrights in Erie county. He married Susan, daughter of John Winters,
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who came from Germany in the same vessel and to Erie county in the same year. Anton Setter died in 1888 in Eden. Anton J. Setter, was educated in the town of Eden and for seventeen years was engaged in lumbering and millwright work. In 1882 he went to Buffalo and built the Buffalo box factory, returning to Collins Center in 1884, where he engaged in extensive lumbering business. In 1889 he es- tablished the printer's engraving block business, there being no other manufacturer in America who makes a specialty of the class of work. In 1867 he married Angeline, daughter of Edwin Averill, and they have three children, Joseph A., Alonzo G. and Bertha M. Mr. Setter is one of the leading men of the town, in 1895 building the present water works system and taking an active interest in educational and religious institutions.
Sisson, Mrs. S. A., Collins .- Stephen A. Sisson was born in Collins, March 17, 1822, and educated in the public schools. In 1862 he married Irene, daughter of Gideon and Lydia Wilson, who were among the pioneers of Mansfield. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson had two children, Laura and Herbert. Mr. Sisson died in 1875, mourned by all who knew him.
Matthews, James, Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in Orleans county, Ver- mont, February 3, 1823. His father, Francis Matthews, first moved to Clinton and Essex counties, and in 1833 came to Collins Center, where he was a shoemaker and farmer. He married Roxena Aldrich and died in 1878. James Matthews was ed- ucated in the common schools, and in 1861 enlisted in Co. D, 10th N. Y. Cavalry, taking part in the battles of the Potomac, and was honorably discharged November 22, 1864, with the rank of first lieutenant. He returned to Collins Center, where he now resides as a farmer. In 1846 he married Lydia M. Cook, who died in 1847, and he married again, Nancy J. Cook, both daughters of Sylvanus Cook, and they have two children, Mrs. Augusta Russell and Mrs. William Arnold. Mr. Matthews served as supervisor of North Collins in 1876 and highway commissioner for three years.
Kerr, Mrs. H., Collins .- Henry Kerr was born in Collins, July 26, 1837. His father, Thomas J. Kerr, was one of the influential men of Collins, and had a great deal of influence in bringing the Erie Railroad to his town. Henry Kerr was educated in the common schools, and was one of the prominent farmers and a breeder of high blooded horses. In 1861 he married Sarah, daughter of Edward Vail, of Collins Cen- ter, and they had six children, Harold, Thomas J., Lucy, Clara, Dora and Ada. Mr. Kerr died March 28, 1887, aud although his life had been a quiet and uneventful one, his demise was deeply mourned, not only by his own family, but by the whole com- munity where he was known.
Bartlett, Harris W., Collins, p. o. Gowanda, was born in Collins, March 26, 1851, his father, Pliny Bartlett, being one of the early settlers of Collins. Mr. Bartlett was educated in the common schools, and after finishing his schooling he learned the carpenter's trade. He is now engaged in the railroad business, having been en- gineer for twenty years. In 1873 he married Flora E., daughter of Marvin Farns- worth, and they have five children, Pliny, Albert, Morell, Grace and Lucy.
Conger, Moses L., Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in Collins, February 12, 1826. His father, Noel Conger, was a native of Danby, Vt., and came to Collins in 1819, where he was a farmer all through life. He married Betsey, daughter of Job
ee
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Sherman. He died in 1885, in his eighty-fourth year. Moses L. Conger was edu- cated in the common schools and on January 29, 1851, married Martha W., daughter of Peleg and Elizabeth Wood, and they have one son, Lawton M. Conger. Mrs. Conger died January 15, 1890, in the sixtieth year of her age. Mr. Conger has always been a farmer and has for several years been engaged in breeding thoroughbred Ayrshire and Jersey cattle. His home, " Maple Shade Stock Farm," is near the vil- lage of Collins Center. Lawton M. Conger, son of Moses L. Conger, was born April 5, 1865. He received a good common school education and on February 25, 1890, married Mertie E., daughter of Seymour King of Yorkshire, N. Y. They have one daughter, Martha Lorena, born December 28, 1890. Mr. Conger is a farmer by occupation, being the superintendent of his father's stock farm. He and his wife are both devout Christians and are members of the Free Methodist church at Collins Center.
Potter, Mrs. W. C., Collins .- William C. Potter was born in Collins in 1828, his father, Martin Potter, being one of the pioneer settlers of the town. Mr. Potter was educated in the common schools, devoting some time to teaching. He read law and was admitted to the bar, and also served in the army with distinction. In 1853 he married Mary E., daughter of John Wilber, and they have two children, Herbert W. and Catherine.
Sisson, Stephen L., Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in Collins, March 4, 1840. His father, George Sisson, was born in Collins and his grandfather, Stephen Sisson, with his brother, Nathaniel J., came to Collins in 1814. George Sisson was born in Collins in 1817, where he was identified as a farmer. He married Huldah, daughter of Peter Potter. He built the first cheese factory in Erie county. He died May 23, 1896. Stephen L. Sisson was educated in Collins and has always been a farmer. In 1863 he married Anna H., daughter of David J. Haviland, a native of Warren county, N. Y. They have two children, Mrs. Josephine L. Davis and Mrs. Elida Johnson.
Bartlett, Seth F., Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in Collins, January 4, 1822. His father, Smith Bartlett, came from Danby, Vt., in 1812. He married Sarah Allen, a daughter of Zoeth and Prussia Allen. He was a Quaker and belonged to that church. He died in his seventieth year. Seth F. Bartlett was educated in the common schools and through life has been a farmer. In 1855 he married Margaretta O'Brien, who lived only a few months, and for his second wife he married Aurilla, daughter of John B. Peasley, and they have two daughters, Mrs. Julia Pierce and Mrs. Alice Heim, burying their only son, Alton Bartlet, at seven years of age.
Cook, Norman, Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in Collins, July 18, 1829. His father, Peter Cook, of Danby, Vt., was one of the pioneer settlers of Collins. He married Lydia White, daughter of Hosea White, of Mt. Holly, Vt., and through life was a farmer. Norman Cook was educated in the common schools of Collins. He was twice married; first to Alzora Ashman of the town of Concord, Erie county, N. Y., and in 1857 he married Cynthia, daughter of Allen Bartlett, a son of Smith Bartlett, who settled in Collins in 1811 and died in 1859. Norman Cook died in Cali- fornia in 1889.
Wilber, James W., Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in Collins, February 20,
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1835. His father, John Wilber, was the son of Stephen Wilber, who settled in Collins in 1810 on the Holland Purchase and was one of the first settlers in the town. John Wilber married Christianna, daughter of John Strang, and followed in the footsteps of his father, being one of the prominent farmers of his time. He died in 1888. James Wilber was educated in Collins and Gowanda, after which he gave his attention to farming. In 1857, he married Lydia, daughter of Ephram Chace, and they have four children: John C., Ward J., Mrs. Jennie Kammerer and Gretchen. Mrs. Wilber died October 6, 1896.
Johnson, Mrs. W. A., Collins .- Hon. W. A. Johnson was born in Collins, May 26, 1834, and educated in the common schools. He was twice elected supervisor, in 1876 and 1878, and was twice elected to the Assembly, in 1875 and 1879. He was one of the largest cheese manufacturers in Erie county, being at the time of his death sole and part owner of fifty-nine factories. In 1880 he erected the cheese store house at Collins Station, which is the largest building of the kind in Erie county. In 1862 he married Lucinda, daughter of Rev. John Potter, and they had five children : John A., Curtis A., Elton E., Grace E. and Edith A., of whom Elton E. and Grace are now living. Mr. Johnson died July 19, 1881, and his widow continued in operation twenty-five cheese factories.
Kamerer, John, Collins, p. o. Gowanda, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1832. In 1853 he came to America, settling in Buffalo, N. Y., where he learned the tin- smith trade. In 1861 he moved to Langford, N. Y., and engaged in the tin and stove trade until 1868, when he came to Gowanda where he established his present business, and is to-day carrying on the largest hardware, stove and plumbing busi- ness in the county. In 1857 he married Rachel Federspiel of Hamburg, N. Y., and they have three children, Frank W., Mary and Matilda.
Popple, William T., Collins, was born in Ontario, Orleans county, January 4, 1822. His father, William Popple, was one of the prominent farmers of Ontario. He mar- ried Chloe, daughter of Hezekiah Mason, and in 1829 they moved to the town of Collins, where he died in his sixty-ninth year. William T. Popple was educated in the common schools, and when young learned the tanner and currier's trade. Later he engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed for some years, when he moved on to a farm where he has carried on general farming. In 1846 he married Emily, daughter of John Wilber, and they have two children, Wallace L. and Charles L.
White, Charles C., Collins, p. o. Collins Center, was born in Collins, October 5, 1864. His father, Stephen Thorn White, was also a native of the same town and married Lucy B., daughter of John Randall. Charles C. White was educated at Gowanda, Lima and Buffalo, after which he spent twelve years in Buffalo. In 1893 he came to Collins Center, farming and dairying. In 1896 he built his present creamery, having a capacity of 1,000 pounds of creamery high grade butter per day, and is employing the latest and most scientific machinery and methods in producing butter.
Avery, William B., was born in North Collins, where he lives, July 14, 1831. His father, Park Avery, was a native of Cayuga county and came to Erie county in 1828, settling in the town of Clarence. In 1829 he came to North Coliins and married
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Mary Fairchild. He died in 1868. William B. Avery was educated in North Collins, and 1855 married Jeannette, daughter of James R. Kimble, who with his wife, Julia (Bartow) Kimble, were among the pioneer settlers of the town of Brant, settling there in 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Avery have one daughter, Mrs. Clara Ashdown.
Huson, L. J., North Collins, was born in the town of Brant; going into the woods, he erected a log house on the farm which his son still owns. He married for his first wife, Ann Cole and after her death, married Lydia, daughter of Enoch Taylor. He died July 7, 1842. L. J. Huson was educated in the common schools and at Fredonia, and in 1861 he enlisted in Co. D, 10th N. Y. Cavalry, taking part in the principal engagements of the Army of the Potomac. In 1858 he married Miss Lucinda, daughter of Scoville Hibbard, and they have two children, Clayton and Florence.
Sherman, William P., was born in North Collins, where he resides, January 1, 1847. His father, Jonathan Sherman, was a native of New Bedford, Mass., came to North Collins in 1815 and went through the hardships of pioneer life. He married Mercy, daughter of James Pickens; he died in 1855. William P. Sherman was edu- cated in North Collins and through life has been engaged in farming. He spent three years in the oil regions and in 1881 established the mercantile business now con- ducted by him; in 1885 he established a basket factory. In 1866 he married Miss Ann E, daughter of Ichabod Wood, and they have two children, Mrs. Neva B, White of Buffalo and Miss Edna.
Twichell, Charles A., North Collins, was born in the town of Concord, Erie county, November 5, 1854; his father, William Twichell, was also born in the same town in January, 1819. His parents, Samuel and Esther (Seaver) Twichell, came from Athol, Mass .. , and were among the pioneers of Erie county. William Twichell married Mary M. Winship; he died in 1864. Charles A. Twichell was educated at Spring- ville Academy, Hamburg and Platsmouth (Neb.) High School. and was graduated from the Williston Seminary of Northampton, Mass., after which he engaged in the hardware business. In 1882 he was elected president of the Western N. Y. Preserv- ing Company, serving for twelve years. In 1894 he founded and organized the bank of North Collins, the existence of which is due solely to his individual efforts and of which he fills the position of cashier. In 1885 he married Miss Helen M., daughter of Stephen and Sarah Evans, and they have three children, Sarah, Evans and William.
White, Paul Harvey, was born in North Collins, where he resides, October 24, 1822. His father, Lemuel M., was a native of Dartmouth and came to Erie county in 1813. He married Mary, daughter of Paul Kirbey. He died in 1879 in his eighty-fifth year. Paul H. White was educated in the common schools and in 1844 engaged in mercan- tile business at Collins Center; from there he went to Shirley and and engaged in the same business, and since 1855 has been engaged in farming. In 1848 he married Rhoda Dart, who died in 1850, when he married Naomi, daughter of Richard Rogers, and they have three children, Clarence D., Mertan L. and Mrs. Nellie E. Lawton. Mr. White has served as town clerk and takes an active interest in all church and school matters.
Sherman, Elihu R., North Collins, was born in the town of North Collins, Sep- tember 17, 1865. His father, Reuben C. Sherman, was born in Collins, but lived in
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North Collins practically all his life. Reuben C. Sherman married Phoebe J., daugh- ter of Elijah B. Tucker, March 15, 1854, and they had six children: Lucie A., May, Allie D., Elihu R., all of North Collins; Leroy B., M. D., of New York city; and Arthur, who died in 1877. Mr. Sherman died November 20, 1891. Elihu R. Sher- man was educated at Hamburg Academy and was graduated from Hamilton College in 1887. He then entered the law office of Farrington & Laing of Buffalo, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1890. He began practice in Buffalo in 1891, and has continued in practice there since. He has always resided at North Collins and has a branch office there.
Welch, Frank M., North Collins, was born in the town of Eden, May 27, 1853; his father, Ezra, was also a native of the same town, and his parents, John Welch and wife, were among the pioneers of the town of Eden and were the original owners of the land on which the town of Eden now stands. Ezra Welch married Harriet, daughter of Lyman Oaks, and for fifty years was a well known school teacher in his town and vicinity. Frank M. Welch was educated at Eden and Buffalo, after which he learned the grocery business; in 1882 he began shipping produce, which he has continued up to the present time, and is one of the largest shippers in Erie county. In 1874 he married Ida daughter of William Ainsdee, and they have two children, Fannie and May. Mr. Welch was appointed postmaster in 1893 and served as jus- tice of the peace three years.
Hibbard, Enos S., North Collins, was born in that town, April 24, 1841, His father, Thomas S. Hibbard, was born in Erie county and his grandfather, Harvey Hibbard, was among the pioneers of the town of Concord. Thomas S. Hibbard married Clarinda B., daughter of Enos Southwick, and was by trade a tailor; after- wards he engaged in mercantile business; he died in 1882. Enos S. Hibbard was educated in the common schools and in 1861 enlisted in Co. D, 10th N. Y. Cavalry, and during four years' service took part in all the engagements of the Army of the Potomac, receiving an honorable discharge in July, 1865, with rank of commissary- sergeant. For some years he gave his attention to farming, and in 1868 married Harriet J., daughter of Isaac Hall; they are the parents of four sons, Hoyt R., Howard G., Fred and Edgar, and two daughters, Irene and Clarinda. Enos S. Hibbard is one of the representative men of his town, serving as justice of the peace six years.
Avery, Hyslop L., North Collins, was born there December 30, 1835. His father, Latham Avery, came with his parents, Ebenezer and Deborah, to North Collins in 1826, where they were among the pioneer settlers. Latham Avery married Anna Ophelia Fowler, from Auburn, N. Y. He died in 1846 in his forty-seventh year. Hyslop L. Avery, his son, was educated in the common schools, after which he gave his attention to farming. In 1858 he married Nancy White, who died in 1863, leav- ing one son, Oland J. For his second wife he married Oshe White, who died in 1883, leaving three sons and four daughters: Mrs. Orrie P. Richmond, Mrs Annie J. Wilson, Mrs. Nora Sperman, Millard F., Alice L., Clarence E. and Charley D. He then married Amelia S. Richmond, daughter of Lysander L. Bardwell of Brant, N. Y. Charlie D. died in 1890.
Sherman, David, North Collins, was born in that town, January 24, 1841. His
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father, John Sherman, came from Broadalbin and was a native of Tiverton, R. I. John Sherman married Sallie Landon, and two children survive them, David and Susanah, now Mrs. Blasdell. Through life he was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness. He came to North Collins in 1829, and for his second wife, married Miss Sarah H. Cowles, who died in 1884; he died July 24, 1887. David Sherman was educated in North Collins and Oberlin, Ohio, after which he clerked in his father's store. In 1866,he went to Missouri and engaged in farming, remaining until 1872, when he re- turned to North Collins and engaged in the mercantile business, continuing up to 1889. In 1863 he married Miss Eva E., daughter of Elihue S. Smith, and they have one daughter, Lizzie. Elihue S. Smith, one of the oldest residents of North Collins, was born in Massachusetts in 1802. When thirteen years of age his parents emi- grated to Cayuga county; after several years he came to Erie county, where he made his home, and died at the age of eighty-seven years, September 15, 1889.
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