My Genealogy Hound

ELIAS H. JENNIER was a farmer of the town of Busti, prominent on account of his intellectual power and long connection with educational work. He was a son of Stephen and Betsey Jennier, and was born in Essex county, New York, in 1826, and came to Chautauqua county with his father when only eight years of age, and lived in the town of Harmony, where they stayed a short time, and then went to Belvidere, Illinois, where the ensuing seven years were spent. In 1841, when only fifteen years of age, Mr. Jennier, who had developed marked aptitude for study, returned to this county and adopted the profession of school teaching, and in the years following taught in nearly all the principal schools of the county. Some of this county’s men, whose names are written highest on the scroll of fame, received their instruction from him. He was the clerk of the board of supervisors for twenty-six years, and served upon the board for a long time. Politically he was a republican, took a great interest and kept well posted in political matters, as well as the general news of the day.

In 1844 he married Louisa Pier, a daughter of Abram Pier, a resident of Busti, now deceased. By their union four children were born to them. Mr. Jennier was a gentle husband and a kind father, and was happiest when entertaining a company of his friends. In connection with his other work he operated a farm, and belonged to the Grange and the Knights of Honor.

Elias H. Jennier died in 1883, leaving a sorrowing family to mourn his loss. His wife now resides on the old homestead, two miles from Jamestown, and has re-married to Smith Homer, whom she knew in youth. Mr. Homer spent thirty-eight years on the Pacific coast, and saw much of the life of the ‘49ers and others of the early adventurers, who were drawn thither by the visions of Golconda’s wealth. He is now happily located with his wife at their pleasant home.