admin GEORGE JEDIAH LETCHWORTH. In George J. Letchworth, who passed from this life on the 24th of May, 1887, were blended in equal degree the qualities of the strong, capable man of affairs and the broad-minded philanthropist. Gifted with rare practical abilities, Mr. Letchworth was a man of exceptional power and initiative. From an early period of his life he was identified with large manufacturing enterprises, and he won a distinguished name in the business world. But amid all the activities of his busy career he was ever mindful of the higher meaning of existence. Few men have so well exemplified the principles of honor and Christian benevolence. His character was singularly gentle, frank and sincere.
The Letchworth family is of English descent, and the ancestors of the subject of this sketch were well-known residents of Philadelphia and its vicinity, being prominent members of the Society of Friends. Later representatives of the family removed to Central New York. The parents of George J. Letchworth were Josiah and Ann (Hance) Letchworth, who in the early part of their married life resided at Burlington, N. J. Thence in 1820 they removed to the Black River region of Northern New York, settling first at Chaumont, afterward at Brownville. In 1828 Mr. Letchworth removed to Moravia, Cayuga County, and later settled at Sherwood, where he became established in the saddlery business for many years. He finally removed to Auburn, N. Y., where he lived until his death in 1857.
Guided in his principles and conduct by the teachings of the Society of Friends, Josiah Letchworth was a man of consistent Christian life. He was prominent in the anti-slavery movement, a leading advocate of temperance reform, and took a keen interest in political affairs so far as they bore on vital necessities of morality and justice.
George Jediah Letchworth was the third son of Josiah Letchworth and was born in Brownville, Jefferson County, N. Y., on the 14th of August, 1827. As a youth he displayed remarkable ingenuity and mechanical skill in the success with which he constructed an apparatus for developing electricity.
When seventeen years of age he left home to enter the service of Messrs. Hayden & Holmes at Auburn, N. Y., and in 1849 was admitted to partnership, the firm style becoming Hayden, Holmes & Co., and later, Hayden & Letchworth, of which concern he continued to be the managing partner for about twenty two years and up to 1872.
Mr. Letchworth became closely identified with the public life of Auburn. He was among the foremost in all good works, civic, benevolent or religious. During the Civil War he was a prominent member of the Sanitary Commission.
Mr. Letchworth removed to Buffalo in 1876. He came here at the suggestion of his brother, Mr. Josiah Letchworth, with which Mr. George J. Letchworth afterwards became associated as a partner. The firm, widely known as proprietors of the Buffalo Malleable Iron & Steel Works, were also extensively engaged in the manufacture of saddlery hardware. The connection of Mr. Letchworth with the house of Pratt & Letchworth lasted till the close of his life.
The engrossing cares of the great enterprise which he had in charge absorbed Mr. Letchworth’s time and strength, yet he took a keen interest in the advancement of Buffalo. His benevolent nature found a still larger sphere than before, and he became notably identified with the charities of the City. He was a particularly active member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and was elected its President, an office which he continued to hold till his death in the month of May, 1887, at Manchester, England. His remains rest in the beautiful cemetery of Auburn, the city which he so loved and where he so long resided.
Mr. Letchworth was married on the 21st of August, 1850, at Sherwood, N. Y., to Charlotte Pearl, only daughter of Dr. Denison and Maria (Ogden) Pearl, of Scipio. The children of the union were Ogden P., and Anna M. Letchworth, the latter of whom is since deceased.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I