Edward C. Lasher

Biography courteously provided by Joyce Riedinger, Delaware County Coordinator.

EDWARD C. LASHER, residing at Griffin's Corners, is the proprietor of Fleischmanns Hotel at this place, and is looked upon as a sound business man and good citizen. He was born in Halcott, Greene County, N.Y., in 1854, son of Allen and Eliza A. (Crosby) Lasher, and grandson of Conrad and Anna Maria (Sagendorf) Lasher. Conrad Lasher was born in Dutchess County, son of a German emigrant, but after his marriage came to Delaware County, where he was an early settler. He and his wife made the journey on horseback by the aid of marked trees, carrying what little they had with them. They made a home; and he became a successful farmer and prosperous man, both he and his wife living to the age of eighty-three years. They were members of the Lutheran church, but never learned the English language. They raised a family of eight children, by name Robert, Edward H., Allen, Abraham, Frederick, Susan, Maria Susan, and Katherine.

Allen Lasher was born in Red Hook, Columbia County, N.Y., and was in every sense a self-made man. His educational opportunities were so limited that he received in all but twenty-three days' schooling. He engaged in farming and lumbering, and worked hard to get ahead in the world, cutting timber, and then carrying it to Kingston, where he purchased supplies. This journey took four days, and was made under difficulties. Mr. Lasher was born in 1823, and lived to be sixty-nine years of age, his wife dying at the age of fifty-two. They left seven children: Edward C.; Emmett M., who married Allerina H. Vaudermark, and had one child; Mary E.; Viola V., who married Theodore V. Floyd; Hulda, who became the wife of William H. Whispul, and has two children; Charles, residing in Newport; and James, who lives at Griffin's Corners.

Edward C. attended the district schools, then commenced farming and lumbering, and in 1893 bought the hotel built by Asa Griffin, which under his efficient management is well patronized. The property covers two acres, and the hotel accommodates a large number of boarders. Mr. Lasher's first wife was Harriet Kelly, daughter of Kelsey Kelly. She died in 1879, leaving one child, Edna, who did not long survive her mother. Mr. Lasher chose for his second wife Jennie V. Ferio, daughter of Peter and Jane (Jones) Ferio, the former of whom was a prosperous farmer on Bingle Hill. Her mother, daughter of Robert and Jane (Newton) Jones, was born in Wales in 1765, but came to this country when she was five years old. Robert Jones lived to be eighty-eight years of age, and his wife was ninety-four at the time of her death. They had a family of fourteen children. By his second marriage Mr. Lasher has one son, Samuel A., born July 12, 1882.

Mr. Lasher has inherited the characteristics of his German ancestors in energy, persistent effort, and good business qualities, ready to work hard with any worthy object in view. He is a Republican in his political opinions, and a Methodist in religion. He is considered one of the solid business men of Middletown, and is doing all he can to aid in advancing the business and social interests of the town.

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