Part III - Family Sketches
Bostwick-Bruce

BOSTWICK, Hermon V., was born in the Town of Enfield, December 1, 1841, a son of Orson BOSTWICK. The latter was a native of Connecticut, born in New Milford in 1804, who came into this county about 1828, buying a square mile of land in Enfield, which had a fine growth of timber (pine), and which brought him a large profit. He was the father of four children, two who reached adult age: William L. BOSTWICK, a cashier of the custom house, and our subject, Hermon V., was educated in Ithaca Academy, where he prepared for college, and entered Hamilton College with the class of '64. He then managed his father's farm, and in the spring of 1865 came to Ithaca, and was for two years engaged in grain dealing and building boats for the canal in partnership with Willard KING. While so engaged he also established a cooperage business, which he has ever since conducted. Mr. BOSTWICK is a Republican in politics. He has always been prominent in church work, is now treasurer and junior church warden in St. John's church. He is a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity and of the Protective Police of the Fire Department. In 1867 Mr. BOSTWICK married Emily DIBBLE, a native of Michigan, and they have three children living: Charles D., who graduated in Course in Arts, class of 1892, and is now in the Law Department of Cornell University; and a son and daughter who are students.

BOWER, Charles F., was born on a farm in the town of Lansing, July 5, 1834. The grandfather of our subject, Honteter BOWER, was the first of this family to locate in this county. He settled on a farm north of Lansingville, and it was there he reared a family of fourteen children and spent the balance of his days. Abram was the sixth son, born November 10, 1805. He married in 1831 Francina BAKER, and they were the parents of seven children, of which our subject was the second. Abram BOWER died in May, 1882. Charles F. was educated in the common school and lived on his father's farm until 1861, when he started for himself on a farm of his father's in the northern part of the town. He married in June, 1862, Sarah, daughter of Caleb BROWN of this town, and they moved to their present place, a good grain and hay farm of 100 acres. They have had five children, three now living: Genie L. Anna E., and Le Roy C. Warren A., the oldest son, died April 19. 1892, aged twenty-one years, loved by all who knew him. His death was caused by the kick of a horse.

BOWER, George L., was born December 18, 1838, on the farm which he now owns. He is a son of Joseph W., also a native of this town, who married Mary PECK, and reared seven children: Lucinda, wife of Joseph KRATZER of Genoa; Philinda, wife of Lewis DE CAMP of Lansing; Mary, wife of Rufus J. DRAKE of Genoa; Elizabeth, wife of Ferdinand SPERRY; Fanny, wife of Wesley BLOOM; George, Calvin D. The father died in 1861, and the mother in 1890. The grandfather came to this place from Pennsylvania at an early day. Our subject attended the district school and worked on the farm with his parents, after the death of his father buying the home farm of 101 acres, and has ever since resided thereon. He raises a mixed crop of gratin, and makes a specialty of Shropshiredown sheep. He has also erected a large and commodious and stables, and now owns a fine premises. In December, 1873, he married Sarah VAN ZANT, daughter of Philip and Susan KIBLER of Michigan, and they have had four children: Clarence G., born in April, 1876; Lewis L., born August 29, 1879; Jacob Bates, born October 16, 1881: and Mary E., born August 9, 1884. He is a member of the order of Free Masons, and is a Republican in politics.

BOWER, Jacob, was born in the town of Newfield, October 23, 1815, a son of Jacob, a native of Pennsylvania, who always followed farming and working at his trade of making pails. He finally came to Newfield where he lived to be eighty years of age. His wife was Sophia HARRIS, of Pennsylvania, and they were the parents of eleven children, Jacob being the tenth. The latter married Sallie J. HOFFMAN, of Cayuga County first, and his second wife was the Widow DRAKE. Mr. BOWER has had eight children, but five of whom are living. He is a farmer and a Democrat.

BOWER, Mervin, a native of Lansing was born August 24, 1827, the son of John BOWER, born in 1799, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Tompkins county with his parents John and Rosina (YOUNGS) BOWER. John married Lucretia BUNELL, born in 1800, daughter of Henry BUNELL of Lansing, and they reared four children: Gerusha, Mervin, Hannah R., and Susan. Mr. BOWER died in January, 1887, and his wife June 8, 1878. Our subject attended the common schools in his neighborhood winters and worked on the farm summers. He finally purchased a farm of sixty-two acres, where he has since lived and has erected a commodious house and barns. He married in December 1860, Wealthy, daughter of Porter and Lucinda (SLOCUM) WHITE of Lock. Mr. and Mrs. BOWER have three children: John C., born December 31, 1862; Charles R., born August 28, 1864; Ella M., born July 3, 1869, wife of Clifford TOWNSEND of Lansing. John C. married Ella BOWER, and Charles R. married Emma J. McCARGAR. The family are members of the Lansingville Grange. Mr. BOWER has served as assessor and is a trustee of the M.E. church at Lansingville. In politics he is a Republican.

BOYD, Andrew, was born April 17, 1832, educated in the village in Silverstone, England, and at the age of twenty-three came to this country and settled in the town of Caroline. In 1857 he went to Kansas, where he was a spectator of the burning of Osawatamie by the Missourians at the time of the Free Soil troubles. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak and located a mining claim, living on the game of the place, elk, antelope, deer and buffalo being very plenty. In the fall he returned to Kansas, traveling 200 miles across the country at night to avoid hostile Indians. Our subject has had a varied and extremely exciting experience as a trader and mines in all the Western States, spending fourteen years at that business. He returned to Tompkins county in 1871, where he married Laura, daughter of Spencer HUNGERFORD, of the town of Caroline, who died in 1881. He married second Lucy A., daughter of William WAKE, of Canton, she being a graduate of the Normal School of Fredonia. Mrs. BOYD has borne him two children: Mildred, and one who died. Mr. BOYD is a Republican in politics, and is active in religious and educational matters, being a member of the Episcopal church at Candor. In 1878 he bought a farm of 140 acres, where be now resides, and is regarded as a practical and successful farmer.

BOYER, Charles, one of Lansing's prosperous farmers, a native of Genoa, Cayuga county, was born January 11, 1834, son of Samuel BOYER, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born in 1803. He came to Lansing about 1823, purchasing a farm near North Lansing, which he sold a year later and removed to Genoa, Cayuga County, where he lived forty years. Selling there he returned to Lansing and purchased another farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He was a Democrat. His wife was Rachael, daughter of Philip and Mary BECK, now called PECK in this vicinity. She was a native of Canada. and one of nine children. Samuel was one of three children: Jacob, Malinda and Samuel. He died December 1, 1870. His wife survived him sixteen years, and died March 30, 1886. They raised eleven children: John, Mary, wife of James SEARLES of Lansing, both deceased; Margaret, wife of Seymour ECCLESTON of Nebraska City, both deceased; Jacob, deceased; Malillda, wife of John J. WILSON of Burr, Neb., Charles, Sarah, wife of Lucius HUBBARD of Lansing; Lettie, wife of Daniel LANE of Lansing; Susan, Emily and Rachael, deceased wife of Jacob TEETER of Lansing. Subject was reared a farmer and educated in the common schools. He remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he purchased the farm where he now resides, and where he has raised his family. He has added to his real estate possessions until he now owns over 200 acres, and does a general mixed farming. In 1860 he married Mary Harriet, daughter of Sylvester and Mary (JACOBS) CULVER of Lansing. She was born in May, 1840, and was one of eleven children. They have had five children: Mary I., wife of Charles W. STRONG of Lansing. and they have one child. Lucy, born in September, 1886; Grace L., C. Jay, Myron H., and Blanch R. Mrs. BOYER, Myron and Grace are members of the North Lansing Grange Lodge. In politics our subject is a Democrat.

BOYER, Herman E., of Newfield, was born December 23, 1848, a son of Isaac, who was a native of Newfield also, born in 1800, and was one of the influential men in the early settlement of the county. He followed agriculture always, and married Catharine AUSTIN, of Newfield, and of their eight children our subject was the youngest. He has followed his father's occupation, and owns 260 acres of land in Newfield. He is Democratic in his political views, but has never taken an active part in politics.

BRADLEY, Daniel, who during many years of residence in Groton was better known as "Deacon" BRADLEY, was a native of Massachusetts and came to Groton among the early settlers. His children were as follows: Columbus, who lived and died in Syracuse; Daniel of the same place; Marilla, who married first Jesse ATWATER, and after his death Dr. CHADWICK; Joseph, who died in Syracuse; Hannah, who married Sidney GOODING; David, now of Chicago; Mary; Esther, who married Rockwell GLOVER; Lemi, who died in Groton; and a daughter who died young. Daniel died in this town about 1860. Lemi, son of Daniel, was born in Groton June 12, 1822, and spent his life on the farm. November 3, 1846, he married Urania HART, and they had these children: George, now in Missouri; Daniel L., a contractor and builder of Groton, who married Mary, daughter of Corbright MORGAN; William H., now in Minnesota; and Ada, who died young. Lemi BRADLEY died April 1, 1864, and his wife June 11, 1868.

BRENIZER, W. I., D.D.S., was born in Worcester, Wayne County, Ohio, March 24, 1858, a son of a farmer and a Veterinary surgeon. The doctor was educated in the common schools, Brvant & Stratton's Business College at Cleveland, and Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio. Afterward he took a course in civil engineering at Cincinnati. At the age of sixteen he began to teach, and in this way worked for his education. He first began the study of Dentistry in 1883 in Akron, Ohio, entered the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he received the degree of D.D.S. January 11, 1892, he located in Ithaca, buying the office of Frank E. HOWE, in the Masonic block, where he has since conducted a very successful practice.

BRESEE, Thomas R., the well-known merchant tailor and general clothier of Groton village, and one of the oldest business men of the town, was born in Otsego County, July 8, 1833. He learned the tailor's trade by serving an apprenticeship of six years and in 1855 located at Groton. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 137th N.Y. Vols., and served six months. In 1863 he returned to Groton, and soon afterward went west, remaining till 1868, when he returned to this village, beginning an active business career, which has since continued without interruption to the present time. In 1868 Mr. BRESEE married Mary Ann PICKENS, by whom he has had five children, only one of whom survives, Dell BRESEE, who is responsibly connected with the Owego Bridge Company, having entire charge of the company's office.

BREWER, Byron, was born in Pultneyville, Wayne County, on the bank of Lake Ontario, June 1, 1845. The life he led as a boy, sporting, fishing, and sailing boats on the lake, fitted him admirably for the life of a sailor, and he followed the life of a seaman for some eight years. He is one of the few whalers, once so numerous, we sometimes run across and whose reminiscences of those times when whaling was a large and profitable industry is perhaps more highly prized than any part of his subsequent life. After fourteen years of active life in the Western States he returned to this State, and in 1882 bought the old "White Mill" at Freeville, which he has made into a modern mill, making a specialty of fancy buckwheat heat flour, which is well and favorably known throughout the State and in many localities in Western and Southern States. In 1890 he took his son, Geo. A. BREWER, into partnership with him, and the firm is known as B. BREWER & Son. They are among the leading and substantial citizens of the town.

BRINK, Andrew James, was born in Burdette, Schuyler County, July 24, 1845. He is the son of James BRINK, of Genoa, born in Sullivan county, October 21, 1804, who was the son of Cornelius and Lydia BRINK, of Long Island, who came to Sullivan County about 1800 and later to Orange County, where they reared eight children: Mrs. SMITH, of Bloomingsburg; Mrs. MILLER of same town; Mrs: HARDING; Elsie BRINK, all of the same town; James, Abram and Hiram. He married second a widow whose maiden name was DRAKE, by whom he had two children, Cornelius and William. James, father of Andrew J., was reared to farm life, and remained with his father until about twenty-one, when he bought a small farm in Sullivan county, on which he lived. Some years later he bought a hotel at Bloomingsburg, which he conducted about three years, when he sold out and returned to farming. He spent some time in Schuyler county and some time in traveling, finally locating in Genoa where he has since resided. He has always been a Democrat. His first wife was Jane HORTON, of Orange county, by whom he had six children : Maria, widow of Solomon WILLIAMS, of Burdette: one who died in infancy; Leander, of Middletown; Martha; Ann Eliza; Francis Hollister, of Five Corners; Harriet, who resides with her father. His wife died in Schuyler county, September 23, 1840, and in March, 1841, he married second, Delilah MARTON, of Burdette, and they had seven children: George W., Andrew J., Charles H., Margaret Jane, Augusta, William C. and Elsie. March 20, 1891, Mr. and Mrs. BRINK celebrated their golden wedding, they being the parents, grandparents and great grandparents of forty-eight living children. Our subject resided with his parents until the age of twenty-one, then engaged to work for himself for some time, returning to his father's farm later. In 1871 he was engaged in the sewing-machine business in New Jersey, and remained three years, and for the next three years engaged in farming. He married in 1871, and removed to Thompson County. He married, September 26, 1877, Francis J., daughter of Orwell and Isabel (CONRAD) BEARDSLEY, of North Lansing, born June 2, 1847. Mrs. BRINK's father has held the office of postmaster since the time of President ADAMS, a tern of forty-six years, this being the longest term of continuous service on record. Mr. and Mrs. BRINK are members of the North Lansing Grange. Mr. BRINK has been a Free Mason since the age of twenty-one. In poetics he is a Democrat, having held the office of inspector of elections several terms.

BRINKERHOFF, William D., father of Sherman S., was born in Dutchess County, March 20, 1834, and moved with his parents to Ulster County when two years old. He was educated in the common schools. and at the age of sixteen began to learn the miller's trade with his father. January 14, 1854, he married Helen VAN NOSDALL, of New Hamburg, Dutchess County, and they have two children: Sherman S. and Hattie B. Mr. BRINKERHOFF's family came to Halsevville to reside in 1864. Sherman S. has been in the milling business with his father until the present time, with the exception of eight years spent as commercial traveler. He married Nina A. GROVER, of Rock Island, IL, and they have two children, Verne W. and Nina B. Hattie B., second child of William D. BRINKERHOFF, lives with her parents. John R. VAN NOSDALL, maternal grandfather of Sherman S., was born in Dutchess County about 1811 and married Eliza J. SIRINE, by whom he had eight children. Mrs. Sherman S. BRINKERHOFF's father, Andrew J. GROVER, was born in Pennsylvania May 3, 1824, and was a practicing physician. He married Olivia W. HAZARD, and they had one daughter, Nina A. Dr. GROVER died October 14, 1876, in Reno, Nev. The mills at Halseyville had new machinery placed in them for the roller process and the whole mills have been renovated for the manufacture of the best flour, also for custom grinding. This was completed in 1892. Mr. BRINKERHOFF and son are operating these mills under the firm name of W. D. BRINKERHOFF & Son.

BROOKS, Arthur B., was January 16, 1845, in Stratford, Conn. His father, Frederick, moved with his family to this county in the spring of 1853, having purchased the hatting business of Isaac TICHENOR, which business he carried on until his death in 1871. Arthur B. was educated in the old Ithaca Academy, and at the age of sixteen entered the employ of George HALSEY, and then occupied the store in which Mr. BROOKS is now located, remaining with him for six months, during which time he assisted in moving the stock to the store now occupied by WHITE & BURDICK, and then went with SCHUYLER & CURTISS for about four years. In 1867 he went in partnership with John and J.C. GAUNTLETT, under the firm name of GAUNTLETT & BROOKS. Mr. John GAUNTLETT died in 1876, but the business was continued by the surviving partners until 1890, when J.C. GAUNTLETT retired from business, and since then it has been conducted by Mr. BROOKS alone. In 1892 he moved from the old stand, which for forty years had been occupied as a drug store, to his present location No. 80 East State street, where he first began as a clerk. His present store has been entirely refitted with new and modern fixtures. Mr. BROOKS is putting up a number of preparations, which are meeting with a ready sale, and also carries a full line of druggists' supplies, toilet articles, cigars, etc. In 1870 he married Mary, the daughter of John GAUNTLETT, and they have two sons, Alfred C., a graduate of Cornell University, class of '93, architecture, and John G., a graduate of the Ithaca High School, and is now studying pharmacy under his father.

BROOKS, Cornelia, a native of Colechester, N.Y., was born July 5, 1814, the daughter of John and Sarah (HAGER) HORTON, of Westchester and Schoharie counties respectively, who settled in Colchester. They reared ten children: Daniel, Peter, David, Samuel, Mary, Elizabeth, Enoch, a colonel in the late war; Cornelia, George W., and Benjamin F., all now deceased except Elizabeth, Enoch and Cornelia. The grandfather was William HORTON, who served as county judge and member of assembly three terms. He died in 1830 at the age of ninety. His wife was Elizabeth COVERT, and they reared eight children. Our subject resided with her parents and attended the common school, which was supported by contributions in those days. At the age of nineteen she came to Lansing to live with a married sister and taught school about four years. Here she was wedded to Alfred BROOKS, a native of Lansing, born November 25, 1810. He was the son of James BROOKS of Philadelphia, Pa., who came to Lansing at an early date. His wife was Margaret HARGAN, and they raised eight children: Mark, Samuel, Hiram, Alfred, Jefferson, Mary, Hannah and Margaret. He served in the war of 1812. Alfred was reared to farm life and at the age of sixteen began life for himself. He engaged in making shingles for several years, then engaged in farm work. Later he began farming for himself on fifty acres in Lansing, adding to this forty more acres. In 1860 he purchased a farm of 145 acres, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a Republican, but would not accept public office. His death occurred in 1889 at the age of seventy-nine. Mr. and Mrs. BROOKS raised eight children: Roseltha, Hiram, Sarah (deceased), Margaret, John L., James A., Ella, wife of Joseph A. REED of Ithaca, and Efiie D. Hiram and John now own the farm, which consists of 260 acres of fine farm land. They with their mother and sisters live on the farm enjoying a happy home. Peter HAGER was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and was a second cousin of Martin VAN BUREN. Hagerstown, Md., took its name from her uncle, who came from Germany

BROTHERTON, George, was born in Sherman, Fairfield County, Conn., September 21, 1826, was educated in the public schools, and in early life was a boot and shoemaker. In 1855 he turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed, having a portable engine for saw-mill work. The family came to reside in this county in 1850, and February 24 of that year he married Annah M. GRIFFIN, formerly of Roxbury, Delaware County, by whom he had three sons, William C., Frank L., and Charles H. William C. married first Frances L. SMITH, of this town, and second Susie M. KING, also of this town. They have one daughter, Mora M. Frank L. was also twice married, first to Mary BEEMAN, by whom he had two children, Eugenie and Laura. His second wife was Mary MEDES of Cortland, by whom he has two daughters, Beulah and Flossie. Charles H. married Mary HIMES of the town of Danby, and they have four sons and a daughter: Frank, Ray, Ralph C., Merritt, and Alice H. Mr. BROTHERTON's father, Zalmon, was born in Southport, Conn., about 1793 and was twice married, first to a Miss PEPPER, by whom he had four children, and second to Rebecca JOYCE, of his native place, by whom he had nine children: George, as above noted, David, Mary, Edwin, James, Flora, Betsey, Cordelia and Pamelia (twins). Mrs. BROTHERTON's father, H. B. GRIFFIN, was born in Westchester County about 1802, and married Rachael JENKINS, of Roxbury, Delaware County, by whom he had ten children: William, Lewis, Mary, John, Annah M., Jacob, Leonard C., Treman, Phoebe A., and W. Munson. Mr. GRIFFIN died in 1858 and his wife about 1877. Mrs. BROTHERTON's grandfather, Benjamin GRIFFIN, was a soldier in the Revolution. The ancestry of the family is English and French.

BROWN, Alvah D., was born in Newfield, May 7, 1849. Alvah, Sr., was a native of Scranton, Pa, and came to Lansing in 1806, and to Newfield in 1808, when a child. His father, Abraham, was a hotel keeper. Alvah. Sr., bought a farm of 300 acres of land, and made a specialty of the raising of cattle. February 26, 1832, he married Lydia CLARK, and they were the parents of seven children. Of these Alvah was the youngest, being now forty-four years of age. The latter has followed lumbering and farming, and now owns a place of 100 acres, as well as other places, and fellows mixed farming. In 1870 he married Elizabeth SMITH, by whom he has one child. He married second, in 1885 Luella SMITH of this State, and they also have one child. Our subject is a member of the Grange, and has been justice of the peace, assessor, and notary public.

BROWN, C.C., of Newfield, was born in Connecticut, February 10, 1815, and followed the occupation of shingle-making, working in the woods. He then took up carpentry, and in 1880 came to this locality and has since operated a planing mill here, having all the necessary machinery for first-class custom work, and having a fine trade. Mr. BROWN married first, Harriet B. STATES, and second, Jane CRAWFORD, the latter in 1845. His third wife was Phila C. MILLER, whom he married in 1886, and he has four children, two by his first wife and two by his second. The oldest son is a bookkeeper in New York, and the daughter is in Texas. One son by his second wife is in the telephone business, and the other follows farming.

BROWN, E.A., of Newfield, was born here January 15, 1845. Holden BROWN, his father, was also a native of this town, born September 25, 1812, and he was a son of Abraham BROWN, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Newfield in 1820, when the locality was a wilderness. He took up and cleared about 250 acres, and here he lived in a log house for the first years of his life in the new settlement. Holden married Margaret CRAWFORD and had ten children, of whom our subject was the fourth. The latter worked on the farm until twenty-seven years old, when he married Mary LA BARRE, of this town, a daughter of Richard LA BARRE, and they are the parents of four children: Hattie, Edna, Blanch, and Walter, the son being deceased. Hattie is now a student at the Brockport Normal School, and the others are at the graded schools of Newfield. Mr. and Mrs. BROWN are members of the Presbyterian church, and of the Patrons of Husbandry.

BROWN, Ebenezer, the pioneer head of a large and highly respected family of Lansing, was born in Connecticut and came to Orange County, N.Y., at an early day. About 1794 he located in Lansing. Three children, Martha, Maria and Eunice, came with the family to this locality, and these children were born in Lansing: William, a soldier in the war of 1812, who was wounded on the Canadian border and died at Black Rock; Benoni, who still lives, aged ninety-five years; Sarah, who married Joseph HEAD: and James, who died in Ithaca. After the death of his first wife, Ebenezer married Sarah GEE, the children of this union being: Electa, who married Alvin ALLEN, and Julia, who became the wife of John LANTERMAN. Ebenezer died in 1846. Benoni BROWN, familiarly known throughout Lansing and Groton as Deacon BROWN was born April 22, 1798, and has always lived on a farm. In 1826 he married Hannah L. TOWNLEY, by whom he had ten children: James W., who died in infancy; Effingham T.; Mary J. (wife of C. W. CONGER); Ebenezer E.; Addie R. (wife of J.G. COBB); Fannie A. (wife of Wm. H. FITCH); Benton; Ellen (wife of C.H. BACON); Charles (who died in the army in 1864); and Sara (wife of W.L. COGSHALL). Hannah L. (TOWNLEY) BROWN, died in July, 1876, aged seventy-one. Deacon BROWN has been a prominent figure in local affairs for many years. For more than half a century he was deacon in the Congregational church at West Groton. He has been supervisor and held other town offices. He was originally a Democrat, but since the war has been a Republican. His father, Ebenezer BROWN, was a Revolutionary soldier, and was one of the life guards of General WASHINGTON. The body of life guards was composed of fifteen soldiers. When he came to Lansing there was but one house where Ithaca now is, and that was a double log house, kept as a tavern by a man by the name of De MUNN.

BROWN, Enos L., was born in Windsor County, Vt., November 10, 1822, and came with his parents when about eight years of age to this county. He was a blacksmith by trade, and afterwards took up farming, but retired some years ago. He became keeper of the county house in the spring of 1880, and continued there for three years. His first marriage was with Cynthia M. WILCOX, of this town, by whom he had three children, all deceased. Charles was a soldier in Company M, 1st Veteran Cavalry, New York Volunteers, was captured and died in Andersonville prison. Mrs. BROWN died June 6, 1862, and he married second, June 3, 1863, Harriet A. THOMPSON, of the town of Groton, and they have three daughters: Eva C., Cora E. and Emma M. Eva C. married Howard A. HOTCHKISS; Cora married Irving W. SPARKS, both families living in Winsted, Conn. Emma M. lives at home. Mr. BROWN's father, Elam, was born in Norwich, Windsor county, Vt., in 1782, and married Candace SAWYER, of his native town. Six children were born of this union: Mary, Emeline, Eunice, Abel, Orvis and Enos L. The family came to Dundee, Yates county, about 1831, and to this county in 1842. He died about 1857, and his wife in 1833. Mrs. BROWN's father, Jacob THOMPSON, was born in Lansing, this county, in 1804, was educated in the common schools of his day, and was a carpenter and farmer. ln 1825 he married Mrs. Susan ALLEN, whose maiden name was SELLEN, and they had five children: Harris J., Franklin, Mary A., Susan S., and Harriet A. He died in 1876, and his wife in 1881. Mr. BROWN is a member of Trumansburgh Lodge No. 157, F. & A.M., and also of the M.E. church of Jacksonville.

BROWN, Holden T., was born in this town September 25, 1812. His father, Abraham BROWN, was a native of Westchester county, and the maternal grandfather of our subject, Isaac TRIPP, was a native of Rhode Island. Abraham BROWN settled in Tompkins county when about thirty years of age, and followed chiefly farming, though he kept hotel also for about thirty years, the building standing within eighty rods of our subject's present home. His first hotel was a log house, but soon after he built a frame house, and had a large patronage, often having twenty teams and their occupants to provide for at once. His wife was Susanne, daughter of Isaac TRIPP, and they had six children, the youngest of whom was our subject, Holden T., who married in 1839 Margaret CRAWFORD, of Newfield, by whom he had ten children, one deceased. The others are as follows: Hiram H., Ira T., H.W., E.A., Margaret A., Abraham M., Delia, Lina, Charles H., and May E. Mr. BROWN is a Patron of Husbandry and in politics a Republican. Mrs. Margaret BROWN died in 1872.

BROWN, Horace A., was born August 20, 1833. His father moved to the town of Ithaca in 1834, and was a tanner and currier, having charge of Jacob WOOD's tannery at Buttermilk Falls. Mr. BROWN was educated in the district school, and finished at West Dryden. He married at the age of twenty-five Elizabeth, daughter of John ROBB, who died in January, 1860. He married second, Mary, daughter of George KNITTELS, of Van Etten, Chemung County, by whom he has one son and one daughter. He is a Democrat and takes an active interest in educational and political matters, having served as school trustee, and excise commissioner, which latter office he still holds. He was also commissioner of highways two years. Mr. BROWN carries on a milk route and handles about 300 quarts per day.

BROWN, J. W., M.D., was born in Wyalusing, Bradford County, Pa., and is a son of D. Warren BROWN. At the age of twenty-eight our subject began the study of medicine and after a preliminary course of one year in the University of Pennsylvania he entered the office of his brother, Dr. C. W. BROWN, of Washington, D.C. He was afterwards a student in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania and then entered the University of Buffalo, from which he graduated in 1878. He immediately began practice in Ithaca, where he has since located. The doctor has been railroad surgeon for the Lehigh Valley company for twelve years, and now serving his fourth term as coroner of the county. He is a Republican in politics and has held the office of assessor and was for two years pension examining surgeon. He was an enlisted soldier in the Rebellion. He is a member of the County Medical Society and one of its officers. In 1873 he married Lulu RIPLEY, of Titusville, Pa.

BROWN, Jacob Emmons, was a native of Dryden, born September 4, 1834, the son of Jacob and Annie (BALDWIN) BROWN, and the youngest of their ten children. His grandfather, Daniel, was one of the pioneers of Dryden and a man of some prominence in that part of the county. When our subject was but three years of age his father died, and upon the marriage of his mother, Jacob E. began to work for himself. At sixteen he hired out as a farm hand, and from that until the present time he has been a farmer. In 1861 he bought the old OGDEN farm in the south part of Groton, which he has greatly developed and improved. Mr. BROWN is regarded as one of the most thrifty farmers of the township. In 1861 he married Sarah A., daughter of Benjamin and Polly OGDEN (both being representatives of pioneer families in the county). Mr. and Mrs. BROWN have had four children, three of whom are now living. Mr. BROWN was formerly a Republican, but during recent years as an earliest advocate of temperance principles, has been identified with the Prohibition Party.

BROWN, Richard H., of Lansing, was born in Dryden December 7, 1840, the son of Benjamin BROWN, a native of Lansing. born about 1807, whose father was Christopher BROWN. The latter married Mary SNYDER and reared ten children; Benjamin, the eldest, was captain of a military company in Dryden. He married Hannah, daughter of Henry and Wintchy (SLY) TEETER of Lansing. He was an active, energetic man, in politics a Republican. His wife still survives him. They reared five children: Henry, Jennie, wife of Dr. D. T. BARR of Ludlowville; Richard H., George, Elizabeth, wife of Eugene M. BAKER of Barden. Our subject was reared on the farm, attended the district schools winters and worked on a farm summers. At the age of twenty-three he rented a farm one year in Danby, and the following year (1866) purchased a farm of sixty-six acres. Later he added to this until he owned 155 acres. Some years later he set off fifty-five acres of this farm to his son. He married in 1862 Olive, daughter of Andrew W., and Nellie (OSTRANDER) REED, of the town of Ithaca. She was born in August, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. BROWN have one son, Miles S., born August 20, 1863. Mr. BROWN's first wife died July 23, 1892, and he married second October 8, 1893, Mary REED, a sister of his deceased wife.

BROWN, S.N., was born in the Town of Dryden, July 14, 1826, His father, Freeman BROWN, was born in 1800 and came to Dryden in 1804, and settled on lot 23, where his son now resides. Our subject was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. As the age of twenty-seven he married Miss Sarah T. MORGAN, of Groton, who passed away in 1858, and in 1860 he married Miss Nancy TAYLOR daughter of John A. TAYLOR, of Port Byron, N.Y. They are the parents of three children, one son, Edward T. BROWN and two daughters, Miss Estelle BROWN and Mrs. Alice BARTHOLOMEW, of Binghamton. In 1866 he bought: the Reuben BROWN property of eighty-seven acres, which adjoins the homestead property, having 142 acres of the best farm lands in Dryden, raising hay, grain and stock, and making a specialty of fancy Jersey butter from a herd of forty pure bred Jersey cattle. Our subject is one of the prominent farmers of his town.

BROWN>, W.E., was born in Dryden, November 14, 1828, and was educated in the common schools and finished at the Groton and Homer Academies. At the age of twenty-seven he married Miss Elizabeth MORGAN, daughter of Richard MORGAN, of Dryden, and they were the parents of five children, only two of whom are now living, Frank E. and William E. Our subject resides on part of the original purchase of Reuben BROWN on lot 23, which he bought in 1804, and which has been in the family ninety years. He also has part of the Calvin BUSH estate, who was his grandfather on his mother's side. This was also taken up in 1804. In 1856 he bought part of the Chapman FULKERSON property, and now has 120 acres of farm land in the town, on which he makes a specialty of raising Percheron horses and producing fancy Jersey butter; also takes pleasure in furnishing choice foundation stock to those who desire to build up other Jersey herds. He takes the Republican side in politics, and has served as justice of the peace for the past fifteen years. He is actively interested in educational and religious matters, and has been a member of the West Dryden M.E. church for the past fifty-three years.