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NAVAGATION
Genesee County Biographies
Names A to B
Names C
Names D to E
Names F to G
Names H
Names I to L
Names M to N
Names O to R
Names S
Names T to Z
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Genesee County History
New York History
Erie County Biographies
History at Rays Place
Linkpendium Genesee County
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Lear, William S., and George W.-The subject of this sketch, son of Jared and Mary
(Ings) Lear, was born at North Bruton, Somersetshire, England. June 21, 1821, and christened William Lear. He emigrated
to America in 1844, landing in New York some time in the month of August; thence he proceeded to Buffalo, takjug
up his home at Lancaster, Erie county. In 1848 he married Catherine M. Hermance of the same place and to them were
born ten children: George Marion (who died in infancy). William Seyward, James Bryant, George Wesley, Francis Marion,
Mary Ann, Julia Ellen, Emma Maria, Albert Christopher and Edward John. In 1852, having sold his farm at Lancaster,
he purchased another in the town of Wales, Erie county, N. Y., living there from that time until 1866, when he
again sld his farm and bought one at West Batavia, Genesee county, moving there about the first of April of that
year. He remained on this farm until his death, August 27, 1896. Just previous to his death he sold his farm to
his sons, William S. and George W. Lear. Mrs. Lear died February 7, 1899. Their second son, William Seyward Lear,
was born in the town of Lancaster, Erie county, N. Y., on the 25th of February, 1851. His boyhood days were spent
on his father's farm, doing such work as is usually allotted to boys reared on the farm and going to school winters.
During this time and early manhood he had acquired sufficient education to enable him to begin teaching in the
district schools of his adopted county, commencing in November, 1873, and continuing in the profession until June,
1892, the last five years of his teaching being in the Corfu Union School. In politics Mr. Lear is a Democrat,
and was nominated by that party in the fall of 1890 for the office of school commissioner and was defeated. On
the 28th of July, 1892, he was married to Hattie L., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira S. Mann of Corfu, N. Y. They
have one son, Floyd Seyward, born July 7, 1895. In the summer of 1892 he moved to Wyoming, N. Y., and entered into
the mercantile business, associated with his brother. Again in 1893 he was made the Democratic candidate for school
commissioner of the first commissioner district of Wyoming county, and once more was defeated. April 1, 1895, having
sold their mercantile business, Mr. Lear turned his attention to farming, at which he is now engaged. George Wesley
Lear, fourth son of William and Catherine M. Lear, was born in Elma, Erie county, N. Y., July 29. 1854, coming
with his parents to this county when eleven years of age. He was educated at Rural Seminary, East Pembroke, N.
Y., After finishing his education he carried on farming and teaching district schools winters. In March, 1887,
he married Helen M., eldest daughter of James A. Cooper; November, 1889, he engaged in mercantile business with
Charles L. Eggleston at Victor, N. Y., and continued in that occupation until February, 1896, when, on account
of the failing health of his parents, he, with his brother, William S., bought the old homestead and is now giving
his attention to farming. He and his brother are among the leading and successful farmers of their town, and are
recognized as conservative men of sterling integrity, who have intelligently lent their efforts to the advancement
of their town and its institutions.
Source:
Our County and it's people
a descriptive work on Genesee County, New York
Edited by: F. W. Beers
J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890
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