"W" to "Wh" Surname Family Sketches
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
D. Byron Waite, Canadice, was born near his present residence in
Canadice, February 29, 1828. His father, Capt. Benjamin G. Waite,
was born in Petersburg, N. Y., April 27, 1793. He was with the Eightyy
Sixth New York Volunteers in the War of 1812, under General Brown on
the northern frontier in this State. He married Mary Odell,
sister
of the late Mrs. Lydia Baxter, the poet, and her
grandfather, Abbott, fell in the Revolutionary War. Captain B. Waite
died in Canadice, January 27, 1861. Peleg, grandfather of our subject,
was born in West Greenwich, R. I., in 1761, and his wife was Mary Greene,
whose
father was a cousin of Gen. Nathaniel Grene of
Revolutionary fame. Peleg was a descendant in the fifth generation
of Thomas of Portsmouth, R. I., who came from England in 1634 to
Boston, and went to Portsmouth in 1639. D. Byron was educated at Alfred
Seminary, Clinton Liberal Institute, and at the National Law School at
Ballston, and was admitted to the bar at Canton, N. Y., in 1850. He
went to Council Bluffs, Ia., the same year, and was readmitted in that
State. In 1852 he was elected district attorney of Mills county. He
practiced but a short time, when he retired permanently. He was then
engaged in the service of the American Fur Company, and in crossing
emigrants for the Council Bluffs Ferry Company, and for two years
traveled in the wilds of Kansas, Nebraska and Dakota, buying and
collecting furs. In 1853 he returned to his native town, and was
elected justice of the peace, an office he has held longer than any
other incumbent in the town, but was never an aspirant for any office
whatever. In 1855 he married Harriet M., daughter of
Maurice Brown, an attorney at Springwater. He removed to
Hastings, Minn., but owing to the ill health of his parents he returned
a year later, and has resided here ever since. He has had four
children: Byron Audubon, Genevra, Buretta, and Gates Percival. The two
sons are at Kettle Falls, Wash. His wife died in 1869, and he married
second Amanda M. Colvin, widow of the Rev. W. W.
Colvin, a Methodist clergyman. Early in life Mr. Waite was a
teacher in the common schools. He has devoted considerable time to
collecting and writing local history, and has collected and classified
the botanical subjects of his native town. He is a member of the
"Ornithologists' Union," and is now engaged in writing the botanical
and bird history of Canadice. In politics he is a Republican, but often
votes for a competent honest Democrat rather than for a Republican of
poorer qualifications. His father, Captain Waite, had four sons and two
daughters, of whom D. Byron and Edwin G. are living of the
sons. The latter was born in 1824 in Granville, Washington county,
before the family came to this town. He went to California as a gold
hunter in 1849, and has been a member of both branches of the State
Legislature there, county treasurer of Nevada county, and during four
administrations was naval officer of San Francisco, and after that
chief clerk in the Mint. He is now secretary of state of California.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Dr. Robert W. Walmsley, Canandaigua, was born in Dubuque, Ia.,
and when but three years of age his parents moved south. Dr. Walmsley
is a graduate of the University of Louisiana, from which he received
his degree of M. D. His classical education was received at the
University of Virginia and Randolph Macon College. He practiced five
years in New York city, and then located in 1885 in Canandaigua, where
he has ever since controlled a
large practice. Dr. Walmsley married in 1881 Philadelphia, daughter of
Dr.
C. C. Beard of New Orleans. She was the granddaughter of
Captain Thomas
Stuart Monteith, who was one of the earliest settlers of this section,
coming
to Canandaigua in 1832. Dr. Walmsley has one child, Gratia Stuart. He
is
a member of the Ontario County Medical Society of the Society of
Physicians of the village, and is a surgeon of the village police
commissioners, the first incumbent of the office, newly created.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
William W. Walter, Hopewell, was born in Kent county, England,
June 20, 1837, the day Queen Victoria ascended the throne. He is the
youngest of nine children of James and Frances (Friday) Walter,
natives of England. In 1853 Mr. Walter came to America and resided with
his children (who had previously emigrated) until his death in
February, 1867. At the age of nine years, William began to support
himself by working on a farm. At the age of fifteen years he came to
America, where he continued farm work and also attended school in
Madison county. He afterwards taught school two years. In 1861 he
enlisted in the First N. Y. Engineer Regiment, and served three years.
In November, 1864, he received his discharge, and returned to Syracuse,
where he engaged in the butcher business one year, also taught school
in the towns of Onondaga and La Fayette a number of terms. He then
purchased a farm near Syracuse, where he resided until 1874, when he
bought sixty acres known as the Parkus farm in Hopewell. He makes a
specialty of dairying, and in politics is a Republican. In 1865 Mr.
Walter married Mary R. Griggs, a native of Stockbridge, and the
youngest of six children of J. C. and Polly (Carbin) Griggs,
natives of Tolland county, Conn. Mr. Walters and wife have these
children: Herbert E., Edwin O. (died in infancy), and Arthur J.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893
Eldreth A. Walton, Geneva, was born in Westfield, Mass., in
1860. He received an academic education, and was in the ice business
one year. He has been in the service of the American and the United
States Express Companies eight years, in various positions from
messenger to agent in full charge in Geneva four years. In 1886 he
became an active member of a company which organized the Ontario Mutual
Accident Company, also was one of the organizers of the People's
Building, Loan and Savings Association, which has been a success from
the beginning. In 1891 he with others organized the Torrey Park Land
Company, which has accomplished much in the development and prosperity
of the northern part of the village. He is also one of the promoters of
the Geneva Surface Street Railway Company, which will soon be in
successful operation. He is president of the Geneva Driving Club, and
is one of the police commissioners. In 1884 he married Elfreda B. Covert
of Geneva Mr. Walter is one of the directors of the Geneva
Medical and Surgical College, founded by the late John V. Ditmar.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893
William H. Warfield, Canandaigua, was born in Canandaigua April
8, 1835. The family is of English extraction, and were early settlers
of Maryland. The father, William, was born in Montgomery county,
Maryland, where William was reared and educated in the common schools.
In 1828 the family came to Ontario county and settled in Manchester,
where his father died in 1847. In 1834 William bought 114 acres in
Canandaigua, where he died in 1881. He was an enthusiastic Republican,
and was one of the strong old-fashioned Methodists. He had many friends
and few enemies. He married in 1831 Lucinda, daughter of Leonard Knapp
of Hopewell, by whom he had two children: Susan C., who married John H.
Jones of Hopewell, removed to Michigan where she died November
3, 1886; and William H. Mr. Warfield is a Republican, and was
justice of the peace of the town of Farmington, N. Y., from January,
1864, until 1881. In 1872 he was elected justice of sessions and
re-elected in 1873, and has held some of the minor town offices. He has
been secretary of the Ontario County Agricultural Society for nine
years, and is a member, trustee and treasurer of the Methodist Church.
He married June 8, 1859, Anna Eliza, daughter of Daniel and Lydia L. (Brown)
Smith, of Farmington. They have two children: Dora A., wife of
Justin E. Newman of Canandaigua; and Edith L., who lives at
home.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893
Zadock Warfield, Hopewell, was born in 1808, February 15, in
Montgomery county, Md., and came to this State in 1828. He
married Chloe, second daughter of Leonard Knapp, December 20,
1832. He was the fourth child of Zadock and Rachel Warfield. His
grandfather, Birce Warfield, was born in Anna Arundel Co., Md., and was
a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He gave his sword to his
grandson at the age of six years, being in his, Zadock's, possession up
to April, 1893, when he transferred it to H. J. Warfield, of Mason,
Mich. This was the wish of his grandfather that it be handed down from
one generation to another, as long as there was a Warfield left, or to
coming posterity. Zadock Warfield, jr., moved from his native
State to the town of Manchester with his parents at the age of twenty
years, living with his father until he married, and soon after moved to
the town of Hopewell, where he has since lived at the old homestead,
fifty-seven years. In the spring of 1893 he moved to Shortsville; is
now living with his daughters, his wife having crossed the river August
17, 1889, in her seventy-seventh year. They lived to celebrate their
golden wedding, December 20, 1882. Eight children blessed this union,
all of whom are now living: Leonard K., Mary E., Clementine, Louesa J.,
Zadock W., Henry J., Eugene E., and Isabell C. Nineteen
grandchildren were born to them, all but one (a twin babe) lived to
bless this union, and three great-grandchildren are now living.
Mr. Warfield is a Republican, he was also a devout Methodist, as also
his wife, and endured the hardships of pioneer life. He lived to see
the dense forest exchanged far out to fertile fields.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893
Henry D. Warner, Phelps, was born on the Hiram Warner homestead
in Phelps, he being one of four children of Hiram and Mary (Knapp)
Warner, both of whom were born in the town of Hopewell. The
grandfather, Rufus, came from Conway, Mass., and settled in Hopewell in
early life. Henry D. married in January, 1875, Frances B. Spear, of
Clifton
Springs, a daughter of James and Mary (Baggerly) Spear,
whose ancestors were Maryland people. They have three children: Belle,
Earle Spear, and Theodore Henry. The farms of Mr. Warner comprise 205
acres, used for grain and general crops, with fifteen acres of orchard.
From Phelps Citizen 27 March 1890
Deacon Jesse Warner came to Phelps from Massachusetts in 1795.
He took up land on Warner Hill to the east of Orleans. He was ever a
leader in all which was the welfare of the people. He was a promoter
and supporter of the Baptist church He died August 14th, 1834, aged 85
years, and his wife, Sarah, died in 1826, aged 79 years. They had a
large family. Among them were were Lewis, Elijah, Rufus, Oliver, Jesse
and John. Lucinda became the wife of Elisha Peck and they were the
parents of the last Hon. Lewis Peck. These all became prominent workers
in the affairs of the church and community, and are information of them
is far too meager. The Hon. Ulysses was a son of John Warner and
resides at the ancient homestead. He could give the readers of THE
CITIZEN many points of interest relating to the town of Phelps.
From Phelps Citizen 27 March 1890
Jonathan Warner, born in Phelps in 1808, resides at Mineral
Ridge, O. He is still in very good health and has an interest in the
old time affairs of Phelps. His father, Asher Warner, was one
of the soldiers in the last war with England, and was killed at the
battle of Sodus, in June 1813. The youthful days of young Jonathan were
full of hardships. His mother died when he was only a year or two old,
and he was but five when his father was killed. His brother Daniel was
13 years old when his father was killed, went to Sodus Point, from
where the family lived in Sodus, having removed from Phelps and brought
the body home for burial. The death of the soldier father is vividly
remembered by Mr. Warner. The family was poor. The children were placed
out, a girl with _____ Crittenden of Geneva, and another girl with John
Taylor, below Oaks Corners. Mr. Warner was brought up by uncles, mostly
by his uncle, Charles Field of Sodus. A few years ago, Mr. Warner had
erected in the Brick Church cemetery at Sodus a monument of his father,
with the following inscription: "In memory of Asher Warner, who fell at
the battle of Sodus June 12th, (should be June 19th,) 1813, while
fighting in defense of his country." Mr. Warner in 1883 wrote a very
interesting letter upon these incidents to the Hon. Lewis H. Clark, who
incorporated them in his military history of Wayne county.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893
Milton Warner, Hopewell, was born in Hopewell, November 21,
1824. His father was Oliver, son of Elijah, a native of
Conway, Mass., who had seven sons and one daughter. About 1800
he came to Phelps, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Oliver
Warner was born in Massachusetts, December 28, 1782. When a young
man he came to Hopewell and located on 300 acres of land, where he
lived
and died. His wife was Lucinda Rice, a native of Conway,
Mass., born October 7, 1783. To them were born seven sons and two
daughters. Mr. Warner was drafted in the War of 1812. His
death was caused by
a stroke of lightning while on a visit to his native place.
Milton
Warner was four years old when his father died and he resided with his
mother until twenty-four, when he married, after which his mother
resided
with him until her death in 1869. Mr. Warner was educated in
common
schools and Canandaigua Academy. His wife is Margaret Knapp,
a
native of Hopewell, and daughter of Halstead Knapp, whose father,
David
Knapp, came from Harveston, Rockland county, and settled in Hopewell.
Mr. Warner is a Democrat, and has been assessor one term, and inspector
of elections. He is a member of Hopewell Grange No. 79.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Rufus Warner, Phelps, was born in Hopewell, February 26, 1833,
son of Hiram and Mary Jane (Knapp) Warner, both natives of
Hopewell. The grandfather, Rufus Warner, was born in Conway, Mass., and
came to Hopewell when a young man, he being one of the early settlers.
Hiram, the father, always lived and died in Ontario county. Rufus
Warner married in February, 1860, Charlotte W. Rice, of
Michigan, daughter of Horace and Julia (Wheat) Rice. They have
four children: Henry Rice, Elmer Everett, Frank Wheat, and Morris E.
Mr. Warner has lived in Phelps since he was three years of age. His
farm of 114 acres produces mostly wheat, barley, oats, potatoes
and corn. He has also a fine apple orchard.
From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;
William G. Warr was born in Saginaw, Mich., on December 31,
1889, the son of Samuel and Louisa Warr. He was educated at public
schools in Cleburne, Texas, and the Little Rock, Ark., High School. He
graduated from the Chicago Y. M. C. A College with the class of 1914.
In 1907 he entered Y. M. C. A. work at Little Rock, Ark., and has
continued in this field in various cities up to the present time. On
September 26, 1922, Mr. Warr became general secretary of the Geneva Y.
M. C. A., a position he now holds. On October 21, 1914, Mr. Warr was
married to Versa Edna Gregory. They have three children, Samuel,
Gregory Gordon and Versa Lou Warr.
From Phelps Citizen 29 January 1903
Almer Warren resided just west of the village, Flint creek
dividing his farm. His wife, Caroline, died in 1867, aged 57 years. He
soon removed to Tecumseh, Mich., where he died in 1869, aged 73 years.
They had one son, Amander, who married in 1861 Mary Eacker, and
had one son, Bert L. Mrs. Warren, securing a divorce, married second in
1885 Abram T. Kanouse. Amander perhaps married again and we think has
since died, although in this we may be mistaken.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Samuel Warth, Geneva, was born in the city of New York, on July
9, 1832. He was the son of Conrad and Margaret Warth, who came to
Geneva in 1851, bringing two of their children: John S. and Samuel. The
latter is the only survivor of the family now in Geneva, and although
he began life with but little encouraging prospects, he is now a
leading grocer of Geneva and a successful business man. His wife was
Margaret E. Everson, by whom he
has had three children, only one of whom, however, is now living. In
politics Mr. Warth is a Democrat, but not active.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Charles W. Washburn, Gorham, was born in Gorham on the farm now
owned by the Joshua Washburn estate. He is a son of Joshua, a son of
Isaac, a native of Herkimer county and one of the pioneers of Gorham,
settling near Rushville in an early day, where he lived and died.
Joshua was born in Gorham in 1802. His first wife was Christine Wagner,
and
they had three children. His second wife was Phoebe Ketchim
of Pittstown, Rensselaer county, born in 1815. She was one of twelve
children of Joseph and Ollie (Venesse) Ketchim. By the second
marriage Mr. Washburn had five sons and two daughters. He was
poor-master and assessor many years, and owned 124 acres at his death,
April 11, 1879. Charles W. was reared on a farm, and educated in the
common schools. Farming has been his life occupation. He is a Democrat,
and a member of Reed's Corners Grange and Rushville Masonic Lodge, also
a member of Reed's Corners Agricultural Society and Rushville
Agricultural Society.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
John W. Washburn, Gorham, was born on the farm he now owns
January 15, 1829. His father was Richard, a son of Isaac and
Sarah Washburn, of Eastern, who had eight children. About 1809 the
latter settled in Gorham on the farm now owned by Mr. Thomas, where he
died. His family, except one son that died in the West, live in Gorham
and Canandaigua. Richard Washburn was born in Eastern as was also his
wife, Elizabeth Francisco. Richard Washburn and wife have
four sons and four daughters, of whom two are living: John W., and Mrs.
Emeline Ketcham. About 1811 Mr. Washburn settled on eighty
acres of the Phelps and Gorham purchase. He was a Whig in politics and
was highway commissioner a number of years. He died in Gorham, June 22,
1868, and his wife in 1855. John W. was educated in the common schools
and in Rushville Academy. February 16, 1871, he married Mary C.,
daughter of George Y. Daines, a native of Torrey, who now
resides at Dresden at the age of eighty-three years. Her grandfather
was Jesse Daines, an early settler of Torrey. Mr. Washburn has always
been a farmer and has dealt extensively in sheep. He is a Democrat in
politics, has been commissioner of highways six years in succession,
and is now assessor. He is a member of Rushville Lodge No. 377 F. &
A. M., and he and family attend and support the M. E. Church at
Rushville, N. Y.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Grove R. Watson, Geneva, was born in the town
of Seneca, Ontario county, November 26, 1868, was educated in the
common schools of Geneva, and is associated with William Wilson in
the nursery business, under the firm name of William Wilson &
Co., of Geneva. Mr. Watson's father, John, was born in the town
of Benton, Yates county, was a farmer by occupation, and married Mary
Whedon of the town of Seneca. They had two children:
Grove
R. and Margaret E., who died at the age of seven years. Mr.
Watson's
father died in 1874 and his mother in 1882. Mr. Watson is a
member
of the Knights of Pythias, also of the Algonquin Club. Some of
his
ancestors were in the Revolutionary War.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
George Nelson Webb, West Bloomfield, was born in West
Bloomfield, April 15, 1838. His father, John, was born in Lunenburg,
Vt., in 1796,
and came at the age of fifteen years with his father, Charles, to West
Bloomfield. John Webb married Nancy Gillett, a native of Lynn,
Mass.,
who emigrated when a young girl with her parents to Detroit. Her mother
was a sister of Reynold Peck. When Detroit was captured by the British
and Indians in the War of 1812, she, with others, was made prisoner and
held captive about six months. Later she was sent to Lima to school,
and
while there made the acquaintance of her future husband. They had six
children,
who grew to maturity: Mary, John, Jane, Emily, Gray and Homer, all
living.
George worked for his father and attended the schools until of age. In
1863
he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth New York Volunteers,
and
served until the close of the war, participating in all of the nineteen
engagements of that regiment. In 1860 he married Mary Fitch of
LeRoy,
and they had one son, William, born September 2, 1861, who lives near
by,
and is a poultry dealer. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Webb and his
brother,
Homer, purchased a half interest in the drain tile factory at Factory
Hollow.
He soon after acquired Homer's interest, and a little later the
remaining
half of W. Tack Siver, and he has conducted the business alone, except
for a year or two. Mr. Webb averages about 250,000 to 300,000 annually.
His sales are mostly in Ontario, Livingston and Monroe counties. Mr.
Webb
has a farm of eighty acres in Lima, Livingston county.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY;
compiled by
Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Edward B. Webster, Geneva, was born in Geneva, September 2,
1844, and was the son of the late Horace Webster,
professor of mathematics in Hobart College, and afterwards president
of the College of the City of New York. He died in Geneva in
1870, leaving two children: Margaret W., wife of William Slosson,
and
Edward B., the subject of this sketch. In April 1861, Edward
enlisted in the second company of the Seventh Regiment of N. Y. thirty
day men, and afterward re-enlisted for three years in Company E, of the
One Hundred and Sixty-fifth N. Y. Vols. Mr. Webster entered the
service as a private, and by promotion was commissioned second
lieutenant, first lieutenant and eventually captain of his company, and
holding the
latter was mustered out during the fall of 1865. Returning to
Geneva,
Captain Webster engaged in farming for several years, and later became
connected
with the village gas works. In 1881 he was appointed postmaster
at
Geneva, and served one term. In 1885 he was elected secretary of the
Phillips
& Clark Stove Company, a position he still holds. In 1867 Mr.
Webster
was married to Helen Farr, by whom he has had seven children,
six
of whom are still living.
From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons;
1931;
Horace Webster was for many years professor of mathematics in
the Geneva College. Afterwards was president of the Free Academy of
College of New York of New York City, but finally returned to Geneva
and was the senior professor in Hobart College at the time of his
death. He resided on the southwest corner of Main and Hamilton Streets.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
William Harris Welch, Canandaigua, was born in Erie, Pa.,
December 15, 1862, a son of Edwin H. and Elizabeth H. (Fidler)
Welch. Edwin H. was born in Johnstown, Pa., and was educated for a
civil engineer in the Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y., and has
always followed this profession, with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
much of the time. He is now living at Lock Haven, Pa. He has three
children: Lizzie Helena, Paul Herbert, an artist, and William H. The
boyhood of the latter was spent in Lock Haven, where his parents moved
before he was two years old. He was educated in the common schools and
at the State Normal School at Lock Haven, and spent six years in study
and practice with his father. In the summer of 1879 he was chairman of
an engineer corps, which was his first start, and was employed on
railroad location and construction work from 1880 to 1885. In February,
1885, he went to Elmira, and in June, 1885, came to Canandaigua, where
he has since made his home, holding the position of supervisor of the
Canandaigua Division of the Northern Central Railway since September 1,
1891. He married, October 10, 1888, Grace G., daughter of the Hon. John
Raines, and they are the parents of three daughters: Catherine
Elizabeth, Edith Helena, and Grace Pauline.
From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons;
1931;
Henri E. Wells, son of Samuel and Emma Wells, was born in
Newark, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1843. He was educated in the public schools and
when eighteen years old enlisted at Moline, Ill., in the Nineteenth
Illinois Infantry for service in the Civil War. He served with ability
in the quartermaster's department and participated in the battles of
Stone River and Nashville, Tenn. A wound necessitated the amputation of
one arm and he was honorably discharged in 1863. Returning to Moline,
Ill., he engaged in business. He was elected town collector and for
several years was postmaster at Moline. In 1877 he removed to Tampa,
Fla., and for nine years conducted an orange grove returning north in
1886. He established his residence in Geneva and retired permanently
from business. He died Nov. 1, 1927.
From Phelps Citizen 27 March 1890
Mr. Cornelius Westfall was born in 1753. He died in 1826. He was
found in the woods ready to expire, and it is thought a limb of a tree
fell upon him. His wife died about this same time. The had but one son,
Jacob, born January 28th, 1779, who married Delanah Westbrook in
1796. To them were born were born five children, Catherine, born 1799,
Cornelius, born 1800, Samuel, born 1802, Benjamin, born 1804, and
Albert, born 1806. Jacob Westfall was killed at the
battle of Queenstown, October 16th, 1812. The family have ever resided
on the paternal estate. There was a James Westfall in Phelps previous
to 1795, who may have been a brother to Cornelius.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Edwin Weyburn, M. D., Geneva, son of Samuel Weyburn, was born in
this county in 1818. He studied medicine with Dr. Jedediah Smith of
Geneva and graduated from the Geneva Medical College about 1850,
practicing here until his death in 1879. Henry D., son of Edwin, was
born in Geneva in 1845, studied medicine with his father and attended
the Geneva Medical College during 1869-70, and in 1876 graduated from
the Cincinnati Medical College, and has practiced here ever since. He
is a Republican, and has been coroner three years, taking an active
interest in politics. Dr. H. D. Weyburn was in Chicago during 1871-72
and was an eye witness to the great fire. He has practiced in Geneva
twenty-one years.
From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;
Corydon Wheat. Among the pioneers of Ontario County was
Benjamin Wheat, Sr., who was born at Conway, Massachusetts, April 1,
1744. His ancestors were of English descent and were among the earlier
settlers. Benjamin Wheat, Sr., served in the Revolutionary War and
settled on land purchased by him from the Phelps & Gorham Tract.
Benjamin Wheat, Jr., the father of Corydon Wheat, was born April 1,
1781, and on January 30, 1805, married Luany Sprague of
Sharon, Connecticut. Corydon was born June 4, 1824, at the old
homestead near the village of Orleans, and which is said to have been
the first brick house built in that section of the country. Corydon
Wheat was educated at Lima Seminary and came to Geneva in the year
1845, and from that time until his death in 1890 occupied a prominent
position in the community. He was a director in the Geneva and
Southwestern Railroad and prominent in the movement which led to the
building of this road. His capital, to a large extent, established and
for many years maintained, the Geneva Gas Lighting System, and he was
also largely interested in the Water Works before it was taken over by
the City. For more than thirty years Mr. Wheat was a member of the
Board of Education, and he was for many years, and up to the time of
his death, a member of the Cemetery Commission. His judgment and good
taste were manifest in the laying out of Glenwood Cemetery.
He was a member of Trinity Church and of the Masonic Fraternity. In
1857 he became Master of Ark Lodge and is said to have been one of its
best presiding officers. Mr. Wheat was one of the founders of the
Geneva Optical Company and before this concern was merged into the
Standard Optical Company was its president. He helped to establish the
First National Bank and was for many years one of its Board of
Directors. He was the father of Henry A. Wheat, who is still one of
Geneva's best known citizens. On the first of September 1852, Mr. Wheat
was married to Emilie A., daughter of Loren Walton Lacy. They
had four children, only one of whom, Henry Axtell Wheat, is now living.
Corydon Wheat died December 24, 1890.
From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons;
1931;
Henry Axtell Wheat, son of Corydon and Emilie Lacy
Wheat, was born in Geneva May 28, 1859. He was educated in the local
public schools and at Hobart College, from which institution he was
graduated in the class of 1884. Following his graduation he read law in
the offices of Charles N. Hemiup, but soon became interested in and
took an active part in the organization of a number of Geneva's leading
manufacturing industries. Mr. Wheat is president of the Summit Foundry
Co., president of the Geneva Preserving Company and vice-president and
one of the founders of the Geneva Savings Bank, director of the Geneva
Trust Company and several other corporations; vice-president of the
Geneva Free Library, a trustee of Hobart and William Smith Colleges;
also a member of numerous organizations, including the patriotic
societies, the Society of Colonial Wars and the Sons of the American
Revolution, and he is also a member of the Huguenots Society of America.
Mr. Wheat was especially interested in the establishment in Geneva of
the Young Men's Christian Association more than forty years ago and was
its president for twenty-five years. He is a member of the present
board of directors. He is also a member of the State executive board of
the Y. M. C. A. This board, with offices in New York City, has the care
and general direction of all the associations of this state.
Mr. Wheat has been a member of the session of the North Presbyterian
church for many years. He is also a member of the Kappa Delta Society
and the Society of the Genesee. He is a Mason and a member of the
Rotary Club. For several years Mr. Wheat was a member of the Common
Council and for four years he served on the Board of Public Works. Mr.
Wheat married Miss Nellie Maxwell, daughter of Thompson C.
Maxwell. The Wheat residence is at 584 South Main street.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Van Buren Wheat, Phelps, was born in Phelps on the family
homestead December 21, 1834, son of Sidney (born in Phelps December 27,
1809) and Rebecca (Waggoner) Wheat of Mifflinsburg, Pa.
Benjamin, the grandfather, was born in Conway, Mass., March 25, 1781,
and came to New York when a boy. V. B. Wheat married, May 11, 1865, Ann
Janette Stoughtenburg, of Hopewell, daughter of Isaac and Ann
Stoutenburg. They had four children: Rollin L., Anna R., Elsie W., and
Sidney I. Mr. Wheat and his son, R. L., own a farm of 150 acres,
about forty of which are devoted to fruit culture. They have a vineyard
of twenty-three acres in full bearing and very productive. They are
also engaged in breeding and raising horses for the market. Mr. Wheat
is one of the representative citizens of the town.
From History of Ontario Co, NY and Its People, Pub 1911, Vol
II, pg. 457 - 458
Benjamin Wheeler, progenitor of the branch of the family now
under consideration, was a native of Massachusetts, his birth occurring
February 7, 1764. In early manhood, in 1800, accompanied by his wife
and children, he removed to New York state, settling on the farm now
owned by his grandson, Simeon R. Wheeler, in East Bloomfield, Ontario
county, and he also erected the first grist mill in South Bloomfield.
He was active and public-spirited, served in the Revolutionary war, and
in all ways performed his part faithfully and conscientiously. He
married, July 28, 1782, Celia Buffington, born in
Massachusetts, August 26, 1762, who bore him six sons and four
daughters. Benjamin Wheeler died February 6, 1836.
Thanks to Cheri Branca for this donation.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
John B. Wheeler, East Bloomfield, was born in East Bloomfield,
August 10, 1833. His father, John Harvey, was a son of Benjamin, and
was born in Massachusetts, March 16, 1795, coming to East Bloomfield
when five years of age. His wife was Betsey A. Lee, a native of
East Bloomfield, born in March, 1795, and they had five sons and seven
daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters survive. Betsey A. was
a daughter of Amos Lee, a native of Massachusetts, and one of the first
settlers of East Bloomfield. Mr. Wheeler became an extensive real
estate owner, though at his death he owned but 200 acres. Mr.
Wheeler was an active republican, but not an office seeker. He
was a strong temperance man, and assisted largely in building the
Baptist and Universalist churches at Baptist Hill. He died in June,
1871. John B. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.
He and his brother Nathan rented the homestead until 1861, when he
purchased the farm of 200 acres, where he has since resided. He has
made improvements at a cost $10,000, having built a fine residence in
1878. Mr. Wheeler is an active Republican, but has always
declined office. He attends and supports the Universalist Church. March
8, 1855, he married Achsah M., daughter of Royal A. Andrews, of
Bristol, and they have three children: George A., Jesse A., and Edith
A. Edith A. died at the age of five years. George A. was educated at
East Bloomfield Academy and Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, and is a farmer
of East Bloomfield. He married M. Belle, daughter of Benjamin F. Hicks,
and
has four children: Edith, Ralph H., Margaret, and Leah. Jesse A.
was educated in Canandaigua Academy and Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. He
began teaching at seventeen years, and has been following it in
connection with farming since. In 1886 he married Katie, daughter of
William L. Rowe, of Columbia county, and they have two
children: Charles R., and Bessie.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Oscar F. Wheeler, West Bloomfield, was born in Bristol,
February 4, 1831, a son of Addison H. and Lucy P. (Remington) Wheeler.
The
grandfather, George A., a pioneer of Geneseo, ran a ferry on the
Genesee River,
and also conducted a hotel. He died in East Bloomfield in 1837, at the
age
of sixty years. His wife was Phoebe Wheeler, by whom he had several
children.
Addison H. was born in Geneseo, Livingston county, in 1806, and came to
East
Bloomfield with his parents, where he lived on the homestead all his
life,
excepting ten years spent in Canandaigua. He bought the farm of
fifty-two
acres where subject now resides, also 225 acres in Livingston county.
He
was a Republican and died in 1872. His wife died about 1886. She was
born
in Canandaigua, a daughter of Thaddeus Remington and Betsey Nelson,
and
she had nine children: Oscar F., Martha, who died aged twelve, Thaddeus
R.,
Rob H., Edward R., Ulysses M., Ellen E., Lillian and another. Mr.
Wheeler left a large property at his death. Oscar F. was raised on a
farm and had a district and seminary education. At the age of
twenty-one years he began life for himself where he now resides, in
company with his father, which they
continued three years, then his brother took an interest, and at
twenty-seven he sold to his father. He married and moved to Bergen,
Genesee county, where he bought sixty-five acres of land and lived
eleven years. He then sold out and lived in Byron seven years. In 1878
he bought 152 acres, where he now lives, and on which he has made many
improvements. He married, February 24, 1859, Lucy S. Rowley, born
in
Rush, Monroe county, a daughter of R. and Lucy (Hayward) Rowley
of
East Bloomfield, and Mr. Wheeler and wife
have had eight children: Heber E., Stoughton R., Lucy D., wife of
Charles Hobson; Oscar F., Rob H., Alice A., wife of Arthur Buell;
Ellen E., and Jerome M.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Robert H. Wheeler, East Bloomfield, was born June 3, 1837, a son
of Addison H., a son of Major George A. Wheeler, who was a son of
Joshua and Rebecca (Snow) Wheeler, natives of Connecticut. Major
George A. was a native of Connecticut, born April 21, 1777. About 1800
he came to East Bloomfield, and there married Phoebe, daughter of
Benjamin Wheeler, and had twelve children, nine survive. Mr. Wheeler
was in the War of 1812, and once kept a tavern in Lakeville, Livingston
county, but in 1826 settled on a farm of 180 acres in East Bloomfield.
He died in 1835, and his wife in 1849. Addison H. was born in
Livingston county in 1806, and married Lucy P. Remington of
Canandaigua, born in 1810, a daughter of Thaddeus and Betsey (Root)
Remington,
early settlers there. Mr. Wheeler and wife had six sons and
three daughters, all living except one daughter, who died young. Mr.
Wheeler was a farmer, and at one time owned 500 acres of land. He was a
Republican, and died in East Bloomfield February 29, 1872, and his wife
April 5, 1884. Robert H. Wheeler received a common school education,
and has made farming his life occupation. In 1865 he bought the farm he
now owns of 242 acres, on which he has erected buildings and made other
improvements at a cost of $5,000. He is a Republican, and through his
efforts a post-office was established, in 1892, known as "Wheeler's
Station." Mr. Wheeler has been highway commissioner three years,
and was elected sheriff of Ontario county in 1886. He is a member of
Canandaigua Lodge No. 294, F. & A. M. January 28, 1858, he
married Elizabeth A. Miller of East Bloomfield, one of two
daughters of Spencer C. and Ann C. (Cater) Miller, he a native
of Canandaigua, born May, 1815, and she was born in Ulster county, May
15, 1815, and came to East Bloomfield with her parents, Peter and Mary
Jansen Cater, to live when five years old. Mary Jansen Cater was a
descendant of Roeloff and Anneka Webber Jansen, of which quite
a history is given in Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. 420, May,
1885. Spencer C. was a son of Jesse and Eunice Morley Miller,
natives of Connecticut, who came to Canandaigua. Eunice Morley
Miller was a daughter of Timothy and Eunice Bissel Morley of
Connecticut. To subject and wife were born three children: Marcia R.,
Lizzie J. and Horace G. Marcia R. is the wife of Willis E. Lee
of East Bloomfield. In 1885 Mr. Lee put up a cider mill at Wheeler
Station, and has since done an extensive business as a produce dealer.
Lizzie Jansen Wheeler is the wife of Charles B. Green of Red
Creek, Wayne county. They had one son, Avery W., who died April 10,
1893, aged 10 months. Horace G. is also a member of Canandaigua
Lodge No. 294, F. & A. M., also of Canandaigua Lodge No. 245, K.of
P. His occupation is that of a locomotive engineer. In the fall
of 1892 he married Maude S. Benham, a native of East
Bloomfield, and daughter of Chester Benham, of Canandaigua.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Simeon R. Wheeler, East Bloomfield, was born in East Bloomfield,
December 28, 1817. His father was Benjamin D., a son of Benjamin, a
native of Massachusetts, born February 7, 1764, who married Celia Buffington
July 28, 1782. She was born in Massachusetts August 26, 1762. Benjamin
had six sons and four daughters. In 1800 Mr. Wheeler and wife came to
East Bloomfield, and settled on the farm now owned by Simeon R. He was
an extensive land owner, and built the first grist-mill in South
Bloomfield. He was also in the Revolutionary War. He died February 6,
1836. Benjamin D. was born in Massachusetts April 10, 1889. He came to
East Bloomfield and married Deborah Reed, born February 19,
1809. Mr. Wheeler and wife had two sons and three daughters. He died
September 30, 1818, and his wife married second, John Pool, and
they had three daughters and a son. Mr. Pool died January 7, 1860, and
Mrs. Pool died in 1878. Simeon R. was educated in the Genesee Wesleyan
Seminary. April 2, 1839, he married Betsey Bently, born in
Richmond in 1819, a daughter of Isaac Bently and Hannah Dubois
of Saratoga county, N. Y., who came to Richmond in 1816. He died
January 10, 1863, and his wife April 12, 1855. Subject and wife have
had one daughter, Gertrude, who married Theron P. Buell in 1858. She
died May 30, 1859. Mr. Buell was born August 10, 1834, and died May 28,
1889. Wife of subject died May 9, 1878, and November 5, 1879, he
married second Clara (Daily) Hinman, widow of Elijah S. Hinman,
by whom she had four daughters. She was a daughter of William Daily of
Chemung county, and his wife was Clara C. Cunningham, daughter
of George Cunningham of Scotland, an early settler of Chemung county,
N. Y. Mr. Wheeler has always been one of the leading farmers of
the town, and owns 253 acres of land. Mr. Wheeler was a Whig, and is
now a Republican. He voted for William Harrison, and has twice
voted for his grandson. He has always been active in politics,
and has been commissioner of highways six years, assessor seventeen
years, justice of the peace three years, and superintendent of the
county poor for twenty-one years. Mr. Wheeler was a member of the
I. O. O. F. Lodge of East Bloomfield, and of the Monumental Lodge of
Good Templars of Bristol. He has for fifty years been an active worker
in the Universalist church of Baptist Hill, and many years trustee. Mr.
Wheeler was appointed postmaster at South Bloomfield when office was
organized in 1882, and has since held that office.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Sylvester H. Wheeler, Bristol, was born in Livonia, January 18,
1829, and is a son of Sylvester Wheeler, a son of Aaron Wheeler, a
native of Massachusetts. Sylvester Wheeler was born in Dighton, Mass.,
in 1778. In 1795 he came to Richmond, and after several years went to
Livonia and there owned a farm. n 1832 he came to Bristol and
purchased the farm subject now owns. Mr. Wheeler was twice married,
first to Thankful Spencer, by whom he had nine children. Mrs.
Wheeler died in 1828, and Mr. Wheeler married Mrs. Betsey Hicks Marsh,
by
whom he had five children. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and
was wounded at Black Rock. He died October 28, 1833, and his wife
September 15, 1889. Subject of sketch was educated in Canandaigua
Academy. At the age of sixteen years, he taught school, and at the age
of twenty-one years, he engaged in the mercantile business at Bristol,
and was there several years when he went to South Bloomfield and
purchased the grist-mill now owned by Mr. Cooper. After three
years he went to Texas, where he remained three years and assisted in
establishing the Butterfield overland mail route. In 1861 he returned
to Bristol and has since been engaged in farming. He was also in the
mercantile business from 1870-1889. Mr. Wheeler has been twice married,
first October 15, 1848, to Mary P. Cudworth of Bristol,
daughter of Ezekiel Cudworth. They had seven children: Isabella,
Roswell, Florence, Wallace, Horatio (deceased), Nathaniel and Arthur.
Mrs. Wheeler died December 19, 1870, and December 30, 1871, Mr. Wheeler
married Sarina Cleveland of Naples, daughter of Wheeler G. and
Julia (Parks) Cleveland. Mr. Wheeler's second wife bore
him four children: Sylvester H., Mabel E., Roland E., and R. Leslie,
all of whom are living. Mr. Wheeler is a Republican and has been
superintendent of schools two years, and was supervisor four years. He
and family attend the Universalist church.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Thaddeus R. Wheeler, Canandaigua, was born in East Bloomfield,
was born March 30, 1835. His grandfather, George A., a son of Joshua
Wheeler, was a native of Connecticut, who came to this State about 1800
and finally moved to Bloomfield. He married a daughter of Benjamin
Wheeler, a native of Massachusetts, and they had nine children, of whom
Addison H. was born February 13, 1806. He married, November 1829, Lucy
P., daughter of Thaddeus Remington, a farmer of Canandaigua,
and bought a farm of 130 acres on the town line of Canandaigua, after
six years moving on to the old homestead farm, where he died in 1869.
Mr. Wheeler was a Republican, and a young man of public spirit, always
ready to support every good object. He had nine children, all but
one now living on farms in this county. A daughter died when eleven
years old. Thaddeus spent his youth on the farm, and was educated in
Bloomfield Academy. He assisted his father on the farm until about
twenty-four years old when, in partnership with his brother Oscar, he
bought a farm in Bloomfield, which they owned three years. He worked
for his father on different farms until he was thirty-one, and then
bought the Bloomfield farm back. In 1881 he bought the Sanders farm of
100 acres in Canandaigua, moving into the old Joshua R. Giddings house,
which was the first frame house built west of the village. Since coming
here Mr. Wheeler has erected a beautiful residence, new barns, etc.,
making now a very valuable property. He married, April 6, 1864, Augusta
E., daughter of Nathaniel B. Stanton of Steuben county, and
they have two sons: Walter S., who conducts a farm in Canandaigua; and
Wells J., who lives on the homestead. The latter was born July 17,
1868, educated in the common schools and Canandaigua Academy, and
married in 1887 Grace S. Collins, and they have two children:
Roy W. and Sarah E.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Royal Wheelock, West Bloomfield, was born July 16, 1766, and was
among the first settlers of the town of West Bloomfield. He came from
Uxbridge, Mass., with his wife, daughter Betsey, son Harry, and in
company with Captain Robert Taft, settled in West Bloomfield in 1793.
He was a descendant in the sixth generation of Ralph Wheelock, who was
born in Shropshire, Eng., in 1600 and came to this country in 1638 with
his wife, a daughter and a son, and settled in Medfield, Mass.He was
one of the first selectman of that town, and held many offices of
trust. Royal Wheelock married Lydia Taft, daughter of Captain
Robert Taft, and died in West Bloomfield November 24, 1856. His wife,
born May 22, 1774, died January 13, 1847. Their children were: Betsey,
born January 23, 1790, married Otis Thompson and died in West
Bloomfield; Harry, born October 20, 1792, married Judith Gillett
and died in Leicester, N. Y.; Nancy, born January 16, 1796, married
Hon. Reynold Peck in June, 1817, and is now living in West
Bloomfield, aged ninety-seven years; Silas, born May 14, 1799, married
Almira Durrant and died in Salem, Mich., March 17, 1869; Royal,
born April 15, 1801, married Ann Pinckney and died in Salem,
Mich., December 22, 1876; Robert T., born March 3, 1803, married Mary
J. Murray, and died in Superior, Mich., September 27, 1848; Ira
T., born September 25, 1805, died unmarried in Leicester, N. Y., June
16, 1829; Ann, born September 27, 1811, married Elijah Niles,
and is now living at Alfred, N. Y.; John R., born December 5, 1808,
married first, Rhoda, and second, Deborah Plimpton, and died in
West Bloomfield in 1889; Jerry L., born December 13, 1817, married Mary
Allen April 27, 1847, and died at Ovid, Mich., November 7, 1890.
Mrs. Nancy Peck was among the first white children born in Bloomfield,
and is now the oldest inhabitant. She recalls many reminiscences of the
pioneer days. For many years after her marriage a large portion
of the clothing of her family was spun and woven by her hands.
From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons;
1931;
Edward White kept the Farmers' Inn on the east side of Main
Street some distance south of Washington Street. He was succeeded by
David Wilson, who erected what was known as the Towler Building, where
he kept a hotel for many years.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Captain George White, Phelps, was born in Scotland, May 16,
1803. He early adopted a seafaring life, and at fourteen years began as
cabin boy. At the age of twenty-one, he became captain, and for forty
years followed the sea. At the age of thirty-one he married Euphemia Gibson,
sister
of John Gibson, one of the noted men of Phelps, who did much for
the improvement of the village (the present Gibson block, now owned by
the White family, having been built by him). Captain White and wife
came to this country thirty-five years ago and settled in Phelps, on
the farm where they ever afterwards made their home, and where they
celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage in 1884. Captain
White died at his home April 29, 1893, as the age of eighty-nine years,
leaving a wife and five children, three sons and two daughters. One son
died in Phelps in 1866. John Gibson died a bachelor in August, 1864,
having been in his life time largely engaged in malting and distilling.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Oliver H. White, East Bloomfield, a native of Dutchess county,
was born August 22, 1830. His father, Walter, was a son of Anthony, a
native
of Germany, who came to Dutchess county in 1792. He married Mary Hall
of his own county, by whom he had five sons and two daughters. In
1836
Mr. White came to Monroe county where he died. He and wife belonged to
the
Society of Friends. His death occurred in 1872, and his wife in 1877.
Oliver
H. was educated in Brockport Academy. October 9, 1855, he married E. M.
Ewer, a native of Monroe county, and daughter of Edwin Ewer,
whose father,
Isaac, was one of the first settlers of Mendon, Monroe county. Oliver
H.
is a general farmer. In 1867 he came to East Bloomfield and purchased
115
acres, which he has greatly improved. He makes a specialty of breeding
Langshan
fowls, Jersey cattle and Cheshire swine. He was a Republican from the
organization of that party until the organization of the People's
party, when he joined the latter. Mr. White is a member of Miller's
Corners Lodge, No. 279, A.
O. U. W., and of East Bloomfield Grange, No. 94. For sixteen years he
has
been director for the Ontario County Fire Insurance Company. He and his
family are birthright Quakers. The children of Mr. White are: Edwin E.,
William
H., Charles R., and Kate E. (deceased.) Edwin E. graduated from the
University of Michigan with the degree of M. A., and received a diploma
to practice
in the Supreme Court of Michigan. He married Mary A. Morey of
Lima,
and they reside in St. Johns, Mich., where Mr. White has a very
extensive
real estate and loan business. William H. graduated from the Medical
and
Pharmaceutical department of Michigan University, and married Jessie D.
Pampell.
They have one daughter, Marion, and reside in Grand Rapids.
Charles
R. married Laura E., daughter of William Green of East
Bloomfield,
and they have two children: Oliver W. and Edwin E. Charles R. was
educated
in East Bloomfield Academy and in Michigan University. He has been
president
of the County Alliance for two years. He is a member of Mount Pleasant
Lodge,
No. 217, I. O. O. F. For two years he has been engaged in the sale of
agricultural
implements. All of the sons are members of the Sigma Phi.
From Phelps Citizen 27 March 1890
Wells and Bela Whitmore came from Conway and settled to the
southwest of Oaks Corners. They were enterprising farmers. Wells
married Nancy, a daughter of Seth Deane, and had two sons and a
daughter, Moses, Barnard and Charlotte who married William D. Norton.
Barnard married Dolly Edmondston. After engaging in farming business,
and keeping a hotel, he removed to Marietta, Ga., where he died in
1876, aged 78 years, leaving children. Wells and his widow, Nancy, died
in 1858, aged 81 years.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Ami Whitney, Seneca, was born in Seneca, June 22, 1814, on the
old homestead. He was educated in the common schools, by a private
tutor in the family, and at Lima Seminary, and has always followed
farming. Mr. Whitney has served as assessor of the town four years, is
railroad commissioner for the town of Seneca, and was one of the twelve
appointed to divide the old town of Seneca. He was one of the officers
to hold the first town meeting in the new town of Seneca. He has
married twice, first, September 19, 1843, to Ann Shearman, of
the town of Catlin, Chemung county, and had six children: Charlotte E.,
J. Shearman, Anna (who died at the age of six years), Thomas D.,
Charles W. and Frank A. Mrs. Whitney died March 23, 1864. For his
second wife he married, December 27, 1864, Rebecca C. Rippey,
of this town, and they have one son, Eddy R., who was educated in the
public schools, Canandaigua Academy, graduated from Clinton Grammar
School, also from Hamilton College with the degree of A. B. and
afterward with the degree of M. S. He taught one year at Mexico
Academy, and is now a professor of science in Binghamton High School.
Mr. Ami Whitney's father, Ami, was born in Conway, Hampshire county,
Mass., January 18, 1781. He married Anna Amsden, of Hampshire
county, born in Connecticut. They had fifteen children: Theodore was
killed by a gate falling on him; Jasper was a cripple, caused by a
fever; Isaac A. died in 1876; William G. resides in Michigan; a
daughter who died in infancy; Charles died at the age of fifteen; Ezra
died at the age of four; Ami; Jonathan, who died July 12, 1892; a pair
of twin girls who died in infancy; Esther A., who died in 1821;
Elizabeth A., Esther G. and Anna H. His grandfather Jonathan, was born
August 4, 1737, was a good soldier in the French and Indian wars, was
in the siege of Fort Ticonderoga, and came to Geneva in 1789. He stayed
four months, then returned for his family and started back in February,
1790, arriving here in March of the same year. They were seventeen days
on the way. He died at the Old Castle in 1792. The first known of this
family, one John Whitney, aged 35 years, embarked in 1635 from England
on ship Elizabeth Ann, and died in 1673. Mrs. Whitney's father, William
Rippey, was born November 10, 1793, and married Mary Hayes,
October 20, 1821. They had nine children. There were two
ministers in the family, William E. and John Newton.
From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass
Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;
Cheney P. Whitney, Phelps, was born in Seneca June 10, 1836. His
father was Cheeney Whitney, born April 27, 1795 (died at the age of
90). His mother was Olive Colwell of Seneca, and her parents
were Daniel and Thankful (Paine) Colwell. Nathan Whitney,
the grandfather, came to this State from Conway, Mass., in 1792. Cheney
P. married, November 26, 1861, Mary C., daughter of John F. and
Margaret (Lever) Chapman of East Hampton, Mass., and New
Jersey. The grandfather was Daniel Chapman, the family dating back to
the Chapmans of Saybrook, Conn. They have four children: Margaret Olive
(Mrs. Wm. F. Chapman of Boston); Almon C., Minnie M., and John Cheeney.
Mr. Whitney came to Phelps in 1873. His farm of 136 acres is used for
fruit. He having about twenty-five acres of vineyard, twenty-five
of apple orchard, and five acres of berries; it being one of the noted
fruit farms of this section.
From Geneva Gazette 5 March 1886
Seneca Castle - The correspondent of the Canandaigua Messenger
gives a very interesting biography of the lateCheney Whitney;
and
as he was a man well known to almost every
inhabitant of this vicinity, we have taken the liberty to publish it
in the Gazette
. He says:
The grandfather of Cheney Whitney came from Massachusetts and
purchased a large tract of land west of Geneva, near the Indian burying
ground. He had five sons and four daughters, viz: Joel,
Ami, Parkhurst, Jonas, Nathan; Mrs. Selah Hart, Mrs. Howes,
Mrs.
Gleason and Sybil, all of whom are dead except Mrs.
Gleason, who is still with us, aged 86 years. Joel died on his
farm east of Seneca Castle, leaving a large family of sons and
daughters, most of whom are still living. Ami, for many years a
helpless cripple, died on his farm west of Flint Creek. Parkhurst
once owned a hotel at Niagara Falls. Jonas died at or
near Clifton Springs and left numerous descendants, many of whom are
still
living in that region. Mrs. Hart died some years since in this
vicinity, leaving several children, most of whom are living. She
too has numerous descendants. The father of Cheney Whitney was a
brother of the Joel Whitney,
whose family
we have just described. He was born in Milford, Mass. in 1758; he
had
nine children, five of whom were born in Conway, Mass. In 1792
they
emigrated to this town and located on the spot where his grandson,
Sydney, now lives. The names of the nine children were Luther,
Theodore, Otis, Polly, Nathan, Jonathan, Cheney, Olive and Julia.
Of these nine all are dead except Nathan, who lives in Illinois, and
who recently celebrated his eighty-sixth birthday. Luther died in
1878, aged
95 years; Jonathan in 1875, aged 81 years; Otis in 1885, aged 90 years,
and Cheney who died last week, aged 91 years. Theodore was killed
in early life by the fall of a tree, and was the first person buried in
the Seneca Castle Cemetery.
Cheney Whitney was born in 1795 in this town; was married to Olive Colwell
in 1817. To them were born nine children. Their names are
Daniel Hopkins, Anna A., Halhalliah, Sydney, Clarisse, Sophronia,
Byron, Elvira Emogene, and Cheney Parkhurst. Of these six are
living all the sons and Sophronia, who married William M. Gregory
and lives in Southern California. The five sons all live in this
vicinity, and mostly on portions of the original homestead. Cheney
Whitney with his wife united with the Presbyterian Church here
in 1831. Since that time his life has been devoted to the cause
of Christ. His whole career was intensely religious. For
the last few years he was so deaf as to be almost shut out from human
intercourse. He was for some absolutely blind, yet he was
emphatically the happiest man in this community. Before losing
his eye-sight he was a great reader, keeping well read up with all the
discoveries, improvements and inventions of the times. Did time
and space permit, I could dilate much more
upon the peculiarities of Mr. Whitney. His pastor thus summed up
his
peculiarities in his funeral discourse: "He was a Christian,
humble,
simple, faithful, guileless, child-like."
From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons;
1931;
Frederic D. Whitwell, son of William and Caroline A. (Davenport)
Whitwell, was born in Geneva Sept. 2, 1876. He graduated from both
the Geneva High School and Hobart College. He was admitted to the Bar
Nov. 17, 1903, and has practiced law here almost continuously since.
For a number of years he served with distinction as a member of the
Geneva Board of Education.
From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;
John Whitwell came from Cheshire, England, in 1829, and was
engaged for many years buying and shipping grain. At that time the
canals had been opened and there was a through water-way to the sea,
which gave much stimulus to business in those days. Mr. Whitwell was
also active in political affairs. In early times he was an ardent Whig,
and when the Republican party was organized in 1854, he promptly
espoused its cause and devoted much time and effort for the success of
the party. In 1864 he was elected Sheriff of Ontario County and served
three years. His son, William Whitwell, (died Jan. 14, 1914) was for a
long time president of the J. W. Smith Dry Goods Co. He was the
grandfather of Francis W. and Frederic D. Whitwell. He died Feb. 11,
1883.
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