Archibald Tinning, one of the leading farmers of Princetown, N. Y., was born in Glen, Montgomery County, this State, August 6, 1824, son of James and Hannah (Bradt) Tinning. The father was born in Scotland in 1785, and in early life he followed the useful calling of a school teacher. He later kept a store on the Erie Canal, and in 1840 he settled in Pattersonville, where he ran a general store in connection with farming for eleven years. He then moved to Florida, N. Y., where he spent the rest of his life, and died in 1868. Politically, he acted in his later years with the Republican party, and in his religious belief he was a Presbyterian. Mrs. Hannah Bradt Tinning, his wife, who was born in Glen in 1795, and died in 1838, was the mother of six children, three of whom are living, namely: Archibald, the subject of this sketch; Susan, who is now Mrs. Dougal, of Glenville; and Jane, who resides in Monterey, Cal. The others were: Catharine, who became Mrs. Dorman; Margaret, who became Mrs. Brownell; and Joseph Tinning. The mother died in 1838.
Archibald Tinning was reared and educated in Montgomery County. He began life as a clerk in his father's store, and later engaged in mercantile business on his own account. He became a property holder in Schenectady County in 1840, purchased his present farm in Princetown in 1849, and has resided here since 1850. He now owns about three hundred acres, which he uses for general farming and pasturage. He raises large and superior crops, and realizes good financial results. He keeps from twenty to thirty head of fine cattle, also raises sheep, and his stable contains some excellent horses.
In 1848 Mr. Tinning married Sarah McGee, who was born in New York City, daughter of William and Maria (Weast) McGee, who came to reside in Princetown several years prior to her marriage. She is the mother of five children; namely, James, William, Frances, Maria, and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Tinning have eight grandchildren.
Having acquired a competency, Mr. Tinning has practically retired from active labor, and will henceforward enjoy a well-earned rest at his comfortable home. In politics he acts with the Republican party. He and Mrs. Tinning are members of the Dutch Reformed church.
Of late years Mr. Tinning has found the winters too severe, and he and Mrs. Tinning have made several journeys to California to enjoy that delightful climate, and visit friends and relatives, making his headquarters with his son William, who is a successful lawyer. He has visited the Yosemite and other natural wonders of the State, also taking great interest in the sugar beet factories and other great industries and improvements that are being carried on.