Ontario County NY

Biography of Dr. Daniel A. Eiseline

Dr. Daniel A. Eiseline, who has filled a number of public offices in connection with his professional career, is of the first generation of his family to have been born in this country, his ancestors having lived in Germany. John Eiseline, father of Dr. Eiseline, was born in Bavaria, Germany, from which country he came to America in 1867, bringing his wife with him, and located at Canandaigua. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that occupation until his death, in 1897. He married Elizabeth S. Lindner, and had six children, of whom three died in infancy. Those living … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jonathan Whitney

Jonathan, son of Benjamin Whitney, was born in 1681, and married in 1700, Susanna , born 1681. In 1721 his name is found on the list of those taxed for the minister’s rate in Sherborn, Massachusetts, at which time he paid one of the largest taxes. In 1723 his name was first on a petition to be set off as a separate town, afterwards called Holliston. In 1727 he was one of a committee in the latter town in relation to land for the minister, and in 1730 he deeded his interest in the land to the first minister. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of De Witt C. Lapham

(II) De Witt C., son of Nathan Lapham, was born in Macedon, Wayne county, New York, in 1846, and died on the family homestead in 1909. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the active years of his life, and was prominent in the public affairs of the community, having filled with ability a number of local offices. He was a staunch supporter of the Republican party, and his religious affiliations were with the Methodist church. He married Amelia J. Finley, born in 1847, now (1911) residing in the village of Macedon, daughter of David Finley, of the same town.

Biographical Sketch of Charles D. Freshour

Charles D., son of George D. Freshour, was born at Hopewell, New York, March 18, 1877. He was educated at home by a private tutor. After he completed his education he assisted his father in the management of the farm. In the spring of 190i he bought of his father what was known as the Hillman Mill property, consisting of a saw mill, cider mill, grist mill and a dry house for evaporating apples. The property is located near the Rochester & Eastern trolley railroad station in the town of Hopewell, and the station has been named for Mr. Freshour. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jeremiah Chapin

Jeremiah, son of Samuel (3) and Anna (Horton) Chapin. He served as lieutenant and captain in the revolutionary war, and when the birth of a daughter was announced to him in camp, La Fayette asked the privilege of sending the name of Orpha. He married (published) May 6, 1769, Caroline Fowler, of Springfield.

Biographical Sketch of William Blossom

William, son of Joseph Blossom, the first member of this family of whom we have definite information, was born in Amsterdam, New York, and was probably a descendant of the Cape Cod, Massachusetts, family. A number of Blossoms are mentioned in the records of Barnstable and Sandwich, and the name is associated with Wells, Vermont, through a descendant of the Cape Cod Blossoms. William, son of Joseph Blossom, was in Manchester, New York, before 1837. He had been educated for the Presbyterian ministry, but did not enter it. He engaged in farming in the town of Seneca township, and in … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Buell

Samuel, son of William and Mary Buell, was born at Windsor in 1641, and later became one of the founders of Killingsworth. He held a number of public offices, was a man of large property, and is on the town records as “a gentleman.” He married, 1661, Deborah Griswold, of Windsor. He had seven sons and five daughters, of whom Mary and Hannah married Henry and Joseph Porter, and settled at Niagara, western New York.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Hart

Thomas (2), son of Hawkins and Sarah (Roys or Royce) Hart, was born in 1714, and died in 1801. For a time he lived in Farmington, removing to Bristol about 1747. He married, 1942, Hannah Coe. Children: Mary, married Luke Gridley; Ruth, married Daniel Hills; Jonathan, see elsewhere; Hannah, married Jacob Byington; Thomas, married Mary Hungerford; Esther, married Zebulon Peck; Amasa, married Phoebe Roberts; Abel, served in the revolutionary war, and died in prison of starvation; Barbara, married Zerubbabel Jerome; Benjamin; Lydia.

Biographical Sketch of John N. Brown

John N., son of Jesse and Roxanna (Grant) Brown, was born in Milford, Otsego county, New York, August 10, 1818, died August 4, 1895. After pursuing a classical and theological course, he became a minister of the Methodist denomination and held the following charges: Big Flats, Hector, Mecklenburg, Lodi, Dundee, Palmyra, Rochester, Phelps and Clyde, in all of which his services were highly appreciated and were instrumental in the saving of many souls. He also served for three years as private and chaplain in the One Hundred and Eleventh New York Volunteer Regiment during the civil war, and after the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Zebina C. Andruss

(VII) Zebina C., third son of Benajah and Abigail (Nash) Andruss, was born at Butternuts, now (1910) Gilbertsville, New York, August 12, 1794. His occupation was that of farming. He took an active interest in political affairs, was at first a member of the Whig party, later of the Republican; served as magistrate for many years and also as judge of Yates county court. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married, September 20, 1818, Almira Garlick, born at Norwich, New York, February 10, 1799. Children: John Pellett, Miles Benajah, George, see forward, and Charles York.

Biographical Sketch of William Clayton

William Clayton, immigrant ancestor, was born in England. and came from London, England. in the ship “Kent,” with certain commissioners sent out by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchase land from the Indians and perform other duties. In March, 1678-79, he purchased the share of Hans Oelson. one of the grantees of Marcus Hook, New Jersey, and settled at that place. He was a Quaker in religion. but he took an active and prominent part in public affairs. He was a member of Governor Markham’s council and also of the proprietors’ council. He was justice of the upland county … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lewis Marsh

The Marsh family probably came from the early settlers of this name in Massachusetts. Lieutenant Alexander Marsh came from England and settled in Braintree, Massachusetts, before May 3, 1654, when he was admitted a freeman of the colony. He owned a house and land in Boston. He died March 7, 1698, aged seventy. George Marsh was a proprietor of Hingham as early as 1635 and was admitted a freeman, March 3, X635-36, and was later a town officer. He died July 2, 1647. John Marsh, a shoemaker by trade, came from England to Salem, Massachusetts, in the ship “Mary and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Godfrey Rockefeller

Godfrey Rockefeller, son of William and Christina Rockefeller, settled upon a farm in Barrington, Columbia county, New York. He married a daughter of Miles Avery, who served as an officer in the revolutionary war. Godfrey Rockefeller had a family of nine children, two of whom, William and Norman, were well-to-do farmers and became nonogenarians. William was the father of John D. Rockefeller, whose munificent contributions in behalf of religious education, scientific investigation and moral improvement, amounting to more than one hundred and thirty-three million dollars, are almost without parallel in the world’s history.

Biographical Sketch of Francis Brayton

Francis (2), son of Francis (1) Brayton, died January 30, 1718. He married, March 18. 1671, Mary, daughter of Thomas and Mary Fish, died April 4, 1747. He was a freeman, April 30, 1672, and lived in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. His will was proved February 10, 1718, and mentioned wife, sons Thomas, Benjamin and Francis, daughters Mary and Mehitable. The inventory amounted to eight hundred and seventeen pounds sixteen shillings ten pence. Children: Mary, born January 1, 1676; Thomas, June 14, 1681, mentioned elsewhere; Francis, March 17, 1684; David, October 23, 1686; Mehitable, January 12. 1693; Benjamin, September 8, 1695.

Biographical Sketch of John Osburn

Sturgis Osburn was probably descended from the Oshorns of Fairfield county, Connecticut. He lived in Dutchess county. New York, and died in the West. (II) John, son of Sturgis Osburn, was born in Dutchess county, New York, in 1807, died February 4, 1885. When a small boy he came with his parents to Farmington, Ontario county. New York. He started in life on a small farm at Farmington and by industry and close application to business became one of the most prosperous and successful farmers of the town. From time to time he added to his farm until he bad … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Wells

Samuel Wells was born in Suffolk county, England. He was a well known musician who traveled extensively both in this country and abroad, and for a number of years was engaged in the book and music business in Portsmouth and Newark, Ohio. His death occurred in 1879. He married Emma Rand. Children: 1. Samuel Sylvester, born in England; married a niece of General Benjamin W. Brice, U. S. A., died leaving a widow and five children. 2. Joshua Rand, died in 1906; was married and had ten children. 3. Frederick I., born in Newark, Ohio, in 1840; married and has … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William McDowell

William, son of John McDowell, was born about 1790. In 1825 he bought two hundred and fifty acres of land on lot 46 in Barrington one mile south of Warsaw, paying four dollars an acre. He was a prosperous and substantial farmer. He was one of the organizers of the Presbyterian church in Barrington. He married, in 1813, Dorothea Decker. Children: William, lived at Barrington; John, mentioned elsewhere; Matthew, lived at Barrington and Wayne, where he died; Catharine, married Henry Cronkright. of Tyrone; Elizabeth, married Jonathan Taylor, of Barrington; Nancy, married Caleb I-ledges, of Bradford: Elsie, married Selah Crosby.

Biography of William Hunt

Practically all of the Hunts in America are of English descent, and a family of this name coming from Ireland is rarely to be met with. Those about to be mentioned, however, are the exception. and are numbered among the great mass of their countrymen who, while preserving their identity to a greater or less extent, have become one of the important component parts of the American people. Among the sturdy Irishmen who were compelled by famine and oppression to emigrate to the United States prior to 1850, was William Hunt, a native of Queens county. Instead of remaining for … Read more

Biography of Horace D. Bennett

(III) Horace D., son of George and Sally dum) Bennett, was born’ in the town of Geneva, Ontario county, New York, June 29, 1828. His education was acquired in the Geneva district school, and under private tuition in a select school during two winters. Early in life he commenced to assist his father in the cultivation and management of the homestead farm, and in this manner has acquired a thorough mastery of all the details connected with an agricultural life. With the exception of the years spent at school, and the time spent in the service of his country, Mr. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Asahel Blakeman Avery

(VIII) Asahel Blakeman, son of Peter Rockefeller and Elizabeth (Blakeman) Avery, was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, May 16, 1834, and died in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, September 19, 1894. He came to the town of Phelps as a boy of fourteen and engaging in farming there, he became and was for many years one of the representative men of the region. He married Julia, daughter of Ashbel and Emily Horsford, of Phelps. Children: Minnie L., born in 1864, died in 1884; Elizabeth, born in 1873, married Elmer Miller; Willis, referred to below; Frank A., referred to below. (IX) … Read more