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Livingston County New York Biographies - Surnames M

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley


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Livingston County New York Biographies extracted from the History of Livingston County, New York: from its earliest traditions to the present, together with early town sketches.


Frank Paret Magee Biography

FRANK PARET MAGEE,— Assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank at Dansville, N. Y. , was born in the town of Groveland August 21, 1862. His education was obtained at the Geneseo State Normal school. Professor Blakeslee's school at East Greenwich, R. I., and included a two years' course at Lehigh University. He was for a time engaged as teacher in the district school at Groveland and also assisted his father in the care of the farm. In 1885 he accepted a position with the Pennsylvania and Santa Fe railroads in the civil engineering department, where he remained two years. He then cam.e to Dansville and took the position of bookkeeper with the Citizens Bank and has since been promoted to assistant cashier. In 1895 he was joined in marriage with Lillie Brayton, daughter of Samuel Brayton, a retired business man •of Dansville, They have two children, Margaret, born in March, 1898, and Henry Brayton, burn in February, 1901. Mr. Magde is a member of, and holds the office of Master in. Phoenix Lodge F. & A. M., and is a member of Dansville Chapter R. A. M., the I. O. O. F., and Dansville Union Hose Company.


William Guy Markham Biography

WILLIAM GUY MARKHAM.— Of Avon, N. Y. , comes from one of the oldest of New England families. About the year 1660 Deacon Daniel Markham the first of this family of Markhams emigrated to America, from England, and settled at Cambridge, MabS. William Markham, the grandson of Deacon Daniel and great-grandfather of our subject, married Abigail Cone Wiley of East Haddan, Conn., in June, 1761. They removed to the western part of New York state and settled in what was at that time the town of Hartford, now the town of Rush, about five miles north of the present village of Avon, Eight children were born to them. Both Mr. and Mrs. Markham died about the year 1790. Their eldest son. Colonel William Markham, married Phoebe Dexter in 1775. They reared a family of ten children of whom Guy, the father of William Guy, was the eighth. Colonel Markham built the present family residence in 1804 and this is one of the few old landmarks still standing, a representative of the substantial homes of the early pioneers. Guy Markham married Eliza Williams, a daughter of John and Mercy (Weeks) Williams, descendants of an old colonial family.

William Guy Markham was born at "Elm Place/' the family homestead, in the town of Rush, September 2, 1836. His education was acquired in the Lima Seminary, after which he engaged in farming. In 1858 he engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred Durham cattle and in 1872 began making a specialty of American merino sheep. In 1876 he designed and prepared the American Merino Register, the first register of individual pedigrees of sheep ever published. He was elected President of the New York State Sheep Breeders and Wool Growers Association in 1877, succeeding Dr. Henry S. Randall, and has held that ofBce continuously to the present time. In 1879 he was elected the first President of the American Merino Sheep Breeders Association and held that office five years.

He held the office of secretary of the National Wool Growers Association, from 1876 to 1883. and was re-elected to the same office in 1894. The interests of those important associations were represented by Mr. Markham, who conducted the argument, for them, before the Tariff Commission in 1883. In the latter part of the seventies he began the exportation of sheep to foreign countries, and in 1879 selected two hundred thoroughbred' sheep for the Japanese government, which he delivered in person, afterward visiting China, India, Italy, France, Germany, England and Australia in the interests of sheep breeding. Resulting from his long experience and excellent judgment Mr. Markham has been frequently appointed as judge of cattle and sheep at the principal fairs of the country, and at the Columbian Exposition, Chicago, in 1893, he acted as judge of American sheep. His exhibition of Rambouillet sheep from Prussia was regarded as the principal feature of the merino sheep exhibit at that fair. Mr. Markham has always aimed to breed to the highest standard of excellence and his success is but the natural outcome of years of intelligent labor and study. Mr. Markham has been Vice President of the State Bank of Avon since its organization, and is Secretary and Treasurer of the Pfaudler Company, one of the largest manufacturing establishments in the state. In 1880 he was married to Josephine Foote, daughter of Warren Foote, of Rush. They have one daughter, Mary. Mr. Markham is a member of the Masonic order and the Knights Templar.


Amasa Harwood Martin Biography

AMASA HARWOOD MARTIN,— The eldest child of Alexander and Ruth (Harwood) Martin, was born at North Bloomfield. N. Y. , June 19, 1824, and died September 23, 1898 on the farm, in the town of Lima, where he had lived for fifty-three years. He was a resident of that town fur more than seventy years, and was well known as a progressive farmer and successful business man. His hospitable home and its surroundings, indicate his interest and delight in that which tends to make life enjoyable, and amid such surroundings his years were passed. He received his education at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. After leaving school he engaged in mercantile pursuits but subsequently adopted the more congenial occupation of farming. He was a member, and liberal supporter, of the Uni versalist Church at North Bloomfield and for many years was trustee and treasurer of the Society. He was also trustee, and for several years president of the board of trustees, of the Clinton Liberal Institute at Fort Plain, N. Y. He was married. May 16, 1854, at Hague, Lake George, N. Y., to Julia Ann, daughter of Nathaniel and Charlotte (Harwood) Garfield; of this marriage there were three children, Jane Elizabeth (Mrs. George W. Atwell,) Alexander who married Mary B. Houghton of Little Falls, N. Y. , and Dean Garfield, who married Martha Windecker, of Little Falls, N. Y. Mr. Martin was of New England ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Stephen Martin, was born at Norwich, Conn., January 26, 1761; in May 1777, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted at Mansfield, Conn., in the Continental Army, and was discharged in 1780; he married March 27, 1782, Bethiah R. Barrows of Mansfield, Conn. Alexander Jtlartin the ninth child of this marriage and father of Amasa H., was born at Paris, N. Y.. January 10, 1800, and died, in the town of Lima, August 8, 1877. He married, March 26, 1823, Ruth Harwood who died July 21, 1875; she was the daughter of Simon and Ruth (Hall) Harwood of Pittsford, Vermont. For almost a century the home of the family has been in the town of Lima, and four generations have been identified with its history.


Hyde D. Marvin Biography

HYDE D. MARVIN, — County superintendent of the poor, was born at Springwater, October 31, 1848. His early life was passed on his father's farm. His schooling was obtained in the public school of that place and later in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima. N. Y. His first occupation was in the capacity of a clerk for a dry goods firm at Ovid. Michigan, where he remained three years. He then, in 1873, purchased a farm near the village of Springwater, which he still owns. Mr. Marvin is an ardent republican and an able and efficient worker along political lines and enjoys the entire confidence of the voters of Livingston county who placed him in the responsible position he now occupies, that of Superintendent of the Poor. H is election to this office occurred in 1901. He served as Supervisor of the town of Springwater from 1872 to '76. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Becker, of Springwater, and they have a daughter. Mary.

George C, the father of Hyde, came to Springwater when a boy, from Otsego county, N.Y. Starting in lite at the lowest round of the ladder, his life was of necessity one of toil and hardship, but by perseverance he later acquired a competence and at the time of his death was possessed of considerable property. He died in 1865 and his wife, Sarah Hyde, survived him by one year only. Of his four sons, Russell B. , Harvey H., and Addison G., are dead, Hyde D. being the only living representative of this branch of the Marvin family.


William J. Maxwell Biography

WILLIAM J. MAXWELL — A prosperous farmer of Caledonia, N. Y. , was born Augusts, 1857, on the farm that he now owns. His paternal grandfather, William Maxwell, was born on The Marcus Badalbal Estate in Scotland in 1786. He was there apprenticed and learned his trade of miller. In 1811 he sailed for this country landing in New York, where he engaged with Peter Van Rensselaer, of that city, as miller, with whom he remained two years. In 1813 he was offered the position of head miller in the large flouring mills at Albany, which he accepted. It was at Albany that he met Isabelle Cameron, whom he married in 1815. They had three children, James A., Catherine and William. In 1817 he decided to remove to Pittsburg, but on his way thither stopped for a visit with his wife's people who had removed to Caledonia, and while with them he engaged with Mr. Wadsworth to operate a large flour mill at South Avon. This mill he ran for sixteen years. In 1833 he gave up the mill and purchased of Mr. Wadsworth 120 acres of land inCaledonia. James A., the eldest son and the father of William, was born at Albany in 1816. He was only eight months of age when his parents made the overland trip to Livingston county, where he received a good education. He made farming his life work. In 1841 he purchased of Thomas Monteith 150 acres of land in Caledonia, and in 1851, 50 acres of Daniel Bowman that adjoined him. In 1841 he married Mary Barron, a daughter of William Barron, one of the early settlers of the town. They had five children. Sarah married James Espie, of Caledonia. Isabelle married Erastus Weeks, and she died in 1902 leaving four children. Mary married Alton Estes, of Caledonia, and they have two children. Catherine married John Shoudler of Scottsville, and died in 1899, and William J. Maxwell in 1883 married Lida Paul, daughter of Alexander Paul, a merchant of Scottsville. They have had three children of whom two are now living, Mary Belle and Marguerite. He has served as highway commissioner for several years. In 1899 he purchased of his father the homestead, forty-seven acres of which have been sold to the New York Central railroad and to the Iroquois Cement Company. William Barron, father of Mary (Barron) Maxwell, came to this country from North Hampton, Eng[and, at the age of twelve, locating at Geneva and about 1891 removed to Caledonia. In 1812 he joined the Patriot Army and was stationed on guard duty at Buffalo. Returning to Caledonia, he obtained from the Government 350 acres of land on which he established a home and there spent the remainder of his life.


Andrew McCurdy Biography

ANDREW McCURDY — Few families have been more closely identified with the town of Ossian and the village of Dansville than the family of James D. McCurdy. The father of the subject of this sketch David McCurdy, James' father, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in the month of September 1759. He married in Ireland Miss Nancy McCoy who bore him three children, James and Rebecca and a child that died in infancy.

James was born in Cavan, Parish county, Antrim, Ireland, October 1, 1783.

The family emigrated to America September 23, 1786. Landing at Newcastle on the Delaware river they proceeded to Georgetown, Lancaster county, Pa., where the daughter Rebecca was born March 16. 1787.

David McCurdy was a manufacturer of Irish linen and it is not known how long they remained at Georgetown. He affiliated with and became a member of the Octarara Presbyterian church and being a skillful player of the violin and a fine singer was then acknowledged leader in church music. His wife died and was buried in Georgetown. He took for his second wife Jeanett Graham by whom he had six sons and four daughters. Some time after his marriage he removed to Washington county, Pa., where a part of the second family was born. From there he removed with his family to near Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, where he died in 1834.

Cornelius McCoy a brother of David McCurdy's first wife married in Ireland the widow of John McCurdy, whose maiden name was Margaret Farrier. They emigrated to America in the year 1788. After residing in Northumberland county, Pa,, about seven years they removed to what is now Dansville and purchased, in 1795, three hundred acres of land, part of which has since been included in the village corporation. This was the first land surveyed and they were the first white settlers in that locality. Their marriage being productive of no surviving heirs Cornelius McCoy entered into an agreement with David McCurdy whereby his son James, then about twelve years of age was to live with and work for him until he reached his majority and so doing should become his heir. There were three stepchildren in the McCoy family; David, James, and Mary. From these sprung many descendants who filled important offices in both church and state. On becoming of age the adopted son James inserted the letter D in his name.

On July 5, 1810 James D. McCurdy married Jane McNair, a daughter of William McNair, of what is now the town of Groveland. She was born in Northampton county, Pa., December 15, 1785 and died February 11, 1875. They began housekeeping on a part of the McCoy farm where they resided about four years. Nine children were born to them, namely: WMlliam, born August 11, 1811. died September 29, 1884; Rebecca, born March 25, 1814, died December 23. 1898; David, born November 11 , 1816; Sarah, born March 10, 1819, died November 13, 1894; James born March 21, 1821; Nancy, born March 24, 1823, died August 7. 1824; Andrew born January 31, 1826; Margaret, born December 21, 1828; Jane, born May 22, 1831, died September 7, 1831.

Mr. McCurdy removed with his family to the town of Ossian, two miles west of Dansville, in 1814, where he had purchased a tract of land heavily timbered with pine and oak. This farm he proceeded to clear and subdue, and being possessed of a robust constitution he ultimately succeeded in bringing the land to a state of product! veness. Mrs. McCurdy became one of the first members of the Presbyterian church of Ossian organized by the Reverend Robert Hubbard of Dansville. He gradually added to his possessions until he had acquired upwards of one thousand acres of land, all lying in the immediate vicinity of his original purchase in Ossian. Mr. McCurdy's educational advantages were limited to brief periods of attendance at the district school and by adding thereto a strict course of home study, mostly by the light of pine knots at night, he acquired a good education for the times. He also took up the study of surveying in which he perfected himself to a degree. He was a decided and active anti-Mason and figured prominently during the Morgan excitement. Somewhat of a leader in politics he served his town in various public offices from pathmaster to that of supervisor, which office he held during the years of 1834-5.

During the war of 1812 General Smyth issued a call for volunteers to cross over and invade Canada. James D. McCurdy with a company under Captain David Porter proceeded to Buffalo and while embarking to cross the river a musket was fired on the American side which seemed to apprise the Canadian forces of the movements of our troops, as the bugle immediately sounded on the Canada shore. There being several thousand troops the under officers called a halt, and upon consultation decided to apply to General Smyth for orders, upon which the general was not to be found. Whereupon the attempt was abandoned and all returned to their homes. Some time subsequently General Smyth passed through Dansville. Putting up at the tavern many called to see him, but all were refused. William Perrine, a revolutionary soldier who had accompanied the volunteers to Buffalo with the baggage train, appeared with a loaded musket and asked for an interview, being also refused he remained on the stoop to intercept him in the morning. General Smyth learning the situation early got on his horse and by a back way was some distance up the street before discovered. The volunteer sentinel thus foiled discharged his firearm after him.

Contrary to the prevalent custom of the time in which he lived, James D. McCurdy at an early period in life adopted the principle of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, strictly adhering to this position. His sons all followed his worthy example.

Being one with his neighbors in their loggin-bees and raisings, cutting out roads, building school houses and churches, contributing fifty dollars towards the erection of the first Presbtyerian church in Dansville, which was burned March 31, 1854. Literally supporting preachers of those early times, though not a member of any denomination, the strongest element of his character was his independent religious convictions. A diligent reader of the Bible he endeavored to conform to what he believed to be its teachings, which finally led him to differ from the common view, believing man to be but a mortal dying creature obtaining future life only by a resurrection from the dead by faith and obedience to the gospel of Christ. To inherit the earth redeemed from thd curse as their everlasting abode which condition is to commence at the second coming of Christ, in which faith he died February 16, 1861.

Of the children of James D. McCurdy William, Rebecca, David, James and Andrew married and their children reside mostly in and near Dansville. William married, first Hetty Lemen of Ossian, and to them were born four children, two of whom grew to maturity and married, William now of Dansville and Henrietta of Bradford, Pa. , (recently died). He took for his second wife Mary Lem»n of South Dansville, who bore him four children, two of whom now survive. Leme-n of Fentonville, Mich., and Rosa of South Dansville, Steuben county, N. Y., both married. His third wife was Martha Phelps of Steuben county who died leaving no issue.

Rebecca married Edward Rathbun of Ossian, and four children were born to them, two of them are now living and married, Jane of Ossian and Edward of the adjoining town of Nunda.

David married Lydia Lemen of Ossian and had eleven children seven of whom are now living. Jane of Dansville, Franc of Tuscarora, Livingston county, Charles of Philadelphia, Pa., Sarah of Buffalo, N. Y. , Ida and Mariette of Dansville, and Cora of Jersey City, N. J.

James married first Elizabeth Porter of Ossian, who died leaving no issue. His second marriage was with Lucinda Kinney of Ossian, and six children were born to them; Charles, Mable, Lucinda, Bertha and Margaret. Five now living.

Andrew married Jeanette Scott of Ossian. She was born December 3, 1827. To them were born three sons and two daughters.

Lawrence S. married Susie Murphy and they have six children.

Fred E., a civil engineer of Dansville, N. Y., (unmarried.)

Margaret J. married William H. Acomb who died March 29, 1903, leaving a widow and four children.

James E. married Rose Schlick of Dansville, and has one daughter.

Alice May married Dr. J. W. Cowan, a dentist of Geneseo, N. Y., to thetn were born three children two of whom, Margaret Jeanette, and Paul are now living.

In April, 1819, James D. McCurdy sold to James McCurdy, McCoy's stepson, one-half of the McCoy estate to which he had become heir by the will of Cornelius McCoy with a provision that he should pay to his sister Rebecca one hundred dollars. This property still remains in the possession of the descendants of James McCurdy. McCoy died May 8, 1809, aged forty-seven years. When it became necessary for the settlers to select a place to bury their dead the old graveyard now so beautifully laid out in walks was filled with oak grubs, which had to be cut off below the surface in order to ensure their death, which job James effectually accomplished by the direction of his uncle.

Some time after the Revolutionary war there came to the vicinity of Dansville a man by the name of Benjamin Kenyon, a captain from the Hessian army who had fought with the British. He settled on what is the Gregory farm in West Sparta and was designated as Captain Poag. This man, detested and shunned, was noticed one day driving some cattle past the McCoy home going south. Out of curiosity to see where they were taken the three boys of the McCoy family the following Sunday took tbe trail through the woods to the narrows at the mouth of the gorge near the present Porter grist mill which was then only wide enough for one creature to pass at a time, proceeding on they discovered the cattle contentedly grazing on the rushes which grew plentifully in the valley as it broadened out.

It did not take the boys long to put their own cattle through the narrows to participate in the luxurious find. So they called the place Poag's Hole and from them the name became universal. Captain Poag subsequently resided there. What became of him I am unable to state. (This place is known as Poag'sHole to this day), the gorge is about three miles long through which the Canaseraga creek flows. At the southern extremity is a rise of at least 100 feet to the summit level where the water flows south to Arkport. In the upper end of the gorge is what is called a milk spring which at times ebbs and flows casting up very fine white sand. It frequently disappears and is seen to rise again at some little distance with renewed energy.

Wild animals were numeroua, at one time, James the adopted son, went for the cows which frequented this valley; he found them and also discovered seven bears sunning themselves lying on a bank. I well recollect of hearing my father tell of counting twenty-two deer at onetime which congregated with the cattle at the stack where they were fed hay, somewhat emaciated by consequence of long continued snow no one molested them under such circumstances. Hogs would frequently come home badly torn and disabled by bears which would watch until one was found separate and alone and then make his attack. This quickly brought the whole herd to the rescue and the bear had toflee for his own safety.

Indians from Squawkie Hill and Mount Morris made yearly hunting excursions to the hills south of Dansville. Their principal path led directly past McCoy's house, with whom they became very friendly.

Their mode of traveling was one behind another which in many places had depressed the ground six inches below the surface. On returning home thesquaws always carried the burden on their backs with a strap across their foreheads.

On their path were found resting places so fixed that the loads could be rested without taking them from their backs. The Indians burned those landsevery year to make tender and inviting forage for the deer.


H. Ross McKay Biography

H. ROSS McKAY, — A successful dealer in beans and produce in the village of Caledonia, was born in the McKay homestead November 17, 1866. John McKay, the grandfather of Ross, settled in Caledonia in 1803, coming from Pennsylvania. He purchased of the Pulteney estate a tract of land that now lies mostly in the village, on which he erected buildings and established a home. He also built a grist mill, which he conducted in connection with farming. For many years this was the only mill in this section of the country and was liberally patronized. He married Louena Smith, a member of a pioneer family in Caledonia, and to them were born eleven children, of whom John, Jr., the father of our subject, was the eig^ith. Upon the death of his father, John Jr., succeeded to the mill property and conducted it until his death in 1876. He married Mary Shannon and seven children were born to them: John, George married Katherine Smith, Jennie married Dr. W. G. Brownell of Rochester, Edward, H. Ross, Allen married Annie Ripley, and Sarah married Rev. James. Sankey of Kingston, N. Y. In 1902 H. Ross and his brother George McKay erected a bean warehouse on their property and began dealing in that commodity. This enterprise has proved a successful one and they now have constantly employed from fifteen to twenty hands. In politics, Mr. McKay is a loyal Democrat and has held various offices within the gift of the people, all of which he has filled in an able manner. For six years he has served as village trustee and is now president of the village, to which office he was elected by a handsome majority in 1902. He is a valued member of the Maccabees, the Red Men and the Mystic Circle.

Edward J. McLaughlin Biography

EDWARD J. McLAUGHLIN,--Of Caledonia, was born in Batavia, N. Y., September 10, 1868. He attended the public schools of that place and also learned the meat business, which he followed in that village until 1893, when he took the management of Allen & peet meat market on East Avenue, Rochester, N. Y., where he remained two years. He then removed to Caledonia where he has since resided. Upon his arrival here he purchased the old established meat business of Bostwick & son, and he now enjoys a thriving trade which is largely owing to his thourough knowledge of the business and the esteem in which he is held by the citizens of Caledonia.


William McLeod Biography

WILLIAM McLEOD, — The subject of this sketch is of pure Scotch parentage. His father, the late Norman McLeod, came to Canada with the Ninetythird Highlanders. William was born in Canada in 1841, while his father was yet a member of that noted British regiment. His mother's brother, William McBean, was also a member of that regiment, and later made the notable record of rising from the ranks to the command of it, and died in London in 1878, a Brevet Major General. William thus comes of martial parentage, maternal and paternal. His father was discharged from the British service by reason of ill health, and came to York state with his family, when William was eleven years old. William's boyhood, until he was twenty was simply that of the average American boy. He worked on a farm until eighteen years of age when he commenced learning the blacksmith trade, at Prattsburg. The outbreak of the Civil war found him at Pulteney, N. Y. , at the home of a married sister. The battle of Bull Run had taken place and the attack on the flag of his adopted country stirred his soul. From this point we give his military experience somewhat in detail, not that it was especially noteworthy, but to put on record an instance which was duplicated perhaps many times, and to show the depths to which the North was roused by that challenge to war. From the date of the first battle, William McLeod wanted to enlist, but from his parents' experience of military life he supposed they would object to his going into the army. So in his letters to his parents at Hemlock, he said nothing about it. Thus it went until Saturday evening, October 13, 1861, when a letter came from his father in which he told of the raising of a regiment at Geneseo, and of a number from Hemlock who had already joined, and that they were asking about William and wanting him to go with them. He added " if William wants to go I will make no objection.'' Monday evening he appeared before Edward D. Clarke, a Justice of the Peace, empowered to take enlistments. The evening of the next day found him back at Prattsburg, having walked the entire distance, thirty-six miles, each way. The second day of December 1861 at Geneseo, he was mustered into the United States service, as a member of the 104th New York Volunteers, by Captain Marshall. Here he found his brother. Donald N., who had already enlisted before he was seventeen. His brother was rejected later by reason of his youth, but the boy was determined to go, and his father appeared with him, on February 25th, before Colonel John Rorbach. and gave his written consent that Donald might go with his elder brother. The Wadsworth Guards left Geneseo on February 26th 1862, and from this time, William McLeod's military experience was simply one with his regiment, until the second battle of Bull Run, when he was wounded on the skirmish line, August 30th. His right arm was amputated at noon, on September first, in a field hospital, near the place where he was wounded. At nine o'clock on Wednesday morning forty five hours after his arm was amputated, he started out on foot for Washington, about thirty miles distant. Being taken prisoner after he was wounded he had nothing to eat, save what he had in his haversack, when he was wounded. This was six army crackers and coffee and sugar for six cups. Half this supply he gave away to comrades who had nothing. It was simply a question with him whether to die on the field where he was or try to reach the Union lines. He said to himself " If I must die I will die going towards help; I am not going to die lying here.'' The first half mile he walked along by a rail fence, steadying himself by it. He was so weak he dared not sit down, fearing he could not rise again. He reached Centerville about three P. M. and found his brother there, severely wounded. They had been together on the skirmish line and Donald was wounded a few rnoments first, but unknown to William. The only food that had passed William's lips, from Saturday at five P. M. until Wednesday at five P. M. was the three crackers, the three cups of coffee and a piece of lean fresh pork about a cubic inch in size. The brothers received their paroles at Centerville and resumed their journey toward Washington on September 4th with their haversacks empty. They had nothing to eat for the next twenty-four hours. They came to the Union pickets six miles from Washington, where they arrived in the forenoon of September 6th, having walked all the way from Bull Run. except the last six miles. They were taken by our pickets to Epiphany Hospital, where they remained until November 14th 1862. William then came home on discharge and Donald, whose wound was yet far from healed, on furlough. Upon returning to his regiment, Donald was discharged in February 1863 from a hurt received earlier than the one at Bull Run. He remained at home until September and enlisted in the 21st New York Cavalry. He put in nearly four years service before he was twenty-one, was wounded once in his second term of service, but his first hurt to his right knee was so serious that in 1875. he had the leg amputated just in time lo save his life. Save for short periods William has lived at Hemlock. He has no political ambitions, save a deaire to better the conditions of society, so that he may feel that he did not give his good right arm in vain.


William W. McMahan Biography

WILLIAM W. McMAHAN, — Of the firm of McMahan Brothers, grocers of Moscow, N. Y. , was born at that place May 6, 1874. His early education was obtained in the public schools after which he took a three years, course in the State Normal school at Geneseo. He then, in 1894, began teaching, the first year in Livingston county and the second in Wyoming county. In February 1898. he entered the Craig colony Institution at Sonyea. N. Y., and took a two years, course of training as a trained nurse. At the expiration of the two years he was appointed supervisor of nurses, which position he held until February, 1903, when he resigned and engaged in his present business at Moscow. The firm of McMahan Brothers, consisting ot William W. and Walter J. McMahan, has met with unusual success considering the time they have been running, but with their known reputation for uprightness and strictest integrity and their admirable methods of supplying the wants of the people, the tact is not surprising. William McMahan is a member of the Mt. Morris Lodge of Masons,, a conscientious Republican and a charter member of the Gamma Sigma Society of the Normal school of Geneseo. His father, James McMahan, was a native of Ireland, coming to America as an infant with his parents, who located on a farm near Moscow, where he resided until his death, in 1895. His wife, Laura Crossett McMahan, was a daughter of Calvin Crossett, an old settler of Livingston county, who when a boy left his home in Massachusetts, crossed the Hudson river on the ice and walked the entire distance to his future home in Leicester. He made the journey alone, paying his way by the sale of essence, which he peddled en route. Laura Crossett McMahan died in 1901 at the age of sixty-four.


McNair Family Biography

McNAIR FAMILY, — The McNairs, who for more than a century have been residents of Livingston county, had a single ancestor and he was of Scotch nationality. Tradition affirms that the Scotch McNairs claim to be sprung from a highland clan and to trace their family genealogy back for a space of more than two hundred and fifty years. But inasmuch as the John McNair, who was the Scotch forefather of the Livingston county McNairs, removed firstly from the river Dee in Scotland to county Donegal in Ireland, where he and his son resided for about fifty years, before the latter, having married an Irish wife, migrated to America, it is more correct to call the McNairs of Livingston county, of Scotch-Irish origin. Authentic family tradition affirms that persecutions and political disturbances growing out of the reigns of the Stuarts were the cause of John McNair senior's removal from Scotland in 1688 and similarly attested authority says that a material loss of property through dishonesty on the part of a trusted agent prompted his son John in the year 1736 to leave his Irish home and come to America. He was then of the age of forty years and his family, at leaving consisted of wife and three sons and an aged and widowed mother. But of these the mother and two younger sons (Andrew and Robert) died at sea. The passage was by sail and of three months duration. The name of the surviving son was William who reached America at the age of nine years. The family landed at Philadelphia where they had relatives, who had preceded them, and resided near the city for about a year and then removed to a more permanent home at Allentown, then in Bucks county, but long since set off and is named Northampton county. During their temporary residence at Philadelphia a son was born, to whom was given the family name of John, and it was these two brothers, William and John, who in after years became the founders of the numerous families, who in time came to inhabit the upper valley of the Genesee. John McNair, the father lived at Allentown (known as the Irish settlement) to old age. His sons lived near him until the year 1798, when William, moved by the spirit of unrest then and for many years thereafter, so general in the more eastern communities of our country, decided on seeking a new home in the, then recently opened Eldorado of western New,York, especially the valley of the Genesee. He was at this time seventy years of age but hale and vigorous and lived until the year 1823, dying at ninety six years of age. He was twice married. His first wife was Margaret Wilson, by whom he had seven children, four sons and three daughters, all of whom except a daughter, Sarah, were living and married at this time. Sarah had died at the age of eleven years. His second wife was Sarah Warner, by whom he had one daughter, Jean, and three sons, James H., Andrew and Robert, and this family removed with him to the Genesee country. Jean was of the age of thirteen years, James H., was eleven, Andrew seven and Robert five. His family effects were considerable and a goodly herd of cattle were driven along. The work of removal by teams was no holiday task but they safely reached Williamsburg in the early summer, obtaining there a temporary residence and at once set about securing a more permanent domicile for the family, and winter supplies for their stock. For the latter they cut and secured hay from wild grass found in the neighborhood. He had secured his homestead from the agent at Bath while on his passage and this was a well selected plot of two hundred and sixty-two acres located at the original Sonyea and the farm bounds that of the present Craig Colony on the east. This tract was purchased out of the Sir William Pulteney estate at the price of two and one half dollars per acre. It was principally -fiats and was covered with a growth of large timber. Black walnuts grew there in such an abundance that rails were made of them, and individual trees were found of twentyone feet in circumference or seven feet in diameter. This farm William McNair and his family cleared and here lived until his death in 1823. His widow survived him until 1826. Of his second family Jean married James McCurdy of Ossian and spent her life in that town, where and in Dansville several of her descendants still live. James M. McNair married Mary Mulhollen. Eight children were born and grew to mature age of whom three ladies retain the farm and residence long since secured by him in the suburbs of Mount Morris. Andrew McNair, the second son lived with his brother Robert at the Sonyea home until his decease in 1845. He was a batchelor. Robert, the youngest of the family married Amelia Warner of Lima, N. Y. and he and his brother Andrew jointly owned and occupied the homestead during their natural lives. Robert died in 1863 leaving nine children. There are now (May 1904) living of the offspring of Robert McNair and Amelia Warner twenty-nine grand and twenty three great-grand children. Three only of their family survive viz. William R., Amanda and Miles. One son of William McNair by the first marriage the Hon. Hugh, settled and lived in the Genesee country. He achieved civic distinction as judge and other county offices living at this time at Canandaigua which was then the county seat of the territory now embraced in both Ontario and Livingston counties. His son William W. settled on a farm in Groveland. One son of William W. , William Woodbridge, achieved a successful and honorable career as a lawyer in the city of Minneapolis. His youngest son Captain James died fighting for his country on a battle field in Virginia. Another grandson of Hon. Hugh McNair, Captain James Monroe died in his young manhood in consequence of hardships endured while campaigning during the early part of the war of the rebellion. Other branches of the family of Hugh settled on farms at Nunda and Portage. The McNairs, as a rule, have adhered to agriculture as their chosen business, and for the most part have retained their original family homesteads in the name. The farm upon which William McNair senior settled is still in the hands of his grand daughter, Mrs. Starr, and the same holds true of the farm of his brother John, who settled in the town of West Sparta. John McNair, brother to William and ten years younger, cSme to the Genesee valley in 1804 and settled near Dansville. The McNairs of Livingston county, have for three generations, by industrious, honest and stable citizenship furnished a large increment to its wealth and prosperity. They have been promoters of schools, churches and all public utilities and have done this without being aspirants to places of profit or preferment. How much they may owe for these valuable qualities to the virtues of their ancestry it may be difficult to say, but obviously it is considerable. Their forefathers, both William and John, have been described by contemporaries as men of patrician qualities, with rich endowment of mind and spirit.


John M. McVicar Biography

JOHN M. McVICAR, — A prominent citizen of Conesus, N. Y. , and dealer in wagons and agricultural implements at that place, was born May 6, 1858. His early education was received at the Conesus school and was followed by a course in the State Normal school at Geneseo, N. Y, After leaving the Normal he devoted some seven or eight years to teaching, after which he engaged as a clerk in a Conesus store where he remained about twelve years. In 1899 he purchased a lot, erected a building and embarked in the agricultural implement business which has proved a financial success and has developed into one of the largest implement concerns in the county. Mr. McVicar has also achieved some prominence in the field of local politics. He is now serving a second term as town clerk and in the fall of 1903 was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the office of sheriff and although defeated he is deserving and received much credit for the clean, vigorous campaign he waged, J^e has been identified with the K. O. T. M. , as its record keeper since its organization in 1895. His marriage to Miss Grace E. Sanford, daughter of James V. Sanford of Newark, N. J., occurred in 1884 and they have two sons, George and Kenneth. Both Mr. and Mrs. McVicar are members of the Universalist church, the former having been trustee of the church for the past fifteen years. His father, John McVicar, was also a native of Liviogston county, having been born in the McVicar homestead near Scottsburg, N. Y. For seventeen years he conducted a hotel at Conesus and also speculated in live stock which he shipped to the eastern markets. Ke was an energetic, enterprising citizen and was well known throughout this section of the country. He died November 7, 1899. aged 76 years. His wife, formerly Elizabeth Thorpe, of Conesus, is still living and makes her home in that village.


Charles Meacham Biography

CHARLES MEACHAM, — A well known citizen of Livonia, N. Y., and the leading blacksmith and wagon manufacturer of that place, was born in Lakeville, August 18, 1860. As a boy he attended the district school and early in life began learning the trade of blacksmith, which he followed until 1885, when he opened his present establishment in the village of Livonia. Being an expert workman and a good manager, Mr. Meacham rapidly obtained a large share of the local patronage and soon placed the concern on a sound financial footing. He manfuactures a superior quality of wagons and carriages, in the making of which, none but the best of material is allowed to be placed. His success is merited and is a testimonial to his mechanical skill and keen business judgment. He was joined in marriage vi^ith Miss Claudia House, of Allegany county, on March 26, 1882, Five children have been born to them — Arthur Claire, Bessie Claudia, Ralph Clark, Leslie Fred, and Francis B, Clark Meacham, the father of Charles, was a native of Livingston county. He married Laura Phelps and to them were born three sons and four daughters, all of whom are now living. The father died in 1894.


David Menzie Biography

DAVID MENZIE, — The well-known auctioneer of Caledonia, was born at LeRoy, Genesee county, July 11, 1837. After finishing his schooling, which was obtained in the public schools of that place, he engaged in farming. In 1862 he was joined in marriage with Kate McBain, daughter of Francis McBain, a prosperous farmer of the town of York. They then removed to Riga, Monroe county, where Mr. Menzie purchased a farm on which he remained ten years. They have four children, Jane B., Charles, Christina and Robert D. Jane B. married William H. Garbutt and resides at Wheatland, Monroe county. Charles married Anna Bowerman and Christina married John G. Glass and resides at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Robert is in Alaska, where he has been engaged in mining for the past six years. In 1872 Mr. Menzie and family came to Caledonia where they have since resided. His father, Duncan, was a native of Scotland and one of the first settlers in the county, having as a young man settled in Caledonia in 1810. He married Miss Christie, of Wheatland, a daughter of John Christie, who came to America from Scotland in 1796. David Menzie has undoubtedly conducted more farm auctions than any other man in the county, having taken up the work in 1857 and followed it continuously to the present time. Thoroughly honest and straightforward in all his dealings, he has gained the entire confidence and friendship of all who know him or with whom he has had dealings.


Edgar Merry Biography

EDGAR MERRY,-— Editor and publisher of the Dalton Enterprise, was born at Florida, N. Y., June 17, 1849. His early life until twenty-one years of age was passed un his father's farm and his education was obtained in the district schools of the neighborhood. The year in which he reached his majority he spent in travel through the West. He arrived in Chicago the day before the great fire of 1871 broke out and passed through a terrifying experience, when he and many others were forced to wade far out in the lake to escape the far-reaching effect of the flames. He returned to his native place and clerked in a grocery for a time and later acted as assistant in an undertaking establishment at Mount Morris, N. Y. In 1878 he came to Livingston county and for eight years ran a painting establishment at Mount Morris, and in 1886 came to Dalton and established an undertaking and furniture business, which he very successfully conducted until 1893 when he sold out and purchased the newspaper and job printing plant he now owns. This paper, now called the Enterprise, was started in 1880 by a Mr. Orcott and was called the New Era. It was afterwards changed to the Dalton Era, then to the Dalton Enterprise, then the Freeman and back to the Dalton Enterprise. It is a live enterprising newsy paper and its advertising columns denote prosperity. In 1874 Mr. Merry married Elizabeth Eldrett, of Amsterdam, N. Y. and they have had four children, none of whom are now living. Eldrett, the eldest and an exceptionally bright young man with every prospect of a successful future, died December 2, 1895, at the age of nineteen years. Charles died in infancy. Frank died April 3, 1887, aged seven, and Blanche died November 7, 1899, aged thirteen years. Mr. Merry is a Republican in politics and a conscientious upholder of the principles of his party. He has held the office of Master in the Nunda Lodge of Masons and is now Secretary of that order. Both Mr. and Mrs. Merry have for many years been consistent members of the Methodist church and the former is now clerk of the official board and has held the office of superintendent of the Sunday school for the past eleven years.


Garret S. Miller Biography

GARRET S. MILLER. — Of Tuscarora, N. Y., was born in the town of Mount Morris. February 15. 1840. His father, Bartley Miller, came to Tuscarora from New Jersey in 1831 and settled on a farm within two miles of that village. In 1869 he and his son Garret S. Miller bought the grist mills in Tuscarora owned by David LaRue and within a year from the date of purchase Mr. Miller died, leaving the entire care and management of the property to his son Garret, who without previous experience in the milling business soon found himi

Dr. Charles J. Mills Biography

DR. CHARLES J. MILLS, — A prominent and prosperous dentist of Mount Morris, is a native of Livingston county, having been born in the town of Springwater, January 12, 1844. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Mills, a native of Connecticut, left his home in the early part of the nineteenth century and journeyed westward. He located in Rochester, where he purchased real estate and passed the remainder of his days. Rochester at that time was but a growing village and he was one of its early settlers. The land he purchased included that on which the Third Presbyterian church now stands and a large part of the property in that vicinity. He married a Miss Popeman, a native of France, where she grew to maturity and came to America as a music teacher. His son, Dr. Charles Mills the father of our subject, was born in Rochester, where he afterward received a thorough classical education. He also took up the study of medicine, but later studied dentistry in which he perfected himself and became one of the foremost dentists in Rochester. He was twice married, his first wife being Adeline Jennings, of Macedon, a daughter of John Jennings, a native of Vermont, who migrated to Wayne county at an early day and settled at Macedon. Only one son, Charles J., was born to them. Mrs. Mills died at the early age of twenty-two. The son, Charles J., was cared for by an aunt until eleven years of age when the father was again married and he thereafter resided with them. Mr. Mills took for his second wife Harriet Chapman, of New York city.

Dr. Charles J. Mills, our subject, first attended the district schools and afterwards the Rochester High school, which he left to enlist in the service of his country. On May 2, 1862, he joined Company E, 27th -New York Infantry, which was immediately ordered to the front, their first engagement being the battle of Bull Run. After one year's service Dr. Mills was stricken with typhoid fever and was discharged. Upon his recovery he assisted Major Downey in raising Company E of the Thirteenth New York Volunteer Infantry and received the commission of second lieutenant. Preferring the cavalry service, he resigned and joined the Eighth New York Cavalry as sergeant of Co. M, remaining with that company until the close of the war. Sixty-eight different battles and skirmishes were participated in by this famous company and the Doctor was twice wounded. At the close of the war he with his comrades were present at the Grand Review, and he received his discharge in June, 1865. He then returned to Rochester and began the study of dentistry. He first located at Lima, this county, where he resided until 1882, when he came to Mt, Morris, where he has since achieved success in the practice of his profession. Mr. Mills was several times appointed Aide-de camp on the Department and National staff, and in 1898 was chief mustering officer of the Department of New York, G. A. R. He has twice held the office of President of the Livingston county G. A. R. He was joined in marriage with Anna J. Artman, daughter of Abram Artman, a citizen of Sparta, on July 16. 1867. Dr. Mills is a member of Union Lodge F. & A. M. of' Lima, and the Mt. Morris Chapter. He is also a member of the Genesee Valley Lodge A. O. U. W. , and is Past Commander of J. E. Lee Post, G. A. R.


MYRON H. MILLS

Myron Holley Mills. M. D., a distinguished and honored resident of Mount Morris, exerted a marked influence on the literary, social, and political advancement of Livingston County, and bore a conspicuous part in promoting its rise and progress to its high standing among the wealthy and well-developed counties of the Empire State, He was born December 8, 1820, on the homestead where he resided until his death, and which was then owned and occupied by his father. Major-general William A. Mills.

Dr. Mills was of New England ancestry, and came of pure and undiluted Puritan blood. His paternal grandfather, the Rev. Samuel Mills, of Derby, Conn., born in 1744, was a graduate of Yale College, and prepared for the ministry. Attracted by the glowing accounts of the beauties and promised wealth and greatness of the Genesee valley, he moved his family in 1790-92, and located near the little hamlet of Williamsburg, the pioneer settlement in what is now Livingston county, situated midway between Mount Morris and Geneseo. Circumstances over which the little hamlet had no control placing the court-house and county buildings in the town of Geneseo, Williamsburg's prosperity and growth were summarily checked, its population gradually disappeared, and its individuality was entirely lost forever. The Rev. Samuel Mills was the pioneer ordained minister in the valley. He preached the great truths of the gospel to the pioneers in an acceptable manner, after holding church services in the open air, also in the largo warehouse in Williamsburg and in private dwellings. He was held in high esteem by the early settlers, and his memory is preserved in the religious history of the Genesee valley. He was a man of ability, a distinguished scholar, and possessed in a marked degree the christian graces which eminently fitted him to preach the great truths of the Bible. His cousin, the Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Torrington, Conn., who was born April 21. 1783. and graduated at Williams College in 1809, was devoted to missionary work, and fully earned the proud title in history of '"Father of Foreign Missions in America." The Rev. Samuel Mills' house took fire in the night and burned, with all his household ef¥ects, the family barely escaping. This misfortune, coupled with the loss of capital invested in land at inflated prices in the town of Groveland, embarrassed and so discouraged the good man that he became the victim of the disease known as the Genesee, or spotted fever which caused his death. His remains, at the request of James Wadsworth, Sr., were buried in what has since become the beautiful cemetery in Geneseo. No monument, we regret to say, in the interest of his descendants and posterity, designates the grave. Immediately following his lamented death, the family, except his son William A., returned to New Bedford.

General William Augustus Mills, the father of Dr. Mills, was born at New Bedford, May 27, 1777; and some seventeen years later, just one hundred years before the summer season of the present year (1894) this same sturdy infant, grown to a stalwart young man, and having learned that " westward the course of empire takes its way,'' might have been seen with a small bundle of clothing under his arm, journeying on foot across the valley from Williamsburg to Allan's Hill, now Mount Morris, there to make a home. His only available capital was a robust constitution, a quick and active brain, a common suit of clothes, an axe, and a five-franc piece of silver. He located on land belonging to Robert Morris and there erected a cabin on the brow of the tableland overlooking the Genesee valley, the site now being occupied by the residence of Dr. M. H. Mills. His only neighbors were the Indians; and learning to speak their language and growing familiar with their ways of living, he became a favorite aiuong them, and was a frequent counselor in their dealings with the white people of this vicinity, and even occasionally arbitrated matters of dispute arising among themselves. He kept the chain of friendship bright, and retained the most amicable relations with them, until the Indians, by virtue of the treaty of 1825, sold their reservations, and left the valley. He always treated them with the utmost consideration; and they recognized his friendship and generosity by bestowing upon him the name of " So-nojo-wa, ' ' which in their language signifies "a big kettle" or generous man, and among the few surviving members of the Indian tribes now living on the Allegany and Cattaraugus reservation the village of Mount Morris is called " So-nojo-wa-ge" in honor of his memory.

The land on which William A. Mills settled was as before mentioned, owned by Robert Morris. At a later period it passed into the possession of the Bank of North America, and in 1811 was thrown upon the market and sold to different purchasers, the bank retaining one-eighth interest. Mr. Mills then bought twenty acres, paying thirty dollars an acre in silver, this being the minimum price he paid for property on the Genesee Flats. He was a man of infiexiblt; purpose and resolute will, energetic and industrious, and not only placed his original purchase under cultivation, but, as his means increased, bought other tracts, and at the time of his death was a wealthy and extensive landholder, and one of the most influential and prominent citizens of Livingston county. Previous to the building of the dam across the Genesee river in this locality, the nearest mill was twenty miles distant; and much valuable time was lost in performing the necessary journeys to and fro. With characteristic enterprise, Mr. Mills succeeded in placing the bill for the erection of a dam across the river at this point before the legislature. The river being navigable for small boats, some opposition was brought to bear upon the project; and he was forced to appear before the General Assembly in support of the measure, which was passed. Thus a valuable water-power was secured to Mount Morris, and was the immediate cause of new growth and prosperity to the town. General Mills was the founder of the village of Mount Morris, and was as patriotic as he was public spirited. On the breaking out of the War of 1812 he organized the first militia company in Livingston county, and from jthe command of that company rose to the rank of Major-general of the State militia, his command embracing the counties of Livingston, Genesee, Ontario, Steuben. Monroe, and Allegany. Many of the distinguished men of New York have served on the military stafi: of General Mills, among whom we may mention the names of Colonel Reuben Sleeper, of Mount Morris. General Frank Granger, of Canandaigua, the Hon. Daniel D. Barnard and the Hon. Charles J. Hill, of Rochester. General Mills was a man of unbounded generosity and kindness of heart, and extended every possible aid to the struggling pioneer, frequently making the payments due on the little tract of land, which might have otherwise reverted to the original proprietors. While yet in apparent physical vigor, the General suddenly died of heart failure, on April 7, 1844, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. leaving to his surviving children a large landed estate and the memory of a life spent in doing good to his fellow-men.

The union of General Mills with Susannah H. Harris, of Tioga Point, Pa., was solemnized in 1803, and of this marriage ten children were born, of whom nine grew to mature years.

Myron K. Mills received a broad and liberal education, and when a young man began the study of medicine and surgery in the office of Dr. Hiram Hunt, a valued friend of his father, and the family physician. He subsequently entered the Geneva Medical College, from which he received his diploma in 1844. The following year Dr. Mills began practice in the city of St. Louis, where he soon won an enviable reputation as a physician, and was appointed a practitioner in the City t^ospital. After the declaration of war with Mexico he resigned his position in the hospital, and volunteered as a private soldier in the company being then organized in St. Louis by Captain Hudson. At the instigation of influential friends, before being mustered into service, Dr. Mills applied for the appointment of Assistant Surgeon in the United States army, going himself to Fort Leavenworth, the headquarters of General Stephen W. Kearney, five hundred miles from St. Louis, to whom he presented in person his papers, hoping to receive his indorsement before applying to the Secretary of War for his commission. In this he was successful; and he served bravely throughout the entire war, and at the battle of Canada received a wound in the fleshy part of the right leg, below the knee. The Doctor, having recently graduated from the school of medicine and surgery, put into practice the knowledge of improved methods that he had acquired as a student, and was the first to introduce the ''flap operation" in amputations in the "Army of the West," the circular method having been previously used from time immemorial; and for this valuable service he was promoted by the medical director, Surgeon DeCamp. of Baltimore, to the head of the medical and surgical department of the army. At the close of the Mexican War the regular standing army of these States was increased by the addition of eight regiments. Upon the recommendation of Brigadier-general Stephen W. Kearney, commander of the Army of the West, in which Dr. Mills served all through the war, the Hon. William L. March, Secretary of War, tendered him an appointment of Assistant Surgeon in the regular army, which he declined, and leturned to private life. Having again become a resident of Mount Morris, he was invited by a special committee to deliver an address on ''The Mexican War." He accepted, giving an eloquent and graphic description; and at the request of special committees he was induced to repeat it at Nunda and Perry.

In June. 1849, Dr. M. H. Mills was wedded to Mary E. Mills, the only daughter of Hiram P. Mills of Mount Morris. Theirs was a felicitous marriage, she having found in him a devoted husband, and he in her a true companion and friend, who faithfully discharged the duties of wife and mother. The sorrow common to mortals cast its shadow over their pleasant home, four of the six children born of their union having passed to the "life elysian."

In the spring of 1850 Dr. Mills engaged in the drug business in Rochester, where for a while he carried on a lucrative trade. But, finding the occupation uncongenial to his tastes, he embraced the first advantageous opportunity to dispose of his stock of goods and was subsequently employed in the construetion of public works for the State of New York. He was well fitted for that responsible position, and received for his services a liberal remuneration, which, being well invested, enabled him to retire from the active pursuits of life in 1868, and to enjoy his well-earned leisure. In 1863, while a resident of Rochester, he was appointed by the Mayor and Common Counuil to represent the city in the National Ship Canal Convention held in Chicago. In June of that year he served on a committee with the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew and another man. Mr, Depew was then a young man, and had been a member of the legislature from Westchester county, New York. Removing in November, 1870, to Mount Morris, his native place, the Doctor bought the parental homestead, which had passed from the possession of the Mills family, and thereafter he devoted his energies and money to its improvement and adornment. He improved and enlarged the house, erected beautiful and convenient outbuildings, and converted the three acres of land surrounding the mansion into n veritable park. This attractive home is located at the northern extremity of Main street, and commands a magnificent and extensive view of the Genesee valley, the situation being one to inspire the pen of a poet or the brush of an artist to its highest effort.

Under the familiar nom de plume of "Cornplanter," Dr. Mills published a valuable series of articles on Indian history, and the history of the Muunt Morrib tract. His services as a public speaker and lecturer were often in demand. In 1878 he delivered the address uf the day before the Wyoming Historical Pioneer Association, at the dedication of their "log cabin" at Silver Lake, the twenty thousand people there gathered listening to his eloquent words with undbated interest till the close of the very last sentence.* In February of the same year Dr. Mills was induced by special invitation to lecture before the literati of Dansville on "The Prehistoric Races in America" and the intelligent and scholarly audience which greeted him was enthusiastic in its approval of his utterances. On the 14th of September, 1880, the residents of Detroit listened to an address given by him to the State Association of Mexican War Veterans, reviewing the results and benefits of that war to the country, and stating the claims of the veteran soldiers upon the government for a pension. At the annual meeting of the Livingston County Pioneer Association in August, 1877, at Long Point, Conesus Lake, he held a vast audience enthralled for more than an hour, even though black and lowering clouds and the ominous peals of thunder betokened the near approach of a deluging shower, from* which their only shelter was the wide-spreading and friendly boughs of the forest trees. At various times he has spoken with great acceptance before the farmers' institutes and kindred associations. Dr. Mills was one of the organizers of the Livingston County, New York, Historical Society. At the organization of the society at Mount Morris, February 13, 1877, the Doctor formulated and presented the able and comprehensive constitution and -by-laws of the society, which were adopted. He was the founder of the Livingston County Pioneer Association. He has ever taken an active interest in educational and local affairs, and has served as President of the Mount Morris Board of Education, and twelve successive years as President of the Livingston County Historical Society, and was at the time of his death President of the Mills Waterworks Company, and Railroad Commissioner of the town of Mount Morris. The system of waterworks, which has added more than any other enterprise to the welfare of the village, was constructed after plans submitted to the village trustees and the citizens of Mount Morris by Dr. Mills, at a meeting held on the 4th of June, 1879, and has greatly improved the sanitary condition of the town, besides being most useful for domestic purposes and of great protection to the property of its inhabitants. For this enterprise and the great benefit and protection to the village from destruction by fires and the blessings resulting therefrom, the citizens are indebted wholly to Dr. Mills, who furnished the entire capital.

In politics Dr. Mills was always affiliated with the Democratic party, and, though never an aspirant for official honors, has (occasionally accepted places of trust and responsibility, and these he has filled with credit to himself and to the honor of his constituents. He was thoroughly democratic and simple in his manners, the honors heaped upon him during his career having in no way elevated his pride or detracted from his frank and cordial friendliness in his intercourse with others.

Dr. Mills died at his home surrounded by his loving wife and daughters on the 14th day of August 1897.


Charles F. Morris Biography

CHARLES F. MORRIS, — Practicing attorney of Livonia, was born in the Morris homestead at Webster's Crossing, near Wayland, N. Y. , September 14, 1874. His early education was obtained in the Wayland Union schools, from which he graduated in 1895. From that time until 1897 he assisted his father in the care of the farm. He then took up the study of law, for which he had been preparing himself. The first two years he studied with E. W. Brown, of Livonia, and the year following with Judge Clark, of Steuben county. During the Pan-American fair in Buffalo in 1900 he was a member of the Pan-American police force. He then returned to Livonia and entered the office of E. W. Brown as partner, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1903. Mr. Morris is an enterprising young man and is starting in his professional career with every prospect of future success at the bar. In politics he is a strong Republican, is well posted on the fundamental principles of his party and keeps in touch with the leading issues both local and national. He has served the town of Springwater as Justice of the Peace one term. His father, Arthur Morris, a prominent farmer of Springwater, also conducts a thriving business in the line of contracting and building.


James H. MOrton Biography

JAMES H. MORTON, — Proprietor of the Morton House, at Hemlock, N.Y., was born in the town of Lima, May, 11, 1856. When a boy his parents removed to Hemlock, where he received his education. For a number of years he followed farming and threshing. In 1891 he purchased the Cora B., a steamboat on Hemlock Lake, which he ran for two years when it burned and he built the J. B. Thurston, which he ran until the city of Rochester took possession of the lake and purchased the boat. In 1901 he built the Morton House at Hemlock village which he is now conducting. Mr. Morton was united in marriage with Lena Bayles, a daughter of Edwin Bayles, a prominent farmer of Conesus. They have one son, James H., Jr. Mr. Morton is a member of Eagle Lodge No. 619, F. & A. M., of Honeoye.


Grant E. Moses Biography

GRANT E. MOSES,— Of the firm of Hunt and Moses, merchants at Dalton. was born at Granger, N. Y. , May 28, 1868. He attended the schools of that place and later took a two years' course in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. He then entered Eastman College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1887. In 1889, in company with William W. Hunt, he purchased the Lyman Ayrault stock of goods at Dalton, and they have since that date carried a general stock of merchandise. This business is today in a flourishing condition. The place presents a clean, inviting appearance and appeals to the class of trade to which they cater. In 1897 Mr. Moses was appointed postmaster under the McKinley administration and was reappointed in 1901.


Lewis H. Moses Biography

LEWIS H. MOSES, — Supervisor of the town of Lima, was born and raised and now resides in the old homestead three miles southeast of the village of Lima. A portion of this land comprises the half section originally taken from the government during the latter part of the eighteenth century. Mr. Moses was born August 18, 1846. His education was obtained at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, where he was fitted for entrance to West Point Academy, was appointed, and might have successfully passed the rigid examination imposed upon applicants for entrance to that noted institution. His health, however, at the time was such as to pieclude the possibility of his withstanding the rigorous treatment accorded cadets, so he voluntarily withdrew and has since devoted his time and labors to the care of the farm. A staunch democrat, Mr. Moses has for years been a vigorous worker in the interests of his party and has conscientiously devoted time and energy in fulfilling the various duties of the elective offices which he has held. He served the town of Lima four years as Justice of the Peace, and the past five years he has acceptably occupied the responsible office of supervisor, to which office he was again elected March 10. 1903, for a term of two years. He was united in marriage in November, 1869, to Alice B. Harden, daughter of Truman Harden, a former merchant of Lima. Their family consists of three children, Carrie E., Fred L, and James G.

Lewis Moses, the father of our subject, was well known for his many excellent qualities. A successful farmer, he also in some degree served his political party at various times during the course of his career and was invariably a strong factor in the promotion of political or civil enterprises tending towards the advancement or betterment of the community. Zebulon Moses, the great grandfather of our subject, came to Lima from Rutland, Vermont, in 1791 and acquired the tract of land in Lima village on the northwest corner of which now stands the American hotel. Two years later he sold this tract at a material advance in price and purchased the property which his great grandson now occupies. His life was devoted to the hardship and toil of the early pioneer days. His son Luther was a soldier in the war of 1812 and participated in many notable engagements along the Niagara Frontier.

Reuben H. Moses Biography

R. H. MOSES, — Of Mount Morris, came to that village in 1870 from Cuba, Allegany county, N. Y., where he was born April 28, 1837. Mr. Moses was born and raised on the farm his grandfather, Reuben Moses, acquired from the government. Reuben Moses, a native of Bloomfield, N. Y., journeyed by ox team from that place to Cuba in 1820 and took up one hundred acres of land upon which he erected a homestead, and there he toiled, suffering the privations and enduring the trials incident to the early pioneer days. He thus paved the way and laid the foundation for future happiness and prosperity, which were bestowed upon his family and their descendants. His son, Samuel S., the father of our subject, possessed of a progressive, enterprising spirit, was engaged for many years in the lumber trade. This lumber he floated in rafts down the Allegany and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati. He accumulated considerable landed property and owned some 500 acres in the vicinity of his father's original purchase. A staunch Democrat, he was always thoroughly alive to the best interests of his party, was well posted on all political topics and might have become a power in his locality were he not averse to mixing politics with business.

REUBEN H. MOSES, our subject, 'conducted a dry goods store for a time in Cuba, afterwards sold out and came to Mount Morris, where he has since resided. He became well known here as a dry goods merchant, having conducted the leading store in that line from 1870 to 1878. He then took the position of superintendent of the large stock farm of 2800 acres near this village then owned by William Fitzhugh, now a part of the Wadsworth farm. He occupied this position three years. Later he became private secretary to Hiram P. Mills and continued in that capacity some three years. Mr. Moses, like his father, is a Democrat, and has filled numerous offices in the town and county. He has served the town of Mt. Morris as collector, supervisor and assessor, the latter office he has held eight years and still holds. He has served the village in the capacity of treasurer, trustee, clerk and is now its assessor. In 1860 he married Mary L. Moses, daughter of Alfred Moses, ot Cuba, N. Y.


John Rogers Murray, Biography

class="center">BY NORMAN SEYMOUR

The civilization of this far-famed Genesee Valley has reached a turning point, and already the thoughtful enquirer can look upon its new era. From being the once wild frontier of western progress, it has become a wealthy and reposeful land within the borders of a rich and progressive state. The splendid type of men produced by that early pioneer civilization on this and other frontiers, has passed or is fast passing away. This valley will never again bring forth such men as appear on the necrology of this society. The causes that produced them and influenced them to pass their lives here, no longer exist, and their prototypes are only found either in our large cities whither the best efforts tend, or in the far west on what is now the frontier of this irresistible tide of human progress. The same scenes that were enacted in the Genesee Valley in the early part of this century are now being enacted, with little differences in Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota, and with but slight variations the same type of men, whose lives we meet from time to time to commemorate here, will be produced there. They, in time, will pass away, and then the cities or the regions around about will absorb the ambitious and best of the country, as they are doing here in this generation. If any one doubts this statement, let him compare the past of the country with its present. We are richer, now, we have more conveniences, more comforts, more labor saving machines, but where are the successors to the famous men of the necrology of this society?

Of all the talented and spirited men that were first attracted to this valley in its early days, one of the most famous and well-known v^aa the late John R. Murray of Murray Hill, Mount Morris, who died, beloved and universally lamented, at Mount Morris, November 1, 1881, after a short and painful illness of Bright's disease, aged seventy years. Mr. Murray was born in the city of New York, October 15, 1811, aud was the son of the late John Murray of that city, the owner of that portion of the city known as Murray Hill, and also one of the original owners of the ''Mount Morris tract," and also one of the most extensive landholders in the state. His grandfather, Robert Murray, was an early resident of New York, receiving his deeds on parchment almost directly from George HI., and was one of the largest ship owners in America. His residence was the headquarters of General Washington in that city in 1776.

About the year 1838 John Rogers Murray removed from New York to the beautiful residence north of the village of Mount Morris, and long known as Murray Hill. It is said that Talleyrand, the famous French traveler, about the year 1800, visited the Genesee Valley, and as he stood on the eminence in front of the Murray Hill residence remarked, "that he had traveled the world over, but had never seen such a magnificent prospect as the one that lay before him." Possessed of a generous and noble heart, Mr, Murray's public and private benefactions knew no bounds, and for two of the finest churches in Western New York, Mount Morris acknowledges herself indebted to his munificence.

The subject of this brief sketch graduated at Yale College in the class of 1830, and in 1880 attended the half-century meeting of his class, at New Haven, Conn. He was a great reader, and his extensive library, well filled, contained the choicest literature and the noted periodicals of the time. He was pre-eminently endowed with a discriminating taste for beauty, symmetry and order. He loved to do good, and unostentatiously bestowed his gifts without stint. To the poor he was a friend indeed. He most ardently hated all shams, affectation and hypocrisy. His was a character in which blended all those traits which make a man, viz, intelligence, uprightness and patriotism. He loved his country, its institutions, its interests. Party ties had no hold upon him. He was an earnest christian, a constant attendant upon the ministrations of the church. His christian life was anchored in his unswerving faith in the truths of the Bible and earnest belief in the religion of the Fathers. He was a close observer, and very correct in his judgment of men. Upright in all things, he despised dishonesty in every form, and was outspoken for truth, good morals and purity. He usually declined all public positions, and, if accepted, he faithfully honored them, and earnestly sustained all private and public enterprises by his influence and means.

About the year 1862. after disposing of what might properly be called his almost baronial residence, at Mount Morris, he removed to Dobbs Ferry, on the Hudson; thence, in 1866, to the beautiful inland village of Cazenovia, wheie he continued to reside until the year 1878. In this year Mr. Murray met with the greatest loss that can befall a man of his seclusive nature, in the death of his wife. She was a daugher of D. W. C. Olyphant of New York City, an accomplished, rare and high-spirited lady; and the man who never wavered under the loss of his magnificent fortune years before, never recovered from the effects of the loss of this his almost life companion. Her remains were buried in St. John's churchyard in Mount Morris, in the month of March, 1878, and from that time Mr. Murray took up his residence again in that village wherein he and his wife had lived together so many years — ^in that home which I have spoken of as almost baronial. It lay upon the banks of the Genesee River, many hundreds of acres in extent, and its English-like park was laid out with that beauty and taste in landscape gardening which Mr. Murray's most perfect taste dictated, and which, even to-day, stands a splendid evidence of the cultured and elegant mind that fashioned it.

His last days were those of great suffering, but he was patient and uncomplaining most beautifully ilustrating the power of the Christian's hope. He often said "he thanked God he was in His hands, and if it was His will he was ready to die. His work was done, but he regretted he had accomplished so little for mankind."

The courteous, dignified and noble man has departed. The last member of a family famous in the early history of the state and of our country has passed away. "On whom will his mantle fall"?

"Why weep ye then for him who, having run
The bound of man's appointed years, at last
Life's blessings all enjoyed, life's labor done,
Serenely to his final rest has passed,
While the soft memor}' of his virtues yet
Lingers like twilight hours when the bright sun has set."

Mr. Seymour wrote the following letter to Mr. David Gray of the Buffalo Courier, which is interesting as a brief description of Mr. Murray's funeral:

"We are all very much gratified by your editorial, or rather obituary notice, of Mr. Murray. It was very pleasant to see in a paper which to an extent is removed from the influences and associations of this beautiful Genesee valley, this notice of one who has honored and beautified it so much. But I think I must demur in a degree to your analysis of his character, so far as it referred to a cynicism which was caused by his pecuniary troubles. I do not think he was cynical; certainly, if he was, it was not caused by his reverses. His was a character simple to the last degree, though encased in culture and breeding. His manner was always brusque and abrupt, and he detested shams of all kinds; but he was not cynical, though one who had never known him in the pomp and glory of Murray Hill might suppose that his hauteur was the result of his reverses. His old friends, however, saw no difference or change in him.

"You can fancy the beauty of this village and of his late residence, and the approaches to his former estate, tinged with the tints of autumn, beneath as warm a sun and amidst as soft an air as ever blessed an ideal autumnal day. Even the roads were hidden from view by the red leaves that have fallen by the wayside. Down around the road that passes through the miniature valley, hard by his late home, amidst this profusion of dying foliage, upon a simple bier carried by his old friends and followed by a long train of mourning acquaintances, his remains were carried to the beautiful church of St. John, the Evangelist, which his generosity had built; and there, in the beautiful church yard and beneath the yew trees' shade, he was laid beside the wife whom he had loved so well, and who was so worthy a consort of so brave a spirit. It was a simple and touching scene."


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