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From: "Linda H. Gutiérrez" <>
Subject: Biographical Sketch of Stephen STACE
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 19:06:21 -0600


The following biography appears on pages 494 & 497 in the

"History of Rochester and Monroe County New York From the Earliest Historic Times to the Beginning of 1907" by William F. PECK, The Pioneer Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1908.

**Other surnames of interest in this biography: PELLET, WILLARD, LA SALLE, WILDER, & PATTERSON


As a horticulturist Stephen STACE has gained wide reputation not only in Monroe county but throughout other sections of the state. He owns a fine farm of fifty acres, which is pleasantly situated in Greece township, a mile south of Charlotte. All this is devoted exclusively to the raising of fruit, for he has a fine grape vineyard and in addition has a large quantities of cherries and various kinds of small fruit.

Mr. STACE is a native of Kent, England, born near the Sussex line, August 20, 1832, a son of George and Jane (RALPH) STACE, both of whom were natives of the latter place. The father died when the son was a little lad of three years. In the family were six children: Jane, William R. and George, all deceased; Stephen, of this review; Sihon; and Mrs. Sarah PELLET, of Webster, New York. After the father's death, the mother remained in the old world for a number of years but later emigrated to this country and was here married a second time, this union being with James PELLET, of Webster, by whom she had one son, Thomas PELLET. She passed away in Webster.

Soon after the birth of Stephen STACE, his parents removed to Sussex, where he lived to the age of nineteen years. He spent a portion of this time on a farm and later had charge of a large master's building, having under his supervision forty men. He began work by wheeling brick but his ability was soon demonstrated and after two weeks he was given full charge for two years. In 1852 he emigrated with his family and a large colony to Ontario, Wayne county, New York, having himself made arrangements for their passage. He joined his brother-in-law at Ontario but after a brief period spent in that place came to Monroe county, settling in Webster, where for sixteen years he worked in various capacities. He then purchased a farm in Webster township, and resided thereon for a few years, but in 1868 disposed of that property and purchased in connection with his brother, William R. STACE, a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. Later they divided the land, each taking a portion!
, but after a time Mr. STACE disposed of a portion of his to a railroad company, retaining possession of fifty acres, which is his present place of residence. This tract is located on the boulevard, one mile south of Charlotte, in Greece township. When it came into possession of Mr. STACE it was covered with timber and stumps but he at once began to clear the land, which was eventually developed into a good tract. He has since improved the place with good substantial buildings and devotes it to horticultural pursuits. He has set out a large grape vineyard, which yields four tons of grapes per acre and for the past twenty-nine years there has not been a failure of fruit. He also has three hundred cherry trees, which for the past few years has yielded twelve tons of cherries. He likewise has an apple and peach orchard and large quantities of currants and blackberries, all of which yield an abundant crop. Mr. STACE has made a close study of fruit culture and is numbered !
among the best horticulturists of Monroe county, being considered an authority on all subjects pertaining to the raising of various fruits. His place is valuable, he having refused an offer of forty thousand dollars for it.

Mr. STACE has been instrumental in much of the development and improvement that has placed this section of the country in the front ranks of the commonwealth. He organized a company and supervised construction of the ROCHESTER ELECTRIC RAILROAD, which was the first electric line in the state and connected Rochester with Charlotte, and the power house is built on his farm. He was also instrumental in having the boulevard made from Rochester to Charlotte, and for twenty-five years acted as general manager, when the toll road was sold to the county. He also spent a great deal of effort in securing good shipping facilities for Charlotte and got the first coal shipped by water through Charlotte. In many ways he has contributed to the general progress and prosperity of this community.

At the age of ten years Mr. STACE began making a study of phrenology and in this connection has gained national reputation. He has never charged for his services and has conducted many classes in this study, having one at the Philadelphia Centennial and at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago. He has been consulted by thousands of people, including many of the prominent business men of Rochester and other cities.

Although Mr. STACE came as a poor man to Monroe county, he has through his own industry, perseverance and economy, accumulated an excellent property and a goodly competence. In addition to his valuable farm in Greece township, he also owns one hundred and sixty acres of land near Baltimore on Chesapeake Bay and also five acres of land near Palatka, Florida, where for the past sixteen years he has spent the winter seasons. He is a republican in politics, having voted for every presidential candidate of that party since he cast his vote for Fremont. He is a member of the New York Horticultural society and in this way keeps in touch with the advance that is being made along horticultural lines.

Mr. STACE has been three times married. He was first married in England to Miss Emily WILLARD, their wedding being celebrated in 1852. The children of this marriage are as follows: Jane, who was married and at her death left two daughters; George, who makes his home in Rochester and for the past twenty-nine years has been in the employ of the NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD; Artemesia, the wife of J.B. LA SALLE, who resides on her father's farm in a separate dwelling; and Albert E., of Charlotte. His second union was with Josephine Hortense WILDER, who was a teachcer [sic] and his present wife bore the maiden name of Rebecca PATTERSON.


*****

I am not related nor do I have any connection to any of the persons in the above biography.

Linda
in Costa Rica


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