Elizur Hart (1803-1870)

Elizur R. Hart, President of the Orleans County National Bank, Albion, N.Y.

His father came from Dutchess County to Albion in 1812 and Elizur grew up on his farm. He started his career by lending small sums of money at Albion, and as Constable he was well-placed to collect any loans that were not repaid. As his business increased, he started to successfully invest in bonds and mortgages, and in articles for land issued by the Holland Company. On the failure of the old Bank of Orleans, he was appointed receiver. In 1860, he co-founded and became President of the Orleans County Bank (from 1865 the Orleans County National Bank) at Albion. He died in 1870 with a fortune of several hundred thousand dollars, leaving $50,000 to the Presbyterian Church of Albion and $5,000 to its Sunday School. His surviving children are: Frances E., who married Oliver C. Day, of S.E. Hart, Druggists & Grocers, Adrian, Michigan & Kansas City; Jennie K., married Henry L. Smith, of New York; and, E. Kirke. 

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Contributed by Mark Meredith on 09/02/2019 and last updated on 09/02/2019.
The Pioneer History of Orleans County, NY, Barre. Biographies, Part V, by Arad Thomas; Biography of the Hart Family 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