New Horizons Genealogy

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Erwin New York Family Sketches

Transcribed by Lynn Tooley


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Erwin New York Family Sketches extracted from Landmarks of Steuben County, by Hon. Harlo Hakes, 1896.


Badger, Herbert L.

Herbert L. Badger, son of Harvey P. and Louisa P. Badger, was born in Painted Post, and married Francis Tuell, of Penn Yan, and they have three sons: Arthur, Fred and Allan. Mr. Badger has a farm of fifty acres on which he raises fruit, grain, and tobacco. He has held the office of inspector of election for many years. He enlisted in the 20th New York Battery, in 1864, and served until the close of the war. He was in the detached service at Elmira under Col. Tracy. He is now commander of the G. A. R. Post, No. 611.


Campbell, George W. Family Sketch

Campbell, George W., was born in the town of Campbell, August 2, 1818, son of Archibald Campbell, one of the first settlers of that town, which was named after his family. George W. settled in the town of Erwin in 1885, and married Elizabeth Burrill, and they have three children: Sarah Louise, of Painted Post; Solomon A., of Oneida, Madison county, and Archibald W., of Elkland, Pa. Mr. Campbell has been supervisor of the town of Erwin for five years, and held that office in the town of Campbell four years during the war. He has been county superintendent of the poor of Steuben county for three years.


Cooper, John E. Family Sketch

Cooper, John E., was born on the farm where he now resides, September 27, 1852, son of Charles J., and grandson of Dr. John Cooper. John E. Cooper married Mary Friesleder, and they have three children: Hippolyt, John, jr., andMary. Mr. Cooperis a farmer, having a farm which consists of 140 acres, and has been assessor of the town of Erwin.


Erwin, Francis Family Sketch

Erwin, Francis, was born in Erwin in 1834, is a son of Gen. Francis E. Erwin, who was born on the farm now owned by Francis. General Erwin was a grandson of Col. Arthur Erwin, who was the first owner of this town. Francis married a daughter of Bradford Campbell, and granddaughter of Archibald, and they have two children: Sophia H., and Arthur B. Mr. Erwin has held the office of town clerk, was supervisor seven years, and justice sixteen years.


Erwin W. Scott Family Sketch

Erwin W. Scott, was born on the farm where he now resides, which consists of four hundred and thirty-five acres, son of Arthur H., grandson of Samuel, and great-grandson of Arthur Erwin, the first owner of this town. Arthur H. was the father of the following children: Mary, Eugene H., Emily, Virginia, Lizzie, Clinton, Anna, Arthur H. jr., who is the present owner of the old homestead.


Gavigan, Edward Family Sketch

Gavigan, Edward, was born in Ireland in 1830, came to this country in 1849, settled in Corning in 1853, and on the farm where he now resides in 1854. He married Bridget Tinnelsella, and they have four children living: John J., Margaret M., Elizabeth A., and Catherine B. Mr. Gavigan is the owner of a farm of 100 acres, making specialties of tobacco, grain, and dary products.


Goff, Robert H. Family Sketch

Goff, Robert H., is a resident of New York city but his summer home has been in Painted Post for the past twenty-one years. He married Mary C., daughter of Freeman Campbell, by whom he had these children: Charles C., Clarence (deceased), Adele, Freeman C., Robert H., jr., and Wallace C. Mr. Goff has been senior warden of the Church of the Holy Apostles of New York for more than twenty years. In early life he was interested in the mercantile business and was of the firm of Wagstaff & Goff. He has a farm of 1,000 acres in Tuscarora, near Addison, and also owns the Erwin homestead, where he now resides. He is also interested in the real estate business.


Goodsell, Isaac P. Family Sketch

Goodsell, Isaac P., was born in Susquehanna county, Pa., May 11, 1818, son of Isaac and Anna Goodsell. Isaac was a son of Jacob, who settled in Hornby, then a part of Painted Post, about 1816. Jacob’s children were Betsey, Daniel W., Lucena, Isaac, Sally, Samuel P., Patience, Henry L., John G., Truman, Mary and Ira. Isaac’s children were Lewis H., Huldah Ann, Eunice F., Isaac P., Hannah, Sarah and Mary (twins), and Sherman J., who became a Baptist minister and died in early life. Isaac P. married Christiana, daughter of Deacon Jacob Woodward, by whom he had five children: Byron W., Jacob L., Ella E., Dimis H., Normah O. Mr. Goodsell has been postmaster for a number of years, justice of the peace, commissioner, and held other offices. By trade he is a blacksmith, but followed farming until his health failed. He settled in the village of Painted Post where he conducted a business in agricultural machinery, hardware, etc., for a few years, building some houses and attending to his farming interests. He was for thirty years an active member of the Baptist church, conducting many Sabbath schools and doing much other religious work. He has been for twenty-two years an official member of the M. E. church. A practical total abstinence man his entire life, and doing work in all the various temperance orders'-; he had been a radical Republican from the organization of the party, and before that a Democrat. He has endeavored to pursue an industrious, temperate and religious life, and has secured a competence for the responsibilities of life, and is in the enjoyment of a happy, pleasant village home. The Goodsell family is of English descent, having settled in New England.


Gray, Andrew Family Sketch

Gray, Andrew, was born in Montgomery county in 1827, and settled in Steuben county in 1854. He is a son of James and Mary A. Gray, natives of Montgomery county, N. Y., who settled in Jefferson county, N. Y., in May, 1885. Mr. Gray died in April, 1879, ^.ged seventy-six years; and Mrs. Gray in 1871, aged sixty-four years. Andrew married Benjamina D. Taylor, and they have the following children living: Estella May, Mary G., and Douglas W. They have lost one son and two daughters: Alida E., who died in August, 1870, in her seventeenth year; Madgie, who died in April, 1880, in her eleventh year; and Frank E., who died in July, 1891, aged twentythree years.


Havens, James Family Sketch

Havens, James, was born in South Bradford, March 7, 1860 son of Lurenzo and Annie E. (Hallock) Havens. Lurenzo Havens came to the town of Bradford with his father, John F., about 1843. He was one of seven children: Lurenzo, James, Ann Eliza, Dewitt, Alonzo, George, and Lamenta. John F. was a stone mason bytrade and was also engaged in farming. He was justice of the peace fifteen years in Bradford. Lurenzo Havens had two children: James and Mina E. He followed farming until he came to Painted Post in 1867, when he engaged in butchering. James Havens married Mary J. Wheeler, now deceased. His second wife is Edith Gertrude. Stickler. Mr. Havens is a machinist by trade.


Minier, Thornton F. Family Sketch

Minier, Thornton F., was born in Bradford county, Pa., December 6, 1824, son of Gecrge and Susan Minier. George Minier was in the Wyoming massacre. His grandfather, Daniel Minier, was an officer in Sullivan’s army, and was in the battle of Newtown August, 1779. Thornton F. is a trusted employee of the Erie R. R. Co., and has been in continuous service since 1852, and has been agent at Painted Post since 1870. In early life he was in the mercantile business in Elmira, and later a clerk in a wholesale house in New York city. He is a cousin of T. L. Minier, who was general paymaster of the Erie Co. in 1850 and 1852, and who represented the district in the State Senate in 1870 and 1871. Thornton F. married May, daughter of Deacon John Watts, by whom he has one child, Mary Ida. Mr. Minier is a trustee of the school, and takes great interest in education. He delivered the historical oration at the dedication of the Indian Memorial Monument at Painted Post, June 21, 1894. He is a Mason.


Morse, Willard C. Family Sketch

Morse, Willard C., was born in Barrington, Yates county, N. Y., October 20, 1826, and settled in this county in November, 1844. He is a son of Dr. David Morse, who was a surgeon in the Revolutionary war, and a native of Woodstock, Conn., and married Hannah, daughter of Capt. Willard Child. Willard C. married Mary E. Cooper, and they have one son living, John Cooper Morse. They lost one daughter, Elizabeth E.


Orcutt, James D. Family Sketch

Orcutt, James D., senior partner of the drug firm of Orcutt & Loomis, was born in the town of Erwin. July 24, 1853. His father, Daniel Orcutt, established the drug business in Painted Post in the year 1856, and was doing a thriving business at the time of his death, under the name of D. Orcutt & Son. James D. continued the business after the death of his father, and in 1883 admitted Mr. Fred H. Loomis in partnership, since which time the 'firm has been known under the name Orcutt & Loomis. Since early manhood Mr. Orcutt has been identified with all the movements for the advance of the affairs of the town and village, holding from time to time various offices of honor and responsibility.


Orr, James C., jr. Family Sketch

Orr, James C., jr., was born in Chenango county, June 28, 1827, a son of James C. and Orena Orr, who settled in Tuscarora in 1833. Their children were James C., Calvin D., Sarah, Joseph, Oliver, and Nelson. James C., jr., married Adelia, daughter of Alpheus' C. Newman, who came to Woodhull in 1839, aijd engaged in farming and the clothing business. Mr. and Mrs. Orr had three children: Elmer N., Gertrude A., and Melvin W. Mr. Orr is an active political worker and has been supervisor, commissioner, and assessor in the town of Lindley. He is engaged in lumbering and farming. Melvin W. is a graduate of the Rochester Business College and Elmer of the Binghamton Business College.


Platt, Francis C. Family Sketch

Platt, Francis C., was born in the town of Erwin in 1866, son of C. F. Platt, who was born in Otsego county, N. Y., and settled in Erwin about 1845. Francis C. married Jennie, daughter of Henry P. Faulkner, January 7, 1895. Mr. Platt is owner of the Evans Farm dairy, the largest one in the valley.


Remington, Washington B. Family Sketch

Remington, Washington B., was born in Hornby, October 24, 1844, son of Jonathan and Rachel Hammond Remington, who came from Vermont to the town of Campbell in 1816. Jonathan was a son of Joseph Remington, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Remington’s father, Hansdale Hammond, married Lucy, a daughter of Colonel Mason, and in 1816 settled near Cooper’s. He was also a soldier in the Rebellion. Jonathan was a non-commissioned officer in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. J. Remington had the following children; Simeon, who died in 1856, Orinda, Jonathan, Emily, now deceased, Alvin, Owen, Frank, Hannah, Joseph, Albert, Simeon O., Washington B., all of whom are natives of the county. Washington B. attended the Painted Post Union School, and when sixteen years old clerked in a drug store for Daniel Orcutt. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. F, 9th N. Y. Vols. and was also connected with the 6th Army Corps. He was mustered out of service in 1865, when he commenced the study of medicine with his brother Frank, who was then practicing at Painted Post. He was graduated in 1871 from the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, and located at Painted Post, of which village he was president in 1894. He is actively engaged in church and educational interests. He married Emma E., a daughter of William and Mary Houghtaling, of Painted Post, who formerly lived in Caton, Steuben county. Washington B. is a member of Montour Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 168, and also of the I. O. R. M., of Painted Post.


Smith, Edward H. Family Sketch

Smith, Edward H., was born in Warren county, N. Y., son of Ezra B. and Eaura Smith. He married Ellen B., a daughter of Erastus Bronson, and settled at Painted Post in 1857. Have had two children, Carrie, wife of Fred Kingsbury of Corning, both now deceased, and Carl B. Smith, M.D., of Binghamton, N. Y. Edward H. was with Fox, Weston & Co., for twenty-five years. He is at present postmaster at Painted Post. Has been commissioner of highways of the town of Erwin eight years; member of the Board of Education twenty-one years; trustee of the Presbyterian church twenty years, and is at present an elder of the same.


Spoor, Fred C. Family Sketch

Spoor, Fred C., was born in Luzerne county, now Scranton, Pa., December 10, 1860, and a son of Leman L. and Abigail Robinson Spoor, who came from Pennsylvania and settled in the town of Bath in 1875. He then moved to Campbell and afterward to the town of Erwin in 1890. They were the parents of seven children: Henry W., Fred C., Carrie, wife of Frank Thompson, William L., Lila, wife of Frank Wilder, Annie and Mattie. Leman L. is a painter by trade. Fred C. married Ida T., a daughter of David and Mary Van Etten Dykeman, who settled in the town of Corning in 1853, and they have three children; Bernice, Gertrude May and Dorothy. Mr. Spoor has been connected with the Erie Railroad for the past fifteen years, twelve years in the capacity of conductor. He is a member of Montour Lodge, F. & A. M. No. 168, also I. O O. F., No. 613, and of the I. O. R. M., Al-wa-liee Tribe, No. 284. He was a charter member of the I. O. R. M. and I. O. O. F. He and his family are members of the Methodist church.


Tobias, James S. Family Sketch

Tobias, James S., was born in the town of Urbana, February 10, 1832, educated in the public schools and Bradford Academy, read law wdth Clark Bell, of Hammondsport, was admitted to the bar December 5, 1861, commenced practicing in Bradford, and settled at Painted Post April 1, 1867, where he has a successful business. Mr. Tobias has held the office of justice thirty-four years, twenty-eight in this town, and six in the town of Bradford.


Townsend, Frederick J. Family Sketch

Townsend, Frederick J., was born in the town of Erwin in 1850, and is a son of Edward E. and Nancy L. (Jerome) Townsend. Edward E. was a son of Edward and Eliza (Erwin) Townsend, born at Athens, Pa. Edward Townsend was born in Albany in 1799, son of Henry A. and Elizabeth (Moffet) Townsend. Henry A. moved to Bath and was senator and assemblyman from that district, also second and fourth county clerk in Steuben county. Eliza Townsend, oldest child of Capt. Samuel Erwin, came here with her father in 1803, when two years of age, from Easton, Pa., fourteen years after, Col. Arthur Erwin purchased the Erwin township. She came to this county on horseback, over 300 miles. Edward E. was station agent at Erwin for twelve years and was very active in getting the railroad station located at that point. He married Nancy L., daughter of Richard and Mary Jerome, who was born at Orient, Long Island, March 12, 1826. Immediately after their marriage in 1848 they took up their residence at what is now Erwin Station. In 1889 they moved to Painted Post, where they now reside. Their children were Fannie Jerome (deceased), Frederick Jerome, Mary Mulford (deceased), Arthur Erwin (who was killed by an Indian near Plano, Tulare county, Cal.), Eliza Erwin (deceased), Richard Jerome (deceased), Edward (deceased), and Annie Lawrence (who married Harry C. Hermans, of Corning). These children were all born on the farm near Erwin Station. Frederick J. Townsend and Viola E., a daughter of Samuel and Samantha C. (Jones) Rodman, who at that time was a resident of Plano, Cal., were married at Visalia, Cal., in 1876. They spent four years on the Pacific coast, then settled on a farm near Painted Post, where they now reside with their five children: Fannie Jerome, Clarence Elsworth, Mary Lawrence, Frederick Augustus, and Roy Rodman. One son, Arthur E., is deceased. Fannie J. was born at Plano, Cal. The others were born on the farm near Painted Post. The honor of unveiling the Indian monument at Painted Post June 21, 1894, fell to Fannie J. Townsend. Mr. Towesend is at present engaged in farming and is also interested in the manufacture and sale of an implement for stretching fence wire. He is a member of Montour Lodge. No. 168r F. & A. M.


Wakeman, Rev. Joel Family Sketch

Wakeman, Rev. Joel, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1809, educated at Franklin Academy and the Auburn Theological Seminary, and served as pastor at Almond for twenty-three years. He recruited 200 men for the army, and served as captain of Co. H, 180th Regiment, until discharged on account of disability. He was appointed chaplain of the chapel at City Point for invalid soldiers during the winter of 1865. Dr. Wakeman married Abigail Judson, in 1838, who died in April, 1890. May 20, 1891, he married Irene Coleman. Dr. Wakeman is the author of a number books. He was pastor of the Presbyterian church at Almond twenty-three years, is now eighty-five years old and able to preach.


Wilcox, Frank C. Family Sketch

Wilcox, Frank C., was born in Painted Post, October 2, 1857, son of Amos Wilcox, a native of Chenango county, N. Y., who came here in 1844, and married Aurinda Remington. They were the parents of two children: Ella and Frank. Amos Wilcox died in the town of Erwin, February 21, 1895. Frank C. married Anna Claphan. He is commissioner of highways of the town of Erwin, and is the owner of a farm, which consists of 220 acres, which is well adapted to the raising of tobacco and grain.


Wood, Augustus H. Family Sketch

Wood, Augustus H., was born in the town of Corning in July, 1842, son of Barry C. and Mary Ann Wood. He married Lillian H. Palmer, and they have one daughter, Lillian. Mr. Wood is adjutant of the G. A. R. Post, 'No. 611, and past commander. He enlisted in August, 1861, in Co. L, 6th Regiment, New York Cavalry, and reenlisted in the same regiment and was finally discharged August 23, 1865. He first served as bugler, then as corporal, and afterwards as sergeant. He has held the office of town clerk and was U. S. census enumerator two terms.