Ontario County NY

Biography of Rev. Isaac G. Hubbard

Rev. Isaac G. Hubbard, at one time the rector of Trinity Church, Claremont, was born here, April 13, 1818, son of Isaac and Ruth (Cobb) Hubbard. His grandfather, George Hubbard, who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, came to Claremont in 1778 from Tolland, Conn. Judge J. H. Hubbard, of Windsor, a son of George, was one of the ablest lawyers in New England. He was a powerful man, and as a pleader at the bar he had few equals. Isaac Hubbard, another son, who settled in Claremont, became a successful farmer and stock-raiser. He was an influential man, … Read more

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

Biographical Sketch of Leonard Cotton

Leonard, son of Isaac Cotton, was born in Farmington in 1822, and was educated there in the public schools and the :Macedon Center Academy. He learned the trade of carpenter and was also a farmer. From the age of fifteen he supported himself and engaged in business before he was of age. In politics he was a Whig. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He married Amy Ann Gardner, born at Farmington, in 1828, died in the spring of 1873. he died in the fall of 1872. Elisha Gardner. her father, married a Patterson. Children, born at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of David White

David White, the founder of this family, was the son of George White, a sea-captain, and was born in Scotland, in 1844. Emigrating to America, he settled in Phelps, Ontario county, and engaged in farming. He was elected road commissioner at one time. He married Melissa Van der Mark, who died in 1884. Children: Edith, married Myron D. Crozer; Lillian, married George Peirce; Charles D., referred to elsewhere.

Biographical Sketch of William Dwight Severance

(VIII) William Dwight, son of William Sidney Severance, was born in Phelps, on the homestead at Melvin Hill, May 1t, 1836. He was educated in the union schools, and learned of his father the blacksmith’s trade. In 1857 he left home and located at Terra Haute, Indiana, where for five years he was in business as a blacksmith. Returning to Phelps in 1862, he conducted a farm there for two years and bought it in 1865. Since then he has followed farming in his native town and dealt extensively in horses, sheep and cattle. He has owned some very fine … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John A. Woolston

John A., son of William Woolston, was born in Victor, January 6, 1838. He attended the public schools and Fairfield Classical Academy, and for several years taught school in the winter terms. His life has been devoted chiefly to farming. The farm comprises some two hundred and fifty-six acres of land in Victor, and the buildings are substantial and attractive in appearance and the farm is very productive. e was assessor of the town of Victor. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Woolston is a member of Mendon Grange, No. 83, Patrons of Husbandry. He married. April 6, 1864, … Read more

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 Oliver Crothers

Oliver Crothers, son of William Crothers, was born in Phelps, December 12, 1819. He was engaged as a farmer until he removed to Newark in 1867, when he established himself in the malt business in which he was engaged until 1895, when he sold it and returned to his farm near Phelps. Two years later he again established a malting business with which he was identified until his retirement in 1895. He was active in public affairs of the communities in which he lived. He served as supervisor of the town of Arcadia and as president and trustee of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Zebediah Williams

Zebediah (2), son of Zebediah (1) Williams, was born in 1675 at Deerfield. In 1692 the court ordered his grandmother, Patience Miller, “to take him and educate him or get him out (apprenticed) for an education.” Godfrey Nims, his stepfather, objected and the case was postponed. He was wounded by the Indians in 1695 and was allowed fifteen pounds by the general court for loss of time. The Indians captured him and his half-brother, John Nims, October 8, 1703, at Frary’s Bridge and carried them to Canada where he died April 12, 1706. His “house partly finished” was on a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Captain George Lee

Captain George (2) Lee, son of George (1) Lee, was born at Taunton or Berkley, Massachusetts, May 6, 1768, and died at East Bloomfield, New York, June 28, 1853. He came to Bloomfield, among the early settlers in 1801. He owned about a thousand acres of land, a grist mill and saw mill at Bloomfield, and was a successful wool grower. He was true to his country, just to his neighbors and a friend to man. For forty-five years a member of the Baptist church, he was a devoted and exemplary Christian, a liberal, benevolent, hospitable and good man. Leaving … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elijah Hoyt

Elijah (2), son of Elijah (1) and Mary (Raymond) Hoyt, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, March 12, 1766, died in Lisle, Broome county, New York, in September, 1823. About 1790 he removed to New York State and ten years later he returned to Norwalk where he remained until 1816, when he finally settled in Broome county. He married (first) Sally Lawrence, who died July 18, 1787. He married (second) Polly (Quintard) Raymond. Children, one by first marriage: 1. Daniel, born July 15, 1787, died September 25, 1858; married, April 11, 1808, Abigail Raymond. 2. Elijah, born September 16, 1795, married. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jesse Severance

(V) Jesse, son of Joseph (2) Severance, was born about 1751. his birth is not on record, but he was doubtless of this family. He died November 21, 1831, aged eighty years. In 1774 he was of Deerfield and of Shelburne in 1781. He settled in Conway and was selectman in 1784, and deputy sheriff in 1791. Before 1806 he returned to Deerfield and was a tavern keeper at Bloody Brook in 1810. In 1790 he was of Conway, according to the first federal census and had in his family four sons under sixteen and five females. He married Eunice … 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 Edward Wiser McKelvie

Edward Wiser McKelvie, son of William G. and Lydia (Jackson) McKelvie (q. v.), was born in Geneva, October 16, 1870. He was graduated from the Geneva high school and for the past twenty years has been engaged in general farming and fruit growing. He owns fiftyfour acres of well improved land, nine acres of which are devoted to the raising of fruit, and he manages his property with such care and foresight as to secure the best possible returns for his investment. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, having served one term as steward of the local … Read more

Biograhical Sketch of Thaddeus Collins

(I) Thaddeus, grandfather of Louis D. Collins, served during the revolutionary war, entering the army at the age of sixteen years and enlisting a number of times. He also served during the war of 1812. He went to Ontario county, New York, in 1998, took tip a tract of land and engaged in farming.

Biographical Sketch of Adam Turnbull

William R. Turnbull, assessor of Seneca township, Ontario county, New York, is a member of a family which was among the pioneer settlers of the county, and the various generations of which have been closely identified with its agricultural interests. Thoroughly conversant with the details of farming and sheep raising, honorable and highminded in all the different phases of life, he occupies an enviable position among his fellow townsmen, who willingly accord to him a place in their first ranks. Adam Turnbull, grandfather of the above mentioned, came to Seneca township in 1801, and settled on the farm which is … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Eugene F. Hoyt

Eugene F., son of John F. and Adelaide (Granger) Hoyt, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, March 14, 1859, and is now (1910) living in Clifton Springs, Ontario county, New York. He was brought to the farm in the town of Manchester, on which he now (1910) lives, when he was one year old. He received his education in the public schools and the Rochester Business College, and then engaged in farming until 1892, when he was appointed postal clerk, and assigned to the run between Syracuse and New York City. In 1880 he was town clerk of Manchester. He … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph P. Hathaway

(VIII) Joseph P., son of Perez Hathaway, was born at Farmington, New York, August 31, 1833, and died June 14, 1897. He was educated in the public schools and at the Canandaigua Academy. He also followed farming and raised high-grade cattle and sheep. In politics he was a Republican, and for a number of years was a justice of the peace of the town. He was a member of the Hicksite church. He married, February 20, 1860, Ellen A. Bristol, born in 1835, died June 12, 1874, second daughter of Arnold A. and Maria (Aldrich) Bristol, of Macedon, Wayne county. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Stryker

John, son of James I. and Anna M. (Freese) Stryker, was born at Sand Beach, Owasca Lake, New York, April 17, 1810, died in 1882. He lived on the farm which had been in his possession for many years, and which he kept in a fine state of cultivation. His interest in public affairs was an active and beneficial one, and he bore his share bravely in the military life of the country, serving as a captain in the New York state militia. He married Maria Garritson, who died in 1869, and they had children : Winfield S., mentioned elsewhere; … Read more

Biography of Edwin S. Thorne

Edwin S. Thorne, treasurer and manager of the Geneva Preserving Company, is a fine example of a self-made man, in the best sense of the word. He has gained for himself friends, affluence and position, by his own honorable exertions and moral attributes, and by the strength and force of his character has been enabled to overcome obstacles which, to others less hopeful and courageous, would have seemed insurmountable. He has been gifted with a quickness of perception and a fertility of invention which enable him to carry his projects far on the road to success, while others meditate upon … Read more