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John Hosford

John Hosford, of Clermont, was born in Franklin County, N. Y., December 17, 1821 and is a son of John and Hepsy (Gilbert) Hosford. His grandfather, Roger Hosford, wedded Mary Brown and had nine children of whom the father of our subject was the third. He was born October 24, 1784, in Vermont, and after his marriage removed to Franklin County, N. Y., becoming early settlers of that place. He served in the War of 1812, and in politics was an old-line Whig. He died April 18. 1875, in his ninety-first year and the death of his wife occurred October 22, 1862. In their family were ten children, four of whom are living: Mrs. Betsy Bibbens, of St. Lawrence County, N. Y.; Mrs. Diantha Goodrich, of Clermont; Mrs. Cynthia Tanlin, of Clermont; and John.

Our subject was the ninth child. He spent his early life on a farm and acquired his education in the district schools. On attaining his majority he began farming on his own account and in his native State was married March 22, 1843, to Chloe J. Martin, who was born in Franklin County, March 22, 1821, and is a daughter of Andrew and Hannah (Fuller) Martin, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Providence, R. I. They were married in Vermont, whence they removed to Franklin County, N. Y., where the mother died in her sixtieth year. Her father, who served as a soldier in the War of 1812, died in this county in his eighty-sixth year. Both are members of the Methodist Church and in early life he was a Democrat but later became a Republican. In their family were twelve children, the wife of our subject being the eleventh in order of birth.

After his marriage Mr. Hosford engaged in farming in Franklin County, N. Y., until 1852, when he sailed from New York City through the Straits of Magellan to San Francisco, Cal. At Talcahauna Bay on the coast of Chili they stopped for supplies and during the night a severe storm arose which drove the ship on a reef of rocks. It narrowly escaped destruction and they at length reached their destination after five months sailing. Mr. Hosford found that he only had seventy-five cents left. After working in the gold mines some eight months he was employed on a farm for $100 and board per month. In 1853, he returned by the Panama route to New York, and the following year came to this county, taking up his residence in Clermont. In 1855, he built the first brick house in the place, living in one end of the building and doing business in the other. In 1875, he bought the home residence of ex-Gov. Larrabee where he is still living. He owns about one hundred and twenty acres of land adjoining Clermont and is in comfortable circumstances.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hosford have been born four children: Henry G., the eldest, first wedded Elmira Wassen, by whom he had two children, Mrs. Bertha Shipton and Elmira. By his second wife, who was formerly Emma Harmer, he has three children, John, Lizzie and Harry; DeWitt C. died at the age of three years; Ellen I., died in her eighteenth year; and Flora D. died in her fourteenth year. Mr. and Mrs. Hosford are members of the Methodist Church, of which he is Recording Steward. A supporter of the Republican party, he has for sixteen years been Justice of the Peace and served several terms as Township Trustee. He has made what he has by close attention to business and well deserves the success which has crowned his efforts. His residence in Clermont covers a period of thirty-six years and he is widely and favorably known among her citizens.