Cyrus Groat

• Preferred Name: Cyrus Groat
  
• Gender: F
  
• Birth: 10 OCT 1814
  
• Notes:

  Cyrus GROAT, the son of William P. Groat (143) and Hannah Shufelt, was born October 10, 1814, and Christened December 22, 1814, at the Reformed Church of Claverack. On January 13, 1836, he married Anne Eliza Pulver, the daughter of Peter W. Pulver and Mary Tator, born about 1816. Peter W. Pulver was a native of Claverack, the son of Wandell (Wendell) Pulver. Cyrus, a farmer, constituted the fourth generation of Groats to occupy the family farm in West Ghent, originally settled by hisgreat-grandfather Hendrich (5), in 1750. He was appointed Superintendent of the Poor by the County Board of Supervisors in 1853. Cyrus diedJanuary 26, 1900. The following biography was found in the Biographical Review:
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  CYRUS GROAT
  
  Hendrick Groat, the great-grandfather of Cyrus was a native of Holland [actually Germany], possessing the habits of thrift and frugality native to the people of that county. When a young man [actually an infant] he emigrated to the United States, and, coming directly to this part of New York, was one of the earliest pioneers of Columbia County. He took up a claim of land in Ghent, paying rent on it for several years, afterward buying it, the deeds, now about two hundred years old, being in the possession of his descendant above named. Peter Groat, sonof Hendrick, was born in Ghent, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits, becoming an important factor in the farming community, spending his long and busy life of ninety-six years [actually 87] within its precincts. He married a Miss Pike [in error, Peter's wife was MariaCorniker - Kernichen], and to them were born a family of seven children [actually 12]. At the time of his death Peter Groat was a pensionerof the Revolutionary War.
  
  William P. Groat, son of Peter, was a native of Ghent, and was rearedon the parental homestead. He began his business career as a tiller of the soil, but afterward exercised his natural mechanical ability asa carpenter, working at that trade for a few years. He subsequently again turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, improving a fine homestead in Ghent, where he spent his last years, dying in 1861 [1862], at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Hannah, daughter of Philip and Sarah Shufelt, of Ghent. To them were born ten children; namely Louisa, Sarah A., Maria, Cyrus, Philip P. Robert, Catherine, John C., William A., and Elizabeth.
  
  Cyrus, the fourth child and eldest son of Peter [William P.] and Hannah Groat, received his preliminary education in the public schools of Ghent, afterward attending the academy at Nassau, Rensselaer County. While at home, his services on the farm were in constant requisition; and he thus acquired early in life a practical knowledge of the art of agriculture. He remained a member of the paternal household until twenty-two years old, when he took unto himself a wife, and established a home of his own. Removing to North Ghent, he rented there a farm, which he cultivated for two years. He next rented a farm lying opposite the Martin Van Buren homestead, living there for four years. His first purchase of land consisted of sixty acres adjoining the Van Buren Farm. On this he erected good farm buildings, and carried on general farming successfully for six years. Returning thereafter to his birthplace, Mr. Groat purchased one-half of the old homestead and assumed its management, also working the other half for his father on shares, continuing this way for about four years, when he bought the other half of the farm, and has been busily engaged in its improvement. The wisdom and ability with which he conducts his farming operations are evident to the passer-by, his land being well laid out, furnished with substantial buildings, and equipped with all the modern conveniences for agricultural work.
  
  The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Groat, whom he wedded in 1836 was Anna E. Pulver. She was born January 13, 1866, daughter of Peter W. and Mary (Tator) Pulver, the former being a native of Claverack, son ofWandell Pulver, and the latter a native of Ghent. No children came tobrighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Groat. Mr. Groat takes a warm interest in all that concerns the welfare of his town and county, is liberal in his support of schemes to forward public improvements, and is active in political life. During his residence in Kinderhook he served one term as Commissioner, and has also served in the same capacity in Ghent, and one term as Superintendent of the Poor. Twice during the warhe was appointed to enroll the town of Ghent and served acceptably asRevenue Assessor and as Loan Commissioner, holding each office for six years. His honesty and integrity are unquestioned, his business ability everywhere respected, and his services are often in demand in settling estates, the largest of which he has had charge of being the Shufelt Estate in Chatham. In politics Mr. Groat is a strong Republican. Religiously, he and his estimable wife are members of the Lutheran Church of Ghent.

• m. 13 JAN 1836