My Genealogy Hound

SIDNEY A. ESHENOUR, a successful farmer of the town of Fayette, Seneca County, uses the best methods of fertilizing the soil and improving the land. He is intelligent, possessing superior mental attainments, and seeks to develop himself as well as his agricultural interests in the best and broadest direction. He has been teaching school for several years, and for ten terms was engaged in his own district.

Mr. Eshenour was born in the town of Fayette July 23, 1863, and his parents were William and Sarah (Romig) Eshenour, well-to-do residents of this locality. Sidney passed his boyhood days on the home place and attended the country schools until a lad of some fourteen years. At that time he had completed the course of study taught in his district, and, his parents being desirous of giving him a good education, he was sent to Geneva, spending four years in the high school of that village. During this time he traveled back and forth from his home each day, sometimes on horseback, but when it was not convenient for him to use the horse he walked. After completing the course there he engaged in teaching, following this occupation solely for two years. His father then wished him to interest himself in farm work, and for the following three years he worked the home place on shares.

March 16, 1887, Mr. Eshenour married Miss Edith Adair, of the town of Varick, this county. About one year later, however, she died, leaving a son, Robin A., who was born April 22, 1888. Our subject farmed for a short time after this sad event and then engaged in the grocery business in Waterloo, but after a few months found out that he could not make this venture pay as he wished. As soon as a good offer was made him he accepted it and returned to farm work. This was in 1891, and ever since that time he has carried on his farm and taught school in the winter months.

December 26, 1893, Mr. Eshenour was married to Miss Cora DeYoe, of Waterloo, where her birth occurred February 11, 1865. She is the daughter of Gradus and Catherine (Byram) DeYoe, and for several years before her marriage was a successful teacher. She was graduated from the high school at Waterloo, and when ready to teach found no difficulty in securing a position. She has taught in both the district and graded schools of Union Springs, and also held a good position at Geneva. Her father was born near Albany, this state, March 15, 1817, while her mother was a native of New York City, her birth occurring August 11, 1824.

Mr. Eshenour takes a decided interest in political matters, and cast his first Presidential vote for Blaine, in 1888. He has never desired office, as his time has been too fully occupied to permit of his engaging in any public work. In religious affairs he is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Waterloo, with which his good wife is also connected. In this congregation he fills the office of Deacon, and is highly regarded by its various members for his upright and honorable course in life.