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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published by John M. Gresham & Co. in 1891. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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MICHAEL BARRIS was born in Villanova, Chautauqua county, New York, on December 5, 1818, and is the son of Benjamin and Betsey (Stebbins) Barris. His paternal grandfather was a native of Vermont, a farmer of English extraction. Grandfather Stebbins (see sketch of Abraham Stebbins) emigrated to Chautauqua county during its formative period, originally being a resident of New England. He was one of the pioneer settlers of the town of Sheridan. Benjamin Barris (father) was born in the State of Vermont in 1789, came to Chautauqua county in the year 1805, and first located in the town of Sheridan, thence removing in the Autumn of 1818 to the town of Villanova. In 1833 he removed to the town of Hanover, purchased a farm in 1854, and erected upon it the house in which Michael Barris now resides. Mr. Barris owns about one hundred acres of land in a high state of cultivation and in first-class repair. In politics he was a democrat and served in the war of 1812, during which war he was present at the siege and burning of Buffalo. He was united in marriage to Betsey Stebbins and had a family of ten children, all of whom grew to maturity. He married a second time, to Anna Webb.
Michael Barris was united in marriage on the 13th of March, 1842, to Lucinda Bushee, a daughter of Anthony Bushee of Chautauqua county, but formerly a native and resident of Vermont. They have had six children: Caroline, married to Walter Howard; Oren, married to Loana Griswold, a farmer by occupation, and at present living with his father; Emory, a carpenter and joiner, married and living in California; Sarah, wife of Doane H. Griswold, a tinner living in Dunkirk, New York; Emma, wife of Frank Burthwick, a farmer and sailor living near Sheridan Centre; and McClellan, at home.
Michael Barris attended the common schools and has always followed farming as an occupation. He is a democrat in politics, and was at one time a commissioner of highways. He is one of the most progressive farmers in the town of Hanover, owning two hundred and two acres of land.
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This family biography is one of 658 biographies included in Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chautauqua County, New York published in 1891.
View additional Chautauqua County, New York family biographies here: Chautauqua County, New York Biographies
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