Zenas Tarble, whose portrait is shown on the oposite page, is the popular and efficient sheriff of Chenago County, and is a man who stands high in the Republican party and in the estimation of his fellow citizens. He was born in the village of Sanford, Broome County, NY, Feb 25, 1841 and is a son of Hiram and Louise S. (Aplington) tarble.

    Thomas Tarble, the grandfather of our subject was of pure New England stock and is thought to have been born in the State of Connecticut; at an early age he came to Bainbridge, NY locating in the southern portion which now the town of Afton. He followed the occupation of a farmer there the remainder of his life. He was united in holy bonds of wedlock with a Miss Buck and they reared a family of four children, one who whom was Hiram, the father of our subject.

    Hiram Tarble was the youngest child born to his parents, and received a good common schooling in Bainbridge. He turned his attention to the cultivation fo the soil and followed that occupation all of his life in Sanford, Broome County, where he owned a valuable farms. In religious belief, he was inclined to be liberal. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Louise S. Aplington and the following issue resulted from their union: Eunice, who married Isaac Hall of Afton; Polly, the wife of C. B. Yeaple of Afton, Harriet, deceased; Adelaide, the wife of Philetus Shaw of Afton; Mercy who married John Waterman of Colesville, NY and Zenas, the gentleman whose name appears at the head of these lines. Mr. Tarble closed his eyes in final sleep in December 1878, aged sixty-eight years; his wife died December 1, 1874 at the advanced age of 70 years.

    Zenas Tarble was educated in the common schools of Sanford and soon after reaching man's esate, he enlisted in the army, August 12, 1862, in Co. E. 114th Reg. NY. Vol. Inf. and faithfully served until the colse of the war. He participated in many important engagements, among which were those at Port Bisland, Port Hudson, Sabin Pass. Having received his honorable discharge, he returned to Sanford, where he lived a short time, and then removed to Afton, where he engaged in mercantile business with good reults for a period of 20 years. After the expiration of that time, he disposed of his business, and has since looked after his farming property which he owns in Broome County, although he is living in the village of Norwich. When he received the nomination for sherriff, in 1898, the people--not only of his own party, but also those of the opposition--joined to suppport him, and he was elected by a safe majority..

    He formed a matrimonial alliance in November 1867 with Mary F. Chaffee, a daughter of Ebenezer and Phila Chaffee of Afton and a woman who has many firends, who love her for her many vbertues. They are member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Norwich.....

Source: p. 617

    KINYON TERRY, a leading agriculturist of the town of Norwich, is a son of Thomas k. and Nancy D. (Shaw) Terry. He resides on the old Terry homestead, a farm which has belonged to the Terry family for generations, and which was the place of his nativity, October 11, 1834. The family is of Scotch origin, the great grandfather having come from Scotland and settled in Rhode Island, where he spent his last years.

    Elnathan Terry, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Rhode Island, leaving that state for New York, and settling in the township of Norwich, Chenango County in the year 1804. He was a man who, for that day and age, attained a superior education; a man of bright intellect, he was a keen observer of passing events, and incident once impressed on his memory was never forgotten; he was well informed on all general subjects, and could converse intelligently upon them. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Chenango County, coming here when the country was an almost unbroken tract of wild woodland, over which beasts of the forest roamed, in great part unmolested. The neighbors were miles apart and the only surety of not getting lost in the wilderness was in following "blazed" trees. He bought 150 acres of heavily timbered land, only two acres being cleared, and immediately set about the improvement of his property. He worked steadily at this, with the assistance of his sons, and at his death had cleared 115 acres. Some of the trees had attained an immense growth, measuring twenty-one feet in circumference. One of the most highly prized heirlooms, now in the possession of Mr. Terry, is the old musket willed to him by his grandfather, who carried it, when he gave his assistance to America to throw off the British yoke. Elnathan Terry was a deeply religious man; he was a deacon and one of the founders of the Baptist Church, at Norwich, known as the Free Will Baptist Church. He was a very zealous worker, and gave both time and money for the cause so dear to his heart. He was married to Mary Kinyon and reared the following children: Joannah; Esther; Ursula; Salinda; Elnathan; Thomas K.; and Alanson. Elnathan Terry died at the age of eighty four years, after a long and useful life.

    Thomas K. Terry, the father of our subject, was but four years old when id father moved from Rhode Island to New York. When he reached more mature years, he helped in clearing the farm, and was in fact his father's main help. After his marriage he took up his abode on the land which he had helped to clear, and which had been his father' home for so many years. He carried on general farming, and added several acres to the original 150. He was twice married, his first wife being Nancy Shaw, the mother of the following children: Harriet(Walsworth); Phebe M. (Harris); Sarah A. (Marion): Cordelia N.(Bradley); Ursula, who died at the age of seventeen; Maria M. (Delavan); Kinyon; and Bryon Shaw, who was a student for the ministry when the war broke out, having prepared to enter college, which he would have done had he not entered the service of his country. He joined the Christian Mission Commission and in that work his health suffered severely, as he was unable to withstand the rigor of the Southern climate, with the sad result that he contracted malarial fever, from which he died soon after leaving the service. Thomas K. Terry was an old line Whig. He was a devout Christian, a member of the Baptist Church, and one of the most active and energetic workers in that organization. His family early had instilled in their minds the true religion, as laid down by the teachings of Christ, and it was their aim to make it the rule of the their daily life. They were regular attendants of the Church and Sunday School, and he had the satisfaction, enjoyed by few, of raising a large family and know they were all members of the flock of the Good Shepherd. He died in 1874, at the age of seventy-four years; his wife, the mother our subject, died at the age of forty-seven in 1847. She was a true helpmate to her husband, much of his success in life being due, in a great measure, to her help and encouragement.

    Kinyon Terry is a man of undoubted intelligence and energy-traits no doubt largely inherited, as his ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were people widely know for their superior mental attainments. His maternal grandfather, John Shaw, was a native of Rhode Island, in which state he received his education, taking a college course, after which he entered the Baptist ministry, preaching first in Pennsylvania, afterwards in Lebanon, Madison County, this state; he was the first minister of the Chenango Village and at the time of his death was pastor of the Baptist Church at Willet, Cortland County. He was engaged in the Christian ministry fifty years, being seventy-four years of age at his death, which occurred in 1858. He was married, when a young man, to Phebe Manchester, and this union was blessed by a large family of children: Nancy, mother of our subject; Harriet; Phebe; Hanna; Orpha; Orlinda Betsey; John; and Thomas. Grandmother Shaw was a woman of remarkable vitality, lived to the age of ninety six years. Her daughter Nancy was a great church worker, being active in all the departments, but especially so in the musical circles of the church, and the choir. The great-grandmother of our subject, Phebe Manchester, mother of the Phebe Manchester named above, was an author of considerable reputation upon subjects of nature and travel as well as upon religious topics. Some of her works were published in pamphlet form, and were widely circulated. It is a pleasure to be permitted to chronicle the romantic meeting of grandfather Terry and the maiden who was to become his life partner, Mary Kinyon. She was a member of the village choir, and her bright face and attractive manners attracted the notice of the young man, who sought and obtained an introduction. The acquaintance thus formed proved in no wise disappointing, as it led to friendship, love and finally matrimony. They were not wanting in pluck, and when they moved from Rhode Island, they came overland with their three little children, driving a pair of three year old colts-a journey which would make us hesitate a long time before undertaking, at this day. Grandfather Terry carried in his pocket $1,000.00, with which he bought a farm, paying cash, as he was never know to go in debt.

    Kinyon Terry is a graduate of Norwich Academy, having taken the full academic course. In additon to this, he devoted seven years to teaching, part of the time in the district schools of neighboring towns, and also in Palmyra, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. He then purchased the old homestead, a farm highly prized on account of having been in the possession of the family for so long a time. He carried on general farming, adding to his estate, until at present he is the owner of 205 acres of as fine farm land as can be found in the community. Mr. Terry has some very fine blooded stock on his farm, stock of which any man might be proud. He keeps a dairy of thirty-five cows, his herd being composed of fancy stock Guernseys and Durhams. He has given much thought and attention to the dairy business, and for five years bred the Ayrshire cattle, then the Jersey and Durham for fifteen years, but finds the Guernsey the best breed by far for the dairy. His stables contain some very fancy, high-priced horses, and h has made a great financial success of the business; he has always taken great pride in his horses, and has raised some Morgans and Hambletonians of which any man might be proud, as they are in demand and command very fancy prices. He sold one colt for $300.00, which afterward sold in New York for $2000.00. Everything on his farm is of the best; even the sheep are thoroughbreds, being Southdowns and Shropshires. Everywhere about the premises are to be found the same evidences of care and the desire to excel in whatever is undertaken, and so it is not to be wondered at that Mr. Terry is looked up to by his neighbors as a model business man and farmer. For many years he has been connected with some manufacturing company; at present he is representing the Appleton Machinery Co. of Batavia, Ill., handling all kinds of farm machinery. He has sold goods for that company for seven years, occasionally going on the road, but the bulk of his trade consists of home patronage, selling for the season of 1896 two car loads of their machinery.

    Mr. Terry has been united in marriage three times; his first wife being Elvira Gleason, whose death occurred in 1866, after five short years of happy married life. In August 1867, he married Naoma Van Patten, a daughter of Nicholas V. Van Patten, a farmer of Sterling, Cayuga County. This marriage resulted in three children, only one of whom is living-Elvira Naoma, who is a highly accomplished young lady, a member of the class of 1892 of Mt. Holyoke Seminary, Mass., but on account of poor health was not permitted to graduate; Edna May died at the age of four years; and Kinyon died at the age of eight months. In 1872 Mr. Terry was united with Miss R.A. Lyon, a daughter of Benjamin T. Lyon, one of the oldest settlers of this county, and a resident of Sherburne. She was the mother of one child, which blessed their home for a short space of time but when this bloom had scarcely reached its fifth year, it was taken to blossom in the garden of the Lord. In politics Kinyon Terry is a Republican, and has held many minor offices. He is a member of the Chenango County Farmers' Club. Mr. and Mrs. Terry are both communicants of the Calvary Baptist Church of Norwich, of which he is president of the board of trustees. He has held every office in the organizations, and has always taken an active and prominent part in its councils. Mrs. Terry is at present clerk of the church, and they are both untiring in their work for the Master.

Source: page 153
Transcribed by Ann Hopkins November 11, 2005

    CHARLES H. THORNTON, an influential citizen of New Berlin, and one of its progressive business men, conducts a general merchandize store under the firm name of C.H. Thornton & Co. He was born in the town of Norwich, Chenango County, N.Y, February 7, 1842, and was the first child born to David and Abbie Ann (Clark) Thornton, and a grandson of William Thornton. His great-grandfather was Jonathon Thorton, a native of Rhode Island. In that state, Jonathan Thornton lived for many years, but in 1812 brought his family to New York State, locating in Norwich, Chenango County. He was a mason by trade, and in connection with farming followed that trade all his life. After reaching the advanced age of seventy-five years, he passed from this life in 1862.

    His son William Thornton, was also born in Rhode Island, where he grew to maturity. After his marriage, he came to this state with his father, and earned a competence by tilling the soil. He remained at Norwich the rest of his life.

    David Thornton was born in Rhode Island in 1806, and was six years of age when his father brought him to Norwich. Her he was reared and spent most of his life. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He owned a good farm of 200 acres, which was supplied with 25 or 30 choice cows, for the purpose of carrying on a dairy. Later in Life, he moved to the town of Guilford, where he spent the rest of his life, dying in 1885. He was quite a prominent man, and identified himself with his adopted town, and rejoiced in the status she attained among her sister towns. He joined in wedlock with Abbie Ann Clark, by whom he had the following children: Charles H., the subject of these lines; Sarah E., the wife of William H. Sage, and a resident of Holmesville, this county; Anson, a farmer of Morris, Otsego County; and Samuel, who is a retired farmer of Mt. Upton.

    Charles H. Thornton was reared in Norwich, and lived there until his seventeenth year. He then came to New Berlin, and has made it his home since, with the exception of one year spent in Iowa. He spent his summers as a youth in hard labor upon the farm, but in the winters he attended school and thus fitted himself for his future business career. At the age of twenty, he commenced work in a tannery, and remained there one year. He was adventurous, ambitious, and desirous of going beyond the confines of his own state. He went to Iowa, and there burned lime in the employ of his uncle. Not finding this occupation to his liking, after a stay of one year he returned to New Berlin, and worked on the farm the following two years. He then engaged as a clerk for William Lewis of Holmesville, but soon gave up the position to accept a similar one with C.B. & H. Babcock of New Berlin. He rapidly gained in experience, and after remaining with that firm for seven and a half years, he began business on his own account. He opened a general merchandise store in Holmesville, and conducts it under the firm name, C.H. Thornton & Co. He was shrews and enterprising, and soon acquired a good paying business. They carry a fine line of goods, and have the largest sale of any store in the village.

    December 30, 1868, Mr. Thornton was united in marriage with Julia E. Gadsby, a daughter of Edward Gadsby of Butternuts, Otsego County. She is a kind and lo9ving wife, and has contributed largely toward her husband's success. Mr. Thornton takes an active interest in politics, and supports the principles promulgated by the Democratic party.

Source: page 270
Transcribed by Ann Hopkins November 10, 2005

    GEORGE A. TIFFANY, a leading and well-to-do farmer of North Norwich township, is a son of Lewis and Maranda(Matthewson) Tiffany, and was born May 24, 1854 in the town of North Norwich, where he now resides. (For the ancestral history the reader is referred to the biography of William R. Tiffany.

    Lewis Tiffany, his father was born in the same town July 17, 1817 and was educated in the district schools. He had been raised on a farm, and to agricultural occupations he turned his attention with such good results that he accumulated a large property, at one time owning 400 acres of fine farm land, upon part of which our subject now lives. He was a zealous Christian and a devout Methodist, contributing with a liberal hand toward the support of the church. He was married February 6, 1849 to Maranda Matteweson, and had a family of three sons and one daughter: Lewis; George A.; William; and Della. Of these children only one, the subject of this sketch is now living. The father died in 1895, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, with the consciousness of a well spent life. The mother was born November 2, 1823 and is still living at the age of seventy-four years, a bright, cheerful old lady.

    The first school days of George A. Tiffany were spent in the district school, whence he advanced to the Norwich Academy and from there to the Brockport State Normal School. This later institution he attended for three years, and while there became a member of the Gamma Sigma Society. The following three years were spent in teaching in his home town, but he came of a race that were all, in their occupation, wedded to the soil, and were then, as they are now, among the substantial farmers of the county. So it was not strange to see him turn from the work of teaching to the more alluring employment of agriculture, and today he is a prosperous and enterprising farmer living on the old homestead, where he owns 276 acres of ground and runs a splendid dairy of 35 cows.

    Mr. Tiffany took to himself a wife on December 31, 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Nettie Garatt, a daughter of Francis Garatt, a farmer of the town of Plymouth, this county. They have three children,---Frederick, Edward and Sarah. Mr. Tiffany is a Republican and takes an active part in political work, doing much toward the success of his party in local elections. He is now serving his eleventh year as justice of the peace, his sixth year as supervisor and has also served one term as collector.

    The maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Tiffany was Daniel Matthewson, a native of Rhode Island. He came to Walworth, Wayne County, this state, where he made his home, carried on farming and raised his family of two sons and three daughters. One of these sons was the grandfather of our subject, Artemas Matthewson, also a native of Rhode Island. He came to this state, where he married Cynthia Tiffany and settled down to the life of a farmer. He held the office of supervisor for seven years, was poormaster and held other minor offices. He was something of a public character and very popular in his county. They wee the parents of six children, namely: William H.; Alfred; Laura; Maranda M.; George G.; and Hiram D. Mr. Tiffany takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to agriculture and has contributed no little to the advancement of farming interests. He is an energetic, zealous, public spirited citizen.

Source: page 204
Transcribed by Ann Hopkins, November 8, 2005

    DR. THOMAS JEROME TIFFANY, a medical practitioner of Afton village, N.Y. is a gentleman whose trained abilities and skilled resources have brought him before the public and have won for him the regard, esteem and respect that are justly due a man of his usefulness in the life of the community. The work of a physician, from its innate nature, is of the kind that brings him into the closes relationship with the people. The way in which he carries his heavy responsibilities is ever to the public a matter of the most vital importance. That Dr. Tiffany knows fully the ethics of his profession, as well as the teachings, and every day lives up to them, admits of no discussion. His high standing everywhere proves his fidelity to his patients' interests, and his success proves his talents. He is a son of Thomas J. and Matilda (Rought) Tiffany, and was born in Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, Pa, December 25, 1854

    Pelatiah Tiffany, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Attleborough, Mass. September 12, 1788. He moved to Brooklyn, Pa., and engaged in the tilling of the solid until his death, which took place August 27, 1862. In politics he was an ardent Democrat. Religiously, He was a consistent member of the Universalist Church. He was married February 26, 1793, to Hannah Miller, who was born in Glastonbury, Conn., and they reared a large family of children. Mrs. Tiffany died in Brooklyn, Pa., October 31, 1839. Thomas J. Tiffany, our subject's father was born in Brooklyn, Pa, January 2, 1816, and besides being a prosperous farmer, he followed the occupation of a carpenter and joiner. He was united in Marriage January 1, 1840, with Matilda Rought. She was born in Nicholson, Wyoming Co. Pa., February 4, 1818 and died at Brooklyn, Pal, December 27, 1888. She was a daughter of George and Sarah (Roberts) Rought. Mr. Tiffany was the owner of 100 acres of the best improved land to be obtained in his section. Politically, he was an avowed Democrat and took an active part in politics, but had no great desire to distinguish himself as a public officer. He and his family were in their religious views Universalists, and supported the church of that denomination in Brooklyn, Pa. Mr. Tiffany passed from this life in Brooklyn, Pa., March 15, 1896. His family consisted of the following children: Laura Ann; Fernando Americus; Mather Clemons; Rosetta Amelia; and Matilda Loretta. Laura Ann was born June 2, 1842 and married Emery T. Oakley December 24, 1869. They had two children, namely: Rozetta, born July 5, 1871 and died April 11, 1875; and Stella May, born March 28, 1877. Mrs. Oakley died March 15, 1892, at New Milford, Pa. Fernando A. Tiffany was born February 4, 1845, and married Mary Helen Oakley February 20, 1867. Their home was blessed by two children, who were as follows: Ida Lena, born May 8, 1870, and died September 3, 1870: and Nellie Louisa, born September 22, 1872. Mr. Fernando A. Tiffany is following the trade of carpenter in the village of Greene. Mather Clemmons Tiffany, who is a farmer and owns the homestead in Brooklyn, Pa., was born October 8, 1847. He was united in marriage July 15, 1873, with Clarissa Rerigo, and their family consists of three children namely: Earl, born January 28, 1880 Ralph Ray, born March 28, 1881, and Arta Laton, born August, 1883. Rosetta Amelia was born March 30, 1850 and she formed a matrimonial alliance with Henry T. Seaman, and they were happily married July 3, 1876. They are the parents of two children. Matilda Loretta was born November 1852 and died December 19, of the same year.

    Thomas Jerome Tiffany was reared on the hold homestead, and received his early mental training in the public schools of his native town. He left home in 1880 and moved to New Milford, where he was employed in a tannery for several years. In 1884 he began to study medicine under Dr. S.A. Brooks of New Milford, Pa., and in 1886 he entered the Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleveland, Ohio and was graduated in the spring of 1888. Moving to Scranton, Pa., he followed his chosen profession until 1891, when he went to Wyoming, Pa., where he remained one year. His next field was in Afton, N.Y., where he has since grown to be one of the most necessary and useful citizens of the community.

    He was joined in the bonds of matrimony February 1, 1877 with Eva Louisa Bennett of New Milford, who was born in New Milford, August 14, 1855 and died June 21, 1892. He only child was: Emma Leila, born July 5, 1878 and died February 11, 1897. He was again united in marriage October 12, 1892, the bride being Susan Amelia Carpenter of Afton, this county. Mr. Tiffany is a member of the Inter-State Homeopathic Medical Society. He also belongs to the Afton Lodge, No. 360, F. & A.M. Politically, he is a republican. IN spite of a life filled to the utmost with the many cares and duties of a general practice. Dr. Tiffany, has kept in step with the wonderful advances make by his profession during late years. He is pre-eminnently of a studious turn of mind, and his reading covers an extensive field over and beyond covers and the actual needs of his vocation. He is fortunate in his home surroundings and the fact that his life work has been among a people who know well how to appreciate real worth and honest endeavor.

Source: Page 318
Transcribed by Ann Hopkins November 13, 2005

    Among the older farmers of the county who are devoted to their calling of agriculture and have brought skill to the aid of agricultural are, is William R. Tiffany, who was born April 29, 1833, in what is now North Norwich, then included in the town of Norwich, where he still resides. He was educated in the district schools of Norwich, now North Norwich and has passed his entire live in that town engaged in the cultivation of the old homestead upon which he was born. His parents were Nelson and Esther (Randall) Tiffany, also life-long citizens of that town.

    Humphrey Tiffany, the gret-grandfather of William R. Tiffany, served for a long time as justice of the peace, being familiarly know as "esquire" Tiffany. William Tiffany, our subject's grandfather, was born North Adam, Mass. In 1780 and came to what is now North Norwich, Chenango County, with his parents in 1800, where he bought a large tract of land located in the woods, an engaged in clearing it for cultivation. The name of Tiffany is well know thoughout the East, one of his father's brothers, having been a participant of the famous Boston Tea Party, and his own name having become celebrated through a suit he won, known on the statues of the case of "Tiffany vs. Peck", which was decided before the Supreme Corut, It established a principle and precedent which are observed today. He married to Zerviah Brown and had a large family of children: Alfred; Nelson; Lavinda; Richard; Lewis; Albert; Mary Susan; William Riley and several that died in infancy. He was a man of splendid physique, measuring six feet in height and weighing 226 pounds, and being large and muscular. He operated a saw mill, and also farmed raising large quantities of rye for distilling. He worked this up in a still which he owned and operated. He died in 1866, aged eighty years. His wife died at the age of seventy-seven years.

    Nelson Tiffany was born in 1808, in the town of Norwich, where he was educated in the district schools, afterwards becoming one of the most extensive and prosperous farmers and largest land owners in the country. He was Democrat, and held the office of Assessor. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Randall, and to them were born two sons, William R. and Edwin. Mr. Tiffany died in August 1869 and his wife in December 1865.

    William R. Tiffany is one of the largest farmers in the county, formerly owning 600 acres of land, but recently processing 200 acres to tow of his sons. He takes great interest in stock raising and has bred some very fine cattle. He has the largest and best dairy in the town, consisting of 60 cows, and a large number of young cattle. The products of his dairy are not to be equaled in the county, either as to quality or quantity of milk. He served as supervisor one term and as assessor nine consecutive years.

    Mr. Tiffany has been married twice; his first wife was Ann Genette Bowers. Their children were: Helen M.; Lillian M. Lansing; Charles J. Nelson M.; Henry M.; Frank M.; Esther M. Mrs. Tiffany departed this life in December, 1883. His second marriage was contracted with a most estimable lady, Mrs. Anna Smith. In her girlhood she was known as Anna Touey, and she met and married Mr. Smith, by whom she had five children: Kiefer; Howard; Maud; Lillian; and Reed. Her father was John Touey, a citizen of King's Settlement, and a farmer by occupation. He had seven children, viz: M.A., who is a contractor of Boston; Mary T.; John W., managing editor of the Shoe and Leather Reporter of New York City; T.A., a graduate of West Point, who received a commission of First Lieut., and was stationed at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, where he died in 1887; Ella became the wife of J. M. Richmond, deceased of Buffalo, N.Y. Anna, the wife of our subject; and Charles Homer. Mrs. Tiffany was a school teacher previous to her marriage and is a most agreeable and accomplished woman, intelligent and pleasant. She is a model housekeeper, and a kind and faithful wife. Mr. Tiffany has a multitude of friends through out the county who bear witness to his nobility of character, saying that in every transaction he is honest, upright and honorable to a fault.

Source: page 606
Transcribed by Ann Hopkins, 8 Nov 2005

    Colonel Tyler, a man of high standing in this community and a veteran of the late Civil War, is now living in retirement in the village of Norwich, Chenango County.

    His grandfather Isaac Tyler, was a native of Connecticut, who at an early day came to the State of New York, locating on the east branch of the Delaware River, in Delaware County. There he was one of the prominent men of his time, and a prosperous lumberman. In politics, he was originally a Whig, and later a Republican. He was a true and consistent Christian gentleman, holding fellowship with the Baptist Church and was respected and honored for his sterling worth. He was the father of two children, Samuel and Rachel, both now deceased.

    Samuel Tyler was one of the prosperous and substantial farmers of Delaware Count and later of Otsego County. He was born on the homestead in Delaware County and there was reared. He received as good an education as could be obtained in the common schools of his native county. He settled in Butternuts, Otsego County where he passed the remained of his days in the pursuits of his occupation.

    His companion in the life was Elizabeth Purdey, and they reared a family of fourteen children, thirteen of whom are now deceased; they wee as follows; Lucinda; Morris; James; Rachel; Samuel; George; John; Orvill; Elmira; Alma; Allison; William; and Colonel, our subject, who is the only one now living. Samuel Tyler was a staunch supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party. He was a faithful member of the Baptist Church.

    Colonel Tyler was mentally equipped for the duties of life in the common schools. He followed the trade of a blacksmith for some time, but later learned the trade of a cooper.

    He became a skilled and rapid workman, and for the twenty-one years succeeding his master in the trade he was actively engaged in that occupation to South Berlin and Norwich. In 1862, he enlisted to the 114tlh Reg., N. Vol. Inf. And with the exception of a few months served thoroughbred the remainder of the war. He was a brave and valiant soldier, and did much for the cause of his country. No service lives so long in the grateful memory of the people as that rendered by a brave soldier. Mr. Tyler may view with satisfaction his record as a patriot and as an upright and worthy citizen.

    In 1853, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Cordelia Davis, a daughter of Wilber Davis of Morris, Otsego County. Two children were born to make their home happy, namely: Wilber and Mary Eliza both of whom are now deceased. In political belief, Mr. Tyler is a Republican, and takes an active interest in political affairs. Socially, he is a member of the E. B. Smith Post, G. A. R., No. 83. He is a well read man, and a pleasing conversationalist. His many friends delight in hearing him relate reminiscences of the war.

Source: page 453
Transcribed by Ann Hopkins, Feb. 2008