Geneva New York

Biography of George Fordon

(I) William, great-grandfather of George Frederick Fordon, was born in England, October, 1957, and spent his life in his native country, engaged in farming. He married, January 28, 1792, Sarah Mary Dunslee, who was born in December, 1770. (II) George, son of William and Sarah Mary (Dunslee) Fordon, was born near Whitby. Yorkshire, England, April 23, 1803, and died near Geneva, Ontario county, New York, February 12, 1876. Having come to the conclusion that the “New World” offered better chances for advancement than the old, he sailed from England for this country, landing at New York City, June 1, 1831. … Read more

Biography of Abram A. Post

Abram A. Post, owner of one of the finest farms in Seneca, Ontario county, New York, which has been in uninterrupted possession of his family since 1809, has had the advantage of extended travel to assist him in the cultivation of this piece of land and bring out its especial qualities. Frank J. Post, father of Abram A. Post, was born on the homestead farm, October 16, 1842, died in 1904. He improved the land which had been left to him by his father, in many respects, but it was left to the improved methods of his son to bring … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. James H. Stephens

Dr. James H. Stebbins, who was engaged in medical practice for about half a century, was born in Greece, Monroe county, New York, in 1834, and died in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, in 1908. He was graduated from the Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the greater number of his active years of practice were spent in Geneva, where he was one of the most prominent physicians. Dr. Francis Lansing Stebbins, son of Dr. James H. Stebbins, was born at Geneva, Ontario county, New York, in 1866. His elementary education was acquired in the public schools and he then … Read more

Biography of Clark Forster

Clark Forster, whose family has been closely identified with the agricultural interests of Ontario county, New York, for many years, is considered one of the most successful fruit growers of the district, making a specialty of apple culture. William Forster, father of Clark Forster, was born in England in 1792, and came to this country in 1817. For somewhat more than a year he lived in Massachusetts, then, for a period of two years, made his home in Clyde, New York, and finally decided upon Seneca, Ontario county, New York, as his permanent home. He obtained employment on the farm … Read more

Biography of Edward H. Palmer

Edward H. Palmer, who is the head and the leading spirit of numerous enterprises of financial importance in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, and its vicinity, and whose keen foresight and unusual executive ability have been the means of greatly improving the business prospects of the section, is one of that class of citizens who labor earnestly to build tip the commerce and manufactures of the communities in which they live. and by so doing enrich and benefit the entire country. Mr. Palmer was born in Clinton county, Iowa, May 17, i855, and acquired his early education in the district … Read more

Biography of Dr. John W. Short

Dr. John W. Short, who has been established in the practice of the medical profession in Geneva, Ontario county, New York. since 1909, while young in years has had an amount of experience which many of his older colleagues have not been able to attain in twice the number of years of practice. Thoroughly conversant with the details of his profession, energetic in all his business transactions as well as honorable and high-minded in all the different phases of life, Dr. Short occupies an enviable position among his fellow citizens, who willingly accord to him a place in their first … Read more

Biography of James P. Fulton

James P. Fulton, postmaster at Stanley, Ontario county, New York, and who has held a number of other positions under the government of the United States, has served his country bravely and well, as will be found detailed further on in this sketch. He is a descendant of the distinguished Fulton family, of Ireland, and it seems but natural that his name should be found in the lists of those who fought so gallantly during the civil war, as he but displayed the traits inherited from a number of his ancestors. Among these was his maternal great-grandfather, Captain John Rippey, … Read more

Biography of Samuel Nagel

Many historiographers of the present day have acquired the habit of giving prominence to lawyers, doctors, and others whose paths in life he in the learned professions to the exclusion of those who are really the bone and sinew of the country in which they live, namely, those who give employment to, and consequently feed, the masses, and whose efforts in life have tended to build up the towns in which they live and give the proper tone to the community. Of this most worthy and honorable class. Samuel Nagel, of Geneva, Ontario county, New York, is an exceptionally fine … Read more

Biography of Robert M. Kennedy

Robert M. Kennedy was born in Italy, Yates county, New York, August 26, 1848. In his earlier years he was a farmer and was thus occupied until 1877, when he engaged in the undertaking business in his native town, and from there removed to Middlesex. In 1893 he came to Geneva, Ontario county, New York, thinking this a better field for the conduct of his business, and established himself there, the firm being known as Kennedy & Kennedy, and embracing Mr. Kennedy and his son, James M. They now (1911)occupy a position in the first ranks of embalmers and undertakers, … Read more

Biography of Dr. Richard W. Padgham

Dr. Richard W. Padgham, who at the time of his death had been engaged in medical practice for almost a quarter of a century, was descended from an ancient English family, many members of which have been represented in various lines of professional life. Both of his parents died in England, where his father had spent the active years of his life in the ministry as a representative of the Methodist denomination. Although Dr. Padgham commenced the study of medicine rather late in life he had achieved a remarkable degree of success and was frequently called into consultation by his … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Louis D. Collins

(III) Louis D., son of Chauncey Brooks Collins, was born in Rose Valley, Wayne county, New York, 1852. His education was acquired at the high school. He established himself in the wholesale drug business in the city of New York, continuing this for seventeen years, and then removed to Ontario county, New York, and for a time lived retired from business responsibilities. In 1897 he took charge of the New York Central Iron Works in Geneva, and ten years later erected an entirely new plant for the manufacture of steam boilers and hot water tanks. This war, incorporated under the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Nathan D. Lapham

Nathan D. Lapham, attorney and counselor at law in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, has not alone gained a reputation as a civil and criminal lawyer, but has for a number of years been prominently identified with public affairs in his section of the country. It is owing to the energy, ambition and progressive ideas of men of this stamp that many greatly needed improvements are introduced into the commonwealth, and their influence is a widespread one, extending far beyond the confines of their own generation and lives. (I) Nathan Lapham, grandfather of Nathan D. Lapham, and the ancestor for … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Bernard Borgman

(II) Bernard (2) Borgman, subject of this sketch, was born in Rochester, New York, September, 1854. His elementary education was received in the schools of his native city, and he then attended those of Yates county, New York. He had learned the cabinet-maker’s trade, and at the age of twenty-five years he made his first business venture, establishing himself in the furniture and undertaking line in Penn Yan, Yates county, New York. For nine years he conducted this business successfully, then sold his interest in the concern to his partner and established himself in the same manner, but independently, in … Read more

Biography of Louis A. Cooper

America, as has been frequently remarked, is the home of self-made men, and in no line is this trait so apparent and so beneficial to the country at large, as in the agricultural field. It would seem as if in this branch the very best that is in a man is brought to the surface, for the very freedom which surrounds these workers, enables their natural abilities to develop to the fullest and best extent. One of the finest specimens of this sort of manhood, is to be found in the person of Louis A. Cooper, manager of the Geneva … Read more

Biography of James R. Vance

James R. Vance, sole proprietor of the J. R. Vance Iron Works, of Geneva, and the inventor of a number of patented devices in the boiler making industry, is a fine example of what may be accomplished by unaided effort and a never-ceasing ambition. His grandfather, John Vance, was a Methodist minister in Scotland, and as his father died when he was a very young lad, he was thrown upon his own resources, which developed the sterling qualities with which he was liberally endowed. James R. Vance was born in Scotland, April 4, 1849. His school instruction was limited, as … Read more

Biography of William B. Forster

William B. Forster, who is engaged in general farming in the town of Seneca, Ontario county, New York, occupies a high position in the literary circles of that section of the country and is also prominently identified with its religious life. William D. Forster, father of William B. Forster, was born at Halls Corners, Ontario county, New York, March 29, 1830, and is the oldest living person born at that place. He attended the common schools of his native township and supplemented this education by attendance at the sessions of Alfred Academy. He then engaged in teaching, and taught schools … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David Barnes

(II) David, son of James Barnes, was an infant in his mother’s arms when he came with his parents to Geneva in 1798, he being’ the youngest son of a large family of children. His early life was spent on the old homestead farm, and later on a farm now (1910) owned by his son, D. Eddy Barnes, engaged in its cultivation, and he died there, in 1871. He served for a time as a colonel in the New York State Militia.

Biographical Sketch of George C. Dorsey

George C. Dorsey, owner of a large wholesale produce business in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, is the son of Upton Dorsey, who was born in Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland, in 1814. He removed from Seneca county to Geneva, New York, in 1838, and took a prominent part in the public affairs of his day, having served as justice of the peace for a number of terms. He died in 1856. George C. Dorsey was born in Ovid, Seneca county, New York, in 1834, and received his education in the common schools of Geneva, New York. For a number of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. J. A. Mack

R. J. A. Mack, of Redlands, is a native of Syracuse, New York, born June 24, 1842. He received his education in the schools of Syracuse and Fulton, New York, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Townsend, of Syracuse; he also attended and graduated at the college at Geneva. He began practice at Syracuse, afterward continuing at Rochester, and later at Lyons, New York. Thence he removed to Chicago, where he attended Bennett Medical College (Eclectic), graduating in 1876. He practiced in Chicago until 1886, when he removed to California, and on the 9th of November of that … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George S. Stubbs

(III) George S., only son of Watson E. and Martha E. (Louw) Stubbs, was born in Halls Corner, Seneca, June 13, 1867. He resides in Geneva, New York, and is a man endowed with unusual executive ability. Under his capable control, during the past twelve years, the business with which he has become identified, made rapid forward strides, and has taken a high rank in the commercial world, in addition to its former prestige. He is an earnest supporter of Republican principles, and a member of the North Presbyterian Church. His fraternal affiliations are with the following organizations: Past master … Read more