Ontario County NY

Biography of Thomas Sawyer

Thomas (4), son of Thomas (3) Sawyer, was born in Bolton, February 6, 1739-40. He followed the trade of his father, that of a millwright, and settled in Templeton soon after his marriage. He removed from there to Winchendon in 1771, where he was a constable in 1772-74. He served in the revolutionary war, the first service being at the Lexington alarm. April 19, 1775, when he appeared as sergeant on the roll of Captain Abel Wilder’s company, Colonel Ephraim Doolittle’s regiment. They marched from Winchendon to Cambridge, April 20, 1775, and served sixteen days. He was a private on … Read more

Biography of Anson Lapham Gardner

Anson Lapham, son of Sunderland Pattison and Annette Hannah (Bell) Gardner, was born in Farmington, Ontario county. New York, February 7, 1873. His preparatory education was acquired in the district school of Farmington and the Macedon Center Academy, and he then became a student at Columbia University, New York City, from which he was graduated in the class of 1896. During his earlier years he assisted in the cultivation of the home farm and was engaged in teaching in district schools for a period of two years. He commenced the study of law in the office of his uncle, Elisha … Read more

Biography of Alfred George Lewis

It is a fact, and one which cannot but be regretted by every deepthinking mail, that the majority of historiographers of the present age are in the habit of overlooking, whether by accident or design, the class of citizens who devote their lives to agricultural and commercial enterprises, while they give prominence to lawyers, doctors, statesmen, and others whose paths in life he in the learned professions. This is a grievous oversight, and one that should be rectified at the earliest moment. There is surely no class of citizens more worthy of the respect and esteem of their fellows than … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Rev. John Raines

Rev. John Raines, the first member of the family to make his home in this country, emigrated to America in 1817, with his fortunes badly shattered by the Napoleonic wars, and for some years resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About the year 1830 he settled with his family on a farm near Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York. He was a Methodist minister.

Biographical Sketch of Arthur Burtis

Arthur (2) Burtis, eldest son of Arthur (1) and Elizabeth (Palmer) Burtis, was born in 1807 in his parents’ home on the shore of the East River, which was the home of Lindley Murray at the time of the revolution. After two years at Columbia, Arthur Burtis completed his college course at Union, now (1910) Hobart College, Geneva, New York. He was organizer of the first secret college fraternity in the United States, Kappa Alpha. He then entered the law office of James Otis Morse, of Cherry Valley, and afterwards that of Hugh Maxwell and later of Kent & Foote, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Daniel Arnold Robinson

(IV) Isabella, daughter of Isaac Richardson, married Dr. Daniel Arnold Robinson, son of Benedict Robinson, of Jerusalem, Yates county, New York, and a descendant of Rowland Robinson, of Rhode Island. Benedict Robinson and a Quaker named Hathaway purchased township No. 7, second range, of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase in 1790. Of his 14, 000 acres he gave a thousand to Jemima Wilkinson, a prominent Quakeress, with whom he came to Yates county. He married Susan Brown in 1795. Children of Dr. Daniel Arnold and Isabella Robinson: Susanna Brown, married Robert Howland, of New Bedford; Dr. Benedict, of Union Springs: … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Marvin A. Wilbur

Marvin A., son of Brownell (2) Wilbur, was born at Hamilton, Madison county, New York, January 9, 1837. He attended the public schools and was graduated from Madison (now (1910) Colgate) University. He taught in Rose Valley, Butler and North Rose public schools. In 1858 he gave up teaching on account of ill health and located on a farm in Victor, also assisting his father in conducting the homestead there in connection with a milling business. From 1860 to 1862 he was in the oil fields of Pennsylvania. He afterward conducted the farm until he sold it, and moved to … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Clayton

William (2), son of William (1) Clayton, was born about 1660, died in Chichester, Pennsylvania, about 1727. He married Elizabeth Bezer, a widow. Children: William, died 1757, married Mary, daughter of Walter Marten, of Chichester, and had Mary, William, Lydia. Sarah, Moses, Prudence, Patience and David: Richard; Rachel, married Thomas Howell: Ambrose; Thomas; Abel; Elizabeth, born July 12, 1685 (not mentioned in her father’s will), married Daniel Davis; Edward, mentioned elsewhere.

Biographical Sketch of Charles Moreau Harger

Charles Moreau Harger, Kansas editor and old time resident of the state, is known to thousands of people outside Kansas through his writings in magazines and through his active participation in several movements recognized as of national scope. He was born in Phelps, New York, in 1863, came west to Dickinson County in 1879 with his parents, and had resided in Abilene since that date. He was educated in a classical school. For several years he was a farmer and rancher, then teacher, being principal of the Hope City schools in 1887-88. He then became a reporter on the Abilene … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jonathan Buell

Jonathan (2), son of Captain Timothy and Olive (Norton) Buell. served as sheriff of the county and as member of the assembly, and died in 1865. He married (first) Sally, who died in 1845, daughter of Daniel and Aurelia (Dowd) Rice; (second) Mrs. Caroline (Buell) Robinson. Children: Mortimer, see elsewhere; Pomeroy Baldwin: Henry, married Sarah Mather, of Richmond; Sally Ann; Mary Saxton.

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 John Mead

John, son of William Mead, was born about 1634. He married Hannah Potter, of Stamford, daughter of William Potter, probably in 1657. He died February 5, 1699. He was the ancestor of the Greenwich Heads. After having lived in Stamford, and in Hempstead, Long Island, he finally located permanently at Horseneck, Connecticut. Children: John, born in Greenwich, October 7, 1658; Joseph, born May 2, 1660; Hannah, born about 1661; Ebenezer, born in 1663; Jonathan: David, mentioned elsewhere; Benjamin, born May, 1666; Nathaniel, born about 1669; Samuel, born about 1673; Abigail, born about 1675; Mary. born about 1678.

Biography of William Bushnell Osborne

William Bushnell Osborne, ex-sheriff of Ontario county, New York, has been an earnest worker in the interests of the Republican party since his early manhood. In addition to having been instrumental in furthering plans for many improvements in that section of the country he has been one of the most successful and enterprising farmers of the vicinity of the town in which he lives. He and his children are eligible to membership in the society of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, several members of the family having borne their share bravely and gallantly in the famous Revolutionary … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles H. Hutchens

Charles H., fifth son and sixth child of Henry and Polly U. divermore) Hutchens, was born in Canandaigua. He was a carriage builder and carpenter, and during the last twelve years of his residence in Canandaigua he was also engaged in the piano business. In 1905 he removed to Bradford, Pennsylvania, and one year later to Olean, New York, where he associated himself in business with his son, Henry W., under the firm name of C. H. Hutchens & Son. He affiliates with the Republican party and for years served as town committeeman. He is a member of the Baptist … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert Carson

Robert (2), eldest son and fifth child of Robert (1) and Sarah (Armstrong) Carson, was born in Seneca, Ontario county, New York, May 23, 1810, and died October 6, 1883. His occupations were varied, being those of farmer, miller and manufacturer. He gave his political support to the Democratic party, and was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married, January 2. 1834, Rebecca Rippey. who was born September 6, 1808. and died April 5, 1875. Children: 1. Matthew Rippey, born May 25, 1836; is a physician, practicing in Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York; married Elizabeth Ostrom, of Carlton, Saratoga … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Vincent Reed

Vincent (2), son of Vincent (1) Reed, was born near Geneva, New York, October 21, 1846. He was educated in the public schools of Geneva, and at the age of nineteen years moved with his parents to a farm in the town of Phelps, New York, where he has since been engaged in farming. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Oaks Corners, and has been elder and trustee for years. On January 19, 1870, he married Alice, daughter of Henry and Louise Church. Children : Alice, born December it, 1872; Nelson C., February 18, 1875; Philip, January … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hebram Knickerbocker

Richard Monroe Knickerbocker, an energetic and capable representative of a family which has for many years been identified with the agricultural interests of the state of New York, has adhered, as far as changing conditions would permit, to the ideals of his forefathers, and considers it one of the most noble occupations for mankind to follow to obtain from the bosom of mother earth the rich products she is so ready to give to those who love and care for her. (I) Hebram Knickerbocker, grandfather of Richard Monroe Knickerbocker, was born at Naples, Ontario county, New York, on land which … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jonah Titus

Jonah, son of John (2) Titus, born July 10, 1710, married (first) November 28,-1734, Hannah Butterworth, of Rehoboth, and about 1740 removed to present Washington, Connecticut. His wife died in 1745. He married (second) Mary Tolman. Jonah Titus died May 24, 1783. By the first wife were three children: Judith, Onesimus and Joel, all born in Rehoboth. Onesimus was the ancestor of those who remained in Washington. There were six children by second wife.

Biography of Dr. Gardner B. Young

Dr. Gardner B. Young, son of Arthur and Laurinda (Stull) Young, was born in Farmers Valley, McKean county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1859. His first step in his business career was as a clerk in a store at Larabee, Pennsylvania, where in the course of four years he rose to the position of manager through his energy and executive ability. He then bought out the business, which he continued for the period of one year on his own account and then closed out. During this time he had handled trade to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars, the greater part … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Zerubbabel Hoyt

Zerubbabel, son of Walter Hoyt, was born between 1650 and 1654, died in Norwalk, Connecticut. between 1727 and 1738. He was deacon in the Norwalk church from 1717 until his death. He married (first) a woman whose name is unknown, and (second) before 1725, the Widow Mehitable Keeler, who had three children, John, David and Daniel Keeler, by her first husband. Children, all by first marriage: 1. Abigail, born February 2, 1675. 2. Joseph, born about January, 1677, died about 1730: married Sarah – . 3. Daniel, born January 1, 1681, died between 1756 and 1764; married (first) —- ; … Read more