Biographies
from
The History of Otsego County, New York
1740-1878
D. Hamilton Hurd
Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia
PHELON, Joseph - Cherry Valley
Joseph Phelon was born in Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., Aug.
27, 1778. He received the rudiments of his education at the
district school, and subsequently entered the Westfield academy,
closing his studies at the celebrated private school of Mr. Ebenezer
GAY. He pursued his studies with diligence and attention, and
succeeded in acquiring an education that well qualified him for his
subsequent successful business career. He taught the high school
at Suffield two years, and in 1809 came to Litchfield, Herkimer Co.,
N.Y., and in the following year commenced the mercantile business
at Bridgewater, Oneida Co. During the war with England, in 1812-15,
the troops at Oswego were supplied with provisions from the
Bridgewater establishment on contract, delivered at Oswego by
wagons or sleighs The provisions were received at Oswego by
Alvin BRONSON, now residing in that city at the advanced age of
ninety-four years, who at that time was agent for I. & J. Townsend,
the contractors for supplying the northern army with provisions.
In 1815 he became interested in the Susquehanna cotton and
woolen manufactory, situated on the Susquehanna river, in the
town of Hartwick, which he managed until 1819, when he became
interested in the Union cotton manufactory, located on the outlet
of Schuyler's lake, which was about the first in the State. Here he
commenced the manufacture of calico prints with indigo and madder
dyes, by block prints, having procured a practical workman from
England, and succeeded until the manufacture of prints by copper
rollers and machinery was commenced, which was in about the
years 1821-22.
The vending of early manufactured goods of shirting, sheeting,
and ticking, blue-dyeing having been successfully established at the
Union factory, Mr. Phelon personally opened a business for the
sale of the Union articles with merchants in all the principal cities
and villages between Otsego and the Pennsylvania on the south,
and Lake Ontario north, to Chatauqua county west; became
familiar with all roads, business men, and banks, and to this day
can locate and give a history of the rise and progress of this portion
of the State for the last fifty years, and of his business acquaintances
in the city of New York and Albany till the last twenty years, when
he left off traveling, and retired.
In 1832 he removed to his present location, then known as the
Hudson farm, originally known as "Lindsay's Bush," where the
first settlement in Otsego County was made. Since locating upon
the farm where he now resides he has manifested a lively interest
in agricultural pursuits, and has been considered one of the leading
and progressive agriculturists of the county. Lindsay Bush farm, as
this location might properly be called, is one of the finest farms in
the county, and here was manufactured the first cheese that was
sent to England. Mr. Phelon was also interested in stock-raising,
and became the owner of the first imported cattle brought into
Otsego County.
In January, 1815, he united in marriage with Alcena DENSLOW,
daughter of Benjamin Denslow, a patriotic soldier of the Revolution,
who was wounded on the battle-field of Saratoga. The family
consisted of nine children, five of whom are living.
Mr. Phelon, although now at the advanced age of ninety years,
retains, in a remarkable degree, much of the vigor and ambition of
youth.--
Excerpt from History of Otsego Co., NY, page 140