My Genealogy Hound

JAMES LIVINGSTON, who has won an enviable reputation as a mechanic and builder of the best class of bridges, is a resident of the village of Marathon, and is one of its most highly respected citizens. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Esmay) Livingston, and was born November 9, 1836, in Otsego County, this state.

Jacob Livingston, the great-grandfather, was a native of Germany, emigrating to this country and making a home in Kings County, Long Island, before the Revolutionary War; he took up arms for the country of his adoption, and was one of the many sons whose valor enabled her to keep aloft the banner of American Independence. After the close of the war, he moved to Rensselaer County, then to Schoharie County, and finally to the town of Davenport, Delaware County, where he died.

John Livingston, grandfather of our subject, was born in Kings County, Long Island, but the greater part of his life was passed in the counties of Otsego and Tioga, N. Y., his death occurring at the latter place when he had almost reached the century mark, being ninety-five years old. The partner, who shared the vicissitudes of life with him was a lady of French birth, Magdalena Parmatee.

James Livingston, the father, married Elizabeth Esmay, who belonged to the early Dutch settlers of New York, whose family tree was deep-rooted in the land of Holland, from whence have sprung so many of the sturdy settlers of our Eastern States. Mr. Livingston and his wife were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters: James, our subject; Francis, a gunsmith in Marathon; John, living in Quincy, Mich.; Henry, deceased; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Desman Bowman, a tailor; Katherine, the wife of George Haight, residing in Georgia; and Elizabeth, who died in early girlhood, when scarcely twelve years of age.

James Livingston, whose name heads this biography, located in the village of Marathon when but a young man, and has lived there for almost a half century, enjoying the confidence, respect and goodwill of the entire community, as well for his cheery good humor as for the strict integrity and rectitude that characterize his daily life. He received a common school education and then learned the trade of a machinist, a vocation for which he had an especial talent, and in which his wide reputation for superior excellence of work is well sustained. His mechanical enterprise consists largely in building engines and bridges. Most of the bridges in his vicinity are of his invention and construction, and are an enduring monument to his creative ability and the excellency of his workmanship. He is also interested in the manufacture of lumber, and owns two saw mills which are in constant operation. In 1840, he located in Galatea, residing there until 1856, when he made his home in the village of Marathon. Two years later he married Miss Lannie M. Peebles, October 17, 1858, and they are the proud parents of four children, three of whom are living; the record is as follows: John W., who is in business with his father; George died May 6, 1872; Mary is the wife of Fred S. Dellow, son of undertaker Dellow; and Desman D., also in business with his father. On another page occurs a portrait* of Mr. Livingston.

*A portrait was included in the original printed volume.