My Genealogy Hound

JACOB HARDENBURG. A resident of Westfield town, who is probably as well known and as well liked as any other non-public man in the county is Jacob Hardenburg, who is a large land owner, farmer, grape-grower and live stock dealer. His parents, Valkart and Susan (Miller) Hardenburg, are of German parentage, and came from eastern New York, where the former was born in 1798. They lived until 1833 in various eastern and central counties, Jacob Hardenburg being born at Charleston, Montgomery county, New York, September 8, 1825. Valkart Hardenburg (father) came to Chautauqua county, in 1833, and lived in several of the numerous towns. He finally located in Portland town, where he still resides, and is now ninety-three years old. For one of his years this elderly gentleman is remarkably well preserved. His form is straight as an arrow and his step is elastic and brisk. He owns a small farm in the town of Portland and does all his own chores. The first dairy ever kept in this county, away back in 1833, was run by Mr. Hardenburg, and was located three miles east of Mayville. He freighted the butter to Buffalo in a wagon, and there marketed it. About ten cows constituted his stock. He married Susan Miller on October 4, 1818. She was born on May 3, 1796, and died in 1870. They had six children, three sons and three daughters.

Jacob Hardenburg first saw Chautauqua county in 1833, being at that time about seven years of age. He was reared on his father’s farm and early taught to hold the plow. His education was received in the common schools, and then he settled down to a farmer’s life. His home is a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, only one mile east of Westfield. Another farm of two hundred and ten acres in the same town, two miles south, belongs to him, which is also occupied and operated by him. Grape-growing is a profitable business in a good season, and Mr. Hardenburg devotes considerable attention to it, and is also a large trader in live stock for breeding and shipping purposes. Jacob Hardenburg is an excellent manager; before entering upon a plan he carefully calculates it in all its aspects, and then, like Von Moltke, pushes it through with energy to a successful termination. Good judgment is second nature to him, and a plan once conceived seldom fails.

His wife was Annette Hassett, whom he married in 1851. She was a daughter of John Hassett, who lived in Stockton town. Mr. and Mrs. Hardenburg have four children, two sons and two daughters: Earl, Henry, Elva and Flora. The first is living at home; Henry is a resident of Brooklyn, New York, but is in business in New York city. Elva married Delbert Arnold, and lives at De Wittville, this county; and Flora.

Jacob Hardenburg is a member of two fraternal organizations, A. O. U. W. and the Knights of Honor, and is identified with the Republican party. Socially he is a pleasant gentleman, and, in business, of strict integrity.