COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. pages 800 & 801
SAMUEL J. TANNER. Among the active farmers and stock- raisers in the town of Pine Plains, Dutchess county, this gentleman holds prominent place. He belongs to one of the pioneer families of the county, his great-grandfather having been one of the early settlers of the town of Dover. He was a native of England, and while serving in the British army he was captured by the Spaniards and would have starved to death had it not been for the Spanish women.
The grandfather of our subject, Samuel Tanner, was born in the town of Dover, but early located on the old Tanner farm, east of the village of Pine Plains, and became a leading and influential man. He wedded Mary Mclntosh, and to them were born fourteen children: William, John, Alex, Reuben, Morris, Anthony, Henry, James, Samuel, Margaret, Eliza, Myra, Clarissa, and Mary Magdalene,most of whom resided in Columbia county,,New York.
Samuel S. Tanner, father of our subject. Succeeded to the old
homestead in the town of Pine Plains, and by the careful
management of his business affairs accumulated a
comfortable property, having in the neighborhood of 450
acres of land, comprising one of the best farms in the town.
He was a man of good natural ability, strong and rugged, of
sound judgment and well informed for his time. His fortune
was the result of his own diligence and enterprise, and his
upright, honorable life won the high regard of all. For his first
wife he wedded Fannie Streaver,. and after her death, was
united in marriage with Miss Mary Betsy Lown, by whom he
had four children: William; Fannie, wife of Henry Palmer;
Mary, wife of John Head; and Samuel J., subject of this
sketch. His third union was with Julia Sheldon, and to them
were born three children: Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Titus;
George, of Pine Plains; and Julia. The father voted the
Democratic ticket, though never particularly active in political
matters, and was often urged to take office, but declining the
honor he only served as assessor one term. In religious faith
his support was given to the Presbyterian Church, which he
attended. He was called from this earth February 7, 1891, at
the ripe age of eighty-six years.
Our subject was born in 1845, on the old homestead in the town of Pine Plains, and received a fair education in the district schools of the locality, which education in later years he improved by reading and observation. He always remained upon the old homestead, aiding in its operation, and successfully managed the same for several years. After the death of his father he purchased the interest of the other heirs, and his career as a farmer and stock-raiser has been characterized by keen judgment, shrewd common sense and good business habits. He raises cattle, sheep and hogs, and is a careful, conservative business man and substantial farmer, owning 450 acres of valuable and productive land.
On November 28, 1894, Mr. Tanner was united in marriage with Fannie E. Van Aken, who was born April 22, 1860, in Ulster county, N. Y., daughter of Solomon and Catherine Ann (Atkins) Van Aken, highly respectable farming people of the town of Esopus, Ulster county. The father died in 1879. aged fifty-five years; the mother in 1891, aged sixty-six years. They are the parents of eight children, three of whom are yet
living. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tanner has come one
child: Charles S., born November 8, 1895. They are also
caring for the orphan son of Mrs. Tanner's sister, Aurelia
(Mrs. William Swartout), who died September 15, 1890. Our
subject is strictly temperate in every sense of the word. thus
following in the footsteps of his father, and is a liberal
contributor to the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, but cares nothing for political preferment, desiring
rather to devote his time and attention to his business interests.
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