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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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PETER MARSHALL. This name is borne by one of the most honored residents of Seneca County, who is now living retired in the town of Fayette. He was born in this town, April 25, 1816, and is in turn the son of John and Christiana (Koch) Marshall, the father born in the town of Juniata, Perry County, Pa., in the year 1782. He there married our subject’s mother, who was likewise a native of that county. The parents of Peter Marshall came to New York in 1812, just a .short time prior to the outbreak of the war of that period. They purchased a farm near Buffalo, but that locality being in a very turbulent condition, owing to the commencement of the war, they sold their possessions and came to Seneca County the same year. They at once settled in what is now the town of Fayette, and spent the rest of their lives in farming. One son, William, was born to them in Pennsylvania, and he accompanied them to their new home. The family afterward numbered nine children, all of whom grew to mature years, and five became heads of families.

Notwithstanding the fact that John Marshall fled to Seneca County to escape going to the war, he was drafted into the service, but, not wishing to enlist, was obliged to hire a substitute. Not long after our subject’s parents came to this state, they were joined by his father, also John Marshall, together with several of his brothers and sisters. His farming ventures in this county proved successful, and although the father came here a poor man, he was well-to-do at the time of his decease. In politics he was first a Whig, but after the formation of the Republican party joined its ranks. Religiously he was a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and contributed very liberally of his means toward the building of the First Baptist Church in Waterloo. He was a member of the committee which erected this structure, and afterward was elected Trustee of the congregation.

Our subject passed the first sixteen years of his life on the old homestead, during which time he gained a very fair education. He then went to Waterloo, where it was his intention to learn the trade of a tailor. Accordingly he apprenticed himself to one of the best workmen in that place, working for one man for two and a-half years, and receiving as compensation for his services his board and clothing. When pronounced thoroughly competent to start out for himself, he began as a journeyman, and for eight or ten years traveled about through this and other counties. He then formed a partnership with another gentleman, and they continued to operate together for another decade.

Peter Marshall was married, October 29, 1841, to Miss Sophia Lee Bear, who was born in Waterloo. Her parents were Lancelot and Elizabeth (Schott) Bear, respected residents of that community. After closing out his tailor-shop Mr. Marshall engaged in business as a general merchant at Waterloo, and for three years conducted a lucrative trade. At the expiration of that time he disposed of his stock of goods and invested his capital in a farm in the town of Seneca Falls which consisted of eighty-seven acres, and on which he lived seven years. After this he rented property for a few years, and then again trying his luck as a property-owner, purchased the tract of one hundred acres on which he is now living. Although being compelled to go in debt to some extent, he was industrious, and soon had it clear of all incumbrance. It is a well improved place and is regarded as one of the pleasantest homes in the county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Marshall there have been born ten children, five sons and five daughters. Webster Lee, the eldest, is engaged in farming in Michigan; Mary A. married George Laub, and they make their home in the town of Seneca Falls; Bainbridge is spoken of in full on another page in this volume; Horatio A. is a prominent lawyer of Waterloo; Anna F. is engaged in teaching in this county; Charles H. is a blacksmith, and lives near Bearytown; Emma and Ella are also teachers, the latter holding a position in the high school at Syracuse; William S. is engaged as a coal merchant in Rochester; Jessie B. was graduated from the schools of Syracuse and is now teaching in Stillwater, Mich.

Mr. Marshall cast his first Presidential vote in 1840, for “Old Tippecanoe.” He is now, however, an adherent of Republican principles, and by his friends and fellow-townsmen was elected Overseer of the Poor. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as is also his wife and several of his sons and daughters.

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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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