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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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JOHN C. MORROW. We take pleasure in presenting to the readers of this volume a history in outline of the gentleman whose name appears above, and who was for years a prominent and much esteemed resident of the town of Tyrone, Schuyler County. He was a native of this town, and was born September 22, 1855. His father was Josiah B. Morrow, whose birth occurred in this town August 29, 1824.

The paternal grandfather of our subject bore the name of John Morrow, and he was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., and was of German ancestry. During his married life he moved to the town of Tyrone, where his son Josiah B. was reared. The latter was married here, December 23, 1849, to Miss Mary W. Williams, whose birth took place in this town, June 3, 1832. Her father, Henry S. Williams, was a native of Herkimer County, and was born November 20, 1795. Her mother, prior to her marriage Margaret Teeple, was a native of Wayne, Steuben County, and was born February 19, 1803.

Josiah B. Morrow spent his entire life in the town of Tyrone, where he was actively engaged in farming during the greater part of his business career. During his later years, however, he lived retired, and his death occurred March 10, 1895. He became the father of two children, of whom the elder, born August 30, 1853, died March 1 of the following year.

The subject of this sketch was well educated, and during his youth was thoroughly trained in farming duties. He made a decided success of his calling, and at the time of his death was the owner of a large, estate, comprising two hundred and fifty-two acres. Every acre of this was made use of, and both grain and animals raised thereon were of good quality. He always resided here, and was one of the best known and highly esteemed citizens in the town.

The lady to whom Mr. Morrow was married in Altay, December 18, 1877, was Miss Jennie F., daughter of James V. and Flora (Clark) Bigelow, old residents of Altay, but who are at present residing in Dundee. They became the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Morrow was the fourth-born, her birth occurring in Altay, December 7, 1858. She was there reared to womanhood, and received a very fair education. By her union with our subject she became the mother of three children, of whom Flora M. was born February 6, 1880; George B., February 8, 1884; and Blanche W., September 29, 1892. The son was killed by lightning July 15, 1890, and three years later, November 7, the husband and father was taken from the home. He was a man of unswerving honesty, whose word was as good as his bond, and the confidence of the entire community was his.

Mr. Morrow, although aiding public improvements in every possible way, attended strictly to his own affairs, and prospered thereby. He was a stanch Democrat in politics. In religious affairs his wife is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.

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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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