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Preston, Hiram W., was a native of Dutchess county, born October 23, 1831, and was the youngest of eight children.
His wife was also the youngest of eight children in her father's family. Hiram's father died when he was an ivfant,
and when but a youth he went to Brockport, where his early life was spent and where he became a practical jeweler
and watchmaker. About 1853, having in the meantime located at Norwalk, Ohio, and accumulated a small sum of money,
Mr. Preston opened a store with a fine stock of jewelry and started with good prospects for future success, but
in 1858, the region was subjected to the ravages of cholera, which destroyed and unsettled all business interests.
In 1859 or '60 Mr. Preston came to Albion and assumed charge of the jewelry store of his brother inlaw, E. J. Hill,
which he continued until the death of Mr. Hill, and upon that event he succeeded him in business. From that time
for a period of more than thirty years, Mr. Preston was one of the leading merchants of the county seat and one
of the most popular men in the vicinity. In Masonic circles he was especially prominent and advanced through all
the subordinate lodges to the 32d degree and held the chief offices in all the various Masonic organizations. Mr.
Preston was a member of Christ's Church, and one of its vestrymen and wardens. A beautiful memorial window in the
church edifice was the gift of his wife. On June 29, 1854, he married Emily, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Comstock)
Butler. Of this marriage one child was born, Adele A., a charming daughber whose untimely death at the age of nine
years was a serious blow to the parents, and from which Mr. Preston never fully recovered. Mr. Preston died in
Albion September 9, 1888, and is survived by his wife. Mrs. Preston is actively interested in charitable and church
work, and has been a member of the Union Charitable Society twenty six years,
From:
Landmarks of Orleans County, New York
Edited by: Hon. Isaac C. Signor
Assisted by: H. P. Smith and others
D. Mason & Co., Publishers
Syracuse, N. Y. 1894
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