My Genealogy Hound

EBEN WILBER, one of the old and prominent citizens of Cannelton, is a native of Rensselaer County, N. Y., and was born June 7, 1814. He is one of a family of four children born to Samuel and Amy (Cook) Wilber. His education was all obtained in his native place with the exception of one year’s attendance at an academy at Lansingburg. At the age of thirteen he began clerking in his father’s store at Schaghticoke, near Troy. For eight years he continued in this business, and then began working in the cotton-mills at Ballston Spa. He remained there six years, and had made such advancement in knowledge of the business that he was chosen to superintend the cotton-mills at Cannelton, which were built and put in operation under his management. That was in October, 1850, and he has since been in charge of this institution. In November, 1853, he was married to Miss Margaret Jackson, who was at that time a resident of Cannelton. To their union five children have been born named Mary A., Maggie J., Charles J., Henry H. and George J., of which only two, Henry and George, are now living. In religion, Mr. Wilber was raised a Quaker, and his sentiments have always been with the church of his childhood. Mrs. Wilber and the children are members of the Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and takes a laudable interest in public affairs. He has never had time to be an office-seeker.