ISAAC CHASE, Jr. was born in Somerset, Massachusetts, on the 24th day of February 1801. His father, Isaac Chase, Sr., was of Quaker origin, and reared his family under the discipline of the rigid honesty and simplicity characteristic of that people. In the year following, in 1802, he removed with his family to Greenfield, Saratoga county, in this State, where his sterling worth and practical Christianity endeared him to all his neighbors. Here, in an excellent community, and surrounded with pious associations, the subject of this sketch grew up to manhood, and acquired those habits of industry and noble effort which, in so marked a degree, characterized his after-life.

He was married May 8, 1820, to a very estimable young lady, Miss Lucy Sheldon, of Milton, in the same county. In 1825, with a few friends, he emigrated to the comparatively new country of western New York, and settled in Parma, on the farm where he now resides. He purchased it of a Mr. Lane, who, seventeen years previous, had bought it directly of the agents of Phelps and Gorham, but as yet had made no payment on it.

He had erected a log house near the site of the present residence of Mr. Chase, and cleared just enough land to raise bread for a large family of stalwart sons, who followed the irregular business of trapping and hunting, and barely managed to live. Being pressed for a first payment, Mr. Lane was glad to sell his improvements and claims to Mr. Chase, whose management in a short time transformed an abode of slovenly indolence into one of prosperous industry.  With the persevering energy of the New England farmer, Mr. Chase set to work clearing away the dense forest and thicket, and in due time erected a fine residence, with all the surroundings and attractions of a pleasant rural home.

During the first three winters of his residence in Parma he taught school in the school-house then located at Castle's Corners, which became, under his management, one of the best schools in the town. On January 4, 1857, Mr. Chase lost his wife, with whom he had lived in happy wedlock nearly thirty-seven years. She bore him six children, —three sons and three daughters—Sarah Elizabeth, James, Edwin, Mary Ann, William, and Henry. They are all alive except one of each, and all residents of this county.

He married again at Rock Stream, in Yates county, this State, Hannah Edgerton, of that place, on September 15, 1858, with whom he lived nearly ten years. She died January 6, 1868. On December 8, 1869, Mr. Chase married his present wife, Emerransa Geldred, a very estimable lady of Castile, Wyoming county, this State.

Mr. Chase is a zealous member of the Christian church, of which there are many members in that vicinity. To his efforts more than any other are due not only the organization of that society, but also the erection of the fine church edifice near his residence. He has also been one of the most prominent men in contributing to the growth and development of his town.

Liberal, public-spirited, and always awake to the needs of society, no measure for the public good, or movement for the advance of moral or religious interests, fails to receive his support or the aid of his best efforts, and an appreciative community has rewarded him often with positions of trust. He was nine times elected supervisor of the town, besides minor offices, all of which he administered with the strictest integrity, to the full approval and satisfaction of all parties.

In politics Mr. Chase is a Republican, but not a rigid partisan. Being an uncompromising foe to slavery in any form, he naturally allies himself to the party of universal freedom. A strong Union man during the war of the rebellion, he contributed liberally from his substance for the support of his country, ready, if necessary, to sacrifice all he possessed for its safety.