This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bristol, Stevens, Davis, Webster, Brownell, Blair, Merrill Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/VRB.2ACE/1784 Message Board Post: SOURCE: Biographical Review of the Leading Citizens of Livingston and Wyoming Counties New York Boston, Biographical Review Publishing Company, 1895 JOEL W. BRISTOL, dealer in general merchandise at Gainesville, was born in that town, December 2, 1835. His grandfather, William BRISTOL, whose parents came to this State from Connecticut, was born in Canaan, Columbia County. In 1805, while in the employ of the Holland Purchase Company, he located about fifteen hundred acres of land, and built a log house near the site now occupied by the store of his grandson. As the settlement grew, he presented the town with the land for cemetery, churches, and school-house sites. He was the first Supervisor, one of the first School Commissioners, and in 1823 the representative of his district in the State Assembly, being a very prominent leader in his day. His wife, who before her marriage was Martha STEVENS, became the mother of a large family, of whom but two are now living – Benjamin F.; and William, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Benjamin F. BRISTOL, father of Joel W., was born June 11, 1811. His present residence, overlooking the beautiful valley of Gainesville, stands out with pleasant prominence against the rolling background of green and fertile farm lands. From the piazza he can look upon the house where his grandfather lived and died; while just beyond is the home of his childhood where lived his father for more than half of a century. From pioneer stock of Puritan composition and characteristics he has by a vigorous, busy, and most honorable life fulfilled the promise of his inheritance. Well equipped with undoubted patriotism and sound educational requirements, he entered the political arena, being an earnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party. He early took a warm interest in local government, and his town and county have honored him and shown their appreciation of his worth by choosing him to many offices of trust and importance, among them the following: Supervisor, Constable, Highway Commissioner, Railroad Commissioner; and although a Whig in a Democratic town, he was the first no-license candidate ever elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held for twenty-four years. He was also Supervisor of the Poor for the County of Wyoming twenty-eight years, his sensible views and sound judgment giving the most satisfactory results to both the people and the dependents. While attending a State convention, he introduced the resolution for the removal of children from county houses throughout the State, which was met with approval. He still resides on the old farm in Gainesville, now at the advanced age of eighty-four years, a well-preserved and active-brained old gentleman; and around him, or near by, live his ! sons and grandchildren, all of whom do him honor. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. BRISTOL are both members of the Congregational church, and for many years have taken a very prominent part in promoting its prosperity and usefulness. He married Margaret A. DAVIS, daughter of Joel DAVIS, a native of Preble, Onondaga County, N.Y. None in the community are more respected than “Uncle Ben” – as he is familiarly called – and his estimable wife. To Benjamin F. BRISTOL and his wife were born six children – Joel W., James, a prominent citizen of the town; Corydon D., deceased; Theodore, deceased; Martin F., at present residing at Rochester; and Benjamin F., Jr., who remains with the aged couple on the old homestead. Joel W. BRISTOL received his education in the district and select schools of Gainesville, and at an early age began the mercantile business by entering the store of A. B. WEBSTER at Warsaw, where he remained two years. He then engaged with Mr. BROWNELL at East Gainesville, with whom he remained two years more, and in 1859 went to Minnesota. Upon his return East, he commenced business on his own account, moving in 1866 into the store which he now occupies. In 1888 he took in partnership Fred M., his eldest son, a bright and capable young man. They have a very large and prosperous business; and the firm of J.W. BRISTOL & Son stands as one of the most reliable in the county. Mr. BRISTOL, like his father, is a Republican in politics. He was for eighteen years Postmaster, having been appointed by Montgomery BLAIR, First Assistant Postmaster General under Lincoln’s administration, and continuing in the office until 1882. He was Town Clerk for several years, was elec! ted Supervisor in 1894 for two years, and has for fifteen years been Notary Public. He has been a member of the Republican County Committee several years, and is also one of the Congressional Committee for the Thirty-first District. He is Secretary and chairman of the Gainesville Salt Company; has been Secretary and Trustee of Maple Grove Cemetery since its incorporation, and has always been a most earnest worker for everything which had for its object the general advancement of his town, the interests of education, and the aid of his fellow-men. Mr. BRISTOL was for many years a School Trustee, and while in office, was mainly instrumental in having the school changed to a union school. He was also chairman of the Executive Committee which secured Regents’ supervision for the school; the State Board of Regents later conferring upon him the honor of being Regents’ Examiner for the school. On May 11, 1864, Mr. BRISTOL was united in marriage to Mary E. MERRILL, daughter of Cyrus MERRILL, a merchant of Perry. They then moved into the house which they now occupy, having improved and beautified their home as time has blessed them with prosperity. Of this union four children were born – Fred M., in business with his father; Clara A., a graduate of the Geneseo Normal School, and now teaching in the high school at Warsaw; Cyrus W., who is in the boot and shoe business at Gainesville; and Mary E., the youngest, who is yet in school. Mr. BRISTOL has a family of which he is and may well be proud, and is a worthy descendant of an old and honorable ancestry.