Biographical Sketches of Monroe County Residents

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Alvin E. NYE

pages 1071-1072 

Alvin E. NYE is operating a well improved tract of land, comprising one hundred and thirty-five acres, situated in Pittsford township, and is classed among the substantial agriculturists of this section of the state. He was born in Pittsford, in 1831, a son of Silas and Sarah (STONE) NYE. One of the most interesting features that can ever come into the life of any representative of the NYE family is to attend the reunions annually held. On the occasion of its yearly reunion at Sandwich, Massachusetts, in 1906, in the address of welcome William L. NYE said in part: "It seems but natural here that we should turn our thoughts back to the early days when the old town was but a wilderness; when the wild Indian claimed ownership to all that was in sight. Our thoughts will travel back across the seas to Kent county, old England. In imagination we see a lad of fifteen bidding farewell to home and friends, starting off to seek his fortune in the new world. We see the same lad again in the town of Saugus with a few shillings in his pockets join the little group who are preparing to march toward the place which was to be their future home. We can see them winding their way across country toward the little hamlet of Sandwich. * * * The had of fifteen becomes a man. We find him taking unto himself a helpmate. That lad was Benjamin NYE; that helpmate Catherine TUPPER. As a man and citizen he took a most active part in all the affairs of the town and soon became an extensive landowner. When old age incapacitated him for active labor, he returned to the old home of Jonathan NYE in East Sandwich and throughout the rest of his life radiated an influence of goodness and uprightness in the community in which he lived." Such is the account given of the American ancestor of the family.

The father of Alvin E. NYE served in the war of 1812 and drew a land warrant in northern Michigan. He came to Monroe county from Massachusetts, and cleared and developed a farm which is now known as the MYERS property. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and was also by trade a carpenter and joiner, erecting all of the buildings on his home place. He also improved the place by setting out a good orchard and continued to make his home on that place until his death, which occurred in 1864. Of their nine children all reached years of maturity, but our subject is now the only one who survives.

Alvin E. NYE acquired his early education in the common schools and later attended a collegiate institute. Upon starting out in life on his own account he went upon the road for the nursery firm of BOARDMAN & WHEELER and also grew some nursery stock. In 1860 he purchased a tract of land comprising thirty-eight acres, to which he added a tract of one hundred acres, this latter place being purchased in connection with his brother, with whom he was associated in business until the former's death in 1870. He has since continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits and in addition to carrying on this work is also engaged in the milk business, keeping on hand sixteen cows, but his son, Wales M. NYE, is now assisting him in the management of his agricultural interests. In his labors he has ever followed practical methods and has thereby met with desirable and gratifying success. Mr. NYE was married in Rush, New York, in 1857, to Miss Elizabeth FOWLER, who was born in Pittsford. Of this union six children were born: Hiram Addison, the eldest, who died at the age of six years; Wales M.; Lettie May, the wife of Jared W. HOPKINS, who is mentioned on another page of this work; Alvin F., of Rochester; Delora J., at home; and Chauncey B., of Rochester. The wife and mother departed this life in 1881.

Mr. NYE formerly gave his political support to the democratic party, but of late years has cast his ballot for the men of the republican party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. He has spent his entire life in this community, covering a period of more than three-quarters of a century, and with the early history of the state he is thoroughly familiar and has not only been a witness of the agricultural development that has here been made, but has also been an active participant therein. He has ever followed the most honorable methods in his business affairs and has won a creditable record among his fellow citizens.