BIOGRAPHY: J. Warren Mead, Genoa, Cayuga co., New York

transcribed and submitted by: Ann Anderson (ann.g.anderson at gmail.com)

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE LEADING CITIZENS OF CAYUGA
COUNTY NEW YORK
BOSTON
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY
1894

J. WARREN MEAD, Under-sheriff of Cayuga County, was born in the town of
Genoa, Cayuga County, N.Y., November 2, 1845, and is the son of James and
Nancy (Tupper) Mead. His great-grandfather, an elder James Mead, came to
Genoa in 1798, and took up what was known as a Revolutionary land claim, he
having been a soldier in Lamb's Artillery during the war. The grandfather of
the subject of this sketch was a Deacon of the Presbyterian church, and was
widely known in his day as "Deacon James." He was married to Miss Sabra
Lester. James, the father of J. Warren Mead, was born on the old homestead,
where he engaged in farming, and was also an extensive stock-dealer, a trade
in which he was engaged before he was nineteen years of age. The old
homestead has never been conveyed other than by will, and is now owned by
John Mead. James Mead was Supervisor for the town of Genoa, and in the fall
of 1862 was elected Sheriff, serving from January 1, 1863, to December 31,
1865, during the trying times of the war for the Union. He married a Miss
Nancy Tupper, who was born in 1817, a native of Genoa, and came of an old
Vermont family, being the  daughter of Captain Benjamin Tupper, a veteran of
the War of 1812. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. James Mead are Lina N.;
J. Warren; and Charles H., of Kankakee, Ill. All the family are strong
adherents of the Presbyterian faith.

 J. Warren Mead received his education at the academy of Genoa and at the
Auburn Academy. In the term of his father's office as Sheriff he received
the appointment as Deputy under him, continuing in the same capacity under
Sidney Mead and Sheriff Sa-very. In 1874 he was nominated for the position
of Sheriff, but was defeated by the fusion of Grangers, Prohibitionists, and
Democrats, who united on the opposing candidate. In the mean time he engaged
in farming at Fleming; but in January, 1881, he came to Auburn as
Under-sheriff with John Choate, serving for a term of three years, and again
under R. J. Myers for the same length of time. In the fall of 1886 he was
again nominated for the position of Sheriff, and this time was elected,
taking office January 1, 1887, for three years. The failure of the First
National Bank made a large increase of business; and, at the expiration of
his term as Sheriff, Mr. Keeler being elected, he took the position of
Under-sheriff, which makes twenty-two years spent in a Sheriff's capacity,
by far the longest term of office held by any one in this county, he having
been actively engaged all the time. He owns a farm at Fleming, and has
estates to look after in the capacity of Trustee. Mr. Mead has served his
time in the Volunteer Fire Department, from which  he has his discharge; and
he is also a member of the Exempt Firemen.

 Mr. Mead was married April 12, 1871, to Miss Eliza Clark of Fleming,
daughter of Alanson M. Clark, and has three children, namely: Benjamin C,
born in Fleming, 1873, now a student at Harvard College; Fred, born 1875;
Harry, born 1877  both of the latter being in the Auburn High School. Mr.
Mead united with the Central Presbyterian Church in 1867; but, Mrs. Mead
being a Baptist, he attends and supports that church.

 A continuity of twenty-two years in a responsible public position is a
proof that Mr. Mead enjoys in a high degree the confidence and respect of
his fellow-townsmen; and, being a man still in the prime of life, it is safe
to predict that he will long continue in the performance of those duties
which have gained him universal approval and commendation.