Chester H. Carr, a representative of one of the oldest families in the county, was born 
on the farm upon which he now lives, August 3, 1828.  His father, Ephraim Carr, was 
also born in the town of Hartwick, and his father Robert Carr, was born in 
Connecticut, while his father was born in Scotland, and came to America in Colonial 
times.  Robert Carr was reared and married in Connecticut, and came to Otsego County 
in the year 1788.  He was accompanied by his family, making the journey in an ox 
cart, and a part of the way followed a trail marked by "blazed" trees.  He bought a 
tract of land of Judge William Cooper, and built a log cabin in the wilderness, 
cleared up his farm, and in due time erected a frame house and other buildings, and 
lived there until his death.  The maiden name of his wife was Prudence Wheeler; she 
was, so far as is known, a native of Connecticut.  She and her husband reared a 
family of ten children, viz: Daniel, Robert, Asaph, Wheeler, James, Samuel, Ephraim, 
Mary, Lucy and Prudence.

Ephraim Carr, the father of the subject of this sketch, was reared in the town of 
Hartwick.  For many years after the family settled in this county there were, of 
course, no railroads, and no mills for many miles.  The neighbors had to take turns 
in going to mill at Mohawk, taking a week to make the round trip.  Distilleries were, 
however, quite numerous, and much of the corn that was raised  was made into whisky.  
Ephraim Carr inherited a part of the old homestead, and in 1825 erected substantial 
stone house, and remained a resident on this farm until his death, in 1855.  The 
maiden name of his wife was Sally Todd, and she was born in Wallingford, Conn., 
November 14, 1793.  Her father, Jehial Todd, was born in the same town, November 3, 
1761.  After his marriage in his native State he removed to Otsego County, where he 
took up a farm, and followed agricultural pursuits the remainder of his life.  He 
bought water power on Oak Creek, and that locality has since been known as 
Toddsville.  He erected there a saw and grist mill, among the first establishments of 
this kind in the county.  Still later he built a paper-mill and also a woolen-mill.  
He was a man of unusual enterprise and very industrious.  He lived in Toddsville 
until his death.  The maiden name of his wife was Hannah Street; she was born October 
7, 1758.  The subject of this sketch has a Bible printed in 1779, that was presented 
to her by her father.  She died at Toddsville, in 1836.  The mother of the subject 
died January 18, 1874.  She reared nine children, viz: Daniel D., Delavan D., Laura 
F., Asaph H., Ceylon W., Sara T., Chester H., Edwin L. and Theodore P.

Chester H. Carr was reared at home and educated in his native town, and resided with his 
parents until their deaths.  He has always lived in the house in which he was born.  
His farm contains sixty acres of well-improved land, and is located four miles from 
Cooperstown.  He is engaged in general farming and in dairying.  He was married, in 
May, 1866, to Olive B. Ingalls, who was born in the town of Hartwick.  Her father, 
Evander Ingalls, was born in the same town, and his father, Simeon Ingalls, was born, 
it is thought in Windham, Conn.; he was one of the Pioneer settlers in the town of 
Hartwick.  He bought a tract of timber land from Judge Cooper, cleared a farm from 
the wilderness, and occupied it until his death.  The maiden name of his wife was 
Eunice Wheeler.  She was born in Connecticut, and spent her last years on the home 
farm in Hartwick.  The father of Mrs. Carr was reared on the farm, always followed 
farming, and spent his entire life in his native town.  The maiden name of his wife 
was Lucy Clark.  She was born in Connecticut in 1800, and was the daughter of Caleb 
and Polly (Dennison) Clark.  She died on the home farm in Hartwick, having reared 
five children, viz: Allen, Alanson, Olive B., Eunice and Menzo.  Mr. and Mrs. Carr 
have one son, Cuyler E.  The family attend the Presbyterian Church.  Mr. Carr was 
formerly a Democrat, but of late years has been a Prohibitionist in politics.  His 
son, Cuyler E., is a Republican, and a stanch and intelligent supporter and advocate 
of that party's principles.  The entire family are highly respected and worthy 
members of society.