Mrs. Clara Maude (Cook) Tilton is the capable head of a successful candy manufacturing business at Palatine Bridge, Montgomery county. She was born in the town of Palatine, New York, and was one of the fifth generation born on the old homestead. Her parents were Jacob C. and Nancy Maria (Lasher) Cook. The father, who was a son of Casper I. and Clarissa (Vosburgh) Cook, was also a native of the town of Palatine, born on the old homestead farm on January 3, 1822, and he departed this life at Palatine Bridge on the 17th of July, 1912. The family is one of the oldest in Montgomery county. Johonas Cook, the paternal great-grandfather of Clara Cook Tilton, was a lifelong resident of the town of Palatine, passing away at the old homestead here. He fought in the battle of Oriskany, was wounded in the jaw and died from the effects of the injury three years later. Mrs. Nancy Maria (Lasher) Cook, daughter of Samuel and Harriett (Vedder) Lasher, spent her life in the town of Palatine.
The early education of Clara Maude Cook was obtained in the district school in her native town, after which she continued her studies under a private teacher at her home. Subsequently she went to Albany, New York, where she studied art under a private tutor and became very proficient, as is proven by the handsome paintings which now adorn the walls of her home in Palatine Bridge. About twenty-eight years ago she began manufacturing candy on the well known Cook homestead farm in the town of Palatine and started her career in the confectionery business by making caramels. Her success from the first was so pronounced that she added a taffy to the list and called it "The Old Homestead", the name by which it is known today. Her business increased so rapidly that she decided it would be for her best interests to move from the country nearer to a shipping point. She then came to Palatine Bridge, occupying the Failing home, and engaged in the manufacture of fine chocolates, which were of such excellent quality that they soon won a wide reputation and orders were received that taxed the working capacity of the little plant. She moved to more spacious quarters in the Flume building, and added considerable machinery to facilitate the handling of the increased business. It was not long, however, before it was found necessary to have still larger quarters, and she then purchased the well known Wagner homestead, one of the most spacious residences in aristocratic old Palatine, which had been the former home of the Hon. Webster Wagner, the inventor of the Wagner sleeping car, now known as the Pullman car.
On the 20th of June, 1896, in the town of Palatine, Clara Maude Cook became the wife of George H. Tilton, who was born in New York city, on the 31st of January, 1850, and who is the son of George E. and Johanna (Sherigar) Tilton. In the acquirement of an education George H. Tilton attended the public schools in the eastern metropolis, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school, after which he continued his studies in the College of the City of New York, then called the Free Academy. Subsequently he spent three years as a bookkeeper in the wholesale coffee house conducted by Wheeler & Company in New York city and later was connected with the dry goods house of Lord & Taylor. He next engaged in the building and contracting business for a period of ten years as a partner in the firm of William J. Merritt & Company. He is now associated with his wife in the candy business at Palatine Bridge. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, belonging to Hamilton Lodge No. 79, A. F. & A. M., of Canajoharie; Hiram Union Chapter, No. 53, R. A. M., of Canajoharie; and Johnstown Council, R. & S. M., of Johnstown, New York. He attends the Reformed church and in politics is a republican.
Mrs. Clara Maude Tilton is a member of the Reformed church of Canajoharie; Tekaharawa Chapter, No. 488, O. E. S., of Canajoharie; the Palatine Literary Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution. In politics she is a democrat and for diversion turns to motoring. Mrs. Tilton, because of energy and enterprise such as are seldom evidenced by woman, is indeed deserving of the gratifying degree of prosperity which has attended her efforts.