The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879

DAVID BRINKERHOFF.

DAVID BRINKERHOFF. son of George R. and Jacomyntie [Bevier] Brinkerhoff, was born in the town of Sempronius, now Niles, September 10th, 1815.

Roeliff Brinkerhoff, grandfather of David, was born in Adams county, Pa., in 1748, and settled in the town of Owasco, on lot 81, about 1794. He died December 28th, 1830; and his wife, Isabella, who was born in 1753, June 28th, 1836. Roeliff and Isabella had seven children, four sons and three daughters. The sons were David, George R., James and Henry R. The a Eldest daughter, Martina, became the wife of Col. John L. Hardenbergh, the founder of the village which bore his name, now grown to a city and designated by the classic name of Auburn. The youngest daughter became the wife of Dr. Josiah Bevier of Owasco ; and the third, Margaret, married Richard Parsell of that town.

George R. Brinkerhoff, son of Roeliff and Isabella, and Father of David the subject of this sketch, was born in Adams county, Pa., February 19th, 1785, came to Owasco with his parents, and received a good academic education. He learned surveying and practiced it as opportunity offered. He was quarter-master, and his brother, Henry R., captain of a company in the army during the War of 1812. The latter was a general of militia after the close of the war.

In 1814, at the close of the war, George R. married Jacomyntie Bevier who was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1794, and commenced farming on lot 11 in the town of Sempronius now Niles. He removed thence, after about seven years, to the town of Owasco to the farm now owned by his son David, situated on lot 81, on the lake road, where he continued to reside till his death which occurred on the street in the city of Auburn, from heart disease, November 7th, 1849. His wife died July 4th, 1830.

George R. Brinkerhoff was a prominent man in his town. He was a Democrat in politics and was honored by his party with many offices of trust and responsibility, among them that of supervisor several terms, justice of the peace a long time, and assessor. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of Owasco, in which, for a long time, he held the office of elder.

George R. and Jacomyntie Brinkerhoff were the parents of eight children, named its follows: David, Elizabeth, who married Derrick Hornbeck and is now living in Plymouth, Ohio, James, who died at the age of eight years, Maria, who died at the age of six years, Hannah, who married Wm. W. Drennan and is now living in Plymouth, Ohio, Samuel B., who is now living in Santa Barbara, California, and Roeliff, now living in Mansfield, Ohio.

David attended the district schools until eighteen years of age, working summers after he was ten years old on his father's farm. He attended the Academy at Aurora seven mouths in 1836-'7 ; and the Seminary at Lima, Livingston county, two terms, in 1840 and '41 In the spring of 1841 he went to Michigan and engaged in farming. He returned in the fall and taught school in the town of Skaneateles, in Onondaga county. The following spring he again went to Michigan and remained until the fall, when he returned returned to Owasco and married Harriet, daughter of Alanson and Harriet [Austin] Benson of Skaneateles, who was born January 18th, 1821. He then went to Michigan, where he remained, engaged in farming till the spring of 1845, when he returned to Owasco and settled with his father, whom he assisted in carrying on the homestead farm which, on the death of his father, came into his possession by will.

By his wife Harriet, who died May 4th, 1868, David had seven children, viz.: Lillias E., who was born in Michigan, January 31st, 1844; Alma M., who was born July 21st, 1846; George R., who was born September 23d 1848; Sarah I, who was born January 14th, 1855 ; Mary L., who was born October 28th, 1858; Jennie H., who was born June 9th, 1860; and Samuel A., who was born April 2d, 1862.

April 15th, 1869. Mr. Brinkerhoff was again married to Margaret, daughter of Simeon and Alsie [Westfall] Swartwout of Owasco, who was born December 22d, 1832. Mrs. Brinkerhoff's parents were among the early settlers of Owasco. Mr. Brinkerhoff, by his second wife, has two children, Mortimer S., born May 11th, 1870; and Charles D., born August 10th, 1873.

In politics Mr. Brinkerhoff is a Democrat, and has been honored by his party with the offices of assessor and town clerk, and the nomination for supervisor, but owing to the strength of the Republican party in the town it is impossible to elect a Democrat to that office. Though not a member of any church he is an attendant at the Reformed Church in Owasco village.

In the autumn of life now that the struggles and trials of life have been measurably compassed, he has the satisfaction of reviewing a business career marked by strict integrity and a public service characterized by singular fidelity, ability and uprightness. His too is the consoling reflection that while he has reached a high social eminence he also retains the respect and esteem of his townsmen.

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