A Sketch of Ulysses Brees

A Sketch of Ulysses Brees from the "History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler Counties", published in Philadelphia in Everts and Ensign, 1879

The subject of this sketch is of Welsh ancestry, tracing his lineage back through several generations. We find his ancestors among the Jacobites and adherents of the Stuarts. John Brees, the great-grand-father of Ulysses, came to this country in about 1735, and settled in New Jersey. He married Dorothy Riggs, and located in Barnard Township, Somerset Co. A large family of children were born to them, and the worthy couple attained the ripe old age of ninety years each. He died March 4, 1803, and his wife November 23, the same year. A son, John, came to this section and settled just below Elmira (then Newton), in 1789, and two or three years subsequently removed to Horseheads. Silas, son of John, and father of Ulysses Brees, was born May 1. 1785. Upon attaining the age of manhood he married Mary Bennett, who was born March, 1784. They reared a family of eight children, six of whom are now living. Politically he was a firm supporter of the Democratic party, and in religious matters identified himself with the Universaliest Church. Being of a happy and cheerful disposition, he gained the esteem and respect of all who knew him.

Ulysses Brees, born March 28, 1822, is the sixth son of a family of eight children. His educational advantages were limited; still he succeeded in acquiring a practical business education, and at twenty-four years of age he married Elizabeth, daughter of Amos and Mary Lee Langdon, of Erin, Chemung Co., formerly of Dutchess Co., N. Y. He remained of the Horseheads farm a few years after marriage, and in September 1850, purchased a tract of timbered land lying in the eastern part of the town of Horseheads. He soon after, in partnership, with his brother William, laid out the village of Breesport, now one of the thriving villages of the county. The shops of the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad are located there, making it an important station. In the year 1851 he was instrumental in establishing a post office. The little hamlet then consisted of three buildings, -- a hotel (which was kept by Mr. Brees eleven years), a blacksmith shop, and a store.

In 1861 he purchased the old homestead, remaining upon it about thirteen years, at which time the spirit of enterprise again seized him an he built the fine hotel now standing at West Junction, which certainly does credit to his architectural taste. The family of Mr. Brees consisted of six children; three only now living, - Franklin M., born Oct. 12, 1850; Matthew C., born June 24, 1853; Wellington, born May 24, 1857. Matthew C. now occupies the old homestead.

Mr. Brees is a stanch Democrat, having been chosen for supervisor twice. His Career has been a prosperous one; and, as evidence of his industry and success, has a goodly heritage of over four hundred acres of land. Honorable and upright as a citizen, his held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Ulysses Brees's house located at the corner of Grand Central Avenue and Sayre street in Horseheads, New York. Click on the image to see a larger version of the picture.

Picture of the House from a news paper article.	The house was the site that the 1917 Breese reunion was held	Picture of the house taken in September, 2000