John N. Hungerford

John Newton Hungerford (December 31, 1825 – April 2, 1883) was a banker, philanthropist, and a U.S. Representative from New York. Although he had no children, one of his focuses in life was the education of youth. Early years John Newton Hungerford was born in Vernon Centre, New York to Lot and Celinda (Smith) Hungerford on December 31, 1825. His father was born at Bristol, Connecticut, December 8, 1777, and moved with his grandfather Jacob to New York about 1800. On December 25, 1804, his father married his mother Celinda at Vernon Centre, New York. Lot was a farmer. His family claims descent from Thomas Hungerford of Hartford, who arrived in the New World some time prior to 1640. John was the youngest child of ten children—five boys and five girls. His siblings were: Sextus Heman (Jan. 14, 1806-May 15, 1867); Caroline Hannah (Feb. 7, 1808-Jan. 23, 1895); Adaline Mary (Oct. 27, 1809-Jan. 3, 1878); Rollin Newell (Mar. 2, 1813-Feb. 5, 1890); Ruth (May 24, 1815- ?); Asahel Smith (Feb. 10, 1817-May 3, 1900); Paulina Rolinda (Feb. 28, 1819- ?); Celinda (Sep. 21, 1821-Jan. 18, 1895); Elias B. (Sep. 1, 1822- ?) Hungerford. On January 9, 1827, John's father Lot died, leaving his one-year-old son to the care of his mother and siblings. Although John did not remember his father growing up, Lot did imprint upon the family an appreciation for thrift and industriousness, leaving them with his "good and honored name." John grew up on the family farm until age twelve when he moved in with his older brother Sextus Hungerford.