William Orville Tolman
1 Oct 1837 – 25 Dec 1917
Son of William and Mary Bancroft Tolman
William Orville Tolman, youngest child of William and Mary Bancroft Tolman, was born October 1, 1837, on the paternal farm in the town of Watertown, and attended the public school near his home and the Jefferson County Institute, at Watertown.
He was bred to the life of a farmer, remaining with his father until after he was of age. He located on the original farm of his father, near the south line of the town, where he continued ten years. At the end of this time he returned to the paternal home, on account of the advancing years of his parents, who wished to relinquish their cares to younger minds and bodies. Here he has since continued to the present time, and is reckoned among the most substantial and progressive farmers of the town. His present home, opposite the stone house which was the residence of his father, was erected by him in 1876.
He is a member of Watertown Grange No. 7, in which he was the first secretary, continuing four years, was subsequently overseer and master, member of the executive board, and is now a trustee. He has served as master of the Jefferson County Pomona Grange, and is an active worker in the interest of the organization. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church at Burr’s Mills.
He is a strong adherent of the principles of the Republican party, and supports every movement for the advancement of mankind in general and of his home community. For several years he has filled the office of justice of the peace, with satisfaction to his townsmen and honor to himself.
Mr. Tolman was married November 12, 1863, to Miss Mary Ophelia Bailey, daughter of Lyman and Susan (Bull) Bailey. She was born April 16, 1839, in Whitestown, Wayne county, New York, and is the mother of three children, noted below:
1) Mary Louise, born September 5, 1864, in the town of Watertown, was married October 8, 1890, to Fred D. Simmons, and resides on the paternal farm. They have one child, Ethel Ophelia, born October 15, 1891.
2) Susie Luella, second daughter of William O. Tolman, born May 1,1869, was married November 21, 1891, to Albert I., Spink, and resides on a farm in the town of Rodman. Her children were: Seward Tolman, born September 8, 1898, died when four months old; Sewcll Laban, November 28, 1899, died before two months old; Susie Gwendolyn, September 9, 1903.
3) Hattie Ophelia, the youngest, died in her fourth year.
History of Watertown, Jefferson, New York
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