My Genealogy Hound

CHAUNCEY G. TALCOTT. A farmer, and one of the national guards who organized a company and helped to repel Lee at Gettysburg, is Chauncey G. Talcott, who is a son of William D. and Persis Brandgee (Gage) Talcott, and was born in Silver Creek, Chautauqua county. New York, October 6, 1834. Until the coming of William D. Talcott to Silver Creek in 1831, the family had lived in Connecticut since 1632, that being the date when an Englishman named John Talcott landed at Boston, Mass., and then went to Hartford, Conn. He soon after acquired a large tract of land. One of the patentees named in the charter of Charles the First, granted to Connecticut, 1662, and it was the foundation of the wealth owned by later members of the older family. The Talcott mountains were named for a member of the family, probably for Gov. Joseph Talcott, who was one of the early governors of the colony — from 1724 to 1741. David Talcott was our subject’s grandfather and he spent his life in his native State. His son, William D. Talcott (father), was born in Glastonberry, Connecticut, on March 3, 1811, where he lived until he attained his twentieth year. In 1831 he set out for Buffalo but after reaching it remained only a short time and then went to Jamestown, this county. A few months later he went to Silver Creek, arriving November 2d, where he bought a home and resided until he died December 15, 1880. By trade he was a harness maker and saddler, which he followed at this place until 1839 when he began lumbering, ship building, etc., continuing this business until 1876. William D. Talcott was a man of magnetic influence; with good judgment and rare perspicacity, and conducted his business in a systematic manner. Politically he trained with the democrats, and held the offices of superintendent of highways, school trustee and supervisor of the town of Hanover. He was a liberal contributor to the cause of Christianity, and in 1856 became a member of the Presbyterian church. Five years later he was created an elder of his church, the duties of which he filled with honor and Christian humility until he was called to join the great congregation above. Sabbath-school work especially was the recipient of his attention and generosity. In 1 833, he married Persis Brandgee Gage, a native of Winfield, Madison county, this State, where she was born in 1814, but when three years of age her parents, Asa and Nancy (Brace) Gage, brought her to Silver Creek. Mrs. Talcott died August 7, 1878. They were the parents of seven children, six sons and one daughter: Chauncey G., Wallace W. and William S. reside in Silver Creek; Asa G. lives in Buffalo; Walter makes his home at Sandusky, Ohio; and Mrs. Elizabeth (Talcott) Harroun, of New York city. Mrs. Talcott was a woman possessing rare motherly characteristics and enjoyed the peace of a genuine Christian spirit. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church at Silver Creek, New York, and her body is laid away to rest in Glenwood cemetery, Silver Creek. Coming from the renowned English family of Gage, the best blood of that country flowed in her veins. Viscount Gage, an old Irish nobleman, belonged to the same family and she was closely connected with our own Revolutionary hero, General Gage.

Chauncey G. Talcott was reared at Silver Creek and after graduation in the public schools he was sent to the Brockport Collegiate Institute, and later, in 1856, he graduated from Bryant & Stratton’s business college, at Buffalo. Being thus fitted by education as well as natural endowments for business, he walked out in life and began as an accountant for a lumber firm in Toledo, Ohio, but after a stay lasting one year he went into his father’s service, keeping the accounts of his large lumber and lake transportation business. In the fall of 1858 he entered into partnership with his uncle, John H. Talcott, the firm name being Talcott & Co., and their business in wool and tanning. The partnership continued for twenty years and was dissolved in 1878 by mutual consent. Since that time Mr. Talcott has been engaged in farming and dealing in live stock and real estate. The beautiful home where he resides is but a small portion of his property holdings. In 1859 he organized a company of national guards and was made its first lieutenant. In 1863, when the Confederate army invaded Pennsylvania, Mr. Talcott was commissioned captain of the company and took it to Gettysburg, but after the rebel army was repulsed they returned home, having seen about one month’s active service.

On December 7, 1858, he married Maria L. Lee, a daughter of Oliver Lee, of Silver Creek, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, and one of the earliest settlers in this town. They have an adopted daughter: Helen M. Abell, a daughter of William H. and Eliza (Lee) Abell.

Chauncey G. Talcott is a member of the Presbyterian church and serves it in the capacity of an elder. For four years he was superintendent of its Sabbath-school. He is a democrat and has held some of the responsible offices in the gift of the town. When Sylvan Lodge, No. 757, F. and A. M. was chartered, Mr. Talcott was a member of it and was elected the first secretary. He is a gentleman of more than ordinary business acumen, of undoubted integrity, genial, warm-hearted and generous.