Clarence R. Chismore, postmaster of Ilion, New York, was born in that village on December 4, 1888, the youngest of six children born to Henry and Mary (Hoffman) Chismore, the former of whom was born in Litchfield, New York, on January 9, 1848, and died in Ilion on August 28, 1914. He was a contractor in Remington Arms in Ilion in early life and later was associated with the Remington Typewriter works. He was the son of Jacob and Apphia Remington (Merry) Chismore. Jacob Chismore was born in Vermont and died in Ilion on January 11, 1884. His wife was born on April 14, 1815, and died in Ilion in 1901, aged eighty-six years. Her mother was a sister of Eliphalet Remington, the founder of the great industries of Ilion. James Chismore, a son of Mrs. Apphia Chismore, enlisted in the Civil war at the age of sixteen and was the first to volunteer from Ilion. He died in Libby Prison. Chismore Post, G. A. R., of Ilion is named in his honor. A stepson, Dr. George Chismore of San Francisco, was a successful physician of that western city. He is survived by a daughter, Emma, the wife of Emil Engelche, attorney at law of San Francisco, California, and they had two children, Gretchen Klanati and Susan Chismore Engelche. Mary (Hoffman) Chismore, mother of the subject of this review, was born in Canajoharie, New York, on July 13, 1853, and died in Ilion on February 8, 1918. She was the daughter of John and Margaret (Forbert) Hoffman. John Hoffman was born in Germany, March 1, 1815, and died in Canajoharie, in 1899. His trade was that of a stone mason. His wife was also born in Germany and died in Canajoharie in 1857.
Clarence R. Chismore was graduated from the Ilion high school in 1907, after which he became associated with the Remington Arms Company for eight months. In 1908 he went with the Ilion National Bank as bookkeeper and later was promoted to teller and remained there until February 23, 1918, when he enlisted in the Three Hundred and Eighth Infantry, Seventy-Seventh Division, and was in service fifteen months. He spent one year in France and was in the battles of Baccarat Sector, Oise-Aisne Sector, and the Meuse-Argonne. On May 9, 1919, he was honorably discharged at Camp Upton, Long Island, then returned to Ilion National Bank and remained there from June, 1919, until May 1, 1923, after which he devoted his time to his outside affairs until April 15, 1924, when he was commissioned postmaster at Ilion to serve for four years.
Besides Clarence R. of this review, Henry and Mary (Hoffman) Chismore were the parents of five other children: Dr. Harry J. Chismore was born in Ilion, on May 3, 1878, and now resides in San Francisco, he is a D. D. S. and M. D. as well, but practices dentistry. He married Rae MacKay of San Francisco. Maude A. Chismore was born on December 26, 1880, was married to Morgan E. Edwards of Mohawk, New York, on August 7, 1906, and they have three children: Mildred, Eunice and Morgan H. Edwards; Emma E. Chismore was born on March 2, 1882, and on July 29, 1912, was married to Charles F. Walter of Middlesex, New York, who died on December 29, 1915. Mrs. Walter is a graduate of Ilion high school and Albany Normal and now teaches in the Utica Free Academy; Inez M. Chismore was born on January 9, 1884, and was married on August 11, 1909, to Harry Neely of Louisville, New York, now foreman with A. N. Russell & Sons Company of Ilion, and they have one child, Lyle H. Neely, born March 22, 1915; and Albert Chismore was born on February 18, 1885, and died August 18, 1885.
Mr. C. R. Chismore is a member of Ilion Lodge, No. 591, F. & A. M.; Ilion Lodge, No. 1444, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks; Crim-Schaffer Post, No. 920; and a charter member of the American Legion of Ilion. He is also a charter member of the Ilion Fish and Game Club, and fishing and hunting form his chief diversion. In politics Mr. Chismore is a republican.