Ontario County NY

Biography of Rev. P. A. Neville

Rev. P. A. Neville, rector of St. Bridgets Church, East Bloomfield, New York, has been an indefatigable worker in the interests of his religion and the church of which he has charge, and his life is so closely connected with that institution that a history of the one must of necessity be a history of the other. When the Rev. Bernard O’Reilly and his brother William, in turn, visited the village of East Bloomfield in 1846, the Catholics in that section numbered only about forty. Three years later, Father Quigley received permission to visit the section and minister to the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Smith Gillis

John Smith, son of John D. Gillis, was born in Argyle, Washington county, New York, July 17, 1823, died October 10, 1896. He came with his parents to Victor, New York, in 1826. He was educated in the public schools, and always followed farming. He married, December 30, 1847, Sarah, daughter of William and Catherine (McKinley) Wells. Children: 1. William W., born November 20, 1848, graduated from Cornell College in 1874, became editor and proprietor of the Victor Herald, a weekly newspaper; he died April 10, 1898; married Harriet S. Bundy, of Rochester, and had one child, who died young. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Lyman Van Voorhis

George Lyman, eldest child of Lyman and Elizabeth (Field) Van Voorhis, was born at Charleston, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, April 21, 1871. He was very young when his parents returned to the state of New York, and his education was obtained at the Victor high school, later the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, and finally the Brock State Normal School, which he left prior to graduating. From early manhood he has been actively engaged in the interests of the Republican party. During this time he taught school during the winter months, and worked on the farm during the summer, a course … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Chauncey W. Grove

Dr. Chauncey W. Grove, a physician and surgeon in Geneva, Ontario county, New York, and throughout that section is descended from an old family of Germany. The family name was originally spelled Von Graffe, and this by successive changes has finally developed into Grove. From the earliest times the family has adhered to the Protestant denominations, and it was during the very early days of the settlement of the colonies that the first members came to this country and made their homes here. Dr. Chauncey W. Grove, son of Jay C. and Zettirah (Fry) Grove, was born in Fredonia, Pennsylvania, … Read more

Biography of Robert Titus

Robert Titus, the immigrant ancestor of those of the name hereafter mentioned, was born in 1600, probably in St. Catherines Parish, near Stansted Abbotts, Hertfordshire, England. He sailed from London, April 3, 1635, and the following entry relative to his migration is to be found in the passenger lists preserved in the public record office, London: “Theis under written names are to be transported to New England, embarked in ye Hopewell, Mr. Wm. Burdick. The p’ties have brought certificates from the minister and justice of the peace that they are no subsedy men, they have taken oath of all and … 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 Enos D. Williams

Enos D., son of Ebenezer (2) Williams, was born at Amherst, in 1822 and died in October, 1866. He was educated in the public schools and at Amherst Academy. He began life as a merchant in a small way and became a wholesale flour dealer, owning large flour mills. In politics he was a Republican in his later years, and he represented his district in the general court in 1856 and 1857. He was a director of the First National Bank of Amherst for many years. He married in 1846, Caroline Ruth Hawley, who was born in Plainfield, Massachusetts, in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Edward Baxter Dixon

Edward Baxter Dixon was born in Hall, Ontario county, New York, July 21, 1874. He enjoyed the same educational advantages as his, brother, and his business career has been identical with his with the exception that he engaged in his present line of business in 1895, five years prior to his brother entering. He is connected with the Presbyterian church, and his political affiliation is with the Republican party. For fourteen years he served in the capacity of secretary to ex-Senator Raines. of New York. He is a member of Osceola Lodge, No. 768, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He … Read more

Biography of Matthew T. O’Brien

Matthew T. O’Brien, president of the village of Phelps, New York, and prominently identified with all the important measures for the improvement of that section of the country, traces his ancestry to Ireland, and has been richly endowed with many of the admirable traits of the Irish. Terrence O’Brien, the father of Matthew T. O’Brien, was born in county Clare, Ireland, and was a very young lad when he came to this country with his parents. For a number of years he was employed on the railroad, and by his thrift and industry acquired a sufficient capital to enable him … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Sylvanus Burtis

Sylvanus Burtis, second son of Arthur ( i ) and Elizabeth (Palmer) Burtis, was a boy of fourteen when his father died. He attended school at Cherry Valley. After his return home he managed the farm. He was an ideal country gentleman. He married Elizabeth Post, whose family is well known in Ontario county, living north of Oaks Corners. They had one son. Sylvanus Jr., with whom the father lives in California, being ninety-two years old.

Biographical Sketch of Frank Cammett

Frank, third son of Samuel and Frances (Barhite) Cammett, was born in Hopewell, September 3, 1875. Having pursued the elementary branches of study in the district school he entered the Canandaigua Union School and was graduated from that well-known institution. His agricultural training began at an early age, and he began the activities of life fully able to weather its vicissitudes and obtain the rewards of honest and determined effort. April 1, 1910, he purchased a desirable farm of one hundred acres in Geneva, and is now (1910) engaged in its cultivation, looking forward with courage and optimism to a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaac Richardson

(III) Margaret, daughter of Dr. William Plunkett, married Isaac Richardson, who removed from Sunbury, Pennsylvania, to Wayne county, New York, and became a very prominent citizen. Among their children was Isabella, mentioned elsewhere.

Genealogy of Joseph Baker of Marshfield Massachusetts

Z173. NICHOLAS BAKER: probable father of Z174 SAMUEL BAKER: made Freeman in 1657; m. Eleanor Winslow. Z175 KENELIN BAKER: b. 1657; m. Sarah Bradford. Z176. KENELIN BAKER: b. 1695; m. Patience Dolen. Z177 WILLIAM BAKER: b. Oct. 16, 1734; m. Hannah Lincoln. Z178 WILLIAM BAKER: b. Sept. 10, 1759; m. Abigail Low. Z179 JOSEPH BAKER: b. Marshfield, Mass., Sept. 24, 1794; m. Olive Cushing. Z180 JOSEPH BAKER: b. Marshfield, Mass., Feb. 27, 1827; m. Martha Jane Perrin. Sarah James: b. Thompson, Conn. a181 JAMES BAKER: b. Nov. 28, 1824; m. Lydia Ann Mentzer, b. Jan. 8, 1826; had John, James, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Carpenter

(XII) John (6), son of John (5) Carpenter, was born in Connecticut, in 1658. His will was proved July 30, 1732. He lived in Jamaica, and took the oath as captain of troops there, November 22, 1703. He married Mary – . Children; born at Jamaica: Nehemiah, about 1685; John, about 1685; Solomon, about 1685; Joseph, about 1687; Increase, about 1688, mentioned elsewhere; Mary; Hannah; Susanna; Phebe.

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Carpenter

(XIV) Jacob, son of Increase Carpenter, was born in Jamaica, in 1745, and married Widow Jane Smith, before her first marriage, Jane Baylis. She died May 6, 1813. He was a farmer by occupation and died in 1819 or 1820. Children, born in Jamaica: Increase, mentioned elsewhere: Jacob; Nathaniel; Daniel, married Hepsabeth Higbee; Benjamin, died about 1837; Deborah, married William Lewis; Catharine, married Alexander Jones.

Biographical Sketch of Isaiah Horton

(VIII) Isaiah, son of Elisha Horton, was born at Chester, New Jersey, died in Springwater, Livingston county, New York, May 22, 1873. He was a carpenter. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married at Aurelius, Cayuga county, New York, January 31, 1817, Charlotte Chatfield. who died February 21, 1854. Children: 1. Amarilla, born 1818, married Stephen Pearl. 2. Elisha. 3. Miranda, married Luther P. Norton. 4. Eliza, married Luther P. Norton, for second wife. 5. Hiram, married Mary Briggs. 6. Esther, married Augustus Boughton. 7. Lucinda. 8. Isaiah. mentioned elsewhere. 9. Mary. married J. B. Tiffany. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles Burtis

Charles Burtis, youngest child of Arthur (1) and Elizabeth (Palmer) Burtis, was born February 17, 1825. He resided with his mother in the old homestead. At the marriage of his brother Sylvanus he removed to the east third of the farm, where he erected a house for himself and bride. He married, October 6, 1846, Catherine, daughter of Gains Granger and sister of General Gordon Granger, who was graduated from West Point in 1845. He served through the Mexican and the civil wars; he was a natural soldier: he knew not fear: he did not fight for glory or rank … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James M. Stanley

James M. Stanley was born in Canandaigua, New York, January 17, 1814; died April 10, 1872. He moved to Michigan in 1835 and became a portrait painter in Detroit; two years later removed to Chicago. About this time he visited the “Indian Country” in the vicinity of Fort Snelling, and there made many sketches. Returned to the eastern cities, where he spent several years, but in 1842 again went west and began his wanderings over the prairies far beyond the Mississippi, reaching Texas and New Mexico. His Buffalo Hunt on the Southwestern Prairies was made in 1845. From 1851 to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Frederick P. Stephenson

(III) Frederick P., son of Dolphin and Jennie (Porter) Stephenson, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, July 18, 1869. His elementary education was received in the public schools of his native town. Mr. Stephenson married, in 1904, Jeannette Ve Le Munyon.

Biographical Sketch of Henry Hutchens

Henry Hutchens, grandfather of Nodiah F. Hutchens, was born in Canandaigua, where he was engaged in farming throughout his life. He was a staunch supporter of the Republican party and a member of the Baptist church. He married Polly U. Livermore. Children: Hiram L., deceased; Floyd, deceased; Nodiah; John; Sarah, deceased; Charles H., see elsewhere; Amanda, died in childhood.