My Genealogy Hound

JAMES K. GREENWOOD, proprietor of the farm known as Over Look on McGrawville Hill in the town of Cortlandville, was born near the site of his present residence, September 14, 1832. He is a son of Isaac K. and Laura (Phillip) Greenwood.

Mr. Greenwood’s grandfather, Simon, came from the State of New Hampshire to the town of Solon about 1808, and took up a farm of new land, which he cleared and farmed until he retired from active labor to live with his son, our subject’s father; the property is now owned by Mr. Peck. He was born in 1775, and died at the age of eighty. He married Rebecca Kinney, who was born in 1766, and lived to the extreme old age of ninety-six years. She was strong and vigorous, and was a good walker even to the last. Their children were ten in number, of whom the following grew to maturity: Isaac K.; William; Rebecca; Harrison; and Simon.

Our subject’s father was born in New Hampshire, and was united in marriage in 1826. When he grew to manhood he settled in the town of Solon and farmed two years, then moved to Cortlandville, and purchased the present farm of our subject, of which but ten acres were cleared, the only other improvement being a log house. He was a man of enterprise and with a clear view for the future he began the clearing and improving of his estate, adding more and more to his possession, until he came to own 150 acres of excellent farming land. In 1835 he built the present house and barns. Much of his money was made by cutting and drawing wood to Cortland, selling the product to the railroad and to families for domestic use. He also helped to build several boats, which were utilized as transports for the carrying of produce to market down the river. He realized, as few pioneer settlers did, the value of having groves of trees about the farm as much for the appearance as for their utility as wind-breaks, and as a means of affording grateful shade to man and beast. He accordingly set out many maples and pines about the farm, and they are to-day monuments of his thoughtfulness, and are appreciated to their full extent. He also set out fruit orchards. He was a very hard worker, and accumulated a nice property, the benefits of which he enjoyed until his death, at the age of eighty years. His wife, who was a daughter of David Phillip, an early settler of Solon, died at the age of eighty also. Their children were: Betsey B., who makes her home with the subject of this sketch; Lucy, who died in childhood; James K.; Rhoda, whose decease occurred when past middle life; and Irving, who lives in Iowa. Mr. Greenwood was a Whig and later a Republican, and served his town as a member of the committee on highways. He was a noble Christian gentleman, and the Baptist Church had in him an earnest, conscientious member and worker.

James K. Greenwood pursued his education in Homer Academy until his eyes proved unequal to the task laid upon them, and forced him to leave off close study. He returned home, and after working at the carpenter’s trade several years took up his residence on the homestead with the old folks, and took upon himself to give them the care they needed in their declining years, and to manage the farm. At their death he was left the estate, which has undergone continued improvement at his hands. He sold twenty acres of the farm to his son, and on the tract still remaining keeps twenty-seven head of cows. He is a Republican in his political tendencies, and served nine years as commissioner of highways, while for a period of fourteen years he discharged his duties as assessor of the town with satisfaction to all, of whatever party or class in the community. He is a Good Templar, and a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, serving in the local organization of the latter society for three years as master.

Mr. Greenwood married Rosalia Thompson, daughter of Samuel Thompson. Her death at the age of twenty-six left one child, Rev. Carter J., who is a Baptist minister of Utica, N. Y. This son married Minnie Coon, and has gathered about him a family of three children: Harry, Florence, and Margaret. Our subject, when once more he entered the matrimonial state, joined himself with Emma F. Wire, daughter of Cyrus Wire, who was a farmer of this county, coming here from Goshen, Conn., and dying here at the age of fifty-seven. By this second union one child, also, was born: Lynn C., who is following agricultural pursuits on an adjoining farm. Lynn C. Greenwood married Julia Mabury, and has one son, George D. Mrs. Greenwood died January 16, 1898.

Our subject has ever identified himself with the best interests of the county, and holds a prominent position as a very successful agriculturist; his portrait* is published on another page of this work.

*A portrait was included in the original printed volume.