Clarence E. Bloodgood, of the firm of Bloodgood & Tallmadge, Catskill's well-known attorneys, was born in Jewett on February 3, 1849, son of Jason and Lucinda (Coe) Bloodgood. His father, who is now, at the age of eighty-four, living retired in the village of Hensonville, is the grandson of William Bloodgood, one of the pioneer settlers of Conesville, Schoharie County, coming to that place from New Jersey and originally from Long Island.
William Bloodgood fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Dingle, was from New England. She died in 1833, surviving her husband sixteen years, his death having occurred in 1817. Their son, Lewis, the next in line of descent, was born in Schoharie County, and spent his life there in the town of Conesville, engaged in farming. He married Catherine Califf. He died about 1821, when his son Jason was a lad of six years.
Jason Bloodgood began his working life when very young. He was engaged for a number of years at farming and lumbering in his native town, and then he removed to a farm in Jewett, where he remained until 1887. Since that time he has resided in Hensonville. He is a Democrat in politics. His wife, Mrs. Lucinda C. Bloodgood, died in 1893. She was born in Jewett on October 1, 1809, being the daughter of Justus and Ruth (Bailey) Coe and one of a family of six children. Her father was born in Goshen, Conn., and came to Jewett in the early days of its settlement, finding his way thither by means of marked trees. There he spent the remainder of his days, making his home at first in a tiny log cabin and having but the barest necessities of life. He was a Deacon in the Presbyterian church, which he helped to build, and one of its active supporters throughout his life. He died at the age of eighty-four, and his wife died at the age of sixty-five. None of their seven children are living.
Jason and Lucinda C. Bloodgood were the parents of seven children, of whom six are living. These are as follows: Levi; Cyrus E.; Clarence E.; Tremain S., of Jewett; Mary, who is the wife of Mr. Van Valkenberg, of Catskill; and Isaac L. All the men of this family are prominent citizens in the towns where they reside. Three of the brothers have been Town Supervisors. Levi and Isaac are in partnership, and conduct the large general merchandise business at Hensonville. Levi and his brother Cyrus E. bought the business in 1868 of Messrs. Brown & Loughran, and were in partnership for seventeen years, when Cyrus sold his interest to the youngest brother. Levi Bloodgood married Kate Bedford, of Delaware County, and has two daughters: Lena, who was educated at Stamford Seminary, and is now a teacher of vocal and instrumental music; and Lettie, who is in school. He is one of the leading Democrats of his county, was Town Supervisor in 1890 and 1891, has been chairman of the Town Committee and many times a delegate to both town and county conventions. He is a member of the Methodist church and prominent in Sunday-school work. Cyrus E. Bloodgood is at the present time Clerk of Greene County. He was chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the county in 1882. Tremain is a farmer. For two years he represented his town, Jewett, in the Greene County Board of Supervisors.
Clarence E. Bloodgood in his early years attended the common schools, and subsequently a school at Jewett Heights. He then taught two terms in Jewett, and in 1869 entered Stamford Seminary. There he continued his studies until July, 1871, with the exception of one winter, during which he was teaching. In July, 1871, he took the examinations for Yale, passing through New York on the twelfth of the month, while the Orangemen's riot was in progress. In the fall of that year he entered the Freshman class, and in 1875 was graduated in the classical department, receiving honors. Among his classmates were the following-named men, who have since been distinguished in national life: John Patton, United States Senator from Michigan; Albert S. Jenks, recently elected Judge of the Supreme Court of the Second District of New York State; John S. Seymour, formerly of Connecticut, now of New York City, who was Commissioner of Patents under Cleveland's last administration; Edward S. Jones, First Assistant Postmaster-General under the same administration; Edward S. Atwater, of Poughkeepsie, candidate for Comptroller on the Democratic ticket in 1898; and Edward C. Smith, at present Governor of Vermont.
In the fall of 1875 Mr. Bloodgood was elected School Commissioner of the First District of Greene County; and this position he held for nine years. In 1879 he began the study of law in the office of J. B. Olney, of Catskill, and in January, 1885, was admitted to the bar. He immediately began the practice of law, and twelve years later formed the partnership with Mr. Tallmadge. The firm has one of the largest law libraries in the county, and its practice is very extensive. Both partners have a wide circle of acquaintance throughout this section of the State, and command universal confidence.
In 1891 and 1892 Mr. Bloodgood served as State Senator from the Fourteenth District, which then included Greene, Ulster, and Schoharie Counties. He was a member of the Judiciary Committee, of the Committee on Finance, and of the Committee on Canals, Roads, Bridges, and Poor Laws, and was chairman of the last two. He introduced some bills of importance, among others one that had been many times before presented and as often failed to pass. Against the opposition of members from large cities he secured the passage of the law, enlarging the scope of investments for savings-banks. Mr. Bloodgood believes in "sound money." He has been continuously active in all duties of good citizenship since he graduated from college. In 1895 he was chairman of the Democratic County Committee. He is at the present time a member of the State Committee for the Twenty-fifth Senatorial District. He has been a member of the State Bar Association since 1892. In 1897 he was elected vice-president of the association for the Third Judicial District of the State of New York, and last January was re-elected to the same position for the current year. In 1896 also he was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior special commissioner to investigate certain matters connected with the Osage Indians; but, as the acceptance of the position would require him to spend an indefinite time in the Indian Territory, he felt obliged to decline the honor. Mr. Bloodgood was married in 1892 to Josephine L. Case, of Catskill, daughter of Hiram Case. Mrs. Bloodgood was born in what is known as Potter's Hollow, Albany County. Mr. Bloodgood during the two years, 1895 and 1896, was president of the Rip Van Winkle Club, which is the leading social club of Catskill. He is secretary and treasurer of the Commercial Mutual Fire Insurance Association of Catskill.