"Pe" to "Pz" Surname Family Sketches



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Charles Peck, Phelps, one of three children of Lewis and Sarah (Long) Peck, was born on the family homestead in Phelps, February 8, 1857. Lewis, his father, was also born there, and was a son of Elisha and Lucinda (Warner) Peck. He was a man widely and favorably known throughout Ontario and adjoining counties, as a practical surveyor, a successful educator, and also in politics. He was the first principal of the Union and Classical School of Phelps, and held that position ten years. He was two years a member of the State Legislature, and four years supervisor of the town of Phelps. He filled the office of United States assessor of internal revenue for the twenty-fifth district for nine years, receiving his appointment from Abraham Lincoln. He occupied many other positions of importance and trust in both town and county. Elisha, grandfather of Charles, was born in Conway, Mass., and when 12 years old his father, Darius Peck, came to Phelps with his family, and settled on the land which now forms a part of the farm of Charles. The latter married, November 15, 1885, Lillie, daughter of Emmons and Pamelia (Curtis) Gifford of Phelps, and they have one son, Lewis, making five generations of the same family and name that have occupied this farm. Mr. Peck is a leading farmer, his place comprising 325 acres, devoted to general farming. He has a flock of 150 sheep, twelve horses and twenty-five cattle. He is also engaged in the manufacture of tile, employing four men in that enterprise.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Reynold Peck, West Bloomfield. Among the founders of the New Haven colony in 1638 was William Peck, who with his wife and son Jeremiah, arrived at Boston from London, England, June 26, 1637. Among his descendants in the fifth generation was Reynold Peck, son of Clark Peck, who was born in Lyme, Conn., March 8, 1742, and married Deborah Beckwith, March 8, 1764. Reynold died in West Bloomfield, November 26, 1814. The children of Reynold Peck, the sixth generation, were: Annie, Hannah, John Sears, Bettie, Thomas, Watrous, George, Abner, Sarah and Reynold. John Sears settled in West Bloomfield in 1792, Watrous in 1799, Reynold in 1809; and soon after all the brothers were settled in West Bloomfield, where all have died, and are buried in the old cemetery in this village. Reynold Peck of the sixth generation was born November 7, 1790; married Nancy Wheelock, daughter of Royal Wheelock, one of the first settlers in the town, in June, 1815, and died September 2, 1849, and his widow is yet living at the age of 97 years. Reynold Peck was a representative of Ontario county in the State Legislature in 1840; and was supervisor of the town for the years 1834 to '40 and '47 and '48. The children of Reynold and Nancy Peck of the seventh generation were: Vinton, born November 21, 1816, married Roxey E. Humphrey, June 22, 1841, and for his second wife married Elizabeth Sterling, January 8, 1868, and is now living in West Bloomfield. Minerva L., born February 8, 1818, and married Elisha F. Leech, December 30, 1839. Arminda A., born May 29, 1821, married Robert T. Leech, March 4, 1841. Both are now living in West Bloomfield. Sarah A., born May 14, 1824, married Seth L. Lee, July 12, 1845, and is now living in Canandaigua. Thomas R., born June 21, 1826, married Julia F. Hopkins, May 20, 1857; he was supervisor of the town in 1855, and died at Waterloo, January 19, 1892. Lydia E., born September 8, 1829, married Roswell C. Munson, June 8, 1853, and died at Oshawa, Canada, January 23, 1861. Emily M., born January 4, 1832, married Charles C. Latimer, M. D., July 21, 1858, and is now living at Princeton, IL. Reynold M., born February 16, 1834, married Isabella L. Ainsworth, September 12, 1860; was supervisor of the town in 1872, 1887 and 1888; is now living in West Bloomfield. Jennette N. was born April 5, 1836, married William N. Page, D. D., September 20, 1862, and is now living at Leavenworth, Kan.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Thomas W.  Peeling, East Bloomfield, was born in Elsing, Norfolk, England, August 18, 1836, a son of William and Ann (Ireson) Peeling. The grandfather was George Peeling of England, who married Mary Archer and had six children: John, Elizabeth, William, James, Elizabeth (2d), Robert and Charles. John and Charles remained in England, the others coming to the United States. William Peeling was born May 10, 1808, in Swannington, Norfolk, Eng. His wife died in February, 1840. Our subject was the only child. In 1849 William came to this country and located in East Bloomfield, working two years. He then went to Rochester, where he worked for H. E. Hooker & Co. twenty years. He died at his son's in December, 1887. Thomas W. came to the United States in August, 1850, and located in East Bloomfield where he worked on the farm summers and attended school winters. He raises and deals in fruit. In August, 1889, he took charge of the postoffice at East Bloomfield. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. His wife was Sarah Peeling, born in Elsing, county of Norfolk, England, same county as subject, and was a daughter of James and Martha Peeling. They had these children: Anna, Addie, Frank (deceased), Susan L. and Bertha A.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Francis Granger Pennell, Richmond, was born May 22, 1828. His grandfather, John, sr., came with his family in 1807 from Colerain, Mass., to Cortland county, and in 1817 came to Richmond and settled east of Honeoye. Five of his eight children were born before he came here. His wife was Martha Tenney. He took up 160 acres of land, to which his sons added eight hundred acres. His sons were as follows: John Jr., Abraham, Horace, Epaphras, Randolph, and Chauncey. John Jr., born April 14, 1796, married Sally, daughter of Moses Green, and had five children: Francis G., John Wesley, a retired farmer of Grand Rapids, Mich., Harriet Newell, now Mrs. Myron H. Blackmer, George W., a lumberman at Atchison, Kan., and Elmira, wife of Thomas R. Reed, of Honeoye, a farmer and nurseryman. John Jr., was a justice of the peace for many years. Francis G. Pennell was educated at Lima Seminary, and has been a trader in live stock to a considerable extent. He once bought good wethers in Old Mexico, 9,000 in all, 3,000 of them of an Irish woman, the pick from a flock of 80,000 sheep which she owned. Arriving in the Indian Territory in the spring, he employed Mexicans, Indians and negroes to shear 5,000 of them, a task they accomplished in twenty-four days, then shipped the sheep to New York markets. He built the first stock yard in Austin, Tex., in 1873. Mr. Pennell married Sarah Lucretia Blackmer (daughter of Hervey Blackmer), a graduate of the Ingham University at Le Roy. They have had three children: Elizabeth Blackmer, Sarah Greene (Kent), and Georgia Hayes, who died at 15 years of age. Mr. Pennell farms one hundred acres, twenty-six of which are in hops. He is a republican and a supporter of the Congregational church, of which Mrs. Pennell is a member. Mr. Pennell claims to have had the first mowing machine that ever worked successfully, and the next year he sold for the manufacturer $10,000 worth.

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From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Sterling Penoyer, Canandaigua, was born in South Bristol, October 11, 1848, a son of Ashel, a farmer of that town, who was one of the leading citizens of South Bristol. He had two sons and a daughter: Frank, a farmer of East Hamlin, Monroe county; Mary, who married D. C. Shay, of Canandaigua; and Sterling. The latter was educated at Naples and Canandaigua academies, and at the death of his father in 1866 was left the homestead farm, which he conducted for eight years, then went to Toronto, Canada, and engaged in the hotel business for two years. He then went to Cheboygan, Mich., to engage in the lumber business, remaining there until 1884, when he removed to Bay City, Mich., where he is engaged in the same business. He married, December 1, 1870, Brunette Sanford, and they have four children: Frances, Ashel, Ida and Lettie. In 1886 Mrs. Penoyer bought her present farm of eighty-one acres, on which the product is grain.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Charles C. Perhamus, Hopewell, was born in Hopewell, June 6, 1853, was educated at the common schools, and afterwards learned the carpenter's trade. He is a proficient engineer and at present is engaged in that business. He is a Democrat. In 1879 he married Mary E. Welcher, daughter of Charles and Maline (Stevenson) Welcher, who early came to Hopewell. Charles C. Perhamus was a son of William C., a son of John, who was a native of Ulster county, and died in 1832. William C. was born October 13, 1809, in Ulster county. He married Harriet Couch, a native of Connecticut, by whom he had two sons and four daughters. Mr. Perhamus is a Democrat, and has held the offices of constable for twenty years and collector seven years. One of his sons, William S., who resides with his father, was born in Hopewell, August 16, 1835. He followed the shoemaker's and the carpenter's trades, and October 1, 1881, accepted a position as station agent at Ennerdale, where he has since been employed. He has also been postmaster at Beulah six years. In 1890 he engaged in the poultry business at Lewis Station, and now makes a specialty of breeding Leghorn and Plymouth Rock fowls. He is a member of Stanley Grange and Ark Lodge No. 33 of Geneva F. & A. M.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Benjamin F. Phillips, Bristol, was born in Bristol, February 22, 1857. He is a son of Benjamin F. Phillips, a son of Jonathan Phillips. Benjamin F. Phillips, father of the subject, was born in Bristol, January 9, 1818. He married Louisa Gooding, September 21, 1840, born August 19, 1820. They had three sons and two daughters. Mr. Phillips lived on the farm now owned by his son, Benjamin F., for about seventy years, but died on Baptist Hill in 1892. He was a deacon in the Baptist church. Elnathan G. Phillips, son of Benjamin F., was born November 6, 1841, educated in Canandaigua Academy, and graduated from the classical course of Madison University in 1872, and from the theological course of the same university in 1875. He married Ella V. Howes of Hamilton, Madison county, and accompanied by his wife went to Assam, India, as a missionary for the Baptist church, where he remained ten years. He returned home and at the end of eighteen months returned to India, where he remained until the fall of 1891, when he again returned home, and has since been engaged in translating the Bible into the Garo language, to be used with the people he labored among. He will return to India in 1893. The subject of our sketch, Benjamin Phillips, jr., was reared on the farm he owns, educated in the common schools and Colgate Academy. October 9, 1876, he married Carrie Ogden of Richmond, daughter of Nelson Ogden. They have had four children: Milton J., Elnathan G., Walter G., and Rolland O., who died in infancy. Mr. Phillips owns 160 acres of land in Bristol and eighty acres in Richmond, and follows general farming. He is a Democrat. He and family are Baptist, but attend the M. E. church.



From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;

George H. Phillips was born in the town of Brunswick, Rensselaer County, Sept. 7, 1816. At the age of eighteen he left his father's farm and went to Troy, where he learned the carpenter trade of Ira Wood, whose daughter, Laura G. he afterward married. After a few years he became a partner of Mr. Wood and later on conducted the business alone. In 1852, Mr. Phillips identified himself with the stove firm of Davy, Anthony & Phillips, remaining in the same business, but with different partners, until 1868, when he retired and founded the stove business of G. H. Phillips & Co., admitting into partnership John M. Howk and Walter A. Clark. In 1885, the firm of Phillips and Clark removed from Troy to Geneva where it was incorporated under the name of Phillips & Clark Stove Company. Mr. Phillips had two daughters, Mrs. John M. Howk of Lee, Massachusetts, and Mrs. Walter A. Clark of Geneva.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

John M. Phillips, Bristol, a native of Bristol, born August 3, 1848, is a son of Benjamin F., and a grandson of Jonathan. Benjamin F. was born in Bristol in 1818, and married Louisa Gooding, a native of Bristol, and a daughter of Elnathan Gooding. They had three sons and two daughters. Mr. Phillips occupied the old homestead of 160 acres the most of his life, but spent his last five years at Bristol Hill, where he died in April, 1892. Mr. Phillips was a Democrat. John M. was reared on a farm and educated in Canandaigua Academy. He is a general farmer, owning 150 acres of land which he purchased in 1885. He has erected buildings and put on improvements at a cost of $4,000. September 8, 1887, Mr. Phillips married Anna Johnson, a native of Jamesburg, Monmouth county, N. J., and daughter of D. Webster and Mary (Hill) Johnson, a native of New Jersey, to whom were born one son and five daughters. In 1868 Mr. Johnson and wife came to Bristol. He is a farmer and now resides in Canandaigua. D. Webster Johnson was one of five children born to Joseph Johnson, who came to Bristol in 1868. Mr. Phillips is a Democrat in politics, and he is now serving his second term as assessor of East Bloomfield. He is a member of the E. K. O. R. Lodge No. 29, of Bristol. Mrs. Phillips is a member of the Presbyterian church at Bristol Centre. The father of Mrs. Mary (Hill) Johnson was a native of England, who came with his father to America in an early day. He was killed in the War of 1812. The elder Hill was a minister of the M. E. church, who died at the age of 96 years.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;


Lebbeus Phillips,
Gorham, was born in Gorham July 2, 1819, a son of Isaac, whose father, Abraham, was a native of New Hampshire, born October 16, 1757, and died in Saratoga in 1799.  He participated in the Revolutionary War.  Isaac was born in New Hampshire November 3, 1782.  He married Anna Gamble, a native of Saratoga county, and daughter of James Gamble, born February 9, 1783, and they have five sons and five daughters.  In 1807 they came to Gorham.  He was supervisor and also justice of the peace for twelve years, and was born a Quaker, though he gave liberally to all denominations.  He died February 8, 1871, and his wife died May 5, 1853.  Lebbeus was educated in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary.  With the exception of two years spent in a mill, he has followed farming, and in 1867 purchased the old homestead.  December 24, 1845, he married Ann D., daughter of William Mead of Gorham, and they have five sons:  William O.; Charles F.; James E.; George L.; and Alvin M.  Mr. Phillips is a Democrat and has been assessor six years, commissioner of highways three years, and supervisor one term.  He is now a notary public, which position he has held twenty years.  He is a member of Stanley Lodge I. O. O. F. No. 434.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Nathaniel Phillips, Victor, was born in Richmond, Ontario county, October 27, 1838. He was educated in the public and Brockport Normal Schools. He taught school eight years and is a farmer. He married twice, first, October 23, 1862, Emily Allen of Clarkson, Monroe county, and they had three children: Grace L., who married John H. Boughton, and has three children, George, Ernest and Louise; Carrie M., who married Burton Marcee of Victor; and Charles A., who is completing his education in Rochester. Mr. Phillips died July 12, 1881, and he married second, November 25, 1885, Evangeline, daughter of William and Martha Smith of Rochester. They have one son, Henry N., born August 29, 1887. Mr. Phillips's father, Darius, was born in Taunton, Mass., January 3, 1801, and came with his parents to Baptist Hill when he was seven years old. He married twice, first to Polly Allen, and had two children; and second Harriet Hall of Richmond. They had twelve children: Mary, Cyrene and Rowena (twins), William, Nathaniel, Hannah, Albert, Jane, John, Mariam, Ellen and George, all grew to maturity. His grandfather, Nathaniel Hall, was in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, Israel Phillips, was also in the Revolutionary war.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Pierce, William Henry, Canandaigua, was born in Bristol, July 30, 1856, a son of William H., and Rowena T. (Carpenter) Pierce. The grandfather on the paternal side was a native of Massachusetts, and had seven children, of whom William H. was the third son. He was born in 1818 and always made his home in Bristol. He was a carpenter and some of the houses which he erected are still standing. He married in 1847 a daughter of Robert Carpenter of South Bristol, and they had eight sons, all living. Subject was the fifth son and was educated in the common schools. After leaving school he worked as a farmer for about twelve years, and in 1884 he bought the Francis Castle farm of 128 acres in Canandaigua which he has since conducted; the principal products being grain and hay. Mr. Pierce has never taken an active interest in politics, but his ambition has been to become a successful farmer, and be known as an upright citizen. He married in 1881 Eliza A., daughter of Nathan S. Hunn of Canandaigua, and they have six children:  Anna H., Frank and Fred (twins), Nellie M., Charles E., and Nathan S.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

David A. Pierpont, Richmond, was born in Middlebury, Vt., in 1815. His father, David, was born in Litchfield county, Conn., and first settled at Middlebury, Vt. His wife was Sally Palmes, and in 1816, when David was an infant, the family came to Richmond and settled at Allen's Hill. David was a cabinetmaker, and also kept a hotel at the Hill. He ran a line of four-horse stage coaches between Canandaigua and Perry for some years. Of his five children four grew to maturity: David A., Frances Ann, deceased, who married Prof. Marcius Wilson, of Vineland, NJ; Caroline Amelia, deceased, who married George P. Townsend; and Ogden E., deceased, who left a widow and two children, and who was for many years engaged in Rochester as clerk. David A. Pierpont was educated at the common schools, at Canandaigua Academy, and at Temple Hill School, Geneseo. In 1843 he married Sarah Elizabeth Phillips, born in 1823, daughter of Joshua Phillips 2d, and they have two children: Caroline Elizabeth, wife of Dr. L. E. Green, of Honeoye, and David Ogden born in 1848. Mr. Pierpont followed the trade of his father for a time, then became a clerk at Allen's Hill, and afterwards for Nathaniel Gorham at Canandaigua. A year later he engaged in general trade at Allen's Hill in company with James Henry. A year later Robert L. Rose purchased Henry's interest, and two years later, in 1839, Mr. Pierpont sold his interest, and in company with Daniel Phelps purchased and slaughtered sheep for two or three years. His father-in-law bought the grist mill in Honeoye, since owned by John Quick, and there David A. worked at milling for 8 years. In 1852 he came to his present farm and lived with his father-in-law, and has followed farming ever since. The main part of his present farm-house was built in 1800 by Judge Chipman, the farm having been taken up by him in 1795. Mr. Pierpont was supervisor in 1847-48-52-55-89-90-91. Mrs. Pierpont's father, Capt. Joshua Phillips, was born in Dighton, Mass., in 1782. His father, of the same name, was born in 1751, and was a Revolutionary soldier. He died in 1799. Joshua settled here in 1803, served in the War of 1812, and was commissioned captain. His wife was Olive, daughter of William Paul. Mr. Pierpont and his son, David Ogden, have been prominent breeders of Merino sheep, and have received diplomas from the Exposition at Sydney, Australia, and from the Paris Exposition.



From Ontario County Journal 31 December 1886; News from Reed's Corners;

Fred Pierson was born in Boston, Lincolnshire county, England, in 1865. He followed farming business as a livelihood there until four years ago he came to this country. By economy and frugality he has saved a nice sum of the earnings of his own hands. In October last he and James B. Sherburn formed a co-partnership as millers. They purchased an engine and boiler of sufficient power to run the mill, which was fitted up last year, and much more machinery if desired. They are now doing a good business. We understand they intend to put in machinery and carry on a lively business in some mechanical department.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Andrew B. Pomeroy, East Bloomfield, is a native of Bristol, born August 18, 1854. His father, Luther, was a son of Luther, a native of Amherst, Mass., born in 1788, who married Sybil Tower, and had seven daughters and a son. In 1815 he came to Bristol and settled on a farm where he remained until advanced in years, when he removed to Bath, O., and died December 20, 1883. Mrs. Pomeroy died in Bristol. Luther Pomeroy, jr., was born in Bristol, July 21, 1822, and married Bethania, daughter of Caleb Bliss, a native of Massachusetts, who married Zilpha Gerry and had a son and four daughters. Mrs. Pomeroy died August 19, 1882. Mr. Pomeroy and wife had a son and three daughters. He spent his life in Bristol as a farmer, and during his last 23 years was an extensive wool dealer. He was a Republican and was assessor several years. He married second Mary A. Cobb, April 18, 1888; he died January 10, 1892. Andrew B. was educated in the public schools, and February 20, 1879, married Jennie Case, a native of Bristol, and one of six children of Oliver and Judith A. (Gofford) Case, the former a native of Bristol, and the latter of Columbia. In 1879 Mr. Pomeroy came to East Bloomfield, and bought 100 acres of land known as the Edward Bronson farm where he carries on general farming. He is a Republican but not an aspirant to office. He is a member of A. O. U. W. of East Bloomfield, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. The sisters of subject are: Mary, wife of Jason Evans of Bristol; Namah L., wife S. W. Crouch, a contractor and builder of Rochester; and Frances C., who resides with her sister, Mrs. Crouch, in Rochester.



From Ontario Repository and Messenger 29 January 1868

The friends of Henry Porter, Naples, were assembled at his house Jan. 15th, to commemorate his golden wedding. The number present was large, and many old and young hearts were made glad with the happy reunion. Some who were present at his wedding, fifty years ago, were present, and enjoyed the scene. Old by-gones for the old, and useful instruction for the young, with grapes and every luxury, passed the day and evening pleasantly. Mr. Porter gave his history, from memory, mostly, which we subjoin below:

This occasion requires that I should give a short history of my ancestry, and having no family record in full, I shall depend somewhat upon my memory. My grandfather was of Irish descent, and emigrated to this country about the year 1776, and settled on the Delaware river, in Penn. He died in the year 1812. My grandmother died about the same time. My father,  Alexander Porter, came to this country at the age of fourteen and settled in Oneida county, this State. He had one brother who settled near Albany, N. Y., and one sister who settled in Philadelphia. In the year 1797, my father moved to Flint Creek Hollow (now the north part of Italy Hollow.) This whole section was then a howling, unbroken wilderness, and my father the third family that settled. It was infested with panthers, bears and wolves, that prowled about filling the woods with hideous yells. The wolves were so ravenous that they killed yearling cattle in daylight, and at night were kept from the cabins by fire-brands. The bears were very numerous and troublesome, carrying off pigs and even hogs. One hog weighing 200 lbs., was taken from the pen in the daytime, and carried by the bear bodily, walking on his hind feet, fifty rods, and was shot while dragging his victim through a brush fence. We suffered much for help, so scarce were settlers and no teams. The trees were felled in slashes, across each other, suffered to lay one year, and then burned, and our corn was planted between the logs. When it was ripe, was cut up, a great fire built of the logs, and the settlers invited to the husking. The men carried the bundles and the women husked till midnight. This was done with each other until all were served. My father moved to Middlesex, adjoining this town, where he lived several years, when he moved to this town and died here at the advanced age of 89 years.

My mother was American born and her maiden name was Catherine Armstrong. While she was a child, living with her father at Fort Stanwix, (now Rome, Oneida Co.), she was one day picking wild cherries about one-fourth of a mile from the Fort, accompanied by another girl, and was taken prisoner by the Indians. The girls tried to elude them and the other girl succeeded, but as my mother was climbing a fence, she was taken. She was shown then, the scalps of seven neighboring women, fresh and dripping, and was in great fear. She saw her mother at evening when she went out to milk, but was told if she made a loud noise, her's would be there too. She was a prisoner among the Indians two years and nine months, and was then ransomed by her uncle, for five guineas and several gallons of rum. After the ransom she was sent to Albany with other prisoners, and there Gen'l Washington conversed with them about their hardships, and giving them their dinner and a crown each, sent them home. She died here at the age of 76.

I had five brothers, Archibald, Thomas, William, Robert and Charles. Archibald volunteered in the war of 1812, and was killed at the battle of Queenston. Thomas died at 18. William now lives in Pennsylvania. Robert and Charles live in Illinois. I had six sisters, Delany, Hannah, Patty, Esther and Mary, who are all dead but one.

I was born in Oneida county, in 1794, and moved with my father to this section, while everything was wilderness, as stated before. I never had a shoe on my feet until after I was 9 years of age, and my advantages for schoolling were very poor, and went two miles to school with rags on my feet. My parents, with the early settlers, endured many privations, and suffered greatly for necessaries. We settled here in 1803, and have lived here ever since. I was married to Ruth Watkins, on the 15th Jan., 1818, fifty years ago today, the Rev. Lyman Barrett officiating, and Eli Watkins and Sylvia Parrish stood up. Aunt Laura Clarke, the mother of Noah T. Clarke, Jr., and Mrs. Cummings, who are present today, were at my wedding with their husbands, fifty years ago this day. My wife was the daughter of Joel and Abigail Watkins, who emigrated from Berkshire, Mass., (being six weeks in moving,) and was one of the early settlers of this town, and held an important station many years. He had five sons and four daughters, who are all dead but two. Capt. Wm. Watkins, grandfather of my wife, died here in 1801, from the kick of a horse, the day following the accident. He was a useful man, and put out the first orchard in this town about 70 years ago, and the fruit of which my wife and I are eating every year with thankful hearts. The orchard is back of my house and mainly connected with the Elias Simons Farm, and stands by the brick house at the north end of Main street.

The milling at this time was done at Waterloo, below Geneva, also at Penn Yan and Painted Post. My father has taken his grist on his back, and gone to Waterloo, which was a severe task. The usual way was with oxen, drawing a sort of dray made from the crotch of a tree, and box on it. The first mill in this town was a mortar, dug out of a solid oak stump, and would hold six or eight quarts. It was located near where the old church stands, at the lower end of the village line. This wonderful mill was propelled by a spring pole, and had a pestle attached. This done our grinding until Maj. Clarke and Capt. Metcalf built a water mill on or near the site of the Ontario Mill, now owned by James Covel.

I have lived here about 65 years with the exception of about two years, during the troubles of 1812, in which I volunteered and went on the lines.

I have seen the forests fall by the axe, seen the village grow up, and country improve. Steadily has the march of civilization been onward from the first school by Miss Susanna Parrish, near where I now live, till now I listen daily to the bell of a first-class brick Academy. I now see a beautiful village, filled with churches and school houses, with bells; filled with stores containing the necessaries we so longed for once. I see three large flouring mills in place of the mortar, and rich vineyards in place of the dense forest. I live where I can from my door, see the place of first settlement and mill, and all the scenes of my early days, and can eat of the fruit of that first orchard. I am content here to live, where I can contemplate in my last days the changes worked by time and civilization, until God in His mercy shall remove me, I trust to His unbounded fields where toll and privations are no more.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

 
Post, Frank A., Clifton Springs, was born at Orleans, Ontario county, June 4, 1859.  After receiving a good education in the schools of this county, he entered the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he graduated in 1886.  He then commenced the practice of his profession here, where he has since remained.  Dr. Post is one of the stewards of the M. E. church, and also one of the board of the Y. M. C. A.  He is a staunch Prohibitionist and is a descendant of a Revolutionary family of New York State.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Potter, M.D., John W., Canandaigua, was born in Middlesex, Yates county, May 15, 1821. His grandfather, Avery B. Potter, was a native of Scotland, moved to England, and emigrated to this country previous to the war of the Revolution and served in that war as an officer. After living in various places he finally settled in Cuyahoga county, where he died at about ninety years of age. He had four children.  James G. A., the second son and father of subject, was born in Providence, R.I., in October, 1782.  He served in the war of 1812; and afterward engaged in farming in Yates county, afterwards moving into Alleghany county, where he owned and conducted a distillery and portage. He had an interest in large quantities of land along the Genesee river, in the town of Belfast and other places. He was a Whig, and held many offices of honor and trust. He married Orilla Briggs of Oneida county, August 20, 1806, and they had twelve children, six of whom are still living:  Caleb, of Eaton county, Mich.; James A., of Battle Creek, Mich.; Eli S., of Coffeyville, Kan.; Nancy, widow of Truman Barnes of Pike Hollow, Wyoming county; Julia, widow of John R. Francisco of Middlesex, Yates county ; and John W. The early life of the latter was spent in Alleghany county. He was educated at Alford Academy, Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, and finished his medical course at Albany Medical College, graduating in 1848. He practiced in Albany five years, then located in Glen Aubrey, Broome county, where he practiced medicine three years, and was justice of the peace and postmaster. He went to Kansas in 1856, but returned and settled in Warren county, Pa., where he practiced until 1869; he owned there many hundreds of acres of land and saw-mills. January 14, 1869, he moved to Canandaigua, where he has since remained.  He owns many farms in the county, among them the Gorham Mineral Spring farm, which is very valuable. Dr. Potter has made generous benefactions to educational and benevolent institutions; he gave 150 acres of valuable land and $1,000 in money to Syracuse University. The loss of his house by fire, in which was consumed many valuable papers, deprives him of important dates regarding his movements and deeds. He has given up active practice, but is still willing to lend his aid amongst his friends. He was married in Albany August 14, 1846, by the Rev. Mr. Armitage, to Mary Lucetta Cornell, and they have five children:  James A., a farmer of Gorham; May J., who lives at home; George W., a civil engineer of Dodge City, Kansas; and Florence, wife of Amos C. Knear of Tidioute, Warren county, Pa.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Adelbert W. Powell, Gorham, was born in Gorham, February 10, 1857, a son of William, also a son of William, who was a native of Pennsylvania and married Mary Fisher, by whom he had six children. He died in Gorham. William Jr., was a native of Pennsylvania, born in November, 1818, who came to Gorham when a boy. In 1854 he married Mary Wilson, a native of Gorham, born January 28, 1828, a daughter of James and Hannah (Ray) Wilson, the former a son of James and Jane (Olan) Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Gorham. William Powell, jr., had three children: Fadella, who died in infancy; Adelbert W., and George W. The latter was born November 3, 1839, was educated in Canandaigua Academy and Cornell University, graduating from the latter in 1885. He is a civil engineer and resides at Bellville, Ill., where he works for the Phoenix Powder Manufacturing Company. He married Mary Link, a native of Gorham, and they have two children: Oland W. and Leland S. Adelbert W. Powell was educated in the common schools and Canandaigua Academy. February 9, 1881, he married Mary, daughter of Stewart Elwell. Mr. Powell and wife have four children: Newton D., Edith J., Ethel M., and Lillian M. Mr. Powell is a Democrat, and has twice been elected commissioner of highways, and he at present holds that office. He and family are members of the Congregational church at Reed's Corners.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Shotwell Powell, South Bristol, son of James and Martha (Townsend) POWELL, was born in Clinton, Dutchess county, October 3, 1808. He spent some time with his uncle Hugh Townsend, in Plainfield, N. J., and at the age of 15, returned to Clinton and lived with his mother. He was educated at the district school and at Westown School, Pennsylvania, working on a farm during the summer and attending school in winter. In the summer of 1832 he was in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., at the Infirmary during the cholera. The physician was a Thompsonian, and Mr. Powell experimented in the theory of that practice, and became satisfied of its practicability and utility, and has relied upon it since when requiring medicine, but has generally adopted Napoleon's plan, i. e., when ill to abstain from food three days or longer, and has followed that successfully for more than fifty years. In 1832 he went to Michigan (then a territory and wilderness), and purchased eighty acre lots at $100 each. In 1833 he returned to Dutchess county, and purchased a part of the old homestead and commenced farming; where he remained until 1844. He then sold the homestead and exchanged his Michigan land for his fine farm in South Bristol. Mr. Powell was elected to the Legislature in 1858-9, was active in the performance of his duties, and introduced the bill to prevent slave hunting, also for the repeal of capital punishment. He opposed the corruptions of the Legislature in the city railroads, ferry bills, and other schemes of plunder. Mr. Powell has never sought for office. Under the administration of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe he was a Republican, and under Jackson's administration was a Democrat until 1840, when the Democratic party became the slave power, then he joined the Whigs till they adopted the same policy, and subsequently became a Republican, and when they adopted the sixteenth resolution in platform he withdrew from them and joined the Prohibition party. In 1835 he married Sarah G. Clapp, and they have three children: Thomas J., a farmer of Naples; Israel M., born in 1839, now the owner of the homestead; Lydia Ann, born in 1841, wife of William E. Lincoln of South Bristol. Mr. Powell has a valuable farm in Virginia, where he visits often, and has generally spent the winters. He is hale and hearty in his 85th year, and reads without glasses, having never used them.



From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;

Thomas Powell was the first landlord of the Geneva Hotel and under his management it was one of the best and most noted hostelries of the State. He was one of the first vestrymen of Trinity Church; was interested in a line of stages at an early date. He removed to Schenectady and his brother, William, succeeded him as landlord of the hotel.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Thomas J. Powell,
Naples, oldest son of Shotwell and Sarah G. Powell, was born July 23, 1837, in the town of Clinton, Dutchess county.  He, with his parents, moved to South Bristol, Ontario county, in 1844.  His education was obtained mostly at the district school and at home.  He taught several terms, four in his own district, and did surveying occasionally for a few years, but quit soon after he settled on the farm.  He enlisted to help put down the Rebellion, but was discharged after six months' service, was soon after drafted, but rejected on account of disability.  March 26, 1864, he and Emily Ewer, oldest daughter of Isaac G. and Lydia Ann Ewer of Mendon Center, Monroe county, were married.  They established their home on a farm in the adjoining town of Naples soon after their marriage, where they have since lived.  They have had two children:  Albert I., who is now married and lives with them; and Isaac S., who died September 24, 1892, soon after he had graduated, loved and respected by a large circle of friends.  Mr. Powell has prospered as a farmer and has obtained several patents on hay cars, one of which especially has had a wide sale.  He is much interested in various reforms, particularly Prohibition, and has been for many years an active Prohibitionist, being a candidate of the party in 1877 for member of assembly for Ontario county, since which he has been elected a delegate to the State Convention and nominated for town and county offices several times by the party.  He has been a vegetarian for some twenty-five years, not using even tea or coffee, and with Mrs. Powell it has been almost the same.  In their over twenty-nine years of married life they have enjoyed excellent health and no physician to doctor them or their children, except when the one died.  His wife has been a faithful and able keeper to him, cordially co-operating in temperance and other reform work.  They are birthright members of the Society of Friends.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

George P. Power,
Farmington, was born in Farmington June 20, 1848, was educated in the common schools and Canandaigua Academy, and follows farming.  December 28, 1869, he married Mary A., daughter of Henry and Lydia Rose, and they had two children, Frank C. and Lulu M.  Mrs. Power died July 23, 1884, and he married second, March 17, 1886, Carrie D., daughter of Henry J. and Frances D. Redfield.  Andrew T., father of George P., was born in Farmington June 10, 1819.  November 17, 1840, he married Eunice Eddy of his native town, and they had six children:  R. Bruce, who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Emmer A., Truman, George P., Metta E., and William C.  Mr. Power's grandfather, William P., was born on the old homestead March 4, 1795, and married Dorcas Arnold of this town, by whom he had eight children.  His great-grandfather on his mother's side, Abiather Arnold, was born in Adams, Mass., in 1770 and came to Farmington when a young man.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

The late Richard Powis, Geneva, was born in Greenwich, Kent county, England, July 23, 1779, was educated in the private schools of his day. September 26, 1801, he married Sophia, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Brass, who was born in London, August 20, 1784, and they had five children: Henry, George, Charles, Louisa, and Sophia. They came to the United States about the year 1823, first locating on Manhattan Island, afterwards in the city, and soon after came to Seneca county to reside, where he died April 4, 1859. Mrs. Powis and daughter came to reside in Geneva soon after the above date. Mrs. Powis died February 26, 1870. Sophia married M. Luther Bellows, of Seneca Falls, and they had three children: George P., who died at Geneva; Dudley M., and Louisa P., who married Rudolphus Kent, of Pennsylvania.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;


Pratt, David, West Bloomfield, was born in Manchester, Vt., February 10, 1816.  His father, Joel, came with his family to West Bloomfield, traveling with two teams and occupying thirteen days in the journey, and settled near where David now lives, in 1833.  David had one brother, James S. and a sister, Parley.  Subject was educated in Vermont, and married at the age of thirty-four Angeline Matteson, October 29, 1856, and a few days later his brother James married her sister, Adaline, Maria.  His father Joel, died in 1846, fifteen years after the death of his mother, Clarissa.  David had four children:  Helen, who died aged sixteen; Agnes, wife of B. L. Scott, of Michigan; Charles, born in 1860, and resides with his parents; and one who died in infancy.  A part of his father's original purchase is now included in the farm of David, consisting in all of 160 acres of fine land.  Mr. Pratt is a Republican, but has never accepted office, though the best the town afforded has been tendered him. He has accumulated a comfortable fortune, and for nearly fifty years has never had to call on a doctor.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Reuben T. Pratt, Gorham, was born in Gorham September 29, 1829. His father was Elisha, son of Elisha, who resided in Rochester, Mass., in 1708, and had the following children: Nathan, Jonathan, James, Elisha, Lucy, Sally, Dorcas and Polly. The history of Nathan and Jonathan is unknown. James had four sons and three daughters. Lucy married Banks Bennett and had six children. Sallie married Moses Larned and had eleven children. Dorcas married Nathan Loomis. Polly married John Webb and had six children. Elisha, father of Reuben T., was born in 1778, and in 1801 came to Gorham and purchased a farm. In 1806 Mr. Pratt married Elizabeth Saunders, a native of Rhode Island, born April 24, 1788. They had four sons and six daughters, of whom Reuben was the youngest. Mr. Pratt for some time taught school. He was also justice of the peace for twenty years and was a great hunter. He died in 1846 and his wife in 1871. Reuben was educated in the common schools. In 1856 he married Sophia Wormley, a native of Hopewell, born November 6, 1835. She was a daughter of Jacob and Samantha (Thatcher) Wormley, who had eight children. Mr. Pratt and wife have one son, Hubert A., born April 26, 1859, who married Mary Ellison, a native of Seneca county, born at Farmersville, June 4, 1854. She was a daughter of Melvin and Isabella (Johnson) Ellison of Woodville. Hubert and wife have a daughter, Helen G., born August 12, 1892. Mrs. Hubert PRATT was educated in the Union School and Farmersville Seminary. Reuben is a Republican in politics and a member of Reed's Corners Grange. He owns 110 acres of land, and his wife is a member of the M. E. Church at Rushville.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Gerrit S. Preston, East Bloomfield, is a native of Victor, born June 24, 1848, a son of Orrin, a native of Orleans county, born June 27, 1810, who went to Victor and there married first Louisa Felt, and second Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah Cronk, an early settler of Victor, who had five daughters and three sons. Orrin and wife had four sons and two daughters. He was a carpenter and went to Indiana, and after several years went to Victor, where he worked at his trade for some time. In 1848 he came to East Bloomfield and bought ninety acres. At his death he owned 280 acres. He was assessor several years. About a year before his death (in 1875) he returned to Victor, where his wife died in July, 1882. Gerrit S. came to East Bloomfield when a child, was reared on a farm and received an academic education. In 1876 he married Sarah O. Dewey, a native of Manchester, and a daughter of Howard and Mary (Arnold) Dewey, the former a native of Suffield, Conn., and an early settler of Manchester, and the latter a native of Farmington and a daughter of Pardon Arnold, of Southfield, RI. Mr. and Mrs. Preston have four children: Mary E., Howard D., Alice I., and Grace C. Mr. Preston has for several years been a breeder of American Merino sheep. He is a Republican and was school commissioner of the Second District of Ontario county for six years. He is a member of East Bloomfield Grange, of which he has been master one year.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

William Preston,
Gorham, was born in Yorkshire, England, May 21 1843.  He is a son of Richard and Sarah (Robinson) Preston, of Yorkshire, England, where they died.  They had six children.  William was reared by his grandfather, Thomas Robinson, a carpenter and farmer of England.  Wm. Preston & Co. owned a factory at Lyons, Wayne county, where Mr. Johnson is at present engaged in the manufacture of  tile.  In 1874 William sold his interest in the firm and came to Gorham, where he purchased the David Wilkie Tile Factory, which he now owns, and also 100 acres of land upon which he erected a fine dwelling.  He averages 600,000 tile annually.  In 1873 he married Mary Worthington, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Townsend) Worthington of England, who have three sons and three daughters.  They came to Lyons in 1857 and here the father died.  Mr. Preston and wife have six children:  Edward T., Fannie E. (deceased), Charlie H., George W., Frederick W., and one who died young.  Mr. Preston is a Democrat.  He is a member of the I. O. O. F. of Stanley Lodge No. 434.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

William E. Preston, Geneva, was born in Troy, September 4, 1847, was educated in the public schools and learned his trade as a stove mounter and pattern worker there. September 1, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred Forty-sixth New York Volunteers, was in all the battles before Petersburg and Richmond from the Weldon Railroad to the close of the war. He was taken prisoner at Five Forks, was taken to Libby Prison, and after a time paroled. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war. September 16, 1866, he married Ellen A. McMahon, of Troy, and they have four living children: George W., William H., James E. and Ella. Mr. Preston's father, William, was born in England in 1820, came to the United States in 1845, locating in Troy, and married Margaret Lawrence of his native home. They had nine children. Mrs. Preston's father, James McMahon, was born in Ireland in 1806, and came to the United States in 1845, locating in Ohio. They had three children: John, Ellen A., and Rose. Mr. McMahon died in 1891, and his wife in 1892. Mr. Preston's father died in 1864, and his mother is still living.



From Shortsville Enterprise 31 March 1911

John Price, the eldest son of Philip and Susannah Price, was born in Frederick, Md., in 1775, the first year of the War of the Revolution. He was educated for a Presbyterian minister. He married while in Maryland, Elizabeth LeFever, of French Huguenot descent, whose ancestors owned forty acres of the site on which the walled city of Strasburg, Germany, was built, and which was confiscated when Alsace passed into Germany's possession. Eight children were born unto them, three sons and five daughters, two of whom were born in Maryland. In 1800 they removed from Frederick to Hopewell, Ontario County, this state, using three wagons, two double and one single for their journey. They intended to go farther west to settle but circumstances changed their plans. On their arrival at the point where they finally located, they camped for the night in their wagons in the midst of a dense forest. During the night their third child was born. This occasioned delay and during that time John surveyed the land and woods in that vicinity and decided to remain where he had camped. It proved to be a wise choice. He afterwards surveyed a great deal of the land in that and adjoining towns.

Although educated for the ministry, he was in addition to being a farmer and surveyor, an expert mechanic. During those first years he frequently made coffins for the neighborhood. Mr. George Price, of Ithaca, has a desk of excellent workmanship which he made from the first black walnut tree cut from his farm.

During the war of 1812, he was in camp for a short time on the Canadian border. A crowd assembled to bid him good-by as he left for the seat of war on horseback with his rifle over the horn of his saddle. At an early day he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held for twenty-five years. During that time he had an extensive law practice, which continued during his life. For many years he was an Associate Judge and for a short time County Judge of Ontario County by appointment to fill a vacancy. He was a member of the State Legislature from Ontario County continuously from 1814 to 1821, during which time he enjoyed the acquaintance and friendship of Martin VanBuren and other prominent men. On one occasion the stage coach halted at their door and Martin VanBuren alighted. The family were at dinner -- an old fashioned boiled dinner. He was given a seat at the table and some apology was offered by John's wife for the dinner when so celebrated a guest was present. John said, "Mother, stop; the dinner is good enough for us, it's good enough for Matty." It was said that VanBuren ate very heartily and thoroughly enjoyed the dinner.

When John left Maryland, he owned a few slaves. He gave them their freedom and told them they could come North with them if they wished. Six came, two of whom afterward returned to Maryland. The others died and were buried in Hopewell. John took much interest in the Morgan affair in anti-masonic times. His son, Christian, was deputy sheriff at that time and followed the abductors of Morgan into Canada. They crossed the border at Black Rock in hot pursuit, but were met by a superior force and compelled to return empty handed. In 1821 he was one of an escort of Gen. Lafayette from Canandaigua to Geneva and rode in the carriage with him. In 1814 he was chairman of a board that built the Ontario County jail and also chairman of a board that built the house for the county poor in 1823.

He died at Hopewell, May 10th, 1837, in the sixty-third year of his age. His funeral was one of the largest ever seen in that vicinity over a mile of carriages having followed his remains to the grave. His wife, Elizabeth, survived him only six months. One of his sons died in childhood under a surgical operation. The others settled in Hopewell, one afterward removing to Rochester. His daughters married Allen Spear, Abram Van Buskirk, John Spangle, Ephriam Archer and Ezra Parshall, all well-known names in Canandaigua and vicinity where most of their descendants reside.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Primps, Joseph, Geneva, was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 3, 1823, was educated in the public schools of that country, and came to the United States about 1852. He first located in Rome, Oneida county, for two years, and then came to Geneva. In early life he was a farmer. In Geneva he was sexton of the First Presbyterian church, also of the Dutch Reformed church, and sexton of the cemetery. August 9, 1854, he married Barbara Frederica Dorr, formerly of Wintemburg, Germany, later of Geneva. They had seven children:  Joseph, who died in infancy; Joseph 2d, John, Mary, Frank, Margaret, and Otto, all deceased except Joseph 2d and Mary. The former married Amelia Buckholtz, formerly of Germany, and they have seven children:  Lillian A. Augusta C., Nellie A., Emma B., Arthur J., Annie and Leah E. The surviving daughter, Mary, married Frank C. De Mun, of Geneva, and they had one daughter, Leah B., who died in infancy. Mr. De Mun was born in Waterburg, Tompkins county, February 4, 1856. His father was a grain speculator, and he grew up in the same business; he also became an auctioneer. Eight years ago he came to Geneva, and is now proprietor of a crockery and house furnishing store, being also a popular auctioneer.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893
;

Pritchard, Benjamin F., Phelps, one of six children of Benjamin and Ann (Stoughtenburg) Pritchard, was born in Phelps January 19, 1843.  Benjamin, the father was born in Poughkeepsie.  The grandfather, James, as born in London, England, and came to this country and settled in Poughkeepsie, about the period of the Revolution, where he followed his trade of silversmith.  Benjamin F. Pritchard married first Emma A. Ross, of Phelps, who died in 1869, leaving one daughter, Emma A.  In 1871 he married Carrie M. Starr, a native of Danbury, Conn.  They have two children, Paul C. and Suzo H.  Mr. Pritchard has always been a resident of Phelps.  About ten years ago he went into a manufacturing corporation which continued for one and one-half years, when the company known as the Crown Manufacturing Company was formed, manufacturing grain drills, and grass seeders.  He acted as traveling agent of the company for about seven years, since which time he has been president of the company, giving his entire time to its interests.  The organization has a capital of $100,000.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

George C. Pritchard, M. D., Phelps, one of six children of Benjamin and Jane Ann (Stoutenburg) Pritchard, was born in Phelps, February 1, 1839.  Benjamin, the father, was born in Poughkeepsie, and his father, James, was born in London, England, and came to this country and settled in Poughkeepsie before the Revolutionary War, he being a silversmith by trade.  George C. was educated at Phelps Union Classical School and Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, studied at the Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College at Philadelphia in 1869, and has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Phelps since that time.  He married in 1865 Emogene, daughter of Col. William Post of Phelps, and they have two children: Stuart D. C. and Linda Sutherland.  George C. Pritchard enlisted in 1862 in the One Hundred Forty-eighth New York Regiment.  He was promoted to captain and assistant quartermaster, serving three and one-half years.  He served upon the staff of General Draper, of General Giles A. Smith, and of Godfrey Wetzel, until mustered out of the service.  He has for many years been an elder of the First Presbyterian church, and has served as superintendent of the Sunday-school for twenty-six consecutive years.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Prouty, Phineas, Geneva, the pioneer of a highly respected family in the locality, was a native of Vermont, and settled at an early date in Schenectady. He was a soldier in the War of 1812-15 and came a young man to Geneva where he was for many years an enterprising merchant and straightforward business man. His old stone building on Seneca street has been recently removed to be replaced by a more substantial structure. He erected also, the buildings on the historic Maple Grove farm, the property on which stands the noted "Century tree." Phineas Prouty's wife was Margaret Van Vranken of Schenectady by whom these children were born:  Nicholas, who died in infancy: Harriet, who married Thomas Hillhouse of New York city; Sarah Augusta who became the wife of A. L. Chew; and Phineas jr. Phineas Prouty, jr., was born in Geneva, November 8, 1829.  He was given a good education, read law, and was admitted to the bar, but abandoned professional life at his father's request, for mercantile pursuits. He succeeded his father in the hardware business, and was for thirteen years the partner of A. L. Chew. He was a man possessed of unusual business qualifications, shrewd and far-seeing in his investments, and the latter years of his life found him possessed of a well deserved competency. He died July 2, 1891.  His wife, whom he married September 18, 1855, was Adalaide, daughter of Andrew M. Cobleigh, and they were the parents of six children, four of whom are now living.



From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;

Phineas Prouty came from Langdon, N. H., where he was born January 14, 1788. When a young man he started westward, going as far at that time as Schenectady, where he remained for a time, being then engaged in the hardware business in company with his elder brother, John. In 1812 he served in Captain Taylor's Horse Artillery and for his services received a grant of several thousand acres of land, which afterwards became very valuable. While he was still in Schenectady he was married to Miss Margaret Matilda Van Vranken, daughter of Rev. M. Van Vranken, in 1819. She died in 1830. After being in Schenectady for a time Mr. Prouty's pioneering spirit overcame him and he determined to push on westward and came to Geneva, his goods being transported here by canoes and rafts, through the Mohawk River, Oneida Lake and up the Seneca River. Mr. Prouty at once entered in the affairs of the community and was identified with many enterprises and was an active force in promoting and building Geneva. In 1835 Mr. Prouty built the beautiful home known as "Maple Hill," now Lafayette Inn, and which was formerly the home of Charles Bean, having been purchased at an earlier date by his father. Later in life Mr. Prouty purchased a home on South Main street formerly owned by Charles Butler, Esq., and occupied it until his death, Feb. 21, 1862, when was occupied by his son, Phineas Prouty, Jr. Phineas Prouty, Jr., together with Alexander L. Chew, was for several years engaged in the hardware business in the Prouty Block on Seneca street and later he became interested in many other kinds of business. He was for many years one of the stockholders and directors of the First National Bank, with which Mr. Chew was also connected. He was also associated in the Waterworks Company and with the Gas Company. Phineas Prouty, Jr., was born in Geneva, Nov. 8, 1827, and died July 2, 1891. He married, in 1855, Miss Adelaide Cobleigh, daughter of Andrew M. Cobleigh. They had six children.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;


Pulver, William, Gorham, was born in Gorham, August 19, 1842. At the age of fourteen he began as clerk in Gorham and continued till 1864, when he went to Penn Yan and clerked for J. T. Slaughter till 1867. He then spent two years with C. L. Eastman, having also been one year in partnership with him. In 1871 he returned to Gorham and engaged in the general mercantile business, which has been very prosperous, his annual sales now averaging over $16,000. Mr. Pulver is a Democrat and has been justice of the peace twelve years. He was postmaster under Mr. Cleveland's administration. He is a member of the E. K. O. R. of Gorham , No. 62. In 1861 he married Catharine C. Traver, a native of Ghent, Columbia county, a daughter of Albert and Helen Traver. Mr. And Mrs. Pulver have three children:  James A., a merchant of Stanley; Alonzo E., a carriage manufacturer of Gorham, and C. Lena, who resides at home. The father of William was James M., a son of William, who was a native of Kinderhook., N.J. Mr. Pulver, sr., was twice married.  By his first wife he had two children.  He married second Mrs. Cavery, by whom he had six children. James M. born in Kinderhook and was a well informed and thorough going business man. He spent some time in teaching, and when quite young was elected constable. From that time he studied law, and finally rose to the rank of a judge, in which capacity he acted several years. He was also justice of the peace twenty-four years and was supervisor.  His wife was Lydia, daughter of John and Catharine (Cortleyou) Snyder, by whom he had four sons and four daughters.  He died in 1877, and his wife is living in Gorham.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Alex. M. Purdy,
Manchester, was born in Wayne county May 31, 1835.  He received a good education in the schools of the vicinity and at the Friends' Boarding School.  Mr. Purdy has been engaged in horticultural pursuits and the nursery business for the greater portion of his life.  He is also editor of the Fruit Recorder and Evaporator, a publication devoted to these special branches of horticulture.  Mr. Purdy possesses a fine farm of 112 acres in close proximity to Palmyra, upon which he has an evaporating plant, and in which he uses large quantities of apples.  Alex. M. Purdy married first Mary Reynolds, by whom he had five children and some time after her decease he married Phoebe J. Dorland, by whom he had four children, seven living and two deceased.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;


Purdy, Charles J.
, Canandaigua, was born in Canandaigua, December 31, 1866, a son of James B., a native of Oswego county. Charles J. was educated in the common schools and Canandaigua Academy, was attracted to the application of electricity for mechanical and scientific purposes, and engaged with the Excelsior Light Co. at Brooklyn, starting with them as an apprentice and rapidly rising to become an electrical engineer. He assisted in the building of the electric light plant at Canandaigua in 1866 and then removed to Seneca Falls, where he filled the position of electrician and assistant superintendent for the Excelsior Light Co., for over a year, and then removed to Canandaigua to take charge of the plant. His position is now superintendent and electrician for the Canandaigua Electric Light Co. He married in 1890 Maggie Tuohey of Canandaigua.  Mr. Purdy was elected in 1891 superintendent of fire alarms for the village. He is a member of the Canandaigua Lodge No. 245 K. of P., and also of Canandaigua Lodge K.O.T.M. No. 168.



From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;


Richard Purdy,
Canandaigua, was born in Ireland May 12, 1819, and came to this country in 1846. He first located in Farmington where he lived four years with Isaac Hathaway, then went to Canandaigua, spending eleven years with Mrs. Jackson. In 1861 he bought a farm in Penfield, Monroe county, where he spent five years and then bought his present farm, consisting of 123 acres with a beautiful residence. He has never taken an active interest in politics. He married, in 1859, Anna, daughter of Guy McGowan, a native of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy have seven children. Mary J., widow of Henry F. Brooks, resides with her son, Henry F., at home; her oldest son, George E., lives with his grandfather, Henry Brooks. James and William are farmers and live on a farm of 147 acres joining their father's. James married a Miss Matilda Johnson in 1888. John E., a farmer, lives at home; George R., a postal clerk, runs from Syracuse to New York; Lorenzo H., is a student at Canandaigua Academy. Ellsworth is at home, a school boy.



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Updated 19 July 2008