Willard Larkin, a practical and progressive farmer of Schoharie, N. Y., was born at Central Bridge, Schoharie County, October 3, 1860, son of John W. and Nancy M. (Enders) Larkin. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Larkin, a native of Rhode Island, was one of the pioneer settlers of Central Bridge, where he settled in early life, and prior to his death, at the age of seventy years, had redeemed a good farm from the forest. He was a strong Republican in politics, very influential in public affairs, and served several years as County Sheriff, being the only Republican in the county ever elected to that office. His second wife, Nancy Boyd, bore him three children, one of whom was John W., the father above named. Both Daniel Larkin and his wife Nancy were members of the Reformed church, in which he held most of the offices.
John W. Larkin completed his education at the Charlotteville Academy, and subsequently assisted in the care of the old homestead, which came into his possession after the death of his parents. He was a very energetic and thrifty farmer, successful in his undertakings, and he added to the improvements of the estate the fine set of buildings now standing. He died in the prime of life, at the age of fifty-six years. An unswerving Republican in politics, he served as Supervisor during four terms of one year each, at one time being chairman of the board, the only Republican in the county to hold a similar office. For several years he was one of the trustees of the Lutheran church, to which he and his wife belonged, and he was also a valued worker in the Sunday-school. He married Nancy M. Enders, daughter of Peter I. Enders, an extensive farmer and land-owner of Central Bridge. Of the six children born of their union four are now living, as follows: Willard, the subject of this sketch; Daniel; Mary K., wife of Frederick R. Farquher; and Delia B., wife of Robert S. Arcularius, of Brooklyn, N. Y. The mother died at the age of forty-six years.
Willard Larkin received his education in the common schools and at the Schoharie and the Claverack Academies. Returning to the parental home, he assisted in the farm work for several years, and helped to erect the present farm buildings. When ready to establish a home of his own, he bought his present farm of one hundred and five or more acres, which by judicious toil and superior management he has made one of the most valuable and attractive estates in this section of the county. A few years ago he rebuilt the house, barn, and out-buildings, which are commodious and well equipped. Since the death of his mother Mr. Larkin has managed the homestead property in connection with his own farm, having now the charge of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which he devotes to general farming, stock-raising, and dairying. In politics he is a strong Republican, and in 1896 was elected Commissioner of Highways for a term of two years.
On November 29, 1881, Mr. Larkin married Ruth H. Hoag, who was born in Sloansville, Schoharie County, daughter of John I. and Mary (Carr) Hoag. Her grandfather, David Hoag, was one of the earliest pioneers of that village, where he was long engaged in clearing and cultivating the land. He attained the age of eighty-nine years. John I. Hoag carried on farming on the old home farm until his death, March 20, 1898. His wife, Mary, was born in Carlisle, and was one of the fourteen children of John and Eliza (Sweetman) Carr, seven of whom are still living. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoag. The two now living are: Mrs. Larkin; and her brother, George W. Hoag, a merchant in Sloansville. Their mother died at the age of fifty-six years.
Mr. and Mrs. Larkin's only child, John H., died when eleven years old. Mr. Larkin and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran church at Central Bridge, of which he is treasurer, and both are teachers in the Sunday-school, in which Mr. Larkin has been superintendent for six years. Mrs. Larkin is president of the Home and Foreign Missionary Society of Hartwick Synod; and Mr. Larkin has been president of the County Union of the Christian Endeavor Society for five years, attending four meetings each year in different parts of the county. In 1895 he went as a delegate to the convention in Cleveland. Mrs. Larkin is a member of the local W. C. T. U.