"U" and "V" Surname Family Sketches

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

James Upton, Victor, father of Clarence H., was born in Victor, where J. W. Hawkins now resides, April 14, 1816. He was educated in the public schools and at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima and followed farming for some time, also taught school several years. The family moved to Rochester in 1855. He was a railway contractor there for many years, and in politics was a Republican, and served two years in the common council. He served in that capacity on several important committees. He was also a candidate of his party for the State Legislature, but Rochester being Democratic at that time, he was defeated by a small majority. July 3, 1844, he married Elmira E., daughter of Jeremiah and Mahala Hawkins of his native county, educated at Ontario Female Seminary, Canandaigua, and at Lima, and they had one son, Clarence H. The latter was born August 24, 1845, and was educated in the public and select schools of Rochester, and studied one year at Yale University. He is a real estate operator, and resides with his mother on East Avenue. His father died February 23, 1866, mourned by a bereaved widow and son, and many relatives and a large circle of friends. James Upton, sr., grandfather of of Clarence H., was born in Charlemont, Mass., February 19, 1779, and removed to Victor about 1799. April 21, 1808, he married Olive Boughton, who was born in 1793. Her ancestors came from Wales, and were of French extraction. He was a man of decided character and an active worker in the church, and contributed liberally toward the first Methodist church that was built in Victor.

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

William Uttley, Canandaigua, was born in Williamson, Wayne county, March 3, 1813. His father, (also named William), was born in Maryland in 1776. He conducted a mill in Maryland, and when he came to this State first located in Steuben county. William Uttley, sr., died in 1840. He married Hannah, daughter of of Mathew Martin of Virginia, who afterwards located in Chapinville. They had nine children, all deceased but William, our subject. When the latter was fourteen years of age, he came to Canandaigua, and spent five years with Judge Howell, and was nine years in the employ of Jared Wilson. He worked John Gregg's farm nine years, and in the spring of 1858 bought sixty-six acres of the Gregg farm in Hopewell, and in the fall of 1869 moved to East Bloomfield where he conducted a farm for eighteen months, and then went to Lima, Livingston county. Returning in 1872 he bought a farm of ninety-nine acres in Canandaigua, where he has ever since made his home. Mr. Uttley is a Republican. He married in 1837 Betsey, daughter of Lewis Wicks, of Middlesex, Yates county, and they had eight children, three of whom are living: Jared Wilson and John Mosher, who conducts the homestead farm, and Margaret, who also lives at home. Mrs. Uttley died August 15, 1888, aged seventy-one years.

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

John P. Vail, Geneva, son of James D. and E. (Wyckoff) Vail (who settled in Romulus about 1830) was born August 17, 1836. His father was a farmer and he lived on the farm until twenty years of age. In 1859 he went to Penn Yan, and there learned the art of photography, or the old ambrotype style of taking pictures. In 1860 he opened a gallery in Palmyra and carried on business there eleven years. He then came to Geneva and engaged in the nursery business four years. In 1876 he opened his present gallery, where he is doing a fine class of work. He married in 1864 Rose P. Foster, and they have one child, Newton F. Mrs. Vail died October 8 1878, and he married second, September 17, 1881, Lillie T. Seeley.

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

D. J. Van Auken, Geneva, was born in Cayuga county, November 2, 1849. He received an academic and high school education, after which he read law in his father's office, but never applied for admission to practice. He then engaged in mercantile business at Hannibal, Oswego county, and while there was appointed deputy canal collector at Oswego, an office which he held three years. In 1878 Mr. Van Auken came to Geneva and engaged in wall paper business for about seven years, and in 1886 became one of the incorporators of the Ontario Accident Association. Later on he became similarly connected with the Manufacturer's Accident Indemnity Company, and was elected its vice-president; and it may truthfully be said that most of the success achieved by this company is due to the efficient effort of our subject. In 1877, while a resident of Oswego county, Mr. Van Auken married Clara Wilson of Geneva.

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

Horatio Van Auken, Phelps, the oldest of nine children of George W. and Margaret (Van Etten) Van Auken, was born in the town of Phelps April 4, 1843. George W., the father, was born in Phelps in 1822 and died at the age of seventy years. The grandfather was David Van Auken, and his father, John, was the pioneer who came to Phelps and settled in 1793. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. The mother, Margaret Van Etten, was born in Wayne county, a daughter of Cornelia Van Etten. Horatio Van Auken married March 13, 1867, Laura S., daughter of William and Delia (Burgess) Aldrich, of Phelps. Her grandfather was Ziba Aldrich. Mr. Van Auken has occupied his present farm for seventeen years, he being the third occupant of it. It is devoted to general products and carries about seventeen head of stock.

From Phelps Citizen 27 March 1890

John Van Auken came to Phelps in 1796, from Pennsylvania. He was born in 1768. He married Margaret Westfall, to whom were born ten children, nine of whom were sons. The season of his coming to Phelps he erected a home on the tract of land which he purchased five miles east of the village. He and his wife were early supporters of church privileges in Phelps, and without a doubt were among those who were attached to an organization before the formation of a church in Oaks Corners. In 1834 six of the sons removed to Michigan among whom were James, Lawson, Dudley and Simeon. Those who remained behind in Phelps were George, David and Charles W. The daughter, Lucina, married Henry Vandermark. John Van Auken was a brother of Charity, with wife of Lodowick Vandermark, the pioneer of the Vandermark family in Phelps. He was a drummer boy in the closing years of the war of the revolution for which he drew a pension. The family today are widely scattered.

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

James R. Vance, former proprietor of the James R. Vance Iron Works, was born in Scotland, April 4, 1849. His education was limited, and he was obliged to got to work at the early age of ten years when he found employment in the coal mines, until he was sixteen years of age. He then emigrated to America, going to Pennsylvania, where he learned the trade of boiler making. He came to Geneva in 1876 and obtained a position as superintendent of the New York Central Iron Works Co., which he held for twenty-seven years. In 1897 he established a plant of his own under the name of Vance Boiler Works, which later became The J. R. Vance Iron Works. Mr. Vance was a successful inventor and took out several patents. He was a trustee of the Town of Geneva for a number of years, was a city alderman, and was president of the Board of Health. Mr. Vance was serving in this capacity at the time of a threatened small-pox outbreak when he quarantined a traveling group of actors on a steamboat out in Seneca Lake and kept them there until danger was over. Mr. Vance died November 16, 1930.

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

Frederick D. Vanderhoof, Phelps, was born in Manchester April 28, 1843, one of six children (four now living) of Peter and Margaret (Doxtater) Vanderhoof. Jacob, the grandfather, was born in New Jersey, coming to Manchester and settling in early life. Frederick D. married in 1864 Armeda, daughter of John R. and Hannah C. Hyde of Newark, N. Y. They have four children: Ina H., Fred, Neva W. and Bertrand G. Mr. Vanderhoof was educated at the schools at Clifton, read medicine with Dr. Pomeroy, of Newark, graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city in March 1864. He entered the service as assistant surgeon until the close of the war. In February, 1867, he came to Phelps and engaged in the practice of his profession, where he has since remained.

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

Jacob W. Vanderhoof, Manchester, was born on the old farm in the town of Manchester, September 23, 1834. He is a son of Abram Vanderhoof, whose father's name was Jacob, who ran the old Vanderhoof Hotel here for many years. His ancestors came into Ontario county early in the seventeenth century. They participated in the War of the Revolution and also of 1812. Jacob N. Vanderhoof possesses the old farm upon which he lives. He is a great party worker and a staunch Democrat. He has been repeatedly solicited to accept public offices, but so far has refused. He married Miss Mina Bissel of Allen Hill, this county, but they have no children.

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

Levi Vanderhoof, Manchester, was born in Manchester December 22, 1843. His grandfather, Jacob Vanderhoof, ran the old Vanderhoof hotel here for many years. His father, Abram Vanderhoof, followed agricultural pursuits and became possessed of considerable land in this vicinity. The family have always been of considerable influence and importance, especially in political affairs and have been strong Democrats. Levi possesses a fine farm of 100 acres besides other property. He married Mary S., daughter of Simon P. Robinson. They have no children.

From Phelps Citizen 27 March 1890

Lodowick Vandermark came to Phelps in 1794. He married Charity VanAuken. He died January 6th, 1818, aged 52 years. His widow married second Charles Humphrey. She died September 30th 1840, aged 80 years. The Vandermark burial place in the eastern part of town is on the original farm. The following were their children; Experience, born September 25th, 1784, married Archibald Burnett; Frederick, born September 29th, 1785, and died January 20th, 1862. He was an active man. He erected the stone mill, (Howes), in 1852. Lydia, his widow, died in 1875, aged 83 years. James born September 29th 1787, and died in 1849, as did also his wife. Mary, Catharine Joseph and Elizabeth died in infancy. Spiddy, born February 13th, 1800, died April 10th, 1863, and his wife, Charity, died in 1875. They were parents of William Vandermark, our esteemed townsman. Silas, born February 12th, 1802, died in 1871. Joseph Vandermark, a prominent man in Phelps, whom we think was a brother of Lodowick, died in 1841, aged 79 years. These words are few for so numerous a family.

From Phelps Citizen 17 April 1919

Thomas VanDervoort was born in Warwick, Orange county, N. Y., adjoining Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1802, and in 1823 came to Phelps, married in 1828 Eleanor Horton. His father was Cornelius, and wife, Maria Probasco VanDervoort, and his grandfather was Dr. Thomas and Arrietta Teneych VanDervoort. He was of Somerset county and died in 1773 at the age of 32 years. The small family and widow came to Warwick. Thomas was a principal man in the social and political affairs during his remaining life in Phelps. He resided on the PreEmption road for many years, and later bought a farm on the north side of Canandaigua Outlet, near Phelps village. His wife passed away December 14, 1894, aged 92 years. He passed away in 1879.

They had nine children, Cornelius Teneych, 1828; Phebe Ann, 1829; Henry Christy, 1831; Andrew Probasco, 1832; Gilbert Mead, 1834; Maria, 1836, married Peter Garlock; Sarah E., 1838, married Prof. Wesley Emery, Lansing Mich.; Cornelius, 1842, was twice married, died 1885 without issue; and Thomas Spencer, 1848, married Euphrasia, daughter James P. Westfall. She died 1916 and he died 1906. They are the parents of William Humphrey, in business in Moline, Ill., but rendering efficient service during the war; Cornelius H. and Nellie who reside in Phelps.

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

George H. Van Deusen, M. D., Gorham, is a native of Montgomery county, born August 24, 1836, a son of Cornelius, whose father, Gloudy Van Deusen, came to Montgomery county in 1796, and there died in 1845. The family is of Dutch descent, and came to America in 1667. Mr. Gloudy Van Deusen served five years in the Revolutionary war. In 1829 Cornelius married Elizabeth Cornue, a native of Montgomery county, and daughter of Wessel Cornue, one of the first settlers of that county. Cornelius and wife had seven sons and four daughters, all now living. He died in 1863, and his wife in 1877. Dr. George H. spent part of his youth in New Jersey, where his father died. His mother's death occurred while on a visit to Steuben county. Subject taught school four years, and in 1861 was graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Vermont, and was appointed physician in the insane asylum in New York City. February, 1862, he received an appointment from Gideon Welles as assistant surgeon of U. S. Volunteer Navy, serving first in North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and then in South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. In 1863, he was ordered to West Gulf Squadron, under command of D. G. Faragut. In 1864 Dr. Van Deusen resigned his position as navy surgeon and began practicing his profession at Bethel, Vt., where he remained four years and then moved to Painted Post. In 1875 he came to Gorham, where he has since had a very successful practice. He was formerly a member of Vermont State Medical Society, president of Steuben County Medical Society, and is now a member of Ontario County Medical Society. In politics Dr. Van Deusen is now a Prohibitionist. He was a superintendent of schools in Bethel, Vt. He is a member of Rushville Lodge No. 377 F. & A. M. and G. A. R. Scott Post No. 315. In 1863 Dr. Van Deusen married Celia A., daughter of John Liscom, of Burlington, Vt. Dr. Van Deusen and wife have had two children: Fred Mower, who died in infancy; and Kate, a graduate of Geneseo Normal School, class '93.

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

John Van Huben, Geneva, was born in Switzerland, February 23, 1846, and came with his parents to this country when eight years old. They located in Rochester where John was educated in the public schools and learned the butcher's trade. August 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, First Light Artillery, Rochester, Battalion G., N. G. S. N. Y., and was honorably discharged November 31 of the same year. He came to Geneva to reside in 1872, and November 17, 1880, married Margaret Kurtz of Geneva. They have one son and three daughters: Arthur B., Mildred L., Floesend, and Hazel M. Mr. Van Huben's father, John, was a soldier in Company D., Thirteenth N. Y. Vols., and participated in all the battles of this regiment but one, when he was a prisoner in Libby Prison. He was honorably discharged at Rochester May 14, 1863.

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

John H. Van Riper, Gorham, is a native of Washtenaw county, Mich., born August 27, 1846. His father was John G., a son of Garrett, a native of New Jersey, who went to Gorham and afterwards Michigan, where he died aged eighty-one. He and his wife, Catharine, had eleven children. She was born in New Jersey and died in New York aged fifty. John G. was born in Gorham, October 10, 1812. When a young man he went to Michigan and there married Eliza Kierstead, a native of New Jersey, by whom he had eleven children. He died March 1, 1887, in Livingston county, where he resided several years. The death of his wife occurred March 19, 1877, aged fifty-nine. Between nine and twenty-six years of age, John H. lived with his uncle, P. P. Fero, and received a common school education. December 9, 1873, he married Mary E. Proudfit, a native of Seneca, born March 1, 1853, and daughter of John Proudfit, a native of Pennsylvania and early settler of Seneca. The subject and wife were born two sons, C. Leroy and Clayton P. Mr. Van Riper is a general farmer and owns sixty-five acres, on which he has resided since 1876. He is a Prohibition in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Stanley Grange No. 284. He and family are members of the Presbyterian church of Gorham Centre.

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

Henry Van Voorhies, Victor, father of Stephen, was born in the town of Allsburg, Grand Isle county, Vt., August 15, 1805, and moved with his parents to Dutchess county in the year of 1812. He was educated in the district schools of his day. After a residence of four years there he moved with his parents to Otsego county. December 24, 1831, he married Margaret Daley of Decatur, of that county. They had seven children, five sons and two daughters: Menzo, Milton, Herman, Mary, Lyman, Stephen, and Alice. Milton married Angie Beeman of Livonia, Livingston county, and they had three children: Calista, who died in January, 1892; Homer, who died March, 1873; and Stella. Herman married Kate Holmes of Marion, Wayne county. The have seven children: four sons and one daughter are now living: Herman and Henry (twins), Mary, Bert, and Stephen. They now reside in the town of Hopewell. Mary married Rev. James H. DuBois, one of the preachers of the M. E. church, now of Steuben county. They have one daughter, Alice. Lyman married Libbie Field of Galesburg, Mich., and they have three children: George, Viola, and Howard. Stephen Van Voorhies was born January 16, 1846, was educated in the public schools and Lima Seminary, and is a farmer. October 18, 1876, he married Carrie, daughter of Gilbert and Diana (Goff) Porter of East Mendon, Monroe county. They have three children: Madge, Menzo and Mabel. Mrs. Van Voorhie's father, Gilbert Porter, was born at the old home in East Mendon, March 16, 1818. He married Diana Goff of his native town, and they had five children, two died in infancy, three survive: Smith J., Elizabeth, and Carrie I. Alice Van Voorhies married Horace Tillitson of Mendon. Henry Van Voorhies' father, Keort, was born in Vermont about the year 1769, and married Margaret Nelson. His grandfather, John was a hotel-keeper in Dutchess county. Mrs. Henry Van Voorhies died September 9, 1876.

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

Samuel H. Ver Planck, Geneva, son of W. G. Ver Planck, was born in Albany in 1827. In 1839 his father came to Geneva with his family, where subject has been engaged in the banking business since 1847, at that time entering the Bank of Geneva, where he remained four years. He was general bookkeeper in the People's Bank of New York one year, then entered the Union Bank of Rochester as bookkeeper, where he remained one year as bookkeeper and two years as cashier. Returning home he entered the Bank of Geneva as cashier, and was elected president of the bank in 1860, which position he has held ever since. Mr. Ver Planck has been in the banking business longer than any other man in his county.

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

Robert H. Vincent, Clifton Springs, was born in Troy September 22, 1869. He was educated at the Albany Military Academy and Hobart College. He came to Clifton Springs during 1887, his father, Dr. Frank L. Vincent, having received the appointment of physician upon the Sanitarium staff. Dr. Vincent was also at the time secretary of the New York State Medical Society. In 1891 R. H. Vincent purchased an interest in the Walker Fertilizer Company, the firm now being composed of Joshua Walker, Robert H. Vincent and E. J. Walker.

Back to Biographies

Return to Ontario County Homepage