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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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DANIEL T. BOWDISH, who conducts a general store at Little York, and is also a justice of the peace, is a son of John S. and Emily (Tarble) Bowdish, and was born in the town of Freetown, this county, July 1, 1850.

His grandfather, Joseph Bowdish, spent the greater portion of his life in Erie County, N. Y., moving to Freetown about 1848. He had chosen farming as the occupation best suited to his tastes, and continued in that calling all his life. The partner who shared his joys and sorrows was Miss Clara Sherman, a lady in every way worthy the high esteem in which she was held. They had a family of seven children, five of whom are living at the present time, whose records are as follows: John S., the father of our subject; Hannah of Marathon this county; Margaret, also of Marathon; Uriah, a farmer of Freetown; and Albertus, a farmer of Solon. Joseph Bowdish was called from his labors, in 1859, a t the age of fifty-nine years, and was survived by his wife, who passed away at the unusually advanced age of ninety-eight years, in 1896. Only two years were lacking to round out a century, in a life that was full of love and tenderness. Few persons are permitted to live to such great age, and note the many changes that occur during the growth of a century. Mrs. Bowdish was a woman of amiable disposition and gentle breeding, and had gathered around her a multitude of friends who were loth to see her go, although her years had been well rounded out, and the time had fully come when she would hear the Master say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

John S. Bowdish was born in Erie County, N. Y., in the month of November, 1819, and obtained an education in the common schools that was much superior to that accorded the majority of boys in those days. He came from a family of farmers, and it was not strange that he should develop a liking for the same honorable work. He accompanied his father when the latter moved to Freetown, and about the year 1883 he located in Marathon, where he is at present living a life of ease. He is seventy-eight years old, and retired from active life when he removed from Freetown; at that place he owned and operated a farm of 160 acres, being one of the most extensive farmers of that section. He was also mail carrier between Texas Valley and Marathon for eight years. He is a Republican, and at one time was assessor of Freetown. He was married to Emily Tarble, who is still living at the age of seventy-seven years. Their family consisted of eight children, as follows: Emery, a resident of Cortland; Adelaide, wife of Edwin Maride of Cincinnatus, this county; Daniel T.; Joseph, a butter and cheese dealer of Marathon; Charles, a farmer of Freetown; Arvine, who died in 1877; Eber, a liveryman of Marathon; and Esther, wife of William Brooks of Syracuse, N. Y.

Daniel T. Bowdish was raised in Freetown and educated in the common schools of that place. He began working for himself, as a farmer, and continued in that occupation for ten years until 1882; at that time he opened a store of general merchandise at Little York, which he has since conducted. This store fills a long felt want in the village, and Mr. Bowdish has made it his chief aim to be able to supply any article that may be called for, thus making it a first-class store in every respect. He married Miss Flora L., daughter of Calvin Eaton of Freetown, on February 11, 1873. He is a strong Republican, taking a very active part in all matters pertaining to political affairs. He was elected justice of the peace of Freetown, where he served two terms, and is at present filling the same office at Little York, to which he was elected in 1895. Mr. Bowdish has been an honorable, upright judge, and has won for himself the hearty approbation of his towns-people for the manner in which he has conducted the affairs of his office. On November 15, 1897, he was appointed postmaster of Little York. In both his private and public life he has held himself above reproach, and his strict integrity is testified to by his numerous friends in all parts of the county. His pleasant, agreeable manners make his company in demand, and he is seldom to be found unless surrounded by some of his numerous friends.

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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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