My Genealogy Hound

CYRUS HOUSE. Among the best of the descendants coming from English settlers who made America their home more than a century ago, the House family, of which Westfield town contains several representatives, stands prominently to view, and are recognized as leading farmers and grape-growers in their locality. Cyrus House is a son of Daniel P. and Lavina (Saunders) House, and was born where he now resides, in Westfield town, Chautauqua county, New York, February 10, 1825. Grandfather John House, was born in Morristown, N.J., in 1760.

John House moved from the State of Rhode Island to Cortland Co., N. Y., early in the present century, and in 1816 became to this county, purchased one hundred acres of land from the Holland Land company, and the same amount from another source. Upon the latter Cyrus House now lives. John House served in the Continental army through the Revolution, being in the transportation department. He married Joanna Pridden, and had eight children, three sons and five daughters. He died in 1838, aged seventy-eight years.

Daniel P. House was born at Homer, Cortland county, N. Y., in 1799, and came to Westfield town when seventeen years old. His father’s farm of two hundred acres, upon which were standing giants of the forest, furnished sufficient work to engage his own and his brother’s labor for many years. He occupied a prominent place in the Methodist church, officiating as class-leader for some years. The latter years of his life brought him ill health, and he relinquished the active management of his business some years before his death, which occurred in 1864.

Levina Saunders, whom he married in 1822, was born in Homer, Cortland county, this State, in 1802. She bore her husband five children, two sons — Daniel and Cyrus — and three daughters: Joanna, married David Jones, died 1870; Mary A., died 1844; Lavina M., married G. A. Fay, died June 20, 1891. Mrs. House was a member of the Methodist church, a gentle Christian woman, and attained the age of seventy -seven years. She died in 1879 consoled by her trust in the Lord.

Cyrus House was reared a farmer, and has remained near the scene of his birth-place through life. The common schools, that boon of the American youth, furnished him his education and fitted him for life’s active work. His home is but two and one-half miles east of Westfield, and is a comfortable, pleasant place. Grape culture is given considerable attention, and his vines are as productive as the best. Mr. House is a steward in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he is deeply attached. He identifies himself with the Republican party, but differs from them on the liquor question. Believing in practical temperance he advocates prohibition, not as a third party man, but thinks that the Republican party should realize its responsibility and engraft it on its platform. He has never voted for license in any form. Being a public-spirited man he is anxious to see improvements, in which he is always ready to assist.