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 30
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 30
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Religiously he was an ardent Catholic, being one of the first Catholics to locate in Seneca Falls, and was deeply interested in the progress of that denomination.
The parental family included ten children, sev- en of whom are living at the present writing. Of these our subject is the youngest, and when a
lad of seventeen years he was confirmed in the Catholic Church. The land which he occupies was purchased by his father, who, although com- mencing in life a poor man, became fairly well- to-do.
The subject of this sketch attended the Catho- lic school at Seneca Falls until prepared to en- ter the academy, but before completing the course laid down in that institution, however, he was obliged to quit school and go to work. He has always been very industrious, and that he has made a good citizen is attested by the esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen. At the time of his father's death he was appointed to fill out his unexpired term as Highway Commission- er. Two years following the expiration of this term he was elected of his own merits, and in 1893 again assumed the duties of the office. He possesses sound judgment, broad intelligence and progressive ideas, and is a man of whom any community might well be proud.
AMUEL P. LERCH. Among the well known and influential citizens of the town of Fayette, Seneca County, is the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs, and who is a successful farmer, using the best meth- ods of fertilizing the soil and improving his land.
Our subject is a native of this county, and was born in the town of Varick, April 23, 1835. His parents were Samuel and Regina (Bey1) Lerch, both natives of Northampton County, Pa. They were there reared to mature years and were married, after which they came to this state and took up land in the town of Varick, where- the father owned one hundred and forty-one acres. In addition to tilling his land, he erected and was proprietor of a hotel in that locality, and
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was well known to the traveling public. The parental household included eleven children, of whom six are now living. Of these, Willian1. who is a resident of Detroit, Mich., is the only member living out of Seneca County. Samuel P. attended the district school until fourteen or fifteen years old, when the limited circumstances of the parents made it necessary for him to look out for himself. He accordingly worked on farms in the neighborhood until a little older, when he went West. In Glencoe, Ill., he worked on the farm of Mr. Gurnee, thien President of the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad. Later he obtained a posi- tion on that road as brakeman and baggage- master, holding the same for three or four years. Subsequently he became transfer and ticket agent at Prairie du Chien, Wis., and McGregor, Iowa, for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, filling both positions for eleven and one-half years. At the expiration of that time he became baggageman on the train, it being his duty also to hunt up lost baggage. He followed the road for twenty-six years, when, tired of the hurry and bustle which attend such a life, he resigned and settled down to the peaceful occupation of a farmer, it being his desire to pass the remainder of his life amid rural scenes.
The marriage of our subject and Miss Susanna Lerch occurred in the town of Fayette, January II, 1882. The lady was born in West Fayette, October 27, 1853, and is the daughter of Benja- min F. and Jane (Gouger) Lerch. The former, who was born in Fayette, October 18, 1828, was a farmer by occupation, as was also his father, Anthony Lerch. The latter was born in Northampton County, Pa., in which place he was married. Afterward he came to Seneca County and reared a family of five children, all of whom were born in this county, and of these Benjamin was third in order of birth. He was married February 11, 1851, and by his union with Jane Gouger nine children were born: Elnora E., Susamiah, George, Anthony, Perez F., Carrie, Nellie Jane, and two who died in infancy. June 2, 1879, the wife and mother died. In October, 1883, he was married to Mrs. Arminda Abbott. Two years later, September 2, 1885, liis death
occurred. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Lerch have been born three children: Edna Dean, whose birtli occurred in Milwaukee, Wis .; Etliel Regina and Ione Jane. Mr. Lerch is a Democrat in politics and takes an interest in the success of his party. Socially hie belongs to Fayette Lodge No. 539, F. & A. M., in which order he is an active and influential worker.
ILLIAM ASHMORE, well known as one of the upright citizens and retired business men of Waterloo, was born August 20, 1820, in the city of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England. Not only by birth, but also by many generations of his ancestors, he is a typical Eng- lisliman, possessing the inherited love of busi- ness and interest in public affairs characteristic of his nation. However, since adopting the United States as his home, he has been loyal to the institutions of this Government, and believes it to be the best upon which the sun shines.
Tlie parents of our subject, William, Sr., and Sarah Ashmore, were natives of England, where the former followed the occupation of a miller until his death. The family was a large one, consisting of eight sons and eight daughters, nearly all of whom remained in the Old Country. William, who was next to the youngest, passed the days of youth in Mansfield, that old city where still stands a grammar school founded by Queen Elizabeth, and an ancient church in which several successive generations have met for wor- ship. His educational advantages were limited, for at an early age he began to care for himself. At the age of thirteen lie began an apprenticeship of seven years to the baker's trade, gaining a thorough knowledge of that occupation, which he afterward followed as a journeyman in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and other cities of England.
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It was in 1845 that Mr. Ashmore, then a stal- wart young man of twenty-five, crossed the At- lantic, taking passage in a sailing-vessel at Liv- pool, April 24, and landing in New York City after an uneventful voyage of seven weeks. From that place he went direct to Utica, Oneida Coun- ty, N. Y., where he was employed for eighteen montlis. Thence he came to Waterloo, reaching this village in July, 1847. He at once secured work in a bakery owned by Charles Insley, remaining with him until his death, and after- ward continuing with his successor, John O'Neil, for several years.
Making a change in his occupation, Mr. Ash- more entered the hotel business, and for eight years sucessfully ran what was known as the Ashmore House. Upon retiring from tliat busi- ness, he turned his attention to his general prop- erty interests, to which he has since given his time and thought. Being a man of economical disposition, prudent and cautious in his invest- ments, he has been enabled to accumulate a conl- petency, not through "luck," but as a result of his determined and ambitious efforts. In his political affiliations he adheres to the policy of the Republican party and uniformily votes that ticket.
In 1891 Mr. Ashmore was united in marriage with Mrs. Rachel M. Weaver, the widow of Montgomery Weaver, and a daughter of J. R. and Jennie (Miller) Spence, who came from Penn- sylvania to the town of Lodi, Seneca County, be- coming early settlers of that locality.
NOCH EMENS. In the pleasant little vil- lage- of Fayette reside a number of influen- tial citizens, among whom may be mentioned our subject, who is senior member of the firin of Emens & Son. He is a native of Seneca County, and was born in the town of Varick, three miles
south of this village, June 26, 1819. His parents were Joseph and Martha (Johns) Emens, the former a native of Monmouth, N. J., of which io- cality the latter was also a native.
Grandfather William Emens, likewise born in New Jersey, moved to Seneca County about the year 1812, at which time our subject's father was a young man, his birth occurring in 1793. He had stood seven drafts in the War of 1812, but each time drew a blank. The maternal grandfa- ther of our subject, Jolin Jolins, was also from New Jersey, whence he and his wife came to this state when their daughter Martha was a child, and in this county she was reared and married. Her parents located on a tract of eighty four acres of productive land in the town of Varick, which they worked industriously to improve and make more valuable.
To Joseph and Martha Emens there were born four children, of whom Enoch was the youngest but one. He acquired such an education as could be obtained in the schools of the neighborhood, and at the age of sixteen years began to work at the carpenter's trade, receiving for his first year's work $50. After becoming an experienced work- man he went to Rochester, where he followed his trade for a period of ten years, working the first year as a journeyman carpenter, after which he did contract work. In this way he saved the sum of $2,000, and, returning to the town of Varick, purchased one hundred acres of land and soon became one of the prominent and substantial agriculturists of the locality.
The subject of this sketchi was married, Octo- ber 18, 1848, to Miss Eliza Van Riper, of the town of Varick. They at once located on the farmi above referred to, and continued to make it their home until 1883, when they came to Fay- ette. Here our subject engaged in merchandis- ing, and the firm is now operating under the style of Emens & Son. He became the father of eight children, of whom three died in infancy. Those living are Martha; Olin E., the partner of liis fa- ther, and whose sketch may be found elsewhere in this volume; Humboldt, superintendent of an extensive silver and gold mine in Denver, Colo .; Edgar A., Professor of Greek in Syracuse Uni-
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versity; and Frederick, Postmaster of the village of Fayette, and also a clerk in his father's store. Edgar A. is a graduate of Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., and after completing his studies traveled extensively in Europe.
Mr. Emens is greatly interested in bee culture, and has about fifty stands. In politics he is a Republican, tried and true, having voted for the candidates of that party ever since its organiza- tion in 1856. His first ballot, however, was cast for William Henry Harrison, the Whig candidate
of IS40. During all these years he has been true to liis party, but has desired no offices. He is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected for over half a century. In this denomination he has been Class-Leader and Steward and an active worker in the Sunday-school.
Mrs. Emens departed this life March 9, 1895, at the age of seventy-three years. She was born March 6, 1822, in Varick and proved her hus- band's most efficient helpmate for many years.
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CHARLES H. EVERTS.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
3290
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CHARLES H. EVERTS.
HARLES H. EVERTS, attorney and coun- selor-at-law, and one of the influential citi- zens of Watkins, was born in the town of Dix, Schuyler County, October 4, 1835, being the son of Alanson G. and Anna (Levitt) Everts. The family of which he is an honored representative has for three generations bcen closely identified with the growth and develop- ment of this section of the state. The first of the name to come hither was his great-grandfather, Daniel Everts. He and Reuben Smith left Salis- bury, Conn., for the western country, and ar- rived at Hector June 1, 1793. They remained that season, putting in crops of corn and wheat, and after harvest returned to Connecticut. In the spring of 1794 Daniel Everts, with his wife and eight children, and Reuben Smith, with his wife and five children, returned to Hector. The great-grandfather's family comprised the follow- ing children: Aranthus, Charles, Polly, Daniel, John, Asena and Abram. Aranthus Everts, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a Colonel in the War of 1812, and raised a regi- ment, which went on foot through the unbroken wilderness froin Hector to Buffalo. He had command of a fort when a flag of truce was sent to him, and a demand to surrender was refused. The General in command sent word, "I want you to understand that we will take our breakfast in
this fort to-morrow morning." Colonel Everts replied, "If you undertake it you will get your supper in hell." The Everts family originated in Wales, but has been associated with American history from an early period in the settlement of the country.
Aranthus Everts married Margaret Mathews, daughter of Courtright Mathews. Their son, Alanson G. Everts, was united in marriage with Anna Levitt, and their family consisted of five sons and two daughters, of whom Charles H. is next to the youngest. He passed the days of his boyhood in his native town, gaining the ru- diments of his education in the primary schools, and later became a student in Alfred University, where he remained for a time. Afterward he taught school, in which way he gained the means that enabled him to prosecute his legal studies. He commenced the study of law with Marcus Crawford, of Havana, and gained a thorough knowledge of Coke, Blackstone and Kent, and was admitted to the Bar in 1857. Later he took a two-years course at the Albany Law School, from which institution he was graduated Novem- ber 26, 1858, with the degree of LL. B.
Opening an office in Havana, Mr. Everts con- tinued the practice of his profession there for three years. Thence, in 1861, he went to Farmer. Seneca County, where he remained for two years.
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In 1855 he came to Watkins, opened an office and commenced a general practice, which he has con- tinued to the present, being now one of the old- est members of the Schuyler County Bar. In politics he is a Democrat, and during the entire period of his connection with that party he has stood by it, in cloud and sunshine, with unshaken fidelity. In ISSS, when Grover Cleveland was a candidate, he was a Presidential Elector. Dur- ing campaigns, his services are especially valua- ble, as he takes an active part in both local and national elections, and he is now Chairman of the Democratic County Committee.
January 15, 1861, Mr. Everts married Miss Eliza A., daughter of Job Banker, of Hector. They are the parents of one son and two daughi- ters: Josiah B., a young man of ability, now serv- ing as Justice of the Peace, and also as a court re- porter; Mary E., the wife of Frank Hill, of El- mira, N. Y .; and Hanna M., the wife of L. H. Chase, of Watkins, N. Y. Mr. Everts is domes- tic in his tastes, and his friends are always hos- pitably welcomed to his pleasant home. He was fortunate in securing in his wife a companion fully suited to his qualities of mind and character. To a large degree is it due to lier ready sympathy and mental capacity that he has been enabled to make for himself a noble record as a citizen and as an attorney.
RONSON A. WESSELL is Treasurer of the firm of Rumsey & Co., Limited, at Seneca Falls, manufacturers of all kinds of pumps, fire appliances, hand fire-engines, hose trucks, hose carts, hose wagons, hose carriages, etc. The works were established in 1844 by John A. Rum- sey, and continued under his name for many years. A short time previous to his death, how- ever, which occurred May 30, 1888, a stock com-
pany was formed and articles of incorporation secured, with Joli A. Rumsey President, and L. Rumsey Sanford Secretary. The present officers are: Andrew G. Mercer, President; A. Rumsey, Vice-President; Bronson A. Wessell, Treasurer; and L. Rumsey Sanford, Secretary. The works are run by water-power, and a large force of men is constantly employed. The plant is in every way well equipped for the business and its reputation is first-class, both at home and abroad.
Bronson A. Wessell was born in Oneida County, N. Y., December 21, 1842, and is the son of Richard and Lydia (Norton) Wessell, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Connecti- cut. The Wessells are of German origin, and the Nortons of English descent. Richard Wessell was a farmer, and spent the greater part of his life engaged in farm work. Some time previous to his death, which occurred in iSSo, he removed to Vernon Center, where he lived a retired life. The mother died in 1875.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of the parental family, which comprised five children, and his early life was spent upon the home farm, and also at Vernon Center, where lie attended the common schools and later Vernon Academy. He was but fifteen years of age, however, when he left school and went to Knoxboro, N. Y., where for four years he clerked in the store of James C. Knox. He then went to Oneonta, N. Y., where he engaged in business for himself and there re- mained until 1861. That year he came to Seneca Falls and engaged in the clothing business, re- maining thus employed until 1865, when he en- tered the service of the Merchants' Union Express Company: In 1869 he entered the employ of Rumsey & Co. as clerk, which position he con- tinued to hold until 1890, at which time he was mnade Treasurer.
Mr. Wessell's marriage united him with Miss Belle A. Kerr, of Seneca Falls, and daughter of Thomas H. Kerr. They have one daughter, Mildred F., who is yet at home. In politics Mr. Wessell is a Democrat, and has been very active in the councils of his party for many years. While never an office-seeker, and even though
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averse to holding public office, he has yet filled some minor positions, including Supervisor of the town, and member of the Board of Trustees of the village. Since February, 1890, he lias been President and a Director of the New York Mutual Savings and Loan Association. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church.
ON. A. L. CHILDS, editor and proprietor of the Waterloo Observer, was born in Sen- eca Falls, N. Y., April 12, 1840. He is the son of Amhurst Childs, who was born in Massachusetts, and who came to Seneca County in 1820, and read medicine with Dr. Welles, one of the early physicians of Waterloo. He was a graduate of the old Geneva Medical College. He soon rose to eminence in his chosen profession, and at the voice of his co-workers in the healing art became President of the State Medical College, and was long the head of the State Medical So- ciety. He died in 1869, in liis seventy-first year, in Waterloo, where lie had long conducted a most successful practice. His wife was Larissa Southwick, a daughter of Maj. David Southwick, of Junius, Seneca County. She and the Doctor had seven children, three daughters and one son surviving.
Mr. Childs, the subject of this article, as miglit be expected from the learning, the broad views and the substantial prosperity that had charac- terized and attended his father, was thoroughly trained and educated for a useful and honorable career. From the public school he passed to the Waterloo Academy, and in 1857 entered Hamil- ton College, at Clinton, N. Y., graduating from that institution in 1861. Then, bearing in mind tlie saying about traveling making a "ready man," lie spent a year or more in traveling through the Western States and territories. His continuous school course was interrupted by a
course of law study under the guidance of Judge Sterling Hadley, and his admission to the Bar in 1865. .
In1 1878 Mr. Childs founded the Sencca Coun- ty New's, and for seven years remained at its head, making it one of the influential papers of the region. It thien passed from his hands into the possession of Varr & Medden, the present proprietors. For several years he devoted muchi time to the practice of law in Rochester. In1 1894 he secured the control of the Waterloo Observer, an eight-column paper, finely printed and ably edited.
Mr. Childs has received honors from his com- munity and from the state. He was Clerk of the Senate Judiciary Committee under Charles J. Folger, President Arthur's Secretary of the Treasury, and liis party honored itself and him by electing him as a Member of the Assembly to represent Seneca County. In 1885 Isabel Em- mett, of Waterloo, became his wife. They have two daugliters, Alice and Maria Isabel. It need hardly be said that their ho:ne is delightful.
Mr. Childs is a man of influence, not only in his immediate neighborhood, but throughout the state, and is much in demand for stump speaking in every campaign. He takes much interest in political affairs, and gives himself freely to the call of his party.
) HARLES BIZLEY DAY. Among the well- to-do and enterprising tillers of the soil in Seneca County, mention must surely be made of Mr. Day, whose home is on the Waterloo and Geneva Turnpike, one mile west of the vil- lage of Waterloo. There lie carries on farming and market-gardening after the most approved methods, and is meeting with success in his ventures.
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Mr. Day is a native of England, and was born October 20, 1857, in Axbridge, Somersetshirc. His parents were Charles and Mary (Bizley) Day, natives of the above place, where they were fariners. In April, 1871, however, they left their native land, and, crossing the Atlantic, found themselves on American soil a few weeks later. They made a location at Port Byron, Cayuga County, and there engaged in farming.
Charles B., of this sketch, attended school in England, but after coming to America was obliged to work out and aid in the support of the family, hence was not permitted to carry on his studies but one term. The family included five children, of whom Charles was the eldest but one. He remained under the parental roof until 1885, when he started out in life for himself. Five years previous to this time his father had lo- cated upon the estate which lie now occupies, making that place his home until 1889. That year, however, on account of failing health, he rented the farm to our subject, and moved to a more healthful locality. He died in December, 1891. Charles B. then purchased the interest of his brothers and sisters in the place, and is now its sole owner. It comprises forty-eight acres, under a high state of cultivation, and is devoted mainly to market-gardening. Mr. Day finds no trouble in disposing of his products at a good price, as he raises only the best vegetables and fruits. He has customers in Waterloo, Seneca Falls, Auburn, and also ships large quantities to other points. He has been very successful in the industry, and has no reason to regret having en- gaged in it.
Mr. Day and Miss Auma B. Rodgers were united in marriage February 5, 1889, and to thein has been born a son, Howard C., whose birtli occurred May 1, 1894. Mrs. Day, who was born in Black Hawk County, Iowa, is a well educated lady, and became acquainted with Mr. Day in her native state, which he liad visited several times.
Although reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church, our subject now attends services at the Presbyterian Church, as does also his wife. In politics he is a true-blue Republican, and takes
great interest in the success of his party. His mother is still living, making her home in Wa- terloo with her daughters, Gelinda Bizley and Ada M. One son, Henry G., is living on a farm of sixty-two and one-half acres, which is lo- cated in the town of Fayette, this county. Stella M., the eldest of the family, married Samuel Beard, and they make their home on a tract of land which lies near that of our subject. Mr. Day is a whole-souled, thoroughly honest and reliable man, and possesses the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
OHN J. BAILEY is a very popular resident of the town of Tyrone, Schuyler County, and has inade farming and stock-raising the principal occupation of his life. He has taken advantage of every method and idea that would enhance the value of his property, and this course has had a great deal to do with the competence which he now enjoys.
Mr. Bailey has made this section his home throughout life, and was here born December 6, 1847. The parental family included three chil- dren, of whom he was the second-born. He, like other lads of the neighborhood, carried on his studies in the schools taught in the district, and by applying himself to his books became well informed. He lived with his mother until his marriage, which occurred November IS, 1869, the lady on this occasion being Miss Emma R. Sanford, whose birth occurred in Wayne, Steuben County, N. Y., May 10, 1850, and who was the daughter of the late Russell and Laura K. (Chap- man) Sanford.
Russell Sanford was the son of Ephraim San- ford, and was born in Wayne, Steuben County, this state, November 15, 1822. His wife was the daughter of Peter and Sally Chapman, and her
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birth occurred in Allegany County, N. Y., April 1, 1826. To them were born two daughters, Mary E. and Emma R. The latter was Mrs. Bailey. The mother died March 21, 1892, and was followed to the land beyond by her husband, who died July 17, 1893. They were higlily re- spected residents of their community, and their loss to the residents of Wayne was deeply felt.
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