From the History of Livingston County, New York, 1881, by James H. Smith the following biography is written. "Elias Driesbach, was a son of Henry and Lydia Driesbach, and we are sure that in saying he is a worthy son of his highly respected paents, we but utter a truth that is his due. Like his father he is a farmer and no better cultivator of the soil is found in the town of Sparta. Besides this he is one of the largest land owners in that town. His homestead farm where he resides consists of one hundred and thirty-nine acres. It is beautifully situated on elevated land above the magnificent valley of the Canaseraga, which lies in all its beauty in full view of his homestead, stretching far away to the north, until lost in the valley of the Genesee. No finer view than this is found in Western New York. Elias D., was born at Sparta, Feb. 17, 1822. In his youth he was subjected to the trials and hardships incident to a life in a new country, and therefore had few advantages for gaining an education. But he made the best use of those he did have, and obtained a competent common school education-all that was necessary to rank him among the intelligent, successful farmers around him. It is not saying too much that he possesses in a large degree, native sagacity, judgment and discernment. He is a man of much practical ability, order and promptness. His honor and integrity have never been questioned or doubted and his word has always been regarded as good as his bond-which is, beyond the shadow of a doubt, good. In his dealings with men he is upright and just, demanding what is his due, and giving to others their whole due to the last farthing. Until he was twenty-three years of age he lived with his father, and much of his labor was devoted to assisting him on his farm. January 16, 1845, he married Susannah, daughter of Joseph Kidd, of Dansville. She, though now an invalid, is all that a wife and mother should be, kind, affectionate and exemplary. Thus far six children have been born to them, named as follows, Susan Catharine, Lydia Ann, Mary, Rosy, Joseph and Emma. Mr.Driesbach settled on the farm where he now resides, soon after his marriage. He has been very fortunate in his business relations. By successful negotiations and far-sighted enterprise, he has accumulated quite a large fortune. Among his property he owns five hundred and ninety-four acres of valuable land, one hundred and forty acres of which are situated in the town of Springwater and the remainder in Sparta, including the old homestead of seventy acres, purchased by his father. Mr. Driesbach is a member of the Lutheran Reformed church, of Dansville, having united with that congregation many years ago. The old church, which still stands, was erected in 1826, and his father was very active in building it and sustaining the congregation. Mr. Driesbach has, since uniting with the church, been a consistent, influential, devoted, and exemplary member. In politics, like his father, he is a Democrat, strong in the faith of the fathers of that party. While firm in his principles, he still accords the same right to his political opponents, believing in everyone's thinking for himself, and would not, if he could, control any person in his political or religious rights or belief. It is just to Mr. Driesbach to state that in his business relations, in his family and as a citizen, his life and career is certainly an honor to his town and county, and that the pages of this history could not properly be filled without a fair, impartial, and just biography of him."