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 17
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 17
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the marriage, on the 28th of December, 1641, of "Dirck Janszen j. m1. Van Amsterd, en Jannetze Theunis j. d. als Voren." The bachelor and spinster were both from Amsterdam. According to the Dutch custom, the first son was named Jan after liis paternal grandfather, and the sec- ond, who was baptized September 24, 1656, re- ceived the name of his maternal grandfather, Teunis (or Theunis).
In the same records is found the marriage of this "Teunis Deij j. m. (or Dey ) Van N. Yorck en Anneken Schouten j. d. als Voren Vcijde wonende alhier." This Teunis owned a farm of five and one-half acres, three hundred and nine feet front on Broadway, and eight hundred feet deep to the Hudson River, the same being now crossed by Dey Street. Teunis had a son Dirck, who was baptized March 27, 1687. October 9, 1717, lie bought six hundred acres of land for {120 from the heirs of Thomas Hart, one of the orig- inal twelve proprietors of East Jersey, the land being situated in the county of Bergen, province of East New Jersey. In 1730 he purchased from Peter Sonmans a tract of two hundred acres in the same neighborhood, for which he paid £50.
Dirck Dey is mentioned in the records as a "yeoman." He left a son Teunis (or Theunis), who was the great-grandfather of our subject, and who erected the dwelling at Preakness in which Washington made his headquarters dur- ing the first three weeks of July, 1780. He was Colonel of a Bergen County regiment of militia in the early part of 1776, and served under Wash- ington. Tradition says that when the illustrious General came to Bergen County, the room in the stone house in which he made his headquarters was papered at his expense, and the paper was never removed until about 1869.
Derrick (or Richard), a son of Teunis Dey, was a Captain in the regiment to which his fa- ther belonged, and served under General Wash- ington. Teunis was a member of the New Jer- sey Assembly in 1776, and in 1779-80-81 repre- sented Bergen County in Council, returning to the Assembly in 1783. In 1780 the wives of_ Teunis and Richard Dcy were appointed on a committee of Bergen County ladies to raise funds
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for the relief of American troops. Soon after the close of the Revolution Richard Dey became Sher- iff of Bergen County. He also served as County Collector, and was made a General in the militia. In 1801 he sold his homestead, with three hundred and fifty-five acres of land, for 63,000. He was born at Preakness, N. J., followed the occupa- tion of a farmer, and lived in the stone house built by his father.
A son of Richard, named Anthony Dey, who was a lawyer by profession, was one of the found- ers of Jersey City, and for many years was one of the most prominent men of the place. Others of the family moved to Onondaga County, N. Y., and the name of Dey has entirely disappeared from Preakness, and the land has passed into other hands. Another son of Richard was Pier- son Dey, the father of our subject. Pierson was born near Paterson, N. J., in 1780, and was twice married, his first wife dying in early life, at the birth of her only child. At that time Mr. Dey, who was a seafaring man, was absent on a voyage to China and other ports, which consumed so much time that the child was eighteen months old when he returned. His second marriage took place in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1806, and the cler- gyman who officiated was "Dominie" Law. This second wife, Sarah Conover, who was born on Long Island, was the mother of our subject.
After his second marriage Pierson Dey en- gaged in the sawmill business at Paterson, N. J., and five children were born there. In 1812 lie mnoved to Seneca County and located on the farm where our subject now lives. At that time the place was a dense forest, giving little indication of its present cultivated state. The journey to Seneca County was made with a three-horse team in eleven and one-half days, the entire household possessions being brought at the same time. The trip at the present time requires only eight hours.
Arriving at his destination, Pierson Day pur- chased one hundred and fifty acres on the east shore of Lake Seneca. He had never been ac- customed to farm life, and found it extremely dif- ficult to clear the land and place it in a condition for cultivation. During the first year liis home was in a log house on the bank of the lake. As
time passed by, he became more prosperous, and finally acquired a large amount of valuable prop- erty, including another farm which bordered on the lake. Especially interested in fine horses, he introduced the breeding of the "Messenger" stock in Seneca County, going to Long Island for the start. In early life a Whig, he became a Repub- lican on the organization of the party, and was a strong anti-slavery man. Never an aspirant for office, he preferred the quiet discharge of his du- ties as a citizen to the active and unpleasant tur- moil incident to politics. In his fraternal rela- tions he was a Mason. After a long and honor-" able life he passed away in December, 1863, and his body was interred in the family burying- ground near the old homestead. His wife, who died in 1867, was buried by his side.
In the family of Pierson Dey there were eight children, three of whom were born after coming to Seneca County. Our subject, who was the youngest of the family, was born February 19, 1824, on the homestead where he still resides. In boyhood his time was passed in the usual manner of farmer lads, alternating attendance at school with work on the old homestead. He suc- ceeded, though under some disadvantages, in se- curing a fair education, and is to-day a man of broad information. At the age of twenty-one he began to work for his father on shares, con- tinuing in that way until the death of the latter.
The first marriage of Mr. Dey took place in 1848, his wife being Miss Williampe Conover, of New York City. This lady was born in Mon- mouth, N. J., but at the age of five years was taken to New York City, where she made her home until her marriage. She died in 1881, leav- ing no children. November 11, 1884, Mr. Dey was united in marriage with Miss Isabelle Youells, who was born in Allegany County, N. Y. When she was five years of age, her parents moved to Van Buren County, Mich., where she lived until 1873, receiving in girlhood a common-school education. She is the daughter of Elijah and Melvina (Smith) Youells, the former of whom died in June, 1892, while the latter is still living in Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Dey are the parents of a son, Henry K., who was born on the home
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farm in the town of Fayette, September S, 1892, and who is now (1895) a bright and intelligent child of three years.
At the death of his father, Mr. Dey, having saved $1,700, bought out the otlier heirs to thie homestead, and here he has continued to reside, devoting his attention to farm work. As a farmer, he is intelligent and progressive, and is always interested in the improvements that will benefit the farmer. In the rotation of crops hie displays intelligence and -good judgment. The appear- ance of his farm, with its neat buildings and fields separated by good fencing, indicates his thrift and orderly spirit.
During his early life Mr. Dey voted the Whig ticket. His first Presidential ballot was cast in 1848, for Taylor. At the organization of the Republican party, he joined its ranks, and in 1856 voted for John C. Fremont for President. Following the sound advice given by his father, he has avoided politics and has refused official positions. The chicanery and trickery which too often have characterized politicians have disgusted him so much that of late years he lias not even gone to the polls. With his wife, he holds men- bership in the Presbyterian Church at West Fay- ette. Heis a man whose life has been successful, - but whose success has been achieved by energy, perseverance and shrewd business qualities. He is known for his careful judgment, his energy and uprightness, and his business transactions have been conducted with such a regard for fair- ness, honesty and integrity that not a stain rests upon his reputation.
MMETT B. RUSSELL. The business in- terests of Watkins have for years had an able representative in the gentleman named, who, having made this place his home since boy- hood, is intimately associated with the develop-
ment of its material interests and has been an important factor in its growth and progress. To him and such as he is largely due the enviable reputation enjoyed by the village as a business and commercial center. His principal industry is the wholesale hiay business, in which, as the senior member of the firm of Russell & Co., he has a large trade, handling hay not only from this, but also from adjoining counties.
Born in Steuben County, N. Y., November 19, 1844, Mr. Russell is of direct English descent. The family had been driven to Holland by re- ligious persecution, and from that country came to America, becoming pioneers of eastern New York. The grandfather, Benjamin Russell, was a prominent resident of Ulster County, and his family was one of the last in his state to hold slaves.
The father of our subject, also named Benja- min, was born in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1810, and for fifty years was an active minister of the Presbyterian Church. He married Harriet Whit- comb, a native of New Hampshire, who in child- hood removed to Allegany County, N. Y. Of their three sons and three daughters who attained years of maturity, Emmett B. was the youngest. His boyhood days were passed in Schuyler Coun- ty and in the state of Michigan, whither he had accompanied his parents when young, there at- tending the seminary at Ypsilanti. On their return to New York he settled with them in Ty- rone. Later he read medicine with Dr. Nichols, of Weston, Schuyler County, and subsequently entered the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he continued his studies for two years. Returning from there to Watkins, he formed a partnership with Martin S. Phinney, under the firm name of Phinney & Russell, and embarked in the drug business, building up a large and profitable trade. At the death of Mr. Phinney, which occurred in 1875, the business was closed out. Mr. Russell then began the handling of hay, which he has since carried on with success.
The marriage of Mr. Russell, which occurred in 1872, united him with Miss Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Robert Lockwood, of Watkins. They,
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with tlicir two children, Elizabeth L. and Esther L., occupy a comfortable residence on Terrace Hill. The political belief of Mr. Russell has caused him to ally himself with the Republican party, the principles of which he always supports. Upon that ticket he has been chosen to occupy a number of positions of trust and responsibility in the community. In ISS9 he was elected a men- ber of the Board of Education, and is still serving in that capacity, having been President of the board for a time. With his wife, he holds mem- bership in the First Presbyterian Church of Wat- kins.
G EORGE W. LARZELERE, who is one of the old-time and honored residents of Sen- eca County, is living on a good estate of forty acres on the old turnpike road east of Sen- eca Falls, across the road from where he was born, January 18, 1836. His parents were Harvey W. and Mahala (Slawson) Larzelere. The former was born near this place, and the mother was a native of Orange County, N. Y. Jacob L. Lar- zelere, the grandfather, was born in Morristown, Morris County, N. J., February 27, 1774. I11 1795 he caine to what is now the town of Seneca Falls, and was one of the first to locate in this community; he came here in the capacity of a surveyor, this being a military tract. In that early day he surveyed an extensive tract of land near the city of Buffalo, when there were but two houses where now stands that thriving city. He assisted in raising the first house in Ithaca, and was in many other ways identified with the de- velopment and early settlement of this part of the state.
After his settlement in the town of Seneca Falls the grandfather of our subject became the owner of a large tract of land. He twice represented his district in the State Legislature, and served as Sheriff and Associate Judge for many years.
December 1, 1844, he departed this life in Sen- eca Falls and his remains were laid to rest on the banks of Cayuga Lake, in Bridgeport, by the side of his two wives. He became the father of six children, five of whom were born of his first marriage, and one of his second.
Harvey W. Larzelere was born February 25, 1806, while the lady who became his wife was born August 1 of the year following. He was endowed by nature with a good memory and an active mind, and during his boyhood days he made the very most of his opportunities for gain- ing an education. By his marriage with Miss Slawson he became the father of five children, of whom George W., of this history, was the eldest but one. Anna Maria married Amasa Smith, and is living at Antigo, Wis .; Jane C. died when twenty-five years of age; Charles H. also makes his home in the above place in Wisconsin; Mary C. is now Mrs. Oliver Burroughs, and resides in Bridgeport. The husband and father was a stanch Democrat in politics, although he at all times refused to hold office. He lived until 1883, passing away October 6 of that year. His wife died March 28, 1867.
The subject of this sketch passed many years of his life on the old homestead. During his boyhood he attended school and assisted in the work on the place until becoming of age, when he left home and went to Washtenaw County, Mich. After remaining there less than a year, however, he returned home and lived with his fa- ther until 1860. That year we again find him in the Wolverine State, this time living in Shiawas- see County, but after about ten months he again returned to New York.
August 27, 1862, our subject enlisted in the service of the Union army and joined Company K, Fiftieth New York Engineers. With his reg- iment he helped to bridge the Rappahannock be- low Fredericksburg, the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, built two bridges at Berlin, seven miles from Harper's Ferry, and also built one over the Rapidan, where General Grant crossed with his army. This work was a very dangerous one, as the men were nearly always under the fire of the enemy, who wished to prevent them from build-
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ing the bridges. Mr. Larzelere served until June 15, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He had no occasion for spending his wages, and although the amount allowed him was very small, vet he saved about $650, $450 of which he sent home to his parents.
George W. was very kind to his father and mother and cared for them until their decease. Then he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the place and is now the sole owner of the home farm. He was married, February 25, 1868, to Miss Nancy W. Duesler, whose birth occurred in the town of Potter, Yates County, N. Y., July 2, 1839. Her parents were William and Catlier-
ine (Slawson) Duesler, natives, respectively, of Montgomery and Orange Counties, this state. After his union, our subject took up his perma- nent residence on the old homestead. He is a Re- publican in politics, having never missed voting during the National elections, with the exception of the year when he was absent from home in Michigan. He is a strong temperance man, and is also greatly interested in Grand Army affairs, whenever possible attending the reunions held in various parts of the country. His wife is a de- voted member of the Baptist Church, and she is also a member of the Woman's Christian Teni- perance Uuion and the Woman's Relief Corps.
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PETER M. WESTBROOK.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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PETER M. WESTBROOK.
12 ETER M. WESTBROOK. The subject of the following sketch can certainly look back upon a busy life and feel that his labors have not been in vain. He is rewarded by the peace and plenty which surround his declining years, and the rest which he can now take after the hard fight against adverse circumstances and poverty. He is living retired in the town of Tyre, Seneca County, and is one of its oldest and most respected residents.
Mr. Westbrook was born in the town of Mon- tague, Sussex County, N. J., September 28, 1818, and is the son of Jacob S. and Elizabetlı (Shimer) Westbrook, also natives of that state. The first of the name in America were two brothers, who came hither from Holland, but just where they first located is not known, althoughi it is very probable they made their home in Ulster County, N. Y .; where are now living a number of their descendants. From the great- grandfather down to the present generation all have been farmers.
The grandfather of our subject, Soveryne Westbrook, spent his entire life in New Jersey, while his son Jacob S. left that state when Peter M. was seventeen years of age. He made the trip to Seneca County overland with teams, and, choosing the town of Tyre for his future home, here purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, a part of which is still in the family. The everyone who is brave in overcoming obstacles.
grandfather was born August 3, 1788, and died on his seventy-seventh birthday.
The parental household included six sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to mature years. Of this family our subject was the fifth in order of birth, and with the exception of his brother Alpha, who lives on the old home farm in the town of Tyre, is the only survivor. Al- though in no sense of the term a politician, the father of this family always voted for Democratic candidates. He was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Peter M. Westbrook regularly attended the schools of his native state, and after coming to New York also carried on his studies liere for a time. He worked for his father until attaining his majority, when he worked a farm on shares for one year, gaining thereby a snug little sum of money, out of which he was enabled to lay by: $200. He then worked out by the montli for several years, each pay-day saving a portion of his hard-earned money, it being his ambition to become the owner of his own property. About this time lie entered into partnership with a brother and purchased a tract of fifty acres in the town of Tyre, which shortly proved to be a very poor investment. He was not discouraged, how- ever, and his present condition in life only goes to prove the success which will be meted out to
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Mr. Westbrook was married when about twen- ty-six years of age to Miss Phebe Munson, then living in the town of Tyre, although she, too, was a native of New Jersey. She was brought to this state by her parents, Stephen and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Munson, who became well-to-do resi- dents of this section. To our subject and his es- timable wife there were granted two daughters: Lovina E., born April 13, 1846; and Ella V., July 10, 1848. The latter married James R. English, and they have a family of three chil- dren. The elder daughter is the wife of William A. Durling, a substantial agriculturist of this town, whose sketch follows this. Mrs. West- brook departed this life March 20, 1895, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
In the year 1847 our subject purchased one hundred and seventy-eight acres of land where he now hives, and in 1865 bought eighty-five acres more, this tract joining his estate on the south. His life has been an example to others, showing that where there is a will there is also a way. In politics Mr. Westbrook is a Democrat, and on this ticket was elected Highway Com- missioner, holding the office for a period of two years, and accepting as compensation for his services only $19 per year.
ILLIAM A. DURLING. Every commu- nity has among its citizens at least a few of recognized influence and ability, who by their systematic and thorough method of work attain to a success which is justly deserved. Mr. Durling has for many years given agriculture the principal part of his attention, and is therefore de- serving of the success which has crowned his ef- forts. He is now living in the town of Tyre, Seneca County, in which locality he is well and favorably known.
The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Romulus, September 14, 1849, and was the son of George V. and Adaline (Benjamin) Dur- ling, natives of Seneca County. His father was a fine mechanic, and for several years worked at the cooper's trade at Romulus. Later, however, when our subject was twelve months old, he moved to Seneca Falls and gave his attention thereafter to work in a machine-shop. William A. was reared and educated in the latter place, completing a common-school education when six- teen years of age. Being anxious to make an early start in life, he entered a grocery store as clerk, but three years later abandoned that busi- ness, and apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a machinist in Seneca Falls. After working at this for about nine years, he was married, and thereafter followed agricultural pursuits.
The lady whom our subject chose as his wife was Miss Lovina E. Westbrook, and the cere- mony which made them one was performed March 24, 1871. The lady was born in the town of Tyre, and is the daughter of Peter M. and Phebe (Munson) Westbrook, prominent resi- dents of this community.
The three children comprising the household of our subject and his wife are Ethel May, Leska Lovina and William Martin. The elder daugh- ter is a finely educated and accomplished young lady, and in 1894 was graduated from Mynderse Academy in Seneca Falls. She is now teaching in the district school near her home.
In 1875 Mr. Durling left the above city and took up his abode on the farm where he now re- sides. This property includes one hundred and thirty-three acres, bearing first-class improve- ments. Mr. Durling devotes the greater part of it to the raising of the various cereals, although he has on the place several head of fine horses and thorough-bred cattle. He is making a de- cided success of this department of work, and is classed among the substantial residents of the community.
Mr. Durling is very popular among the people, and is now serving his second term as Justice of the Peace, making in all eight years in which he has held the office. Politically he is a Democrat.
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Bothi himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is serving as Steward. He is greatly interested in Sunday- school work, and for two years was the favorite Superintendent. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 104 at Seneca Falls. Industry and enterprise are numbered among his chief characteristics, and by his up- riglit dealing and good business ability he has won prosperity.
S UINCY Á. EARNEST, one of the most useful men of Tyrone, is a dealer in agri- cultural implements, and has been very suc- cessful in his business ventures here. He is up- right, thoroughly honest in all his transactions, and by keeping a large and well selected stock of machinery has gained the patronage of farmers of this locality. In addition to this enterprise, he is the owner of a fine tract of land devoted to general farming, and deals in livestock and wool, having since 1885 shipped stock to New York City, carrying on an extensive business in that line.
A native of New York, Mr. Earnest was born in Wayne, Steuben County, April 14, 1855. About 1875 he came with the family to Schuyler County and settled in the village of Wayne. Here he was united in marriage, September 25, 1883, with Miss Ophelia Lock, a native of Bath, N. Y., and they are the parents of a son, Harry, who was born December 2, 1885. Mrs. Earnest is a lady of estimable character, and is a daughter of Ranson and Elizabeth (Haven) Lock, who were born in Bath and still make that place their home.
John J. Earnest, fatlier of our subject, was born in Steuben County and was a resident there
until his removal. in 1875, to this county. By occupation he was a farmer. Besides carrying on an extensive business in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, he also dealt largely in wool, sheep and cattle, buying on a large scale. He married Miss Lucy Smith, a lady whose noble attributes and kindly disposition won for her the friendship of all whom slie met, and hier death, which occurred in the town of Tyrone, June 2, 1883, was deeply mourned. The family consisted of six children, named, respectively, William W., Clinton D., W. Scott, Cassius M., Quincy A. and. Mary I. The last-named is the wife of Charles Bailey, and makes her home in the town of Tyrone.
In politics Mr. Earnest, of this sketch, is a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and takes a commendable interest in local affairs. Both in business affairs and in society he enjoys the greatest confidence of his fellow-inen. His success in life has been secured by persevering labor, and his whole career has marked him as a man in whom the community may well take pride.
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