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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 681
Surnames: AUSTIN, WYMAN, DAGGETT, JAMES, JACKSON, BALDWIN, FINDLEY, NORTON, PECK
David AUSTIN came from Taunton, Mass., in 1823 and settled on the farm now owned by Alonzo WYMAN. He was a shoemaker and a farmer. David AUSTIN, Jr., who came to Freedom with his parents, married Matilda, daughter of Elihu DAGGETT, who came from North Attleboro, Mass., in 1811, and settled on the farm now owned by David JAMES. Mr. and Mrs. AUSTIN had eleven children, of whom six are living: Melvin J., Caroline (Mrs. Andrew JACKSON), Almira (Mrs. Sylvester JACKSON), Elroy D., Louisa (Mrs. Lysander BALDWIN), and Edgar AUSTIN. Elroy D. AUSTIN, born in Arcade, N. Y., Feb. 7, 1836, was a farmer until 1885, when he purchased the grist-mill at Sandusky, which he still owns. He married Janette, a daughter of Stephen FINDLEY, who came from Scotland in 1833. Children: Sarah (Mrs. George NORTON), Arthur E., Elizabeth (Mrs. John E. PECK), William F., and Burton.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 681
Surnames: BEEBE, MEAD, PINNEY, GOULD, EDWARDS, DAWLEY
Charles BEEBE, from Vermont, came to Arcade with his family about 1815, making the journey with an ox-team. In 1818 he moved to Freedom and settled on the farm now owned by his youngest son, Wellington, who resides at Aurora. Mr. BEEBE had eleven children. Charles BEEBE, Jr., born in Arcade was one year old when his parents came to Freedom. He married Harriet MEAD; children: Marion (Mrs. C. S. PINNEY), Frank, Verlette C., Ella, Earl, and Mabel (Mrs. Elmer GOULD). Frank BEEBE was born in Freedom, and for his first wife married Mary, daughter of Joshua EDWARDS; children: Lura and Alice. He married, second, Alida A., daughter of Albert and Melvina DAWLEY, and they have one daughter, Emma.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 681
Surname: BEEKMAN
Frederick BEEKMAN, a Revolutionary soldier and a man of Dutch descent, came to this town in 1820, where he died at the age of 109 years, 6 months, and 5 days. His wife Susan died two years prior, aged 105 years, 8 months, and 8 days. Their son Christopher came with them and spent most of his life here. Of Frederick BEEKMAN many interesting stories are related. He was thoroughly imbued with the spirit of '76, and early on Fourth of July mornings with his old "howling-piece" on his shoulder, he would sally forth and rouse his neighbors with a grand salute, following it with a "Hurrah for Washington, Gates, Putnam, and Lee, und all der brave men who fought for libertee!" He was patriotic and became a sage for Dutch wit and repartee.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 681
Surnames: BIXBY, PHILLIPS, ROOT, WOODLEY
Barnes BIXBY came from New Hampshire in 1817 and settled on the farm now owned by David R. PHILLIPS, where he encountered all the hardships of a pioneer. He married Hannah BIXBY; children: Daniel, William, Ann, and Lucy. Daniel BIXBY, born in 1816, was not quite one year old when the family came to Freedom; he was a farmer, and married Vastia ROOT. Children: Anson E. and Anna J. (Mrs. A. WOODLEY). Anson E. BIXBY, a farmer, married Margaret WOODLEY; children: David E., Harry J., and Carl A.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Pages 681 & 682
Surnames: CHENEY, SCOTT, HOLMES, BEEBE, FOOTE, WOOD, KNIGHT, JAMES, VAN AERNAM, LEWIS
The CHENEY family is an early and reputable one in New England, and is of English descent. As early as 1680 the CHENEYs were residents of Roxbury (Boston Highlands) Mass. Subsequently some of them settled in New Hampshire, and their descendants are among the prominent people of that State. Josiah CHENEY, son of Ebenezer, came from Chesterfield, N. H., to Livingston county, N. Y., in 1820. In 1823 he removed to Freedom, where he built the first woolen-mill in the town in 1824 and operated it until 1836, when he engaged in farming, and continued in this vocation the remainder of his life. He died in October, 1865. He was a member of the militia and held town offices. Mr. CHENEY married Harriet, daughter of Lyman SCOTT, of Chesterfield, N. H. Their children were Harriet (Mrs. Myron HOLMES), deceased; George, deceased; Jane (Mrs. Darius BEEBE), deceased; Harrison; Wallace, of Java, N. Y.; Walter L.; and Wellington M., a physician of Dansville, N. Y.
Lt.-Col. Harrison CHENEY was born in Freedom, Jan. 3, 1830. After receiving his education in common schools and in Arcade Seminary he taught nine winter terms of district school and labored on his father's farm in summer. But this quiet farmer's life was not to continue. At the breaking out of the Civil war he was too true a patriot not to be aroused to action, and in Aug, 1862, he recruited every man of Co. D, 154th N.Y. Vols., and had more applicants than he could receive. It is said that "he was the only man who recruited, personally, every man of a company in this State." He was commissioned captain of the company at its organization. He was engaged at the battle of Chancellorsville and was captured by the enemy at Gettysburg. On the ninth day after his capture, while marching under guard through a piece of woods near Martinsburg, he broke from the ranks and ran, was hotly pursued into the woods, but escaped, and was a fugitive for twenty-two days before he reached the Union army. Captain CHENEY was promoted major in Feb., 1865, and lieutenant-colonel in March, 1865, and was mustered out at the close of the war in June, 1865. Colonel CHENEY married, first, Mary J., daughter of Harvey FOOTE, of Deerfield, N. Y. Mrs. CHENEY died in 1891. Their children were Ella M. (Mrs. Cassius C. WOOD), Mary E. (Mrs. Walter L. KNIGHT), and Harry F. He married, second, Frances D. JAMES, of Freedom.
Colonel CHENEY has been prominent in his town and his district, which he represented in the Assembly in 1876 and 1888. How well he performed his duties can best be told by quoting from the "Review of the Assembly." He is spoken of among the most earnest working members, and "as a man of tone and character he had no superior. Far above the wily machinations of bad men, he had the interests of the people at heart, ever watching and working for sound legislation and good government. With this class of men in our legislative halls we should soon feel a welcome relief from the sad depression into which incompetent and dishonest men have plunged us; and we could once more enjoy the privileges and blessings of an honest prosperity." Colonel CHENEY made agriculture his vocation after the war, and since 1881, with the exception of three years, he has held the position of railway mail clerk. Courteous, affable, kind-hearted, and dominated by strong Christian principles, he has ever been a popular citizen and official, and holds a high place in the regards of his numerous friends. He rightly stands among the representative men of Cattaraugus county, and in the written words of Dr. VAN AERNAM to him: "You helped in clearing the forests of Cattaraugus, helped in opening up its roads, aided in establishing its schools and churches, aided in crushing out the Rebellion, and I think it is due to yourself and your special friends as well as the public that your memory should be perpetuated in its history."
Walter L. CHENEY was born in Freedom and has always been a farmer. He married, first, Frances, daughter of Charles BEEBE, Sr., and had one son, Willie T., of Pike, N. Y. After her death he married Jane, widow of Capt. Alfred H. LEWIS, by whom he has two children, Hattie E. and John W.
Ed. Note: This biography includes a photograph of Harrison CHENEY
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Pages 682 & 683
Surnames: CROSSMAN, WORKMAN, STODDARD, RICHARDSON, WAIT, CHILDS
William CROSSMAN and two brothers came from England to Connecticut at an early day and subsequently settled in the town of Williamsport, Pa. He married Sally WORKMAN and just before the War of 1812 removed to Pavilion, N, Y., where he died. Amos CROSSMAN, his son, was born in 1788, married Alice STODDARD, and in Nov., 1828, came to Freedom, where he bought 244 acres of land, on which there was a log house. He died in 1870 and his wife in 1868. Of their seven children six are living: Joel, Lurena (Mrs. Lyman RICHARDSON), Amos, Oren, Alice L., and Omar. Amos CROSSMAN married Olive E. WAIT and has two children: Homer S. and Lettie A. (Mrs. A. B. CHILDS). He lives in Cadiz in the town of Franklinville. Omar CROSSMAN was supervisor of Freedom in 1880 and 1881.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 683
Surnames: CUMMINGS, SHELDON
Elbert CUMMINGS, son of Luther, who came from Herkimer county to Yorkshire and soon afterward settled in Freedom, was born on the farm where he now lives Oct. 5, 1844. In 1877 he started a market garden and now has a little more than thirty acres annually in garden truck. He married Cora, daughter of Gardner SHELDON; children: Nat. G., Della A., and Howard L.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 683
Surnames: EDWARDS, EVANS, LEWIS
William EDWARDS, son of Thomas, was born in Wales, emigrated to America in 1855, and resided at Centerville, where he followed farming until 1867. He then removed to Sandusky and was a merchant's clerk until 1878, when he opened a general store. He married Sarah A. EVANS; children: Stephen A., George F., Cary T., and Lois M. Stephen A. is engaged in the insurance business at Sandusky. He married Mallie E., daughter of Miles and Amanda LEWIS, and has one daughter, M. Eleanor.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 683
Surnames: GIBBIN, WILLIAMS, LEWIS, BROWN, LEONARD
Edward GIBBIN was born in Wales and came to America in 1851, locating in Farmersville. He married Phebe WILLIAMS; children: Hattie (Mrs. R. G. LEWIS), Sarah (Mrs. Jesse BROWN), Ann (Mrs. Byron LEONARD), James, Phebe, William, and Mattie (Mrs. William BROWN).
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 683
Surnames: HASKELL, RICH, VAN DEUSEN, CRANDALL, CHENEY, WHITE, OWENS, LAW
Sylvester HASKELL, son of Daniel and Mary (RICH) HASKELL, was born March 7, 1816. He learned the tailor's trade, which he followed in Youngstown, Niagara county, and in 1843 came to Freedom and engaged in farming. With the exception of one year he has since lived in this town. In 1862 he purchased of Abram VAN DEUSEN the farm on which he now resides. He married Julia A., daughter of John CRANDALL; children: Eugene (deceased), John T., George W., Calvin, and Dwight W. George W. HASKELL was born in Holland, Erie county, June 2, 1843, and in 1864 enlisted in Co. C, 13th N. Y. H. A., serving until the close of the war. He returned to Freedom and engaged in farming, and in 1889 purchased the hardware store in Sandusky of E. J. CHENEY, which he sold in 1890 to H. M. WHITE. Mr. HASKELL married Hettie, daughter of Sampson W. OWENS; children: John W., Alfred E., and Sherman S. Calvin HASKELL, born in Holland, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1847, lived on the farm with his father until 1879, when he opened a livery and carried the mail from Freedom to Arcade, continuing until the Tonawanda Valley & Cuba railroad was completed. In April, 1886, he disposed of his livery business and became a conductor on this railroad, which position he still holds. He married Rose, daughter of John C. LAW; children: Nettie J. and Eugene.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 683
Surnames: HOLMES, GALES, LAW
Eber HOLMES, from York, Livingston county, came to Freedom in 1827. He was a man of great energy and enterprise, and soon after he settled here he built a grist-mill on the site of Fred GALES's mill in Sandusky, about the same time he built a saw-mill on what is known as the John LAW estate. Subsequently he opened a general store at Sandusky, built an ashery, bought the farmers' ashes, and made potash. Mr. HOLMES was a very popular man and served as supervisor ten years. Myron HOLMES was supervisor in 1847.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Pages 683 & 684
Surnames: HOWLET, WATERMAN, METCALF, COUDERY
Enoch HOWLET located in Freedom in 1810, settling finally where a son now lives. Coming from Bradford, N. H., he returned to that place almost immediately but came hence and made a permanent settlement in 1812, remaining until his death in 1856. He was a prominent man and highly respected, and at the first town meeting was vested with four local offices. On the farm now owned by G. A. WATERMAN he erected the first saw-mill in the town, kept also the first store and inn, and in 1831 was appointed the second postmaster, which office be held at the time of his death. He was also supervisor and justice of the peace. His first wife was Susan METCALF, who bore him five children; his second marriage was with Sally COUDERY, by whom he had three children.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 684
Surnames: JACKSON, CORNES, SHALLIES, McMILLAN
William JACKSON, son of John, was born in Essex county, N. Y., Jan. 25, 1810. His parents moved to Columbia, Herkimer county, in 1811, and to Cattaraugus county in 1833, settling first in Machias. He purchased the farm where he now lives and moved onto it in 1841. He married Elizabeth CORNES; children: Rev. Benjamin F., Dr. William H., Elizabeth (Mrs. J. Henry SHALLIES), Delphia B. (Mrs. Daniel H. McMILLAN), and Charles E.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 684
Surnames: JONES, CRAMER, NEWCOMB, HATFIELD, HARPER
Levi JONES, from Greenwich, Mass., came to Freedom in 1824 and made the first settlement on the farm now owned by David CRAMER. He married Rachel, daughter of Elisha NEWCOMB, of Massachusetts; children: Josiah, Elisha, Levi, Elizabeth, William, Elbert, George, Selina, Marshall, and David. Levi JONES, Jr., born in Massachusetts was nine years old when his parents came to Freedom. He was a cooper and a mason, trades which he followed several years. He married Sophronia, daughter of William HATFIELD; children: Horace W., Elisha, Parley C., W. Henry, Elliott, Fayette, Mamie, Adelbert, Mary, Runy, and Luther. Since Mr. JONES has lived in the town he has assisted in killing several bears, one panther, and many deer. W. Henry JONES was born in Freedom and has conducted a meat market for several years. He married Mary HARPER; children: Mildred, Isadore, Myrtie, and Florence.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 684
Surnames: JONES, RICHARDS, ELLITHORPE, LINCOLN
Morris M., JONES, a native of Wales, emigrated to America in 1827 and first settled in Oneida county. Mr. JONES removed to Freedom in 1854, where he is a farmer. He married Elizabeth RICHARDS, of Wales, who was the mother of his children Mary (deceased), Thomas, Richard, and Catherine (Mrs. Millard ELLITHORPE). Mrs. JONES died and he married, second, Ann JONES, by whom he has a daughter, Jennie, wife of Bishop LINCOLN, of Yorkshire.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 684
Surname: LAMMIE
Daniel LAMMIE was a prominent factor in the town's prosperity. He was its supervisor in 1851, 1852, 1857, and 1863-66 in all seven terms, and served during the war period with signal ability. John LAMMIE held the same office five years from 1875 to 1879.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 684
Surnames: LAW, CONGDON, ROUNDS, HASKELL, LEWIS, DAVIS
William LAW, a native of England, deserted the British army in the War of 1812 and settled in Washington county. He married Fanny, daughter of John CONGDON, and both families came to Freedom in 1825. His children were Eliphalet, John C., and Mary A. John C. LAW was born in Washington county about 1821 and married Emeline, daughter of Lemuel ROUNDS. In 1864 he moved to Sandusky, where he died July 22, 1892. His widow and children survive him. Children: Denis, Rose (Mrs. C. HASKELL), Cora (Mrs. B. B. LEWIS), and Ada (Mrs. George DAVIS).
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Pages 684 & 685
Surnames: LANCKTON, CHENEY, MEAD, HAYDEN, WOOD, CHAPIN, FERRAND
Harvey LANCKTON, son of Seth and a native of Massachusetts, born Nov. 11, 1797, settled in Freedom in 1842, and purchased the wool-carding and cloth-dressing-mill of Josiah CHENEY and Guy C. MEAD on the present site of the HAYDEN woolen-mills at Sandusky. He had previously lived in Holland, where he built a saw-mill and woolen-mill, and in Hurdsville, where he had conducted similar business. After a few years in Sandusky he sold to his son Albert, who transferred the property to HAYDEN. Harvey LANCKTON purchased a saw-mill of Elias WOOD, rebuilt it, and with it built a furniture and undertaker's shop. He constructed the hearse that he used, which was the first one in the town, and continued the furniture and undertaking business till his death in 1870. Mr. LANCKTON married Eunice CHAPIN. Children: Albert, Ann C. (Mrs. George CHENEY), deceased, Rosetta (deceased), William Mearns, Emeline and Elvira (deceased), Millard F., Maynard W., and Harriet (Mrs. L. H. FERRAND). Mr. LANCKTON was succeeded in business by his sons Millard F. and Maynard W., who continued together until 1878, when Maynard W. retired and is a merchant at Delevan. M. F. continues alone.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 685
Surnames: LEWIS, TARBELL, WILDER
Laban LEWIS, son of Reuben and Mary LEWIS, was born in Chesterfield, N. H., Sept. 17, 1787. In 1810 he married Sarah TARBELL, of Groton, Mass., who was born Jan. 1, 1793, and by her he had fifteen children, of whom only William F., of Arcade, N. Y., was born in Freedom. Laban LEWIS was a soldier in the War of 1812. He came to Freedom from Sherborn, Mass., in 1832, and settled in the east part of the town. Mr. LEWIS died Nov. 26, 1861. Mrs. LEWIS survives him at the age of ninety-eight years and receives a widow's pension. She resides with her daughter Calista M. (Mrs. Barnard WILDER) in Armada, Mich.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 685
Surnames: LEWIS, VAN DUSEN, SMITH, WILDER, SPARKS, LAW, JEWELL, GRIFFIN, PHILLIPS, MORGAN
Jerome B. LEWIS was the second son of Nathan and Sally LEWIS, was born on the 10th of October, 1830, in the town of Penfield, Monroe county, N. Y., and at the age of three years moved west with the family and settled in Rushford, Allegany county. He married in December, 1852, at Freedom, Mary E., daughter of John B. and Gertrude M. VAN DUSEN, who came west from Otsego county and settled in the town in 1835. In the spring of 1853 he moved onto a farm of 157 acres situated about one and one-half miles east of Sandusky village, which he had bought the year before, and which he still owns. Remaining there until the fall of 1855 he rented the farm and moved with his family to East Rushford, Allegany county, to operate a saw-mill. As a result of their marriage two daughters and one son were born to them: Lillian, Burton B., and Iva. In the fall of 1858 he removed to his farm in Freedom, remaining there until the spring of 1862 when he moved to Sandusky to engage in the saw-mill and cheese-box business with William V. SMITH and John L. WILDER, running the mill which is at present owned and operated by Thomas S. SPARKS. In the spring of 1866 he, in company with John L. WILDER, built at Sandusky the first cheese factory erected in the town, and at present is operating ten factories.
Burton B. LEWIS, born at East Rushford, Allegany county, Sept. 3, 1856, was educated in the common schools of Sandusky, at Ten Broeck Free Academy in Franklinville in 1872, at Arcade Academy in 1873, and at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Buffalo during the fall and winter of 1876-77. He worked at cheese making from 1870 to 1876, attending school during the fall and winter of each year, and is now engaged with his father in the manufacture of cheese as cashier and book-keeper of the Sandusky Combination Cheese Factories. He was married to Miss Cora V. LAW, daughter of John C. and Emeline LAW, of Sandusky, Sept. 24, 1878, and has a family of six daughters: Leah, Lora, Ruth, Mary, Genevieve, and Margary. In politics Mr. LEWIS has always been a staunch Republican. He was elected to the office of town clerk of Freedom in 1878, 1879, 1880, and 1881, and was supervisor in 1882 to 1889 inclusive and again in 1892-93. He was a member of the County Committee in 1884 and 1889, was nominated by his party to the office of member of Assembly in 1889, and elected over E. B. JEWELL, Esq. (Democrat) and Paul B. GRIFFIN (Prohibitionist) by a plurality of 457, and was again re-nominated in 1890 and elected over Charles W. PHILLIPS (Democrat) and H, B. MORGAN (Prohibitionist) by a plurality of 563. Mr. LEWIS is quite largely interested in real estate operations in Buffalo, and is an estimable citizen enjoying great personal popularity.
Ed. Note: This biography includes a photograph of Burton B. LEWIS
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 686
Surnames: LEWIS, OWENS, DAVIS
Capt. Alfred H. LEWIS was born in Perrington, N. Y., and came to Freedom with his parents. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. D, 64th N. Y. Vols., was engaged in seventeen battles, and for meritorious service was promoted to sergeant, to lieutenant, and to captain, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. He married Jane, daughter of Sampson OWENS, who came from Wales in 1838; they have one daughter, Kittie (Mrs. Hugh W. DAVIS) of Salamanca.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 686
Surnames: LEWIS, WILLIAMS
Griffith LEWIS, a native of Wales, came to America in 1844 and to Freedom in 1849. He married Ann, daughter of Thomas WILLIAMS, of Remsen, Oneida county; children: Thomas P., Richard G. (proprietor of the hotel at Sandusky), John G., and William G.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 686
Surnames: MERRILL, DAY, LOOMIS
Perry E. MERRILL, son of Smith and Melinda MERRILL, was born in Freedom, June 30, 1845, was educated in the common schools and in Rushford Academy, and in 1870 entered the office of W. A. DAY, of Franklinville, as a student of dentistry. After learning the profession he entered into partnership with Mr. DAY, and in April, 1872, opened an office at Yorkshire Center, continuing there until 1873, when he came to Sandusky, but still continues the Yorkshire office. In May, 1877, he opened a drug store. Mr. MERRILL in 1878 was elected justice of the peace, and after serving nearly four years was appointed notary public. He was appointed postmaster under President Harrison and is the present incumbent. Jan. 10, 1877, he married Mary I., daughter of Sereno and Lucinda LOOMIS, of Arcade; children: Eugene L. and Floyd S.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 686
Surnames: METCALF, SAWYER, IRISH
Rufus METCALF, a simultaneous settler with Earl SAWYER and Jonas C. IRISH in 1811, and whose brother Gregory located in the southeast part of the town in 1812, became somewhat famous during the Mormon meetings of 1835, for it was at his house that the leaders made at times their headquarters and early converted him and his family to Mormonism. Mr. METCALF followed them to Ohio. He was one of the first cheese manufacturers and his son Rufus was the first white child born in Freedom, his birth occurring Dec. 24, 1812.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 686
Surnames: MORGAN, GRIFFITH, HOOPER
Evan MORGAN was born in Wales, where he married Margaret, daughter of Thomas GRIFFITH. He came to America in 1830 with his wife and six children and settled in Oneida county. In 1850 he removed to Freedom, where he engaged in farming. Children: Thomas, John, Jane, Evan, Margaret, Joel, and Isaac. Isaac married Martha, daughter of John HOOPER, and is a farmer. Children: John, Richard, Thomas, Charles, and Albert.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 686
Surnames: NORTON, HEATH, WOOD
Samuel NORTON came from Barnston, P. O., in 1838, and by trade was, a millwright. He married Orphia HEATH; children: Hiram, Harriet, Olive, Sally A., Amanda, Elon Alonzo, Melvina, Samuel, Clarissa, and Mary. Elon Alonzo NORTON married Sarah, daughter of Elias WOOD, and they have two sons and two daughters. The sons, Arthur M. and George C., are the proprietors of the NORTON lumber mills at Sandusky. Arthur M. NORTON was born in Farmersville, where he resided until his parents returned to Freedom in 1856. In April, 1865, he enlisted in Co. G, 81st N. Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 686
Surnames: PEET, DAVIS, OWENS, LEONARD, GIBBS
John PEET, a native of England, came to America and located first in Oneida county. In 1837 he moved with his family to Freedom and settled on the farm now owned by J. J. DAVIS. He married Mary DAVIS. Five children survive them both, viz,: Evan, George, William, David, and John. John PEET was born in Oneida county March 24, 1833. He is a farmer and has served several years as assessor of Freedom. He married Sarah, daughter of Thomas W. OWENS; children: Martha (Mrs. Melvin LEONARD), Mary (Mrs. John L. GIBBS), Arthur O., John E., Eva S., and Fannie.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 687
Surnames: SAWYER, IRISH, METCALF
Col. Earl SAWYER, with Jonas C. IRISH and Rufus METCALF, became a settler in 1811, coming here from Vermont. In 1822 he erected the first frame dwelling, was the first town clerk and an early Justice of the peace, and was one of the first to introduce improved farming implements. In other ways he was first and foremost. J. W. SAWYER was supervisor of Freedom in 1867.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 687
Surnames: SHALLIES, CHENEY, VALLANCE, CARTER, JACKSON
Nelson SHALLIES, son of Joseph, came to Freedom from Woodstock, Vt., about 1840. He was first a blacksmith here and then a farmer, and married Ellen CHENEY; children: Emily (Mrs. J. VALLANCE), Elbert C., Edgar M., Ella (Mrs. A. CARTER), and J. Henry. J. Henry SHALLIES was born near Freedom, was educated at Arcade and Ten Broeck Academies, and has followed civil engineering and school teaching. He was elected in 1878 to the position of school commissioner for a term of three years and re-elected for another term in 1881, and was supervisor of Freedom in 1890 and 1891. He married Libbie, daughter of William JACKSON; children: L. Ethel and Eleanor B.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 687
Surnames: STRONG, JONES, LANE, CHAFFEE, SHATTUCK, HELLMAN, PHELPS
Ezra B. STRONG, a native of Vermont, came from Monroe county to Farmersville in 1832, settling on the farm now owned by Mrs. Bradford JONES. He married Eleanor, daughter of Matthias LANE. Eleven children were born to them, of whom eight are now living, viz.: William, Sally (widow of Henry CHAFFEE), Josephine (Mrs. Danforth SHATTUCK), Reuben, Joseph (captain in the 28th Iowa Inf.), Walter, Lucy (Mrs. HELLMAN), and Jacob L. Jacob L. STRONG, born in Monroe county, came to Cattaraugus county in 1832, is a farmer, and married Phebe Louise, daughter of James PHELPS; children: Osee James, William W., Eugene H., Jacob L., Phelps G., Ezra B., and Mary L., all of whom reside in Freedom. Mr. STRONG and his six sons all vote in the same election district. He has been a deacon of the Baptist church over 30 years.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 687
Surnames: WHITE, RUSHMORE, SMITH, PHELPS, CUNNINGHAM, RUNYON, HASKELL, CONROY, THOMPSETT
Francis WHITE, a descendant of Rev. John WHITE, who came from England to America in 1635 and settled in Cambridge, Mass., was born in Connecticut, came to the Mohawk valley and thence to Springville, N. Y., in 1809 and was one of the first school teachers in the county. He also taught singing school and frequently took his pay in wheat. In 1844 he moved to Yorkshire and engaged in farming, which he followed until his death in 1876. He married Emma, daughter of Jacob RUSHMORE, of Springville; children: Roderick (at one time State senator), Justice, Francis, Jacob, and Isaac. Isaac WHITE was born in Springville, was educated at Springville Academy and subsequently taught school, and about 1830 went to Scotland, Canada, to teach, being also engaged in the mercantile trade. He married Anna, daughter of Chauncey SMITH, of Burford, Canada, and was a farmer at the breaking out of the Patriot war in 1836. Taking sides with the Patriots he had to flee the country; the Tories made a vain attempt to capture him, but he escaped to Buffalo at night in a wagon secreted under some household goods which he saved. He settled in Arcade and engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1844 he removed to Yorkshire, where he died in 1887. Children: Lucinda (Mrs. C. J. PHELPS), James, and Marana (Mrs. William CUNNINGHAM), who reside in Boston, Canada; Hiram M.; Chauncey J., of Arcade; and Elouise (Mrs. E. J. RUNYON), of Yorkshire. Hiram M. WHITE, born July 4, 1845, was educated in the common schools, and in 1863 went to the Pennsylvania oil fields, where he worked five years. He then came to Arcade, where he learned the tinner's trade, which he has since followed. In 1890 he came to Sandusky and purchased the store of G. W. HASKELL. He married Kate E. CONROY (deceased), who bore him one son, Charles F. He married, second, Lottie B. THOMPSETT.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 688
Surnames: WILLIAMS, LEWIS, HIGGINS, DAVIS, BENJAMIN, OWENS
William E. WILLIAMS, born in Wales, emigrated to America about 1833, and was a farmer at Trenton, Oneida county, until 1847, when he removed with his family to Freedom. Mr. WILLIAMS married Margaret LEWIS and six children survive them: Laura (widow of John HIGGINS), Ann (Mrs. David D. DAVIS), Samuel W., William W., John W., and Ellen (Mrs. Romaine BENJAMIN).
John W. WILLIAMS was born in Trenton, N. Y., came to Freedom with his parents, and was engaged in farming until 1877. In 1882, in company with H. H. OWENS, he purchased the store at Freedom, where Mr. WILLIAMS was appointed postmaster in 1883, being the present incumbent.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Freedom - Chapter XXIX (29)
Page 688
Surname: WORTHINGTON
John WORTHINGTON, who settled in Freedom in 1818, had eight children, of whom Thaddeus, a farmer, was born in Waterloo, N. Y., was one of the first members of the M. E. church of Sandusky, and had ten children. His son John, a native of Freedom, being born here June 9, 1834, has been most of his life a farmer and a prominent man in his community.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES FROM: "HISTORICAL GAZETTEER AND BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORIAL
of CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NY, ed by WILLIAM ADAMS, Published 1893
Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 695
Surnames: BONSTEEL, SQUIRES, FORDICK, ROWLAND
Nicholas BONSTEEL, son of Philip, was born in Columbia, NY, Aug. 24, 1797. His first wife was Polly SQUIRES, who bore him five children. In 1829 he settled in East Otto and the next year married Angeline, daughter of Solomon FORDICK, of Boston, Erie county, by whom he had four children, of whom three are still living: Edwin, Ursula D., and Morris T. March 25, 1844, Mr. BONSTEEL removed to this town and settled where his children now reside. Edwin BONSTEEL married Eliza A., daughter of John ROWLAND; children: Arthur U., Ernest L., Orrin J., Dora L., and Anna B. The BONSTEELs in America are descended from Nicholas BONSTEEL, who came from Germany to Kinderhook, N. Y., before the Revolutionary War.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 695
Surnames: BROWN, SENTER
David M. BROWN, a native of Londonderry, N.H., was born March 10, 1793. He removed thence with his family to Napoli in 1832 and erected a saw-mill the following year. His wife was Polly SENTER; children: Lucinda, Sheldon P., Sarah, Mary, Lorane, Quincy A. and Andrew J. In 1842, while on a visit to brothers on the coast of Maine, Mr. BROWN secured the carcass of a whale 48 ft in length, which he had prepared and transported on wagons and canal boats, exhibiting it throughout the country. He finally sold it for $8000, and it is still exhibited as a curiosity.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Pages 695 & 696
Surnames: CARVER, GIBSON
Solander CARVER was for many years a respected resident of Great Valley. He was a son of Parley G. CARVER, who came to the town from Smyrna, N. Y. in 1832, settling on the farm where died three years later. Solander CARVER acquired a modest competence by the slow process of accumulation of the surplus income from a small farm and dairy. His word was as good as his bond. He married Rebecca GIBSON, who survives him. He died Feb. 14, 1893.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 696
Surnames: CHASE, WALWORTH, COLWELL, ESTEY, McINTOSH
Nathaniel CHASE came from French Mills, N. Y. to Springville, Erie county, in 1812, and built the first grist-mill in that town. He returned to Plattsburgh that year and removed to Great Valley in 1816, making the first settlement on the farm now owned by Walter WALWORTH, Sr. Mr. CHASE was a millwright by trade and assisted in the erection of nearly all the early mills in the town. His first wife bore him two children, Reuben and John. His second wife was Sophia COLWELL; children: Moses, Robert, Ira, Jacob, Martin, Lucend, Marinda, Naomi, and Eunice.
Robert CHASE was born in Vermont and served in the War of 1812, being present at the battle of Plattsburgh. In 1818 he came to Great Valley, where in 1827 he was injured by a falling tree; he died in 1834. Mr. CHASE married Sally ESTEY; children: Harley, Julina, Lorenzo, Joseph and Susan.
Reuben CHASE, from Wayne county, came to Great Valley in 1827 and bought of Nathan Howe the farm now owned by Thomas Lounsbury. He married Hannah ESTEY and had two sons, Lyman and Orrin. Orrin CHASE came to this town in 1845, and with him came three sons - Alexander, Reuben, and Augustus - and one daughter, Clarissa; another son, James, was born in Great Valley. Alexander CHASE married Mariette McINTOSH; children: Orrin, John E., Ruloff, Adeline, Annie, and Clara. John E. CHASE was supervisor of Great Valley in 1884.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 696
Surnames: CLEAVELAND, EDDY, LEARN, WALWORTH, BUTLER, DAGGERT, WHEELER
Brainard CLEAVELAND, son of Aaron and a native of Connecticut, came with his parents in 1825 to Wyoming county and thence the same year to Machias. In 1833 he removed to Humphrey, and in 1865 came to Great Valley to reside with his son, Aaron. He married Betsey EDDY; children: Andrew, Aaron, Alonzo, Joseph, Isaac, Mary A., and Mariette. Aaron CLEAVELAND married Catharine, daughter of Joseph LEARN, of Humphrey; children: Laura L. (Mrs. N. D. WALWORTH), Nettie A.(Mrs. Eli BUTLER), Mary C. (Mrs. P. J. DAGGERT).
Alonzo CLEAVELAND was born in the town of Machias. He married Lydia, daughter of David WHEELER, one of the first settlers of Humphrey, and has had seven children, of whom three are living: Brainard, Isaac, and Joseph A.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 696
Surnames: CRAMER, MORTON, HICKS
Frederick S. CRAMER, son of Sebastian, was born in Saxony, Germany, May 2, 1839. His parents died while he was young and at the age of fifteen he came to America, settling in Tonawanda, where he was engaged as a clerk until 1869, when he removed to Great Valley and bought the store now owned by William MORTON. Here he was in trade and had the post office for six years, when he began the avocation of farmer. He married Margaret HICKS.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 696
Surnames: CULLINAN, KERNEY, CARR
Edward CULLINAN, born in County Clare, Ireland, came to America about 1840 and settled first in Elmira. He subsequently removed to Pennsylvania and in 1856 located in Great Valley, where he cleared a farm on which he now lives. By his wife, Ann KERNEY, also of County Clare, Ireland, he had eleven children, only one of whom survives. Their son, Michael H. CULLINAN, married Sarah, daughter of John CARR, of Cattaraugus; children: Mary, Margaret, and Teresa. He served as supervisor of this town in 1877 and 1878.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Pages 696 & 697
Surnames: FLINT, WILLOUGHBY, KELSEY, PARKER. FAY
Nicholas FLINT became a settler in Great Valley in 1828, coming from Cherry Valley, NY. He married Phebe, daughter of Ebenezer WILLOUGHBY; children: Weston, Orville, Agnes (Mrs. K. KELSEY), Esther (Mrs. Lewis J. PARKER), Sarah (Mrs. Adrian FAY), and Irving.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 697
Surnames: FOLTS, HESS, MILLER
Henry FOLTS, son of Sylvanus, was born in Frankfort, N. Y. and came to Ashford in 1840, where he followed farming until 1855, when he removed to Great Valley and bought the farm where his family now resides. He married Mary E. HESS; children: Daniel H., William H., Marietta (Mrs. C. G. MILLER), and Georgianna.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 697
Surnames: GREEN, SIMMONS
Judge Francis GREEN about 1812 removed from New Hampshire with his wife, seven sons and two daughters to Great Valley, and located on a large tract of land which (except the old homestead) was afterward apportioned to several of his children. And a singular coincidence is that Judge GREEN, his wife, and all of his children except one daughter lived and died upon that tract of land, and are buried in the same cemetery located thereon. The last survivor of the family was Benjamin, who died January 23, 1892, aged eighty-one years and four months. Benjamin GREEN was for about thirty-five years a consistent member of the M. E. Church. His wife, who survived him, was Harriet SIMMONS; children: Joseph, John, Mary, and Demon. James GREEN was supervisor of Great Valley in 1818 and 1819 and John served in that position in 1832. The latter was also magistrate four years and postmaster at Great Valley nine years. He died Sept. 4, 1874.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 697
Surnames: HALLADAY, BENJAMIN
Reuben HALLADAY came from Black Creek, N. Y. to Humphrey in 1852, and removed to this town two or three years later. He married Irena BENJAMIN and had eleven children.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 697
Surnames: HESS, FRANK, CLAPSADDLE, FOLTS, WALKER, BENSON, EDIC
George HESS was a son of Capt. Honyorst H. HESS, a captain of eight years in the war of the Revolution, and was born in Herkimer county Dec. 18, 1788, and served in the War of 1812. He came to Ashford in 1841 and settled on the farm now owned by Andrew FRANK; he married Mary CLAPSADDLE; children: Joseph, Mary E. (Mrs. Henry FOLTS), Nancy (Mrs. Jedediah WALKER), Michael E., and George W. Elias W. HESS was drafted March 17, 1865 in Company I, 65th N. Y. Infantry, and was discharged June 28th following; George W. HESS enlisted from Ashford. The family trace their ancestry back to John HESS of Hesse Castle, Germany, who came to America in 1710, settling in Palatine, N. Y. His son Augusdenus, born in 1719, married Mary BENSON; children: Christina, Honyost, Nicholas, Conrad, Henry, Daniel, and Eva. Augusdenus was killed by Indians at Fort Herkimer in 1782. Honyost was born Nov. 3, 1758, and married Catherine EDIC; children: Nancy, George, Catharine, Elizabeth, Polly and Margaret.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 697
Surnames: HICKS, McCURDY, BONSTEEL
Abel HICKS, born in Providence R. I., June 14, 1795, was for several years a captain on Lake Ontario and subsequently lived in Geneva, N. Y., where he married Jane McCURDY. In 1825 he came to Lyndon, where he lived forty years. He had eight children. In April, 1865, he came to Great Valley and kept hotel for two years, retiring finally to a small farm, where he died Jan. 20, 1872. His son Myron W. was born in Lyndon, Oct. 16, 1836, and came with his father to Great Valley in 1865. He was for some time a merchant, postmaster, and supervisor, holding the latter office in 1872, 1873, 1875 and 1883. His daughter Sophia is the wife of Ernest BONSTEEL.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Pages 697 & 698
Surnames: HOWE, MUDGE, BATEMAN, NILES, HARRIS
Nathan HOWE, son of Capt. HOWE, was born in New Hampshire and came to Great Valley with his father when a small boy. The family settled at Kill Buck. Nathan married Nancy, daughter of Philip MUDGE, of this town, and about 1822 moved to Humphrey, where he was the first settler on what is now known as HOWE hill. He had seven children, of whom four are living: Mary (Mrs. Eli BATEMAN), Wilson, Cythia (Mrs. Alonzo NILES), and Emily (Mrs. F. J. HARRIS). Mr. HOWE was a strong anti-slavery man and was active in the operations of the underground railroad. Wilson N. HOWE was supervisor of Great Valley from 1879 to 1882 inclusive.
Malancthon J. HOWE, son of Joel, was born in Lyndon in 1848 and on Sept. 5, 1864 enlisted in Company B, 1st N. Y. Dragoons, serving until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner near New Market by Mosby and was confined three and one-half months in Libby prison, his weight during this time being reduced from 160 to 80 pounds.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 698
Surnames: LAWTON, ROY
Isaac LAWTON came to this town in 1827 and located on Great Valley creek on the farm now owned by Alexander ROY, where he built the second saw-mill in the town.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 698
Surnames: LEGGETT, CULLEN
James LEGGETT, born in Dublin, Ireland, came to America in 1850, settling in Cattaraugus county. In 1866 he moved onto the farm he now occupies. He married Sarah CULLEN; children: Lizzie G., Effie M., Nellie, James, and Frederick.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 698
Surnames: MARVIN, DOTY, FRANK
Enoch MARVIN, son of James and native of Otsego county, came to Ellicottville in 1820, where he followed his trade of millwright. He married Frances DOTY and had seven children. A son, Ferdino, was a soldier in the Rebellion, is a carpenter, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob H. FRANK; she was the first white child born in Ashford.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 698
Surnames: McNAMARA, CAREY
Patrick McNAMARA, son of Dennis, was born in County Clare, Ireland. Coming to America in 1850 he settled in Great Valley, which has since been his home. He married Mary CAREY; children: Elizabeth L., John F., and Peter C.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 698
Surnames: MORTON, LINDSEY, SIMMONS, RAY, SCOTT, GREEN, WEAGER, STEVENS
Hugh MORTON, son of Hugh, was born in Scotland, married Jane LINDSEY, and had born to him eight children, of whom six grew to maturity, viz.: Eliza, Hugh, Peter, John, Robert and Gaven. His second wife was Sarah SIMMONS, who bore him twelve children. Mr. MORTON came to America in 1839 and to Great Valley the following spring, settling at Peth. Hugh MORTON married Maria RAY and has five children: John, Eva, Frank, Hugh and James.
William MORTON, son of Hugh MORTON, was born in Killbride, Scotland in 1816. At the age of twenty-one he moved to London, where for fifteen years he was engaged in mercantile business. In 1854 he came to America and located in Great Valley on the farm he still occupies. He married Margaret, daughter of John SCOTT, of Scotland, and to them have been born seven children, only three of whom are living: William S. and Robert W., both merchants, and Mary M. (Mrs. Joseph GREEN). William S. MORTON was born in 1858 and in 1884 he formed with his brother, Robert W., a partnership in the mercantile business. He married Ella WEAGER, of Randolph, and has one son, Howard D. Mr. MORTON was elected supervisor in 1891 and re-elected in 1892 and 1893. Robert W. MORTON was born in 1860 and married Lana, daughter of Asa STEVENS; children: Gilbert A. and Lester L.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 698
Surnames: NOBLES, DEMMING, RYAN
Jonathan NOBLES was an early settler in Great Valley, and with him from Angelica, N. Y. came his son Spencer T., both of whom settled at Kill Buck. Spencer T. married Betsey, daughter of Luther and Sally DEMMING; three of their five children are living: Daniel, Stelbert E., and Nellie (Mrs. M. T. RYAN).
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Pages 698 & 699
Surnames: NORTON, BACON, WILLIAMS
Ira NORTON was born in Goshen, Conn. His sketch appears in Hinsdale. His son Andrew L. NORTON, born on the farm on which he now lives April 27, 1818, married Polly A. BACON and has six children. He is now the only survivor of the early settlers living in that section. He was postmaster for several years and in 1863 and 1864 was supervisor of this town. Mrs. WILLIAMS, daughter of Ira, resides at Corydon, Pa. E. D. NORTON, the youngest of Ira's sons, born in Great Valley in 1825, is a resident of Yorkshire. The first twenty-five years of his life were spent in Great Valley; he then removed to Bradford, Pa., where he lived fifteen years, where he was honored by his townsmen by important positions and was a member of the Board of Commissioners that, under a special act of the Legislature, issued the bonds of the town to pay soldiers' bounties. Afterward for four years he was a resident of Owatonna, Minn., where he served one term as member of the city council. He returned to this county and settled in Yorkshire in 1877.
William W. NORTON was born at Great Valley in 1822. Although reared on the farm, and having only the limited advantages for an education in those early days, at the age of thirty he commenced his preparation for the ministry in the Congregational Church. His first charge was in Ashford, where he remained two years, when he removed to Otto and was pastor of that church ten years. He went thence to New Richmond, Wis., and subsequently organized a church in Alexander, Minn., where he remained five years. The last few years of his life he spent in Northfield, Minn. Considering the educational advantages of those early days his ministry was remarkably successful. Money was not plenty then and books were expensive, and in this family of nine children one copy of the old English Reader went down through the whole line, and that book is now in the possession of E. D. NORTON, of Yorkshire.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 699
Surnames: OSTRANDER, MANDEVILLE, NOXON
Horton A. OSTRANDER, son of John B., was born in Dryden, Tompkins county, Dec. 22, 1840. Working in the saw-mill of his father until 1856 he then went to Lake Simcoe, where he followed lumbering until 1859, when he returned to Dryden. From 1864 to 1871 his energies were spent in the pineries of Michigan; he then came to Kill Buck and took charge of the mill of which he is now proprietor. Mr. OSTRANDER married, first, Jane MANDEVILLE, and, second, Mary R. NOXON, by each of whom he has a daughter, Bella and Edna.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 699
Surnames: POTTER, McINTYRE, WILLIAMS
John POTTER, born in Gainesville, N. Y., April 1, 1815, came to the town of Otto in 1835, where he married Mary A. McINTYRE. He was a farmer and a carpenter, and in 1842 removed to Great Valley, where he lived until 1844, when he went to Ellicottville, where for several years he ran a sash and door factory. In 1861 he returned to this town, following since the carpenter's trade and farming. Mr. POTTER had an only child, Charles B., who enlisted May 13, 1861 in Company I, 37th N. Y. Infantry Volunteers, going out as third sergeant and being promoted to second lieutenant. This was the first company to leave Cattaraugus county for the war of the Rebellion. Charles B. was assigned on September 13, 1862 to Company I; was made first lieutenant Dec. 2, 1862, and assigned to Company H; and after the battle of Chancellorsville was captain of Company K, holding the position until July 1, 1863, when he was mustered out. Re-enlisting Feb. 16, 1865, he was commissioned captain of Company F, 194th N. Y. Infantry, and was again mustered out May 3, 1865. He married Frances WILLIAMS.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 699
Surnames: RANDALL, PRINDLE, SEELEY, FRANK, RUST, WASHBURN
Jonas RANDALL was a native of Genessee Co. N. Y. He subsequently resided in Concord, Erie county, and in 1840 thence came to East Otto. He married Mary PRINDLE, who bore him two children, Leonard and Martha (Mrs. William SEELEY). Leonard RANDALL was born in Batavia and came to Cattaraugus county with his father. March 17, 1865, he enlisted in Co. K, 65th N. Y. Vols and served until the close of the war. In 1866 purchased and moved to his present farm in Great Valley. He married Julia, daughter of Jacob FRANK, of Ashford; children: Ida (Mrs. Theron RUST), Eva (Mrs. Clarence WASHBURN), Cora (Mrs. Daniel WASHBURN), and Charles.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 700
Surnames: ROHRICH, BROWN, EHMAN, DIETRICH
John G. ROHRICH is a son of John ROHRICH, of Ellicottville, and was born in Wurtemberg, Germany in 1841. Emigrating to America in 1850 he located in Ellicottville in 1852, where he resided until 1885, spending, however, some ten years of that time on the lakes. Mr. ROHRICH held several town offices and in 1880 constructed the first iron bridge in the town of Ellicottville. In 1885 he came to Great Valley and purchased his present farm, being also engaged in lumbering. He married Anna M., daughter of John G. BROWN, who came from Germany in 1852. Children: Ida (Mrs. John EHMAN), Charles, Emma (Mrs. Ernest DIETRICH), Carrie, and George
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 700
Surnames: ROY, CLARK, ADAMS, RICKARDS, MORTON, BLODGETT, BARKER
Alexander ROY came from Scotland to Wyoming county in 1833 and thence to Humphrey in 1839, locating there on the farm now owned by Henry CLARK. In 1858 he moved to Great Valley. He married Celestia DENNIS; children: Marion (Mrs. Augustus ADAMS), Jane (Mrs. Israel RICKARDS), Maria (Mrs. Hugh MORTON), Ellen (Mrs. Edwin BLODGETT), and Anna (Mrs. Jacob BARKER).
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 700
Surnames: RYAN, DUNLAY, NOBLES, CASE, SMITH
Michael T. RYAN was born in Bradford, Pa. on the 4th of Oct., 1858. He is the son of James and Margrette (DUNLAY) RYAN, who moved into Hinsdale in 1859 and in 1871 removed to Great Valley, where they afterward resided, respected residents and esteemed citizens. Mrs. RYAN died in April 1883. On Feb. 25, 1889, Michael T. RYAN married Miss Nellie A. NOBLES. He has been town clerk and was postmaster of Great Valley during Mr. Cleveland's first term. Feb. 22, 1883, in partnership with C. A. CASE as M. T. RYAN & Co., he succeeded H. J. SMITH in the general mercantile trade at the village.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 700
Surnames: SEARL, WOOD
Arza SEARL, son of Gideon (see Franklinville), was born in Whitehall, N. Y., and at the age of twenty-two came to Franklinville. The next year, 1825, he removed to Great Valley, thus becoming one of the earliest settlers of the town, where he spent his life and died in 1884, aged eighty-three years. His wife was Ann, a daughter of Stephen WOOD, by whom he had eight children.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 700
Surnames: SNOW, AVERY, DU BOIS, MANHART, SIBLEY
Caleb SNOW was one of the early settlers of Great Valley, coming to the town from his native State - Vermont - about 1830, and making the first settlement in what is now called Bear Hollow. He married Polly AVERY; children: Abigail, Lydia, Roxana, Hiram (drowned while young), and Levi. The latter was born May 12, 1825, married Jane DU BOIS, of Humphrey, and was the first settler on the farm where Frank SNOW now resides, and where he died. Children: Frank, Kate (Mrs. F. MANHART), and Sarah (Mrs. Horace SIBLEY). Frank SNOW, born Dec. 22, 1851, was elected supervisor each year from 1886 to 1890 inclusive, and has served as justice, etc.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 700
Surnames: WILCOX, SARGEANT, CHAMBERLAIN, HINMAN, KEAN, RIDER
Seamour WILCOX came from Bath, N. Y. to Hinsdale in 1829. Until 1836 he resided in various places, but in that year he came to Great Valley and settled on a farm. He married Sally, daughter of Enoch SARGEANT, who bore him ten children, of whom these are living: Emma (Mrs. William CHAMBERLAIN), Augustus, Isaiah C., Edwin, Mary (Mrs. Byron HINMAN), Melvin, and Melbourne. All these sons served in the Civil War, also Hiram, who died there.
Melbourne WILCOX was born in Humphrey, Jan. 25, 1842 and soon afterward his parents moved their family to Great Valley. Oct. 30, 1861 he enlisted in Company I, 6th N. Y. Cavalry and served three years. At the battle of Gettysburg, Mr. WILCOX was wounded in the head by a mini-ball, fracturing the skull so seriously that five pieces of bone and about a spoonful of brains were extracted. He married Amanda, daughter of Harvey KEAN; children: Leona A. (Mrs. John RIDER) and Albert M.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Pages 700-711
Surnames: WILLIAMS, STAUNTON
Mark WILLIAMS came from Chesterfield, Mass. to Ellicottville in 1829, and by occupation was a carpenter. He married Polly STAUNTON, of Massachusetts. Children: Dexter, Samuel C., Royal, Frank, Almina, Theresa, Martha, Aurelia, and Mary.
Charles WILLIAMS came to Ellicottville from Chesterfield, Mass in 1832, bringing with him 6 sons and 2 daughters, viz.: Charles, Spencer, Amasa, Lyman, Horace, Hiram, Eliza, and Sarah. Another son, Burton, was born to him in Ellicottville. Spencer WILLIAMS came to Great Valley in 1847 and purchased the saw mill owned by John. W. STAUNTON, near the north town line.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 701
Surnames: WILLOUGHBY, GIBSON, CHURCH, WRIGHT, FLINT
Ebeneezer WILLOUGHBY, son of Rev. Ebeneezer WILLOUGHBY, of Kingsbury, N. Y., came to Great Valley in 1823 and purchased of Matthew GIBSON the farm now owned by Mark CHURCH. He married Esther, daughter of Abraham WRIGHT, and had three children, of whom Phebe is the widow of Nicholas FLINT.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 701
Surnames: WITHERELL, LOCKWOOD, CROSS, KNORR
George WITHERELL settled in Great Valley in 1835, coming from Java, N. Y.. In 1838 he removed to Ellicottville, but in 1840 he returned to this town, buying the farm now owned by C. B. Potter. He married Mary E. LOCKWOOD and had born to him four children, only one of whom, George J. is living. George J. WITHERELL came to Kill Buck in 1852 as clerk for J. W. Phelps. In 1874 he engaged in mercantile business for himself. He has been postmaster for eleven years and has held various other offices of trust. Mr. WITHERELL married Margaret A., youngest daughter of John C. CROSS, an early settler of Otto. Children: Mary E. (Mrs. William KNORR), Giles H., George and M. Gertrude.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 701
Surnames: WOOD, CAMPBELL, COLTON, HALL
James WOOD came to New Albion from Utica in 1851 and died there 3 years later. He married Eunice CAMPBELL; children: James F., Wallace, Gilbert, Fidelia (Mrs. Reuben COLTON), Sarah, Mary J. (Mrs. Adelbert HALL), and one deceased. James F. WOOD enlisted Sept. 11, 1861 in Company F, 64th N. Y. Infantry Volunteers, and served three years, being discharged Sept. 11, 1864.
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Bio from:
Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY,
ed by William Adams, pub 1893
History of the Town of Great Valley - Chapter XXX (30)
Page 701
Surnames: WRIGHT, GUY
Abraham WRIGHT, son of Dea. Abraham, was born in Cambridge, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1778. His wife was Lydia GUY, whom he married March 23, 1815, and their son John G. enlisted Sept. 3, 1864 in Company A, 188th N. Y. Volunteers, and was discharged July 11, 1865. Another son, James, served in the 6th N. Y. Cavalry and died in Wellsville, NY, July 6, 1873. Abraham WRIGHT came to Great Valley in 1819. His brother, Col. Richard WRIGHT, came to Cattaraugus county about the same time and held several offices of responsibility. He qualified as associate judge of the County Court on March 23, 1836, and was elected sheriff of Cattaraugus county in 1837; he was supervisor of Great Valley in 1830 and of Burton (now Allegany) in 1836.
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