Ira Whitlock. Prominent among the names of the early residents of West hill, is that of Ira Whitlock, who came into this town in 1886. He was born in Granville, Washington county, N.Y., where he passed the early years of his life. He was educated at the old “Granville Academy,” and after attaining his majority, he went to New York City, and for several years was employed as engineer on the Hudson and East rivers. In 1828, he came to the town of Conesus, where he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1836, he removed to this town, and in the following year was married to Miss Amelia Stuart, and settled upon what was known as the “Stoddard Redmond” farm, at the Liberty Pole, where he remained until his death, which occurred Sept. 2, 1886. Mr. Whitlock was a man of more than average intellectual ability, and from the first commanded the respect and confidence of the people. As early as 1839, he was elected cam-missioner of highways, and subsequently as assessor and justice of the peace, and in various other positions of public trust, he faithfully served the interests of the community until prevented by the infirmities of advancing age. As a surveyor his skill and accuracy were proverbial. During the active years of his life he probably surveyed more land, determined more ancient boundaries, and settled more knotty and disputed questions in that line than any other man in the country. Naturally a close observer and endowed with rare judgment and discrimination, his decisions were seldom questioned. Bold, fearless and outspoken in his convictions of right, and withal a man of uncompromising integrity, he was for many years one of the nastier spirits of the community in which he lived.
