My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. LARZELERE, who is one of the old-time and honored residents of Seneca County, is living on a good estate of forty acres on the old turnpike road east of Seneca Falls, across the road from where he was born, January 18, 1836. His parents were Harvey W. and Mahala (Slawson) Larzelere. The former was born near this place, and the mother was a native of Orange County, N. Y. Jacob L. Larzelere, the grandfather, was born in Morristown, Morris County, N. J., February 27, 1774. In 1795 he came to what is now the town of Seneca Falls, and was one of the first to locate in this community; he came here in the capacity of a surveyor, this being a military tract. In that early day he surveyed an extensive tract of land near the city of Buffalo, when there were but two houses where now stands that thriving city. He assisted in raising the first house in Ithaca, and was in many other ways identified with the development and early settlement of this part of the state.

After his settlement in the town of Seneca Falls the grandfather of our subject became the owner of a large tract of land. He twice represented his district in the State Legislature, and served as Sheriff and Associate Judge for many years. December 1, 1844, he departed this life in Seneca Falls and his remains were laid to rest on the banks of Cayuga Lake, in Bridgeport, by the side of his two wives. He became the father of six children, five of whom were born of his first marriage, and one of his second.

Harvey W. Larzelere was born February 25, 1806, while the lady who became his wife was born August 1 of the year following. He was endowed by nature with a good memory and an active mind, and during his boyhood days he made the very most of his opportunities for gaining an education. By his marriage with Miss Slawson he became the father of five children, of whom George W., of this history, was the eldest but one. Anna Maria married Amasa Smith, and is living at Antigo, Wis. Jane C. died when twenty-five years of age; Charles H. also makes his home in the above place in Wisconsin; Mary C. is now Mrs. Oliver Burroughs, and resides in Bridgeport. The husband and father was a stanch Democrat in politics, although he at all times refused to hold office. He lived until 1883, passing away October 5 of that year. His wife died March 28, 1867.

The subject of this sketch passed many years of his life on the old homestead. During his boyhood he attended school and assisted in the work on the place until becoming of age, when he left home and went to Washtenaw County, Mich. After remaining there less than a year, however, he returned home and lived with his father until 1860. That year we again find him in the Wolverine State, this time living in Shiawassee County, but after about ten months he again returned to New York.

August 27, 1862, our subject enlisted in the service of the Union army and joined Company K, Fiftieth New York Engineers. With his regiment he helped to bridge the Rappahannock below Fredericksburg, the Potomac at Harper’s Ferry, built two bridges at Berlin, seven miles from Harper’s Ferry, and also built one over the Rapidan, where General Grant crossed with his army. This work was a very dangerous one, as the men were nearly always under the fire of the enemy, who wished to prevent them from building the bridges. Mr. Larzelere served until June 15, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He had no occasion for spending his wages, and although the amount allowed him was very small, yet he saved about $650, $450 of which he sent home to his parents.

George W. was very kind to his father and mother and cared for them until their decease. Then he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the place and is now the sole owner of the home farm. He was married, February 25, 1868, to Miss Nancy W. Duesler, whose birth occurred in the town of Potter, Yates County, N. Y., July 2, 1839. Her parents were William and Catherine (Slawson) Duesler, natives, respectively, of Montgomery and Orange Counties, this state. After his union, our subject took up his permanent residence on the old homestead. He is a Republican in politics, having never missed voting during the National elections, with the exception of the year when he was absent from home in Michigan. He is a strong temperance man, and is also greatly interested in Grand Army affairs, whenever possible attending the reunions held in various parts of the country. His wife is a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and she is also a member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and the Woman’s Relief Corps.