Richmondville in Schoharie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hon. John Westover Residence
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, October 10, 2020
1. Old Residence Marker
of Hon. John Westover
1797-1887
Benefactor of the Village
of Richmondville.
Erected 1935.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1797.
Location. 42° 37.927′ N, 74° 33.956′ W. Marker is in Richmondville, New York, in Schoharie County. Marker is at the intersection of Brooker Hollow Road and Snyder Lane, on the right when traveling west on Brooker Hollow Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1133 Brooker Hollow Road, Richmondville NY 12149, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Geo. Dox Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); 2 Richmondville Seminaries (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Paper Mill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Carolyn Olendorf (approx. 0.4 miles away); Grist Mill (approx. 0.6 miles away); John Richmond (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old Covered Bridge (approx. 1.7 miles away); Battle of Cobleskill (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmondville.
Regarding Hon. John Westover Residence. Richmondville Bank.--- Mr. Westover, for many years, feeling the inconvenience of having
this page online
Bank of Richmondville, John Westover, president, James M. Foster, cashier; organized in 1880
J. M. Foster long interested in the business of the place, was associated in the enterprise, making the firm Westover & Foster, Bankers. The business men of the village and surrounding country fully appreciate the convenience, and assure their confidence, in a flattering patronage.
The Paper Mill of Westover & Foster, at Richmondville, is run by a 55 horse power engine, employs 14 hands and manufactures about 400 tons of paper annually. -- Gazetteer and business directory of Schoharie County, N. Y. for 1872-3.
Westover & Foster. Succeed J. M. Scribner. (John W., J. M. F.) Two 300-lb. engines; one 48-inch Cylinder. Water and Steam. Star Wrapping. 3600 lbs., 24 hours. --Lockwood's Directory of the paper, Stationery and Printing Trades. 1882
"Not that Kind. Office of Howe's Cave Lime and Cement Co., Howe's Cave, Oct 5, 1880"
To The Argus:
The Howe's Cave Lime and Cement company of which the Hon. John Westover, of Richmondville, New York, is president, has had nothing to do with the recent political bulldozing movement
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, October 10, 2020
2. Old Residence of Hon. John Westover Marker
Yours truly.
Eli Rose, Treasurer
The chairman of the Schoharie county Democratic Convention was Hon. John Westover, eighty-three years of age, a staunch, honorable and undeviating Democrat ever since the inception of the party. He has been in public positions upwards of fifty years and retained one position for the people since 1837 - forty-two years. His vote and influence will be cast for Hon. Lucius Robinson. -- Published in Albany's 'The Argus'; Thursday Morning, September 25, 1879, page 2 under the heading, 'Vicinity News. - Susquehanna Valley.'
Hon. John Westover is giving evidence of returning health by making a trip to Utica. ---Reported in The Cobleskill Index. on Thursday, May 17, 1877
Notes From Out of Town.
Richmondville. - The Hon. John Westover was taken seriously ill Monday. Dr. Laymon of Schoharie was summoned. Mr. Westover is ninety-two years old, and he had been unusually active this spring. --Published in the Troy Daily Times, Thursday Afternoon, May 19, 1887
[He was NOT 92 years old; he died at 89.]
Obituary
The Hon. John Westover, aged ninety-two years, a prominent and respected citizen of Richmondville, Schoharie county, died Thursday. He was the owner of nearly one-half of the village property, and the president and leading financier of the Richmondville bank. He had held many offices of public trust, having filled the position of justice of the peace for thirty-eight years and the office of assistant judge of the court of common pleas for eight years. In 1853 he was elected to the assembly, where he turned his attention and labors toward the building of the Albany and Susquehanna railroad, in which he became a director and one of the managing spirits in its construction. His funeral will be held from his late residence to-morrow afternoon. - Published in the Troy Daily Times, Saturday Afternoon, May 21, 1887
Obituary.
The Hon. John Westover of Richmondville, Schoharie county, was buried to-day. His funeral was attended by one of the largest assemblages ever congregated at such a service within the county. An extra train brought from Albany and other nearer by stations, many of his distinguished associates, and friends, to pay their respects at the last ceremonies of the honored dead.
A sermon was preached from the 4th verse of the 46th chapter of Isaiah, "And even in your old age I am he; and even in hoar [gray] hairs will I carry you; I have made and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."
From such a text, which was a sermon of itself, the eloquent and pathetic words of the speaker could not fail to make a lasting impression upon such an assemblage.
Judge Westover had for seventy-nine years been a resident of Richmondville. He was born in Egermont, Berkshire county, Mass., July 8th, 1797. Had his live been spared until July 8th, his years would have numbered ninety. His parents moved to Richmondville while it was still a forest; and during his days he has known all the hardships and privations incident to early pioneer life.
In 1824 he purchased a portion of the estate upon which for more than sixty years he has resided; and at the residence so long ago by him, his funeral was held.
No better proof of the confidence reposed in him by his townsmen need be named, than that for thirty-eight years he was Justice of the Peace in his town. He was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1838, which office he held until the adoption of the new State Constitution in 1846.
In 1843 he was chosen by his county to the legislature of the State. For several terms he was supervisor of his town, and one of the most efficient directors of the A. & S. R. R. [Albany & Susquehanna Rail Road] from its reorganization until his death.
He was one of the members of the Howe's Cave Lime and Cement Company, which was organized in 1876, which office was annually thereafter conferred upon him, and which he held at the time of his death. His associate members of the company were present at his funeral to mingle their tears of love and sympathy with those of his other true friends.
He was married to Catharine, daughter of Benjamin Miles of Schoharie, in 1832, with whom he lived and pleasantly enjoyed their mutual confidence and prosperity, until she was removed by death January, 1881.
They had no children, and his large estate, the accumulations of so many years of unremitting industry, will no doubt contribute for all future time to the good of the people, in advancing education and adding perpetually to the diffusion of human knowledge.
Among his latest enterprises was his establishment of the Richmondville Bank in 1881, of which he was president. His superior sagacity seemed to make all of his undertakings peculiarly successful. His estate is estimated by his neighbors at all sums from $150,000 to $500,000. An intermediate sum, between the two extremes, being doubtless nearer the true estimate.
His life and his success was one continued lesson to all living, of what may be accomplished by individual efforts of industry, frugality and honesty, well directed labor. His examples of untiring, persevering industry should ever stand as an evidence of the possibilities within the rad of all, by like well directed persevering toil.
Few men are more missed at death than will be the subject of this brief sketch. Few have lived who have more honorably, worthily, or successfully filled their various position and mission of life. Few indeed have a purer record, or a more unsullied reputation, as a legacy behind them. His memory will be blessed. H. Baker. May 12(?) 1887. - Published in The Otsego Farmer, May 28th, 1887 on page 8
---The treasurer of Clinton Liberal Institute recently received from the executor of the late Judge Westover, of Richmondville, Schoharie county, a draft for $10,000, the amount of their testator's bequest to the institution. -Canajoharie, Sept. 19, 1889.
---The rest of the real estate of the late Judge Westover was sold at auction Tuesday afternoon and was bought principally by the heirs. Low Prices prevailed. - Albany Morning Express, Thursday, July 11, 1889
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. A Marker at the Site of the Old Paper Mill in Richmondville, which was owned by John Westover in partnership with James Foster
Also see . . .
1. Biographical Sketch of Hon. John Westover. (Submitted on October 11, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
2. Westover Hotel Guest Register. (Submitted on October 11, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
3. John D. Westover on Find-A-Grave. (Submitted on October 11, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
