History of Penn Yan, (Yates County) New York United States of America

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Biographies:

Nirom Marium Crane, soldier, was born in Penn Yah, N.Y., Dec. 13, 1828; son of Nirom and Anna (Goodrich) Crane; and a descendant in the 6th generation from Henry and Concurrence (Meigs) Crane, who emigrated from Norfolk, England in 1660 and settled in Connecticut. In 1849 he established himself in business in Wayne, N.Y., removed to Hornellsville, N.Y., in 1853 and in 1856 engaged in banking. In 1861 he assisted in recruiting the 23d regiment, N.Y. volunteers, of which he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. He fought in the battles Of Groveton (2d Bull Run), Chantlily, South Mountain, and Antietam, was acting inspector-general on the staff of Gen. John F. Reynolds and his side in the battle of Fredericksburg. In 1863 he was assistant provost-marshal-general on the staff of General Hooker. He commanded the 107th N.Y. volunteers at Leesburg in June, 1863, and was its colonel in the battle of Gettysburg. He was with Sherman at Chattanooga, in his march to the sea, and at Johnston's surrender, and was mustered out of the service in June, 1865. He was brevetted brigadier-general, March 13, 1865. He resumed his banking business at Hornellsville, N.Y., and was instrumental in organizing the soldiers' home in Bath, N.Y., of which he was a trustee and treasurer. He married in 1852 Marie Louise, daughter of Matthew McDowell of Wayne, N.Y. He died in Wayne, N.Y. Sept. 25, 1901.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Coates Kinney, poet, was born at Kinney's-Corners, near Penn-Yah, Yates county, N.Y., Nov. 24, 1826; son of Giles and Myra (Cornell) Kinney, and grandson of Stephen and Rebecca (Coates) Kinney and of Samuel and Polly (Darrow) Cornell. He removed with his parents to Ohio in 1840, and was a student at Antioch college, Yellow Springs, Ohio, but was not graduated. He was admitted to the Cincinnati bar in 1856, and practised until 1859, when he entered journalism, serving as editor of the Xenia Torchlight, the Cincinnati Daily Times, the Ohio State Journal, and the Springfield Daily Republic. He was made paymaster in the U.S. volunteer army with the rank of major in 1861, and was mustered out with the commission of brevet lieutenant-colonel of volunteers in 1865. He was a delegate to the Republican national convention in 1868, and secretary of the Ohio delegation; and was senator in the Ohio legislature from the fifth district, 1882-83. He is the author of: Ke-u-ka and Other Poems (1855); Lyrics of the Ideal and the Real (1888); Mists of Fire and Some Eclogs (1899). His best known poem is Rain on the Roof.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Morrison Oliver, soldier, was born in Penn Yan, N.Y., Sept. 6, 1828; son of William Morrison (1792-1863) and Eleanor (Young) Oliver, and grandson of the Rev. Andrew Oliver, a native of Scotland, who settled in Londonderry, N.H., removed to Springfield, Otsego county, N.Y., about 1795, where he was pastor of the Associate Reformed church, and died there in 1833. William Morrison Oliver was judge of Yates county, state senator, president of the senate, 1830, chief judge of the court of errors, clerk of the supreme court and representative in the 27th congress, 1841-43. John Morrison Oliver was educated at St. Paul's college, College Point, L.I., N.Y., of which the Rev. W. A. Muhlenberg was president, returned to Penn Yan and was married, Oct. 22, 1848, to Joanna, daughter of David Wagener, and granddaughter of Abraham Wagener. He removed to Monroe, Mich., where he was a druggist, and served as recorder of the court. On April 17, 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier; was made 1st lieutenant in the 1st Michigan infantry volunteers, and was the first to receive promotion in the regiment, being made captain of his company. Early in 1862 Governor Blair appointed him colonel of the 15th Michigan volunteers, which regiment was ordered to the front and engaged in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 6-7, 1862. He was commended by General McCook for conspicuous bravery and efficient service. He commanded the 2d brigade in McKean's 6th division, Army of West Tennessee, at the battles of Corinth, Iuka and at Grand Junction; commanded his regiment in the 2d brigade, 1st division, 16th army corps in the Vicksburg campaign from June 12 to July 4, 1863; commanded the 3d brigade, 4th division, 15th army corps in the Atlanta campaign until August 4, 1863, when his brigade was absorbed by the 1st brigade and he returned to the command of his regiment. He commanded the 3d brigade in Hazen's 2d division, Logan's 15th corps, in the march to the sea, and was prominent in the capture of Fort McAllister, Dec. 13, 1864, where his brigade opened and carried the assault. He led his brigade through the Carolinas and until disbanded at Washington after the surrender of Johnston's army in North Carolina. He received his commission as brigadier-general of volunteers in January, 1865, while at Savannah, and was brevetted major-general of volunteers, March 15, 1865. He was assigned to the command of the 2d division, 15th army corps, Army of the Tennessee, and was stationed at Louisville, Ky., and ordered from there to Little Rock, Ark., where he was mustered out of the service and made assessor of internal revenue, meanwhile practicing law in Little Rock. He was appointed by President Grant superintendent of postal service in the southwest, and took up his residence in Washington, D.C. He resigned in 1871 on account of ill health. He declined the office of associate justice of the supreme court of the District of Columbia in 1869. He died in Washington, D.C., March 30, 1872.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor