My Genealogy Hound

HENRY R. CHRISTY is a well-known Christian gentleman living in the town of Hanover, where he has a farm of thirty-seven acres, five of which are planted in grapes. Henry R. Christy is a son of Leonard and Ruth (Hall) Christy, and was born in Dutchess county, New York, January 8, 1821. His great-grandfather came from Scotland and settled in Rhode Island, where he died, leaving a son, John Christy, who was born in the State named, but emigrated to Dutchess where he followed farming; was a Quaker in religion and a whig in politics. He married Ann Tripp and reared a family of four sons and two daughters. He died in Dutchess county, The maternal grandfather, Peter Hall, was a native of the last mentioned place, followed farming and weaving, was very prosperous and became wealthy. He married and had a family of three sons.

Leonard Christy was born in Dutchess county and came to Chautauqua county in the autumn of 1885. Our subject, who was but thirteen years of age, having preceded him one year. He secured subsistence for himself and family by tilling the soil, his farm being located in the town of Hanover. He was a whig and married Ruth Hall, who became the mother of five sons and five daughters — two of each are yet living; of the sons, Gilbert H. resides in Dutchess county, New York; and subject.

Henry R. Christy received a common school education, and stepped forth in the arena of life as an agriculturist; but shortly after he learned carpentering and ship-building, and for twenty-five years worked at the latter trade. One-fifth of that time he was foreman of the yard, and it was not until 1890 that he relinquished the work. Henry R. Christy married Amanda Wood, and she bore him four children: Henry died young; Mary reached the age of twenty-four and died; Ada married John Orr, has three children and lives in the town of Hanover; and Ella A. is living at home, and has successfully taught several terms of school.

Henry R. Christy is a republican in politics, and before the formation of this party acknowledged allegiance to the whigs. He served nine successive years as commissioner of highways, which is the extent of his office holding. In religious matters Mr. Christy takes a deep interest — is a member of and a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church, and belongs to the Equitable Aid Union.