My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

CHARLES O. NEWTON. This gentleman, whose residence is in Homer township, Cortland County, is well known wherever the name of Homer is mentioned. His landed interests in and about the town have claimed for many years all the time that he has devoted to business. He is a prominent citizen, public-spirited, generous and liberal, and has ever labored zealously to promote the welfare and prosperity of the town and county.

Mr. Newton is of English descent; his ancestors coming from Lancashire, Eng., landed in Boston, 1640. Some settled in Monson, Mass., where lived Stephen G. Newton, the grandfather of our subject, to whom were born six sons, each reaching the height of six feet or over, so there was “nothing small about the Newtons.”

The subject of this sketch was born in Brimfield, but the family moved to Monson, and his education was in Monson Academy. After his school days were passed he was clerk in the store of his father until about 1850, when he came to Homer and opened a mercantile business for himself. In 1852 he married Elizabeth, the only child of Lemuel D. Newton and Betsey Merrick, his wife.

These were among the early settlers of the place, and it has been authoritatively stated that the first religious services of the settlement were under “The Maples” of their home. When “War waged its wide desolation, and threatened the land to deform,” Mr. Newton relinquished his business and gave his services to his country. In 1863 a death occurred in the family, which made it necessary for him to resign.

To Mr. and Mrs. Newton have been born two children, William, who died at seven years of age, and Frank M., a graduate of Cornell University, now living at the family home.

Mr. Newton is very pronounced in his political tendencies, and makes no secret of supporting in every way in his power the Republican party. His influence is quite extended, and he has filled satisfactorily a number of township offices.

* * * *

This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.