My Genealogy Hound

SQUIRE MINOR T. COBURN, one of the honored residents of Seneca County, was born in Tompkins County, this state, March 15, 1817. He is therefore advanced in years, and as one of the oldest citizens of the town of Covert commands the respect of its best people. Mr. Coburn is the son of Chester Coburn, whose birth occurred in Delaware, where also occurred the birth of the grandfather many years ago. The family is of English extraction, and is an old one in the United States.

The maiden name of our subject’s mother was Phebe King. She married Chester Coburn in Seneca County, after which they made their home in Tompkins County, where their son Minor T. was born. Their other children were Emeline, who died in 1830; Matilda, who married Joseph Bell, and is living in Ionia, Mich.; Chester, who died when a lad of seven years; James E., Judson and Phoebe. Of this household our subject was the fourth in order of birth.

Chester Coburn was a minister of the Baptist Church. When Minor T. was an infant his mother died, and eight years thereafter he went to live with an uncle, whose home was in the town of Hector, Schuyler County. He remained an inmate of his household until nineteen years of age, but two years previous to this time, however, he accompanied the family on their removal to the town of Covert. He was fairly well educated, and was brought up to a full knowledge of farm work.

In the year 1848 the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Jane E. Ewell, a most worthy lady, and to them were born three children. Of these Mary married Harvey H. Cole, a farmer of this locality; Ada is deceased, as is also her twin sister, Edith. Our subject began life for himself when nineteen years of age, first being employed as a farm hand. He followed this business for a period of two years, when he abandoned it, and, chartering a boat, made a trip to Troy with grain. He found boating to be a very profitable and pleasant business, and followed it for the succeeding six years. At the end of that time he found himself to be the possessor of a snug little sum of money, which he invested in a farm in his town. His estate at first comprised fifty-seven acres, and as his means would allow he has made purchases of more land, owning at the present time seventy-four acres. Although not as large as some farms, his is admirably cultivated and is made to yield good returns to its owner. In 1854 he erected on this place a comfortable dwelling. He is now, however, retired from active work, although he takes much pleasure in walking about his estate and viewing the improvements that are being made from year to year.

Mr. Coburn has always taken a very active interest in public affairs, and in 1854 was elected by his fellow-citizens a Justice of the Peace. The duties of this responsible office he discharged until 1884, when he resigned in favor of a younger candidate. In 1888 he was made Precinct Justice, and altogether served his party as Justice of the Peace for thirty-seven years. In 1869 he was elected Supervisor of his town, again in 1870, and in 1881 was also the successful candidate for that office. He has been a church member for about sixty-five years, and is identified with the Baptist denomination, serving his church in the capacity of Deacon. In 1865 he was deprived of the companionship of his devoted wife and helpmate. Mr. Coburn is a pleasant, genial gentleman, who has many friends, and is held in the highest regard throughout the community.