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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York published by Chapman Publishing Co., in 1895.  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.

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CHARLES F. AULT, engaged in the milling business at Odessa, is a native of Schuyler County, born October 22, 1855, and is a son of Freeman G. and Charlotte (Skellinger) Ault, the former of whom is also a native of this county, born in Havana, March 30, 1830. His father, Adam Ault, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, where he married Jane Rush, also a native of that state. After their marriage the grandparents moved to Havana, where he engaged in the milling business. They were the parents of four children, of whom Freeman G. was the third in order of birth.

In early life the father learned the trade of a miller, which he continued to follow until the past year. He was married in this county to Charlotte Skellinger, a native of Havana, and a daughter of Charles Skellinger. They were also the parents of four children: Mary C., now residing in Odessa; Charles F., our subject; Cora I., the wife of Albert Landon, a millwright of Brookton, Tompkins County; and Miner, who died in childhood. The mother of these children died in 1864, since which time the household affairs have been looked after by Mr. Ault’s sister, Miss Mary Ault. For fifteen years the father has been a Master Mason.

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in his native village, and received but a limited education in the public school. He was a lad of nine years when his mother died, and at the age of fifteen he went into the mill of Elijah Howell, of Lodi, with whom he remained three years. Afterward he was employed with John Rhodes, of Morell Station, in the grist and shingle mill, and after remaining three years went to the Post Creek Mill, in Chemung County, where he remained one year. Later he was with Jonathan Bucher for one year, after which he came to Odessa and took charge of the mill of R. B. Lockhart, which he operated six months, when the son of R. C. Lockhart purchased the mill and our subject continued in its charge for six years. After leaving Odessa, he was employed in various mills, until finally he went back to Lodi and rented the mill of his uncle for one year. Subsequently he returned to Odessa and rented the mill from Mr. Lockhart, and has since operated the same.

On the 10th of September, 1881, Mr. Ault was united in marriage, at Taughannock Falls, with Anna M. Shelton, a native of Odessa, and a daughter of Alvin and Amelia (Stanley) Shelton, who were old settlers of Schuyler County. To them was born one child, Lulu. Mrs. Ault, who died February 14, 1894, was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and died in the hope of immortality. Mr. Ault is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Trustee. In politics he is liberal, voting for the best man. In his financial affairs he has been fairly successful, having a nice home in Odessa, with town property in Elmira and Havana, and also a farm in the town of Catharine. Throughout Schuyler County he is well known and highly respected.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Seneca and Schuyler Counties, New York published in 1895. 

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

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

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