My Genealogy Hound

JOHN T. CROFOOT, proprietor and manager of a mercantile store in the town of Preble, is a son of David O. and Sarah E. (Tallman) Crofoot, and was born in Preble, Cortland County, N. Y., October 14, 1869.

Grandfather Crofoot spent his life in the town of Preble, where he operated a tannery. He was formerly a Democrat, as was his father, but later became an Anti-Slavery man. He married Jane Sewerson, and they reared two sons, David O., and Wellington, deceased.

David O. Crofoot was born at Preble, October 8, 1833, in the oldest house in the town of Preble, which was owned by his grandfather Sewerson. He has lived in his native town all his life, with the exception of ten years which were spent in the State of California, where he was engaged in mining, and latterly in the business of photography. He received a liberal education in the schools of Preble, and then turned his attention toward the operating of a mill and saw-mill which was formerly owned by his grandfather, and known as the Tallman and Crofoot Mills. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and has served as supervisor in such a manner as to win the highest praise of his fellow-citizens. He has represented his party on county, district and state committees. He married Sarah E. Tallman, daughter of Moses T. Tallman, who was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., but afterwards came to Preble, where her father engaged in milling. They had a family of three sons and one daughter. They are as follows: John T., subject of this personal sketch; Mary E., teacher in the public schools of Tonawanda; Henry C., an employee of the United States Government Service in California; and Wellington, student in the Buffalo Medical College, at Buffalo, N. Y.

John T. Crofoot was educated in the Homer and Cortland Academies, after which he engaged in work around the village of Preble; he then went to Syracuse, where he remained for one year, and later he worked four years with R. H. White & Co. of Boston, Mass. February 19, 1895, he returned to his native town, where he conducted a general merchandise store. He now commands the leading trade of the village.

Mr. Crofoot married Mrs. Lavinia Dunnell of Boston, Mass., October 17, 1894. They have two children, Beulah and Doris E. Politically, he is an avowed Republican, and was elected justice of the peace in the last spring election. He is a member of the Preble Lodge, No. 164, I. O. O. F. Since Mr. Crofoot has been a resident of this community, he has won hosts of friends who know him to be an honest and upright citizen.