My Genealogy Hound

RICHARD S. WILCOX, who during his life was a well known and highly respected citizen of Seneca County, was born on the farm where his family now resides, at Dey’s Landing, in the town of Varick, April 16, 1824. He was a son of Jotham and Lois (Scudder) Wilcox, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, and who there married, moving to this state early in the present century. Richard was the only one of the family that was born in this state, and both parents died on the farm where he was born. Reared in a comparatively new settlement, he had but few educational advantages, first attending the district schools, and later those at Ovid. Until after reaching his majority he remained at home with his parents, assisting in the cultivation of the farm.

For his first wife Mr. Wilcox married Miss Eliza P. Knight, of Massachusetts, who died in December, 1855. Their only son died when about seven years of age. On the 19th of March, 1856, our subject married Miss Berthena J. Kemp, of Niagara County, N. Y. By this union there were four children born: Etta E., who married E. L. Benjamin, and now resides on the home farm; Fannie L., who married C. R. Kennedy, of Romulus; Richard F., who died in infancy; and Richard, who died July 31, 1888, in his eighteenth year.

Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Wilcox brought his young bride to his old home, where they lived happily together until his death, which occurred suddenly, of apoplexy, April 16, 1879. The farm, which is located in the towns of Varick and Romulus, consists of two hundred acres, and borders on Lake Seneca. Mr. Wilcox was extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in which he was quite successful, and always kept his place under a high state of cultivation.

Politically Mr. Wilcox was a Democrat, and took an active part in the affairs of his town and county, although he never asked nor desired public office. While not a member of any church, he was a supporter and attendant of the West Romulus Baptist Church. For many years he was an active member of the Grange organization, being identified with the one in the town of Romulus, and earnestly believed that its principles, if honestly carried out, would subserve the best interests of the farming community. For a number of years he had been a Mason.

Mr. Wilcox, who was a well built man, was five feet six inches in height, and weighed one hundred and seventy pounds. When his death occurred he was engaged in building the house in which the family now resides. Few men in Seneca County were better known and more highly respected than the subject of this sketch.