My Genealogy Hound

HON. STERLING G. HADLEY, who for many years was one of the influential attorneys of Waterloo, but is now in a measure retired from professional work, was born in the town of Goshen, Litchfield County, Conn., August 26, 1812. His father, Stephen, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., November 17, 1786, and died at Egremont, Berkshire County, Mass., January 30, 1869. In 1811 he married Miss Laura Goodale, of Richmond, Mass., who died at Egremont, February 26, 1855. The Hadley family is of English descent.

The boyhood years of our subject were passed in different places where the family resided, and he fitted for college at Egremont Academy. In 1833 he entered Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., from which he was graduated in 1836, and afterward he taught in the Avon Springs Academy. April 1, 1837, he came to Waterloo, where he has since resided. He read law with Hon. Samuel Birdsall, and was admitted to the Bar in 1839, after which he was in partnership with his former preceptor for four years. Later, forming a partnership with John McAllister, he continued with that gentleman, under the firm title of McAllister & Hadley, until the death of the former. For ten years he was Justice of the Peace, but resigned upon his election as County Judge and Surrogate for a term of four years.

Nor did his public service end here. On the Democratic ticket he was elected a member of the Lower House of the Legislature. The Governor tendered him the appointment of State Assessor, which position he held for seven years, and which took him into every county of the state. He was also President of the Board of Managers of the state hospital, located at Seneca Lake, and is the only surviving member of the first Board connected with that institution.

October 2, 1839, Rev. S. H. Gridley united in marriage S. G. Hadley and Miss Ann Wells, of Waterloo. Mrs. Hadley was born in Glastonbury, Conn., September 15, 1815, and is a member of the Episcopal Church, to which our subject also belongs. They celebrated their golden wedding October 2, 1889, upon which happy occasion not only their immediate family, but their large circle of devoted friends, bestowed their congratulations. While in Union College Judge Hadley was one of the founders of the Psi Upsilon Society, and was also its first President.