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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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AARON B. LAHR, an old resident of the town of Fayette, is well known to the people of this section as an old Union soldier, and as such deserves and receives their respect. He was crippled during his army life, and has never been able to do much hard work since, at the present time living retired on his beautiful little estate, which is devoted to fruit-raising and bee culture.

Our subject was born in the same town wherein he now resides, September 3, 1842. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Singer) Lahr, the former of whom was born in Northumberland County, Pa., about 1812, and died about 1859. His wife was a native of the town of Varick, this county, and is also deceased, passing from this life about the same time as her husband.

Henry Lahr came to Seneca County when a young man, and for many years followed the trade of a blacksmith. Finally, however, he abandoned this occupation in order to give his attention to farming. At the time of his death he left a family of ten children, two having passed to the land beyond a short time previous to this. Of this number our subject was the third-born. He had been given a fair education in the schools of the district, and was sixteen or seventeen years of age at his father’s demise. After the estate was settled up it was found that there was little left to the children, and Aaron immediately looked about him for a situation. He first worked out by the month, and after a time spent in his native place he went to Clearfield County, Pa., where he learned the shoemaker’s trade.

A short time after our subject’s return to New York he enlisted in the Union service and was accredited to Tioga County. He was in due time accepted and mustered in as a member of Company B, Twenty-first New York Cavalry. From Troy the regiment was sent to Staten Island, and from there was ordered to Washington and placed under the command of Sheridan. The boys in blue were on the march for many days and nights, and when in Maryland our subject was confined in the Sandy Hook Hospital, being on the sick list at the time of his commander’s famous ride. While on picket duty at Opequan Creek, Va., he was shot in the left hip, and the ball, which broke the hip joint, is still lodged in his body. Being unable to take care of himself and escape, he was taken prisoner, and the rebels afterward took him to a farm house and left him, without even dressing his wound. The good old farmer at whose house he was left hitched up a cart and took him to Winchester, where he was confined in the hospital, and where he received attention from the Union surgeons.

After remaining in Winchester for a few weeks Mr. Lahr was transferred to Frederick, Md., where he remained until transported to Troy, N. Y. He arrived at Baltimore the day Lincoln was assassinated, and in consequence thereof was delayed in that city for a few days. On arriving at Troy he received his honorable discharge, dated June 17, 1865. He then lost no time in returning to his friends in Seneca County, and September 26 of that year he was married to Miss Ellen Reynolds, of Cayuga County. Her birth occurred there February 24, 1845, and her parents were Harvey and Emily (Botsford) Reynolds, well-to-do residents of that portion of the Empire State.

After his marriage our subject made his home in the town of Fayette, earning his living by working out by the day. He was very much disabled by the injuries he received while in the army, and it was fifteen years before he was given a pension. Then; however, he was awarded back pay, and with this sum he was enabled to purchase a tract of twelve acres. For some time he received a pension of only $8 per month, but as his case was a serious one and as the authorities were fully convinced of his bravery during the war, he now receives $30 per month.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lahr there have been born three children. Clara, whose birth occurred in the town of Fayette March 30, 1869, married Clarence Bogart June 19, 1889; to them were born two children: Leon, now a child of five years; and Elmer C., three years old. Mr. Bogart died October 28, 1891. Sarah E. Lahr was also born in this town, October 18, 1870. She was married to C. D. Pullman July 20, 1887, and is now living in the town of Waterloo. They have five children: Willard, born in 1888; Julia May, in 1889; Allena, in 1890; Lucy, in 1892; and one born in August, 1895, as yet unnamed. Our subject’s third and youngest child, Ida May, was born May 26, 1874. December 27, 1892, she married William Brewer, and February 16, 1895, was born to them a daughter, Ethel.

During the Presidential elections Mr. Lahr is a Republican, although in local affairs he votes regardless of party lines. On two occasions he was the nominee for the office of Town Collector. Socially he belongs to Tyler J. Snyder Post No. 72, G. A. R., and in 1892 attended the re-union held in Washington, D. C., where he met many of his old comrades-in-arms. He also belongs to John Murray Camp, U. V. U.

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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 Seneca County, New York family biographies here: Seneca County, New York Biographies

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

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