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Henry Sears, who for more than half a century was identified with the best business and social interests of
Albion, was a native of old historic Bennington county, Vt. He was born November 8. 1810, and was the son of Ira
Sears, the latter one of Vermont's most reputed early sons. In a family of ten children, Henry Sears, was the last
survivirig son. In 1826 he left Bennington county and went to Broadalbin, Fulton county, N. Y., where he learned
carriage making in all its branches, and where he continued to reside until 1840, when he came to Albion. In Broadalbin,
Mr. Sears united with the Presbyterian Church and was a prominent member of that society. Removing to Albion in
1840, he erected the building on Main Street, in which he has ever since carried on the carriage business. Probably
no one who has ever lived in Albion has remained in one business for a longer continuous time than Mr. Sears, and
his wagons and carriages have an extensive sale in Western New York. Honest and upright in his dealings he has
been an honor to our village. Alive to all its interests he was repeatedly elected to the office of trustee, and
for several terms was president of the village. In politics he was an old time Whig, afterwards a zealous Republican.
A descendant of the Pilgrims, he was a Puritan in the best sense of the word. Inheriting the noble physique and
strong character of his Cushman ancestry, he possessed in addition a peculiarly winning and sunshiny nature that
endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. Soon after coming to Albion he with Mrs. Sears united with the
First Presbyterian church of Albion, and he served many terms as trustee of the society. He was elected ruling
elder of this church March 6, 1853. During the forty years he held the office he was associated with twenty five
different brethren in the session, of whom seven have removed from the place or retired from office, and eleven
have died. Almost the entire present membership of the church were received during his term of office. No wonder
that he was called "Father Sears." During the later years he had been laid aside from active duties by
infirmities of body, yet his thoughts were of the cause and the church he loved. Beloved and respected by all,
his counsel was elpecially sought by the session of which he was for many years the central figure. Positive and
tenacious, yet quiet in manner, he could stand alone in a matter of conscience. He was often selected to represent
the church in Presbytery and Synod, and has represented the Presbytery in general assembly. In Fulton county, September
20, 1832, Henry Sears married Harriet Alvord and to them the following children were born: Aipheus H., Sarah H.,
(died in 1854), William Alvord, and Anna Emmous. Henry Sears died February 18, 1893, and his wife June 28, 1882.
Alpheus H. Sears married (August 25, 1880) Laura McEwen, of Broadalbin. They have one child. Henry Paul Sears.
After the death of Mr. Sears, the carriage factory, which had been carried on by him so many years in Albion, was
transferred to his sons, Aipheus H. and William Sears, and by them the business is still conducted. In fact they
were brought up in the business and were associated with their father previous to his death.
From:
Landmarks of Orleans County, New York
Edited by: Hon. Isaac C. Signor
Assisted by: H. P. Smith and others
D. Mason & Co., Publishers
Syracuse, N. Y. 1894
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