BIOGRAPHY: Henry Tosh, Fox Ridge, Cayuga co., New York transcribed and submitted by: Ann Anderson (ann.g.anderson at gmail.com) ========================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ny/nyfiles.htm ========================================================= BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE LEADING CITIZENS OF CAYUGA COUNTY NEW YORK BOSTON BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 1894 HENRY TOSH, Postmaster at Fox Ridge, having held the position ever since the office was established here in March, 1886, also station agent for the New York Central Railroad at this point, is a well-known citizen of Montezuma, and a potent factor of the agricultural element of this part of Cayuga County, of which he has been a resident since two years of age. He was born in Oswego County, New York, April 17, 1857, being a son of James E. and Mary J. (Carver) Tosh, the former of whom was born in Cayuga County, September 7, 1820, and the latter, February 15, 1833, in the town of Montezuma. Allen Tosh, the father of James E., was a farmer by calling, devoting the larger part of his life to that peaceful vocation, in which he was quite successful. Mr. Tosh and his wife Nellie passed their last years near Cayuga County, he dying at the age of sixty-three years, and she when sixty years old. Their household circle comprised nine children, of whom only two are now living: Mrs. Mary Bain; and Johanna Tosh, of Auburn, N.Y. James E. Tosh was educated at the Aurora High' School and the Cayuga Academy. Reaching manhood,, he decided on an agricultural career, and, buying sixty-five acres of land in Oswego County, carried on mixed husbandry there for five years. Selling that property, Mr. Tosh then removed to Cayuga County, and in 1856 bought the homestead where his widow now resides. It contained ninety-six acres of good land, which he managed in a practical and able manner until the time of his decease, which occurred May 19, 1884. He was a man of sound common sense, possessing good judgment and ability, and, being well versed in agricultural lore, brought his homestead under a good state of cultivation, rendering it as productive and profitable as any in the vicinity. He occupied a leading position among the honored residents of his community, being a man of high moral principles, liberal in his religious beliefs, a Republican in politics, and a member of Cayuga Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He married Mary J. Carver, a daughter of Jesse and Lotta (Ball) Carver, the former having been a native of Catskill, N.Y., and his wife a native of Montezuma. Mrs. Tosh was a descendant of one of the original settlers of this town, Samuel Ball, her maternal grandfather, having come here nearly one hundred years ago, when this part of the State was a comparative wilderness. He found his way to these wilds by following the Indian trail, or a path marked by blazed trees, settling here at a time when the bears, deer, wolves, and other wild beasts, alone disputed the rights of the Indians to the sole possession of the territory. He bought land of the government, and, improving a homestead, here passed his remaining days, having in the mean time been largely instrumental in developing the resources and promoting the growth of the town. James Tosh and his wife reared four children, two of whom Henry and Mary are now living. One son, Allen, died at the early age of twenty-two years. He was a finely educated young man, having been graduated from Port Byron Academy, after which he taught school one year, when, his health failing, he sought the invigorating though mild climate of Colorado; but the hoped for relief came not, and he soon afterward passed away in Denver. Jesse died at the age of twenty-seven years. He was a prosperous farmer. Henry Tosh is a man of versatile talents, and has been engaged in various occupations. On reaching his majority, he began the battle of life on his own account. Entering the employment of Hiram Sibley, the well-known seedsman of Rochester, N.Y., he became superintendent of Fox Ridge and Savannah farms, Howland Island, comprising four thousand acres of land, and having at times as many as forty-six men under his supervision. This responsible position he held ten years, one of his duties being to take charge of the money and pay the workmen. Mr. Tosh has also been largely engaged in public works, he having built the bridge between Wayne and Cayuga Counties, a substantial structure, thirteen hundred and eighty feet in length. In 1889 he left the employ of Mr. Sibley, and since that time has been profitably engaged in agriculture. He settled on a part of the parental homestead, now owning eighty acres of it, and in addition to this rents one hundred and twenty acres of land, thus having two hundred acres of good land under his control. He owns and runs a steam hay-press. He is an energetic and systematic agriculturist, and has uniformly met with success in his undertakings, being now in the enjoyment of a comfortable competency, and is station agent for the New York Central Railway Company at this point. Mr. Tosh is also warmly interested in local matters, and has served at different times as Assessor of the town, having been first elected when twenty-two years old, and is now filling the office for the third term. In politics he casts his vote in support of the Democratic party. He is a member of Montezuma Lodge, No. 176, A. F. & A. M., and Port Byron Lodge, Morris Chapter, and 156 K. A. M. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their pleasant home, which he erected in 1889, is the centre of a gracious hospitality and a favorite place of resort for their many friends. On the 31st of March, 1883, Mr. Tosh was united in marriage to Sarah Shotz, who was born in Port Byron, June 10, 1865, a daughter of George and Catherine Shotz, both of whom are still living in Port Byron, where Mr. Shotz is prosperously engaged in the grocery trade. Mr. and Mrs. Tosh are the parents of three children, as follows: Nellie, born February 26, 1884; Allen H., born March 29, 1885; and Genevieve, born February 27, 1890.