My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES S. SANDERSON is the leading undertaker and funeral director of Seneca Falls. He is a native of the village, born September 23, 1856, and is a son of James and Charlotte (McGraw) Sanderson, both of whom are yet living. The former, who was born in New York in 1821, was eight years old when he came with his father to Seneca Falls, where he has since continued to reside. The mother is a native of McGrawville, Cortland County. The grandfather of our subject, also named James Sanderson, died at Seneca Falls many years ago.

Our subject grew to manhood in his native village and attended the public schools until sixteen years of age, when he went to White Water, Wis., and there attended the state normal school. After remaining in White Water as a student and teacher for six years, he returned to Seneca Falls, where, after teaching in the public schools for three years, he went to Denver, Colo., where he spent one year, in the mean time looking over the country with a view to settlement. Returning to New York, however, he was superintendent of a school at Cortland for two years, after which he again returned to Seneca Falls, and in 1885, in partnership with his brother, William H. Sanderson, under the firm name of Sanderson Brothers, he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. This firm continued until 1890, when, in the great fire that destroyed so many business houses in Seneca Falls, they were burned out, losing heavily. After the fire William H. took charge of the furniture business and our subject the undertaking department. He now has four hearses and is well prepared to carry on the business in all its branches.

In 1883 Mr. Sanderson was united in marriage with Miss Isabel Bowen, of Seneca Falls, and a daughter of Augustus Bowen. Two sons have been born to them. Fraternally Mr. Sanderson is identified with Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, F. & A. M. Religiously he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has been the leader of the choir of the church for the past ten years. In educational matters he has always been interested, and for some years has served as a member of the Board of Education of the village. He is also a Trustee of the village, Chairman of the fire department, and is President of the Cayuga & Seneca County Mercantile Association. In whatever position he has been called upon to fill he has discharged his duties with faithfulness and ability. Politically he is a Republican.