NEFSEY
NEFSEY
Only two generations of the Nefsey family can claim the United States as their home, yet they have attained a position and standing in Lewis county, New York, that is enviable. The Emerald Isle was the family home of the family while England was the mother country.
(I) Patrick Nefsey, founder in New York state, was born in Mayo. Ireland, 1819, died in Lewis county, New York, June 17, 1869. He remained in his native country until he reached the age of twelve years, when he was sent to England to be educated. He attended the English schools and obtained a good education, which was finished in 1836, when he came to America, settling in Canada. He spent two years in that country, then crossed into the United States and settled on a farm in the town of Harrisburg, Lewis county, New York, which he cultivated the remainder of his days.
He was successful in his undertakings, and of high standing in that agricultural community. He was a Democrat in politics. He married, in 1850, Mary Cochran, a native of county Mayo, Ireland, who died Dec. 26, 1897. When a child her parents emigrated to the United States, but both died while on the voyage across the seas. The children were cared for by friends and finally reached Lewis county, New York, where Mary married Isaac Chamberlain, and bore him a daughter, Emily Jane, who married John Brady, of Harrisburg, New York. After the death of Mr. Chamberlain she married Patrick Nefsey.
Children: James, see forward; Maria, married Eli Simmons; Henry P., of Harrisburg, New York; John S. of Champion, Jefferson county, New York.
(II) James, son of Patrick and Mary (Cochran-Chamberlain) Nefsey, was born at Harrisburg, Lewis county, New York, March 30, 1852. He was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools. He became a farmer of his own acres and an extensive dealer in live stock. For many years he has been extensively engaged in shipping a high grade of draft and driving horses from the west, and while he has made this industry profitable for himself, he has been a public benefactor, as well in Lewis county and vicinity, for in no locality will there be found as high grade and universally good horses, and the credit is due almost entirely to the good judgment and enterprise of Mr. Nefsey.
He has been successful in life, and is possessed of a large estate consisting of well stocked, profitable farms. He is a man of influnece in his community and connected with important county institutions. For twenty years he has been a director of the Lewis county Agricultural Society, and for ten years on the board of managers. He is Independent in his political views and not bound by party ties. He is a member of the Episcopal church and a liberal supporter of all worthy objects. He is a Master Mason of Lowville Lodge, No. 134; a Royal Arch Mason of Lowville Chapter, No. 223; a Knight Templar of Watertown Commandery, and a Shriner of Media Temple; also belongs to the Lowville Club.
He married, Jan. 3, 1876, Mary, born in Lowville, Sept. 6, 1857, only child of Chester and Electa (Lanpher) Chadwick. (See Chadwick VI).
The farm which was the homestead of Mrs. James Nefsey's great-grandfather and first cleared and cultivated by him, is still in the family and owned by her. She is a member of the Episcopal church. They have no children.