My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH P. SLACK is spending the evening of his days, and enjoying the fruits of his long and laborious life, in the village of Waterloo. He was born in Mexico, Oswego County, N. Y., January 15, 1817, the son of Israel and Sarah (Perkins) Slack. The father, a native of Vermont, was a farmer by occupation, and rounded out more than fourscore years, dying in 1854, in his eighty-fifth year. He was of English descent, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Slack, whose name begins this article, is the only member of the family surviving, two sons having passed away. His early school days were passed in the district schools. In Oswego County he began farming, and in connection with this also carried on a dairy. In 1860 he sold this farm and removed to Waterloo, but soon afterward became interested in the oil-refining business in Titusville, Pa. Presently he returned to Waterloo, and entered into business associations with Charles C. Gridley. They worked together for four years, and in the development of the city had a fair share. The Academy of Music, a building of which the towns people are justly proud, and the only structure of the kind in the place, was erected under their management.

January 16, 1838, Mr. Slack and Miss Maria E. Furniss were united in a marriage that was to continue for more than a half-century, and prove that it is indeed good for a man to have a wife to lighten his home, cheer his heart, and inspire his life. Mrs. Slack was born in England in 1819, and about ten years later came to this country with her parents, finding a home in Mexico. In the first bloom of her girlish beauty she was wooed and won, and her early love filled and made beautiful her whole life. She was known by all the community as a lovely soul, and the graces and charities of her daily life made her doubly dear to all who came under the influence of her gracious character. She was not spared the common trials and afflictions of human nature, but in a large and helpful way she rose above them, and exhibited a beautiful spirit of patience and trust. A modest and yet confident trust in the realities of faith and religion moved her to seek membership in the Presbyterian Church and made her work in its association a tender memory to all with whom she came in contact. She died August 3, 1894, after a lingering and painful sickness of more than seven weeks’ duration, made luminous by her patient and courageous suffering. All that is mortal of her noble and beautiful life rests under the shadows of Maple Grove Cemetery.

There were three sons born to this happily wedded couple, only one of whom is now living, Edson F., who is a resident of Waterloo. Judson C. died in 1863, and Alfred H. in 1892. Two sisters of Mrs. Slack are still living, one in Fredonia, and the other in Cassadaga, and three brothers reside in this city. Edson F. Slack, though a resident of Waterloo, is Superintendent of the Seneca Falls Electric Street Railway and is one of the prominent and aggressive young business men of the day.

Joseph Slack is now nearing the close of an active and well spent life, and as the evening shadows deepen he can recall with satisfaction the days and the scenes of “the long ago.” He has not only worked hard himself, but he has been appreciated by his friends and neighbors. While in Mexico he was chosen to fill the positions of Commissioner of Highways and Trustee of the public academy, the district school, the corporation and the church, and had it not been for his disinclination for public life, it is safe to say he would have been called out of his retirement to many more important offices.