My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN BACON, a prominent farmer living on the Canandaigua Road, two miles northwest of the village of Waterloo, was born near his present home, June 30, 1829. His parents were Joel W. and Emma (Billings) Bacon, the former born in Pittsfield, Mass., and the latter in New London, Conn. They were both of English ancestry.

In 1800 the father of our subject was brought to New York by his parents, who had purchased a large tract of land in Seneca County. Their property was a mile square, and was located just west of where our subject now lives. Joel W. was sent back to Connecticut in order that he might gain a good education, and after leaving school he entered the law office of Judge Miller, under whose instruction he read Blackstone. He was duly admitted to the Bar, after he had pursued the prescribed course of study, and for a time practiced in Waterloo. Not liking this profession as well as he thought he would, he soon after abandoned it, and, moving upon a farm, passed the remainder of his life engaged in its cultivation.

Joel W. Bacon was twice married, by his first union becoming the father of a son, Elijah M., who, on attaining mature years, went to St. Clair, Mich., where he was married. At his death he left a family of seven children. The second marriage of Mr. Bacon resulted in the birth of seven children, of whom Benjamin was the eldest but one, and of whom four are now living. The husband and father was a Whig in politics until the “grand old party” was organized, when he joined its ranks, supporting its first candidate, John C. Fremont. In 1876 he voted for R. B. Hayes, and died about a week later, at the age of eighty years. He was often called upon by his fellow-townsmen to accept public offices, and on one occasion consented and was elected Commissioner. He also aided in choosing the site for the state prison at Auburn. He was a thorough Christian, and was one of the organizers of the Episcopal Church at Waterloo, which he supported liberally.

Benjamin Bacon was reared to a life of usefulness. He was sent to the schools of Waterloo as soon as old enough, completing the course in the Union School. June 1, 1852, he was married to Miss Emeline Mount, of the town of Seneca Falls, and the daughter of Randolph and Lydia (Hunt) Mount. About this time his father gave him a tract of one hundred acres. He carefully cultivated the tract, but did not live upon it, and afterward purchased the place on which he now resides, and which also belonged to his father.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bacon there were born one son and five daughters, Jennie M. and Anna H. are both deceased. Joel W. married Florence Peterson, and they have a family of six children; Emma, Clara M. and Mary E. complete the household. They are all well educated, and Mary E. attended Wells College in Cayuga County for two years. Mrs. Bacon died in 1888.

Our subject cast his first Presidential vote in 1852, for a Whig candidate, and since 1856 has supported the representatives of the Republican party. He has served his party as a delegate to the various county conventions, and in many ways has been influential and prominent in the ranks. For many years he has been connected with the Agricultural Society, and for seven years served as its President. His honored father aided in the organization of the first Agricultural Society in the county, and the male members of the family have always been connected with this organization and aided in its upbuilding. Our subject remembers well attending the meetings of the society when they were held in an open lot, and no charges made for admission. They now have large grounds, and the meetings of this particular society are considered the best in the state. Mr. Bacon is likewise a member of the Waterloo Historical Society, in the working of which he takes great interest. Together with his family, he is a member of the Episcopal Church, and is Vestryman of his congregation.