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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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JOSIAH HOOD, who died October 3, 1895, bore the distinction of being one of the oldest residents of Seneca County. He spent his entire life in the town of Fayette, and for many years resided near Canoga, his birth occurring in that locality September 25, 1819. His parents were Samuel and Elizabeth (Gamber) Hood, the former of whom was born in Northumberland County, Pa. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was captured at Queenstown, but was soon exchanged. He was one of nine brothers who came to New York with their father, George Hood, about the year 1796. The latter had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary army and for his services was given a grant of land in what is now the town of Varick, in Seneca County. He lived to be eighty-two years of age, while Samuel Hood passed his eighty-sixth birthday before his decease in Fayette.

The Hood family is of English extraction, some of its members coming to America in a very early day. The maternal grandfather of our subject was also an extensive land-owner and gave to each of his children an inheritance of one hundred acres of land. He, too, served as a Revolutionary soldier. He was of German descent, and came to New York from Sherman’s Valley, Pa., where many of his family lived who were well-to-do.

The subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth of a large family of children, twelve in number, eleven of whom grew to maturity. One died at the age of three and one-half years. As did his brothers and sisters, Josiah grew up on the farm, and when his services were not in demand attended school. He remained at home for some time after his marriage, which event occurred March 25, 1843. The lady who became his wife was Sarah Pratz, who was born in the town of Fayette, this county, November 10, 1825. Her parents were Philip and Barbara (Kennel) Pratz, natives of Pennsylvania, who were of German descent.

Several years after his marriage Mr. Hood removed to Seneca Falls, but after a year’s residence there returned to this county. He purchased two and one-half acres of land in the town of Fayette, and on this place lived for forty-one years, engaged in gardening, hunting and fishing. In 1890, in company with his son Joseph, he purchased the estate of ninety-eight and one-half acres which was his home until recently. In the cultivation of this tract they united their energies and reaped splendid returns for the care bestowed upon it. Our subject was likewise associated with his son in a general store in Canoga.

Mr. and Mrs. Hood became the parents of two children. Flora, who married Charles Yost, is living in Jonesville, Hillsdale County, Mich., and is the mother of four children. A sketch of Joseph P. appears elsewhere in this work.

In politics our subject was in early life a Whig, voting for Harrison in 1840, and subsequently became a stanch Republican. During his younger years he was very prominent in local affairs, and for many years was Inspector of Elections. On one occasion he was nominated Justice of the Peace, but owing to a strong Democratic plurality in the county was defeated. Socially he was an Odd Fellow, and in former years took great interest in the workings of this fraternity. In his death the community lost an honest and upright citizen.

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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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