Portraits of Joseph Wilbur and Wife

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Old Saratoga, Feb. 2, 1807. He was the sixth child in the family of William and Priscilla (Mead) Wilbur, which consisted of eleven. The elder Wilbur was a native of Rhode Island, and emigrated to Easton, Washington county, about the year 1780. Shortly after he removed to Saratoga, and when Joseph was two years of age he again returned to Easton, where he remained until his death, which occurred in the year 1820. He was a man of ability, and possessed of many of the virtues and but few of the failings of human kind. He early taught his children those lessons of economy, sobriety, industry, and integrity which did much to enable them to attain and hold the respect and esteem of all those with whom they came in contact. Joseph remained with his father until he was married to Miss Ellen Woodruff, in 1829. Her father, Ithamar Woodruff, was one of the early settlers of Schaghticoke. He was a farmer, and in 1814 he removed to the town of Easton, where he lived until his death. Mrs. Wilbur was born in Connecticut, Dec. 25, 1807. After their marriage they commenced life by purchasing a farm in thc town of Easton, upon which they resided until 1852; then he sold and came to Saratoga and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. The farm was first settled by one Joseph Dillingham, and the first house was erected in 1796. Mr. Wilbur is emphatically a self-made man. Commencing life with only his natural resources for his capital, and the limited education afforded by the ordinary district school of early days, he has conquered success and secured a competence which is the result of a long life of industry, economy, and honorable dealing. His beautiful home (a view of which we present on the following page) attests his thrift and energy. The elder Wilbur was a member of the Society of Friends, and our subject holds to the same belief, although not a member of "The Meeting." Mr. Wilbur's aim in life has been to be a worthy member of society and a successful farmer, and well has he accomplished his purpose. Two children have been born to him, - James H. and Seth E., the former in 1830, and the latter in 1832; both are deceased. Seth was married in 1857 to Miss Matilda Kenyon; one child was born to them, James E., who is the sole prop of his grandparents' declining years.

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