Ontario County NY

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Preston

Samuel, son of Roger Preston, was born at Ipswich, in 1651. He went to Andover with his mother and there passed the remainder of his life. He married, May 27, 1671, Susanna Gutterson, who died December 29, 1710. He married (second) September 24, 1713, Mary (Rolandson) Blodgett, widow of John Blodgett. Samuel died at Andover July 10, 1738. Children, born at Andover: 1. Samuel, born March 16, 1672, mentioned elsewhere. 2. William, March 30. 1677. 3. Mary, January 5, 1678. 4. Jacob, February 24, 1680-81. 5. Elizabeth, February 14, 1682. 6. John, May 1, 1685. 7. Joseph, January 26, 1686-87. … Read more

Biography of Lemuel Herendeen

Lemuel, son of Gideon Herendeen, was born on the old homestead at Farmington, New York, May 15, 1833. He was educated in the public schools and at the Friends Boarding School at Providence, Rhode Island. He married (first) November 9, 1861, Eliza Newman, born December 5, 1831, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Newman, of Victor. His wife died December 7, 1885. He married (second) January 16, 1889, Anna E., second daughter of David and Elizabeth Peters, of Ithaca. Mr. Herendeen died February 13, 1897, in Geneva. He was educated in the district schools and worked on the homestead when a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Cline

(IV) Richard, son of Mark Cline, was born at Victor, New York, September 18, 1829. His education was received in the public schools of his native town. He has been a farmer all his active life, and still makes his home in his native town. His farm contains about a hundred acres. In politics he is a Republican; in religion a Methodist, and for a number of years he was a trustee of the church. He married Jane Ann Van born, February 15, 1854, daughter of Peter Van born. She died August 25, 1897. Children: Amenzo M., born January 20, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel Wilbur

Samuel Wilbur, immigrant ancestor, married in England, Ann, daughter of Thomas Bradford, of Doncaster, York county or Yorkshire. The first record of him is on December 1, 1633, when he and his wife Ann were admitted to the First Church at Boston. He was made a freeman in Boston, March 4, 1634. He owned much property in Taunton, Massachusetts, as well as in Boston, and probably in both places. In November, 1637, he was among those banished from the colony on account of religious views. Acting on the advice of Roger Williams, he went to Providence, where he and the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thaddeus Oaks

Thaddeus, son of Jonathan (2) and Martha (Hawks) Oaks, was born in Conway, Massachusetts, and came to Phelps, with his father in 1790 and died there. He married Fanny Dickinson, also of Conway, Massachusetts. Children: Nathan, referred to below; Mary Lucretia, who married L. B. Hotchkiss, of Phelps, New York.

Biographical Sketch of John Conover

John, son of Cornelius Conover, was born at Victor, New York. April 20. 1817. He was educated in the public schools of Victor. He and his three brothers worked on the father’s farm of four hundred acres during their youth, and he followed farming in Victor throughout his active life. In 1860 he planted an apple orchard that has made his farm one of the best fruit growing places of the town. In politics he was a Republican, in religion a Presbyterian. He died in Victor, October 10, 1908. He married, at Akron, Ohio, January 9, 1858, Elizabeth Tucker, who … Read more

Biography of J. Jay Barden

J. Jay Barden, who has for many years been connected with the agricultural department of the state of New York, in positions of trust and responsibility, is, in addition to these duties, recognized as one of the most progressive farmers in his section of the country. His business occupations have been varied and extensive. Sylvanus Barden, father of the above-mentioned, was born in Benton township, Yates county, New York, in 1816, and died May 15, 1905. He followed farming all his life, and was of a quiet and retiring disposition, finding his greatest pleasures in his own home. He married … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John Carpenter

(XI) John (5), son of William (4) Carpenter, was born in England about 1628, died May 23, 1695. He came from England with his father, and when about seventeen went to Connecticut. For several years he lived in different towns in the latter state, and worked at his trade as carpenter. He was in Stratford, Connecticut, in 1646, and in 1660 bought land in Hempstead, Long Island. He was chosen townsman of Hempstead in 1663, and was made freeman of the state of Connecticut, May, 1664. He bought land in Jamaica, Long Island, in 1665. In 1673 he was made … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Simeon Hayes

(IV) Simeon, son of Captain Samuel (2) and Rosanna (Holcombe) Hayes, was born in Simsbury, February 17, 1768, or January 17, 1769, and died in Plattsburgh, New York, August 18, 1841. In , 806 he removed from his native state to Plattsburgh, where he engaged in farming and also turned his attention to mechanical pursuits. He was a mechanical genius and an inventor, and at different times worked at wagon-making, shoemaking and coopering. Above all he was a man of unsullied integrity and deep religious principle. He married (first), March 22, 1790, Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Israel Holly, a Congregational … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Arnold Vosburgh

(II) Arnold, son of Richard Vosburgh, was born in Hillsdale, in 1831, died January 18, 1898. His education was acquired in the district schools, and was an excellent one for that time, and he added to this during his leisure hours by reading and studying the best literature obtainable. He removed to the town of Phelps, Ontario county, New York, in 1870, where he purchased a farm, and was engaged in its cultivation until his death. He was one of the leaders in all public matters in Phelps, his opinion carrying great weight, and served his town in the office … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Ottley

Thomas Ottley, immigrant ancestor, was born in Yorkshire, England, November 3, 1788, and came to this country in 1808, locating in Ontario county, New York, in what is now (1910) Seneca Castle. He cleared a farm in the forest and followed farming there the remainder of his life. When he came there were no bridges nor cross-roads and the settlers lived the lives of the pioneers. He became a prominent citizen and in 1831 represented the county in the state assembly at Albany. He was superintendent of Ontario county for thirty years and was much occupied in later years as … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Tusten, H. W.

Tusten, H. W. farmer, P. O. Russell, came here with the Northwestern Colony, in the spring of 1871. He opened the first general store and continued merchandising for six years. At the same time he opened a farm of 320 acres, and now has 200 acres of it under cultivation. He makes a specialty in the stock business, dealing largely in cattle and horses. He keeps the Membrino stock of horses. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1833, lived in his native State until 1841, and then came with his parents to Kenosha, Wis., where they lived … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Franklin Woolston

William Franklin, son of John A. Woolston, was born at Victor, December 31, 1864. In his boyhood he worked on his father’s farm and attended the district schools of his native town and Canandaigua. He began to study the veterinarian’s profession in the Toronto Veterinary College, but afterward entered the American Veterinary College of New York City, graduating there with the degree of D. V. S. in the class of 1892. From that time until 1909 he practiced with unbounded success. On account of failing health, he altered his environment and, returning to the homestead, devoted himself to the management … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Bowerman

This surname is also written Bourman, Boreman, Burman and in various other ways including Boardman in the earlier records. (I) Thomas Bowerman, as his descendants in this line spell his name, was born in England, and settled early in Barnstable, Massachusetts. He appears to have been in Plymouth as early as 1633, when he was a taxpayer and was employed to repair the fort on the hill. He was a carpenter. In 1643 he was of Barnstable in the west part of the town, on the south side of the cove of the meadow at the head of Bridge Creek. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jonathan Whitney

Jonathan (2), son of Jonathan (1) Whitney, was born October 17, 1704, and married, January 26, 1727, Lydia Jones, born September 15. 1705, died March 4, 1783. He owned lands in Hopkinton, Holliston and Mendon. He was a prominent citizen and influential member of the church and assisted in establishing the town of Milford. He died intestate, in 1755. Children: Susanna, February 12, 1728; Jonathan, October 18, 1729, died October 19, 1729; Jesse, November 24, 1730; Lydia, November 18, 1732; Jonathan, July 26, 1737, mentioned elsewhere; Ruth, baptized April 11, 1742, died young; David, baptized September 21, 1746; Sarah.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas Johnson

Thomas Johnson, who has been prominently identified with the public affairs of Ontario county, New York, for many years, is descended from an old family of Ireland, his father having come to this country about the middle of the last century and located in Canandaigua, New York. Thomas Johnson was born in county Derry, Ireland, January 10, 1856, and was very young when he came to this country. He was educated in the public schools of Canandaigua and Canandaigua Academy, and then entered upon his business career. He established himself in the lumber business in 1885, forming a partnership with … Read more

Biography of William B. Forster

William B. Forster, who is engaged in general farming in the town of Seneca, Ontario county, New York, occupies a high position in the literary circles of that section of the country and is also prominently identified with its religious life. William D. Forster, father of William B. Forster, was born at Halls Corners, Ontario county, New York, March 29, 1830, and is the oldest living person born at that place. He attended the common schools of his native township and supplemented this education by attendance at the sessions of Alfred Academy. He then engaged in teaching, and taught schools … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Ephraim Cotton

Ephraim, son of George Cotton, was born April 9, 1648. He settled in Longmeadow, and about 1696 removed to Enfield, Massachusetts. He died May 14, 1713. He married (first) November 17, 1670, Mary Drake, who died October 19, 1681. He married (second) March 26, 1685, Esther, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Marshfield. She died January 20, 1714. Children of first wife, born in Springfield; Ephraim, February 8, 1672; Josiah, October 7, 1674; Job, May 14, 1677; Samuel, January 17, 1679; children of second wife, the first five recorded in Springfield, the remainder in Enfield : Josiah, December 30, 1685; Esther, … 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

Biography of Abram A. Post

Abram A. Post, owner of one of the finest farms in Seneca, Ontario county, New York, which has been in uninterrupted possession of his family since 1809, has had the advantage of extended travel to assist him in the cultivation of this piece of land and bring out its especial qualities. Frank J. Post, father of Abram A. Post, was born on the homestead farm, October 16, 1842, died in 1904. He improved the land which had been left to him by his father, in many respects, but it was left to the improved methods of his son to bring … Read more