Harry GODFREY

                   Rice Pudding - A Family Genealogy and History of William Rice and Mary Hall of Dutchess County, New York, from 1761 - now; compiled by Rose Mary Goodwin, teacher, librarian; Sunland, California 1976

The Rice Family 1761 to 1920; History of the William Rice and Mary Hall Family, Mary Rice Sherwood, Pulteney, New York


"Landmarks of Steuben County, New York" by Hon. Harlo Hakes, 1896.

(The first words of each sentence of the following and many other words are unreadable as well and are indicated by . . .)

       Harry Godfrey was born in the town of Southeast, Dutchess Co., NY, July 8, 1802.  He was the eldest son in a family of  twelve children of Joseph and Polly Godfrey.  the . . .a cooper by trade, and spent most of his life. . .lumberman and farmer.  He died at Ithaca, NY . . .seventy five.  the latter died at the age of. . .at the residence of her son Joseph, in Detroit. . .
       . . .children are Harry, Philo of Dryden, Tompkins. . .John (deceased), David (deceased), Ira (deceased). . .Mary Ann (deceased), Hannah, Almira. . .and Ursula (deceased.)
       . . .the age of sixteen, Mr. Godfrey wnet into the busy. . .himself, worked by the month for four years. . .saw-mill and lumbering, receiving a part of the . . .dollars per month.
       . . .age of twenty he came to Steuben County, and. . .some forty-four acres of timber land in the. . .Pulteney of . . .Cameron, agent of the land. . .To this purchase he made additions until he had. . .hundred seven at one time.  He met the obstacles. . .and endured the privations of the early. . .making his beginning in the new country; but. . .successful career has shown that he then. . .foundation for the remarkable business interest. . .lived many years to carry on.
       . . .married Thersa, daughter of Seth and. . .Weed of Pulteney.  She was born in the county of West Chester, June 16, 1806, the ever memorable day of the great eclipse of the sun.
       Mr. Godfrey remained a farmer and private broker in the town of Pulteney until 1874, when he removed to Prattsburgh where he now resides.  He has lived to watch the growth of the county for nearly forescore years, to see schools and churches established, business interests built up, railroads and telegraphs span the globe, and machinery of all kinds lessen manual labor.
       He has led a strictly business life, preferring its quiet to the bickerings of political strife.
       He cast his vote for David D. Tompkins for governor, and has been unswervingly a member of the Democratic party.
       While a resident of the town of Pulteney he held the office of supervisor for one year, and that of justice of the peace for twelve years; and it is said that, while. . .in the latter capacity , in no instance was his decision reversed in a higher court when an appeal was made.
       Unassisted financially while young, Mr. Godfrey by his own self-exertion, industry, and prudence has, after many years of labor reached rank among the . . .financial men as a man whose word is as good as his bond.  His surviving children are Mrs. George Dean and Mrs. Reach (?) of the town of Pulteney.
       Very few are spared to live as long together as have Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey, - the time being the writing of this sketch fifty-six years.