My Genealogy Hound

SYLVANUS V. HARTSOCK, one of the most energetic and prosperous farmers of Greene County, is finely located three miles south of Spring Vally, on one hundred and eighty-eight acres of land, embellished with substantial modern buildings. He is a native of this county and was born at Claysville, March 5, 1847. His parents were David and Sarah Jane (Cornell) Hartsock, both likewise natives of this county, and the father a farmer by occupation. The latter died at the old homestead in Spring Valley Township, July 11, 1885. The mother is still living and makes her home there. The parental household included six children, five of whom grew to mature years. George W. is a resident of Champaign County, Ill.; Ruth is the wife of Jefferson Haynes, of Huntsville, Ala.; Elizabeth married Jonathan Smith, of Warren County, this State; Sylvanus V., our subject, was next to the youngest born; Jesse L. is a resident of Montgomery County; and Flora, who died in childhood. The mother in religious belief was a member of the Baptist Church.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was George Hartsock, a native of Virginia, and who emigrated to Sugar Grove, this county, at a very early day. Here he spent the balance of his life; he married a Miss Cremar, and there were born to them seven children, six of whom grew to mature years. These were named respectively: David, Samuel, George, Fanny, Lucinda, Ann and Abbie. Grandfather Hartsock was a stanch Democrat and a man of decided ideas, who made his influence felt in his community. The great-grandfather came from Germany. On the maternal side of the house Grandfather Sylvanus Cornell spent his last years in Ohio.

The first twenty two years of the life of our subject were spent at the home farm, working for his father, and then he started out on his own hook. He first farmed on rented land and then purchased a half interest in one hundred acres, upon which he operated until 1878. That year he purchased one hundred and forty-four acres where he now resides, and to which he subsequently added forty-four acres, making the amount heretofore mentioned. He commenced without means or other resources than his own industry and energy, and has accumulated his property solely by honest labor and good management. He has had very little to do with outside affairs, but his warm interest in the temperance movement has led him to identify himself with the Prohibition party.

The 22d of December, 1870, was made memorable in the life of our subject by his marriage with Miss Emeline Prater. This lady was born in Warren County, this State, September 22, 1847, and is the daughter of William E. and Ann Eliza (Slack) Prater, who were natives respectively of South Carolina and Pennsylvania. Mr. Prater was a farmer by occupation and spent his last years in Warren County, and died there. His widow is still living, and makes her home in Waynesville, Warren County. Grandfather Slack came to this State from Pennsylvania in 1816, and died in Warren County. To William E. Prater and his good wife there was born a family of seven children, viz: Henry, who served three years and three months in the late war; Elizabeth; Job, a resident of Sumner County, Kan., who served three years in the late war; Rebecca, Emeline, Mary and Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Hartsock have four children — Luther C., Vernon, Elsie May and Edward. The paternal grandmother of our subject was, prior to her marriage, a Miss O’Neal.