Lemuel, son of Gideon Herendeen, was born on the old homestead at Farmington, New York, May 15, 1833. He was educated in the public schools and at the Friends Boarding School at Providence, Rhode Island. He married (first) November 9, 1861, Eliza Newman, born December 5, 1831, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Newman, of Victor. His wife died December 7, 1885. He married (second) January 16, 1889, Anna E., second daughter of David and Elizabeth Peters, of Ithaca. Mr. Herendeen died February 13, 1897, in Geneva. He was educated in the district schools and worked on the homestead when a boy. He came to Geneva, New York, in 1869, after selling his farm. He started in the nursery business on a farm he purchased in Geneva. He was in partnership for a time with Eli A. Bronson and continued three years under the firm name of Bronson & Herendeen. Mr. Herendeen then sold his share of the business to Mr. Hopkins and was admitted to the firm of Sears & Henry, nurserymen, the name becoming Sears, Henry & Company. This firm prospered and Mr. Herendeen continued in business as long as he lived. He was keenly interested in public affairs and was elected superintendent of the poor in Ontario county for six consecutive terms. He was president of the incorporated village of Geneva one term and had been re-elected, but died ten days after his second election. He was an earnest and influential Republican.
Although he was brought up in the faith of the Friends he attended the Methodist Episcopal church for fifteen years, during six of which he was a trustee and four years superintendent of the Sunday school. In later years he became a member of the North Presbyterian Church. His wife was president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Young Men’s Christian Association. Children of his first wife: Herbert; Albert H., mentioned elsewhere; Florence.
