My Genealogy Hound

OLIN E. EMENS, of the firm of Emens & Son, is engaged in general merchandising in Fayette, Seneca County. He is a native of this county and was born in the town of Varick, August 25, 1857, to Enoch and Eliza (Van Riper) Emens. His father, who is the senior member of the above firm, is made mention of elsewhere in this volume.

Our subject grew to mature years on his parents’ farm, one mile and a-half from the village of Fayette, where he attended school in the home district. He made rapid progress in his studies, and is now a thoroughly informed and shrewd business man. Until his twenty-first year he remained at home, and then removed to the village and established a mercantile business in company with his cousin, Austin Emens, with whom he was associated for three years. He was enabled to engage in this enterprise with the means which his father furnished. Austin Emens died at the expiration of three years, when our subject purchased the interest of his heirs in the business and continued for six months alone. About that time his mother’s brother, Peter H. Van Riper, bought a half-interest in the concern, and with his assistance the stock was increased to about $3,000 worth, or double what it had been. This gentleman was acquainted with this department of trade in all its details, and during the two years in which he was interested in the store the business was very materially increased.

In 1883 the father of our subject purchased the interest of Mr. Van Riper, and the stock of goods which the firm now carries is valued at from $7,000 to $9,000. They occupy a large brick building, which has been enlarged to meet their present demands, and in addition to this they have put up a large storehouse, where their reserve stock is kept. They are very courteous in their treatment of customers and command the patronage of the best residents of the surrounding country.

Mr. Emens and Miss Emma B. Burroughs was married January 5, 1881. Mrs. Emens was born in the town of Varick, and was the daughter of William and Lucinda (Beary) Burroughs. To them have been born four children. Laura B. was born in the village of Fayette; Grace E. was also born in that place. May 19, 1883; Wilford C. was born in the town of Varick, October 1, 1888; and M. Evelyn was born in the same town, December 20, 1893.

Like his father before him, our subject is a stanch Republican, and on that ticket has been elected to various offices of honor and trust, among them being Clerk of the town of Varick for two years and Supervisor of the same town from 1886 to 1889; during the last year he was Chairman of the Board. He has always taken a great interest in political matters and has been delegate to the various county, district and senatorial conventions. During the administration of President Arthur he was Postmaster of Fayette, and was succeeded in this office by his brother, Fred R. S. He is a prominent Mason, being a member of Fayette Lodge No. 539, and in this order he has passed nearly all the chairs, having been Senior Deacon, Senior Warden and Worshipful Master, holding the latter office two years. In 1889 Mr. Emens erected in this village a beautiful residence, which cost $2,000. It bears all the latest improvements and is furnished in a manner which indicates its occupants to be people of means and refined tastes. Three years later he purchased a farm of ninety-three acres on the west shore of Cayuga Lake, which is devoted mainly to stock-raising.

In the year 1892 Mr. Emens was nominated by the Republicans of this district for Representative in the General Assembly, but as there was a factional fight in the party, it was carried to the courts, and his name was not permitted to appear on the ballot.