My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE C. WALSH. In compiling an account of the different business enterprises of Schuyler County, we desire particularly to call attention to Mr. Walsh, who is one of the successful general merchants of the thriving village of Tyrone. The thrift and energy displayed in the management of his affairs are apparent when you enter his store, and his pleasant, genial manner, and his honorable, upright conduct have won for him many friends and patrons.

Mr. Walsh was born in Wayne, Steuben County, N. Y., Octobers, 1857, and is the son of Thomas E. Walsh, whose decease occurred in the above county. His mother, whose maiden name was Maria Gould, was a native of New Jersey, where her family was well known. By her union with Thomas Walsh she became the mother of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom our subject was the sixth in order of birth. He was reared to the age of eighteen years in Wayne, and although his parents were people of limited means, he was permitted to attend the district school, and in this way laid the foundation for after years of study and learning.

Our subject was deprived of his father’s care when a lad of fifteen years, and in order that his mother and younger brothers and sisters might be made more comfortable, he began working out by the month, continuing in this manner for the following seven years. Over and above what he was obliged to spend for the family, he laid by for future use, and when ready to begin in life for himself, possessed a snug little sum of money. This he invested in a stock of merchandise, and for three years was engaged in the sale of goods at Weston. Afterward he sold out, and was employed as clerk for Willis & Sargeant, prominent merchants of that place; but at the end of two years he left their employ, and purchased a one-half interest in the mercantile establishment of his brother James H., who was then living at Wayne. They continued together for three years, when our subject sold his share in the business, and a twelvemonth later bought a stock of merchandise in Savona, N. Y. After remaining there only a few months, however, he came to Tyrone, purchasing the stock of C. T. Willis, and here he has successfully carried on business ever since. Although he began with small means, his credit was good, and as the years passed by he was enabled to add to his business such conveniences as made it more profitable. He has connected with him in this enterprise Charles G. Winfield, and the firm operates under the firm name of George C. Walsh & Co.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Augusta J. Winfield occurred in Weston, N. Y., September 2, 1885. Mrs. Walsh is the daughter of Charles G. and Adeline M. (Shannon) Winfield, and by her union with our subject has become the mother of a son, John W., who was born November 27, 1887. Mrs. Walsh was one in a family of three, and was born in Toledo, Ohio, February 18, 1867.

Mr. Walsh is an active Democrat in politics, and on that ticket was elected to the office of Collector, which he satisfactorily filled for two years. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his good wife is also connected, and both take an active part in church work. During Cleveland’s second administration Mr. Walsh was appointed Postmaster of Tyrone, entering upon the duties of the position in February, 1895. He is very popular as an official, and is a man of whom the village may well be proud.