the wilderness, on what is now known as the Losee farm; Asel Marvin
had made a clearing on the James Sheldon farm, and there were others
on Mrs. Richardson's farm, and where Peter Yager lives. The settlers
along the Oneonta Creek, after Mr. Marvin, moved in slowly.

About 1804, David Yager came from Greenbush, N.Y., and purchased the
farm now known as the Peter Yager farm. Solomon Yager, the father of
David, came afterwards, purchasing his son's farm.[A]

[Footnote A: For the purpose of showing the increase in the value of
real estate, it may be mentioned that at the time David Yager sold to
his father, he was offered a farm lying between Maple street and the
farm of J.R.L. Walling, containing 150 acres, for $400.]

James McDonald settled at the lower end of the village at an early
date. Mr. McDonald was of Scotch descent, and an active business man.
The lower part of the village was largely built through his enterprise
and at one time bid fair to become the business centre of the village.
He built a mill and hotel, and also became an extensive landholder.
James McDonald kept the first post-office established within the
limits of the town.

The first settlers were mostly German Palatinates from Schoharie and
the Mohawk. The German was the language of common conversation, and so
continued until Dr. Lindsay and Asa Emmons came into the settlement.
At this time the Emmons and Lindsay families were the only ones that
made the English their exclusive language.

These German settlers were a patient and persevering people, and
betook themselves to the task of felling the forest and rearing homes