USA > New York > Schuyler County > Portrait and biographical record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 15
USA > New York > Seneca County > Portrait and biographical record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the counties, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 15
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County. Our subject attended the district schools of Yates and Steuben Counties, remaining with his parents until he was sixteen years of age. He then went to Pen Van, where he learned the cabinet-inaker's trade under E. G. Hopkins, a prominent business man of that place.
On completing his trade, Mr. Genung came to Waterloo, and for some time worked at his trade, being in the employ of various parties. In1 1857, having saved a sufficient amount to permit him to embark in business for himself, he opened an undertaking and furniture establishment, and from that time until 1867 he had as partner Stephen Stillwell, the firm title being Stillwell & Genung. From 1869 to 1871 the firmn name was Genung & Lofler, and from the latter year uutil IS74 the title was Genung & Nugent. Between the years 1857 and 1887 he officiated as funeral director at the burial of four thousand persons, and from September I of the latter year until January, 1895, he prepared one thousand persons for burial. In 1887 he admitted his son, Charles A., into partnership, the firm name becoming Seth J. Genung & Son. He is one of the oldest business men of this part of the state, and there is doubtless no undertaker in this section of the country who has liad a longer or more varied ex- perience than he.
In 1847 Miss Sarah A. Williams became the wife of Mr. Genung, and thirty years later, in 1877, she passed away, leaving four children. They are Eleanor A., wife of Edward Nugent; Carrie A., who married Charles V. Webster, a hardware merchant of Waterloo; Charles A., who is his father's partner in business; and Mary F., wife of William F. Pelton, a resident of Brooklyn. In September, 1880, Mr. Genung was a second time married, his wife being Mrs. Anna M. Smith, of this city. His son, Charles A., was united in marriage, in September, 1884, withi Miss Alice Smith, and they have two children: Nannie Curtiss, born December 10, 1887; and Seth Nu- gent, August 25, 1892.
In1 IS52 Mr. Genung was made a Mason, be- coming a member of Seneca Lodge No. 113, F. & A. M. In 1864 he united with Salemtown Chapter, R. A. M., at Seneca Falls, and in 1869
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
he joined Commandery No. 29, K. T. Politically, while not active in public matters, he gives his adherence to the principles of the Democratic party, and is well informed concerning those is- sues which will affect the prosperity of the coun- try. His life has been a very busy one, and though now past the prime of life, he still main- tains a keen and sagacious interest in business matters, and retains in a large measure the activ- ity of earlier years.
HARLES S. SANDERSON is the leading undertaker and funeral director of Seneca Falls. He is a native of the village, born September 23, 1856, and is a son of James and Charlotte (McGraw) Sanderson, both of whom are yet living. The former, who was born in New York in 1821, was eight years old when he came with his father to Seneca Falls, where he has since continued to reside. The mother is a native of McGrawville, Cortland County. The grandfather of our subject, also named James Sanderson, died at Seneca Falls many years ago.
Our subject grew to manhood in his native village and attended the public schools until six- teen years of age, when he went to White Water, Wis., and there attended the state normal school. After remaining in White Water as a student and teacher for six years, he returned to Seneca Falls, where, after teaching in the public schools for three years, he went to Denver, Colo., where he spent one year, in the mean time looking over the country with a view to settlement. Returning to New York, however, he was superintendent of a school at Cortland for two years, after which he again returned to Seneca Falls, and in 1885, in partnership with his brother, William H. San- derson, under the firm name of Sanderson Broth- ers, he engaged in the furniture and undertaking
business. This firm continued until ISgo, when, in the great fire that destroyed so many business houses in Seneca Falls, they were burned out, losing heavily. After the fire William H. took charge of the furniture business and our subject the undertaking department. He now has four hearses and is well prepared to carry on the busi- ness in all its branches.
In IS83 Mr. Sanderson was united in marriage with Miss Isabel Bowen, of Seneca Falls, and a daughter of Augustus Bowen. Two sons have been born to them. Fraternally Mr. Sanderson is identified with Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F. & A. M. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been the leader of the choir of the church for the past ten years. In educational matters he has always been interested, and for some years has served as a member of the Board of Education of the village. He is also a Trustee of the village, Chairman of the fire de- partment, and is President of the Cayuga & Seneca County Mercantile Association. In what- ever position he has been called upon to fill he has discharged his duties with faithfulness and ability. Politically he is a Republican.
EORGE M. COMPSON is the efficient Sec- retary and Treasurer of the Seneca Falls Bank, which position he has held since I891. He is a native of Seneca County, and was born in the town of Tyre in 1849. His grandfather, Edward Compson, was among the earliest settlers of Seneca Falls, where he was engaged in farm- ing. His death occurred many years ago.
Stephen Compson, the father of our subject, was born in 1819, in Seneca Falls, to which place the family moved. He grew to manhood in his native county, and married Hannah Munson, a native of New Jersey, and daughter of Stephen Munson, also a native of that state. When but a child her
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parents removed to Seneca County and located in the town of Tyre, where her father established a hat manufactory and a mill, besides being identified with other lines of work. Stephen Compson was a man of considerable note, and served one terin as Sheriff of the county, and also as Supervisor of the town of Tyre. He died on his farm in the latter town, July 16, 1895. Of the children of the parental family, three grew to maturity: Emma, who is now deceased; Angus F., who is engaged in merchandising in New York City; and our subject.
George M. Compson spent the first seven years of his life on the farin, but when his father was elected Sheriff of the county the family removed to Waterloo, where they remained some years. At that place young George received his educa- tion in the public schools, and on completing the course was employed in the freight department of the Oswego & Syracuse Railroad. After remain- ing in the employ of that company several years, he worked for the New York Central Railroad for eight years at Shortsville, discharging the
duties of his position in a faithful and efficient manner. He then accepted the position of book- keeper for Westcott Brothers, manufacturers at Seneca Falls. In 1891 he was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the Seneca Falls Savings Bank, which position he holds at the present time. This bank is one of the leading institutions of Seneca County and does a strictly savings-bank business.
In 1872 Mr. Compson married Miss Sarah Lay, of the town of Tyre, and to them have been born one son and one daughter. The family re- side in a beautiful home in Seneca Falls, and are among its most highly respected citizens. While Mr. Compson gives the greater part of his time to the management of the savings bank, he is also connected with other industries of the place, and has a heart for its best interests, willing at all times to give of his time and means to the building up of the place. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Episcopal Church. In all religious and benevo- lent work he and his wife are sincerely interested.
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REV. P. E. SMITH.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
183
REV. PULASKI E. SMITH.
EV. PULASKI E. SMITH, one of the old and esteemed citizens of Seneca County, was born in the town of Tyre, near his present place of residence, August 8, 1829. He is the son of Jason and Sarah (Wells) Smith, the former of whom was born in Bristol, Addison County, Vt., October 7, 1795. He lived a long and useful life, passing away August 21, 1883. Mrs. Sarah Smith was a native of New Hamp- shire, whence she came to this state with her parents, as did also her husband. The Wells family lived in Seneca County for a time, 'after which they moved to the western part of the state, where Jason and Saralı were married.
The parents of our subject inade their home on the farm which the grandfather, Asa Smith, had purchased from Caleb Woodworth in 1802. The grandparents reared their sons to farm life, and Jason always followed agriculture. The latter was at one time a strong Democrat, voting for James K. Polk in 1844, but that year lie changed his political views, and until 1856 was a Free- Soiler. In the latter year he was sent as a dele- gate to the convention which met at Syracuse, where the Whigs and Free-Soilers united to form the Republican party. He was prominently be- fore the public in various official positions, and from the time he was twenty-one years old until his death frequently held the position of Justice of the Peace. He was also Supervisor for many years, and in the county he was Justice of Sessions.
To him was given the honor of naming the town of Tyre. He was a thorough Christian gentle- man, and front the age of thirty years was con- nected with the Baptist Church, in which he was Trustee for many years. During the War of 1812 he served as a volunteer for six months, enlisting in IS14. He fought in the battle of Ft. Erie, Lundy's Lane, Chippewa and other well known engagements, and after peace was estab- lished obtained a soldier's land-warrant, locating in Michigan until he could dispose of his prop- erty.
The subject of this sketch grew to manliood on ltis father's farm, attending school winters and aiding in the farm work during the summer months. After reaching his fifteenth year he de- termined to qualify himself for a teacher, and, applying himself very closely to his studies, three years later was placed in charge of a school. He taught continuously until twenty-two years old, when he entered the academy at Seneca Falls, at- tending during the summer months for three years, and teaching the rest of the year. He thits prepared himself for college, and in the fail of 1854 entered Rochester University, completing the course and graduating with the Class of '59.
Mr. Smith was then called upon to take charge of the Pulaski Academy in Oswego County, and for three years lield the position of Principal. He had been converted when eighteen years of age and united with the Baptist Church of Magee
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Corners, in this county. While Principal of the Pulaski Academy he was licensed by this church to preach and thus he began his career as a minis- ter of the Gospel. After supplying a church at Sandy Creek, Oswego County, for a year, he was called to accept the pastorate of the church at Magee Corners.
Mr. Smith was married August 2, IS61, while at Pulaski, to Miss Frances A. Gould, who was born at Sterling, Cayuga County, N. Y. She was a finely educated lady and was at that time preceptress of Macedon Academy. He had be- come acquainted with this lady while teaching in the Red Creek Academy, where she was a pupil. Mrs. Smith was the daughter of David and Eve- line (Austin) Gould, the former of whom was a prominent resident of Cayuga County, represent- ing liis district in the Assembly in 1844.
When our subject entered upon his duties as pastor of the church at Magee Corners, he located upon his farm of fifty acres, which he had pur- chased from his father. He was ordained in 1864, and has been pastor of that congregration con- tinuously since. Other congregations have urged him to preach to them, and although they offered a large increase in salary, he always refused to leave, one reason being that he was desirous of rearing his children on a farm. He became in- terested with a brother in the purchase of more land, but on the failure of the latter in business, he was left to pay off the debt, and also to take his brother's share of the property. His posses- sions now aggregate one hundred and seventy acres, all of which is finely improved and forms one of the best farms in the county.
The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Fran- ces, died when three years of age. Mary Alice, who was born in the town of Tyre, September 4, 1869, was graduated from the high school at Seneca Falls in 1887, and the following year com- pleted her studies at Cook Academy in Schuyler County, this state. She then entered Vassar Col- lege, and finished with the Class of '92. After- ward she took a teacher's course at the normal college of Albany, and is now teaching in the · English department in Cook Academy. Edward- Payson Smith, who was born in the town of
Tyre, August 30, 1873, was graduated from the high school at Seneca Falls in 1890, and from Cook Academy the following year. Later he be- came a student in the University of Rochester, and completed his studies in that institution in 1895. While in the latter city he was for a time reporter on the Democrat and Chronicle. He is now Assistant Principal of the High School in Mexico, Oswego County. Both children became identified with the church in their youth. In politics Rev. Mr. Smith is a Republican.
The great-grandfather of our subject, Josliua Smith, died in Sandisfield, Mass., July 10, 1771. His wife, who previous to her marriage was Mary Snow, was descended in a direct line from passen- gers of the "Mayflower." Both of the great- grandparents were of English descent, and came from the Puritan stock of New England. Their son, Asa Smith, served three years in the Revolu- tionary War. At the close of that conflict, and while a single man, he emigrated to Vermont, then known as the New Hampshire Grants. The first purchase of land which he inade was on Grand Isle, on what was called Southboro, in Rut- land County, Vt., and his deed, which bore the date of November 14, 1783, was executed by Samuel Allen, brother of Ethan Allen, of Revolu- tionary fame.
Our subject's grandmother, Margaret Traver, was of German origin, and was born in Albany County, N. Y., September 9, 1765. Her father, Nicholas Traver, was born in Germany. Asa Smith and Margaret Traver were married Febru- ary 13, 1788, in the village of Vergennes, Vt., theirs being the first marriage that was solem- nized in that place. The grandfather worked as a carpenter in the foundry 'of the village, but soon after his marriage sold out his possessions on Grand Isle and purchased twenty acres within three-fourths of a mile of the above village, where he made his home until March, 1791, when he moved to Bristol Hollow, in which vicinity he had purchased a farmi.
. In 1802 Grandfather Smithi sold his farm in the Hollow, and with a yoke of oxen and cart set out alone for the untried wilderness of the western part of New York. After arriving there he
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cleared three acres, sowed it in wheat, built a log house, and then returned to Vermont for his fam- ily. In the spring of 1803 the little band started for their new home in western New York, in what is now the town of Tyre, Seneca County. After a tedious journey of more than a month, and under many difficulties, they reached their destination and thoughit their troubles were over. But in this they were mistaken, for they found themselves in an almost unbroken wilderness, filled with fierce savages and prowling beasts of prey.
Our subject's fatlier, Jason Smith, was married to Sarah Wells, October 21, 1824. Under Jack- son's administration he was appointed Postmaster of Tyre, which position he held for sixteen years. He was again appointed to fill this office under Grant's administration, and was the incumbent of the same for about one term, from January, 1874, to April, 1877, when he resigned. Novem- ber 27, 1829, his first wife died, and July 1, 1834, he was married to Miss Amanda Lemnion, of Varick. In 1869 Jason Smith made a trip to Europe, spending about three months abroad. During his life he spent a great deal of time in writing for his own amusement, mainly personal reminiscences. He also showed quite a poetical tendency, and composed the verses written on the death of Ezekiel Crane, and execution of Indian John, which we give below:
POETRY ON THE DEATH OF
EZEKIEL CRANE, AND EXECUTION OF INDIAN JOHN.
COMPOSED BY JASON SMITH,
And sung by him at a concourse of young persons convened at a house near the spot where the tragic scene was enacted, June, 1818.
PART I.
Sweet poetry, my bosoin fire, My mental and my muse inspire; Wisdom, assist and be iny guide- Direct my thoughts, stand by my side, Now, while I act the poet's part, In melting strains to win the heart. Candor and truth shall grace my verse; What I have seen I will rehearse; Though young and in my tender years -- From others learned, the truth appears.
The town of Junius ( now Tyre ) did appear But recently a forest drear-
A white man's cot but here and there-
Hither the red men did repair. Those fertile fields which now expand,
Were then a tract of forest land; The nimble deer did range them o'er,
And savage footsteps print each shore;
The shaggy bear did oft appear.
The wolf's dire howlings met the ear.
When winter spread her mantle white To crown the hunter's dear delight,
An Indian and a white man came -- George Pladoc was the white man's name-
Combined to hunt, a station took Near to a mill-stream, called Black Brook;
A cabin built upon the shore-
. In quest of game the wilds explore; But inark the sequel, hear me tell The horrid deed which soon befel.
The Indian thus his thoughts expressed:
"A great big bunch came in my breast, And rising, got into my head- Then me would kill all white men dead." His comrade first provoked bis hate, And therefore must expect liis fate. Vindictive wrath his bosoin swells, Rouse all lis hell-for in him hell A sullen savage silence reigns-
A thirst for blood thrills in his veins.
In 1803, we hear-
December 12 the day and year -- His ire like thunder-clap must burst Upon the one who should come first. His comrade, coming to the door
With venison killed the day before, Now put in force his hellish plot,
And through the door haphazard shot; The whistling ball the venison hit, And grazed his coat, near his arm-pit.
Now seized with a dreadful fright,
And all his safety was in flight- The venison from his shoulder threw-
His rifle seized-away he flew; From this dread monster let me fly -- Why should a valiant huntsman die ? And dashing through the icy brook- Nor did he take one backward look- O'er hills and dales and forest ground, Until my father's house he found.
A frightful figure now presents- By fear almost bereft of sense- The color from his visage fled. Alternate flushed with hues of red, And for a while did silent stand, With rifle in his dextrous hand; Reason resunies a settled state-
The story and the facts relate; A station took, and there he staid, Fearing the Indian's ambuscade.
PART II.
Ve curious-minded, now give ear, The substance you shall quickly hear; Two neighbors went to view some land Fearing no harm from savage hand.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The victim to the cabin came- Our friend-Ezekiel Crane by name; The first salute -an awful sound, Our friend received a mortal wound; The fatal lead his vitals pierced- Now, savage, thou hast done thy worst.
The savage firing through the door, In the same way he did before -- Yet more effectual was the shot, Directed closer to the spot. The ball his side did penetrate; Ye man, thou must submit to fate !- A soldier's fortitude sustained, Though streaming blood each artery drained; He stood the shock, and ne'er did fall, And in his shoulder lodged the ball.
Now from the door his steps did bend, And was assisted by his friend, 'Till strength relapsed, and fainting grew -- His friend for help away he flew; Fear braced his nerves and gave him strength To run a half a mile in length, And stemming through the rapid brook, He took the course that Phadoc took; The route, by chance, direct did trace, And soon arrived at the same place.
A bleeding statue, crimsoned o'er, Presents himself now at the door. With faltering voice -- " Fear not, " he said, And soon was laid upon the bed. The alarm being spread, his friends then come, And soon conveyed him to his home. When coming there, he did reply, "Carry nie in here. I must die!" Repeating then these words, he said, "O, lay me down; here's my death-bed."
A surgeon's aid was needful thought- Two surgeons now were quickly brought, Who, by examination, found He had received his mortal wound. The surgeons ply their skill in vain- Cannot alleviate his pain; His time is come, and he must go, Though by a cruel savage foe; Yet not a word by him was spoke, Like envy for the dreadful stroke.
Five days he lived in pain severe- His dissolution now draws near; The glooms of death his-visage spread, And now he mingles with the dead. A widow and five children left, Of husband and father bereft; Ye tender offspring, drop a tear -- Lifeless and cold your father dear, Now brought to an untimely death, By the tawny son of the wilderness.
The funeral rites and duties pay, The body to the grave convey, To waste and moulder in the dust, From which we all were formed at first. Relentless death, who ruins all; The fruits of sin, of Adam's fall,
The spirit at this day doth reign Which once prevailed with ancient Cain; And arms one man against another, Like wicked Cain, who slew his brother.
PART III.
One channel I have traced through- Back to the point my course renew; You soon shall hear the murd'rer's fate, The facts attending now relate: The tidings, aggravated, spread, -- Each timid heart is filled with dread. The women shrink, the children cry- Some of them hide, while others fly; With fear each heart doth palpitate- Fear fills eaclı breast, for fear is great.
The hardy peasantry do throng Quick to avenge their neiglibor's wrong; Like true Columbians ready press To bear down vice and seek redress. At Phadoc's place of late retreat They rendezvous, and thronging meet; Each art is tried, and plans are laid, The hostile camp for to invade; Conducted well and auspicious An enterprise so hazardous.
Ye of the Senecas, all hail! Suppress the vice which doth prevail; In friendship true and love sincere, The white men and their laws revere. Three Indians, friendly to our cause, In vindication of our laws- Though closely bound by nature's ties To this vile wretch, it don't suffice: Kindly they do assistance lend, And style themselves the white man's friend.
Beneath the gloomn of twilight shade, An onset now with speed is made; The assassin in his cell surround, Which late had spread such terror round. Now at his door the whites defy- "More shoot, more shoot," is all his cry- The war-whoop raise, the war-song sing, Which made those echoing valleys ring; The assailants brave, though to their heart The life-blood thrills with sudden start.
His tawny brethren loudly sung. In Indian style and Indian tongue, That he might think no white men near, And thus divert him of his fear. Up to the cabin door they walked, And to the assassin friendly talked: "A league with you we make," say they- "All white men we will quickly slay." Deceive him thus, and thus beguile, 'Til quite deluded by their wile,
By chance or fraud secure his arms- Then to the white men gave the alarmı; Just at the word they all rushed in- A furious fray doth now begin- Most furious grew, when brought to see He was betrayed by treachery.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Just like a demon incarnate, Destruction, death and sudden fate; They seize and bare him to the ground, And fast with thongs his hands are bound.
Now well secured, the Indian said: "You ugly man, you must be dead. You much bad Indian, we do hear You ran away when you came here. Much long ago you kill your squaw -- Your hand be like a panther's paw; Nay, badder still are you than they --- They only catch and kill their prey; But you kill Indian-white men, too- We glad the white mien have got you."
A prisoner bound, he's borne away: Stubborn, he swears to disobey: Nefarious hate doth fill his breast, As of the Ionian god possessed. All entering in at the same door, The scared, the hurt, the murderer- His countenance, so gruff and wild, Strikes terror to the timid child. His eyes flash fury, enmity, When he his fellow-huntsmen see.
These forest hunters frowning mect, The white starts back, the savage greet; The affrighted Phiadoc stood aghast, And in this way some moments passed; Until, at length, his silence broke- Thus from his quivering lips lie spoke:
"Was your base envy aimed," said he,
"And was your malice bent on nie?"
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