Chili New York Family Sketches

Transcribed by Jeffrey Tooley

Chili New York Family Sketches extracted from Landmarks of Monroe County, by William Farley Peck, Boston History Company, 1895.

Allen, Lucia, Miss.

Miss. Lucia Allen, — The earliest permanent settlers in Monroe county east of the Genesee River were the Sheffer family. Peter Sheft'er, sr. . was a native of Germany and came to America with his family in 1771, settling in Pennsylvania. In July, 1789, they came to Bloomlield, Ontario county, where he purchased 1,200 acres of land. This he apportioned between his three daughters, and in December of the same year, with his two sons, Peter and Jacob, he located on the west side of the Genesee River, where Peter vSheffer, jr., purchased a tract of 470 acres of Ebenezer Allen, known as Indian Allen. Here the ShefTers continued to live until 1797, when a frame dwelling was erected, being the first one beyond the river. In 1790 Peter jr., married Elizabeth Schoonover, whose father had settled south of Scottsville that same year. Jacob Sheffer died in 1795. To Peter and Elizabeth Sheffer were born eleven children. Peter and Jacob Sheffer brought apple seeds from Pennsylvania and planted the first orchard on that side of the river in 1799. Peter Sheffer, jr., built a grist mill on Allen's Creek in 1811. He was a man of thrift and enterprise and became one of the wealthiest men of his time. He served as justice of the peace and held other important offices. He died September 21, 1851. His children were Peter, Levi, Daniel, George, Loren, Jacob, Roswell, Elizabeth, Nancy, Esther and Maria. All but Jacob and Elizabeth reached maturity, and settled in the towns of Wheatland and Chili, where many of their descendants still reside.

Carpenter, Lewis B.

Lewis B. Carpenter, was born in Chili, December 8, 1850, son of John H., who was a native of Vermont and came to Monroe county in 1830, settling at Pittsfcird. He afterwards came to Chili and engaged in farming, purchasing 150 acres on the banks of the Genesee River. John H. held numerous town offices, justice of the peace, town clerk, etc. He married, first, Mary Knapp, by whom he had one son, Lewis. Lewis Carpenter is among the prominent farmers of Chili. He was supervisor from 1888 to 1891. He was also assessor for a number of years. He is a member of the County Democratic Conmiittee and chairman of the town Democratic Comtnittee He is also a member of the F. & A. M. Yonondio Lodge 103 of Rochester, and a Knight Templar. Mr. Carpenter married, first, Emily Worcester, by whom he had two children: John H. and Mary E. He afterwards married Libbie Trott, by whom he has one son, Lewis B.

Hubbard, Richard P.

Richard P. Hubbard, is descended from the good old Revolutionary stock and was born in Salisbury, Conn., July 25, 1813, son of Josiah, whose father, Josiah Hubbard, was a sea captain. The father of Richard P. married Sarah, daughter of Elijah Stanton, who was a Revolutionary soldier and one of Washington's aides. Richard P. came to Chili in 1838, where, with the exception of a short time spent in Ontario county, he has since lived. Coming to Chili empty handed, he worked for a time on a farm, but soon purchased a small farm and started out for himself. By reason of his thrift and sound judgment he steadily gained headway and was soon counted among the leading farmers of the town. In 1864 he purchased the Whitmore farm at North Chili of 355 acres, long known as one of the finest farms in Western New York. Mr. Hubbard was for many years an auctioneer of exceptional ability. He was for nine years a director of the Monroe County Agricultural Association. January 13, 1842, he married Louisa E., daughter of William Wooden, one of the prominent pioneer men of Chili. She died June 11, 1895. His son, Richard P. Hubbard, jr., is a prominent citizen of Chili.

Humphrey, W. S.

W. S. Humphrey — Prominent among the physicians of the past in the town of Chili was Dr. David Starkey, who was born in the town of Guilford, Chenango count}', N. Y., March 28, 1812, and was a son of John Starkey, who came from England. Dr. Starkey was educated at Fairfield College, New York, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Western New York, at Geneva, receiving his diploma in 1835. He first located in Stafford, N. Y., but in 1837 he settled in Clifton, where he had an extensive practice. A few years later he purchased a large farm in the southern part of the town, where he died in 1886. For over forty years he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession, enjoying an extensive and profitable practice. During the last years of his life he gave his attention to agricultural and horticultural pursuits. Dr. Starkey was a prominent member of the Clifton Baptist church and was also a member of. the Monroe County Medical Society. He served four years as supervisor of the town of Chili. Dr. Starkey was twice married, his first wife being Caroline Whiting. He afterward married Almira II. Humphrey, who survives him.