My Genealogy Hound

LAURENS G. RISLEY, a gentleman with many friends, and a prominent wholesale liquor dealer in Dunkirk besides being similarly engaged in New York city, is a son of General Elijah, Jr. and Nabby (Brigham) Risley, and was born in Fredonia, Chautauqua county, New York, March 7, 1819. Elijah Risley, Sr. (grandfather), was early identified with the interests of Connecticut, where he was born December 7, 1757, and removing from that State to Cazenovia, N. Y., and from thence to Fredonia, reaching the latter place via Buffalo in 1807. He settled on the west side of Canadaway creek, built the first house located there, and also erected the first bridge that spanned its banks, in the year 1809. His home was located in the northern part of the town, and was portions of lots No. 32-33, township 5, range 1 2, which was located in September, 1806. He died in 1841. He was a soldier during the Revolution, and was a pensioner at the time of his death, Mr. Risley married Phoebe Bills, who was born July 24, 1761. They had twelve children, nine of whom attained majority: Betsey, married Seth Risley; Horace, married Harmony Road, and moved to Illinois, where he died; Elijah, Jr.; Philena, wife of Thomas Warren; Fanny, married James Brigham; Phoebe, wife of Philip Fellows; Sophia, married George French, who was a Dunkirk merchant; William, and Levi, who lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. All are dead. Elijah Risley, Jr., was born in East Hartford, Conn., May 7, 1787, coming with his father to America prior to the beginning of the present century. He resided at this place until 1807, when we find him at Fredonia, this county. His first week in Chautauqua county was accompanied by the unusual adventure of killing a bear that had a few hours before succeeded in disabling an Indian. In 1809 Mr. Risley opened the first store at Fredonia, selling groceries and general merchandise, and a couple of years later erected an ashery for making potash, at that time a staple industry of the county. Following this he engaged in manufacturing and agricultural business, which he followed for twelve years, and was the pioneer garden-seed grower, profitably and successfully conducting their production for over twenty-five years, commencing in 1833. When military titles were not merely honorary, but were a recognition of ability and services performed, he rose step by step from a captain to major-general in the State militia, and in the latter position he was honorary escort to General Lafayette when he made his fraternal visit to the United States in 1825. Mr. Risley was active in politics, and became the whig nominee for sheriff in the fall of 1824, and was elected and served three years. In 1835 he represented Fredonia on the board of supervisors, and in 1848 was elected by the whigs to a seat in the National Congress, serving with honor, credit and distinction to himself and his constituents, through the Thirty-first Congress, serving in 1849 and 1850. He took an enthusiastic interest in educational matters and did much to advance its standard, and having a kindly disposition and ready to extend a helping hand to every good cause he was well liked by all. Among his early business investments was some stock of the (now) Erie railway, in which company he was one of the first directors. He was a prominent member of F. & A. M., being a charter by all. He married Nabby Brigham, of Madison county, and they had six children: Florilla C., wife of Chauncey Tucker, dead; Hanson A., became prominent for services rendered in the treasury department during the war and otherwise; Sophrona, married Charles F. Matteson, of Fredonia, and died in 1875; Laurens G.; Delia, wife of Thomas P. Grosvenor, living at Dunkirk; and Minerva, married Frank Cushing, who died in 1855. Mrs. Risley survived the General a number of years.

Laurens G. Risley was reared on the old homestead and at Fredonia, receiving his education at the Fredonia academy. Upon leaving school he engaged in the mercantile business at Fredonia, and in 1851 came to Dunkirk and established a produce and commission house which received much favor for a number of years. He then engaged in the wholesale liquor business which is still conducted in connection with a similar one at the metropolis.

He married Henrietta Houghton, daughter of Hon. Stern Houghton, of Fredonia, and has one son, George H., who is managing his father’s branch business in New York.

Politically Mr. Risley is a republican and has served several terms as mayor of Dunkirk, as well as filling several other city offices. He is a member of F. and A. M., has been District Deputy Grand Master, and was one of the organizers for the first lodge of I. O. O. F. instituted in Fredonia.