Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2 - Группа авторов - Страница 38

About the year 1740 John Vail, who was the first of the name to locate in Westchester county, came from Long Island on horseback and settled in Somers township on a large tract of land embracing several hundred acres. From this tract many farms have since been sold, while a part of it is still retained in the family. He married Hannah McKeel, and lived to the extreme age of one hundred and four years. They were the parents of four sons and several daughters: the sons were Isaac, Moses, John and James.

Isaac made his home in this township during his entire life. He was conceded to be one of the best farmers in the county, and he accumulated considerable property. He dealt in livestock, doing an extensive business, especially in sheep and cattle. He married Elizabeth Carpenter, who was born in Yorktown, this county, a daughter of Jacob Carpenter. They brought up nine children, — Jacob, Isaac, Daniel, Betsey, Hannah, Abraham, James, John and George.

The only surviving member of this family is John, the subject of this sketch. He was born August 23, 1812, and is now in his eighty-eighth years He has been a most active man of business and closely identified with all that has pertained to the building up of the community. He has been one of the progressive farmers, dealing largely in cattle also, and handling them in car lots. His farm comprises one hundred and thirty-five acres in this township, while he owns also a farm of seventy acres in Yorktown township, near Lake Mohansic. He has planted an orchard of forty acres, from which he obtains some of the most delicious fruit, and he manufactures vinegar of the best quality. He is a man of intellect and takes a deep interest in the workings of the Republican party, with which he has lately been identified.

He was married in 1841, to Miss Sarah Cornell, who was born in this county, February 15, 1821, a daughter of Abraham Cornell, and died in her sixty-third year. They were the parents of five children, namely: Hannah, the wife of Nathaniel Flewellyn, of Yorktown: Oliver J., a resident of the same place; William Edgar, who occupies the old farmstead; Elias, a farmer of this township; and Ida, the widow of Hal Palmer, of Yorktown Heights. For years Mr. Vail has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal church and is highly esteemed for his upright conduct as a citizen and a man.