"The hope of the nation lies in the tillers of the soil" said Jefferson, and Philip Yaney Boshart, is today assisting in carrying out this statement, for he is numbered among the leading agriculturists in the community where he resides. He was born on November 20, 1850, in Fulton county, New York, his parents being Henry and Jane (Gross) Boshart. Henry Boshart was born in Fulton county, New York, on June 18, 1816, and died in that county on April 17, 1892. He was a farmer by occupation and was the son of Jacob and Catherine (Yaney) Boshart, farmers. His wife was born at Ephratah, New York. Jacob Boshart was the son of John Boshart and he and his brother John and sister Susannah came to America together from Holland. Susannah married Mr. Younglove of Johnstown, New York. Mr. Boshart has an iron pot brought over by his ancestors from Holland, who used it for the purpose of boiling hard soap to help supply New York city, where they lived for four years. Jane (Gross) Boshart, mother of the subject of this sketch, was born on May 23, 1821, near Johnstown, and died in Fulton county, on March 31, 1885. She was the daughter of John and Maria (Van Horn) Gross. John Gross was born in Fulton county, New York, and died there. His wife was born in Caughnawaga, now Fonda, New York.
Philip Yaney Boshart acquired his early education in the district school in Montgomery county, New York, then attended the academy at Johnstown, in 1868, after which he became associated with his father on the farm and remained with him until his marriage in 1880. At this time his father bought him a one hundred acre farm completely stocking it, which is the farm he now occupies. It is located about one mile from the village of Fonda, and now comprises one hundred and twenty acres, ably managed by Mr. Boshart and his son, James S. Boshart.
At Guy Park, Amsterdam, New York, on September 29, 1880, Mr. Boshart was united in marriage to Miss Genevieve Stewart, who was born in Guy Park, Amsterdam, on June 16, 1858, and is the daughter of James and Melissa J. (Pulling) Stewart, who were married in 1843. James Stewart was born in Scotland on December 4, 1794, and died in Amsterdam, New York, on July 28, 1860. His wife was born in Amsterdam and died in Guy Park, Amsterdam. James Stewart came to America from Scotland with his parents in 1796, and they located at Mayfield, New York. They are descendants of David Stewart of Scotland and of Robert Bruce. Melissa (Pulling) Stewart, mother of Mrs. Boshart, was the daughter of Dr. Abram Pulling, who practiced medicine in Amsterdam. Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Philip Yaney Boshart: James S. was born on the farm near Fonda, and was graduated from the Fonda High school, after which he became associated with his father on the farm and has been so engaged since that time. In October, 1913, he was married to Miss Jennie Burke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Burke. Mr. and Mrs. James S. Boshart have four children: John G., James S., Jr., Philip Yaney, and Annie Stewart; John G. Boshart was born on the homestead farm, near Fonda, and was also graduated from the Fonda high school. He is now manager for the Paper Payton Company of Duluth, Minnesota. He married Miss Jane McCloud, who died on September 14, 1921. They had one child, John G. Boshart, Jr., born on September 14, 1921; Thomas Walter Boshart was born on the farm near Fonda and was educated in the high school in Fonda, and in Exeter College, New Hampshire, where he was graduated. He is now salesman for a coal company in Utica.
Mr. Philip Yaney has membership in the Presbyterian church in Johnstown, and in politics he is a republican. His chief diversions are reading and automobiling.