The family of which Fox Sponable of Fort Plain, New York, is the leading representative, is an old and honored one in Montgomery county. They have usually been engaged in agriculture and have been noted as a family, for their habits of thrift and energy. The present record begins with Philip Sponable, a farmer of the county, who married and had issue.
(II) Henry, son of Philip Sponable, married Mary Cook. Children:
- Lasena, married Joseph Kretzer; children:
- Annie, married John Van Alstyn;
- Joseph, married Susan Steenburg.
- Nancy, married Joseph Plank; children:
- George, married Catherine McGazer;
- Sarah, married Charles Wyland.
- Hiram.
- Susan, married Aaron Carter; children: Joseph, Elmer and Elizabeth.
- Mary, married George O'Connor; children:
- Frank;
- George, married Kitty Clyde and has Dorothy;
- Walter, married Cora Gilday;
- Charles, married Lizzie Steingraves (?).
- Chauncey, of further mention.
(III) Chauncey, son of Henry and Mary (Cook) Sponable, married Elizabeth Fox. Children:
- Fox, of further mention.
- Claude F., a farmer, residing in the town of Palatine. He is a member of the Universalist church, and is also a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 611, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a Republican. He married Valeria Walrath. Children: Jay, Freda, Florence, Fern, Elmer and Milburn.
(IV) Fox, eldest son of Chauncey and Elizabeth (Fox) Sponable, was born September 4, 1869. His early education was obtained in the public schools. He later entered the State Normal College, graduating 1891. Deciding upon the profession of law, he entered the law department of Union University (Albany Law School) when he was graduated LL. B., 1901. In September of the same year he was admitted to the bar and forming a partnership with Judge John D. Wendell, settled in the village of Nelliston, with offices in Fort Plain. This partnership has continued until the present time, a most successful association. Mr. Sponable served as assistant district attorney of Montgomery county during the years 1895-96-97. He is attorney for the New York Central Railroad Company; the Otsego Telephone Company and other corporations, besides his large private practice. He is interested in many of the important enterprises of the town as well. He is president of the B. & S. Lumber Company; director of the Otsego Telephone Company and others. He is past master of Fort Plain Lodge, No. 433, Free and Accepted Masons, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, ex-state counsellor of Order of United American Mechanics, member of Modern Woodmen of American, Fort Plain club, and member of Republican county committee. He stands for the cause of education with all the fervor of his nature and for six years has been president of the board of education of the village of Nelliston and was for over three years principal of Nelliston public schools, and for several years past has been attorney of the village corporation. He is a member of the Dutch Reformed church, and was for several years superintendent of the Sunday school, which he still serves as assistant superintendent. He married, December 19, 1888, Clara, daughter of John F. and Eleanor (Van Vost) Empie, of Ephratah, Fulton county, New York. Children:
- James, married Alice Ricard.
- Lavina, married Clark Kilts, and has
- John C., married Mary Nellis.
- Anna, married John Earl Berry; children:
- Frank.
- Harry, married Lida Nellis, and has Rita and Guy.
- Charles.
- Mary, married Romaine Saltsman; children:
- Laura, married Charles Smith;
- Lloyd,
- Warner,
- Crystal.
- Clara, married Fox Sponable.
- John F. (2), married Mary Walrath.
Children of Fox and Clara (Empie) Sponable:
- Vera, born January 22, 1893;
- Harold F., June 22, 1899.