William Granby, a carpenter and builder of Blenheim, and at the present time a member of the Board of Supervisors from this town, was born here on November 1, 1868, son of Alexander and Julia (Kellogg) Granby.
Richard Granby, his great-grandfather, who was a native of Ireland, came to this country during the war of the Revolution, and joined the Colonial army, in which he subsequently rendered valiant service. After peace was declared, he came to Blenheim and settled on the farm about a mile from the present village, which is now owned by William Granby, his mother, brother, and his sister. Here he died in old age.
Richard's son William, first, grandfather of the present William Granby, was a native of Blenheim. He engaged in farming and in the lumber business, and also worked as a cooper. He was a very prominent citizen in the town, and served as School Overseer and in other public capacities. He was one of the leaders in the movement to build the Methodist church, and held the offices of class leader and steward in that body. His death occurred at the age of eighty-eight. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Badgely, was a native of Coeymans. Their children were: Alexander, William, George, Jane, Ellen, and three others that died young. The mother died at the age of eighty-eight, after sixty-five years of happy married life.
Alexander Granby, father of the third William, engaged in mercantile business in early life, but later learned the cooper's business, and worked at that with farming during the remainder of his life. He was well known and highly respected in these parts, and was very successful in all his business ventures. Politically, he was a Republican, and was Town Clerk and Assessor for some years. He died at the age of sixty-five. He is survived by his wife, Julia, and their three children, namely: Arthur, who resides on the Granby homestead; Susie, who married John R. Berg, of New York; and William. Mrs. Granby is living in New York with her daughter. She was born in Carthage, Jefferson County, daughter of John Kellogg, a shoemaker and dealer of that place. Her parents had a large family of children.
William Granby, the subject of this sketch, grandson of the first William, attended the public schools of the town until about thirteen years of age, and during the next ten years gave his attention to farming. Then for some five years he worked at carpentering, though he still resided on the homestead farm. The estate originally comprised a hundred and forty acres, and of this he inherited a third. He was especially interested in dairying, finding his markets in Albany and in New York.
Mr. Granby has shown his interest in the welfare of the community by his attendance on the county conventions every year, excepting one, since he became a voter. In 1893, having been elected Town Clerk, he moved into the village, where he has since resided. He declined the nomination for the clerk's office for a second term, but became candidate for Sheriff in the county on the Republican ticket. Although defeated, he ran far ahead of the ticket, and had the satisfaction of carrying his own town, usually Democratic, by eighty-six votes. He made the greatest run ever made for the office by a Republican candidate. He has twice declined the nomination for the office of Supervisor, but in 1898 was elected to that office for a term of two years. No better representative could have been sent, and he has the hearty support of his townspeople. Mr. Granby is a member of the Odd Fellows Order, and at present Noble Grand. Shortly after he joined the organization, two years ago, he was chosen permanent secretary. As a musician, Mr. Granby has acquired considerable local reputation. For many years he has been leader of the choir at the Methodist church, and for the last five years he has been the church organist.