Philip Sweet Greene was born in Alfred, N. Y., March 27, 1818, and died at the same place Oct. 6, 1903.
Judge Edward Greene, his grandfather, was a veteran of the Revolution, and served as captain in the war of 1812. He was the first judge of Madison county, N. Y. At eighty-four years of age his autograph was still bold and firm. His son, Luke Greene, was a pioneer settler at Alfred. His was one of the first four families to make a home in the wilderness. He also served in the war of 1812. To him and his wife, Nancy Murphy, were born nine children and seventy-five grandchildren. Of these children, Philip was the sixth. He received his schooling in a log house. All his life except about two years in Illinois before his marriage, was passed in the community of his birth. On Sept. 6, 1844, he was married to Olivia Clarke, of Independence.
She was also of study descent. Her father's father, Stephen Clarke, had twelve children, all of who lived to rear families with an average number of eight children; so she had ninety-five cousins. She was bright, witty, kind hearted, and her memory is cherished by many people, including generation of students, to whom she showed kindness in a thousand delicate ways, and for whom her house was a home. She was superintendent of the Primary Sabbath-school, and her boys and girls still remember how she would kneel in prayer for them, while the tears ran down her cheeks.
Mr. Greene was a conscientious man. This trait showed plainly in his work. One of his sons says that his respect for his father began when he saw him selecting material for the wagons which he made. He would use none but the best of material, whether he made a cent or not. One old citizen says that he made the last wagon used on his farm, and it was the best one he ever saw. He was a trustee of the University from 1850 to 1886. He was justice of the peace for twenty-four years, often trying criminal cases, but he never had a decision reversed by a higher court. He was justice of sessions (associate judge of the court) for three successive terms. He was temperate in every sense. He not only never had a taste of tobacco or strong drink so far as is known, but he was also temperate in word, deed, and spirit. He lived a steady, even life. He was a kind man. He would leave profitable work to do a repair job from which he did not expect to get anything....
