My Genealogy Hound

STEPHEN H. YORK, a man who has been variously and extensively engaged in business pursuits in the town of Hanover, is a son of Warren D. and Sarah (Crumb) York. The date of his birth is December 12, 1840, and the place Brookfield, Madison county, New York. His grandfather, Yeomans York, belonged to an old Revolutionary family of Connecticut, where he was born and from whence he emigrated to the State of New York. Upon his arrival in New York State he took up his residence in Brookfield, Madison county, where he died in the year 1860 at the age of ninety-three years. He cast his vote with the Whig and Republican parties and religiously affiliated with the Baptist denomination. His brothers, who were all older than himself, enlisted and served in the Revolutionary war. He was twice married; first to Miss Rogers, by whom he had two children; his second wife was Miss Catherine Collins, who bore him a family of seven children — six boys and one girl. Warren D. York, father of subject, was born in Madison county, New York, in the year 1819, and is still living at Barnston, Nebraska. He emigrated to Chautauqua county, New York, and settled in the town of Hanover in 1868; here he engaged in the manufacture of cheese until 1885, when he went to the State of Nebraska. He was a republican and filled the office of assessor in his town for two terms. His wife, who is still living, at the age of seventy-two years, bore him a family of six children — four boys and two girls — all living: Stephen H. (subject), oldest; Lewis, a farmer, now living in Nebraska; Warren Y., also a farmer, living in Nebraska, a partner with his brother in the manufacture of cheese; Selah, who lives at Unadilla, Otsego county, and is engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese; Lucy, wife of George Crumb, of Madison county, N. Y.; and Eliza, married to Frank H. Morrison, of Dallas, Oregon.

Stephen H. York, on January 7, 1866, was united in marriage to Josephine Ramsdell, a daughter of John Ramsdell, of Madison county, New York.

He was educated in the common schools and academy, and, like many other successful men, gained a good physical basis for his after career by working upon a farm. His farming experience, however, lasted only three years when he abandoned it and went into the manufacture of cheese, wagons and lumber at Forestville, under the firm-name of House & York. He remained in that business about a year, when he retired from the firm and joining with his father, went into the same business, which, under the latter management, became successful and lucrative. In 1873 he sold his interest in the manufacturing enterprises and engaged in mercantile pursuits at Villanova, under the firm-name of Maples & York, but at the expiration of three years returned to Forestville and again engaged in the lumber business in conjunction with his cousin. Three years was the limit in this business also, and in the spring of 1881 he removed to Smith’s Mills, built a large store-room and again engaged in merchandising, which now claims his attention. Mr. York has been a life-long republican, an earnest advocate of its principles, and has been called to fill the offices of collector and town-clerk under its jurisdiction, the latter of which offices he has held continuously since 1885. He is a member of the Equitable Aid Union. Mr. York is a pleasant, agreeable man in his general demeanor, possessed of good business qualifications and a laudable ambition.