BIOGRAPHY

JOEL CROFOOT - OF PAVILION, NY

Joel Crofoot, an early pioneer of Genesee County, was a native of Vermont. He moved to Cayuga Lake about 1810, and in 1816 located in Covington, now Pavilion. He entered an article for 50 acres one mile east of the village, where he lived until his death in 1863, aged 77 years. He married Polly Carr, and reared five sons and two daughters. His sons were Richmond R., Gideon W., Leonard, William D., of Michigan, and George W., also of Michigan. The father of Joel was Marcom Crofoot, of Vermont, a general of militia, who moved from Cayuga County to Painesville, Ohio, about 1816, where he resided until his death. His father came from Scotland. He married a Miss Knapp, and they had four sons and five daughters. Richmond R. Crofoot was born in 1820, on the place where he now resides, and was educated at the district schools. In 1840 he was elected captain of militia, which position he retained for seven years. Leonard Crofoot was born in 1823, raised on a farm, received an academic education, and at the age of 21 began teaching school. About 1858 he engaged in the insurance business, remaining in it for 20 years, and was one of the most successful in the business. He has also been engaged in farming since 21. Mr. Cook has served as justice of the peace two terms and school commissioner four years. He married, September 18, 1854, Lenora E. De Long, of Akron, Erie County. They have two sons, George W. and Charles R. He located where he now resides in 1855. They belong to the Universalist Church.

FROM: Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genesee County, New York, Edited by: F. W. Beers, J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890