My Genealogy Hound

SETH J. GENUNG, who is one of the oldest business men of Waterloo, was born on a farm in the town of Milo, Yates County, N. Y., September 22, 1826. His father, Azariah, a son of Cornelius Genung, was born in 1788, and in early life followed the trade of a wagon-maker, though later in life he mainly engaged in farm pursuits. His death occurred in 1888, when he had rounded out a full century of years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Olive Walker, was born in Otsego County, and died in Yates County, in 1872, at the age of eighty-one.

The subject of this sketch was, in order of birth, the sixth among nine children, there being eight sons and one daughter, named as follows: Cornelius, who died at the age of twenty-one; Fannie, who married James Fake, and is now deceased; Elmer, a resident of Steuben County, this state; Charles F., who lives in the West; DeWitt C., deceased; Seth J.; Dwight and Delos (twins), the latter deceased; and Azariah O., of Steuben County. Our subject attended the district schools of Yates and Steuben Counties, remaining with his parents until he was sixteen years of age. He then went to Penn Yan, where he learned the cabinet-maker’s trade under E. G. Hopkins, a prominent business man of that place.

On completing his trade, Mr. Genung came to Waterloo, and for some time worked at his trade, being in the employ of various parties. In 1857, having saved a sufficient amount to permit him to embark in business for himself, he opened an undertaking and furniture establishment, and from that time until 1867 he had as partner Stephen Stillwell, the firm title being Stillwell & Genung. From 1869 to 1871 the firm name was Genung & Dofler, and from the latter year until 1874 the title was Genung & Nugent. Between the years 1857 and 1887 he officiated as funeral director at the burial of four thousand persons, and from September 1 of the latter year until January, 1895, he prepared one thousand persons for burial. In 1887 he admitted his son, Charles A., into partnership, the firm name becoming Seth J. Genung & Son. He is one of the oldest business men of this part of the state, and there is doubtless no undertaker in this section of the country who has had a longer or more varied experience than he.

In 1847 Miss Sarah A. Williams became the wife of Mr. Genung, and thirty years later, in 1877, she passed away, leaving four children. They are Eleanor A., wife of Edward Nugent; Carrie A., who married Charles V. Webster, a hardware merchant of Waterloo; Charles A., who is his father’s partner in business; and Mary F., wife of William F. Pelton, a resident of Brooklyn. In September, 1880, Mr. Genung was a second time married, his wife being Mrs. Anna M. Smith, of this city. His son, Charles A., was united in marriage, in September, 1884, with Miss Alice Smith, and they have two children: Nannie Curtiss, born December 10, 1887; and Seth Nugent, August 25, 1892.

In 1852 Mr. Genung was made a Mason, becoming a member of Seneca Dodge No. 113, F. & A. M. In 1864 he united with Salemtown Chapter, R. A. M., at Seneca Falls, and in 1869 he joined Commandery No. 29, K. T. Politically, while not active in public matters, he gives his adherence to the principles of the Democratic party, and is well informed concerning those issues which will affect the prosperity of the country. His life has been a very busy one, and though now past the prime of life, he still maintains a keen and sagacious interest in business matters, and retains in a large measure the activity of earlier years.