New York

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 Lee Vosburgh

(III) Lee, son of Arnold and Olive (Coe) Vosburgh, was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, New York, July 26, 1863. He attended the public schools in the town of Phelps, New York, removing there with his parents in 1871 ; two years later they removed to Clyde, New York, and after another two years returned to Phelps and located on their former farm. In 1892 Mr. Vosburgh took charge of this farm and it has since that time been under his sole management. The results which he has achieved in agriculture have been of an eminently satisfactory character, and he … Read more

Biography of James R. Vance

James R. Vance, sole proprietor of the J. R. Vance Iron Works, of Geneva, and the inventor of a number of patented devices in the boiler making industry, is a fine example of what may be accomplished by unaided effort and a never-ceasing ambition. His grandfather, John Vance, was a Methodist minister in Scotland, and as his father died when he was a very young lad, he was thrown upon his own resources, which developed the sterling qualities with which he was liberally endowed. James R. Vance was born in Scotland, April 4, 1849. His school instruction was limited, as … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Stacey Merritt

Adelbert Clinton Merritt, who has been closely identified with a variety of business interests in the state of New York, is descended from a family which settled in this state a number of generations ago. (1) Stacy Merritt, grandfather of Adelbert C. Merritt, was a member of a large family, his brothers being: Isaac, Charles, David, William Henry Harrison, Hudson and Lester. He settled with his father on the farm in Penfield, was a pail and tub maker by trade and also a farmer. He married Elizabeth Cass, who died in 1863. Children: Electa, Oliver C., William H., see forward, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William Harrison Merritt

(II) William Harrison, son of Stacy and Elizabeth (Cass) Merritt, was born on the farm at Penfield, 1820. He was occupied as a millwright and carpenter. At the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment, as corporal of his regiment, and was an active participant in the battle of Fredericksburg. The day following this engagement he was taken sick, and was honorably discharged in 1862. He married Olive M., who died September 3, 1909, daughter of David Allyn. Children: Adelbert Clinton, see forward; Rose V., who married Richard Johnson and had children: … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Adelbert Clinton Merritt

(III) Adelbert Clinton, eldest child of William Harrison and Olive M. (Allyn) Merritt, was born at the family homestead in Penfield, April 8, 1847. He was educated in the public schools of his district and the Penfield Academy. For a period of fifteen years he worked with his father as a millwright, then, in 1870, went to Rochester, New York, where he was employed in the meat market business. adding groceries to his stock the following year, and at the expiration of two years sold out. returned to Penfield, where he took up his former occupation and also engaged in … 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 Frank P. Van Dyne

Frank P. Van Dyne, who has been connected with the Clifton Springs Sanitarium for many years, and is at present overseer of the institution, is of Dutch ancestry, as the name indicates. Joshua Van Dyne, son of Peter Van Dyne, and father of Frank P. Van Dyne, was born in the New England States, 1817, died in 1865. He married Sarah Bailley, who died in 1898. Children: Frank P., see forward; Olida, married George Smith; Charity, died in infancy. Frank P., son of Joshua and Sarah (Bailley) Van Dyne, was born in Clifton Springs, Ontario county, New York, December 20, … Read more

Biography of William Henry Truesdale

William Henry, fourth son of Samuel and Charity (Cummings) Truesdale, was born near Rochester, New York, October 30, 1844. His elementary education was acquired in the district school and at private academies, and he then prepared for college in the Benedict Classical School in Rochester. He took the arts course in the University of Rochester, was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and two years later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him. He then commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1869. He never practiced law but devoted himself … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Moses Black

M. Newton Black, well known as a farmer and raiser of produce for the market in Seneca, Ontario county, New York, is a member of a family which has been identified with agricultural matters for many years, and traces his descent to the old colonial families. He is a grower and wholesale dealer in farm produce in Stanley, New York, and from there his goods are sent in all directions, being noted for their quality. (I) Moses Black, grandfather of M. Newton Black, was born in Maryland, September 29, 1789, died on his farm in Ontario county, New York, September … Read more

Biography of Henry Howell Isham

Henry Howell Isham was one of the prominent pioneer merchants of Coffeyville, founded and successfully conducted several business enterprises that were material factors in the growth and prosperity of the city, and on account of his business prominence and his personal character was held in the highest esteem. His death at Coffeyville November 19, 1906, meant the loss of one of the sterling old time citizens of Montgomery County. He was at that time seventy years of age, lacking three days. His birth had occurred at Colchester, Connecticut, November 22, 1836. He was of New England ancestry, four brothers of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Aaron Black

(II) Aaron, eldest child of Moses and Mary (McMaster) Black, was born in Seneca, New York, September 21, 1821 ; died there, January 27, 1900. He followed the occupation of farming all his life. He married, December 16, 1846, Hannah Jane Hipple, born in Pennsylvania, May 8; 1829; died May, 1888. She was three years of age when her parents-settled in Seneca, New York. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church.

Biographical Sketch of M. Newton Black

(III) M. Newton, son of Aaron and Hannah Jane (Hipple) Black, was born in the town of Seneca, New York, June 3, 1854. His elementary education was acquired, in the public schools, and he then attended the Canandaigua Academy. Early in life he followed in the footsteps of his father as a farmer, and in 1900, when the farm came into his possession, he branched out in other directions, and established himself as a wholesale produce merchant, with which line he has since that time been successfully identified. His farm land comprises seventy-five acres, and the greatest care is displayed … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard Child

(I) Richard Child, born in 1624, resided in Barnstable, and married, October 15, 1649, Mary Linnett, of that town. He was either a son or brother of Samuel Child, who arrived in the Plymouth colony at an early date.

Biographical Sketch of Richard Child

(II) Richard (2), a son of Richard and Mary dinnett) Child, was born in Barnstable, in March, 1653; died January 15, 1716. He is mentioned in the records as an honored deacon of the Congregational church, About the year 1678 he married Elizabeth Crocker, born October 7, 1660, daughter of John Crocker. Children: Samuel, mentioned elsewhere; Elizabeth (died young) ; Thomas; Hannah; Timothy; Ebenezer; Elizabeth; James; Mercy; Joseph, and Thankful.

Biographical Sketch of Deacon Samuel Childs

(III), Deacon Samuel Childs (as he spelled the name), eldest child of Richard and Elizabeth (Crocker) Child, was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, November; 6, 1679; died in Deerfield, Massachusetts, March 18, 1756. He was a blacksmith and early in life settled in Deerfield, where his, services in that capacity were highly appreciated. As a deacon of the Congregational church and a man of character and influence, he was much esteemed by his fellow townsmen. He was married (first), July 7, 1709, to Hannah Barnard, who died May 16, 1727; married (second), about two years later, Experience , who died May … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Oliver Childs

(VI) Oliver, youngest son of Libbeus and Sarah (Walker) Childs, was born in Conway, July 27, 1783. He settled in Seneca, New York, where he married for his first wife, Electa, daughter of Oliver Whitmore, of that town; she died without issue, August 2, 1816. He married (second) Nancy, daughter of Selah and Huldah Hart, of Seneca; she died April 30, 1831. He married (third) Betsey, daughter of John Gilbert, of Seneca. Children by second marriage: Benjamin, mentioned elsewhere; Electa Emeline; Theron Hart; Augustus Walstein; Edmund; Emeline; Joseph, and Gilbert. Children by his third marriage: Bradley Alonzo; Nancy Augusta, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Childs

(VII) Benjamin, son of Oliver and Nancy (Hart) Childs, was born in Seneca, April 8, 1819; died in that town, January 27, 1878. He was a prosperous farmer, owning one hundred and seven acres of land containing an almost inexhaustible supply of excellent clay, suitable for the production of tile and brick, and he engaged in the manufacture of tile, establishing an industry which proved exceedingly beneficial to the town. This business is now (1910) carried on by his son. Although the tile plant demanded his close attention during a greater part of the year, he still retained his interest … Read more

Biography of Albert Sherwood Childs

(VIII) Albert Sherwood, second son of Benjamin and Laura (Sherwood) Childs, was born in Phelps, New York, September 18, 1852. His education was concluded at Canandaigua Academy under the direction of Professor Clark, and he acquired a knowledge of farming at the homestead. He was not destined, however, to devote his energies exclusively to tilling the soil, as, at his father’s death, in 1878, he was called upon to assume the management of the tile plant, and accepting the responsibility he proceeded to enlarge the business, thereby increasing its importance as a local industry. By adopting the latest improved machinery … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William E. Bement

William E. Bement, the first member of this family of whom we have definite information, was born in New England, in 1821, died in Manchester, Ontario county, New York, in 1881. The surname is found among the earliest Puritan settlers in this country, in Enfield, Connecticut, and elsewhere, and descendants of the original Bement emigrants are living to-day in Massachusetts and Connecticut. William E. Bement is probably a descendant of the branch which was connected with the early history of Deerfield and Conway, Massachusetts. He married Laura A. Newell, who died in Manchester, Ontario county, New York, in 1903. She … Read more