Biographical Sketch of John Robert Stilts

(III) John Robert (2), son of Thomas Henry and Sarah (Parks) Stilts, was born February 8, 1858. He was educated in the common schools and at Union Academy, Canandaigua, New York. He engaged in farming in the town of Hopewell for a time, and for two years was a salesman for S. G. Lewis, who had an extensive grocery business in Bath, New York. Subsequently he was clerk in the store of M. J. King, a prominent merchant of Hartland, Niagara county, New York. In 1896 Mr. Stilts purchased of Charles Moore his general store at Chapin, New York, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Emerson Eugene Warfield

Emerson Eugene, son of Zadock (2) Warfield, was born at Hopewell, Ontario county, April 28, 1848. He was educated in the district schools and the Canandaigua Academy. He adopted farming for his occupation and bought a small farm which he conducted in addition to the homestead, which has been in the possession of the family since 1828 and never changed owners except by inheritance. He lives in the old home which is pleasantly located on a slight elevation a mile south of Shortsville Village, affording a splendid view of the surrounding country. Mr. Warfield is a progressive and enterprising farmer … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Seth Knowles

(V) Seth Knowles, it is known, was born in Massachusetts in 1789. He was probably son of Seth Knowles who was living, according to the first federal census, at Loudon, now (1910) Otis, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1790, and had in his family two sons tinder sixteen and two females. The father, Seth, doubtless came with other settlers from Cape Cod, and belonged to the family mentioned above. Seth, born 1789. moved to Orleans county, New York, with his parents, when a young lad, and settled in the town of Clarendon. He died in the year 1848 at Littleville, town … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Monroe Knickerbocker

(III) Richard Monroe, son of Sidney and Helen (McCiver) Knickerbocker, was born in the town of Hopewell, Ontario county, New York, October 14, 1865. He attended the public and high schools of his native township, and assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm during the summer months. At the conclusion of his school days his entire time was devoted to this occupation under the direction and supervision of his father, and he thus became thoroughly well acquainted in a practical manner with all the details connected with farm culture. He made farming his life work, as was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Fred W. Hollis

(III) Fred W., son of Alfred M. and Louisa (Smith) Hollis, was born in Canandaigua. Ontario county, New York. December 27, 1871. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native town and in the Canandaigua Academy. Until he was twenty-four years of age he assisted his father in the brick tile and coal business, then purchased a farm near the village in what is now (1910) the town of Hopewell. and is at the present time still occupied with its cultivation. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he has served as assessor for the … Read more

History of Ontario County, New York, part 1

History of Ontario County, New York

“History of Ontario County, New York: With Illustrations and Family Sketches of Some of the Prominent Men and Families” is a comprehensive historical compilation, organized by Lewis Cass Aldrich and meticulously edited by George Stillwell Conover. Published in 1893 by D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, N.Y., this monumental work illuminates the rich tapestry of Ontario County’s past. Recognizing the voluminous nature of the original single volume, it has been thoughtfully divided into two parts for convenience and accessibility. Part 1 encompasses the historical and biographical narrative of Ontario County, laying the foundation for the genealogical treasures contained in Part 2.

Biographical Sketch of Eber A. Knowles

(VI) Eber A., son of Seth Knowles, was born at St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, July 13, 1834 He came to Hopewell, Ontario county, in 1857; enlisted at Canandaigua, January 1, 1864, in the Fiftieth New York Regiment of Engineers, Company L, and served until he was mustered out with his company at the end of the civil war. He married, in February, 1855, Lydia Bastedo, who was born at Somerset county, New Jersey, November 4, 1837, and came to Cayuga county, New York, with her parents when she was sixteen years old. Her ancestors were residents of New Jersey. Among … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Fred W. Knowles

(VII) Fred W., son of Eber A. Knowles, was born at Hopewell, Ontario county, November 1, 1858. After receiving his education in the common schools he engaged in farming to which he had been accustomed from early boyhood, and he has always continued in this occupation. His farm gives evidence in the substantial buildings and well-kept fields of his industry and prosperity. Not only progressive and ready to adopt new methods, but painstaking and thorough in his work, he has fairly won the success he has achieved in life. His private life, his kindly, cheerful, generous disposition and high standards … Read more