August 2004 - The Newtons
Whose lives are more worthy to be recorded on the pages of history than they who came into a country when it was in a wild state, and by manifold exertions overcame, every obstacle of success and finally were triumphant at the end? Of this class the person of whom we write is a living example. He was born in the town of Truxton, Cortland Co., N. Y., June 11, 1807, being the second son and third child of a family of eight children of Reuben and Eunice (Manly) Newton. His parents were natives of the State of Vermont, his father being born June 17, 1774; his mother July 15, 1782. They removed in an early day to Cortland County, and when our subject was about a year old emigrated to Marcellus, Onondaga Co., N. Y. He was a resident of that county a number of years; but finally, in 1823, he located in the town of Mansfield, Cattaraugus Co., and settled and commenced clearing a farm of one hundred acres, in which he was assisted by his son Lyman. The farm is still in the possession of the last named.* Lyman lived upon his father's farm till the year 1828, when he started in the world for himself by hiring out to work by the month, in which occupation he was engaged for the space of two years. He was married, July 14,1830, to SARAH D., daughter of ROBERT [Jacobus, Robert Isaac, John/Jan] and BETHIA KIDNEY, they being among the early settlers of Mansfield, having removed from Marcellus, Onondaga Co., in 1824. Their daughter was born in the latter town, Dec. 27, 1811.
In the fall after his marriage Mr. Newton purchased his first farm, consisting of one hundred acres of wild land, and commenced to clear it; he has followed the business of farming ever since, and at one time kept the largest dairy in the county, milking eighty-five cows. He has increased his worldly possessions by industry, economy, and frugality, so that he is now the owner of eight hundred acres of land, all located in a body in the town of Mansfield.
The fruit of his marriage was two sons, Milton, born Sept. 27, 1834, and Myron L., born June 15, 1836,-both of whom are married, and reside on farms adjoining their father. Politically, Mr. Newton formerly belonged to the old Whig party, but joined the Republican on its organization, and though solicited a number of times to hold public offices has always steadily refused to serve his fellow-citizens in that capacity. Himself and wife were originally members of the First Baptist Church of Mansfield; they still believe in that form of Christian religion; but that church having become extinct they have never connected themselves with any other. The first religious services ever held in the town of Mansfield were at his father's house.
Mr. Newton, now at an advanced age, looks back upon a life' spent with a great deal of pleasure. He, in connection with his worthy helpmate, with no other legacy than their hands, have amassed a fortune of which they may be justly proud; they have worked hard, but success has attended their efforts, and we only hope they may be permitted to enjoy for a number of years the fruits of their industry.
* His parents are both buried in the town; they lived to be over sixty years of age, his father passing away from earth April 21, 1833, and was followed, Aug. 20, 1848, by his worthy partner in life.