Biographies
from
The History of Otsego County, New York
1740-1878
D. Hamilton Hurd
Published by Everts & Fariss, Philadelphia
MAPLES, Harvey - Hartwick
Among the old men now living in the town of Hartwick, there
is none more worthy of having his life record placed upon the
imperishable page of history than the subject of this sketch. He
was born in the town Feb. 2, 1807, being the son of David and
Lois MAPLES, they having emigrated from Connecticut and
settled in this town about the year 1800. Like other pioneers, he
struggled with the inconveniences, trials, and hardships incident to
the settlement of a new country, but he has lived to see cultivated
fields take the place of forest, swamps and marshes changed to
fertile meadows, and the beautiful farm-house, with its modern
conveniences, take the place of the rude log cabin, and villages
grow up around him with their stores, mills, churches, schools, and
comfortable residences. His early life was replete with hardship and
toil; his education much neglected; but during his life he has complied
faithfully with the scriptural injunction of "Whatsoever your hands
findeth to do, do it with your might." At the age of twenty-eight he
was married to Hannah, daughter of Seth ROBINSON, the ceremony
taking place Feb. 1, 1835. Her parents were originally from the
New England States, and early settlers of the town of Hartwick,
where she was born April 10, 1815. Their family consists of only
two daughters, Lucinda, who was born March 5, 1836, and was
married to Edwin A. WELLS, March 26, 1856, and Mary Jane,
born Jan. 27, 1838. Mr. Maples has been very successful in
business, and by industry and frugality enjoys a well-earned
competency. He always voted the Republican ticket. Not being
a member of any church he has given largely of his means for the
support of the various churches in the town. His wife is an active
member of the Christian church of Hartwick.--
Excerpt from History of Otsego Co., NY, opposite page 160