At the age
of eighteen, I went into business with my father, and as I was now
entitled to a share of the profits, I married the daughter of a
well-to-do neighboring farmer, and we began our new life in part of
my father's house, setting up for ourselves, and doing our own
house-keeping.
I ought to have known then that marrying thus early in life, and
especially marrying the woman I did, was about the most foolish
thing I could do. I found it out afterwards, and was frequently and
painfully reminded of it through many long years. But all seemed
bright enough at the start. My wife was a good-looking woman of just
my own age; her family was most respectable; two of her brothers
subsequently became ministers of the gospel; and all the children
had been carefully brought up. I was thought to have made a good
match; but a few years developed that had wedded a most unworthy
woman.
Seventeen months after our marriage, our oldest child, Henry, was
born. Meanwhile we had gone to Sidney, Delaware County, where my
father opened a shop. I still continued in business with him, and
during our stay at Sidney, my daughter, Elizabeth, was born. From
Sidney, my father wanted to go to Bainbridge, Chenango, County, N.Y.,
and I went with him, leaving my wife and the children at Sidney,
while we prospected. As usual my father started a blacksmith-shop;
but I bought a hundred acres of timber land, went to lumbering, and
made money. We had a house about four miles from the village, I
living with my father, and as soon as found out that we were doing
well in business, I sent to Sidney for my wife and children.
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