Livingston County New York Biographies - Surnames H-L

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley

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

Dr. Levi Hagadorn, Biography

DR. LEVI HAGADORN. — of Caledonia, is a native of Schoharie county, where he was born May 21, 1839. His education was obtained from the district schools of the neighborhood and his early life was passed on the farm of his father. From his earliest childhood Dr. Hagadorn has been a lover of fine horses and has owned many good ones. From 1862 to '72 he devoted his entire time to buying stock, principally horses, and shipping to the eastern market. He then took up the practice of veterinary surgery, having made a special study of the diseases of animals, for a number of years was actively engaged in a practice which extended over Otsego and adjoining counties and included many of the large dairy farms for which that region is noted. During this time the dairymen were suffering large annual losses through the death of stock during the winter months from a mysterious cause which the Doctor discovered to be microbes. He later discovered and patented a remedy which has since become widely known. In November, 1901, he removed to Caledonia and incorporated a company for the manufacture and sale of his microbe remedy, "Creloil." The company was incorporated under the name of The Caledonia Chemical Company with a capital stock of $10,000, which has since been increased to $40,000. The incorporators are Levi Hagadorn, James Tennent and James Bostwick. Dr. Hagadorn is the company's general manager. The factory is located in a commodious building on Main Street and is being operated to its fullest capacity and bids fair soon to develop into an extensive industry.

Truman A. Hill, Biography

TRUMAN A. HILL, — Late of Mount Morris, was a native of Vermont, having been born at Sunderland Bennington county March. 1832. When four years of age his parents removed to Cataraugus county, N. Y., and a few years thereafter took up their residence at Wethersfield, Wyoming county, where his father purchased a farm. As a boy he attended the district schools of the neighborhood and later graduated from the Attica High school. He then assisted his father in the care of the farm until 1852 when he went to Oakville, Canada and there learned the trade of machine and pattern making. Mr. Hill was intensely interested in his trade and made it a constant study. He was careful and economical and during his apprenticeship saved some four hundred dollars from his wages. In 1855, with two others, he opened a foundry and machine shop at Bradford, Canada, which they operated two years, when the shop was destroyed by fire. He then spent some time in the western states and in 1860 came to Mount Morris as foreman of the machine shop of Colonel Joseph Bodine, where he perfected his invention of the Bodine Turbine Water Wheel, in which he has since held a half interest. In 1869, he with Colonel Bodine, embarked in the manufacture of stoves and farm machinery at Jefferson City, Mo., which they conducted several years, Mr. Hill finally disposing of his interest to Col. Bodine. He then returned to Mount Morris and was employed by wSleeper and Rockefellow for several years, during which time he invented the "Missouri Grain Drill," which this firm has since manufactured and put on the market in quantities. In 1880 the firm of Sleeper and Rockefellow was organized as a stock company and Mr. Hill became a stock holder. He was made foreman of the shops and retained that position until 1893, when he retired from business. November 20, 1855 he married Mary E. Wolcott and three children were born to them. His wife's death occurred May 17, 1870. His second marriage took place January 21, 1878 to Sarah L. Wolcott, of Wethersfield, a sister of his first wife, and one child was born to them. Mr. Hill died April 25, 1904 and is survived by his wife and four children: Albert T., Frank E., Edith M., and Eva E.

Solomon Hitchcock, Biography

SOLOMON HITCHCOCK— "I, Solomon Hitchcock, was born on the 14th day of November 1809 in the town of Amenia, Dutchess county, N. Y. My father (a farmer) had a family of six sons and five daughters. It being impossible for us all to remain at home, I of my own accord, when in my I7th year, took my clothing in a cotton handkerchief and went on foot and alone about twenty miles to Cornwall, Litchfield county, Conn,, where I bound myself out to learn the carding and clothdressing trade. This was at that time, in 1826, a good business, but soon afterward small woolen factories sprung up over the country to which farmers took their wool and had it manufactured into cloth, greatly injuring my trade, which I carried on one year in Dutchess county, N. Y,, making nothing, which caused me to leave the business in disgust and look out for another occupation. In 1831, when I was twenty-two years old I started west to seek my fortune and arrived in Conesus in October of that year. There were then no railroads in New York state, except from Albany to Schenectady, seventeen miles, (on which cars were drawn by horses), and I was about one week traveling the distance that I have since traveled by railroad in about sixteen hours. My first business was teaching school in winter and working by the month on farms in summer. I next became able to rent and work land on shares, and was finally able to buy some cheap and partially improved land by running considerably in debt. In November, 1841 I married Laura M. Coe, of South Livonia, N. Y., and to her assistance I am indebted for a large share of all the earthly prosperity I have achieved." Thus, one morning in May, 1873, when in a reminiscent mood, wrote, of himself, th€ subject of this sketch, I have quoted his words, because they tell in brief the story of his early days as he told it Avhile living. Possessed of only a common school education, he nevertheless fitted himself as best he could for teaching and taught several terms with good success. He also served as school inspector before that office gave way to the present office of County School Commissioner, While always interested in politics from the standpoint of an ardent Republican he never sought political office and held none outside the town where he lived. There he served successive terms as Justice of the Peace, Assessor and Supervisor, Referring to his experiences in the former office, I again quote from his own words: "In the course of my life I have often known men to sue others or allow themselves to be prosecuted for matters of very little consequence; but although I have had considerable dealing with my fellow men, yet I take pride in saying that I was never sued and never had a contested law suit. I have believed and still believe that it is better and more for one's interest pecuniaril)' to put up with some injustice than to go to law. " In 1854, he purchased from the late Timothy DeGraw the farm on which he resided until his death. It is located one-half mile north of Conesus Center and is now owned and occupied by his son, S. Edward Hitchcock and family. While he carried on a general and quite extensive farming business, owning at death about four hundred fifty acres of land, yet by far his greatest efforts were along the line of wool-growing and sheep-breeding and this was his greatest source of income. In this industry he was an authority retaining a keen interest in it while he lived. He owned the same flock of Merino sheep and their descendants for more than forty years. While his health permitted he took an active interest in the work of the church in whose faith he believed, viz: The Universal Fatherhood of God and the Universal Brotherhood of Man. His time and his means were always at the disposal of the Universalis! church, locally and at large, and for many years his was a well-known figure in the local, state and national conventions of that body. An early and long-time member of the Livingston County Historical Society, his fondness for pioneer history as well as acquaintance with many early settlers of the town caused him to take a keen interest in the work and meetings of that organizai ion. Concerning his later years I again quote from an article written shortly before his death: "There have been no events in my life worthy of particular note. From the age of twenty-two my business has been farming. From that time up to the age of fifty years my labors were almost constant and often severe. Yet, having a strong pair of arms and a good constitution (for which I should be and hope I am thankful) I enjoyed my labor, with the expectation that it would, as it did, bring competence and comfort to myself, wife and family in after life, and allow us to visit many of the noted places in our country, which we did while our health permitted; and the money thus spent I think was well invested. About the year 1869, after we had acquired by industry and economy a competence such as we hoped would sustain us through accidents, sickness and the infirmities incidental to old age, I turned my attention to some public improvements which I thought were needed at the center of the town. These were a cemetery a new road and a new church. The road was needed for ingress to the cemetery and also for village lots, there being a scarcity of good building places about our village." The "public improvements" above referred to are the present Universalist church, the G. Arnold cemetery, and the highway known as Elm street. To the building of the first, the originating of the second and the laying out of the third the jsubject of this sketch put forth his best efforts, and in the final success of them all he was largely instrumental. He died at his home in Conesus, on June 20, 1886, aged 77 years, having survived his v/ife about one year. His death removed another of the long line of those, who. descended from pioneer ancestry, retained the pioneer vigor and character, and who will always be needed to aid in moulding the thought and in leading the best interests of the communities in which they dwell.

Fred D. Holford, Biography

FRED D. HOLFORD, — Veterinary surgeon of the village of Avon, is a native of Ithaca, N. Y., where he was born May 3, 1879. He obtained his education in the schools of that city and afterwards entered Cornell University, taking a two-year course in agriculture and a three-year course in veterinary surgery, graduating in 1902. He then located in Avon, establishing his ofBce in the building adjoining the postoffice. Although young in practice, Dr. Holford has demonstrated exceptional skill and a perfect knowledge of the duties of his profession, and his services are in constant demand, which bears testimony to his accepted worth as a veterinarian in the community.

Frank E. Hovey, Biography

FRANK E. HOVEY, — Supervisor of the town of Avon, was born in Lima» N. Y., September 1, 1856. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm in Lima and his education was obtained at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. His father, Calvin B. Hovey, at the time of his death in 1880, was possessed of considerable landed property which he had acquired through his own efforts during a lifetime of ceaseless toil, Frank E. Hovey married Estelle M. Sheldon, daughter of R. T. Sheldon of Mendon, N. Y., in 1878. and their family consists of two children, Lucy S., and Raymond E., the latter a student in the Rochester Business University. In 1889 Mr. tlovey moved to Avon and took the management of the Herbert Wadsworth farm at Ashantee, serving in that capacity thirteen years. This is the home farm and embraces a large tract of land, mention of which is made more fully in the article on the general history of the town of Avon. He then purchased the farm on which he now resides. This farm consists of 142 acres of rich, productive, soil, well watered, well fenced and well tilled; and a beautiful modern residence with convenient stock and feed barns places this farm in rank among the best medium sized farms in the state.

Henry E. Hubbard, Biography

HENRY E. HUBBARD, — One of the foremost manufacturers of Dansville, N. Y., came with his parents to that village in 1861 from Unadilla. N. Y., where his father, Henry Hubbard, had been engaged in the manufacture of well curbs. Previous to that, from 1853 to 1857, the family resided in Norwich, N. Y., Vv'here Mr. Hubbard ran a furniture manufactory. Upon their arrival in Dansville Mr. Hubbard established a plant for the making of well curbs and horse pokes, which he successfully conducted until 1876, when he removed to Painesville, Ohio, where he now resides, and his son, Henry E. Hubbard, succeeded to the business.

Henry E. Hubbard was born in Newport, N. H., November 4, 1852. His. education was obtained at the village schools and the Dansville Seminary. Upon leaving school he entered his father's factory, and during the years in which he worked as an assistant he thoroughly learned every detail of the business and in 1876 purchased the plant of hjs father. He now manufactures chain pumps and wood tubing, the sale of which keeps the factory in operation theentire year. His marriage with Ida D. Squires, daughter of Byron T. Squires, a former able lawyer of Dansville, occurred April 14, 1875, and their famil)'^ consists of a son and daughter, William Arthur and Katherine Eggleston. Katherine is a graduate of the Geneseo State Normal school and is now an instructor in the Teachers' training class at Haverling High School, Bath, N. Y. William is a practical jeweler, having followed that trade for several years. Mr. Hubbard traces his ancestry in a direct line back to the year 1000. At the beginning of the sixteenth century his ancestors came from England and bore a share of the privations and dangers incident to the troublous times of the early colonial days.

John H. Hughes, Biography

JOHN H. HUGHES, — Manager of St. John hotel, Nunda, N. Y., is a native of that village, where he was born May 16. 1855. He early became identified with the business interests of the tuwn, having in 1877 established a restaurant in a portion of the building he now occupies as a hotel. A few years later larger accommodations were secured adjoining the restaurant and the place was converted into a hotel and named the St. John. This hotel enjoys a most liberal transient trade and also provides for a large local patronage. September 15, 1880, Mr. Hughes was joined in marriage with Mias Margaret Fitzgerald, of the town of Purtageand they have one son, John F. Mr, Hughes has for years been prominent in local politics and is an active worker for the success of the Democrat party.

Frederick Bancroft Hunt, Biography

FREDERICK BANCROFT HUNT— Late of the town of Portage, was a native of Leicester, England, where he was born May 19, 1828. His father, William Hunt, served England, his native country, under the reconstruction of the English government. At the age of sixty five, becoming imbued with the spirit of freedom he gathered his family together and sailed in the "Patrick Henry" for America. The voyage lasted thirty two days, during which time they were buffeted about by gales and storms and for three days the good ship lay off the banks of Newfoundland, helpless in the storm, with the constant prospect of all on board being sent to a watery grave. They however weathered the storm and finally made the port of New York, where Mr. Hunt and his family remained a short time and went to Whitesboro, Onieda county, where he resided one year. He then lived seven years in Marcy and two years in Trenton, Oneida county, and in 1852 came to Livingston county and located at Nunda. He leased the Skinner farm, three miles east of Nunda, on which he resided until 1872. William Hunt was born Novebmer 4. 1783. He married Elizabeth Chambers, of Leicestershire, England, who was born in 1790. Eight children were born to them, William, who died in New London, Conn, aged eighty three: John, enlisted in the English army and was killed in China during the opium war between England and China; George, engaged in farming in Illinois and is now deceased; Mary, died unmarried; Thomas, followed the trade of a blacksmith at Nunda, where he located in 1851 and was killed in a railroad accident on the Lake Shore road near Erie, Pa., leaving a widow who has recently died, two sons and a daughter; Joseph, lived in Nunda for a time, afterwards moving to Nebraska and from there to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and engaged in raising fruits and vegetables; and Frederick B., the youngest of the family. John Hunt, an uncle of William., was killed at the battle of Monmouth while in England's service during the Revolutionary War.

Frederick B. Hunt married Mary E. Moulton, a daughter of Abel Moulton, one of the earliest pioneers of Oneida county and a soldier in the war of 1812. Coming from his home in Albany Mr. Moulton purchased of the government a tract of land at Marcy, Oneida county, which he proceeded to clear and subdue and prepare a home for his family. For some years he worked this place during the summer months and followed his trade of blacksmith at Albany in the winter, making the journey in spring and fall on foot, a distance of one hundred and fifteen miles. He was twice married. His death occurred July 8, 1869, his second wife and six children surviving him. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick B. Hunt have been blessed with seven children, of whom fuur are now living two having died in infancy. Frederick William married Ella Baker, of Nunda, and has two sons, Frederick and Howard. They reside at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Orin G. a young man of exceptional ability and great promise, died a short time since in New York. He was a graduate of the Nunda High school and the New York Medical College and had been in active practice for fifteen years in the city of New York as a specialist in the nose, throat, heart and lungs. As a commentary on his ability in the handling of those diseases it is only needful to say that among all the expert specialists in that great city, Orin Hunt's opinion on questions referring to the scientific treatment of these diseases carried the greatest weight. Cut off as he was in the flower of early manhood, his death deprives the profession of one of its most able members and terminated a career that bore every promise of becoming a brilliant one. Abel Moulton Hunt married Lunetta Cuddebeck, of Nunda, and now lives in Balavia. They have two daughters Loie and Mary E., Chester C. I. married Julietta Spencer, of Nunda, and has three children. They reside on their farm in Portage known as the Hunt Jersey farm, where Mr. Hunt breeds High class Jerseys. Adelbert Bancroft was born April 4, 1870. He graduated from the Nunda High school with the degree of Ph. D., after which he became a graduate of the Albany State Normal College. He for a time held the position of principal in a New Jersey school and for several years has served the Manhattan public schools as principal of a department. He married Dorothy Borreli, of New Providence, and they have a son and daughter.

Frederick B. Hunt came from Oneida county and settled in the town of Portage in 1851, and it is interesting to note that the wheel cultivator that he brought with him from Utica was the first ever seen south of Geneseo. In 1876 he purchased the farm of seventy acres on which he resided at the time of his death. He was a staunch republican since the organization of that party in 1854 and cast his first presidential vote for Martin VanBuren in the Free Soil campaign. During the Harrison campaign he was made president of the Harrison Republican club and later held the same office with the McKinley club. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have for yearsbeen prominent in church and society. Mrs. Hunt is a member of the Baptist church at Nunda. Mr. Hunt held the office of deacon in that church from 1865 to the time of his decease, and for thirteen years was superintendent of the Sunday school. He was a member of the Portage Farmer's Club and for twenty years served as its president. He was a member of the Board of Health fourteen years and for eight years held the office of Justice of the Peace. He departed this life in the spring of 1904 and his death caused sorrow in the hearts of all his friends and neighbors.

William W. Hunt, Biography

WILLIAM W. HUNT, — Of the firm of Hunt and Moses, has been identified with the business interests of Dalton for the past fifteen years. He was born in Oneida county, N. Y., September 3, 1850. and when two years of age his parents removed to Nunda. He received his education at the Nunda academy, after leaving which he entered L. B/Warner's dry goods store in Nunda as clerk and two years thereafter, in 1868, he came to Dalton and engaged as bookkeeper for Lyman Ayrault, a produce dealer, with whom he remained twenty years. In 1889 in company with G. E. Moses he established the grocery and dry goods business which they have since conducted in Dalton. Mr. Hunt is a staunch democrat and a firm adherent to the principles of that party, and has served his town and county very acceptably in various offices. He held the office of Supervisor for the town of Nunda four years. He was for fifteen years a member of the railroad commission and is now president of the Board of Education. In 1869 he married Ella A. Tuthill, of Nunda. They have one daughter, Grace M., who is the wife of L. A. Walker, of the firm of Olmsted and Walker, prominent attorneys of Perry, N. Y,, and they have one son, Ralph Hunt Walker. Mr. Hunt is of English parentage, his father Thomas C. Hunt, having been born in England came to America when eighteen years of age. He settled in Oneida county and for years followed the trade of blacksmith but later engaged in farming. He met his death in a railroad accident at Wesley ville. Pa., in 1866.

Benjamin E. Jones, Biography

BENJAMIN E. JONES, — Postmaster of Nunda, was born in the town of Portage, November 5, 1875, and received his education at the Nunda High school. In the fall of 1891 Mr. Jones was appointed deputy postmaster under H. C. Ellwood, republican, and also served under C. J. Swain, democrat, until 1899, when he received the appointment of postmaster, which office he still holds. Mr. Jones is a republican in politics and has always been keenly alive to the interests of that party and has been more or less identified with the party in the local field. As postmaster he fills the requirements and performs the duties to the entire satisfaction of the community. He is a Master Mason, being a member of Keshequa Lodge, F. & A. M. No. 299 and the Nunda Lodge K. O. T. M. His marriage with Minnie Crotser, of Scottsburg, took place in July, 1898.

Richard M. Jones, Biography

RICHARD M. JONES, — A prominent and prosperous agriculturist of the town of Geneseo, was burn at Springwater, March 13, 1836. His father who also bore the name of Richard, was a native of New Hampshire. He learned the trade of clock making; and upon reaching his majority left his home in Pittsford, N. H., and came to New York state, locating in Ontario county, where he conducted a foundry and also worked at his trade. He married Lucy A. Hickock daughter of William Hickock, of Ontario county. She was born in West Bloomfield and became the mother of twelve children, all of whom lived to maturity — Joseph, Carlos, Lucinda, John H., Caroline, Catherine. Myron R., Richard M., Henry C, Emily, James S. and Lucy. The mother died in 1890 at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Jones removed to Springwater, Livingston county, shortly after his marriage and there resided and worked at his trade until his death in 1846.

Richard M. Jones was but ten years of age when his father died and the family, being in straightened circumstances, he was obliged to seek employment to aid in their suppurt. He worked by the month for neighboring farmers until the outbreak of the civil war, when following the first call for volunteers he enlisted in Company A, Third New York Cavalry This was the first volunteer company of cavalry mustered in the United States service. Mr. Jones was with the Union Army during the three years course of the war, and his company engaged in nearly all the notable campaigns and battles during that trying period. He was once wounded by a ball which grazed his forehead, and twice had his horse shot from under bim. He was honorably discharged at Jones Landing on the James river, July 17. 1864. He returned home and for a time worked land on shares and afterward rented one of the Wadsworth farms, for nearly twelve years. In 1884 he purchased the farm he now owns, situated two miles east of the village of Geneseo, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of rich, productive land. In 1865 he married Amanda A. Jennings, daughter of John Jennings of Springwater. They have two children, Caroline E., and Richard. Mr. Jones is a member of A. A. Curtis Post No. 392 Grand Army of the Republic, of whicti he has been commander. A Republican in politics, Mr. Jones has served his town in various capacities and was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1894.

Mrs. Margaret Maloy Keisler, Biography

MRS. MARGARET MALOY KEISLER,— Of the Keisler House, Caledonia, is a native of Caledonia. In December, 1875, she was united in marriage with Joseph H. Keisler, at St. Mary's church, Scottsville. N. Y. They purchased the Hotel Lakeville, one of the leading hotels of Lakeville, and conducted that hostelry until 1880, when they removed to Caledonia and for two years ran the New Palmer House at that place. They then purchased the Moss Hotel which they conducted until it was destroyed by fire February 6, 1891, when they erected the fine brick structure which they occupied as a hotel and named it the Keisler House. This is the leading hotel in Caledonia and is justly entitled to that distinction. It is nicely and tastily furnished throughout, has all modern conveniences, is kept scrupulously neat and clean and the table service is of the best. Mrs. Keisler has one daughter, Frances, a teacher in the village schools.

John C. Maloy, until recently manager of the Hotel Keisler, was born at Caledonia, December 20, 1865, His education was obtained in the schools of that place and the State Normal school, from which he graduated in 1888. He taught one term in the Caledonia schools and accepted a posiiiun in a railroad office at Denver, Col., where he remained five years. In 1893 he returned to Caledonia and took the management of the Keisler House. He is a prominent member of the order of Red Men. the Big Spring Hook and Ladder Company, and the C. R. and B. A. April 1, 1904, the Keisler House property was sold to John McMurray, a well known farmer of Caledonia, who is now conducting it in a manner entirely satisfactory to its many patrons.

Charles J. Kelly, Biography

CHARLES J. KELLY, — Attorney, of Mount Morris, was born at that place June 24, 1879. His education ^thus far has been confined to the public schools of that village, from which he graduated in 1896. He then entered the office of C. W. Gamble and began the study of law, remaining with Mr. Gamble until March, 1902, when he opened offices and began the practice of his profession. Success attended him frum the beginning, as in the short time he has been practicing he has handled several important cases. With a natural aptitude for the legal profession Mr. Kelly seems gifted and in every way qualified to become a successful participator in many a hard fought legal battle.

Peter W. Kershner, Biography

PETER W. KERSHNER, — The well known representative for Belden & Co., wholesale grain dealers, has been a resident of Dansville since 1854, at which time he came with his parents from Wayland. His father, Philip Kershner, was a prominent and successful farmer having inherited energy and thrift peculiar to the early Dutch settlers. His father, the grandfather of our subject, came from Pennsylvania in the early part of the past century and settled in the town of Wayland, Steuben county, where he cleared his farm and raised a family of children to maturity. Peter W. Kershner was born in Wayland, April 12, 1849. He received a common school education at Dansville and assisted his father on the farm until 1889 when he embarked in the grocery business which he conducted two years and in 1891 entered the employ of Belden Sc Co., as manager of the Dansville branch of their establishment and occupies that position today. Mr. Kershner is a member of the Dansville Lodge of Masons, the K. O. T. M., and the Order of Red Men. He has been thrice married, his first marriage occurring in 1874 with Louisa Engert, of Dansville. They had two children, Anna E.. a graduate of the State Normal school, has for the past three years held the position of preceptress in the Bolivar, N. Y. High School. Bessie died in infancy. Mrs. Kershner died March 31, 1885. He took for his second wife Frances C. Kershner, who died September 18, 1897. His present wife was Miss Mary Kriley, formerly of Dansville, but at the time of marriage residing at Bolivar, N. Y.

Rev. Josiah Edwards Kittredge, Biography

REV. JOSIAH EDWARDS KITTREDGE, D. D.,— Pastor of the Presbyterian church of Geneseu, N. Y. is descended from a long line of worthy ancestors, who have added lustre to the history of New England. According to the early traditions of the family, John Kittredge, a shipmaster, came to America from Suffolk County, England, and received in 1660 a grant of land in old Billerica, Massachusetts. He married Mary Littlefield. A son John, was born in 1666. The next in line was Solomon Kittredge, who lived, first in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and afterwards at Mount Vernon, New Hampshire. His wife was Tabitha Ingalls. Their son Josiah, married Mary Baker, and there was born to them a son also named Josiah. The last became in his day a prominent physician and surgeon, and served as president of the New Hampshire State Medical Society. He practiced medicine from 1817 to 1833 in Pembroke, N. H., from 1833 to 1838 in Boston, Mass., then for a year was located at Concord, N. H., and for the seventeen following years at Nashua, N. H. He resided four years in South Hadley, Mass., and eight years in Mont Clair, N. J. In 1869 he made his home with his son in Glastonbury, Conn., where he died in 1872.

His son, the Rev. Josiah E. Kittredge was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 12th day of October, 1836. He was the youngest in a family of four children, two daughters and two sons, the brother, Dr. Charles S. Kittredge, a physician still living and practicing his profession at Berkely, California. His preparatory studies were pursued at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, New Hampshire and at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts. In 1860 he was graduated from Yale College in the same class with Professor O. C. Marsh of Yale, Judge Marcus P. Knowlton of Massachusetts, the Rev. Dr. Charles H. Richards of Philadelphia, the late Hon. William W. Phelps and others equally eminent in their several professions. After teaching for a year as principal of a classical school for boys, at Munt Clair, New Jersey, he commenced the study ot theology, spending a year in the Union Seminary in New York city, and two years at Andover Massachusetts, where he was graduated in 1864. A third year he remained at Andover as a resident licentiate. He visited Europe in 1866 for the purpose of regaining his health. Two years he traveled and studied. His tour through Egypt and Palestine laid the foundation of those archaeological studies, in which he has since taken so deep an interest. Language and philosophy occupied him for a year in Paris and Heidelburg. He returned to his native land in 1868, and settled at Glastonbury, Connecticut, as pastor of the Congregational Church of that place. His pastorate continued nearly five years. In 1871 he married Miss Emma McNair, daughter of Robert and Amelia (Warner) McNair of "Elmwood," Groveland. Four children constitute their family, Robert Josiah, Charles Firenze. William McNair and Mary Emma Kittredge. The first named is a graduate of Cornell class of '96 and is instructor in mathematics and physics in Schenectady. The second is also a Cornell graduate, class of '97, and of Auburn Theological seminary class of 1900. and is now pastor of the Presbyterian church in Knoxboro, N. Y. The third, a graduate of Williams College, 1901, is at present a student in Ambrose Theological Seminary. The daughter is a graduate from the Geneseo State Normal School and is now a student in Mount Holyoke College.

On the 18th of April 1877, Dr. Kittredge became pastor of one of the two Presbyterian churches at Geneseo. The old church had become divided in 1858 on the old and the new school lines and two churches were formed. In 1880, after a separation of twenty one years, they were united under the pastorate of Dr. Kittredge. and a beautiful new building of brick, with stone trimmings, was erected at a cost of $40,000 in 1881. Dr. Kittredge has travelled much in the old world and is very familiar with Palestine and the lands of the east. In July, 1873, he went for the second time to Europe remaining three years, having charge of the American Chapel in Berlin, the winter of 1873-4, and for two years was the pastor of the American Union Church in Florence, Italy. On his first visit in 1866 he organized the, first Sabbath School in connection with the American Chapel in Paris. The second visit to Rome in 1874 was a sharp contrast to that of 1866. On this visit he was able to preach the gospel in that city freely and unmolested, a far different experience from that which was his in the earlier year. He returned to the United States in 1876. A vacation excursion for seventy days in the summer of 1896. conducting a pleasant party of sixteen friends, gave him his latest vision of the scenes of the Old World. His familiarity with Bible lands and his intellectual industry has resulted in his becoming an enthusiastic student of Biblical archaeology, and it is stated that his collection of papers, etc, relating to researches in Egypt and the East is among the finest in any private library in Western New York. He is a member of the London Society of Biblical Archeology, is an associate of the Victoria Institute, and is local secretary of the Egyptian Exploration Fund. He has published a "Year Book of Sermon and Golden Texts'' for young people, and is now at work upon a memorial volume of Rev. Dr. James Marshall,late president of Coe College, Iowa, soon to be issued. He has delivered many lectures and addresses. In this country he is secretary of the Chautauqua Archaelogical Department, and at the time of its inception delivered an address called "Biblical History, in the Light of Modern Research.'' This effort was pronounced by Amelia B. Edwards, in her Review in the London Academy, to be in "Breadth, brilliancy, accuracy, and incisive brevity," on a par with the lectures of M, Alexander Bertrand, the French Archaeologist. His library numbers about 2,500 volumes, containing books on archaeology, biography, history and literary topics.

William W. Killip, Biography

WILLIAM W. KILLIP — A Manxman by birth, has for more than fifty years been a prominent citizen of Geneseo, N. Y. He was born on the Isle of Man in June, 1826. His father. John Killip, inherited the ancestral estates in the parish oi' Ballaugh, in the northern part of the island. He was a man of much influence in the parish, highly educated and the fifth John Killip to inherit the property. He died in April, 1844. Soon after his death William W., the third son, came' to the United States and was for some time employed in a clothing store in Rochester. In September, 1851, he removed to Geneseo, where he now resides. While in Rochester he attained considerable prominence as a musician, being a fine singer and a skillful player of many musical instruments. For a number of years he conducted the music in St. Paul's church in Rochester, where in 1851 he established a choir of boys, which is believed to have been the introduction of boy choirs in America. Upon his arrival in Geneseo he was put in charge of the music at St. Michael's and was organist and conductor of that choir for nearly forty years. In 1859 he founded a Normal music school in Geneseo, of which he became the principal. During the winter, when the school had no session, he conducted musical conventions of a high order throughout the country, which gained for him considerable notoriety among lovers of the art. In 1871 he was appointed by General Grant postmaster of Geneseo, and the same year was made manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, which office he still retains. He held the office of postmaster until 1883. Mr. Killip has been unanimously elected each year since 1895 treasurer of ihe village of Geneseo. He has served as overseer of the poor continuously since 1881, and for twenty years has acted as special agent of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He has served as town assessor, village trustee and member of the Board of Health, and he has also been commissioner of the United States Deposit Fund for Livingston county. He has been treasurer of the Masonic Lodge of Geneseo continuously since 1889. He is a warden of the Episcopal church and is the financial agent of its offerings. For a number of years he has represented the church in the annual Diocese of Western New York and was elected as an alternate delegate to the General Council of the church at Washington, D. C., a few years ago. Mr. Killip attended as alternate delegate the first national convention ever held by the republican party, which took place in Philadelphia in 1856. In 1902 he was appointed by Governor Odell as representative of Livingston county to the McKinley National Monument Association. In 1850 Mr. Killip married Mary Morrison, daughter of John Morrison, of Rochester. She died in 1888 leaving two daughters. Mary E. was the wife of W. K. Walker, of Lansing, Mich,, and died in that city in June 1893. Mrs. Walker was an accomplished musician and the first teacher of the piano forte in the Geneseu Normal school. The other daughter, Carrie J., is living with her father. A son, Horace Shepard, died in 1869, aged twelve. A daughter died in infancy in 1853. Mr. Killip, although past the allotted span of life, carries his years with the sturdy strength and independence which has been his characteristic through life; and while in a measure leading a retired life, he still personally attends to his varied interests and remains the leading spirit in musical circles in Geneseo.

A. J. King, Biography

A. J. KING, — A well-known and prosperous merchant of Moscow, New York, was born in Cayuga county, October 31, 1850. He received an education at the Perry academy. For a number of years after reaching his majority he was engaged in farming near the village of Nunda on the State road. He came to Moscow in 1885 and opened a hardware store which proved a profitable venture and three years thereafter he purchased ground and erected a commodious structure which he has since occupied. The late A. S. Eddy, his partner, purchased an interest in the business in 1895, since which time the firm name has been King and Eddy. Mr. King has always been a staunch supporter of the Republican party. He has held the office of town clerk two years and has served as town assessor. Public spirited and progressive, Mr. King has done much in a quiet, unobtrusive manner towards the betterment of the town of Leicester and the village of Moscow. His marriage to Mary E. Boisford, daughter of Eli Botsford, an old Livingston county settler, occurred in 1871. They have one daughter, Minnie E., who married Arthur Wheelock, of Leicester. Eli Botsford married Melvina Bolton, daughter of James H. Bolton, a well-known and prominent politician of an early day.

Isaac B. Knapp, Biography

ISAAC B. KNAPP,— Who holds the responsible office of sheriff of Livingston county, was born and has always lived in the town of Ossian. Joel I. Knapp, his grandfather, was a native of New England, and came with his family to Livingston county in 1814, locating in Ossian, where he purchased a tract of forest land. The log house he erected at that time served as their home for many years and in it were born nearly all of their ten children. A frame building later took the place of the log structure as a home but the latter building was not destroyed and is still standing. Their son, Harvey W. Knapp, the father of Isaac, followed agricultural pursuits all his life. When twenty-one years of age he began working by the month for Isaac Burrell, who later became his father-in-law. Mr. Knapp finally purchased a farm and was for some years engaged in the lumber business. His wife, Elizabeth Burrell, was one of eight children of Isaac Burrell, an early settler of Ossian who was a lumberman and owned and operated a saw mill as well as being a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp reared a family of three children: Mary Elizabeth, Margaret J., died in 1860, and Isaac B. Harvey W. Knapp was born March 12, 1812, and died March 5, 1895. His wife, who was born August 13, 1825, still survives him.

Isaac B. Knapp was born January 6, 1861. He attended the district school as a boy and remained on the home farm until his marriage with Inez M. Hess, which took place February 1, 1881. Inez was born in Wayland, N. Y., and was one of five children of Alfred Hess, a native of Steuben county. Her grandfather was a prominent business man of Perkinsville and later became a resident of Dansville. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Knapp; Harvey S., married Emma J. VanMiddlesworth June 17, 1903. She is a daughter of Harrison Van Middlesworth, a substantial farmer and ex-superivsor of the town of Sparta. Eva married Henry Fries, of Ossian, June 25, 1892. Nora, Margaret, Dwight and Inez. Mr. Knapp is a loyal republican and for a number of years has been prominent in the politics of the county. He has held various public offices, having served four years as Justice of the Peace and in 1894 was elected supervisor of the town of Ossian, which office he held four years. In the fall of 1903 he was elected by a good majority to the office of sheriff of the county and is proving a most able and efficient official.

William Kramer, Biography

WILLIAM KRAMER, — One of Dansville's progressive and public spirited citizens, is a native of Germany, Gettresbach, province of Hessen Darmstadt, being the place of his birth, and July 31, 1842 being the date. Bernard Kramer, his father, learned the trade of cooper, which he followed in his native country until 1847 v/hen he came to America bringing his eldest son, Adam with him. He settled for a time in Dansville where he worked at his trade until 1849 when he and his son went to New Orleans, and while there his sight became impaired and he returned to his family in Germany. In 1856 after recovering his sight he returned with his wife and children to Dansville where he followed his trade till the time of his death in April, 1872, at the age of seventy-two. His wife whose maiden name was Eva Elizabeth Freidel was a native of Germany and died in Dansville, aged seventy three. They had five children, as follows: Adam who died in California in 1858; Catherine, who married Louis Hess, of Ottawa, 111; Fred, George and William.

William Kramer came to Dansville at fourteen years of age and soon secured employment, first as clerk in a grocery store and later in a clothing store. In 1862, filled with patriotism and a strong desire to assist in the protection of his adopted country's honor he enlisted in Company K 130th Regiment New York Infantry. This regiment in the fall of 1863 was mounted and united with the cavalry forces of the Potomac and thereafter known as the First New York Dragoons. Mr. Kramer was promoted to Corporal in 1862, to sergeant in 1863, and to sergeant-major in 1865. He was wounded the 10th of May, 1864, by a minnie ball at Beaver Dam Station, Va., which necessitated his confinement in a hospital for six weeks. At the close of the war he received his discharge at Cloud's Mills, Va. in July, 1865. He then returned tu Dansville and accepted a position as clerk in a clothing store, where he remained until 1872, when he formed a co-partnership with his brother Fred and established a clothing business in the Krein block under the name of Kramer Bros. William Kramer purchased his brother's interest in the business in 1886 and continued alone until 1893 when he admitted his son Fred as a partner, the firm name being WiLiam Kramer and Son. Mr. Kramer married Margaret Hnber, of Dansville, and their family consists of six children, four of whom are living: Mary E. who married Edward C. Schwingel of Buffalo, N. Y.: Fred L.,CarlB., and Florine. William died at the age of eighteen and a twin sister at the age of three months. Mr. Kramer is a member of the Masons Lodge and Chapter, and the Odd Fellows. He has been commander of Seth N. Hedges Post G. A. R., and officer of the day. For several years he has been a member of the Board of Education and has served his village, town and county in various capacities from corporation clerk to supervisor. He is president of the Merchants and Farmers* National Bank of Dansville.

Joseph D. Lewis Biography

JOSEPH D. LEWIS, — In the city of Philadelphia in the year 1793, Samuel Lewis first saw the light of day. As a boy he worked at the stone and brick mason's trade and became a skilled mechanic. In the year 1818, having become dissatisfied with city life, he turned his face westward, and having traveled over a large portion of Western New York, he decided on Livingston county and purchased a tract of land in the town of York, where he built a log cabin and prepared a home for his family. In connection with his farm work he worked at his trade for over thirty years. Many of the stone and brick buildings in this vicinity were built by him, notably the south part of the Big Tree Inn, which he built in 1825. In looking over his old accounts, it is interesting to note that he received one dollar a day for his labor, a day's work being from sunrise to sunset.

He raised a family of twelve children, only one of whom, Joseph D., is now living. The eldest son, Samuel, was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. The youngest son, Henry Hobart, at the age of nineteen, purchased his time of his father and started with a number of others for California, reaching there after many hardships, and located at Sacramento. He remained there several years and amassed a considerable fortune, but lost a large portion of it by a fiood in the Sacramento river and decided to return to the land of his birth. He took passage on a vessel and was within a week's sailing of New York when he was stricken with a fever and died, being buried at sea.

Joseph D., the only surviving son, was born at York, April 13, 1833, and worked on his father's farm until 1854, when he engaged in buying and selling wool. In 1855, in connection with his wool business, he engaged with F. L, W. Mansfield in the manufacture of woolen goods at Cohoes. Albany county, remaining with him five years. In 1860 Mr. Lewis removed to Geneseo and has since devoted his time to the wool business in that vicinity. In 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jane Donnan, of York. Mr. Lewis has ever taken a great interest in the history of his country and has a very large collection of curios and Indian implements and weapons.

Emme Light Biography

EMME LIGHT, — A native of Canada, was born at St. Edward, Lower Canada, November 28, 1847. His education was obtained at the district schools of the neighborhood, which he attended during the winter months, and in the summer season assisted his father in the care and management of the farm. In 1861, when fourteen years of age, he went to Plattsburg, N. Y., and during the three years following worked for J. W. Bailey, a large nurseryman of that place. He then for a time worked in a saw mill in Plattsburgh, then took up the milling trade and eighteen months later secured a position as miller with the Boston Mill at Rochester, N. Y., where he remained a number of years. He was employed at other mills in Rochester until 1874, when he came to Livingston county. He first located at Hemlock Lake, where he leased mill property and operated a grist mill until 1879, then came to Avon and purchased the site of the mill formerly owned and operated by Griffin and Dobney, located about three miles south of Avon village. This mill had shortly before been destroyed by fire. He erected upon this site the present structure which is fully equipped with modern mill machinery of every description. In 1897 he opened a salesroom in the village of Avon, which he operates in connection with the mill. In addition to flour, feed and grain he also handles seeds and some produce. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Adeline Caswell, of Rochester, N. Y., and their family consists of John B., now superintendent of the mill, who married Jennie Harrington, of Rochester, N. Y., and has three children; Fannie, married Dennis Davin, a merchant of Avon, and they have two children; William, unmarried, is employed in the mill, as is also Frank, the next younger; and Addie and Harry are attending school in Avon. Mr. Light is essentially a self-made man and a prosperous merchant. His early life, spent in hard unrequited toil on his father's farm, imbued within him the elements of industry which with natural thrift and an intelligent management of his business interests, has placed him among the leading business men of this vicinity.

Martin F. Linsley Biography

MARTIN F. LINSLEY, — A prominent farmer near Livonia Center, N. Y., was born in the tov^^n of Livonia, N. Y., August 5. 1842. His education was obtained in the district schools of the neighborhood and his early life was passed on his father's farm. In 1867 he was united in marriage with Fannie Perigo of Livonia, and they have had four children three of whom are living. May married John Spoor and now resides at Rondout, 111. They have three children. Arthur, deceased, Claude married Ina Patterson and lives in Livonia, and DeForest is unmarried and is employed in the railroad office at Niagara Falls. Mr. Linsley about the time of his marriage purchased the farm on which he now resides of Clark Burdick. This farm was formerly the Joseph Linsley farm and has been in the possession of the Linsley family about one hundred years with the exception of the twenty-five years it was owned by Burdick. In 1879 Mr. Linsley was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of sheriff of Livingston county and had the distinction of being the first democrat elected to that office, and the last man condemned to death by hanging in this county was executed during his administration. Mr. Linsley has twice held the office of supervisor of the town of Livonia and for three years served as Highway commissioner. Soon after the expiration of his term as sheriff Mr. Linsley was kicked by a horse and as a result suffered the amputation of his left leg, but notwithstanding this disaster he has always personally looked after every detail in the management of his property interests, and his farm is today thriving, well-kept and productive. The residence, a handsome modern building, set in a grove of trees on the west side of the road, and the commodious farm buildings opposite, all situated on an eminence overlooking a wide stretch of fertile country make of this place a model country home.

James E. Lockington Biography

JAMES E. LOCKINGTON, — A successful cigar manufacturer and wholesale tobacco dealer, of Lima, N.Y,, was born in that village September 4, 1854. After obtaining an education in the common school he engaged with D. E. Walker, a cigar maker of Lima, as an apprentice and remained with him a number of years. In 1877 he purchased the cigar manufacturing business, then owned and conducted by A. Crandall and Company, to which in later years he added the wholesaling of tobacco, and has since managed the business with a degree of efficiency and force that placed it at once upon a solid financial footing and resulted in an enlargement of his field of operations and consequent increase of trade. His goods may now be found in the leading establishments of Livingston and adjoining counties. In politics, Mr. Lockington is a democrat and has devoted considerable of his time and talents in an able performance of the duties of the various offices to which he has been elected. He was twice elected to the office of Supervisor of the town of Lima, for two terms he served as sheriff's deputy, and for five years he has held the office of town collector.

Charles S. Lynde Biography

CHARLES S. LYNDE, — A prominent hardware merchant of Dalton. was born at Machias, Cattaraugus county, November 4, 1844. At the opening of the civil war and when only seventeen years of age he enlisted in Company D, 105th Infantry. His company was stationed at Washington. His term of enlistment being for one year he re-enlisted and became a member of Company M, Second New York Mounted Rifles. This company was in active service at the front from the beginning of the struggle with the Southern forces until Lee's surrender at the close of the war. Soon after the date of his enlistment in this couipany they formed a part of the army under General Sheridan and participated in many notable battles, among which were the battles of Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor. North Anna, the Siege of Petersburg, both battles of Hatch's Run, Dinwiddie Court House. Five Forks, Farmville, Jetersville, and took a decisive part in the last engagement resulting in the surrender of Lee. During the battle of Dinwiddie Court House, Mr. Lynde was taken prisoner, but was released by the Union soldiers, the victors in the battle, after a brief captivity of one-half hour. He received his discharge at Petersburg, Va., August 10, 1865. He then returned to Machias and took up the study of dentistry and afterwards conducted an office in Machias and Franklinville. He then went west, and the year following he spsnt in travel through the western states, finally locating at Aurora, 111., where he conducted a hotel for some time. He also at a later date ran hotels at Jackson and Ionia, Mich., leaving the latter place in 1877. He came to Dalton and engaged in the hardware business with his brother James, with whom he remained until 1896, when his health failing, he sold his interest to his brother and in 1902 he again became the owner, this time the sole owner, of the business which he is now very successfully conducting. Mr. Lynde's marriage to Jennie Crane of Ionia, Mich., took place October 1, 1877, and they have had five children, as follows: Mamie E. A., now in the senior class at the State Normal school of Geneseo; Jennie, who was a twin to Mamie, died when two years of age; E. Maude, a teacher near Dalton; John A., who assists his father in the store, and Blanche attends the Dalton school. Mr. Lynde has for man)' years taken a prominent part in local politics and in 1885 was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of Supervisor and during the second year was chairman of the board. He was one of the organizers of the Dalton G. A. R., was its commander for six consecutive terms, and was at the head of the committee appointed to secure their new hall. He has been a trustee in the Dalton Methodist church for nine years. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his community. Thoroughly public spirited and with an unwavering confidence in the prosperity of the village of Dalton, Mr. Lynde has at various times headed movements for the erection of modern buildings of a public nature. He was largely instrumental in bringing about the erection of the new Methodist church and was one of the leading spirits that gave to Dalton the new public school building it so much needed.

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