My Genealogy Hound

C. B. WARREN, a retired druggist of McGrawville, is a son of Ransom and Harriet L. (Safford) Warren, and was born May 9, 1839, in the town of Solon, N. Y.

Russel Warren, his grandfather, was a native of Rhode Island and married Lois Pierce, who was a native of Connecticut. He came first to Otsego County, N. Y., and remained there until 1817, when he moved to the town of Solon, this county, where he engaged in farming and blacksmithing for a number of years, and then took up his residence at McGrawville and followed blacksmithing; he farmed again for a short time and spent his last years in McGrawville, where he died in 1862. He was a member of the Baptist Church and a Democrat. He was the father of ten children, two of whom died in infancy, and eight grew to adult years.

Ransom Warren the father, was born in Otsego County. His youth was spent on his father’s farm in the town of Solon, where he acquired a fondness for the work of an agriculturist that remained as long as his life lasted, and caused him to choose that as his occupation; it was a calling for which he exhibited an especial aptitude, and in which he accumulated a considerable fortune He attended the common schools in his boyhood, and then started on his career as a farmer, his first purchase being the property known as the Truax farm; he remained there fifteen years, then sold his farm and bought the old Peat farm. He remained on this until 1872, when he came to McGrawville, giving up the active labor of the farm. He was a Democrat, and was prominent in political circles. He held the office of justice of the peace of Solon for thirty years, and was supervisor one term. He was a captain of a company of militia in the town of Solon. He married Harriet L. Safford, who was a faithful and affectionate wife, by her encouragement and thrifty management doing much toward his success. They passed away but a few years ago, leaving a family of five children, who will ever bear them in loving remembrance; one son had already crossed the River of Death, and was awaiting them on the other shore. Mr. Warren died June 14, 1890. Mrs. Warren died July 28, 1895. The children who survive them are: George; Charles; M. L., now Mrs. Brownell; and James L.

C. B. Warren received a good substantial education; after leaving the common schools he attended Cortland Academy and also the New York Central College. His first work, after leaving school, was farming, taken up as the most available thing at hand with which to employ his time. He followed this until he was twenty-four years of age, working first for his father and the last two years for himself. In 1866 he came to McGrawville and became identified with the drug business; he disposed of his store after having devoted to it twenty-five years of the closest attention. He still has some employment, however, as he looks after the old homestead farm, his father’s estate, and holds the office of notary public, to which he was appointed twenty years ago. He is a Democrat, but in local affairs he gives his support to the best man, regardless of party. He served one term as deputy district collector under the income tax law of 1895, and has been trustee of the Union High School of McGrawville for thirteen years. He is a friend of education and favors all methods that promise an improvement in the schools. He enlisted in the 76th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf. in 1861, but was not accepted on account of his health. He is a member of a number of lodges: McGrawville Lodge, No. 320, I. O. O. F.; Cortland Encampment, No. 127, I. O. O. F.; and Cortlandville Lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M. He is one of the foremost men of the town, substantial, prominent and influential, with a reputation of the best.

Mr. Warren married Sarah A. Jones, a daughter of Z. A. Jones, on November 25, 1863. Two children have been born to them: Hattie M., wife of H. K. Alexander; and Claribel, a graduate of the Cortland State Normal School, and for the past three years the efficient and popular preceptress of the Union High School of McGrawville.