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Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  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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ANDREW J. BABCOCK, a prominent farmer and stock dealer of Cortland County, residing in the town of Scott, is a son of Hon. Raymond P. and Olive (Denison) Babcock, and was born in Scott township, one and one-half miles south of Scott village, November 28, 1828. Luke Babcock, the grandfather of our subject, moved to Cortland County and settled in the town of Scott, where he died at an advanced age.

Hon. Raymond Babcock was a native of Massachusetts; with his father, he emigrated to the town of Scott and settled on the farm now owned by Mr. Cottrell. He was one of the pushing business men of Cortland County, and few men possessed greater energy and will power, the elements of character that carried him to the front in business circles. He followed farming all his life and always owned from one to six farms, being a speculator in land as well as in stock. He built a great deal and did everything that could be done toward the cultivation of his land. Politically, he served his fellow citizens in many positions of honor and responsibility, both public and private in their nature. Always an untiring and consistent Republican, laboring zealously and conscientiously in behalf of party interests, he devoted much personal labor and considerable expenditure of money toward Republican success. He held various positions, such as supervisor, Member of Assembly from Cortland County, and justice of the peace, offices he filled to the entire satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen. In religious views he was a member of the Baptist Church. Socially, he was a public-spirited man, and lent his aid and influence to the advancement of measures, which he believed would be conducive to the public welfare; thus he contributed largely to libraries and other philanthropic institutions. He was married to Olive Denison, and six children were born to them, namely: Lucy, deceased; Andrew J., the subject of this personal history; George, deceased; Adelia (Hathaway), Hurvey, a resident of Dakota; and Olive A., who lives in Scott. For his second wife he chose Phoebe Camp, and one child was born to them, who is now deceased. Mr. Babcock passed from this life at his home near Skaneateles Lake. His memory is held in dear esteem by hosts of his friends, who knew him as an honest, upright man.

Andrew J. Babcock was reared and educated in his native town, and remained there until he had attained his majority, when he moved to Moravia, where he remained for several years, returning afterwards to the town of Scott, where he has lived since. In 1848 he was united in marriage with Lydia Barber, daughter of Garner Barber of Scott. Mr. Babcock has always been a farmer, and has dealt extensively in fast horses, this having been almost his sole occupation for twenty years. Politically, he is a stanch Republican.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

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