Town of Milo Family Sketches

Yates Co., New York

 

From  the "History of Yates Co., NY",  by L.C. Aldrich, published 1892   

Family Sketches for Town of Milo

 

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M - Z

 

Pg. 534 

MC FARLANE, Duncan, was born in Dunbartonshire, Scotland, in 1788.  About 1835 he married Christina SMITH.  They came to America and located at Hamden, Delaware County, NY.  They had eight children, Jane, Helen, Mary, Andrew, John S., and Margaret.  Andrew was a soldier of the late war and died in Andersonville Prison.**  John S., born June 21, 1835, in early manhood, was a farmer.  May 2, 1861, he married Margaret J., daughter of William FRASER, a Presbyterian minister of Hamden, Delaware County, NY.  They have had seven children, William A., M. Lizzie, Nellie, C, Jennie S., and Jessie C. (twins), Margaret and one who died in infancy.  William A. is a merchant with his father.  John S. MC FARLANE enlisted in Co. C., 14th Inf. NY Vols., August 26, 1862 and served until the close of the war.  He was promoted corporal, October 1, 1864, and subsequently second sergeant.  Upon his return to Milo he was section foreman on the Northern Central Railroad for eight years.  He then became a general merchant in Himrods.  He is a member of Sloan Post. G.A.R.

 **Pvt. Andrew Mc FARLAND, Co. I, 72nd NY Infantry died 4/4/1864 of pneumonia; Grave #338, Code # 10338      Information supplied by Kevin Frye

 Pg. 534 

MILLER, David, tenth of fourteen children born to Samuel V.C. and Esther C. MILLER, was born in New Jersey and came with the family to Milo in 1823.  David was born September 13, 1822 and lived on the old family homestead on Lake Keuka.  He is a farmer and vinyardist, having been one of the pioneers of the latter industry in this locality.  In 1868 he married Pricilla A. HAIGHT, of Jerusalem, of which marriage three children have been born.  Two of these, Jesse M., and David E., are living.  The old farm comprises 118 acres, of which twenty are in vineyard. 

Pg. 534 

MILLER, James, was born in Steuben County, N, March 22, 1819, the eldest of five children.  Soon after he reached the age of ten years his father died, leaving a farm of fifty acres partly improved, and an ox team.  With the assistance of a brother and his mother, James carried on the farm and kept the family together until he attained his majority.  His time was spent alternately on the farm and in the district school these early years, supplemented by a brief attendance at the Penn Yan Academy.  After teaching school for a few terms, and attending an academy and a select school, he entered the academy at Aurora, Cayuga County, in 1842.  He then devoted his attention to the lumber and transportation business until 1850, when he assumed management of the farm on which he now resides.  Mr. MILLER married August 31, 1843, Hannah BENEDIT, whose father owned their present farm, which is Mrs. MILLER’s birthplace.  They have two sons and a daughter, of whom the oldest son died December 21, 1881.  The youngest son is now married and has a son and daughter living.  James MILLER’s daughter graduated from Vassar College in the class of ’77.  she taught Greek and Latin in the Chambersburg Female College one year and in Vassar College three years.  She married Rev. P. W. DORSEY and now lives in Los Angeles, Cal.  Mr. MILLER is a leading farmer and an ardent advocate of the modern methods of agriculture.  He is a writer of considerable ability upon agricultural topics, and in this field he has wielded a potent influence.  It is safe to say that he doubled the products of the farm he occupies and in the State at large has, through his teachings, materially increased the average farmer’s income. 

Pg. 535 

MILLER, Samuel V., son of Samuel and Esther (CUTLER) MILLER, was born in New Jersey, February 8, 1814, and has lived in Yates County the greater part of his life.  He is a farmer, the occupation to which he was brought up.  May 8 ,1842, he married Adeline (who was born May 15, 1815), daughter of Allen VORCE, by whom he had six children, Gertrude, Lois, Frank, Esther, Ella and Adeline.  Mrs. MILLER died March 15, 1861, and November 14, 1864, Mr. MILLER married Drusilla, daughter of Jonathan MILES, by whom he has had three children, Samuel M., Charles W., and Lizzie B.  Samuel V. MILLER has for many years been one of the prominent men of Milo, though not conspicuous in public office.  He is one who has been identified with the bets interests of the town. 

Pg. 535 

NICHOLS, Loring G., was born in Milo, August 22, 1822, the only survivor of four children born to Alexander and Mary NICHOLS, the latter of whom will be remembered by a few of the older people of Milo as having been a tanner and currier of the town.  Loring G., was brought up in part to his father’s trade but gave his attention more particularly to farming.  The old family homestead and farm are now his.  At the age of twenty-three, Loring married Charlotte GUILE, daughter of Libbius B. and Minerva GUILE, by whom he had four children, Libbius M., who married Lottie SHERMAN, Andrew F., who married Frances BRIGGS, Minnie C., (Mrs. C. H. JENNINGS) and Dora M., (Mrs. Frank OWEN).  Mr. NICHOLS is comfortably and pleasantly situated on his excellent farm, just south of Milo Center.  In politics he is a Republican.  He has held some of the minor offices of the town.  He is a member of the Second Milo Baptist church. 

Pg. 536 

OWEN, Ira, a prosperous farmer, was born in Milo, April 28 ,1827, the son of Jonathan and Freelove OWEN.  His father’s children were Allen, Ira, Benjamin, Leonard, Minerva and Mary Jane.  At the age of twenty-two he married Diantha. daughter of Ezekiel SWARTOUT.  Three children have been born to them: Georgia (Mrs. Eugene LEWIS), Lola (Mrs. Orson BRUNDAGE), and Merton, who carries on his father’s farm, married Eva BOGERS.  Ira OWEN has always been a farmer; he lives at Second Milo, about one mile from his farm property, and in politics is a Republican, but takes no active part in the councils of his party.  The family members are of the Second Milo Baptist Church.   

Pg. 536 

PLIMPTON, John, came from Massachusetts and settled in Milo about 1796.  He had eight children: Esther, who married Enoch SHERMAN; Rachel who married Carlton LEGG; Moses, who married Betsey COLDREN; Aaron; John, who married Harriet HOLDEN; Rhoda, wife of Robert TAFT; Polly (or Mary), wife of Chapin TAFT; and Henry, who married Mary Ann WORDEN.  All are now dead (1892).   Aaron PLIMPTON, born in Massachusetts in 1788, came with his father’s family to Milo in 1796.  He returned to Massachusetts in 1810, but came again into Milo in 1812 and afterwards worked in Abraham WAGENER’s mill at Penn Yan.  He bought a farm some years later, and lived and died thereon.  His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of George HILTIBIDAL, and a native of Sunbury, Pa.  They had five children, viz.: Daniel, George W., Stephen V.R., Mary E., (Mrs. Andrew THAYER), and Ezra W.  Aaron PLIMPTON died in 1866 and his wife in 1872.  He was a prominent Democrat, but not an office seeker or holder, his interest was that of the substantial citizen, and not of the politician.  His son, George W. PLIMPTON, lives on the homestead farm.  He was born August 17, 1824, and has spent his life in the town and on the same farm.  In 1855 he married Caroline STONE, by whom he has had three children, two of whom, Ida E., and Aaron, are living.  Mr. PLIMPTON is a Democrat by conviction.  

Pg. 537 

RAPLEE, Delanson Munger, born in Milo, April 11, 1824, was the son of Ezra and Amarillus (DAINS) RAPLEE.  On his mother’s side he is descended from one of the pioneers of western New York.  He has always been a farmer in Milo and a successful, substantial one, too.  In 1851 he married Elvira, daughter of Jonas PERRY, of Otsego County.  They have had three children: Frank P., Mary Frances and Freddie A. 

Pg. 537 

SCUTT, Seymour S., born in Columbia County, August 4, 1825, was the son of Henry and Mary SCUTT.  The family came to Milo in November 1825, and settled in the south part of the town.  In 1849 Seymour S. married Mary A., daughter of Thomas FITZWATER, an old resident of Milo, who came into the town at the age of five years, from Pennsylvania, and spent his life here.  Mr. SCUTT is a successful farmer and one whose interests are centered in his farms rather than in public affairs.  He is a Republican, but has never sought or held office.  Both he and his wife are members of the Second Milo Baptist Church. 

Pg. 537 

SHEARMAN, George, one of the most energetic men of the county during his time, was born in Dublin, Ireland, March 24, 1790.  He left home at the age of fourteen and came to America.  After living in Otsego two years, he came to Penn Yan about 1808, where he had a store near the corner of Main and Jacob streets.  Here he was engaged in trade some twenty-five or thirty years.  He built a hotel – the “American” – near, or on, the site of Cornwell’s Opera House block, and a grist-mill, a potashery, and a distillery on the outlet.  One of his partners was Solomon D. WEAVER, and during their association the firm operated two saw mills, two grist-mills, and two distilleries.  Mr. SHEARMAN met with reverses that cost him his fortune, but others profited by his financial downfall.  He retired to his farm south of the village, and engaged in the mercantile business in Penn Yan with a partner, Daniel B. BISSELL, carrying on the largest dry goods business in this part of the county.  After closing out this business, he engaged in grain buying.  From this time on, his son Oliver, although quite young, was associated with his father, and at his death continued the business.  Mr. SHEARMAN was a captain of Light Horse Cavalry, having the largest company in the State, and escorted Gen. La Fayette on part of his tour through this State.  He was always a Democrat and served as county clerk several terms.  He was very public spirited and one of the foremost promoters of the building of the canal from Dresden to Penn Yan.  On the 31st of March, 1811, he married Rebecca, daughter of David WAGENER, by whom he has these children: Abraham W., William, Mary Ann, Mary Ann 2nd, George, Rebecca, Eliza, Isabella, William 2nd, Charles, Oliver G., and Eleanor.  Of these children, only four, George, Charles, Oliver G. and Eleanor are living.  Mrs. SHEARMAN was a pious woman and a devoted Methodist, being one of the fist class of fourteen, who held meetings abut in private houses before a church was organized.  An incident is told of her having gone to Geneva, a distance of sixteen miles on horseback, to attend Love Feast, and being then refused admission because she had two feathers in her bonnet.  Mr. SHEARMAN was trustee of the church and their house was a regular stopping place for all Methodist ministers.  George SHEARMAN died December 26, 1859 and his wife January 14, 1855.  George SHEARMAN Jr., born July 28, 1818, is the oldest representative of his family in the county.  He is a substantial farmer of Milo, and one whose efforts in life have been rewarded with more than a fair degree of success.  December 5, 1840, he married Phebe BAXTER of Milo, by whom he has had two children, Abram and Mary, the latter the wife of Capt. Abraham GRIDLEY.  The farm on which Mr. SHEARMAN lives was formerly know as the STEWART farm, and this Mr. SHEARMAN purchased before his marriage, about the year 1838.  He is a devoted member and trustee of the Penn Yan M. E. Church. 

Pg. 539 

SPOONER, Leonard T., was born in Milo, November 27, 1819, the son of Luther and Hanna SPOONER, both old and respected residents of the town.  On January 1, 1844, Leonard married Mary Ann NICHOLD and settled on the farm where he now lives.  He has always been a farmer, careful and conservative in action, but true to his convictions of right.  One child was born to them, Marvin L. SPOONER, a graduate from Syracuse University, and at present a professor of mathematics in Keuka College.  Mrs. SPOONER died, after an illness of only a few hours, July 26, 1891.  M. L. SPOONER was married August 10, 1881, to Lina A. HUNT, daughter of Adam HUNT.  They have two children, L. H. SPOONER, born August 4, 1888 and Laura M. SPOONER, born August 4, 1890. 

Pg. 539 

STONE, John and Abigail (WINSHIP) were pioneers in Milo, NY, coming from Chester County, Pa in 1797 and locating on the farm now owned by Calvin H. STONE.  In their family were nine children.  John STONE died in the town in December 1873.  Calvin H. STONE has always lived on this farm, having been born here September 15, 1815.  The property was sold to him by his father prior to the latter’s death.  In 1849 Calvin married Mary A. KEELER by whom he has two children, John A. and Charles A.   Mr. STONE was formerly a Democrat, but changed his views on account  of his opinions on the slavery question, which to his mind made Democracy and anti-slavery incompatible.  He has since then been a strong Republican, and as such was assessor of his town for twenty-three years.  His is also a faithful member of the Second Milo Church (Baptist) and for about thirty years has been superintendent of its Sunday school 

Pg. 539 

SWARTHOUT, John, was born in Barrington, May 13, 1835, being one of the younger children of George F. and Roena (RUSSELL) SWARTOUT.  Of the older branch of this family mention will be found in another part of this present volume.  George F. SWARTOUT died in 1853, leaving $900 to each of his children.  With his share, John bought a part of the OWENS farm in Milo.  In March, 1858, he married Ann E., daughter of Jonathan SPENCER.  Two children have been born to this marriage, neither of whom is now living.  John SWARTOUT is considered one of the  successful farmers of Milo, and one who finds profit as well as pleasure in his work.  He is prominent in town affairs and is a staunch Republican.  He has held the office of commissioner of highways for more than nine years. 

Pg. 540 

SWARTHOUT, William R., was born in Barrington, August 20, 1823, the third of eleven children born to George F. and Roena (RUSSELL) SWARTOUT.  William R., more familiarly known as Deacon SWARTOUT by reason of his long term as deacon (thirty years) of the Second Milo Baptist Church, commenced life as a farmer by buying fifty acres from his father, but between that and the time of purchasing his present farm, he had lived on various farms in the town and in Torrey.  His present property was formerly known as the Baxter KINNEY Place, containing 100 acres, and located about a mile south of Penn Yan.  In 1845 he married Hannah Ann SPOONER, by whom he had two children, Hortense and Hattie M., both of whom are married.  Deacon SWARTOUT  has been an industrious and successful farmer. 

Pg. 540 

TAYLOR Family -  Three brothers of the TAYLOR family came from Wales, England, to America at an early age.  One was killed by the Indians.  John TAYLOR was born in Sheffield, Mass., March 13, 1771, being on his father’s side of Welsh decent and on his mother’s side of Scotch.  He died in Starkey on March 9, 1857, revered by all as an upright citizen.  One of his children by his second marriage was John W., who was born September 18, 1819, in Starkey and was educated in the public schools.  He spent one year in Ovid Academy and two years in Canandaigua Academy, graduating finally from Wabash College in 1851.  He went south and taught in the academy at Raleigh, Tenn., for one year and for two years was tutor in a private family at Holly Springs, Miss.  He then returned to his native State and was admitted to the bar and practiced law with KERNAN and others.  May 17, 1854, he married Elizabeth T., daughter of Russell A. and Ann M. HUNT of Milo.  They had one son, Frank R., born June 7, 1860 in Canandaigua.  After attending the common schools, Frank R. spent three years at Penn Yan Academy and one year in Hobart college at Geneva.  He then taught school for three years.  November 24, 1886, he married H. Anna, daughter of Amos E. VANORSDALL, of Himrods.  She was born October 7, 1864.  Mr. Taylor is a prosperous farmer and fruit grower.   

Pg. 540 

THAYER family.  Jacob THAYER, son of Simeon THAYER, one of the pioneers of Yates County, was born September 29, 1806 and died in September 1886.  His wife, Sarah Ann MC INTYRE, was born August 27, 1815 and died in June 1883.  They were married September 26, 1830.  Their children were Archibald, born June 22, 1831; Susan N., born May 9, 1833, died June 5, 1869; Simeon, born May 18, 1835; Sylvester N., born May 7, 1837; Jacob W., born April 7, 1839; James K., born October 30, 1841; and Angeline A., born June 4, 1847.  Archibald THAYER, better known from his long service on Crooked Lake as Capt. Archie THAYER, left the lake in 1887 and moved to the homestead farm where he now has one of the best vineyards in the town of Milo.  December 25, 1855, he married Minerva WHEELER.   

Pg. 541 

THAYER, Jacob W., son of Jacob THAYER, was born in Milo, April 7, 1839.  He bought a sixty acre farm from his father on the lake road and in 1864 he purchased a fifty-acre farm on the Bath road.  This latter has been sold in parcels until Mr. THAYER has but little left – about seventeen acres – which is all in vineyard.  On November 15, 1850, he married Marietta, daughter of Joel WORKMAN of Milo.  They have two children, Anna Amelia and William Joel.  Mr. THAYER has been an extensive traveler, selling agricultural implements over a territory of eleven states for D. M. Osborn & Co. of Auburn.  He is also the inventor and builder of a binder that has done excellent work. 

THAYER, James, the son of Simeon THAYER, the pioneer, was born May 29, 1810 (died January 8, 1881) and married Zenecia, daughter of Allen BASSETT, of Barrington, by whom he has six children: James A., Emma, Laura, Fanny, Mary and one who died in infancy.  James THAYER is remembered as having been one of the best farmers and one of the foremost men of the town of Milo.  James A. THAYER, who succeeded his father in the ownership of the farm, was born in Milo, April 26, 1843, educated in the common schools and Prof. Ayres’ Select School, also at the Penn Yan Academy, and at the age of sixteen began teaching winter school, continuing for eight years.  In 1867 he married Allie, daughter of James LAWRENCE of Milo, by whom he had one child, May, the wife of H.E. HUIE, of Springfield, Mass.  Mrs. THAYER died September 22, 1884, and in January 1886, Mr. THAYER married Nellie S. HUIE of Rushville, NY, by whom he has one child, Zenecia.  He is one of the most progressive and successful farmers of Milo, having been honored several times with positions of trust and importance.  He was a clerk of the board of supervisors in 1883-84, school commissioner of Yates County from 1885 to 1891.  For a number of years he has been president of the County Teacher’s Association, is now a director of the Farmer’s Alliance Insurance Co., and for several years served as secretary of the Yates County Agricultural Society.  He is a prominent member of the M. E. Church and for three years was superintendent of its Sunday school. 

Pg. 542 

THAYER, James K., the sixth child of Jacob THAYER, and the grandson of Simeon THAYER, was born in Milo, October 31, 1841.  He lived at home until twenty years old, when he started out to make his own way in life.  Two years later he married Helen C. FREEMAN, of Milo, by whom he had two children, both of whom died in infancy.  Mr. THAYER’S farm comprises sixty-one acres of land on the east shore of Crooked Lake.  He is a thrifty and industrious farmer and fruit grower.  In politics he is a conservative Democrat.  Both himself and wife are members of the Penn Yan M. E. Church. 

THAYER, Simeon 2nd, born in Mill, May 18, 1835, was the third child of Jacob and Sarah Ann THAYER.  Simeon was reared on the farm; for one year he was foreman on a railroad construction train.  He first began farming where Jacob W. THAYER now lives.  His present property is a twenty-three acre vineyard on Lake Keuka.  In 1856 Mr. THAYER married Elizabeth RAPLEE, who died leaving two children.  His second wife was Mary MORRIS, to whom one child has been born. 

Pg. 542 

YOUNGS, Isaiah, was born in Milo, NY, August 19, 1819, and was the second of six children born to George and Rebecca YOUNGS, both of the later being old and highly respected citizens of the town.  Isaiah was brought up to farm work, and at the age of twenty-five commenced conducting his father’s farm, being the same that Isaiah now owns.  He lived there from 1846 to 1887, when he removed to his present location.  In 1846 he married Sybilla L., daughter of John MATTHIAS, of Milo; four children were born to them, of whom one is deceased.  Mr. YOUNGS is one of Milo’s substantial Democrats, and as well one of the town’s foremost citizens.  For one term he held the office of town assessor.  

 

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