Anson Congdon was born in Otsego county, in 1817, and came to the town of Clarksville at the age of sixteen. His great-grandfather on his father's side came from England. His grandfather, Joseph Congdon, was born in Conn., and his father, Joseph Congdon, was a native of Petersburgh, NY. His mother's maiden name was Lydia Collins. His father was a farmer and Mr. Congdon was early instructed in the duties incident to that pursuit. His mother died in 1840 and his father in 1856.
Mr. Congdon has been twice married, the first time to Rachel Lurvey, a native of Plattsburgh, Steuben county, who died in 1852. His second wife was Mary A. Peckham, a native of Connecticut, who has lived in Clarksville since she was two years of age. Mr. Congdon, who is one of the most influential men in his section of the county, was formerly actively engaged in farming and lumbering, but has retired from business. He has held the office of justice of the peace twelve years, that of supervisor at different periods for eighteen years, and that of superintendent of poor for nine years; and has served four years as internal revenue collector for the 29th district.