John S. COON, of Edmeston, son of Daniel and Rhoda Coon, was born in Plainfield, Otsego Co., N.Y., Jan. 21, 1807. His father and mother were natives of Rhode Island, of English origin, and were among the early pioneers to Otsego County, and settled in Plainfield, at Loydsville, in 1793. His business was farming, and he owned at one time nearly 500 acres. He reared a family of nine children, namely: Betsey, Ezra, Fanny, Clarissa, Laura, Polly, Daniel, John S., and Alanson, the last two of whom are the only remaining members of the family.
In politics he affiliated with the old Whig party, and was always closely identified with public interest. He was justice of the peace for several years. For many years he was the sole owner of all the mills at West Edmeston.He died aged about sixty-four, and his wife at about the same age, three or four years previously.
John S. was reared on the farm until he was fifteen years of age, and then commenced to work at the clothier business, working in the falls and early winters, and during the summers he worked at the carpenter and joiner trade, continuing to work at the former trade till he was about twenty-two. He has continued to work at his carpenter trade more or less ever since. When he was about twenty-eight years of age he built him a furnace at West Edmeston, in which he made all kinds of farming implements, and continued to follow the same for some twenty years, and then he manufactured wagons and cutters, and this, in connection with his carpenter trade, has been his principal business ever since.
He was married to Miss Aurilla BURDICK, a native of Plainfield, Otsego Co., N.Y., Sept. 24 ,1829. She was a daughter of Chas. L. and Rebecca Burdick, and was born Oct. 4, 1808. By this alliance three children were born, namely: Adelbert C., Almeron S., and Myron H. Adelbert C. was born Feb. 27, 1838, and died Jan. 18, 1859; Almeron S., born May 27, 1841, and died Feb. 5, 1842; and Myron H., born March 6, 1849, and died Oct. 4, 1850. In politics he was formerly a Whig, and when the Republican party was organized he joined it.
He and his wife are members of the Seventh-Day Baptist church at West Edmeston. Mrs. Coon died Feb. 24, 1877. Mr. Coon has been living on his present home about twenty-one years. Mrs. Aurilla Coon was a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary Tract Society of West Edmeston. She was its first treasurer, and one of its most influential and efficient members. She is the first of that noble organization that is removed by death. By her sound judgment, with a mind endowed with superior graces, combined with dignity of character, and over all a loving heart imbued with the divine spirit, consecrated to His service, strong in faith, "rich in works,"
her whole life becomes a monument of grace. Mr. John S. Coon is one of the most liberal of men, having contributed largely to the church of which he and his faithful wife were among the working member.
