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JOHN HOSFORD

John Hosford, grandfather of Mrs. Hance Shipton, was born in Franklin county, New York, December 27, 1821, the son of John and Hepsy Gilbert Hosford, his mother a native of Connecticut, his father of Vermont. John, senior, was drafted in the war of 1812 and was present at the battle of Lake Champlain. He farmed throughout life. John, junior, was one of ten children, and received a very limited education in New York. He began life as a farmer in New York, then in 1852 went to California, mined until the winter of 1853-4, which he spent in New York, and in May, 1854, came to Fayette county and located at Clermont, bringing with him his wife and one child. Here he built the first brick house in the township. For several years he was engaged in a grocery store, and from that got into general business. The quality of his support of the Republican party is shown by the fact that he has voted for every Republican candidate for president save one. For fifteen years he was the efficient justice of the peace for Clermont. He married in New York in 1853, to Cload Martin and they were the parents of four children: Henry G., Dewitt Clinton, Ellen I. and Flora D. Mr. Hosford is one of the most respected citizens of his village, and is now one of the oldest. His declining years can be spent in the happy consciousness of a past life full of endeavor.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Judy Boie