Commemorative Biographical Record of Ulster Co., N.Y.
published 1896 by J. H. Beers and Co.of Chicago
page 496
CHAUNCEY P. FINGER, residing in the town of Saugerties, is a representative of one of the oldest families of Ulster county. His father, John Finger, was born in Red Hook, Dutchess Co., N.Y. January 22, 1816. His father, the grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Dutchess county, and was also by occupation a farmer, in which calling he was very successful. Late in life he removed to Woodstock, Ulster Co., N.Y. where he spent the remainder of his days. He married a Miss Coon, by whom he had seven children that grew to maturity. Gitty, Emma, Henry, John, Christina, Elmira and Morgan. In politics he was a Whig, but was never very active in party matters. Religiously he was a member of the Lutheran Church.
John Finger, the father of the subject, spent his boyhood and youth in the counties of Dutchess and Ulster, and received a very good education for his time. He was quite a reader and was always a well-informed man on the current topics of the day. In his youth he learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he followed for a number of years. In 1853 he removed to West Camp, Ulster county and engaged in farming about one mile over the line in Greene county where he remained until his death in March, 1893. In his farming operations he was quite successful, being a man of good business judgment and as industrious as the day is long. For twenty years previous to his death the family entertained boarders from the city during the summer months. His marriage with Hepsiba Shultis, daughter of Henry P. Shultis, occurred about 1840. They were the parents of nine children; Phineas R., Rachel A., who married Fredric Dedrick; Granville; Ella, who married Charles Potts, of Dutchess county; Almeron; Chauncey P.; Sarah A., who married William James, of New York City; Wesley; and Mina, who died in infancy. In politics John Finger was a Republican, supporting his party ticket in all national elections; but in local elections voting independently and for the best man. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over forty years, and was quite active in Church work. In all matters of public interest he was enterprising and progressive.
Chauncey P. Finger was born in Woodstock, N.Y., April 12, 1852, and when he was but a year old his parents removed to West Camp, where he grew to manhood, assisted in the farm labor, and attended the district school until about eighteen years of age. While his educational advantages were very fair, he has always been a great reader, and is therefore a well informed man. After leaving school he remained at home, assisting his father until twenty-five years of age, when, in 1877, he engaged in farming on his present place. He bought the farm of Peter M. Valkenburgh, which consists of fifty-eight acres, and has now one of the best farms in town. He has improved the place very much since it came into his possesion, sparing neither time nor labor that it might be made more productive. On May 4, 1876, he was united with Miss Alida W. Winne, daughter of John V. Winne, of Katsbaan, one of the old citizens of the place. They have a family of six children: Peter W., born May 22 1877; John K., born September 19, 1879; Sarah E., born March 8, 1882; Claude Le R. born January 22, 1884; Victor Stockton, born April 7, 1887 and Floyd E., born February 25, 1890.
In politics Mr. Finger is a staunch Democrat, and has been quite active in local political affairs. He is a member of the Methodist Epispocal Church at Malden, and has been a trustee, steward and class-leader in his Church for some years. He is a member of Ulster Lodge, I.O.O.F., of Saugerties. In public matters he is enterprising and progressive, and is regarded as one of the leaders in his town.