Skinner, Nathan

NATHAN SKINNER.

The Skinner family in America were originally represented by seven brothers who emigrated from England at an early date, four of whom settled in Canada, and the remainder in the United States. At a later period two removed to New York State, and one to New Jersey. Daniel Skinner, the grandfather of Nathan, the subject of this biography, who was descended from one of these brothers, was probably born in New, Jersey, and during his minority removed to Orange County, which continued to be his residence until his death. He married Miss Mary Smith, of New York, and had children,— Moses, Jephtha, and Stephen, and seven daughters. Of this number, Moses remained in the county of his birth until 1826, when he removed to Canada. He was married Feb. 17, 1807, to Miss Mary Archa, who was of Scottish ancestry, and whose parents resided at Red Hook, on the Hudson. The following children were theirs: Nelson, Elisha, Nathan, Julia Ann, Moses O., Joseph, Salome, Elizabeth, and Drayton B., each of whom reached mature years. Of this number, Nathan was born near Otisville, in Orange County, Sept. 7, 1816, and spent his early life under the parental roof. He afterwards, in company with his father, repaired to Canada, and later to Ohio. With no resources at command other than those which nature had provided him, and equipped with a brave heart and a ready hand, he began the battle of life. Believing an honest trade to be among the most honorable of employments, he acquired that of a carriage- maker, and in 1839 removed to Port Jervis, where for fourteen years he devoted himself with unremitting industry to his mechanical occupation, Having previously had no opportunities of education, he availed himself on his return to the East of forty days at the public school. The acquirements of Mr. Skinner during this brief period, though of necessity limited, enabled him to gain the rudiments which greatly assisted in his future career. In 1840 he was married to Miss Aseneth, daughter of John D. Carpenter, whose family were early, settlers at Carpenter’s Point, where his father was an extensive land-owner and largely interested in business enterprises. She is also a direct descendant of Maj. Johannes Decker, of historic memory, whose family early experienced all the horrors incident to Indian and border warfare. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have been the parents of three children,— Martha Ellen, John N., and Charles N., of whom John N., born in 1844, is the only survivor. He was in 1865 united in marriage to Miss Anne M. Malven, who was born in Stroudsburg, and later removed with her parents to Iowa. They have two children,— Charles N., and John M., both of whom are now pursuing their studies. Nathan Skinner in 1853 retired from business, and three years later purchased his present residence, located on the east bank of the Neversink, and adjoining the corporation of Port Jervis. Since that time he has followed agricultural pursuits, varied by occasional operations in real estate. In politics Mr. Skinner is an ardent and uncompromising Republican. Official life presents for him no attractions; his name will not, therefore, be found upon the roll of office- holders. His religious belief is in harmony with the creed of the Reformed Dutch Church, to which he contributes a liberal support, and of which both Mrs. Skinner and her daughter- in- law are active members.