The Family of Wilbur W. Capron and Emily T. Wiley Capron

The Parents of Wilbur W. Capron

Sylvester Capron and Laura Higgins Capron

The Parents of Emily T. Wiley

John and Mother Wiley.

Capron Family Tree

Higgins Family Tree

Wiley Family Tree

Emily’s Maternal Family Tree

Marriages of Wilbur W. Capron

1st Marriage to Emily T. Wiley in 1869.

Marriages of Emily T. Wiley

1st Marriage to Wilbur W. Capron in 1869.

The Obituary of Wilbur W. Capron

6 February 1839 - 18 December 1903

From the Wayland Register, 25 December 1903.

The announcement that Hon. Wilbur W. Capron had died very suddenly in New York last Friday, December 18th, was a shock to the people of Wayland.

He had gone away to attend to his duties as Warden of the port of New York and but the day before a letter to his son left him feeling well, but the destroyer came and he was suddenly stricken down. His body was brought here Saturday and was met at the Lackawanna train by a number of our citizens who acted as an escort to the family home.

The funeral was held from his late home Monday afternoon and was attended by many prominent citizens from other towns. The funeral services were brief and were conducted by Rev. Bond of the Methodist church, assisted by Rev. Thompson of the Advent Christian church. The interment was in the Springwater cemetery where the family have a burial plot.

Wilbur W. Capron was the son of Sylvester Capron and was born in the town of Springwater, February 6th, 1839 and was 64 years of age at the time of his death.

He was educated in the public schools of Springwater and later took a course in the Geneseo Wesleyan Seminary at Lima. He commenced business for himself as a farmer but tilled the soil for but three years when he formed a partnership with Geo. Pierce in the dry goods business at Springwater on the corner known as the Allen & Whitlock corner. Later he exchanged his interest in the store for an interest in the Sprinwater mills and afterward disposed of these for an interest in the Perkinsville mill. He was associated with the Hon. Thomas M. Fowler and with H. B. Hess purchased the John Hess store in this village.

In 1866 Messrs. Capron & Fowler succeeded to the Produce business of this town, and they made the old red building at the Erie station the Mecca of the farmers for a radius of many miles. The reputation of this concern in which Mr. Charles H. Fowler, now of Passaic, N.J., succeeded his father, was as wide as the state, and probably no house in Western New York has handled more produce, and certainly no concern anywhere ever dealt with its customers with greater liberality of cleaner honor. How many times have farmers sold their potatoes or grain at a stimulated price to find that their checks called for a larger amount than was due because of an advance of which they were ignorant. Throughout his business life Mr. Capron was an indomitable hustler, and when he made the price every one knew that it was the highest that could be quoted. It is true to say that he did more for the well being of the farmers in this locality than any other citizen.

In politics he could not from his nature avoid being a leader, and was recognized in county, district and state - whenever he came in touch with affairs - as one of the ablest councilors in his party. He had that genius of mind termed “Napoleonic”, by which he was able to divest a problem of its “non-essentials” to use his own expression and with a lightning glance see the real point at issue, and then, with a rare good sense, point out the wisest course. He always fought a strong battle, but could not be induced to use questionable methods, and when the victory was won there was no ill-filling left on either side.

In 1889 he was elected Supervisor of the town of Wayland which he held for two years. Later he was appointed Warden of the port of New York by Governor Morton which position he was filling at the time of his death.

He was married to Emily Wiley, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wiley of Springwater and has one son, Wiley W. Capron who has succeeded to his father’s business.

His was always a cheerful presence. There were no gloomy forbodings, or ghostly might-have-been in his philosophy, but he radiated a genial warmth from his kindly nature, and with cordial hand-shake and gentle pleasantry made his coming welcome. To speak of his untiring devotion to his friends is to touch a chord of deepest human sympathy, and one that will vibrate in many, many hearts while they continue to beat. Absorbed in the cares of business, or while riding from early morning until late at night, he would discard from his mind his own affairs, to study how he might help this or that friend up and on in the world. Self did not seem to enter into his calculations, while to plan for some other’s good was his favorite recreation. And when effort was needed he could neither rest, nor count expense.

He sleeps. His great, generous heart is still. We write this epitaph as one who loved his fellow man, and such names lead all the rest.

The Obituary of Emily T. Wiley Capron

1840 - 9 May 1892

From the Wayland Register, 13 May 1922.

Mrs. Emily T. Capron died at her home in this village, Tuesday, May 9 th. She had been seriously ill for a number of weeks, but improved so noticeably during the few days preceeding her death that her friends were warranted in the hope that the end might be delayed for some time; her death came therefore unexpectedly.

Mrs. Capron was born and passed the early years of her life in the neighboring town of Springwater, her father being John Wiley, a prominent figure in his time, both in the church and the State Legislature.

She was married in 1869 to Wilbur W. Capron, then a merchant in Springwater, and the following year they moved to Wayland settling in the house on the corner of Scott and Naples streets in which Mrs. Capron died and which was her home for more than half a century.

Mr. Capron died in 1903 while serving as Warden of the Port of New York under appointment by Governor Norton.

The funeral was held from the house on Thursday afternoon, interment being in the family lot in the Springwater Cemetery.

The Burial of Wilbur W. Capron

Mt. Vernon Evergreen Cemetery in Springwater NY

The Burial of Emily T. Wiley Capron

Mt. Vernon Evergreen Cemetery in Springwater NY

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