My Genealogy Hound

GARDNER C. SEBRING, a prominent resident and leading agriculturist of the town of Tyrone, Schuyler County, successfully manages one of the best farms in the state. This tract was formerly owned by his father, and since it came into our subject’s possession he has placed the broad acres under advanced cultivation. It is desirably located, and is made to yield each year handsome returns for the labor expended upon it. Before entering upon the history of our subject, we deem it proper to speak of his father, John Sebring, who for many years was one of the substantial residents of this part of the county. He was a native of New Jersey, and was born December 23, 1781. While yet a boy, his father, Abraham Sebring, removed to the Empire State, choosing Lodi, Seneca County, as his future home. He was there reared, and there also he married Hannah Jackson, who was born September 25, 1782. The young people continued to make their home in that county until 1810, the year in which they removed to the town of Tyrone, this county. They were well-to-do farmers and were classed among the most progressive and enterprising people of Schuyler County. Here Mrs. Sebring died February 5, 1849, when sixty-seven years of age, while her husband survived her five years, passing away February 6, 1854, aged seventy-four years.

To John and Hannah Sebring there were born nine children, namely: Nancy, Sophia, Cyrus, Teresa, William H., John N., Gardner C., Daniel and Angeline. Daniel, who was an energetic farmer of this town, lived for several years on the old homestead, but is now deceased. For his full history we refer the reader to another page of this volume.

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Tyrone November 24, 1819. He was reared to manhood on the old homestead, which has been his dwelling-place through life, and of which he now owns the north half. Mr. Sebring was married in Orange, February 27, 1861, to Miss Nancy M. Horn, who was born in Tyrone, March 15, 1834. Her father, John Horn, was born in New Jersey August 8, 1797, and her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Kirkpatrick, was born April 21, 1803. They were married in Seneca County, after which they removed to Yates County and later settled in the town of Tyrone, Schuyler County, where Mr. Horn died in 1843. His wife survived him many years, passing away in 1884, while residing in Dundee, Yates County. They were the parents of the following named seven children: Elina, George, Caroline, Charles, Nancy M., Enos and Timothy.

To our subject and his estimable wife has been granted a daughter, Minnie E., who was born in Tyrone, August 7, 1862. She was here reared to womanhood, and June 9, 1886, was married to Newton Howell, of Reading, who was born July 9, 1860. They have one child, a son, Leon Gardner, who was born December 3, 1888.

Mr. Sebring is in no sense of the word an office-seeker, although he takes an active interest in local affairs, doing all he can to benefit his community, and votes the People’s party ticket. In religious matters he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which denomination his wife and daughter also belong.